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.

Mossad Director David Barnea stated that Israel’s intelligence mission in Iran remains active and is not yet complete. Speaking at a Holocaust Remembrance Day event, he explained that the operation is part of a long-term plan aimed at ensuring desired outcomes following recent attacks in Tehran. Barnea emphasized that the mission would continue until its objectives are fully achieved.

He revealed that during a recent joint operation between the United States and Israel, Mossad operated in central Tehran, providing precise intelligence to the Israeli Air Force. This intelligence reportedly enabled strikes on missiles considered threats to Israel’s security. Barnea added that Mossad’s responsibility would not end until a new government replaces what he described as an extremist regime in Iran.

Barnea also warned that Israel would not remain silent in the face of any threat to its existence, underscoring the agency’s commitment to countering perceived dangers from Iran.

The Bangladesh government has issued new directives to reduce fuel consumption by shifting official meetings, workshops, and training sessions to virtual platforms. The Cabinet Division recently sent letters to the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary, all senior secretaries, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and upazila executive officers instructing them to avoid in-person meetings unless absolutely necessary.

According to the directive, participants from field levels must join ministry or departmental programs through virtual means. For divisional programs, district-level participants will attend online, while for district-level programs, upazila participants will connect virtually. The government emphasized that these measures aim to ensure uninterrupted and efficient administrative operations while conserving fuel in light of the global energy situation.

The instruction will remain in effect until further notice, and all concerned authorities have been asked to ensure full compliance and take necessary actions to implement the directive.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its blockade on Iranian ports applies to ships from all countries. In a statement, CENTCOM said a guided-missile destroyer has been deployed to enforce the blockade, describing the vessel as crewed by more than 300 sailors skilled in offensive and defensive maritime operations. The U.S. claimed that all forms of economic trade with Iran via sea routes have been halted.

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that the blockade on Iran’s ports has been fully implemented and that U.S. forces continue to maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East. He added on social media platform X that approximately 90 percent of Iran’s economy depends on international maritime trade, and within less than 36 hours of the blockade’s enforcement, all sea-based economic transactions and trade through Iranian ports had ceased.

The announcement underscores Washington’s intent to tighten economic pressure on Iran through maritime restrictions, according to the CENTCOM statement cited by Al Jazeera.

The body of Girish Chandra Sutradhar, a Bangladeshi national killed in Bahrain after being struck by missile debris from the ongoing Middle East war, arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday. The remains were transported on Emirates Airlines flight EK0582 and received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, who later handed the body over to the victim’s younger brother, Naresh Sutradhar.

Earlier, on April 3, the body of another Bangladeshi worker, S.M. Tarek, who was also killed in Bahrain during the same conflict, had arrived in Dhaka. His remains were received by the Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, along with State Ministers Md. Nurul Haque and Shama Obaid Islam from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The repatriation of the victims underscores the human toll of the ongoing Middle East conflict on Bangladeshi migrant workers stationed in the region.

US President Donald Trump said the Iran war is 'almost over' during an interview with Fox News, suggesting that the conflict is approaching its conclusion. He also hinted at a possible second round of face-to-face talks with Iran in Pakistan in the coming days.

In the same report, the United States claimed to have completely halted Iran’s economic trade through maritime routes. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), stated that the blockade on Iranian ports has been fully implemented and that US forces continue to maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East.

The developments come amid ongoing diplomatic and military tensions, with regional actors reportedly showing interest in facilitating renewed dialogue between Washington and Tehran.

Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continued despite a US naval blockade that began Monday evening local time. According to reports up to Tuesday night, 25 ships crossed the strait while 13 others remained in the area. Among the vessels were four tankers, including Liberia-flagged 'Christiana', US-sanctioned 'Rich Starry' and 'Murlikishan', and Panama-flagged 'Peace Gulf'. Some of these tankers reportedly halted near the blockade line between Gwadar Bay and Ras al Hadd.

The blockade, ordered by US President Donald Trump after failed Iran-US talks in Islamabad, extends from Gwadar Bay to Oman’s Ras al Hadd. As a result, around 2,000 ships are trapped inside the Persian Gulf, with about 400 waiting to enter. Shipping tracker Tanker Traffic reported that several vessels are using false Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals to conceal their identities.

The situation has raised concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supply and economic stability, as noted by warnings of rising oil prices and possible global recession linked to the Iran conflict.

Immigration police detained Lion Swapon, former joint convener of the banned Chhatra League in Chatkhil upazila of Noakhali, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon. He was taken into custody upon arrival from Saudi Arabia, where he had been staying with his brothers.

According to police and local sources, Swapon had gone into hiding after the fall of the government on August 5 and later left for Saudi Arabia. He faces multiple cases filed with Chatkhil Police Station, including one for murder and another related to an attack on students and protesters during an anti-discrimination movement. The airport police informed Chatkhil police about his detention.

Chatkhil Police Station’s officer-in-charge Abdul Monnaf said Swapon is accused in two cases and will be handed over to Chatkhil police after legal procedures are completed. Authorities are verifying details before providing further information.

