Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said it would be “dumb” for the United States to let Israel jeopardize the regional ceasefire by continuing its attacks on Lebanon, which have killed hundreds since the truce began. Araghchi linked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions to his upcoming corruption trial, suggesting the Israeli leader has personal motives for prolonging the conflict. He warned that if Washington allows Netanyahu to “kill diplomacy,” it would harm the US economy, adding that Tehran is prepared for such an outcome.

The dispute over whether Lebanon is covered by the ceasefire has become a major threat to the truce’s survival. Iranian officials and media have hinted at possible military responses or even blocking the Strait of Hormuz if the ceasefire is not enforced in Lebanon. Meanwhile, US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have urged restraint, and former President Donald Trump said he told Israel to scale back operations.

Despite these calls, Israeli strikes have intensified, killing more than 300 people in Lebanon, including rescuers in Borj Qalaouiye, and prompting displacement orders in Beirut’s Jnah area.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that his government is ready to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon, following Israeli airstrikes that killed more than 300 people across Lebanon a day earlier. Netanyahu said the talks would focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between the two countries. The announcement came amid escalating violence that has endangered a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he was pursuing a diplomatic track viewed positively by international actors, while Lebanon’s cabinet ordered security forces to restrict weapons in Beirut to state institutions. Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad rejected direct talks with Israel, insisting that a ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal must precede any negotiations. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported at least 303 deaths and over 1,000 injuries from Israeli strikes, prompting a national day of mourning.

The ongoing conflict, which began on March 2, has displaced more than 1.2 million people, according to the United Nations. Iran has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, while the US maintains Lebanon is not covered by the truce. Delegations from the US and Iran are expected to meet in Islamabad on Saturday to discuss ending the war.

Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, declared a “final victory” in the war with Israel and the United States, as a fragile ceasefire faces renewed strain from Israeli attacks on Lebanon. In a televised statement marking 40 days since the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike, Khamenei said Iran had “astonished the world” during the conflict. He emphasized that Tehran was not seeking war but defending its legitimate rights, vowing to punish those responsible for attacks on Iran and to seek compensation for damages and casualties.

The statement came a day after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire mediated by Pakistan, aimed at opening negotiations following weeks of hostilities that disrupted Gulf shipping and nearly closed the Strait of Hormuz. Under the deal, Iran allowed shipping to resume through the strait, reportedly with plans to impose tolls to fund reconstruction.

However, Israeli air strikes in Lebanon that killed more than 300 people have cast doubt on the truce, as the parties dispute whether Lebanon was included in the agreement. Delegations from Iran and the US are expected to meet in Pakistan on Saturday for talks on ending the war.

Police in Chattogram’s Bayezid area have arrested Sadeq Abdullah, a leader linked to the July Movement, in connection with a case filed by the Muniria Youth Tabligh, a religious organization based in Raozan. The case involves allegations of bribing a prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal. Bayezid police said Abdullah was wanted under a court warrant issued in the case and would be handed over to Raozan police.

The Muniria Youth Tabligh, associated with the Awami League, has long faced criticism for alleged land grabbing, intimidation, and militant activities under a religious guise. Its leader, Munir Ullah, has been accused of various irregularities. Abdullah, a student of Haji Muhammad Mohsin College and linked to Islami Chhatra Shibir, was an active participant in the 2024 July–August student movement.

Family members and political figures, including a senior official of the National Citizen Party, condemned the arrest, calling it politically motivated and demanding Abdullah’s release within 24 hours. Police maintained that the arrest was carried out strictly under judicial orders.

The South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) has warned that Bangladesh’s economy could face negative impacts if global energy markets become unstable due to the ongoing military aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran. In a statement issued on Thursday, SANEM said rising energy prices could reduce GDP growth, exports, imports, garment sector output, and agricultural production, while inflation would increase and real incomes decline.

According to SANEM’s analysis, if global crude oil prices rise by about 40 percent and LNG prices by 50 percent, Bangladesh’s real GDP growth could fall by around 1.2 percent. Exports might drop by 2 percent and imports by 1.5 percent. Consumer prices could rise by up to 4 percent, and real wages might decline by 1 percent, reducing purchasing power. The report also warned that a prolonged closure of the Hormuz Strait could cause a severe energy crisis, as 72 percent of Bangladesh’s imported LNG comes from Qatar and the UAE.

