Professor Dr. Abdus Salam has been appointed as the new Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Dhaka. He is currently serving as the acting Dean of the Faculty of Science. The appointment was made on Monday, April 13, 2026, through a notification signed by ASM Kashem, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Education, following the approval of the President and Chancellor. According to the notification, the appointment was made under Article 13(1) of the Dhaka University Order, 1973. Professor Salam will serve a four-year term from the date he assumes office. He will receive the same salary and allowances as his current position, along with other benefits as per university regulations. The order also states that he must reside full-time on the university campus and that the President and Chancellor reserve the right to revoke the appointment at any time. The appointment strengthens the university’s academic leadership structure as it continues its administrative and educational activities under the new academic leadership.

Pope Leo XIV responded to sharp criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump by asserting that he and the Catholic Church are not politicians but messengers of peace. Speaking to journalists aboard the papal plane before his visit to Algeria, the Pope said he does not fear the Trump administration and will continue to proclaim the Gospel’s message strongly, describing it as both his and the Church’s duty. He emphasized that the Church views foreign policy differently from political leaders, focusing instead on peace and faith in the Gospel. Trump had recently accused the Pope of being weak on crime and poor in foreign policy through social media posts. Reports suggest Trump’s remarks followed the Pope’s criticism of U.S.-Israeli military actions surrounding Iran. The exchange highlights ongoing tension between religious advocacy for peace and political responses to international conflicts, particularly in the Middle East.

Tehran University researcher Mohammad Eslami has described any potential US move to block Iran’s ports as extremely difficult and risky. He said halting tankers and supertankers across such vast waterways would pose a major operational challenge for the US military. According to Eslami, Iran would take any such action very seriously. Eslami emphasized that Iran is already under intense military and economic pressure from the United States and Israel, and it does not want disruptions to the supply of food and other essential goods. He added that Tehran seeks to send a strong message to Washington, even as most parties are looking for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Commenting on the possibility of closing the Strait of Hormuz, Eslami said it would be a very significant step for both sides, potentially making the situation more complex and dangerous.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, announced that a national movement has already begun and must be carried forward to success. He made the statement on Monday, April 13, at a national seminar in Dhaka titled “Government Against the Referendum Verdict: Bangladesh Facing Crisis.” The event was chaired by Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis leader Allama Mamunul Haque and attended by several opposition figures, including MP Nahid Islam, Dr. Col. Oli Ahmed, and Mahmudur Rahman. In his speech, Dr. Rahman used a metaphorical story to suggest that unseen forces influence the country’s political instability and government decisions. Referring to the July uprising, he said the movement was driven not only by students or politicians but also by workers who sacrificed their lives against fascism and for change. He described the current parliament as a “July product” and warned the government against opposing the spirit of that uprising. Rahman criticized what he called the government’s double standards and vowed that the opposition would not accept illegal privileges or compromise on public interests. He urged citizens to join the movement, emphasizing that it seeks respect for the people’s mandate and the fulfillment of the martyrs’ promises.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will support U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a naval blockade against Iran. According to the report, U.S. Central Command stated that the blockade would take effect from 8 p.m. Bangladesh time, targeting vessels heading toward Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Netanyahu also said that U.S. Vice President JD Vance briefed him after returning from Pakistan about recent discussions with Iran, which ended without any final agreement. Meanwhile, Iran warned that any military ship advancing toward the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a violation of the ceasefire. The developments come amid heightened regional tensions, with the blockade expected to affect maritime routes and diplomatic relations in the Gulf region.

Russia has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to block the Strait of Hormuz. According to Moscow, implementing such a move would negatively affect the global energy market. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said several aspects of Trump’s declaration remain unclear and warned that such a decision could destabilize world markets. The U.S. military stated that all vessel movements from Iranian ports would be halted as scheduled, with the blockade set to take effect at 10 a.m. Washington time. If enforced, the measure could prevent around two million barrels of Iranian oil per day from entering the global market, potentially worsening the ongoing energy crisis. Shipping data indicated that two Iran-linked tankers had already crossed the Strait of Hormuz before the blockade’s start time. The situation has heightened tensions in the Middle East and raised concerns about its impact on the global economy.

Pope Leo XIV has declared that he will remain steadfast in his anti-war position despite sharp criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to journalists aboard a flight to Algeria, the Pope said he is not afraid of the Trump administration and will continue to advocate for peace worldwide. He emphasized that he does not wish to engage in debate with Trump but expressed regret that the message of Christianity is being misused in some cases. Leo reiterated his commitment to speak strongly against war, calling for peace, dialogue, and the strengthening of multilateral relations among nations to find fair solutions. He lamented the loss of innocent lives and stressed that someone must stand up to say there is a better way. The Pope, the first American to hold the position, began a ten-day visit to four African countries as part of his mission to promote peace and interfaith understanding.

The New Zealand cricket team arrived in Bangladesh on April 13, 2026, to play a three-match One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 (T20) series. Four players landed in Dhaka at 11 a.m., while the rest of the squad were scheduled to arrive at 11 p.m. The visiting team will begin preparations for the ODI series immediately, with three days allotted for practice before the first match. The opening two ODIs will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. While New Zealand begins its training sessions, the Bangladesh team will take a break on April 14 in observance of the Bengali New Year. The home side is expected to resume practice on Wednesday to prepare for the upcoming series. The matches mark another chapter in the cricketing ties between Bangladesh and New Zealand, with both teams focusing on fine-tuning their strategies ahead of the contests.

Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque, Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, said the current government has been possessed by what he called Sheikh Hasina’s ‘ghost of insulting the people’. Speaking on Monday at a national seminar titled ‘Government Against the Referendum Verdict: The Nation in Crisis’ at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka, he sharply criticized the government’s attitude toward citizens. The event was organized under the initiative of the 11-party electoral alliance, with opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP as chief guest and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam MP as special guest. Mamunul Haque alleged that the government undermines people’s sovereignty by prioritizing its parliamentary majority and ridiculing citizens. He also criticized Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed for allegedly calling voters ignorant, saying such arrogance reflects the same spirit of contempt once associated with Sheikh Hasina’s rule. Haque urged the government not to underestimate public power and warned against ignoring the results of the recent referendum. He called on citizens to ensure the success of a rally organized by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis at Suhrawardy Udyan on April 24.

Several countries have issued statements in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to blockade Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. Spain’s Defense Minister Margarita Robles delivered the strongest criticism, saying the proposal made no sense. China urged calm and restraint, emphasizing that keeping the strait open serves the common interests of the international community. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called for a full and effective ceasefire implementation and the protection of maritime and air navigation freedom. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France and the United Kingdom will organize a conference in the coming days to restore freedom of navigation in the strait. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the United Kingdom does not support any blockade. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of navigation freedom in the Strait of Hormuz and called for strong coordination among EU member states. The coordinated responses highlight growing international concern over regional stability and the potential impact of U.S. actions on global maritime security.

All members of the National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh have resigned following the repeal of the ordinance under which they were appointed. The resignations came after the National Parliament passed the National Human Rights Commission (Repeal and Reintroduction) Bill by voice vote on April 9, 2026. The bill, effective upon presidential approval and gazette publication, nullifies the interim government’s ordinance and reinstates the 2009 National Human Rights Commission Act enacted under the Awami League government. The outgoing members sent an open letter to the media after their resignation. Commission member Nur Khan stated that the government did not directly ask them to resign but that the situation had been left unclear. Since their appointments were based on the now-repealed ordinance, they considered resignation appropriate. Commission Secretary Kudrat-e-Elahi said the repeal automatically dissolved the previous commission. The members, including Chairperson Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, had been appointed on February 5, 2026, during the final phase of the interim government’s tenure. The resignations mark a transition back to the earlier legal framework for the commission’s operation under the 2009 law.

Tensions have arisen between Pope Leo XIV and U.S. President Donald Trump following the Pope’s comments on the Middle East war. Despite the friction, Pope Leo made it clear that he has no intention of engaging in any political debate. Speaking to journalists, he defended his earlier remarks, emphasizing that his message remains focused on peace, not politics. Earlier, on Saturday, while Iranian and American negotiators met in Pakistan to discuss ending the war, Pope Leo urged the international community to stop what he called the “madness of war.” He also condemned the use of Christian religious language to justify conflict. In response, Trump reacted sharply, labeling the Pope as dangerous and criticizing him as weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy. The exchange underscores growing tension between religious and political leaders over the ongoing Middle East conflict and the moral framing of warfare.

A new survey by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that nearly two-thirds of Israelis oppose a ceasefire with Iran amid the ongoing conflict. The poll, reported by Al Jazeera, indicates that the Israeli public remains divided over whether to honor a proposed two-week truce or resume attacks on Iran. According to the findings, 39 percent of respondents believe Israel should continue its military operations, while 41 percent support respecting the ceasefire. The survey also highlights strong opposition to extending the ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, with 61 percent of Israelis rejecting such an extension. This comes as Tehran has been pressing the issue in its talks with the United States. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s popularity has declined since the war began, with only 34 percent now wanting him to remain in office, down from 40 percent at the start of the conflict. The results suggest growing internal political pressure and increasing complexity in Israel’s decision-making regarding the war and regional stability.

Former CIA Director John Brennan has joined growing calls to remove U.S. President Donald Trump from office, citing concerns over his mental stability and fitness to lead. In an interview with MSNBC on Saturday, Brennan argued that the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was written with situations like Trump’s in mind. He described Trump as mentally unbalanced and said his recent provocative remarks about destroying Iranian civilization have endangered many lives. Brennan, who served as CIA chief under President Barack Obama, stated that Trump poses a significant risk as commander-in-chief because he controls the nation’s nuclear arsenal and vast military power. His comments add to a rising chorus of voices questioning Trump’s capacity to govern amid escalating tensions with Iran. The remarks come as the United States has reportedly blocked all Iranian Gulf ports, while Qatar and Iran are engaged in talks over ceasefire and regional stability.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned that Israel could identify Turkey as its next adversary. In an interview with Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu, Fidan said Israel is a state that cannot sustain itself without an enemy, suggesting that after Iran, Turkey might become its next target. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera on April 13, 2026. Fidan also discussed ongoing talks between Iran and the United States, noting that despite Pakistan’s mediation, no agreement has been reached. However, he said both sides remain sincere about achieving a ceasefire. He cautioned that if the nuclear issue, particularly uranium enrichment, becomes an all-or-nothing matter, it could create major complications and stall progress in the negotiations. According to Fidan, the current situation risks heightening tensions across the Middle East and could push the involved parties toward diplomatic deadlock.