The United States has claimed that all forms of Iran’s maritime economic trade have been halted under a full naval blockade. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), stated that the blockade on Iranian ports has been fully implemented and that US forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East. He said on social media platform X that Iran’s economy relies on maritime trade for about 90 percent of its international commerce, and within less than 36 hours of the blockade’s enforcement, all sea-based economic transactions through Iranian ports had stopped.

CENTCOM confirmed that the blockade applies to ships from all countries attempting to access Iranian ports. A statement added that guided-missile destroyers from the US Navy have been deployed to enforce the blockade. Each destroyer carries a crew of more than 300 sailors trained in both offensive and defensive maritime operations.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not specify how long the blockade would remain in effect or whether diplomatic measures were being considered.

The United States carried out another strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in four deaths, according to an announcement by the US Southern Command (Southcom) on Tuesday. Southcom shared the information through social media and released a video showing a small boat with an outboard engine being destroyed by a missile and engulfed in flames.

Southcom, which oversees US military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, stated that the attack was based on intelligence reports. It claimed the targeted vessel was operating along a drug trafficking route and was involved in narcotics smuggling. However, the command did not provide evidence to support its claim that the four people killed were “narco-terrorists.”

According to the report, a total of 175 people have been killed in similar attacks on vessels in international waters of the eastern Pacific and Caribbean since early September.

Barcelona were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League despite a 2-1 victory over Atlético Madrid in the quarterfinal second leg on Tuesday night at the Metropolitano Stadium. Having lost the first leg 2-0, Barcelona fell short on aggregate, losing 3-2 overall. The result sent Atlético Madrid to the semifinals for the first time since 2017 under coach Diego Simeone.

Barcelona started strongly, with Lamine Yamal scoring in the fourth minute and Ferran Torres doubling the lead in the 24th minute, raising hopes of a comeback. However, Ademola Lookman’s goal in the 31st minute restored Atlético’s aggregate advantage. In the second half, Barcelona’s challenge weakened when Eric García received a red card in the 79th minute for fouling Alexander Sørloth, reducing the visitors to ten men.

Atlético Madrid’s progression marks their return to the Champions League semifinals after nine years, while Barcelona’s campaign ended despite a spirited performance in the return leg.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that new talks with Iran could begin in Pakistan within two days, aiming to ease ongoing tensions between the two countries. The announcement coincided with a continued decline in the U.S. dollar, which fell for the seventh consecutive day in global markets. At the end of trading on April 14, the dollar index dropped 0.26 percent to 98.8 points, its lowest level since March 2.

The dollar’s decline was further supported by lower-than-expected U.S. inflation data, which reassured investors and reduced pressure on the currency. Market analyst Karl Schamotta noted that the Trump administration appeared to be seeking an honorable exit from the conflict, raising the possibility of a symbolic agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt attacks.

Analysts said investors are now watching diplomatic developments in Pakistan and the Middle East. If a lasting ceasefire or peace deal is achieved, the dollar could fall further to pre-conflict levels.

A robbery took place at the house of expatriate Absar Uddin in Patiya upazila of Chattogram on the night of April 14, 2026. Thieves broke into the house in Kelishahar Union’s Ward 7 when no one was home and stole cash, gold, and other valuables worth over Tk 2 million. Police from Patiya station visited the scene immediately after being informed, confirming the incident.

According to local sources and the victim’s family, Absar’s brother Jasim Uddin and his family were away visiting a religious shrine in Fatikchhari. Jasim’s son, Naimur Rahman Durjoy, discovered the break-in upon returning home around 9:30 p.m. He found the door open, lockers broken, and the window grill cut. The robbers reportedly took 7 bhori of gold, Tk 400,000 in cash, a laptop, and the CCTV disk containing footage from seven cameras.

Police suspect the robbery occurred sometime after evening. The family has demanded that those responsible be quickly identified and brought to justice.

A woman named Lili Akter, aged 30, was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Tuesday morning in the South Bandar area of Anwara upazila, Chattogram. Following the incident, police detained her husband, Mohiuddin Jahangir, for questioning. The couple had two children, an eight-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter. The sudden death has cast a shadow of grief over the family and local community.

According to reports, Lili’s mother-in-law, former female member Rezia Begum, informed Lili’s parental family about the death shortly after it occurred. Local residents claimed that the death did not appear to be natural and suggested that other causes might be involved. They urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind the incident.

Karnaphuli Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahinur Alam stated that the body had been sent to the morgue and that a complaint from the family had been received. He confirmed that an investigation is underway and that necessary legal steps will be taken based on its findings.

The 2025 primary scholarship examinations have begun across Bangladesh on Wednesday at 10 a.m., starting with the Bangla subject test that will continue until 12:30 p.m. The schedule was approved by the National Steering Committee of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education on March 5, followed by the publication of detailed timings by the Directorate.

According to the official schedule, the English test will be held on April 16, primary mathematics on April 17, and Bangladesh and Global Studies with Primary Science on April 18. Each exam will start at 10 a.m. and last for two and a half hours. However, in the three hill districts—Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban—the exams will follow a different timetable, beginning with mathematics on April 17 and ending with English on April 20.

Authorities have also announced that students with special needs will receive an additional 30 minutes for each test, ensuring inclusive participation across all examination centers.