In Haimchar upazila of Chandpur, illegal sand extraction from the banks of the Meghna River has completely eroded a local playground and put a river protection embankment worth hundreds of millions of taka at serious risk. Police confirmed on Tuesday night, April 7, that five individuals were arrested in connection with the incident. The seized equipment includes a bulkhead named “MB Mim Enterprise” and an unloading vessel called “Ma-Babar Doa.”

Local residents reported that the playground in Gazinagar, where children regularly played football, disappeared overnight after sand was removed using dredgers. Community members expressed anger and fear that the erosion could destroy their homes if the embankment collapses. Haimchar BNP’s general secretary demanded strict punishment for those responsible, regardless of political affiliation.

Haimchar’s Upazila Nirbahi Officer said the site has been inspected and repair work ordered with the help of the Water Development Board. The board’s sub-divisional engineer stated that stored blocks are being used to prevent further erosion while awaiting higher authority decisions.

US President Donald Trump has announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, a move welcomed by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. However, the council cautioned that Iran’s forces remain on alert, stating that their hands are still on the trigger and any hostile action will be met with full force.

The statement followed weeks of conflict that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day. The Iranian council expressed gratitude to the nation for its sacrifices, claiming that most of Iran’s war objectives have been achieved and that the enemy has been pushed into historic weakness and lasting defeat.

Tehran confirmed that bilateral talks between the United States and Iran will begin on April 10 in Islamabad and continue for two weeks. Iran described the ceasefire as the enemy’s surrender on the battlefield and said it would celebrate a historic victory if the talks lead to a lasting political outcome.

The Election Commission announced the schedule for the election to the reserved women’s seats in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. According to the schedule, voting will take place on May 12. The deadline for submitting nomination papers is April 21, with scrutiny on April 22 and 23, appeals on April 26, withdrawal on April 29, and symbol allocation on April 30. Under the announced distribution, the BNP alliance will receive 36 seats, the Jamaat alliance 13, and independent candidates one seat.

Earlier, on February 12, elections were held in 299 of the 300 parliamentary constituencies. Polling in Sherpur-3 was postponed due to the death of a valid candidate, while results for Chattogram-2 and 4 remain pending because of legal complications. The Bogura-6 seat will face a by-election after Tarique Rahman vacated it.

According to the law, the number of reserved women’s seats for each party is determined by multiplying its total seats by 50 and dividing by 300.

Thousands of Iranians took to the streets of Tehran early Wednesday morning to celebrate the announcement of a ceasefire. Crowds waved Iranian flags, chanted anti‑US and anti‑Israel slogans, and burned the flags of those countries. Some participants carried pictures of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and his late father, former leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to Reuters, several people at the scene expressed skepticism about the United States’ intentions. One woman said Washington had repeatedly shown its true face and might use the ceasefire to regain strength, while another questioned why Iran would declare a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In recent weeks, Iran’s top leadership had publicly voiced distrust toward the US, citing previous attacks during negotiation periods.

The reports from CNN and Al Jazeera indicate that the ceasefire announcement has sparked both public celebration and debate over Iran’s strategic decisions and the reliability of its adversaries.

A mobile court in Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar district imposed a fine of 20,000 taka for illegally storing and selling diesel at prices higher than the government rate. The operation took place late Monday night at Mohammadnagar Bazar in Dakshin Shahbajpur Union, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Galib Chowdhury.

During the raid, Amin Uddin, owner of Nafiz Varieties Store, was found guilty under Section 40 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009. Authorities confiscated approximately 725 liters of diesel from his shop. The fine was collected on the spot as part of the enforcement action.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Galib Chowdhury stated that such drives will continue in the public interest to prevent illegal fuel trading and protect consumer rights.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform TruthSocial that the United States will assist in managing traffic congestion in the Strait of Hormuz. In his post, Trump stated that the U.S. would be present with all necessary supplies to ensure smooth operations and described the situation as a potential 'golden age' for the Middle East. He also mentioned that significant profits could be made and that Iran might begin a reconstruction process.

