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.

A drone attack on an Iranian Kurdish group in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region on Tuesday killed one woman, according to a Komala party official quoted by AFP. The strike hit the group’s Sordash camp, about 40 kilometers west of Sulaymaniyah. Three Iranian Kurdish refugees were injured, one of whom later died from her wounds. The attack occurred shortly after a temporary ceasefire took effect in the Iran–US–Israel conflict last week. Komala commander Mohammad Hakimi blamed Iran and its allied militias for the strike. He said the assault targeted exiled Iranian Kurdish groups that have long operated from bases in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region. Another opposition group, the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), reported a separate drone attack on its camp near Erbil’s Koysanjak district, though no casualties were reported. The region’s counter-terrorism service said two explosive drones launched from Iran toward Erbil province were shot down by a warplane, but did not specify which country operated the aircraft.

Amid ongoing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, new concerns have emerged over the Malacca Strait following a recent defense agreement between the United States and Indonesia. The deal, finalized earlier this week, allows US military aircraft to conduct more operations using Indonesian airspace. Although officially described as a defense cooperation arrangement, it effectively expands Washington’s surveillance and operational reach over the Malacca Strait, a vital maritime route linking the Indian Ocean with East Asia. The Malacca Strait is jointly managed by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, and serves as a crucial artery for global trade. The agreement has prompted questions about whether the United States is recalibrating its Indo-Pacific strategy to secure key maritime chokepoints beyond the Middle East. The strait plays a central role in global energy and goods transport, particularly for East Asian economies. China is especially dependent on this corridor for its energy imports, underscoring the strategic importance of the route in regional and global trade dynamics.

Police have arrested three leaders linked to the BNP following a violent clash between two party factions over the jhut (waste fabric) trade in Enayetnagar Chandni Housing area of Fatullah, Narayanganj. The detainees include Monir Hossain, president of the local Jubo Dal, general secretary Khairul Alam Jasim, and Chhatra Dal leader Liyan Mahmud Akash. They were apprehended early Tuesday from a hotel in Kuakata, Patuakhali, and later sent to Narayanganj court on Wednesday. According to Fatullah Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge Md Abdul Mannan, the arrests followed a case filed by Md Hossain Khoka, father of a gunshot victim named Rakib. The suspects had gone into hiding after the case was lodged, and police tracked them down using information technology. The clash on April 12 involved gunfire and crude bomb explosions, leaving two people injured. Authorities continue investigating the incident to identify others involved in the violence and determine the full extent of the damage caused during the confrontation.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam told Parliament that the government is in contact with several airlines to begin international flights from Cox’s Bazar Airport. She said this during a parliamentary question session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The minister noted that the airport has received certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) after meeting international standards and suitability requirements. According to the minister, the runway has been extended from 9,000 to 10,700 feet toward the sea to accommodate larger aircraft, and a new international terminal building covering 17,955 square meters has been constructed. Testing and commissioning work is ongoing to make the airport fully operational. Afroza Khanam added that it will take a few more months to modernize and launch the airport as an international facility. She also stated that Biman Bangladesh Airlines remains profitable overall, though it faces aircraft shortages. Steps are underway to add new aircraft to the fleet and improve operational efficiency to enhance profitability and service quality.

A young man named Md. Sabbir, aged 21, has been sentenced to seven days of simple imprisonment for illegally storing fuel in Dewanganj upazila of Jamalpur district. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning near the Kathar Bil Filling Station area. According to the upazila administration, Sabbir was transporting 120 liters of diesel without authorization, intending to store it illegally. Upon receiving information, the administration conducted an immediate operation and detained him. A mobile court led by Executive Magistrate and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shah Zahurul Hossain later sentenced Sabbir to seven days in jail for fuel hoarding and irregularities. The UNO confirmed that the sentence was handed down the same morning following the seizure of the diesel. The operation reflects the local administration’s ongoing enforcement against unauthorized fuel storage and related violations in the area.

Spain’s government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has approved a program to legalize around 500,000 undocumented migrants, including Bangladeshis. The decision was made on Tuesday, with online applications opening on Thursday, April 16, and in-person submissions starting on April 20, continuing until June 30. The initiative allows eligible migrants who entered Spain before January 1, 2026, and can prove at least five months of residence, to apply for one-year residence and work permits. Applicants must have no criminal record. Those granted temporary permits will become eligible to apply for permanent residency and broader work rights after one year. The program follows long-standing demands from Spanish civil society and rights organizations for regularization of undocumented residents. According to the Spanish government, the measure aims to address labor shortages and enhance social security for irregular migrants. Experts have described the move as both migrant-friendly and humanitarian. The decision is expected to bring relief to many Bangladeshi migrants currently living in Spain without legal status.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said students and parents are delighted by the reinstatement of the primary scholarship examination. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday morning after visiting the Motijheel Government Primary School exam center in Dhaka, he stated that the government aims to encourage school attendance and learning through programs like scholarships. He added that the initiative will be expanded further in the future. Hajjaj explained that his visits to two centers, including Motijheel Ideal Government Primary School, were to ensure students received all necessary facilities for a smooth examination. Reports from across the country were described as positive, though some student absences were noted. He said steps would be taken to improve attendance and meet parents’ expectations through continued and new initiatives. The state minister also mentioned that the government is considering revising the scholarship policy, including the amount and number of recipients, and setting new criteria for both public and private school students. The government’s broader goal is to raise the literacy rate to 96 percent by strengthening both formal and non-formal education systems.

