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.

Convicted defendants in the Abu Sayeed murder case caused commotion in the courtroom following the verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal-2 in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury and comprising three members, delivered the judgment holding the accused responsible for crimes against humanity related to the killing of Abu Sayeed, described as the first martyr of the July Revolution. After the verdict was announced, the convicts shouted 'Joy Bangla' slogans and declared that they did not accept the ruling, claiming they were framed and innocent. As they exited the courtroom, they reportedly pushed and shoved police officers on duty, creating disorder within the tribunal premises. The incident disrupted proceedings briefly and drew attention to the tense atmosphere surrounding verdicts in war crimes and crimes against humanity cases in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh confirmed its participation in the Asian Games hockey competition after a dramatic victory over Hong Kong in a tiebreaker. The match, held on April 9, 2026, ended 4-4 in regulation time before Bangladesh triumphed 3-2 in the shootout. Early goals from Rocky and Amirul gave Bangladesh a 2-0 lead, but Hong Kong fought back to narrow the gap before halftime. The second half saw intense exchanges, with Ashraful scoring from a penalty corner and the game eventually tied at 4-4. In the tiebreaker, Bangladesh missed its first shot and came under pressure, but goalkeeper Biplob Kujur’s two crucial saves turned the tide. Successful strikes from Rokon, Joy, and Fazle Rabbi sealed the 3-2 win. The result allows Bangladesh to play in the fifth–sixth place decider of the qualifying tournament. As six teams from the qualifiers advance to the main event, this victory ensures Bangladesh’s place in the upcoming Asian Games hockey competition.

An Awami League leader was allegedly hacked to death in Sitakunda, Chattogram, on Wednesday night. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. at Golabaria Taltola embankment area of Muradpur Union. The victim, Md Shamim, 40, was the organizational secretary of Ward 9 of Sitakunda Municipality Awami League and a resident of Dakshin Shibpur. Police said two people were being questioned but had not been arrested, and their identities were not disclosed. According to the victim’s brother, Mohammad Selim, Shamim had gone to visit his in-laws with his wife earlier that evening. Around 10:30 p.m., several individuals called him out and took him to the embankment area, where he was beaten and fatally attacked. Selim mentioned that Shamim had a dispute about 15 days earlier with two local men named Zafar and Iran. Sitakunda Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohinul Islam stated that the body was sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for autopsy. He said the killing was not politically motivated but stemmed from previous enmity, and an investigation was underway.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had promised a decisive victory in the war against Iran, is now facing growing domestic challenges as his objectives appear increasingly unattainable. He had pledged to change Iran’s regime, destroy its missile capabilities, and seize its enriched uranium. However, continued Iranian bombardment of Israel has made those goals seem unrealistic. Some analysts suggest that Netanyahu’s failure to achieve his war aims could prove even more damaging than his inability to prevent the events of October 7, 2023. According to Al Jazeera journalist Nida Ibrahim, Israel may hold elections later this year, and opposition leader Yair Lapid has begun openly criticizing Netanyahu. The coming weeks are expected to be crucial as Netanyahu seeks ways to navigate the political and military challenges arising from the ongoing conflict and domestic discontent.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Thursday sentenced two police officers to death for the murder of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed during the July uprising. Assistant Sub-Inspector Amir Hossain and Constable Sujan Chandra Roy received the death penalty, while three others, including former Assistant Police Commissioner Arifuzzaman, were sentenced to life imprisonment. The tribunal, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, also handed down 10-, 5-, and 3-year prison terms to several former university officials, police officers, and student leaders. The case involved 30 accused, of whom six are in custody and 24 remain fugitives. The prosecution presented CCTV footage from the university’s main gate showing the events of July 16, 2024, when police allegedly attacked protesters and shot Abu Sayeed. The tribunal began formal proceedings in August 2025 after charges were framed against all accused. Both prosecution and defense completed their arguments earlier this year. The verdict marks a significant judicial step in addressing violence during the 2024 July uprising in Rangpur, with the tribunal emphasizing accountability for crimes committed during the protests.