According to an earlier Associated Press report cited by Al Jazeera, under a ceasefire agreement, fees collected from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz would be directed to an Iranian reconstruction fund. Trump did not provide details on how the U.S. role would be implemented or what specific actions would be taken.

The announcement suggests a possible shift in U.S. involvement in the region’s maritime operations, though the scope and timeline of this assistance remain unspecified.

A Bangladeshi citizen named Ali Hossain, aged 49, was shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) near the Dhabolguri border in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat early on April 8, 2026. The incident occurred near border pillar 874/5-S, about 500 yards inside Indian territory under the Satgram camp of BSF’s 156 Battalion. Gunfire was heard twice during the night, and later communication between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and BSF confirmed the shooting. BSF claimed that several Bangladeshis had entered Indian territory and attempted to cut the barbed wire fence, prompting warning shots.

Ali Hossain, a farmer from Purba Paniyartari village, was critically injured and taken by BSF to a hospital in India, where he was declared dead. His death has caused deep grief in his family and anger among locals, who demanded justice and stronger diplomatic measures to prevent such incidents. Human rights groups stated that using lethal force against unarmed civilians violates international law.

BGB is verifying details and has initiated meetings with BSF at battalion and sector levels to maintain calm and recover the body through a flag meeting.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered the country’s armed forces to halt shelling, while emphasizing that the ceasefire does not signify the end of the war. His directive was broadcast on Iran’s state television on April 8, 2026, where he instructed all branches of the military to comply with the order to stop firing.

Tehran clarified that the ceasefire should not be interpreted as a conclusion to the conflict. The Iranian leadership warned that its forces remain ready to respond to any attack from the United States or Israel, stating that their hands remain on the trigger. Following the ceasefire announcement, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council reiterated that any hostile move from the adversary would be met with full force.

The statements underscore Iran’s cautious stance, signaling a temporary pause in active combat operations while maintaining readiness for potential escalation if provoked.

Serious allegations of irregularities and misappropriation have surfaced in the distribution of government-allocated rice under the special VGF program for fishermen in Dhulasar Union of Mahipur, Patuakhali. On April 7, it was observed that fishermen were receiving only 48 to 58 kilograms of rice instead of the government-fixed 80 kilograms. Reports indicate that their cards were withheld and they were forced to accept reduced quantities through slips. Each fisherman allegedly received 20 to 30 kilograms less rice, and even the sacks were found to be underweight by 2 to 3 kilograms.

The government had allocated 40 kilograms of rice per month for registered fishermen under the jatka conservation program, totaling 80 kilograms for two months. For 1,450 fishermen in Dhulasar Union, this amounted to a significant allocation, but locals claim around 36 metric tons of rice were misappropriated. Fishermen also reported being charged 100 taka each for transportation costs. Attempts to contact the union chairman were unsuccessful, while local fisheries and administrative officials said they were aware of the issue and would take necessary action.

Local fishermen expressed frustration and demanded a prompt investigation and accountability for those responsible.

Bangladesh Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The meeting took place in the Prime Minister’s Office at the National Parliament Secretariat in Dhaka. The information was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman.

The report did not provide details about the discussion or agenda of the meeting. Such courtesy meetings are typically part of regular official interactions between the head of government and senior military officials. The confirmation from the Prime Minister’s Office indicates that the meeting was formal and scheduled.

No further information was released regarding the topics discussed or any outcomes from the meeting.

A Dhaka court has scheduled April 16 for the charge framing hearing against British MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and former RAJUK assistant legal adviser Sardar Mosharraf Hossain in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over allegedly acquiring a flat illegally in Gulshan-2. The case has been transferred to Dhaka’s Fifth Special Judge Court by order of Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. Court officials confirmed that the gazette notification has been published and the case is ready for trial.

