Indonesia has reached a new agreement with France to enhance cooperation in the defense industry. Jakarta announced that following a meeting between the presidents of both countries in Paris, the two sides decided to expand collaboration in defense technology, equipment procurement, and industrial development.

The meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and French President Emmanuel Macron took place at the Élysée Palace. Discussions covered strategic cooperation, strengthening the defense industry, and energy transition. Indonesia’s official statement emphasized that the partnership aims to boost local defense capabilities and identified France as a key strategic partner in Europe.

The report also noted that Indonesia has been diversifying its international partnerships, recently joining the BRICS economic bloc and maintaining balanced relations with the United States and Russia. Analysts view these moves as part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to reinforce its defense and economic resilience amid global energy and geopolitical challenges.

A high-level investigation committee has been formed to probe allegations of fund misappropriation at the Aditmari Upazila Health Complex in Lalmonirhat. The accusations involve the embezzlement of 870,000 taka allocated for doctors and staff who served during the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Rajan Kumar Das is accused of secretly withdrawing the funds after taking charge, without informing the concerned employees.

According to administrative findings, the funds were initially left in a government account by former officer Dr. Toufiq Ahmed due to procedural delays. After the issue surfaced through a written complaint by 46 staff members, media and social platforms drew attention to the alleged corruption. Records show that Dr. Rajan later redeposited 400,000 taka into the government account in April 2025, but no explanation has been provided for the remaining 470,000 taka.

The divisional health office appointed Nilphamari Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak to lead the three-member inquiry team, which will review documents and collect testimonies on-site at the Aditmari Health Complex.

Gold prices in Bangladesh have increased again, with the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announcing a new rate effective from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The price of 22-carat gold has been raised by 2,216 taka per bhori, bringing it to 250,193 taka. The adjustment was made due to higher prices of refined gold in the local market, according to a BAJUS statement signed by committee chairman Dr. Dewan Aminul Islam Shahin.

The new price list also sets 21-carat gold at 238,820 taka per bhori after a 2,099 taka increase, 18-carat gold at 204,703 taka after a 1,808 taka rise, and traditional gold at 166,737 taka following a 1,448 taka increase. The decision was taken at a meeting of the BAJUS Pricing and Price Monitoring Standing Committee.

Just six days earlier, on April 9, gold prices had been reduced by 4,432 taka per bhori for 22-carat gold. Silver prices have also been raised, with 22-carat silver now priced at 6,065 taka per bhori, up by 350 taka.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government will begin the fifth five-year Primary Education Development Program on July 1. He made the statement in the National Parliament on Wednesday morning while responding to a question from a member of parliament. The program marks the continuation of the government’s long-term efforts to strengthen the country’s primary education system.

In addition to the education initiative, the Prime Minister said the government has undertaken a ‘Marine Spatial Planning’ program to utilize the resources of Bangladesh’s vast maritime area. Responding to another question, he added that work is underway to formulate a national tourism plan aimed at developing the country’s tourism sector.

These initiatives reflect the government’s focus on education, maritime resource management, and tourism development as part of its broader national development agenda.

At least eight students of Dhaka University were injured when a campus bus named Khonika was involved in an accident in the capital on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 8 a.m. near the FDC intersection as the bus was descending from the Mohakhali Expressway. The identities of the injured students were not immediately known.

According to Dhaka University students, the bus had been operating without proper fitness certification. While coming down from the flyover, one of its tires burst, causing the driver to lose control. The bus then collided with a microbus, resulting in injuries to several passengers.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the condition of the injured or any official investigation into the cause of the accident.

Police have arrested a manager named Forkan in connection with the assault of a Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) engineer in Nabinagar upazila of Brahmanbaria. The arrest took place on Tuesday evening following a case filed by sub-assistant engineer Mirza Tarikul Islam after he was attacked with sticks and bricks during a site inspection of a road construction project.

