Bangladesh’s new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is confronting an immediate diplomatic challenge as both the United States and China intensify efforts to expand their influence in Dhaka. The US has expressed concern over China’s growing presence, with Ambassador Brent Christensen pledging to counter Beijing’s influence, prompting a sharp response from the Chinese embassy. Analysts say this rivalry has created a new geopolitical equation for Bangladesh’s foreign policy.

The situation follows a period of heightened engagement during the previous interim government, when China deepened ties through infrastructure and defense cooperation, while the US pressed Dhaka to limit dependence on Beijing. Bangladesh recently signed a trade deal with Washington under pressure, which diplomats describe as geopolitically driven. Since taking office, Rahman’s government has faced renewed US pressure to implement the deal and finalize major purchases, including Boeing aircraft, while China has invited Dhaka to strengthen bilateral and political relations.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has stated that both the US and China are vital partners and that Bangladesh will maintain balanced relations guided by national interests. Analysts view the situation as both a challenge and an opportunity, urging cautious diplomacy to preserve strategic autonomy.

Several major cricket and football matches will be broadcast live on television tonight, according to the schedule released on April 13, 2026. The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 fixture between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi will air live at 8 p.m. on T Sports and Tapmad. Football fans can watch the English Premier League clash between Manchester United and Leeds United live at 1 a.m. on Star Sports and Toffee Live. Additional European football matches include Levante versus Getafe in La Liga, airing at 1 a.m. on Fancode and Bet365, and Fiorentina versus Lazio in Serie A, airing at 12:45 a.m. on Bet365.

The broadcast lineup highlights a busy night for sports enthusiasts, offering simultaneous coverage of top-tier cricket and football competitions across multiple platforms. The schedule reflects the growing availability of international sports content on Bangladeshi television and streaming services, catering to diverse viewer interests.

These live telecasts are expected to attract strong viewership among cricket and football fans, particularly given the prominence of the teams and leagues featured.

Bangladesh is experiencing a major energy crisis, with 65 percent of its power generation capacity currently inactive. Out of a total capacity of 32,322 megawatts, only 10,000 to 10,500 megawatts are being added daily to the national grid. Officials from the Power Division and related agencies said the Power Development Board paid over Tk 26,000 crore in capacity charges in one fiscal year. They blamed the previous Awami League government’s policies for the current crisis, citing mismanagement and corruption in the energy sector.

Gas-based plants, with a capacity of 12,000 megawatts, are producing only about 4,000 megawatts due to gas shortages, while coal-based plants are generating 4,500 megawatts out of 7,500. Oil-based plants are also underperforming. Experts warned that if the fuel crisis continues, the country could face severe power disruptions as summer demand rises to 18,000 megawatts. The interim government has published a white paper alleging Tk 1.25 trillion in corruption in the power and energy sectors during the Awami League’s 15-year rule.

Officials said the government is struggling to maintain supply despite having 32,000 megawatts of installed capacity, while unpaid bills exceeding Tk 50,000 crore threaten future energy imports and production.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) saw a festive atmosphere at its Nayapaltan headquarters as the deadline for submitting nominations for reserved women’s seats in the 13th Parliament ended on Sunday. More than 1,200 nomination forms were sold over three days, and over 900 completed forms were submitted by female leaders. Although the official deadline was 5 p.m., submissions continued until 9 p.m., and the party decided to accept additional forms on Monday.

According to party sources, the BNP’s parliamentary board will now verify the submitted biographies before shortlisting candidates for interviews and development plan discussions. The party has 36 reserved seats but may review over 100 candidates. Interviews are scheduled to begin on April 16, led by Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan after his return from medical treatment. Selection will consider regional representation, with special attention to districts where BNP candidates lost in the general election.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi warned of disciplinary action against any misconduct toward celebrity aspirants, emphasizing that organizational ability and intellect will guide the final selection.

Multiple factions are engaged in efforts to seize control of North Western University in Khulna, Bangladesh, leading to internal conflict and legal battles. Since August, the institution has faced disruptions following attempts to take over key trustee positions. Founding trustees were barred from campus, and several were implicated in a vandalism case linked to a political office attack. Trustee Pabitra Kumar Sarkar, who challenged the legitimacy of the current board, was later arrested by the Detective Branch police.

The university, established in November 2012 as Khulna’s first private university, has seen leadership changes tied to political shifts. After former chairman Talukder Abdul Khaleque went into hiding, BNP-backed Sirajul Haque Chowdhury took charge, later replaced by Mizanur Rahman in May 2025. The University Grants Commission (UGC) later declared Mizanur Rahman and Hafizur Rahman invalid trustees, and a January 2026 court ruling barred them from acting as trustees.