Earlier, on February 18, the court accepted the charge sheet and issued arrest warrants against Siddiq and Hossain. The ACC later sought Interpol’s red notice to arrest Siddiq, which was approved by the court. The case stems from allegations that Siddiq and others misused power to occupy and register a flat from Eastern Housing Limited without payment. The ACC filed the case on April 15 last year under multiple sections of the Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

Siddiq had previously been sentenced to six years in prison in three separate fraud cases related to plot allocation.

US President Donald Trump has agreed to postpone a previously announced large-scale attack on Iran for at least two weeks. Following his announcement, Iran’s Supreme Security Council welcomed the decision, while the United Nations and several countries expressed support for the temporary ceasefire.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged all parties involved in the Middle East conflict to comply with international law and uphold the ceasefire terms to pave the way for lasting peace. Australia’s Prime Minister’s office said the country hopes the ceasefire continues and leads to a resolution. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister’s office described the development as encouraging but warned that significant work remains to ensure lasting peace. Japan called for concrete steps, including ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq welcomed the ceasefire and urged sustained dialogue between the US and Iran.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced that the US, Iran, and their allies had agreed to a ceasefire effective immediately, including in Lebanon. However, Israel later clarified that Lebanon is not covered by the two-week truce.

A violent altercation broke out on Tuesday evening at the Ranisankail Upazila Parishad office in Thakurgaon when central leader of Gana Odhikar Parishad, Mamunur Rashid Mamun, along with local party leaders Sohrab Ali and Jafar Ali, confronted Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Nurun Nabi Sarkar over his presence at the office after hours. The dispute escalated into a physical attack on the PIO and an office assistant, which was recorded and quickly spread on social media. Following the viral video, activists from Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal gathered at the scene and retaliated against the Gana Odhikar Parishad leaders before police intervened to restore order.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khazida Begum and Officer-in-Charge Amanullah Al Bari visited the site after the incident. The office assistant Ayub Ali claimed both he and the PIO were beaten, demanding justice. Nurun Nabi Sarkar alleged that Mamun had previously sought a share of project benefits and attacked him after being refused. Mamun later claimed in a Facebook video that he was assaulted by Chhatra Dal members. Police confirmed no formal complaint had been filed yet.

Authorities are monitoring the situation, though no arrests or charges have been reported so far.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was abducted in Baghdad on March 31, has been released after a week in captivity. The Iran-backed militia group Kataib Hezbollah earlier stated it would release her on the condition that she immediately leave Iraq. Rubio described the release as a reflection of the Trump administration’s commitment to the safety of US citizens worldwide.

He expressed gratitude to Iraqi officials for their assistance in securing Kittleson’s release and said the United States is now working to ensure her safe departure from Iraq. The 49-year-old journalist’s abduction had prompted an Iraqi government response, with security forces pursuing suspects, leading to a vehicle crash and one arrest.

According to the report, the release followed coordination between US and Iraqi authorities, though details of the negotiation process were not disclosed.

A severe fuel shortage has spread across Bangladesh, disrupting transportation, irrigation, and industrial operations. Farmers, vehicle drivers, and factory owners are crowding petrol stations daily, often leaving empty-handed. In Faridpur’s Sadarpur, diesel scarcity has halted irrigation, forcing both men and women to queue for hours in hopes of obtaining fuel. Similar shortages have been reported in Mymensingh’s Valuka, where many filling stations have suspended sales and posted “no fuel” signs.

Station owners attribute the crisis to supply shortfalls and global import disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. Local administrations are attempting to control hoarding and manage distribution. In Shariatpur, authorities have launched two mobile apps to ensure fair fuel allocation for farmers and vehicles, which officials say is beginning to restore order. Meanwhile, in Boalmari, Faridpur, tensions arose during diesel distribution organized by local officials and lawmakers.

Officials warn that if the shortage persists, industrial production could face major setbacks, while farmers fear reduced crop yields due to lack of irrigation fuel.