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.

Pakistan has condemned Israel’s deadly airstrikes in Lebanon that occurred after a ceasefire agreement. In a statement issued by its Foreign Ministry on Thursday, Islamabad called on the international community to take urgent and concrete measures to stop further attacks. The strikes reportedly killed at least 254 people in a single day, prompting Pakistan to describe the actions as violations of international law and basic humanitarian principles. According to the statement, Pakistan argued that the ceasefire deal between the United States, Israel, and Iran also covered Lebanon. However, both the Trump administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the truce did not apply to operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran warned that continued Israeli attacks could collapse the ceasefire. Pakistan is set to host talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad this weekend, with global attention focused on whether the discussions will lead to progress or renewed conflict.

Rafia Sultana Rafi, senior joint convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Bogura district and former student of Dhaka University, passed away early Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at a private hospital in Dhaka. She was 32 years old. According to family and party sources, she was admitted to the hospital around 10 p.m. after feeling unwell, later transferred to the ICU as her condition worsened, and died around 3 a.m. She is survived by her husband and two daughters. Rafi studied in the Department of Islamic Studies at Dhaka University during the 2012–13 session and was active in various student movements. She contested for the vice president post in the Rokeya Hall student union election in 2019 and participated in the quota reform movement in 2018 and the July Revolution in 2024. Later, she joined the NCP and served as senior joint convener in Bogura, also holding a founding joint convener role in the Ganaodhikar Parishad. Her death has cast a shadow of mourning across NCP and related political circles. Party leaders expressed deep sorrow, prayed for her departed soul, and conveyed condolences to her bereaved family.

A violent clash erupted on Thursday morning in the Chandni Housing area of Fatullah, Narayanganj, between two factions of the Jubo Dal over control of the garment wastage (jhoot) business. The confrontation, which began around 10 a.m., involved gunfire and left at least eight people injured, including two who were shot. The gunshot victims, madrasa student Imran, 11, and Rakib, 25, were first taken to Narayanganj 300-bed hospital and later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where Imran’s condition was reported as critical. Local sources said the conflict stemmed from a dispute over unloading jhoot from a garment factory affiliated with Best Style (Pvt.) Ltd. The groups, led by union Jubo Dal leader Sarzil Ahmed Abhi and Fatullah Thana Jubo Dal convener Masud, had been at odds for several days. Witnesses reported that Abhi’s group fired several blank rounds, causing panic in the area and forcing shops to close. Police said the situation is now under control, with additional forces deployed. Authorities are working to identify those involved and take legal action.

Al Jazeera journalist Mohammad Waishah was killed in an Israeli drone strike in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. He was a Gaza-based correspondent for Al Jazeera Mubasher. The attack targeted his car on Al-Rashid coastal road west of Gaza City, causing the vehicle to catch fire immediately and resulting in his death at the scene. Al Jazeera condemned the killing in a statement, calling it a heinous crime and a clear violation of international law and norms. The network said the incident reflects a continuing policy of targeting journalists to silence the truth. Gaza’s government media office reported that since Israeli attacks began on October 7, 2023, at least 262 journalists have been killed. The incident adds to the growing toll on media workers in Gaza, highlighting the dangers faced by journalists covering the ongoing conflict.

