A Dhaka court has sentenced Nasir Shikdar to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of raping a 12-year-old child. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by Judge Masrur Salehin of the Dhaka Tribunal for the Suppression of Child Rape Crimes. In addition to the life sentence, the convict was fined 200,000 taka, with a six-month prison term to be served in default of payment.

Under Section 328 of the Penal Code, the court also imposed an additional two years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of 1,000 taka. The judgment directed that the fine amount be paid to the victim as compensation. The ruling marks a significant legal outcome in a case of child sexual assault in the capital.

The court’s decision underscores the application of strict penalties under existing laws for crimes involving sexual violence against minors.

Police in Rajshahi have arrested a man posing as an officer of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Shahinur Islam from Bhartta Shibnagar village in Manda upazila of Naogaon district, was detained on Monday night in the Laxmipur Chest Disease Hospital area. The joint operation was conducted by the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit and the Detective Branch (DB) of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police. Authorities confirmed the arrest on Tuesday afternoon.

According to police, Shahinur Islam had been introducing himself as an Assistant Director of DGFI, using fake identity cards to deceive people and exert influence. During interrogation, he admitted to using the false identity to defraud women by developing romantic relationships, promising marriage, and recording intimate videos. Two fake ID cards and two mobile phones were seized from him, which contained obscene photos and videos.

A case has been filed against him under the Pornography Control Act and relevant sections of the Penal Code. He was sent to jail through the court on Tuesday.

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran just two hours before threatening to destroy the country’s “entire civilization.” The decision followed high-level diplomatic efforts by Pakistan, whose Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged all sides to halt hostilities. According to The New York Times, Iran’s new supreme leader approved the ceasefire proposal, which includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump stated that the ceasefire was based on discussions with Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, and that planned US strikes on Iran would be suspended for two weeks under specific conditions. He added that the US had already achieved its military objectives and was advancing toward a long-term peace agreement, describing Iran’s ten-point proposal as a workable basis for talks.

Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, the situation remains volatile. Explosions were reported in Tehran and across the Gulf region, while US and Israeli forces intensified attacks on Iranian infrastructure. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for a strike on Saudi Arabia’s Jubail petrochemical complex, signaling continued regional instability.

The Government Accounts Audit Bill 2026 was passed in the National Parliament of Bangladesh on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury introduced the bill, which was approved by voice vote. The passage came as part of a broader legislative session that also addressed multiple ordinances and amendment bills.

A special parliamentary committee reviewed 133 ordinances issued during the interim period, recommending 98 for passage without changes and 15 with amendments. Four ordinances were rejected, while 16 were proposed to be strengthened and reintroduced as new bills. Other bills passed included the Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Conservation Bill 2026, several amendments to criminal and civil laws, and updates to health-related university acts.

During the session, the Law Minister noted that the amendment to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 2026 now includes enforced disappearance within the definition of crimes against humanity, reflecting the government’s stated commitment to justice for such offenses.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama’s ex-adviser Ben Rhodes has described President Donald Trump’s Middle East policy as disastrous. In a post on social media platform X, Rhodes said the decision to launch a military operation in Iran has created a catastrophic situation even under the best circumstances.

Rhodes stated that the decision to start a war against Iran marks one of the most shameful chapters in U.S. history, regardless of what happens next. He added that Trump’s actions have destroyed the United States’ standing on the global stage.

Rhodes further predicted that more global economic turmoil is likely to follow and claimed that Trump’s decisions have strengthened and enriched Russian President Vladimir Putin. The comments were reported by Al Jazeera.

A joint mobile court operation led by RAB-7, an executive magistrate, and BSTI officials seized 22,642 liters of illegally stored edible oil from three establishments in different areas of Chattogram city. The raids took place on the night of April 7, 2026, at around 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Two businesses were fined a total of 60,000 taka, while a case was filed against the owner of another warehouse.

According to RAB-7, some traders in the Oxygen Mor, Nasirabad, and Karnaphuli Complex areas had stockpiled large quantities of edible oil to create an artificial shortage. They were also using BSTI labels without authorization to market the oil. Acting on a tip-off, RAB conducted the first raid in the Gulbag Residential Area under Bayezid Bostami Police Station, seizing 1,042 liters of soybean oil. Later, two more raids in the Sholoshahar 2 No. Gate area under Panchlaish Police Station recovered 21,600 liters of illegally stored oil.

RAB-7 stated that similar operations will continue to prevent market instability caused by illegal hoarding and unauthorized labeling of essential goods.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has declared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a complete failure following the United States’ announcement of a two-week ceasefire with Iran. Lapid described the development as a political disaster for Israel, criticizing Netanyahu’s handling of the situation. The ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump, and Netanyahu publicly expressed his support for the decision, according to BBC reports.

In his remarks on Wednesday, Lapid said Iran remains one of Israel’s main national security concerns, yet Israel was not included in the discussions leading to the ceasefire. He argued that while the Israeli military fulfilled its duties and citizens showed remarkable resilience, Netanyahu failed politically and strategically, and did not achieve the goals he had set for himself.

The criticism underscores growing political tension in Israel over the handling of regional security and diplomatic engagement with the United States regarding Iran.

US President Donald Trump has declared a 'complete and total' victory in the conflict with Iran while announcing a ceasefire. In an interview with AFP, he said that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile issue would be 'perfectly resolved' under the new agreement, adding that he would not have entered the deal otherwise. Earlier, when asked about the matter, Trump had said he was not concerned, arguing that satellite monitoring was sufficient.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed that it had agreed to a two-week temporary ceasefire, with further discussions scheduled for April 10 in Islamabad. The council listed key conditions, including maintaining Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz and the complete withdrawal of US military forces from the region. Trump had previously described these conditions as 'workable.'

