A mobile court in Babuganj, Barishal, fined three businesses a total of 85,000 taka for illegally hoarding fuel, LPG cylinders, and edible oil, and for selling them at inflated prices. The operation took place on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Dehergati and Rahmatpur unions, led by Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Kamrunnahar Tamanna, based on intelligence from the National Security Intelligence (NSI). During the raids, 2,300 liters of fuel were found stored in Rakudia, leading to a 10,000 taka fine for Md. Monir Sardar. In Natanhat, Md. Asif Iqbal of S A Corporation was fined 50,000 taka for illegally storing LPG cylinders, while in Rahmatpur, S M Mahbub Alam of S M Traders was fined 25,000 taka for hoarding 3,000 liters of edible oil. NSI sources said the operation followed a long period of surveillance. The assistant commissioner stated that similar drives against illegal hoarding and overpricing would continue in the area.

The United Nations reported in April 2026 that a catastrophic famine is unfolding in Gaza, where around 1.6 million people are in critical condition and 570,000 are on the brink of death. The report attributes the crisis to Israel’s ongoing blockade and restrictions since October 2023, which have drastically reduced food and aid deliveries. Gaza’s population has fallen by more than 250,000 in a year, with total deaths from starvation and violence estimated between 72,000 and 75,000. Humanitarian organizations, including Save the Children and Oxfam, describe the situation as a deliberate deprivation strategy. Save the Children warns that half of the 1.6 million severely affected people are children, with 800,000 at extreme risk. Water access has dropped from 84 liters to just three liters per person. Former Israeli officials have defended the blockade, while rights groups accuse Israel of using food and medicine as weapons of war. Analysts cited in the report say Israel’s policies aim to force Gazans into displacement through famine and deprivation. The UN’s food envoy called the official death figures “overly conservative,” warning that the humanitarian collapse in Gaza continues to deepen.

The United States has expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with Iran as preparations continue for a second round of peace talks, likely to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday that discussions are ongoing and that Washington remains hopeful about the prospects of a deal. The first round of talks, held in Islamabad last weekend, ended without any agreement. US Vice President JD Vance, who led the initial negotiations, said that Washington is offering Iran a major compromise aimed at ending a six-week war and resolving long-standing disputes over Tehran’s nuclear program. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Tel Aviv and Washington share the same goals regarding Iran. The upcoming talks are expected to focus on achieving a breakthrough after the inconclusive first round, though no specific date has yet been confirmed.

Police have arrested Saiful Islam Tarek for the brutal killing of his wife, Shahida Akter Ripa, in Cox’s Bazar. The arrest was made in Dhaka with the assistance of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and the suspect was brought to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station on April 15, 2026. Earlier, on April 11, police recovered a headless and handless female body from an abandoned pond in the Janar Ghona area of Jhilongja Union. According to police, Saiful confessed during interrogation that he mixed sleeping pills with sweets to make his wife unconscious before slitting her throat with a knife. He then severed her head and wrists to conceal her identity and disposed of the body parts separately in a nearby pond and the Bakkhali River. Police said they recovered the murder weapon and remnants of the drugged sweets based on his confession. Authorities are continuing searches in the Bakkhali River to recover the missing head and wrists of the victim, following the suspect’s statement.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued a warning after discovering that a fraudulent group opened a fake WhatsApp account using the name and photo of its chairman, Md Abdur Rahman Khan, to demand money from various individuals. The warning was announced in an official notice released on Thursday, April 16, 2026. According to the NBR statement, the scammers used the phone number +8801618-603328 to create the fake account and have previously engaged in similar fraudulent activities. The agency emphasized that the matter had come to its attention after multiple reports of such attempts. The NBR urged all officers, employees, and members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid responding to any such fraudulent messages or demands for money.

