A special eviction drive was conducted around Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) to clear sidewalks occupied by hawkers and illegal structures. The operation, held on Wednesday morning, was inaugurated by Abdus Salam, administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation, as part of a broader initiative to free footpaths and enhance the area’s appearance. Ansar members actively participated in the drive, removing makeshift shops and mobile vendors from the hospital vicinity.

Following the inauguration, a team led by Brigadier General Asaduzzaman, director of DMCH, began the operation from the Shaheed Minar Gate (Gate No. 3). Authorities reported that the sidewalks around the hospital were freed from encroachment, improving movement for patients and visitors and restoring overall order.

A similar operation had been launched on April 2 to improve the hospital’s environment and discipline. However, after hawkers reoccupied the cleared spaces, the hospital administration initiated this renewed drive to maintain cleanliness and accessibility in the area.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan informed the National Parliament on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, that Bangladesh currently has 198,037 officially recognized freedom fighters, according to the ministry’s consolidated list. He made the disclosure while responding to a question from ruling party MP A.M. Mahbub Uddin Khokon during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The minister also stated that the government is not presently considering any increase in the honorarium for the freedom fighters.

In response to separate questions, the minister explained that allegations against gazetted freedom fighters are investigated by a subcommittee of the National Freedom Fighters Council (JAMUKA). Since August 2024, the council has received 842 complaints, resulting in the cancellation of 481 gazettes or related documents. Since its inception, JAMUKA has recommended the cancellation of 6,465 gazettes through 103 meetings.

The session also featured statements from the agriculture and land ministers on fertilizer pricing oversight and anti-corruption measures in land offices, highlighting ongoing government monitoring and digital reforms.

Former Chattogram City Corporation mayor Manjur Alam has denied any plan to contest the upcoming mayoral election under the National Congress Party (NCP). He made the remarks in an interview with BBC Bangla after NCP MP Hasanat Abdullah visited his residence in Chattogram. During the visit, a group of youths identifying themselves as freedom fighters gathered outside and questioned Hasanat Abdullah.

Manjur Alam clarified that he had not discussed any political matters with Hasanat Abdullah. He said Abdullah had called him earlier in the day to inform him about a local program and accepted an invitation to lunch at his home. According to Manjur, Abdullah arrived around 3 p.m., had lunch, and later spoke briefly with the youths outside before leaving around 5:30 to 6 p.m.

Responding to allegations that he was aligned with the Awami League, Manjur Alam stated that he had no cases against him and was not affiliated with the party. He emphasized that he had previously served as a BNP mayor and had never joined the Awami League.

Pakistan has proposed hosting a second round of ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran. US President Donald Trump stated that the discussions could resume within the next two days. However, doubts have emerged about the timing, as Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to travel abroad on Wednesday and will return on April 18 after visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt.

Although Trump suggested that talks might take place within two days, Sharif’s travel schedule indicates that the meeting is more likely to occur later in the week. According to Al Jazeera’s Kamal Haider, diplomacy is a continuous process that requires time, and both Tehran and Washington have shown positive signals toward resuming dialogue.

The report also notes that Gulf countries have expressed interest in assisting Pakistan’s efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on Chinese goods, accusing Beijing of providing military assistance to Iran amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. In response, China has warned that it will take firm countermeasures if Washington proceeds with the tariff plan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated at a press conference that if the United States uses the allegation as a pretext to impose additional tariffs, China will respond strongly. He also dismissed reports claiming that China is supplying weapons to Iran, calling them completely fabricated.

The exchange underscores rising tensions between Washington and Beijing as accusations over Iran’s role in the Middle East war intensify, with both sides signaling readiness for economic retaliation.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the NATO military alliance has not adequately supported the United States in the past or present and will not do so in the future. According to a report published on April 15, 2026, by Iran International, Trump made the remarks in a post on Truth Social on April 14, asserting that NATO has not stood by the U.S. and will not in the future.

His comments have sparked renewed discussion and criticism in international circles. The statement is considered significant given that the United States is a principal member of NATO, one of the world’s most powerful military alliances. The remarks have drawn attention to the dynamics of U.S. relations with NATO and the broader implications for transatlantic defense cooperation.

The report did not specify any official responses from NATO or other governments following Trump’s statement.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government has decided to recruit 500,000 new government employees. He stated that recruitment for 2,879 positions under the Ministry of Public Administration and its affiliated offices is already underway. The announcement was made on Wednesday morning during the 14th day of the first session of the National Parliament, in a written reply to a question from a member of parliament.

In another written response, the Prime Minister said that a project related to the ‘e-Health Card’ initiative is awaiting approval. Under a 180-day program, the government plans to distribute e-Health Cards to citizens once the project is approved. He also addressed a question regarding training for primary school teachers in English, emphasizing that the government’s manifesto prioritizes improving teaching quality and skills through special training programs.

These initiatives reflect the government’s focus on expanding public employment, enhancing healthcare access through digital means, and strengthening the education sector through teacher training programs.

Ziaul Haque, a 67-year-old retired agriculture officer and adviser to the Jamalpur District Awami League, died late Tuesday night while being taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. He had been suffering from diabetes and kidney disease and fell seriously ill while in Jamalpur District Jail. His condition worsened on Tuesday afternoon, prompting authorities to transfer him for advanced treatment, but he passed away en route.

Ziaul Haque, a resident of Haridrata village in Digpait Union under Jamalpur Sadar upazila, had been in custody since January 15 after being arrested in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission over recruitment irregularities at Digpait DK High School, where he served as managing committee president. His family alleged that negligence in providing medical care led to his death.