SANEM noted inconsistencies between government austerity and energy rationing policies and their implementation. It recommended boosting renewable energy investment, infrastructure development, tax-free equipment supply, and low-interest loans to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and stabilize the economy in the long term.

Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed has directed the initiation of a national-level integrated survey to determine the actual manpower demand across various sectors. He issued the directive on Thursday during a meeting at the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project office in the Copyright Building, Dhaka. The chairman emphasized that higher education should prepare students for the job market, but a lack of reliable data on sectoral skill needs and graduate output has created a gap between universities and industries.

Dr. Ahmed stated that the revised HEAT project proposal should include the manpower demand survey to bridge this gap, while also stressing transparency and efficiency in project expenditures. He advised against purchasing duplicate scientific equipment without verification and suggested a separate study to prevent waste in research spending. The chairman also called for the establishment of a modern university teacher training academy under the HEAT project and urged stronger academic engagement between teachers and students.

Officials present at the meeting noted that the proposed survey could help identify skill mismatches between higher education and the job market, aiding future policy formulation.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has described the verdict in the Abu Sayeed murder case as a significant advancement in the judicial process. The party made the statement on Thursday, emphasizing that the ruling marks progress in addressing the killing of students and civilians during the July uprising. It also urged the government to swiftly arrest the fugitives still at large.

Party joint secretary general and spokesperson Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman said only two of the 25 accused have been arrested, while the rest remain absconding. The tribunal sentenced two police officers to death and handed various prison terms to 25 individuals, including a former assistant police commissioner, a former metropolitan police commissioner, and the vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University. Rahman noted that the tribunal’s verdict represents only the first stage of the legal process, with further hearings expected in higher courts.

He added that the government must act more sincerely to apprehend the convicts and ensure justice. Rahman also expressed concern over the lack of visible progress in arresting the political masterminds behind the July killings.

An agreement was signed on Thursday at the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) headquarters in Agargaon between BEZA and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). The deal outlines joint efforts to construct, operate, and share revenue from jetties in the Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar regions. Under the agreement, jetties and related facilities will be built at the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) in Mirsarai and at the Sabrang Tourism Park in Teknaf, on 6.18 acres and 5 acres of land respectively.

The project is part of a broader initiative titled “Construction of Jetties and Ancillary Facilities in Mirsarai and Sandwip of Chattogram and Sonadia Island and Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar.” Net profits from the completed jetties will be shared between BEZA and BIWTA in a 45:55 ratio. Officials from both organizations attended the signing ceremony and described the initiative as a milestone for the country’s industrial and tourism sectors.

According to BEZA officials, the project will help transform NSEZ into a self-sufficient industrial zone and open new tourism opportunities at Sabrang Tourism Park. BIWTA expressed strong optimism about successful implementation.

Two parliamentary by-elections in Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 concluded under the BNP government with BNP candidates winning both seats. In Bogura-6, BNP’s Rezaul Karim Badsha secured 133,516 votes, defeating Jamaat’s Abidur Rahman Sohel by 76,611 votes. In Sherpur-3, BNP’s Mahmudul Haque Rubel won by a margin of 118,966 votes, while Jamaat’s candidate Masudur Rahman withdrew midday citing irregularities. The Sherpur-3 election had been postponed earlier following the death of a Jamaat candidate during the campaign.

Voting in both constituencies was largely peaceful, though isolated incidents occurred. In Sherpur, six individuals were detained for alleged fake voting, and two police officers were injured while controlling unrest. Jamaat’s Masudur Rahman alleged ballot fraud and the expulsion of his polling agents, claims denied by BNP’s Rubel, who said the election was fair and well-secured. Election officials reported no written complaints regarding the boycott.

In Bogura, minor irregularities were reported, including a presiding officer collecting early signatures on result sheets, later deemed a procedural mistake. Authorities described the overall voting process as peaceful and orderly.

