Lebanon’s Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine announced that 203 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes carried out on Wednesday across Beirut and other parts of the country. The updated figures were shared before a cabinet meeting, marking a sharp rise from earlier reports by the Health Ministry, which had confirmed 182 deaths and 890 injuries. According to the report, the attacks targeted multiple areas in Lebanon, including the capital. Iran described the ongoing Israeli strikes as a serious violation of the Tehran–Washington ceasefire agreement. The information was sourced from Al Jazeera and the BBC. The escalation underscores rising regional tensions following the ceasefire, with Lebanon’s civilian toll continuing to climb amid international concern over the breach of the truce terms.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Thursday sentenced former vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, Hasibur Rashid, to 10 years in prison in the murder case of student Abu Sayeed. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury with judges Md Manjurul Basid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, also handed death sentences to two police officers, life imprisonment to three others, and varying jail terms to 30 accused in total. The death sentences were given to former assistant sub-inspector Amir Hossain and former constable Sujon Chandra Roy, both currently in custody. University teachers Mashiur Rahman and Asaduzzaman Mondal, along with former BCL president Pomel Barua, each received 10 years in prison, while five other leaders were sentenced to three years. The tribunal accepted the formal charges on June 30, 2025, and began the trial on August 27, 2025. Abu Sayeed, an English department student and a coordinator of the quota reform movement, was shot dead by police on July 16, 2024, in front of the university during protests. His death sparked nationwide outrage and later escalated into a mass uprising.

Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, deleted a social media post in which he announced that an Iranian delegation was traveling to Islamabad to begin talks with the United States. The post, made on Thursday on platform X, mentioned that the discussions were to take place at the invitation of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and based on Iran’s proposed ten-point framework. The ambassador did not explain why the post was later removed. According to the deleted message, Moghadam had also accused Israeli authorities of repeatedly violating the ceasefire to undermine diplomatic efforts, which he said had created public doubt in Iran about the peace process. The talks were expected to follow a two-week conditional ceasefire between Iran and the United States, agreed on April 9 through Pakistan’s mediation. The upcoming meeting was scheduled for Saturday with US Vice President JD Vance, as part of the ongoing diplomatic engagement facilitated by Islamabad.

The family and classmates of Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University and the first martyr of the July uprising, expressed dissatisfaction with the court verdict in his murder case. The judgment was announced on Thursday in Rangpur, after which his parents, Mokbul Hossain and Monowara Begum, voiced their disappointment at their home in Babunpur village of Pirganj upazila. Mokbul Hossain said he was not satisfied with the sentencing of two people to death and three to imprisonment, claiming that more individuals deserved capital punishment. Monowara Begum added that they would have been happier if more accused had been punished and demanded the arrest of those still absconding. Fellow students, including Ashiqur Rahman and Shamsur Rahman Suman, also criticized the verdict, alleging that police officers involved were spared and that the punishments were too lenient. According to the report, out of 30 accused in the case, 24 remain fugitives while six are in custody, including a former university proctor, police officers, and student leaders.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Israeli attacks in Lebanon following the ceasefire were 'completely wrong' and urged that Lebanon be urgently included under the US-Iran ceasefire agreement. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s 'Today' program, she highlighted the large-scale displacement of civilians in Lebanon and the resulting humanitarian crisis, calling for an extension of the ceasefire to cover Lebanon. Cooper also responded to remarks from Iran’s deputy foreign minister, who claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is not part of international waters and that safe passage depends on the goodwill of Iran and Oman. She rejected this assertion, emphasizing that under maritime law, freedom of navigation applies to international transit routes. Cooper added that no country can unilaterally seize control of such routes or impose tolls, reinforcing the UK’s position on maintaining open international waterways.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated in an interview on April 9, 2026, that Iran will ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that the strait had remained open for thousands of years until the start of hostilities with the United States. However, he warned that the strait would not be reopened unless the U.S. withdrew from what he described as acts of aggression, indirectly referring to Israel’s attacks in Lebanon. Khatibzadeh emphasized that Iran would act in accordance with international norms and laws but asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is not part of international waters. He said that safe passage depends on the goodwill of Iran and Oman. When asked whether safe navigation meant no fees or threats to ships, he replied that Iran wants the strait to remain peaceful. He added that safe navigation is a bilateral matter and that Iran would not tolerate the misuse of the Gulf by warships, signaling Tehran’s firm stance on regional maritime security.

