U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In a message posted on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump described the meeting as potentially 'special' and 'historic', suggesting that significant achievements could result from it. He also claimed that Xi was pleased about the reopening or imminent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to analysts cited in the report, the meeting, expected to take place in mid-May, reflects Beijing’s stance on the ongoing Middle East conflict. As the world’s largest importer of crude oil, China aims to secure its energy supply, with about half of its total energy demand coming from the Middle East.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, highlights that the meeting could influence China’s approach to regional stability and energy security amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Anik Kumar Mondal, a researcher at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), argues that reducing daily office hours by one hour is an ineffective response to the country’s deepening energy crisis. Writing on April 18, 2026, he describes the current measure as symbolic rather than practical, noting that office operations consume significant energy from the moment they open, making a one-hour reduction largely meaningless in real savings.

Mondal contends that the decision has increased administrative inefficiency and public inconvenience without easing the energy burden. He proposes that a full-day office closure each week would yield more tangible results, as it would halt energy use across entire facilities for a full day rather than trimming marginal consumption. He emphasizes that crisis management requires bold, measurable actions rather than partial or symbolic gestures.

The article further highlights Bangladesh’s dependence on imported fuel and warns that half-measures only prolong the crisis. Mondal suggests that with modern digital tools and flexible work arrangements, essential services could continue even if routine administrative offices close one extra day per week.

Bangladesh’s only state-owned oil refinery, Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL), is operating at low capacity due to crude oil supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran war. The Energy Division said March’s scheduled crude oil shipment from the Middle East was delayed, forcing ERL to run on emergency reserves. Two of its four units remain shut for maintenance. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Chairman Md. Rezanur Rahman confirmed that the last shipment arrived in February and that a new consignment is expected in early May, after which full operations should resume. BPC assured that the country will not face a fuel shortage as additional diesel and octane imports have been arranged.

To address technical limitations and increase capacity, the government approved a Tk 31,000 crore project to modernize and double ERL’s refining capacity from 1.5 million to 4.5 million tons annually. Experts, however, questioned the project’s profitability and transparency, citing cost overruns, fossil fuel dependency, and lack of accountability in project management. Some analysts argued that investing in renewable energy would yield greater long-term benefits.

BPC maintains that the expansion will strengthen national energy security, reduce import costs, and enhance storage capacity, with construction expected to begin in early 2027.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that airstrikes on Iran could resume if a long-term peace agreement is not reached by next Wednesday. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump said he might not extend the current ceasefire with Iran and that existing blockades on Iranian ports would remain in place. He added that without a deal, the United States would be forced to restart bombing operations.

The two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran is set to expire on Wednesday. Both countries are engaged in indirect talks aimed at extending the truce, but the first round of discussions in Islamabad ended without an agreement. The White House has stated that the Trump administration remains hopeful about the possibility of reaching a deal.

The warning underscores the fragile state of U.S.-Iran relations and the uncertainty surrounding ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed hostilities.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have released new figures detailing their recent military operations in Iran and Lebanon. According to the IDF, approximately 10,800 strikes were carried out in Iran. The U.S.-based human rights organization HRANA reported that as of April 7, these attacks had resulted in 1,701 civilian deaths in Iran. On the same day, Donald Trump announced a conditional two-week ceasefire with Iran.

In Lebanon, the IDF stated that its forces conducted around 15,000 artillery strikes and 2,500 air raids, hitting about 165 multi-story buildings. Lebanon’s health authorities reported that the six-week conflict has killed 2,100 people and displaced more than one million, roughly one in five of the country’s population.

The figures highlight the scale of Israel’s military actions across two fronts, as both Iran and Lebanon face severe humanitarian impacts amid ongoing hostilities.

A Tk 20 crore bridge built over the Ichamati River in Harirampur, Manikganj, has remained unused for two years because no connecting roads were constructed. The bridge, completed in December 2024 by contractor Dhrubo Construction under a Roads and Highways Department (RHD) project, was meant to link the Jhikta Bazar area. However, land acquisition and occupation disputes have stalled the construction of approach roads, forcing locals to continue using an old, damaged bridge at great risk.