BNP-nominated candidate Mahmudul Haque Rubel has won the Sherpur-3 parliamentary by-election by a margin of more than three times his nearest rival’s votes. The unofficial results were announced by Returning Officer and District Election Officer Mohammad Jahangir Alam at 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the district election office.

According to the declared results, Rubel, who contested under the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol, secured 166,117 votes. His closest competitor, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate Md. Masudur Rahman, received 47,051 votes. The announcement confirmed a decisive victory for the BNP in this constituency.

The report also mentioned that BNP candidates achieved victories in both Bogura and Sherpur constituencies, while opposition parties in parliament criticized alleged irregularities in the two elections.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman accused the BNP government of adopting fascist practices, citing Thursday’s two-seat by-elections as evidence. Speaking at a press briefing at the National Parliament complex on Thursday night, he said the elections showed no change in political behavior and condemned the killings of two local Jamaat leaders in Sherpur. He demanded justice through the Speaker and criticized the government for undermining democratic norms.

Dr. Rahman said the opposition had raised objections to several bills in Parliament, arguing that some sought to curtail citizens’ rights, weaken the Supreme Court’s authority, and damage the electoral system. He alleged that ministers were given unlimited time to speak while opposition members faced restrictions. The opposition walked out in protest but did not boycott Parliament, pledging to continue representing public interests.

He further warned that the BNP’s approach to local government appointments and judicial control could lead to a one-party system similar to past authoritarian models, vowing to resist any return to fascism with public support.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the initiation of direct talks with Lebanon. He stated that Lebanon had requested to sit for direct discussions, prompting him to instruct that the process begin as soon as possible.

The directive comes despite continued Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon following a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. According to the report, Israeli attacks on Beirut and other areas have resulted in 203 deaths and at least 1,000 injuries as of Wednesday. The situation remains tense as regional actors respond to the escalating violence.

The report cites Al Jazeera as the source of information, indicating that the developments are unfolding rapidly amid heightened regional tensions.

In Bangladesh’s National Parliament on Thursday, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain stated that if the Supreme Court verdict declaring him the elected mayor was considered invalid, then the entire interim government should also be declared illegal. His remarks came in response to an allegation from Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, who claimed Ishraq had demanded recognition as a legitimate mayor from an election held during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.

The discussion arose during a point of order while debating the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Bill. Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam questioned the circumstances under which Ishraq was declared mayor and why he was not sworn in despite a Supreme Court ruling and a gazette notification. Nahid Islam later clarified that he had resigned from the interim government before Ishraq’s 2025 protest and requested correction of what he called false information.

Speaker Nurul Islam Moni allowed Ishraq to respond, after which he reiterated that his mayoral verdict had been upheld by a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad has emphasized that the government’s image is closely tied to the management of Hajj and warned that any negligence will not be tolerated. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Ashkona Hajj Camp in Dhaka to review overall preparations for this year’s pilgrimage. The minister said this year’s Hajj is the first under the current government and must be managed more efficiently and beautifully than in the past.

Kaikobad described pilgrims as guests of Allah and instructed officials to serve them as family members. He announced that offices and agencies providing exemplary service during the Hajj will be rewarded. Representatives from various ministries and organizations involved in Hajj management presented their readiness and pledged to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

The meeting was attended by senior officials including the Religious Affairs Secretary, the Additional Secretary of the Hajj Wing, the Director General of the Islamic Foundation, and leaders of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh, along with representatives from multiple government and private entities.

Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque stated that the BNP-led government must stand with the people's democratic aspirations rather than citing constitutional limitations. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at the representative conference of the Industrial Area Police Station unit of Revolutionary Youth Solidarity in Ashulia.

Haque emphasized that the BNP government should fulfill the people's hopes for change and prioritize employment for millions of unemployed youth. He called for rapid expansion of investment and necessary measures to prevent frustration among young people, noting their repeated sacrifices in national movements. He also stressed that the opportunity created by the formation of a new BNP-led government to build a democratic, progressive, pluralistic, and non-communal state and society must not be wasted.

The event was presided over by Liton Mondal, convener of the Industrial Area Committee of Revolutionary Youth Solidarity, and attended by party leaders including Akbar Khan, Bepari Bindu, Babor Chowdhury, Anisur Rahman, and Faruk Hossain.