Iran has acknowledged that a United States military force attacked and seized an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman, according to a statement cited by semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The statement from Iran’s Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters confirmed that US forces fired on the ship, disabling it before boarding and taking control. Tehran described the incident as an act of maritime piracy and a violation of international law. The Iranian statement warned that the country’s armed forces would soon respond to what it called armed piracy by the United States. The announcement marks the first time Iran has directly confirmed the seizure, following earlier conflicting accounts from both sides. The report was carried by Al Jazeera and local media. The confirmation and warning signal a potential escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States over maritime security in the region, though no timeline or details of Iran’s planned response were provided.

Former Human Rights Watch chief Kenneth Roth has said that U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to attack Iran’s power plants and bridges would amount to a war crime if carried out. In an interview with the BBC, Roth stated that Trump was effectively threatening large-scale war crimes by targeting civilian infrastructure. He emphasized that international humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilian objects such as power stations and bridges. Roth explained that even if such facilities have dual-use purposes, meaning they can serve both civilian and military functions, the law still forbids attacks that would cause disproportionate harm to civilians. He added that ignoring these principles would violate international norms that the U.S. government and the global community are expected to uphold. In response, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz rejected Roth’s characterization, calling it false, baseless, and absurd. Waltz argued that such infrastructure could be considered legitimate military targets. Trump’s warning of possible strikes on Iran’s key infrastructure has sparked international debate.

Iran has accused the United States of breaking promises and betraying diplomacy, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, as reported by Al Jazeera. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made the remarks during a phone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying that the U.S. repeatedly violated commitments during talks and ceasefire periods and acted in an oppressive and unreasonable manner. Pezeshkian stated that the so-called naval blockade against Iran constitutes a provocative and illegal act, violating the ceasefire agreement and contradicting the United Nations Charter. He emphasized that U.S. officials’ threatening statements and such actions have deepened distrust about Washington’s sincerity and revealed that the U.S. intends to repeat its previous patterns of behavior and betray diplomacy once again. The Iranian president further asserted that Iran would defend its territorial integrity against any new adventurism by the United States and the Zionist regime.

Iran’s state-affiliated media reported that the country’s forces thwarted an alleged US attempt to seize an Iranian commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman. According to the semi-official Mehr News Agency, US forces stationed near the area fired at the ship to force it back into Iranian waters. The report stated that the vessel was supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, whose rapid response compelled the American forces to withdraw from the area. The report added that Iran’s account of the incident differs from earlier statements made by US President Donald Trump. However, the name of the vessel involved was not disclosed in the report. The incident was covered by Al Jazeera, citing Iranian sources. No further details were provided about the timing of the event or any potential damage or casualties resulting from the exchange.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has voiced concern over the growing military cooperation among Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. Speaking on Sunday at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in southern Turkey, Fidan said that Muslim countries in the region are worried about the emerging alliance. His remarks were reported by Middle East Eye. Fidan noted that Greece, despite being a NATO member, has joined this trilateral partnership. He stated that no assurances have been given that the alliance is not directed against Turkey. He also referred to comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a tripartite summit in Israel last year, attended by the Greek prime minister and the Cypriot president, which he said heightened regional concerns. Netanyahu had declared in December that those seeking to reestablish empires or dominate Israeli lands should abandon such ambitions, a statement widely interpreted as aimed at Turkey.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has decided to increase the supply of fuel across the country starting Monday, April 20, following a recent rise in fuel prices. According to a BPC notice issued on Sunday night, diesel and petrol supplies will rise by 10 percent, while octane supply will increase by 20 percent based on current monthly sales. BPC Director (Marketing) Md. Sabet Ali confirmed the decision, citing the current situation as the reason for the adjustment. BPC data show that from April 1 to 18, a total of 307,188 tons of fuel were sold, including 208,822 tons of diesel, 2,379 tons of kerosene, 22,555 tons of petrol, 20,412 tons of octane, 30,965 tons of furnace oil, and 30,055 tons of jet fuel. On April 18 alone, 12,131 tons of diesel and smaller quantities of other fuels were sold. During the same period last year, total sales stood at 270,496 tons. The supply increase follows the government’s April 18 decision to raise all fuel prices, with diesel now at 115 taka per liter and octane at 140 taka, after months of maintaining subsidies to control market volatility.