Residents report severe difficulties transporting agricultural goods and commuting safely. Local traders near Jhikta Bazar have reportedly obstructed road construction, demanding compensation for their shops. RHD officials confirmed that the process of land acquisition and eviction is ongoing and expressed hope that the issue will soon be resolved so that work can resume.

Until the link roads are built, the new bridge remains inaccessible, prolonging public suffering and traffic congestion in the area.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that the country could close the Strait of Hormuz if the United States maintains its blockade. In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf stated that vessels would require Iran’s permission to pass through the waterway. He led Iran’s delegation in recent talks with the United States held in Islamabad.

Ghalibaf added that decisions on whether the strait remains open or closed, and the rules governing its control, would be determined on the ground rather than through social media. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that commercial shipping through the strait would remain fully open for the remainder of the ceasefire period. Former U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed that move but emphasized that the U.S. naval blockade on Iran would continue until the conflict is completely resolved.

The exchange underscores renewed tensions over the strategic waterway, which remains a critical route for global trade and regional stability.

Severe navigability crisis during summer and destructive erosion in the monsoon are displacing residents of Gangachara’s char areas in Rangpur along the Teesta River. Vast tracts of land have become uninhabitable, leaving thousands in distress. During the dry season, the river turns into a sandy desert, while in the rainy season it causes devastating floods and erosion, destroying homes, schools, roads, and farmland. Many families have lost their homesteads and livelihoods, forcing some to migrate elsewhere.

Villagers from areas such as Anandabazar, Bagdohra, Motukpur, Binbina, Ichli, Shankardah, and Kashiyabari report worsening conditions. Fishermen lose work as the river dries up, and farmers face irrigation shortages. Locals say repeated promises have failed to bring lasting protection. They demand a permanent embankment from Minar Bazar to Mahipur to prevent further destruction.

Gangachara’s Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jasmin Akter said the administration is closely monitoring the situation. Rangpur-1 MP Raihan Siraji called the Teesta crisis central to the region’s economy and urged swift implementation of the Teesta Master Plan.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman formally inaugurated Hajj Flight 2026 on the night of April 17, 2026. The ceremony took place in the presence of Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam and State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat. Following the inauguration, the Prime Minister exchanged greetings with the departing pilgrims and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet them before their journey. He sought prayers for the nation’s welfare and for the government’s ongoing initiatives to be successfully completed.

According to the Saudi government’s Hajj management roadmap, the 2026 Hajj flight operations began on the same day. This year, a total of 207 flights operated by Biman Bangladesh, Saudia, and Flynas Airlines will transport approximately 78,500 pilgrims without any chartered flights. Ticket costs have been reduced by 12,000 taka compared to the previous year.

The inaugural flight departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:20 a.m. carrying 419 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. A total of 14 flights operated on the first day, including six by Biman Bangladesh, four by Saudia, and four by Flynas.

A sudden drop in paddy and rice prices across several districts of the Rajshahi region has left farmers and traders in severe distress. Over the past month, paddy prices have fallen by Tk 200–400 per maund, while rice prices have dropped by Tk 2–6 per kilogram. Farmers are struggling to recover production costs, and mill owners and traders are facing losses. The situation has created instability in the agricultural and food sectors, raising fears of a prolonged crisis.

Local traders attribute the price fall to rising transport costs, reduced buyer turnout from other districts, and increased supply ahead of the new harvest. Farmers report selling paddy below production cost, while rice mill owners cite higher imports reducing demand for domestic rice. Agricultural economists point to an imbalance between supply and demand, driven by stockpiling and import pressure.

Experts warn that if the downturn continues, farmers may lose interest in rice cultivation, threatening future food production. The Rajshahi Rice Mill Owners’ Association has urged the government to set a minimum support price and strengthen market monitoring to stabilize prices.

The Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to secure parliamentary approval for the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, which sought to expand Lok Sabha seats and introduce women's reservation. The bill received 298 votes in favor and 230 against, falling short of the required two-thirds majority. The vote took place on Friday during a special parliamentary session that began on Thursday. Following the bill’s failure, the government did not proceed with two other planned bills on delimitation and union territory law amendments.

Opposition parties under the INDIA alliance opposed the bill, arguing that the government was using women’s reservation as a pretext to increase parliamentary seats and consolidate power. They claimed the move aimed to favor northern states where the ruling party holds greater influence, potentially reducing southern states’ representation. Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah assured that southern states would not be disadvantaged and urged lawmakers to view the bill as a matter of national interest.

The defeat marks a setback for the government’s legislative agenda, particularly after the 2023 passage of the Women’s Reservation Act, which had tied seat reallocation to the next census.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that no tolls will be accepted in the Strait of Hormuz. He made the remarks on Friday while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One. When asked whether any restrictions or tolls would be imposed on vessels passing through the strait, Trump firmly replied that no tolls would be allowed under any circumstances.

Meanwhile, Iran announced that it will not impose any traditional fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the country is considering introducing a new type of fee to cover security-related expenses. According to Iranian National Security Committee spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei, Tehran will not apply conventional fees, but the parliament is currently drafting a bill to discuss the introduction of a security assurance fee for the strait.

The statements from both sides highlight differing positions over maritime charges in one of the world’s most strategic waterways, with Iran exploring legislative options while the U.S. rejects any form of toll.

Iran announced that it will no longer impose traditional transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz but may introduce new charges related to security expenses. The statement came from Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s National Security Committee, who said the parliament is drafting a bill to define these security-related fees.

Rezaei explained that coordination with Iranian authorities will be mandatory for all vessels using the strait. He emphasized that military ships belonging to hostile nations, particularly the United States and Israel, will not be allowed to pass, while vessels from friendly countries may do so with prior coordination. He also stated that Iran will not accept any U.S. role in managing or securing the waterway.

Earlier, Iranian media outlet ISNA reported that official Mahmoud Nabavian mentioned some commercial ships would be permitted to cross the strait upon payment of a fee, citing Al Jazeera as the source.

U.S. President Donald Trump is increasingly encountering resistance from global leaders as his confrontational rhetoric and unilateral policies draw criticism. In recent weeks, several influential figures have openly dismissed or challenged him, exposing the limits of his international influence. Iran’s leadership has withdrawn from peace talks and vowed to continue confrontation with the United States, while Hungarian voters removed Trump’s close ally Viktor Orbán from power. Pope Leo also publicly rebuked Trump, saying he does not fear the president’s threats.

Former Council on Foreign Relations president Richard Haass observed that Trump’s reliance on intimidation is ineffective and that his advisers avoid sharing uncomfortable truths. Following a 21-hour meeting in Islamabad, Vice President JD Vance’s remarks underscored Washington’s rigid stance toward Iran, which many saw as a missed chance to ease tensions. A Western diplomat noted that Trump’s “we will always win” approach ignores the need for compromise.

Trump’s insistence on acquiring Greenland from Denmark has further alienated European partners, marking a clear red line. Despite limited military access through NATO, Europe’s refusal to transfer ownership highlights the waning reach of Trump’s power abroad.

US President Donald Trump stated that the United States currently has very good relations with Iran’s leaders and expressed confidence that a new agreement could soon be reached. Speaking to reporters, Trump said the two sides were close to a deal and that he would be willing to accept it.

Trump described the relationship with Iran’s current leadership as significantly improved compared to earlier interactions, calling it a change in governance. He emphasized that the present Iranian leaders are quite different from those the US initially dealt with, suggesting a shift in tone and approach between the two nations.

According to Trump, the improved relationship increases the likelihood of a successful agreement between the United States and Iran, though no specific details or timeline for such a deal were provided in the report.