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.

Atletico Madrid earned a crucial 2-0 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals on April 9, 2026. Barcelona, reduced to ten men after defender Pau Cubarsí was sent off in the 44th minute, struggled to recover as Diego Simeone’s side capitalized on their advantage. Julián Álvarez opened the scoring with a free-kick before Alexander Sørloth doubled the lead in the 70th minute.

Despite dominating possession and registering 18 shots, seven of which were on target, Barcelona failed to find the net due to poor finishing. Atletico, meanwhile, made the most of their limited chances to secure their first win at Camp Nou since 2006. The result gives the Madrid club a strong position heading into the return leg.

Barcelona now face a major challenge to overturn the deficit in the second leg at Atletico’s Metropolitano Stadium, where they must win by at least two goals to stay in contention for the semifinals.

Former Speaker Shirin Sharmin was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) police last Tuesday after remaining in hiding for nearly 20 months. Following her arrest, she was presented before a court, which rejected the DB’s remand request and ordered her to be sent to jail. Senior DB officials conducted an initial interrogation, during which she disclosed some information while withholding other details.

According to the interrogation, Shirin Sharmin took refuge in military custody after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, and later moved between four different residences to avoid arrest. She was ultimately detained from a house in Dhanmondi. She admitted to maintaining indirect contact with several mid-level Awami League leaders but denied involvement in forming a “reformed” Awami League. She also claimed that ex-ministers Hasan Mahmud and Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury had encouraged her to join such efforts, which she refused.

DB officials stated they are verifying her statements and compiling a list of mid-level leaders who communicated with her. They suspect the banned Awami League faction may be involved in anti-state conspiracies and plan to seek further remand for continued investigation.

An internal audit has revealed extensive financial irregularities and corruption within Bangladesh’s disaster management sector, implicating District Relief and Rehabilitation Officers (DRROs) and Project Implementation Officers (PIOs). The audit found that unspent government funds were not returned to the treasury as required, with approximately Tk 15 crore in irregularities identified. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has initiated departmental actions, including show-cause notices to 29 officials, and plans to refer cases to the Anti-Corruption Commission for further investigation.

According to ministry officials, the irregularities involve funds from programs such as General Relief, Test Relief, Food for Work, Cash for Work, and housing projects for the poor. The audit recorded 3,024 objections, including 930 serious ones, totaling around Tk 16 crore. Specific areas such as Madhabpur in Habiganj showed the highest discrepancies. Officials cited administrative complexity and lack of accountability as contributing factors, while civil society leaders described the issue as institutional failure.

The ministry is reportedly taking a strict stance to recover the funds and ensure compliance with financial regulations, though systemic weaknesses in monitoring and fund allocation remain unresolved.

Thirteen Western countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany, have jointly urged Bangladeshi citizens to strictly follow official procedures when applying for visas and other consular services. The embassies of these countries in Dhaka issued a joint statement on Wednesday, which was also published on their official Facebook pages. The statement emphasized that applicants must use designated government channels and avoid using fake documents, unlicensed agents, or unauthorized intermediaries.

According to the statement, irregularities in the application process can lead to delays, financial losses, denial of entry at borders, and serious legal complications. It clarified that no embassy or mission is affiliated with any agent and warned applicants not to rely on intermediaries claiming to offer special advantages in visa processing.

The embassies advised applicants to complete all procedures using verified information and official channels to ensure a safe, transparent, and fair application process for all.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that U.S. President Donald Trump appeared clearly frustrated with many of the alliance’s partner countries. Following a closed-door meeting at the White House, Trump sharply criticized NATO, claiming that the alliance was not supportive when the United States needed it and would not be in the future either.

In an interview with CNN after the meeting, Rutte declined to confirm whether Trump had mentioned leaving NATO but acknowledged that Trump’s frustration with several allies was evident and partly understandable. Rutte emphasized that most European countries were contributing in various ways, including providing bases, logistical support, and airspace access, and were fulfilling their commitments. He also noted that weakening Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities was crucial and that, at present, only the United States had the capacity to do so effectively.

Rutte described his discussion with Trump as very open and straightforward, suggesting a candid exchange between the two leaders.

Iran has declared that advancing permanent peace talks with the United States is unjustified following Israel’s large-scale airstrikes across Lebanon that killed hundreds of people. Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said both Israel and the US violated the ceasefire terms announced by US President Donald Trump. Tehran accused Washington of endangering the agreement by pressing to halt Iran’s nuclear program and supporting Israeli attacks on Hezbollah.

The US and Israel have stated that the two-week ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue operations there. US Vice President JD Vance said Iran misunderstood the ceasefire’s scope. Ghalibaf rejected Trump’s claim that Iran agreed to stop uranium enrichment, insisting Tehran retains that right. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the Israeli strikes and urged inclusion of Lebanon in the truce.

The conflict has shaken global markets, with oil prices dropping 14 percent to 95 dollars per barrel. Despite five weeks of war and thousands of deaths, key issues remain unresolved, casting doubt on the peace talks scheduled for Saturday.

Officials from Bangladesh’s power sector have alleged that procurement of meters, transformers, and related equipment remains under the control of a syndicate formed during the previous Awami League government. According to the report, the network is allegedly linked to former state minister for power Nasrul Hamid and Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, nephew of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The syndicate is said to operate through companies such as Okulin Tech BD Limited, which continues to dominate major prepaid meter projects worth thousands of crores of taka.

Multiple officials claimed that despite 17 registered suppliers, only two or three firms tied to the syndicate received contracts over the past 18 years. The report details alleged irregularities in projects under DPDC, NESCO, DESCO, and REB, including pre-arranged tenders and inflated costs. Private entrepreneurs accused the group of using an “AMI technique” to restrict competition. However, Okulin Tech BD’s executive vice president denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all contracts were awarded through proper procedures and verified by investigations.

A former interim government adviser previously noted that procurement controversies had led to suspension of international funding, prompting a shift toward open tendering processes.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has failed to comply with the National Energy Policy’s requirement to maintain a 60-day fuel reserve, despite having the capacity to do so since 2020. The policy, adopted in 2004, mandates strategic reserves for emergencies, but BPC has continued to operate with only 25 to 30 days of supply. The shortfall became critical after the closure of the Hormuz Strait in early March, following U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, which disrupted global oil shipments and triggered a severe fuel shortage in Bangladesh.

According to official data, BPC’s combined storage capacity across its depots, Eastern Refinery, and the Single Point Mooring project exceeds 1.58 million metric tons, enough for over 90 days of national demand. However, the corporation has not utilized this capacity fully. The shortage has led to public panic and increased fuel hoarding, while BPC attempts to calm fears by publicizing incoming shipments that carry less than full loads, raising costs and inefficiencies.

Experts attribute the crisis to mismanagement and poor coordination between BPC and the government. The government is now exploring direct purchase options from new suppliers, including Kazakhstan, though supply reliability remains uncertain.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed deep anger over the heavy loss of life and destruction caused by recent intensified military operations in Lebanon, according to Anadolu Agency. In a statement on Wednesday, the organization said it was appalled by the deadly attacks in densely populated areas, including Beirut, where heavy explosive weapons were used without adequate warning. The ICRC reported that hundreds were killed and many more injured.

Agnes Dhur, head of the ICRC in Lebanon, said civilians had been hoping for a ceasefire when a new wave of deadly strikes plunged the country into fear and chaos. Many people who had begun thinking of returning home are now searching for missing loved ones or fleeing in search of safety. The ICRC called on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure during military operations.

The organization emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance after more than five weeks of conflict and urged that any regional agreement prioritize the safety, protection, and dignity of Lebanese civilians.