Former US President Donald Trump claimed that an Iranian-flagged vessel named 'Tuska' was seized by the US Navy in the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the ship in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to break through a US blockade. He stated that the Iranian crew ignored warnings to stop, prompting US forces to strike the ship’s engine room and take control. According to Trump, the 'Tuska' had been under US Treasury Department sanctions for previous illegal activities. He added that the ship is now fully under US custody and is being inspected to determine its contents. The report cited Al Jazeera as the source of the information. The article noted that Iran has not yet issued any official response to Trump’s claims regarding the incident.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian held a warm and friendly phone conversation on Sunday, according to a statement from the Pakistani government. During the 45-minute call, Sharif assured Pezeshkian that Pakistan would continue its sincere efforts to promote regional peace and security. He also thanked Iran for sending a high-level delegation to Islamabad last week for discussions with the United States. However, the statement did not specify when the next round of talks would take place. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that an American delegation was heading to Pakistan for discussions with Iran, but Tehran has not officially confirmed any such meeting. Iranian media reported that participation in a second round of talks remains uncertain, despite earlier reports suggesting an Iranian delegation might arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday. As a result, uncertainty continues to surround the potential meeting between the two countries and the United States, with no confirmed schedule or official acknowledgment from Iran.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir left Dhaka for China on Sunday night at 10:10 p.m. on a China Air flight. His visit comes at the invitation of the Chinese government, according to BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan. Before his departure from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh met Fakhrul for a courtesy call and saw him off. Fakhrul is accompanied by his assistant private secretary Yunus Ali. Earlier, on April 15, another BNP delegation traveled to China at the invitation of the Chinese government. That delegation was led by Ismail Jabiuallah, a member of the BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council and the Prime Minister’s Adviser, along with several other senior BNP leaders. The visits reflect ongoing exchanges between the BNP and Chinese officials. The source does not specify the duration or agenda of Fakhrul’s visit, leaving the purpose and expected outcomes of the trip unclear.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA has denied reports claiming that a new round of talks between Iran and the United States was taking place in Pakistan. According to IRNA, the reports are not true and the agency accused the United States of making excessive demands while frequently changing its stance and issuing contradictory statements. It added that U.S. sanctions on Iranian ports and threatening rhetoric have hindered progress in any discussions. In a message on Telegram, IRNA stated that under the current circumstances there is no bright prospect for productive negotiations. The report did not cite any specific official or institution. Earlier, two Iranian media outlets linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also expressed doubts about Iran’s participation in any potential meeting. No responsible Iranian official has yet clarified the country’s formal position on the matter, leaving uncertainty over whether Iran will take part in future talks.

Eight children aged between one and fourteen were killed early Sunday in a shooting across several homes in Shreveport, Louisiana, according to local police reports cited by multiple media outlets. The incident left a total of ten people shot. Police believe the attack may have been linked to a family dispute. The suspected gunman was killed during a police chase after allegedly hijacking a vehicle while attempting to flee. Authorities have not released the identity of the shooter but confirmed that some of the victims were members of the suspect’s own family. Shreveport Police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon provided details of the pursuit and the suspect’s death. Local resident London told CNBC that such violence was unprecedented in the neighborhood, expressing deep shock and sadness over the children’s deaths. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arcenaux described the event as possibly the most tragic situation the city has ever faced. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has represented Shreveport for nearly a decade, called the shooting a heartbreaking tragedy and said his team is in contact with local law enforcement.

US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, saying he will no longer remain a 'Mr. Nice Guy' if upcoming discussions fail. According to the report, a high-level American delegation is traveling to Pakistan to initiate new talks on the Iran issue. The team includes Vice President JD Vance, diplomat Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Pakistan has already begun preparations for the potential meeting. However, Iran has not yet confirmed whether it will participate in the talks, leaving uncertainty over whether the meeting will take place. Trump also warned that if negotiations do not progress, the United States could take tough action targeting Iran’s key infrastructure. Meanwhile, tensions have escalated in the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has been disrupted following reported Iranian attacks on several vessels. The situation has heightened regional instability and raised concerns about potential military escalation.

Rail Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that no final decision has been made regarding the proposed hospital construction at CRB in Chattogram. He emphasized that the government will not implement any project that causes discomfort to city residents or harms the environment. The minister noted that the decision will prioritize environmental protection and the interests of Chattogram’s people. He clarified that the government has neither confirmed nor ruled out the hospital project. Speaking to journalists during a site visit on Sunday evening, the minister explained that the earlier public-private partnership (PPP) plan had proposed a 250-bed hospital expandable to 500 beds, but it was not implemented due to public protests. He said discussions will be held with the private partner to resolve financial matters from the previous agreement. The minister also mentioned that no commercial use of railway land will be allowed. Environmental activists held daylong protests at CRB during the minister’s visit, chanting slogans against the hospital project. The demonstrations involved various social and cultural groups under the banner of CRB Rokkha Moncho.

The death toll in the Gaza Strip has climbed to 72,551 as Israeli attacks continue, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa citing medical sources. The assaults, which began on October 7, 2023, have also left 172,274 people injured, with many still trapped under rubble. In the past 24 hours, hospitals recorded two additional deaths, one of which was recovered from debris. Officials reported that since the ceasefire announced on October 11, 775 people have been killed and 2,171 injured. Rescue teams have recovered 761 bodies from destroyed buildings. The ongoing strikes have severely worsened the humanitarian situation in Gaza, raising concerns about further deterioration. The report underscores the continuing human toll and destruction in Gaza amid persistent hostilities, with no indication of relief for civilians caught in the conflict.

Bangladesh’s Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has extended his best wishes to students appearing in the upcoming SSC, Dakhil, and equivalent examinations scheduled to begin across the country on Tuesday, April 21. In a statement issued to the media on Sunday night, he prayed for the physical and mental well-being of the students, noting that around 20 lakh candidates will take part this year, including about 16 lakh SSC and 4 lakh Dakhil and equivalent examinees. Dr. Rahman urged parents and all concerned to exercise special caution during students’ travel to and from examination centers. He also called on law enforcement agencies and teachers to ensure a fair, peaceful, and cheating-free environment for the examinations. The statement reflects a message of encouragement and responsibility toward maintaining discipline and integrity during one of the country’s largest public examinations.