Authorities in Islamabad have announced a sudden two-day local holiday starting Thursday, April 9, 2026. The decision comes ahead of scheduled talks between the United States and Iran to be held in the Pakistani capital on Friday, April 10. The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon through a notice posted on X. Essential services including MCI, CDA, ICT administration, ICT police, IESCO, SNGPL, and hospitals will remain operational during the holiday. The official notification did not specify a reason for the closure. However, Islamabad authorities have previously imposed holidays or restrictions before major diplomatic events for security reasons. The upcoming meeting will see Pakistan acting as a mediator between the US and Iran. According to the White House, US Vice President JD Vance will lead the American delegation in the discussions. The talks are considered significant given the involvement of high-level representatives from both countries.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that they carried out overnight attacks on multiple Hezbollah installations and infrastructure across Lebanon. According to the IDF, two bridges over the Litani River were destroyed, further isolating southern Lebanon. The strikes followed a series of heavy attacks earlier in the week, including one on Wednesday that targeted 100 sites within ten minutes. The Litani River region has become a central focus of Israeli operations in recent weeks. In late March, Israel announced plans to establish a buffer zone extending up to the river, approximately 30 kilometers from its border, to maintain control of the area. The IDF also claimed responsibility for killing Ali Yusuf Harshi, nephew and secretary of Hezbollah’s secretary-general, though Hezbollah has not commented on this claim. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that Wednesday’s attacks killed at least 182 people. The latest overnight strikes add to the escalating tension and humanitarian toll in southern Lebanon.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump following the Iran-US ceasefire, according to a statement from Turkey’s Communications Directorate on Wednesday. The two leaders discussed the ceasefire and broader regional developments. Erdogan expressed satisfaction with the truce, describing the two-week pause after forty days of conflict as an important opportunity toward a lasting peace agreement. Erdogan emphasized the need to use this period effectively and warned against any actions that could disrupt the process. He reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic efforts with friendly and brotherly nations, particularly Pakistan, to reach a resolution. The call came after Trump announced the two-week ceasefire with Iran, noting that Tehran had offered a ten-point proposal for negotiations. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council stated that the proposal, mediated by Pakistan, includes key issues such as halting aggression, maintaining Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, accepting uranium enrichment, and lifting all sanctions.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem has reopened after being closed for 40 days under an Israeli-imposed ban. The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Department announced on Wednesday evening that the mosque would reopen for worshippers starting with the dawn prayer on Thursday, without any numerical restrictions. Large numbers of worshippers attended the first prayer following the reopening. According to the Waqf Department, Israeli authorities had kept the mosque closed under the pretext of emergency and security measures. During the closure, Israeli forces imposed strict military control around the mosque and sealed the gates of Jerusalem’s Old City. The ban coincided with the Jewish Passover festival, which ran from April 2 to April 9. During the restriction period, groups supporting the so-called ‘Temple’ movement reportedly used the festival as an opportunity to incite attacks on the mosque and called for ritual sacrifices inside the compound, according to the report.

Israel launched extensive airstrikes in Lebanon less than 24 hours after a conditional two-week ceasefire was announced between Iran and the United States. The attacks killed at least 182 people, prompting Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah to fire rockets into northern Israel in retaliation. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon would provoke a severe response. The ceasefire, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and confirmed by Israel, Iran, and mediator Pakistan, has quickly come under strain. Disputes have emerged over whether Lebanon is covered by the agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the assault as the largest strike on Hezbollah since the war began, while Iranian officials accused Israel of violating three clauses of the ceasefire proposal. Talks between Iran and the United States are scheduled to begin on April 10 in Islamabad, focusing on the ten-point ceasefire plan and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. Conflicting reports continue over whether the vital waterway remains open or closed.

Former Member of Parliament and central Awami League executive committee member Advocate Safura Begum Rumi was arrested by Lalmonirhat district Detective Branch (DB) police. The arrest took place on the night of April 8 in a residential area of Mohammadpur, Dhaka. Police said she had been in hiding since the fall of the Awami League government and was wanted in several cases, including one for murder. According to Lalmonirhat DB police, the arrest followed a tip-off that led a team to conduct a raid in Mohammadpur. Safura Begum Rumi also served as the general secretary of the Lalmonirhat District Lawyers’ Association and as the president of the district unit of the Awami League’s women’s wing. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the ongoing cases or the next legal steps following her arrest.

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Liverpool 2-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal, played at Parc des Princes on April 9, 2026. The French side controlled the match from start to finish, leaving Arne Slot’s team struggling to find rhythm. Desire Doue opened the scoring in the 11th minute after Ousmane Dembele’s initial effort was blocked. Despite several chances, PSG could not extend their lead before halftime as Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made key saves. The second half followed a similar pattern, with PSG maintaining attacking pressure. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled the lead in the 65th minute from a precise pass by Joao Neves, dribbling past defenders and the goalkeeper to score a standout goal. PSG held 74 percent possession and took 18 shots, six on target, while Liverpool managed only three attempts without a single shot on goal. A penalty decision for PSG was overturned after VAR review. This defeat marked Liverpool’s third consecutive loss across all competitions. They now face a tough challenge in the return leg at Anfield next Tuesday.