Despite the court order, both continued activities and appealed the verdict, with a hearing set for April 16. Sarkar’s arrest before the hearing has raised concerns among his associates, who allege pressure to withdraw the case.

Freight transport in Chattogram has dropped sharply due to a fuel shortage, with the number of operating trucks, lorries, and covered vans falling below 8,000—a 30 percent decline from the usual 13,000 vehicles. At the same time, transport fares have risen by 20 to 40 percent, severely affecting importers and exporters who now face difficulties in maintaining regular supply chains. The shortage has also led to fears of an artificial market crisis.

Truck drivers and transport offices report that fuel scarcity has reduced vehicle availability, forcing them to pay significantly higher rental rates. For example, the cost of sending an open truck from Chattogram to Dhaka has increased from about Tk 24,000–25,000 to Tk 33,000–35,000, while covered van and container lorry rates have also surged. Drivers describe long waits at fuel stations, limited fuel allocations, and growing safety concerns.

Industry representatives warn that if fuel supply to port-based transport is not prioritized, Chattogram Port’s operations and the national economy could face serious disruption. Business leaders allege that some groups are exploiting the crisis to manipulate the supply chain, though consumer markets have not yet shown major instability.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain announced that an international-standard DNA laboratory will be established in Dhaka. He stated that with a population of 25 million and a growing number of DNA tests each year, the ministry’s forensic DNA laboratory will be upgraded into a modern facility. The announcement was made during a meeting of the Forensic DNA Laboratory Advisory Council at the National Science and Technology Complex in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The minister said that DNA screening laboratories at divisional levels will gradually be upgraded into fully self-sufficient profiling labs. He noted that the current forensic DNA lab equipment is over 15 years old, significantly reducing efficiency, and emphasized the need for new machines to ensure quality, purity, and accuracy in sample analysis. The ministry plans to integrate all forensic DNA reports into a centralized database under the Directorate of DNA Laboratory Management.

The advisory council also discussed staffing needs, database development, amendments to DNA laws and regulations, recruitment of qualified personnel, and setting analysis fees. Senior officials from the ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office attended the meeting.

A local BNP leader, Juel Amin, has been expelled from the party in Saghata upazila of Gaibandha following allegations of illegal sand extraction. The expulsion was announced on Sunday through a press release signed by Saghata Union BNP President Nazrul Islam Babu and General Secretary Atikur Rahman. The statement cited violations of party discipline and involvement in unethical activities as reasons for the disciplinary action.

Earlier, a report in Amar Desh revealed that trucks carrying illegally extracted sand from the Jamuna River had endangered a flood control embankment built at a cost of about Tk 25 crore. Following the report, police conducted a raid on Friday and detained BNP leader Juel Amin and Awami League leader Sabuj Mia. Both were accused of long-term involvement in illegal sand extraction and trade.

Local residents expressed concern that the activities had placed the riverbank embankment at serious risk of collapse and demanded strict action against those responsible.

A court in Jamalpur’s Melandah upazila has ordered ten leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations, including the president of the local Chhatra League, to be sent to jail. The order came on Sunday afternoon when the accused surrendered before the Madarganj Amli Court and sought bail in a case filed under the Special Powers Act. Judge Romana Akter rejected their bail petitions and directed that they be taken into custody.

According to court sources, the decision followed a hearing in which the court considered the allegations brought against the accused. Those sent to jail include Hossain Ali, Ariful Islam Shawon, Kamrul Hasan Al-Amin, Johurul Islam, Saiful Islam, Maji, Babor Ali, Sujon, Fazil Haque, and Mosaddik Hossain Jewel. Police Inspector (Unarmed) Abul Hossain of the Jamalpur Chief Judicial Magistrate Court confirmed the court’s order, stating that the accused were warrant-listed individuals who had surrendered voluntarily.

The incident has reportedly caused a stir in the local area following the court’s decision.

A five-day multipurpose jute product fair has been organized in Old Dhaka under the patronage of the district administration to mark Pahela Baishakh. The fair, featuring 26 stalls, is being held at the premises of the Dhaka District Commissioner’s Office and will run daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., concluding on Thursday. Dhaka District Commissioner Md. Rezaul Karim inaugurated the event on Sunday.