Two people were killed when a small aircraft crashed at a local airport in Arizona, United States. Local officials confirmed the incident on Wednesday, stating that the plane veered off the runway and caught fire. The crash occurred at an airport in Marana, and both occupants of the aircraft died at the scene. According to Marana Mayor Jon Post, the aircraft ignited after leaving the runway. City spokesperson Vic Hathaway said the plane carried two people whose identities have not yet been confirmed. The Marana Police Department reported that no one else was injured and no other aircraft were involved in the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board has begun an investigation into the crash. The agency identified the downed aircraft as a Piper PA-32 model. Further details about the cause of the crash have not yet been released.

A Dhaka court has ordered a three-day remand for retired Lieutenant General Sheikh Mamun Khaled, former Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), in connection with the murder of BNP activist Mokbul Hossain. The order was issued on Thursday, April 9, 2026, by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Muhammad Junaid after a hearing. The prosecution confirmed the decision following a police request for further interrogation. Police presented Mamun Khaled before the court after completing a previous 14-day remand and sought a new seven-day remand, citing the need for detailed questioning. The remand petition alleged that Khaled had politically supported the previous government in suppressing opposition activities and played a significant role behind the incident. Defense lawyers sought bail and cancellation of the remand, which the court denied. According to the case, BNP announced a one-point movement on December 10, 2022, demanding the fall of the then government. During clashes near the BNP’s Nayapaltan office, activist Mokbul Hossain was shot dead. The case was filed on September 30 against 256 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish lawmaker Sayeduddin Ahmad Hanzala submitted a special privilege notice in the Jatiya Sangsad after alleging that he was publicly called a 'militant MP' in the parliament area on March 30. The issue was raised during Thursday’s session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, who referred the notice to the parliamentary committee on privileges for further examination and reporting. Hanzala told the House that the remark had spread on social media, causing him social humiliation and violating his parliamentary privileges. He described the term as a 'fascist word' and said that for the past 17 years, such language had been used to defame religiously observant individuals. He urged the Speaker to ensure that all members, regardless of party affiliation, could maintain their dignity. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad confirmed that the matter would be investigated by the standing committee on privileges, which he chairs, to determine whether the MP’s special rights were infringed.

The Bangladesh Parliament has passed the National Human Rights Commission (Repeal and Reenactment) Bill 2026, effectively canceling the interim government’s human rights ordinance and reinstating the 2009 National Human Rights Commission Act. The bill was introduced by Law Minister Asaduzzaman and passed under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. Opposition objections, raised by NCP lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah from Comilla-4, were rejected by voice vote. During the debate, Hasnat Abdullah criticized the bill, warning that repealing the 2025 ordinance could turn the commission into a political tool for repression. He argued that the 2009 law had previously been used to suppress opposition parties and lacked independence, as most members of its selection board were from the ruling party. He also noted that investigations into human rights violations required prior government approval, undermining transparency. Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman called for more time to discuss the issue, citing its importance to political transparency and public safety. The Speaker allowed limited additional time before the bill was passed.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 in Bangladesh on Thursday sentenced two police officers to death for the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed during the July uprising. The tribunal, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, found ASI Amir Hossain and Constable Sujan Chandra Roy guilty of crimes against humanity. Three former senior police officials received life imprisonment, while several university officials, teachers, and student leaders were given prison terms ranging from three to ten years. The case involved 30 accused, of whom six were arrested and 24 remain fugitives. The prosecution presented CCTV footage from the university gate showing the events of July 16, 2024, when police attacked protesters marching toward the campus. Abu Sayeed was shot multiple times and died on the way to the hospital. The tribunal heard arguments from both prosecution and defense before delivering the verdict. The judgment marks a significant legal outcome related to the July 2024 protests in Rangpur, holding law enforcement and university officials accountable for their roles in the deadly incident.