Jamalpur Jail Superintendent Lipi Rani Saha confirmed the death but denied any negligence, stating that the prison’s on-duty doctor had provided treatment to the detainee before his transfer.

US President Donald Trump has said that discussions between the United States and Iran could resume within the next two days. He made the remarks in a phone interview with the New York Post, noting that talks were ongoing but progressing slowly. About half an hour later, Trump called the newspaper again, suggesting that their correspondent should stay in Islamabad, where the first round of talks had taken place, because something might happen soon.

Trump added that the likelihood of renewed discussions was high, crediting Pakistan’s army chief for doing an excellent job. He had previously referred to the Pakistani military leader as a close ally. The comments were reported by the BBC and cited by the Bangladeshi outlet Amar Desh.

The report also mentioned that Gulf countries have shown interest in helping Pakistan facilitate renewed dialogue between the United States and Iran, indicating a possible regional effort to ease tensions.

U.S. President Donald Trump wants to reach a major agreement with Iran, Vice President JD Vance said, according to a CBS News report cited by BBC. Speaking at a Turning Points USA event in Athens, Georgia, Vance noted that significant progress had been made during recent discussions between U.S. and Iranian representatives held in Pakistan. He emphasized that Trump is not interested in a minor deal but aims for a 'Trumpian grand bargain' of historic scale.

Reuters reported that Vance also acknowledged the deep mistrust between the two nations, saying that decades of distrust cannot be resolved overnight. Washington views the high-level talks, the first of their kind in 49 years, as a positive development. Despite the U.S. military maintaining a strict naval blockade on Iran, the Trump administration’s proposal for a major deal has sparked new debate in Middle Eastern geopolitics.

The renewed diplomatic engagement signals a potential shift in U.S.–Iran relations, though the outcome of the proposed negotiations remains uncertain.

Ireland’s coalition government survived a no-confidence vote in parliament on Tuesday, retaining power amid criticism of its response to an energy crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict. The motion, brought by the main opposition party Sinn Féin, was defeated with 92 votes in favor of the government and 78 against after a heated debate.

The vote followed a week of protests by transport operators and agricultural contractors over soaring petrol and diesel prices. Demonstrations had disrupted major roads in Dublin and partially blocked the country’s only oil refinery and several fuel depots. In response, the government convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday and announced tax relief measures.

Under the new measures, fuel prices were reduced by 10 cents per liter, and a planned carbon tax increase was postponed from May until the October budget. The government’s victory in the vote allows it to continue implementing these measures to ease public discontent.

Iran is attempting to strengthen its relations with European nations to increase pressure on the United States. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has intensified diplomatic efforts, briefing European countries on Tehran’s proposals regarding its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and supervision of the Strait of Hormuz during discussions held in Islamabad.

Araghchi has also held phone conversations with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar to discuss these issues. He emphasized that although the first round of talks in Islamabad did not result in an agreement, Iran does not consider the process to be over.

The report notes that U.S. President Donald Trump has sidelined Europe on the Iran issue for over a year, focusing instead on cooperation with Israel. In response, Tehran, which had long viewed European governments as permanent U.S. allies, is now reconsidering its stance as transatlantic divisions deepen and European economies face mounting pressure.

Former Chattogram City Corporation mayor Manjur Alam has explained what happened when NCP leader and Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah visited his residence. According to Manjur, Hasnat had a scheduled program in Chattogram and called him around noon, expressing his wish to visit. Manjur invited him for lunch, and Hasnat arrived around 3 p.m., staying until about 6 p.m. During that time, a group of local youths gathered outside the house, identifying themselves as July fighters and questioning Hasnat about his visit. Videos of the incident later spread on social media.

Manjur told BBC Bangla that some of the youths accused him of being an ally of the Awami League, which he denied. He stated that he had been elected mayor in 2010 with BNP support and retired from politics after the 2015 election, now focusing on social work. He also dismissed speculation that he might contest future mayoral elections under the NCP banner, saying he had not discussed such matters with Hasnat Abdullah.

Hasnat Abdullah did not respond to calls seeking his comment on the incident.

U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for not directly supporting the United States in its conflict with Iran. In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Trump said he was disappointed in Meloni, claiming she lacked courage and questioning why she was not involved in securing Iranian oil resources. He also accused her of ignoring the threat of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The remarks came after Meloni’s right-wing government decided not to automatically renew Italy’s defense cooperation agreement with Israel, opting instead to suspend it. Tensions between the two leaders had already risen when Meloni previously condemned Trump’s negative comments about Pope Leo as unacceptable.

Analysts cited in the report said the public exchange between the long-time allies signals growing instability in international politics, particularly in U.S.–European relations. Trump’s aggressive stance toward Iran is reportedly creating pressure even among his closest allies.

A new Pew Research Center survey indicates that Israel is losing public support in the United States, particularly among Democrats, younger Americans, and increasingly among Republicans. More than 60 percent of Americans now view Israel negatively, up from 53 percent the previous year. The report notes that 28 percent of respondents hold a very negative view of Israel, a nine-point increase in one year and nearly triple the 2022 figure.

Among Americans aged 18 to 29, 75 percent expressed negative views of Israel, while 67 percent of those aged 30 to 49 shared similar sentiments. Even before the Iran war, U.S. public support for Israel had been declining over its military actions in Gaza. The Gaza conflict further alienated many Americans, especially left-leaning youth, while far-right antisemitism has also resurfaced.

The report underscores that Israel’s long-term security depends heavily on its alliance with the United States, which in turn relies on American public backing. Pew’s data suggest that the erosion of this support is a tangible and growing reality.