US President Donald Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain permanently open following secret discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump claimed Xi agreed to halt arms supplies to Iran and expressed optimism that the ongoing conflict with Iran is nearing its end. He made the declaration on Truth Social, adding that China was pleased with the decision and that the move served global interests. Trump stated he is not considering extending the ceasefire with Iran, describing the war as almost over and a negotiated settlement as the best outcome. He said extremists in Iran had been removed and that a peace deal could allow the country to rebuild. Trump also revealed he had written to Xi urging him not to arm Iran, and Xi replied that China was not doing so. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues mediating indirect communications between Tehran and Washington after failed talks in Islamabad. A Pakistani delegation led by Army Chief Asim Munir visited Tehran, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif began a regional tour to bolster peace efforts.

Iran’s senior military adviser Mohsen Rezaei has warned that the country will sink US ships if Washington continues to act as a ‘police force’ in the Strait of Hormuz. Rezaei, who serves as a military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, made the remarks on state television, saying US vessels could be destroyed with Iran’s first missile strike. The warning comes amid a fragile ceasefire following more than six weeks of conflict in the region. The United States imposed a military blockade in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran halted maritime traffic during the ongoing war. Rezaei questioned the legitimacy of US actions, asking whether policing the strait was truly America’s role. He described the presence of US ships as a major threat to American forces themselves. Rezaei, a veteran and influential figure who led Iran’s Revolutionary Guard from 1981 to 1997, issued the warning as tensions remain high despite the temporary ceasefire.

Arsenal secured a place in the UEFA Champions League semifinals after a goalless draw against Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium on April 16, 2026. Despite failing to score in the second leg of the quarterfinal, Arsenal advanced with a 1–0 aggregate win, thanks to their first-leg victory in Lisbon. The home side dominated possession with 55 percent and attempted 16 shots, though only one was on target, while Sporting managed 10 shots with one on target. Sporting pressed early in the match, but Arsenal created several counterattacking chances, including a Leandro Trossard header that struck the post. Goalkeeper David Raya and the Arsenal defense held firm in the closing stages to preserve the aggregate advantage. Arsenal will now face Atlético Madrid in the semifinals, after the Spanish club eliminated Barcelona 3–2 on aggregate. The first leg of the semifinal will take place on April 30 at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium, with the return leg scheduled for May 6 at the Emirates. In the other semifinal, PSG will meet Bayern Munich after both sides recorded decisive quarterfinal victories.

Bayern Munich advanced to the UEFA Champions League semifinals after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Real Madrid in the second leg of their quarterfinal clash on April 16, 2026. Having led 2-1 from the first leg, the German club secured a 6-4 aggregate win at the Allianz Arena. Real Madrid took an early lead through Arda Güler just 35 seconds into the match, marking the club’s fastest goal in the competition. Bayern equalized in the sixth minute via Aleksandar Pavlović, but Güler restored Real’s advantage in the 29th minute. Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé scored late in the first half to level the aggregate score. The second half saw intense exchanges, but Bayern gradually gained control. Real Madrid were reduced to ten men in the 87th minute when Eduardo Camavinga was sent off. Two late goals from Luis Díaz in the 89th minute and Michael Olise in stoppage time sealed Bayern’s win. The German side will now face French club Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals. The result ended Real Madrid’s campaign and set up a high-profile semifinal clash between Bayern Munich and PSG.