Following the inauguration, Commissioner Karim invited visitors to explore the creativity of local jute artisans, emphasizing that jute is a part of Bangladesh’s heritage and can be used to produce a wide variety of beautiful products. He urged support for jute-based entrepreneurs to help expand the market both domestically and internationally.

Addressing residents of Old Dhaka, the commissioner said the fair aims to showcase the area’s cultural heritage despite limited open spaces. He added that a colorful rally will be held on Pahela Baishakh to highlight Old Dhaka’s traditions and encourage community participation in the festivities.

In Kushtia’s Daulatpur upazila, the burial of self-proclaimed spiritual leader Shamim Reza, also known as Shamim Jahangir, took place under police supervision on Sunday evening. He had been killed by an angry mob accusing him of insulting Islam and the Holy Quran. The funeral prayer was held at 5:30 p.m. at the South-West Philipnagar graveyard, following an autopsy at Kushtia General Hospital and transfer of the body under army supervision.

Authorities reported that few followers attended the funeral. Some devotees had requested that the burial take place at his residence, but the family, local residents, and administration decided otherwise. The area around his residence remains tense, with police, RAB, BGB, and army personnel deployed to prevent further unrest.

Officials, including the Additional DIG of Khulna Range and the local MP, visited the site and urged calm. As of the report’s filing, no case had been registered and no arrests made. Injured individuals are receiving medical care under police protection.

Telenor Group President and Chief Executive Officer Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer met with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday, April 13, 2026. The meeting took place in the Prime Minister’s office at the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat in Dhaka. No further details of the discussion were disclosed in the source.

The report, published by Amar Desh Online, confirmed the meeting as part of the Prime Minister’s official engagements for the day. It did not specify the topics discussed or any agreements reached between the two sides.

Further information about the purpose or outcomes of the meeting was not provided in the source text.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested seven people, including former Jubo Dal leader Moin Uddin, in connection with an extortion case at the Center for Kidney Diseases and Urology (CKD) Hospital in Dhaka’s Shyamoli area. The arrests took place early Monday, April 13, following a case filed by Abu Hanif, the hospital’s operating theatre in-charge, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station. The complaint alleged that Moin and his associates had long demanded Tk 500,000 and threatened Hanif and his wife when they refused to pay.

According to the case statement, the accused later gathered 50 to 60 people outside the hospital, chanting abusive slogans and attempting to create chaos, which disrupted the hospital’s normal environment. Police intervened to bring the situation under control. Following the incident, senior Jubo Dal leaders visited the hospital and met with Professor Kamrul Islam, the hospital’s owner, who described Moin’s repeated intimidation of staff.

Jubo Dal’s general secretary Nurul Islam Noyon stated that Moin was not an active member of their organization and that the party maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward such misconduct.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Bogura on April 20 for a one-day official trip. According to the itinerary, he will arrive at the Bogura District Police Lines helipad by helicopter from Tejgaon Airport in the morning. At 10:45 a.m., he will inaugurate the e-Bail Bond program at the District and Sessions Judge Court premises. At 11 a.m., he will officially announce the inauguration of the Bogura City Corporation.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister will attend a program at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Degree College field to launch the Family Card distribution initiative and inaugurate the excavation project at Chowkirdah Canal in Bagbari Nashipur. In the afternoon, he will visit Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Village Hospital and spend time at the ancestral home of the late President Ziaur Rahman. After prayers and a break at the Bogura Circuit House, he will depart for Dhaka at 4 p.m.

The visit has generated significant enthusiasm across northern Bangladesh, with local authorities implementing extensive security measures. Senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office will accompany him on this official tour.

An opinion piece by Dr. Mohammad Abdul Halim Chowdhury, published on April 13, 2026, highlights the gap between teacher training programs in Bangladesh and their actual impact on classroom teaching. Despite the existence of PTI, B.Ed, M.Ed, and HSTTI courses from primary to higher secondary levels, the article argues that these programs often fail to produce meaningful changes in teaching quality. The author notes that teachers obtain certificates but show limited improvement in classroom performance.

The article identifies several structural issues, including outdated syllabuses, lack of practical application, and questionable evaluation practices. It points out that training content is often centrally designed without reflecting ground realities, and practical components are reduced to formalities. Problems such as favoritism in grading, ethical lapses, and a focus on financial benefits rather than professional growth further weaken the system. International organizations like UNESCO and the World Bank are cited as emphasizing the importance of effective teacher training.

To address these challenges, the author recommends revising syllabuses with grassroots input, strengthening research-based training, ensuring transparency in evaluation, monitoring post-training teaching, and linking incentives to performance.