According to the case, contractor Lokman Hossain, his driver Billal Hossain, and several unidentified individuals assaulted the engineer when questioned about substandard work on a 4.5-kilometer road between Merkuta Bazar and Shibpur. Videos circulating on social media showed the contractor and his associates chasing and beating the engineer with bamboo sticks. The project, worth about Tk 146.38 million, was being implemented by Rajshahi-based Barendra Construction Limited.

LGED officials confirmed that irregularities were found in the road construction, prompting an order to halt work. Police said the arrested manager was sent to court, while efforts to detain the remaining accused continue.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar to discuss the ongoing war involving Iran and the United States. The ministers exchanged views on the recent meeting between Iran and the U.S. aimed at ending the conflict, as well as possible steps to be taken in the coming days.

According to Iranian authorities, more than 3,300 people have been killed in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran since February 28. Before a two-week ceasefire announced last week, Tehran had launched missile and drone attacks on U.S. targets in Israel, Iraq, Jordan, and several Gulf countries. The first round of direct talks between Iran and the U.S. took place in Islamabad on Saturday but ended without an agreement.

A government statement said Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Saudi Arabia and Turkey before a possible second round of talks in Islamabad. Citing Anadolu, the report added that the next round is expected to take place soon at Pakistan’s invitation.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stern warning amid ongoing Middle East tensions, saying it will reveal undisclosed military capabilities if war resumes. IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi stated that Iran has not yet revealed much of its military strength and could deploy unexpected weapons and tactics that would be difficult for adversaries to counter. He added that these new strategies could potentially alter the course of any renewed conflict.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that the IRGC’s statement serves not only as a signal of military readiness but also as a psychological tactic to pressure opponents and deter escalation. The message underscores Iran’s dual approach of demonstrating strength while keeping diplomatic channels open.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources confirmed that despite no final agreement in a recent U.S.–Iran meeting in Islamabad, communication continues. Pakistan is mediating between Tehran and Washington, with another meeting possibly taking place on Thursday, either again in Islamabad or in Geneva, to seek a ceasefire agreement before the current truce expires.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has stated that China will not be allowed to import oil from Iran. Speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C., he said that Chinese tankers carrying Iranian oil through the Strait of Hormuz would be blocked. Bessent emphasized that China could source oil from other suppliers but not from Iran.

He criticized China for being an unreliable global partner, noting that the country is simultaneously increasing its oil reserves while restricting exports of certain goods. Bessent mentioned that he had discussed these issues with Chinese officials. When asked whether the dispute might affect US President Donald Trump’s planned mid-May visit to Beijing, Bessent declined to comment, saying the visit should focus on stability and that communication between the two nations remains crucial.

The remarks come amid ongoing tensions over energy trade and sanctions enforcement, with Washington signaling a firm stance on restricting Iranian oil exports.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to raise the festival allowance for MPO-listed teachers from 50 percent to 100 percent of their basic salary. He made the announcement on Tuesday while speaking as the chief guest at an event, describing the move as part of the government’s responsibility to improve the education system and elevate teachers’ social and professional status.

The minister noted that previous administrations had taken partial steps to increase the allowance, but full implementation had not been achieved. The current government, he said, plans to continue that process and address existing challenges in the education sector gradually. He emphasized that ensuring teachers’ financial and professional security is essential for building a humane and educated citizenry.

Dr. Milan also highlighted the government’s integrated approach to advancing agriculture, education, and health, noting that measures have been taken to protect farmers’ rights and dignity. He expressed optimism that ongoing initiatives would bring positive change to the education system and fulfill teachers’ long-standing demands.

Bangladesh’s banking sector is undergoing a severe crisis marked by soaring non-performing loans, deepening capital shortfalls, and reduced private investment due to heavy government borrowing. As of September 2025, non-performing loans reached 35.73 percent, while banks faced a provisioning gap of over Tk 1 trillion in 2024. The World Bank estimates that recapitalizing the sector would require 10 percent of GDP, or about Tk 5.5–6 trillion. Government borrowing from banks tripled between December 2020 and December 2025, reaching Tk 5.99 trillion, pushing private sector credit growth down to 6.03 percent in January 2026.

