Severe power shortages have crippled daily life in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet, where around 200,000 residents are enduring frequent and prolonged load-shedding. The outages, lasting several hours at a time, have left large parts of the area without electricity. According to the local power office, daytime demand stands at 10 to 12 megawatts, but supply is limited to only 4 to 5 megawatts. At night, demand rises to 16 to 17 megawatts, yet supply remains far below requirement.

Residents complain that despite government directives for uninterrupted electricity, the situation has worsened, with power cuts occurring even without storms or visible technical faults. On Wednesday, electricity was out for nearly four hours in the afternoon, returning briefly before another outage in the evening. The disruptions have severely affected education, with students struggling to prepare for ongoing and upcoming exams, and businesses facing major losses during the busy Eid season.

Officials attribute the crisis to national grid load management issues, while locals question the feasibility of the government’s promise of continuous power supply.

A landmine explosion occurred near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, injuring a 26-year-old Rohingya man named Mohammad Yunus. The blast, which took place on Wednesday morning near border pillar BRM-19 inside Myanmar territory, severed his right leg. He was rescued in critical condition and admitted to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for treatment.

According to local sources, the border area is considered highly dangerous due to landmines reportedly planted by the Arakan Army. Over the past 17 days, at least four Rohingya individuals have lost their legs in similar explosions along the Balukhali and Palongkhali border zones. Locals said occasional explosions are heard, and many people still venture into the area for fishing or livelihood, increasing the risk of accidents.

The commanding officer of the Ukhiya Battalion (64 BGB) confirmed that the explosion occurred inside Myanmar and said border patrols and surveillance have been intensified. Residents have been warned to avoid high-risk areas.

Pirojpur-1 Member of Parliament Masud Saeedi inaugurated a canal re-excavation project in Jianagar upazila of Pirojpur on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The work began at the Saidkhali sluice gate in Balipara Union and will extend to the house of Kalaiya Shahjahan Hawlader. The initiative is part of a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation program aimed at improving water management in agricultural regions.

During the event, MP Saeedi emphasized that resolving water scarcity is essential for building a prosperous agricultural nation. He recalled the image of late President Ziaur Rahman working with a spade as an inspiration for patriotic service. Upazila BNP President Farid Ahmed noted that the government plans to excavate and re-excavate about 20,000 kilometers of canals over the next five years as part of its election commitments.

Local residents expressed optimism that the re-excavation will ease water shortages and boost yields of seasonal crops such as rice, melons, and watermelons.

Police in Bhangura, Pabna, arrested Suman Babu, a 37-year-old joint secretary of the Upazila Volunteer League and member of the 'Joy Bangla Brigade', on Wednesday afternoon from his home. The arrest was made in connection with a sedition case alleging his involvement in anti-state activities and a plan to overthrow the interim government. The case was filed earlier under CR-222/25 at Ramna Police Station in Dhaka.

According to police sources, the case was originally lodged on March 27, 2025, by CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Md. Enamul Haque against 73 individuals, including a fugitive former prime minister. Bhangura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiul Azam confirmed the arrest and stated that a warrant had been issued against Suman Babu.

Following his arrest, Suman Babu was sent to Pabna District Jail through the court. No further details on the court proceedings or other accused individuals were provided in the report.

At a meeting in Segunbagicha on Wednesday, Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, senior joint secretary of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, said the country’s economic condition has become dire, with several banks reportedly bankrupt. He criticized the interim government for taking what he called reckless decisions to implement its manifesto using 400 billion taka from reserves. He urged the government not to push the economy to the brink through initiatives like agricultural and family cards.

Rahman alleged that dishonest traders have established dominance in the market, causing essential commodity prices to rise sharply through syndicates. He warned that low-income families are struggling to meet basic needs and that without effective government action, ordinary people might be forced to protest again. Other party leaders, including Shah Ifthekhar Tariq and Ahmad Abdul Kaiyum, also spoke at the event, criticizing the government’s handling of economic and political issues.

Speakers further accused the interim government of colluding with foreign powers to suppress Islamist political forces and manipulating election outcomes, urging immediate corrective measures to restore public trust.

Former South African captain Graeme Smith has expressed his desire to see a Club World Cup in cricket, bringing together champion teams from major franchise leagues such as the IPL, SA20, and Big Bash. Speaking to Olympic.com, Smith, who currently serves as commissioner of South Africa’s SA20 league, said the idea could become reality in the near future as franchise cricket continues to expand globally.

Smith noted that the growing private ownership of franchise teams has created a strong foundation for such a global tournament. He believes a Club World Cup could add new excitement for fans and further boost the popularity of T20 cricket worldwide. According to him, franchise cricket has already built a new ecosystem that supports this vision.

Smith also discussed cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where both men’s and women’s T20 events will feature six teams each. He said the chance to win an Olympic gold medal would inspire the next generation of cricketers with a new dream.