Hezbollah launched about 40 rockets into Israel on Wednesday morning, according to the Israeli military. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that most of the rockets were intercepted, while the rest landed in open areas. The attack came a day after Israel and Lebanon held direct talks in Washington, D.C., for the first time in decades. Lebanon’s health ministry said on Tuesday that Israeli strikes had killed at least 35 people in the country within 24 hours. Despite a ceasefire recently implemented among the United States, Israel, and Iran, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has continued. Israel has refused to adhere to the ceasefire in Lebanon, though both sides have agreed to pursue further discussions. On Tuesday, foreign ministers from Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and 14 other countries issued a joint statement urging all parties to de-escalate immediately and take advantage of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

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.

A 70-year-old farmer named Saber Ahmed was killed in a wild elephant attack in Purba Gozalia Satgharia Para area of Islamabadh Union under Eidgaon upazila of Cox’s Bazar. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Wednesday when he was guarding his paddy field at night. According to local sources, he was sitting on a chair near a fire to protect his crops when elephants came from the nearby forest and attacked him, causing his death on the spot. His daughter Monju Ara said that her father was the only earning member of their family, and the household depended entirely on his income. Local Union Parishad member Jubaid Ullah Jewel confirmed the incident as true. The death highlights the continuing risk faced by rural farmers in areas adjacent to forest zones where wild elephants frequently enter farmland in search of food.

South Korea has secured the import of 273 million barrels of crude oil from Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kazakhstan, according to the country’s presidential chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik. He stated that based on last year’s consumption levels, this volume would allow the economy to operate normally for more than three months without additional emergency measures. Kang also confirmed that South Korea has secured 2.1 million tons of naphtha during the same period. The move comes as South Korea faces severe challenges due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the Israel–United States alliance. Approximately 70 percent of South Korea’s imported crude oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route now subject to strict navigation restrictions imposed by both Tehran and Washington. These restrictions have prompted Seoul to diversify its energy supply sources. The new import agreements are expected to help stabilize South Korea’s energy security and reduce immediate risks linked to disruptions in Middle Eastern oil shipments.

Iran’s military has announced new measures to strengthen control over the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman to ensure national security. According to reports from Tehran, the country is adopting new strategies to assert authority over this strategically vital waterway. A spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Command stated that oil tankers or ships linked to Tehran’s ‘opponent’ nations will not be allowed to pass through the strait. The government also plans to impose customs and transit charges on vessels using the route, and the military has begun practicing these new procedures. Iranian authorities have insisted that all ships passing through the strait must coordinate with Iranian officials. Ship movement in the area is currently lower than usual, while new U.S. sanctions have further complicated the situation. Analysts suggest that Iran is using the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining tool in regional security and ongoing negotiations. Iran’s political and military leadership reaffirmed that their principle of ‘security for all or security for none’ will apply equally to the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump has praised Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, describing him as doing a great job. In a phone interview with the New York Post, Trump said that discussions between the United States and Iran could resume within the next two days. He noted that talks were ongoing but progressing slowly. According to the report, Trump called the newspaper’s representative again about half an hour later, suggesting that something significant might happen soon and that the US was leaning toward resuming talks. He linked this optimism to the efforts of Pakistan’s military leadership, saying that Field Marshal Munir was performing excellently. Trump had previously referred to the Pakistani army chief as a “dear” person. The report also mentioned that Gulf countries were interested in helping Pakistan facilitate renewed dialogue between the United States and Iran, highlighting Islamabad’s potential diplomatic role in easing regional tensions.

A long-distance bus traveling from Sylhet to Cox’s Bazar came to a stop in Sitakunda, Chattogram, on Wednesday morning, April 15, 2026, due to a fuel shortage. Around 30 passengers were stranded on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway near Banur Bazar in Bhatiari Union. The bus had departed from Sylhet the previous evening but ran out of fuel midway, causing significant disruption for travelers. Passengers reported repeated difficulties obtaining fuel during the journey, with the bus assistant attempting unsuccessfully for over an hour to collect fuel from nearby filling stations. One passenger said they had to wait in long lines and pay extra for small amounts of fuel, yet the supply remained insufficient. Another passenger expressed concern about missing a scheduled training session in Cox’s Bazar. Driver Osman Gani stated that the trip required about 160 liters of fuel, but the bus started with only 70 liters. Despite efforts to refuel en route, most stations could not provide enough fuel, leading to the breakdown. He added that some passengers bound for Chattogram were being assisted with local transport, while alternative arrangements were being made for others.