A Dhaka court has sentenced Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Rahul or Dawood, to ten years of rigorous imprisonment under the Arms Act. Faisal is the prime accused in the murder case of Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman bin Hadi. The verdict was delivered on Thursday, April 9, 2026, by Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mahmudul Mohsin. The court had set the date for the verdict after completing arguments. Faisal remains absconding, and an arrest warrant has been issued against him. According to the case details, on November 7, 2024, RAB-2 arrested Faisal during a raid at a flat in Baitul Aman Housing Society in Adabor, recovering a foreign pistol and four rounds of ammunition. The following day, a case was filed under the Arms Act by Habildar Mashiur Rahman at Adabor Police Station. The charge sheet was submitted on March 28, 2025, after investigation, and 13 of 14 witnesses testified during the trial. Faisal had been on bail until November 17, 2024, but went into hiding after the Hadi murder incident. He was arrested in India last month.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Thursday sentenced fugitive former associate professors Moshior Rahman and Asaduzzaman Mondol to ten years in prison for their involvement in the murder of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed, the first martyr of the July uprising. The verdict was delivered at 12:30 p.m. by a three-member panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with judges Manjurul Bashid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir as members. A total of 30 people, including the then vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid, were accused in the case, with six currently in custody and 24 still absconding. The tribunal reviewed CCTV footage from the university gate recorded on July 16, 2024, showing the events leading to Abu Sayeed’s death during a student protest in Rangpur. The footage helped identify the accused and their actions. The tribunal had completed arguments on January 27, 2026, after hearing from both prosecution and defense. The case formally began on August 27, 2025, following the indictment of 30 accused earlier that month.

A vessel named MT Central Store has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port carrying about 26,000 tons of refined octane from Malaysia. The Marshall Islands-flagged ship, measuring 183.6 meters in length, reached the anchorage on Wednesday night. According to the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation’s assistant manager for public relations, the ship will be berthed at the port’s Dolphin Jetty No. 5 on Thursday under the supervision of an experienced pilot and with tugboat assistance. Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim stated that fuel-carrying vessels are being given priority berthing to maintain normal energy supply across the country. Several ships have already completed unloading of oil and gas, while others are in process. The arrival of the MT Central Store is part of ongoing efforts to ensure uninterrupted fuel distribution through the port. The continued prioritization of fuel vessels at Chattogram Port is expected to support stable energy supply management in Bangladesh.

An Iranian delegation has departed for Islamabad to participate in talks despite growing skepticism caused by repeated ceasefire violations. Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghaddam, confirmed the visit in a post on social media platform X. The delegation is scheduled to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance during their stay in Islamabad. The discussions are being held at the invitation of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and will be based on Iran’s proposed ten-point framework. According to the ambassador, Israeli authorities have repeatedly violated the ceasefire, undermining diplomatic efforts and fueling public doubt in Iran about the peace process. Nevertheless, Iran has decided to proceed with the dialogue as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement. Earlier, Iran and the United States agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, which took effect on April 9. The Islamabad meeting is expected to focus on sustaining the truce and advancing negotiations under the agreed framework.

Widespread destruction and chaos gripped Beirut after Israeli airstrikes struck the Lebanese capital without prior warning, according to local reports on April 9, 2026. The Lebanese population was left shocked as the attacks caused severe damage across the city, with no area considered safe. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 250 deaths and hundreds of injuries, while hospitals were overwhelmed with casualties. Israeli forces claimed that Hezbollah had moved from its strongholds in southern Beirut to other parts of the city, prompting further military action. Human rights organizations expressed concern that such claims could be used to justify additional strikes in civilian areas. The situation has heightened fears of more attacks, as the Israeli military vowed to pursue Hezbollah wherever it operates. The escalating violence has deepened public outrage in Lebanon, where many believe Israel is acting with impunity. The humanitarian toll continues to rise as emergency services struggle to cope with the aftermath of the bombardment.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged all parties to exercise restraint following reports of ceasefire violations between the United States and Iran. In a post on social media platform X, he emphasized that such violations undermine the spirit of the peace process and called for respect toward the two-week ceasefire. Pakistan is currently mediating the truce between Washington and Tehran. According to Iran’s foreign ministry, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi raised the issue of Israel’s alleged ceasefire violations during a phone conversation with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The ceasefire was reached through Pakistan’s mediation, with US President Donald Trump agreeing to the two-week truce with Iran. Prime Minister Shehbaz announced that both US and Iranian leaders have been invited to Islamabad on April 10 to work toward a final agreement resolving all disputes.