The timing of the ceasefire’s implementation remains unclear, as reports indicate that attacks and missile strikes continue across the region.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told Parliament on April 8, 2026, that the government is implementing short-, medium-, and long-term plans across 43 areas of the education sector. He said each student and teacher will receive a unique digital identity called 'Edu-ID'. The initiative is part of a broader plan to gradually raise education spending to 5 percent of GDP, as outlined in the government’s election manifesto.

Rahman said the government views education as the best investment and is committed to building a quality, inclusive, and life-oriented education system. Plans include distributing free school uniforms to 200,000 primary students this fiscal year, expanding school feeding programs nationwide, and installing multimedia classrooms in all primary and secondary institutions. Additionally, 1,500 institutions will receive free Wi-Fi to reduce digital inequality.

The Prime Minister also announced that the ICT Division’s Bangladesh Computer Council will train students in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, mobile app development, Python programming, and AI-based digital marketing within six months. The government is also considering nationalizing one women’s college in each upazila to promote female education and empowerment.

A special army operation in the Kukichhara area of Guimara upazila, Khagrachhari, recovered locally made weapons and ammunition early Wednesday, March 8. Acting on secret intelligence that 10 to 15 armed members of the UPDF (main) faction were staying in a house in Kukichharapara, a joint team from Sindukchhari, Mahalchhari, and Matiranga zones launched a coordinated cordon and search operation. During the raid, two individuals attempted to flee by jumping into a nearby stream and escaped into the forest due to the difficult terrain.

Subsequent searches of the house, identified as belonging to UPDF post director Tonimong Marma, led to the recovery of a homemade pistol, a pipe gun, six pistol rounds, and two cartridges. The recovered items were handed over to the local police station for legal processing. The army stated that such operations will continue to maintain peace and order in the hilly region and to curb armed group activities.

Guimara Police Station’s officer-in-charge Sohrawardy confirmed the incident.

Israel has deployed its 98th Division to southern Lebanon to strengthen its ground operations in the region. The move, reported on April 8, 2026, aims to expand military activity against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. With this addition, a total of five Israeli divisions are now operating in southern Lebanon, including the 91st, 36th, 146th, and 162nd divisions. The Israeli military stated that the new deployment will reinforce the front defense line and help reduce threats to northern residents.

According to reports, the terrain in southern Lebanon is mountainous and densely populated, posing greater challenges than Gaza. The main objective of the operation is to push Hezbollah fighters north of the Litani River and prevent the use of border villages for military purposes. Israeli forces are also preparing to present a plan to political leaders that includes taking control of border villages and continuing operations even after the war with Iran ends.

The report noted that such a strategy could be viewed as occupation under international law, raising potential legal and diplomatic concerns.

Iran is observing the 40th day since the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday, with large crowds expected to take to the streets. Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike in Tehran on February 28, which marked the beginning of a coordinated military campaign against Iran.

In Iranian tradition, the 40th day after a person’s death, known as Chehlum or Chollisha, holds deep religious significance. Following Khamenei’s death, his son Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the role of Supreme Leader, though he has yet to appear publicly. The day of commemoration coincides with the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

The overlap of the mourning observance and the truce announcement underscores a moment of both reflection and uncertainty in Iran’s political and military landscape.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon informed the National Parliament that 2,847 villages across Bangladesh currently have no primary schools. He provided the information in a written reply during the first session of Parliament on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in response to a question from Feni-2 Member of Parliament Joynal Abedin.

According to the minister, the distribution of villages without primary schools includes 717 in Dhaka Division, 818 in Chattogram, 355 in Rajshahi, 37 in Rangpur, 349 in Khulna, 45 in Barishal, 260 in Sylhet, and 266 in Mymensingh. He stated that not every village in the country currently has a primary school.

The minister added that if proposals are received in the future to establish schools in villages without one, the government will consider the necessity and relevant conditions before taking appropriate action.

FIFA has opened a disciplinary investigation against the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following anti-Muslim chants by fans during Spain’s international friendly against Egypt on March 31. The match, held at RCDE Stadium, ended in a goalless draw, but the behavior of some spectators drew widespread criticism. FIFA confirmed that it is reviewing video footage, referee and match observer reports, and security information to determine possible sanctions, which could include fines, matches behind closed doors, or temporary venue bans.

During the first half, anti-Muslim slogans were heard from the stands, prompting stadium authorities to issue warnings on the giant screen. Despite repeated messages, a section of fans continued chanting and whistling. The RFEF publicly condemned the incident, reaffirming its stance against racism and discrimination in football. Spanish police have also begun a separate investigation into the Islamophobic behavior.

Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente strongly denounced the conduct and called for action against those responsible. Spanish player Lamine Yamal also criticized the chants, calling the use of religion as mockery a sign of ignorance and racism.

Salaries for MPO-listed teachers working in private schools and colleges have not yet been disbursed for March, as processing in the government’s iBAS software remains incomplete. According to an official from the EMIS Cell of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, the delay has prevented the transfer of funds to teachers’ bank accounts. The disbursement process is expected to begin by Thursday.

The Ministry of Education approved the March salary proposal for MPO-listed teachers and staff on April 5. The approval covers 303,888 teachers and employees from 17,237 schools and 87,982 teachers and employees from 2,619 colleges. Although the ministry issued the necessary government order and banks began processing payments, the incomplete iBAS work has caused the delay.

Officials indicated that once the iBAS processing is finalized, the salary payments will proceed without further delay.