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 Iran’s leadership has withdrawn from peace talks and vowed to continue confrontation with the United States, while Hungarian voters removed Trump’s close ally Viktor Orbán from power.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.

Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping on Friday, according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. He stated on social media that all commercial vessels could now use the strait, provided they follow the safe lanes designated by Iran’s port and maritime authorities. The announcement coincided with a ceasefire in Lebanon, which Iran cited as part of its coordinated approach.

Despite the declaration, international maritime trade groups remain cautious and are assessing the safety of the route. Ship tracking data indicates that vessel movement through the strait is still very limited. Iranian state television later quoted a senior military official reiterating that only commercial ships may pass through the designated routes, while military vessels are prohibited.

The designated lanes are believed to correspond to two routes previously set by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) last week, reflecting continued control measures even after the reopening.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping is 'very happy' about the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump said Xi was pleased that the vital maritime route had reopened quickly. The statement was published on April 18, 2026, according to the report.

Trump also commented on his upcoming visit to China, describing his planned meeting with Xi as 'special and possibly historic.' He added that he is looking forward to meeting the Chinese leader and expects significant achievements from the encounter.

The remarks come amid renewed attention to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping passage, and ahead of a high-profile diplomatic meeting between the leaders of the United States and China.

The dredging of the Ichamati River, which flows through the heart of Pabna, has come to a standstill due to a severe fuel shortage. Excavators have remained idle for eight days as contractors failed to obtain sufficient diesel, creating uncertainty about completing the project on schedule. Field visits revealed that machinery and workers are inactive, and local residents have expressed growing frustration over the prolonged delay.

Contractors, including Ahad Builders, stated that the ongoing energy crisis has made it impossible to secure the required fuel. They reported daily financial losses from halted operations, rising labor costs, and equipment rentals. Residents warned that if the work remains stalled before the monsoon, public funds could be wasted and newly dredged sections might refill with silt.

Project Director Sudhanshu Kumar Sarkar described the disruption as temporary, saying efforts are underway through the district administration to restore fuel supply. Deputy Commissioner Aminul Islam confirmed that the issue has been reported to the Ministry of Energy and expressed hope for a quick resolution.

The Bangladesh Land Ministry has fallen short of its land development tax collection target, with only 41.77 percent of the combined goal achieved by February 2026. Government institutions have shown the least compliance, contributing just 9 percent of their target, while the general service sector, including private landowners and residential properties, reached 32.77 percent. The ministry now faces the challenge of collecting nearly one thousand crore taka by June 29.

According to ministry sources, a total of 656.97 crore taka is owed by government agencies such as Bangladesh Railway, the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, and the Shipping Ministry. To accelerate revenue collection, the ministry is organizing a five-day “Land Development Tax Fair” from May 10 to 14 across 516 AC Land Offices nationwide. The event aims to encourage tax payment and raise awareness about digital land services, record management, and name registration.

Officials believe the fair could significantly improve tax collection, as a similar three-day event last year generated 3.25 crore taka. The ministry has formed multiple committees led by additional secretaries to ensure the fair’s success.

The Ministry of Railways has renewed its initiative to construct a 500-bed hospital and a 100-seat medical college in Chattogram’s CRB area, a site known for its dense greenery and biodiversity. The project, previously halted for nearly four years amid environmental protests, is now being reconsidered under Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam of the BNP government. The minister is scheduled to visit the proposed site in the Goalpahar area on April 19 to inspect it before granting policy approval.

Researchers and environmentalists have warned that the hospital project could destroy the area’s natural ecosystem. A four-month study led by Chittagong University’s Associate Professor Omar Faruk Russell identified 183 species of medicinal plants in CRB, many used to treat serious diseases such as cancer and heart ailments. The study also found 223 plant species overall, including several endangered and century-old trees.

Local residents and cultural groups regard CRB as the “lungs” of Chattogram—a rare urban refuge combining nature, history, and community life. The renewed construction plan has reignited public debate over balancing development with environmental preservation.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has started forming a shadow cabinet for the 13th National Parliament, according to party sources. The initiative, led by a team of experts, will include party-elected MPs, senior leaders, and specialists assigned to ministry-based roles. Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair said the process may take another one to two months to finalize. He also dismissed a list circulating on social media naming party chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman as prime minister of the shadow cabinet, calling it entirely false.