Keir Starmer has arrived in the United Arab Emirates to hold further discussions on the ongoing Iran war situation. His visit comes amid uncertainty over whether the ceasefire between the United States and Iran will hold. During his stay, Starmer is scheduled to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Earlier, Starmer visited Jeddah, where he met with Mohammed bin Salman. Meanwhile, Iran has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement through its attacks in Lebanon, calling them a serious breach. The developments highlight the fragile state of the truce and the growing regional strain. The outcome of Starmer’s meetings in the UAE may influence diplomatic efforts to sustain the ceasefire and reduce tensions in the region, though the stability of the agreement remains uncertain.

Israel carried out airstrikes in Lebanon on Wednesday evening, killing more than 250 people, just hours after the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire. The attack has turned Lebanon into a new fault line in the fragile peace process. Iran responded by launching missiles toward Israel and Gulf countries, raising fears that the truce could collapse before scheduled peace talks in Pakistan. Iran insists that any ceasefire agreement must include Lebanon and halt attacks on Hezbollah, but the United States and Israel disagree. President Donald Trump told PBS News that Lebanon was excluded from the ceasefire because of Hezbollah, which Washington classifies as a terrorist organization. Senior US officials said Trump is determined to dismantle Iran’s “axis of resistance,” including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. Israel maintains that Hezbollah poses an existential threat and continues its operations in Lebanon. Pakistan, acting as mediator, has stated that the ceasefire should apply universally, including Lebanon. The ambiguity over Lebanon’s inclusion poses a major test for US diplomacy and could determine whether the fragile truce holds or collapses.

Voting in the Bogura-6 by-election began on Thursday, April 9, with notably low voter turnout across polling centers. By noon, no center had recorded more than 10 percent turnout, with some reporting as low as 7 to 8 percent. At the Coronation School and College center, only 107 votes were cast out of 4,060 registered voters by 9:30 a.m. Presiding officer Mehedi Hasan noted that turnout was lower compared to the February 12 election but hoped participation would increase later in the day. At 11:30 a.m., Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Abidur Rahman Sohel alleged that BNP activists had taken control of the Rajapur polling center after expelling his agents. He also claimed that election agents were asked to sign result forms in advance at the Maltinagar Primary School center, which he said violated election rules. Sohel further alleged the returning officer’s involvement in these irregularities. The constituency has 454,043 registered voters and 150 polling centers, with heightened security at 53 identified as sensitive. Eight platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh, along with army and RAB patrols, were deployed. Returning officer Fazlul Haque stated that all necessary security measures were in place to ensure peaceful voting.

Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam informed the National Parliament that Bangladesh Railway will begin receiving 200 broad-gauge coaches from India this year, financed by the European Investment Bank. The minister made the statement on Thursday while responding to questions from MPs Elias Molla and Ruhul Amin during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The delivery is expected to start in June 2026 and continue until December 2027, after which the new coaches will be added to the railway fleet. According to the minister, Bangladesh Railway currently operates 3,428.09 kilometers of track, including meter-gauge, broad-gauge, and dual-gauge lines. Expansion projects are ongoing to extend the network through new broad-gauge and dual-gauge lines. Once the new coaches arrive, routes for new train services will be determined, particularly to increase intercity train connections between Dhaka and northern districts. The minister added that projects are underway to procure 260 additional broad-gauge passenger carriages, 46 broad-gauge locomotives, and 50 meter-gauge locomotives to enhance passenger comfort and freight capacity.