The article argues that this is not merely a banking crisis but a national economic priority requiring immediate policy action. It calls for asset recovery mechanisms, legal reforms, recapitalization with strict accountability, tax incentives for transparency, and modernization of collateral systems. It also recommends reducing government borrowing from banks, improving tax collection through digital integration, and promoting a cashless economy.

The author stresses that the success of these measures depends on ensuring the effective independence of Bangladesh Bank to restore public confidence in the financial system.

Two fuel tankers carrying a total of about 68,000 tons of diesel have anchored at the outer mooring of Chattogram port. The vessels, MT Torm Damini supplied by Unipac Singapore with 33,000 tons and MT Lucia Solis from Vitol Asia with 35,000 tons, arrived late on Tuesday night, April 14.

According to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the country currently sells over 11,000 tons of diesel daily. As of April 12, the available stock was 119,000 tons, enough to meet around ten days of demand. The new shipments are expected to extend reserves by another four to five days.

BPC Chairman Rezanur Rahman stated that several vessels have already arrived and more are expected soon. He added that, alongside contracted suppliers, efforts are underway to import fuel from alternative sources, ensuring no supply shortage is anticipated this month.

National Youth Power has strongly condemned the mob violence and harassment against Hasnat Abdullah, Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4 and leader of the July uprising, in Chattogram. The organization described the incident as disgraceful and contrary to democratic values.

According to the report, Hasnat Abdullah had gone to meet former Chattogram mayor and ex-BNP leader Monjur Alam. Monjur, who was elected mayor in 2010 and nominated again in 2015 by the BNP, had previously served as an adviser to Begum Khaleda Zia and organized events during her illness. National Youth Power stated that while such activities had not faced protest before, labeling Monjur as an “associate” and attacking an elected representative now reflects political intolerance and double standards.

The organization called for a fair investigation, quick identification of those involved, and exemplary punishment. It also urged all political groups in the country to uphold tolerance and democratic conduct.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited a dispute with Pope Leo over Iran’s nuclear program and the reported number of deaths in the country’s anti-government protests. In a statement on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump declared that Iran possessing a nuclear bomb would be unacceptable. He criticized Pope Leo, claiming Iran had killed at least 42,000 unarmed protesters in the past two months and ended his message by asserting, “America is back.”

Two days earlier, Trump had accused Pope Leo of being weak on crime and disastrous in foreign policy. Pope Leo, the first American-born pontiff, had recently condemned U.S. and Israeli military operations in Iran and Lebanon. In response, he said he was not afraid of the Trump administration and would continue to speak against the horrors of war.

Trump’s claim of 42,000 protester deaths has been questioned. Iran’s government reported 3,117 deaths, while human rights groups estimated around 7,007. The UN’s special envoy to Iran suggested the toll could range between 5,000 and 20,000. The International Atomic Energy Agency stated it has no evidence that Iran is developing nuclear weapons.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has announced that Russia is ready to assist China in addressing its energy shortages. He made the statement in Beijing after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, noting that Russia can fill resource gaps for countries willing to cooperate on a fair and mutually beneficial basis. Lavrov emphasized that despite global instability, relations between Russia and China remain strong, supported by the close ties between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.

The remarks came as the United States continues its blockade of Iranian ports, which analysts say could significantly disrupt China’s oil supply. China is Iran’s largest oil buyer, and Washington has stated it will ensure Beijing cannot purchase Iranian oil under the current sanctions. In this context, Russia’s offer could reshape dynamics in the global energy market.

Analysts suggest that Moscow’s move may strengthen its strategic partnership with Beijing while challenging U.S. influence over global energy flows.