Bangladesh welcomed the Bengali New Year 1433 with nationwide festivities centered in Dhaka, marked by a call for democracy and harmony. The day began at dawn under the banyan tree in Ramna Park with performances by Chhayanaut artists. This year’s celebration carried deeper political and cultural significance following the July uprising, blending joy with aspirations for justice and renewal. The traditional ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’ was renamed ‘Baishakhi Shobhajatra,’ themed ‘Harmony of the New Year, Revival of Democracy,’ led by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor A.B.M. Obaidul Islam and attended by cultural figures and the Minister for Culture. Political parties including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and Amar Bangladesh Party joined the celebrations through rallies and fairs. The NCP organized a colorful fair at Banglamotor, while BNP’s cultural wing JASAS arranged music and dance events across the capital. Dhaka University became the festival’s epicenter with exhibitions, puppet shows, and traditional games. Tight security ensured a peaceful environment, allowing citizens to celebrate freely. The UNESCO-recognized festival reflected a collective hope for a humane and democratic Bangladesh, transcending divisions and celebrating cultural identity.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized a large consignment of yaba tablets worth Tk 12 million in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The operation took place at the Marichya checkpoint, where officers stopped a passenger CNG-run auto-rickshaw and detained its driver, Md Rubel, aged 25. During a detailed search, BGB personnel found 40,000 yaba pills hidden under the driver’s seat. According to BGB sources, the search was conducted under the direction of Lt. Col. Kazi Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, commander of the Ramu Battalion (30 BGB), and led by Assistant Director Md Kabir Hossain. The driver initially denied carrying drugs but was later arrested after the narcotics were discovered. Rubel is a resident of Khutakhali village in Hwaikyang Union under Teknaf Police Station. BGB stated that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy against smuggling and drug trafficking and that similar anti-narcotics operations will continue in the future.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to Iran’s ISNA news agency. During the call, Araghchi warned that the United States’ “provocative activities” in the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz could lead to dangerous consequences. He stated that the U.S. presence in this vital waterway would further complicate the situation and pose a direct threat to regional stability. ISNA reported that Wang Yi praised the “resilience” of the Iranian people amid the ongoing crisis. The Chinese foreign minister also expressed Beijing’s readiness to assist in advancing diplomatic efforts and achieving a final resolution to the conflict. The exchange highlights continued coordination between Tehran and Beijing as tensions rise in the Gulf, with both sides emphasizing diplomacy and regional stability.

Argentine football star Lionel Messi has been hit with a fraud lawsuit in the United States just before World Cup preparations. The case was filed by Miami-based event management company VID, which accused Messi of breaching a contract related to an exhibition match held last October. Under a $7 million agreement with the Argentine Football Association, Messi was required to play at least 30 minutes if not injured. However, he did not appear at all in the match against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium, remaining in the stands throughout. VID claims the situation worsened when Messi played for Inter Miami the following day against Atlanta United, suggesting he was fit and intentionally violated the contract. The company alleges that his absence reduced ticket sales and forced the venue to move from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, causing losses exceeding $1 million. Despite the legal dispute, Messi remains in strong form on the field, having scored 83 goals in 96 matches for Inter Miami since joining in 2023. It remains to be seen how this legal complication might affect his World Cup preparations.

Bangladesh Bank has resumed buying US dollars from commercial banks after a six-week pause. On Wednesday, the central bank purchased USD 70 million from one bank at a rate of Tk 122.75 per dollar. The last purchase took place on March 2, when USD 25 million was bought from two banks. Since July of the current fiscal year, the central bank has purchased a total of USD 5.56 billion. Officials said the recent purchase followed a decline in dollar demand as banks cleared earlier dues amid easing market pressure. The central bank attributed the earlier market volatility to concerns over the Iran conflict, which had prompted banks to prepay foreign obligations. With remittance inflows rising—USD 1.6 billion in the first 14 days of April, up 25% year-on-year—dollar supply has improved. Bangladesh Bank has also set maximum buying rates for interbank and exchange house transactions to curb excessive pricing. Officials stated that the bank is buying dollars to prevent an abnormal fall in the exchange rate, which could hurt remittance and export earnings. The country’s foreign exchange reserves now stand at USD 34.87 billion, or USD 30.20 billion under IMF’s BPM6 method.

Iran has proposed a new arrangement for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing vessels to pass through the Omani section of the waterway without facing Iranian attacks. The proposal, however, would only take effect if Washington agrees to Tehran’s demands. The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions following the outbreak of war between Iran, the United States, and Israel on February 28. Since the conflict began, Iran has imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route that normally sees 120 to 140 ships pass daily. The blockade has forced oil tankers to take longer alternative routes, disrupting global energy supply chains and driving up fuel prices in many countries. According to international maritime monitoring organizations, hundreds of ships and more than 2,000 crew members remain stranded in the strait due to the ongoing blockade, underscoring the severe impact on global trade and energy markets.