The idea of a shadow cabinet was first mentioned publicly by Supreme Court lawyer and Jamaat MP Mohammad Shishir Monir in February, who urged for creative political engagement through parallel ministerial structures. The National Citizen Party (NCP) later expressed similar intentions to form a shadow cabinet to ensure transparency and accountability. Party insiders said the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance, now recognized as the parliamentary opposition with 77 MPs, aims to monitor government activities and propose alternative policies through this structure.

The shadow cabinet concept, common in parliamentary democracies like the UK and Canada, is designed to hold the ruling government accountable and offer policy alternatives.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has suspended the next tranche of its loan to Bangladesh, citing insufficient progress in revenue and banking sector reforms. The disbursement, scheduled for June under a $5.5 billion program, has been delayed as key conditions remain unmet. The decision was confirmed by members of Bangladesh’s delegation attending the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, led by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.

According to the IMF, Bangladesh failed to advance in areas such as revenue mobilization, banking discipline, subsidy reduction in the energy sector, and implementation of a market-based exchange rate. The organization has proposed initiating discussions on a new loan framework with revised conditions. IMF officials indicated that a review mission will not proceed until significant progress is achieved, making a June disbursement unlikely.

Economists warn that the delay could strain Bangladesh’s foreign reserves and budget support, potentially affecting financing from other development partners who view IMF assessments as key indicators. The IMF’s Asia-Pacific director emphasized that strong political will is needed to implement overdue reforms in fiscal and financial sectors.

Iran’s Defense Ministry has stated that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen only under specific ceasefire conditions. According to the semi-official Fars News Agency, ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik said that the passage will remain conditional and that military or enemy-linked vessels will not be allowed to transit through the strait.

The spokesperson described the current situation in the waterway as temporary, noting that if conditions in Lebanon change, Iran may again close the strait. The statement, reported by Fars and cited by Al Jazeera, highlights Iran’s linkage of regional developments to its control over the strategic maritime route.

The announcement underscores Tehran’s use of the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic lever amid ongoing regional tensions, though no timeline or further details on enforcement were provided in the report.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government, formed after its sweeping victory in the 13th parliamentary election, is preparing to hold local government elections by the end of 2026. Reliable sources indicate that polls for upazila and municipal councils are planned in phases from November to December. The government has decided not to appoint administrators to these bodies and instead proceed with elections to ensure representation through public voting. A recently passed amendment to the Local Government (Municipality) Act 2026 removes party symbols from local elections, allowing party members to contest as independents.

Officials cited extreme heat in June–July, monsoon rains in August–September, and overlapping national examinations as reasons for scheduling the elections in winter. BNP leaders have begun organizational preparations, focusing on candidate selection, local campaigning, and maintaining unity to avoid internal conflicts. The party aims to sustain its national momentum through strong local representation.

The Election Commission has confirmed readiness to conduct the polls once the government finalizes its decision. The first phase will cover upazila and municipal elections, followed by city corporation and union council polls.

Global oil markets saw a significant decline after Iranian officials announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial ships. On April 18, 2026, Brent crude and US oil prices dropped below 90 dollars per barrel, with Brent crude settling 9.1 percent lower at 90 dollars and 38 cents by the end of the day.

The development comes amid a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, though Washington continues to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that Tehran would close the Strait again if the blockade persists. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route through which one-fifth of the world’s crude oil is transported.

The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched military action against Iran, disrupting shipping through the strategic waterway. The latest move to reopen the Strait has temporarily eased oil supply concerns but tensions remain high in the region.

Widespread frustration and anger have erupted following the cancellation of Bangladesh’s much-anticipated Human Rights Commission Ordinance. Analysts and stakeholders warned that the government’s decision not to retain key provisions from the interim administration’s ordinance would render the commission ineffective. The ordinance, issued in November 2025, had expanded the commission’s powers and restructured its leadership, including appointing former Justice Moinul Hossain as chairman. However, as the ordinance was not presented to parliament within 30 days of its first session, it automatically lapsed under constitutional provisions.

Officials and victims expressed deep dissatisfaction, alleging that the move aims to shield law enforcement officers implicated in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman defended the decision, citing the need to avoid legal conflicts between the ordinance and existing laws. In contrast, commission members and victims’ families accused the government of undermining accountability for serious human rights violations.

The commission’s chairman, Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, called the government’s move unprecedented and regrettable, warning it would damage Bangladesh’s international image. Several international organizations, including Washington-based Right to Freedom and TIP, also voiced concern over the government’s decision.