Bangladesh national cricket team head coach Phil Simmons said he is not surprised by the frequent changes in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) leadership during his tenure. Since taking charge in October 2024, Simmons has worked under three different BCB presidents—Faruk Ahmed, Aminul Islam Bulbul, and now Tamim Iqbal. Speaking at a press conference, the 63-year-old coach remarked that nothing in life surprises him anymore, emphasizing that such changes have not affected his coaching approach or team preparations.

Simmons explained that his focus remains on preparing the team for upcoming series and building towards long-term goals. He noted that the changes in BCB leadership have not influenced the coaching group’s work or planning. The coach also confirmed that he has spoken twice with the new BCB president, Tamim Iqbal, including during a recent practice match.

Simmons reiterated that his coaching philosophy remains consistent regardless of administrative shifts, stressing that his team continues to work toward creating something strong and sustainable for Bangladesh cricket.

A video showing the public slaughter of a spotted deer near the Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chattogram has gone viral on social media. The seven-second clip, recorded on April 11 in the Muhuri Project area of Ichakhali Union, shows two men restraining and attempting to slaughter the animal while another person stands nearby. The footage, which spread online on April 14, sparked widespread criticism and calls for the arrest and punishment of those involved.

According to the Forest Department, the coastal mangrove forest in Mirsarai once stretched about 20 kilometers and was home to thousands of deer and other wildlife. However, deforestation linked to the establishment of the national special economic zone has drastically reduced wildlife populations. Locals said the deer likely strayed into the locality after being separated from its herd due to forest clearing.

Forest officials confirmed that three individuals were involved in the incident and that a drive is underway to arrest them. They believe the suspects work at nearby farms.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis lawmaker Sayeed Uddin Ahmad Hanzala, representing Madaripur-1, has called for a law prescribing the death penalty for those who insult Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Speaking in parliament on Wednesday during the discussion on the president’s address, he also urged that anyone denying the Prophet as the final messenger be declared non-Muslim by law. Hanzala directed his appeal to Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarek Rahman, saying millions of Islamic scholars in Bangladesh expect such a move.

Citing verses from Surah Al-Ahzab, Hanzala said belief in the Prophet as the last messenger is integral to faith and lamented that some groups in Bangladesh reject this belief while claiming to be Muslim. He argued that many people have died protesting such denials and insults. The opposition MP emphasized that Bangladesh’s Muslim-majority population deeply reveres the Prophet and that insulting him provokes strong public outrage.

Hanzala also demanded justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, describing him as a man who sought justice and reform. He added that opposition members should support the government when it does good work and oppose it when necessary.

In Agailjhara of Barishal, serious allegations have surfaced against local union parishad member Sohel Molla for using bamboo sticks instead of iron rods in the concrete casting of a government-funded iron bridge. Locals also accused him of collecting money from residents in addition to the official allocation. Photos showing bamboo used in the bridge’s structure spread on social media, sparking widespread criticism across the district. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has not yet taken any action.

Residents said the bridge, built over the Dushmi-Karim Bazar canal in Ratnapur Union’s Barpaika village, was funded by the union council. The bridge measures 45 feet in length and 5.5 feet in width, though locals claim it should have been 55 feet long. They alleged that the concrete thickness and cement use were below standard, prompting them to buy extra cement themselves.

Union Parishad Chairman Golam Mostafa Sardar confirmed the project’s funding stages, while the Upazila Engineer and Executive Officer said the LGED had not been informed and that an on-site inspection would be conducted soon.

A Pakistani delegation led by Army Chief Asim Munir has arrived in Tehran to deliver a new message from the United States and advance the second round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is also in Tehran as part of ongoing mediation efforts, according to the Pakistani military’s media wing. Iran confirmed that indirect communication through Pakistan continues after the first round of talks in Islamabad over the weekend failed.

The diplomatic activity comes as former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict with Iran, calling for the world to prepare for “two extraordinary days.” Trump earlier praised Asim Munir’s mediation role, crediting him for helping negotiators return to Pakistan. A fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in effect until April 22.

Mediators are seeking agreement on three unresolved issues: Iran’s nuclear program, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for wartime damages.

Hezbollah spokesperson and parliament member Ibrahim Mousawi stated that a ceasefire could be implemented in Lebanon soon, supported by mediation efforts from Iran and other regional countries. The statement was reported by Reuters, citing Mousawi’s remarks on the ongoing diplomatic initiatives.

Two senior Lebanese officials, speaking anonymously to Reuters, confirmed that discussions toward a ceasefire are underway. However, they did not provide details on when the ceasefire might begin or how long it would last. Both officials indicated that the duration of any Lebanese ceasefire could depend on how long the current truce between the United States and Iran continues.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, highlights the ongoing regional diplomatic activity aimed at de-escalating tensions in Lebanon, though the timing and sustainability of a potential ceasefire remain uncertain.

The timing for a potential second round of talks between Iran and the United States has not yet been determined, according to reports on April 15, 2026. Diplomatic activity has intensified, with Pakistan’s army chief currently visiting Iran as head of a delegation to deliver a message on behalf of the United States. Discussions are reportedly focused on setting a suitable time for renewed negotiations and addressing issues related to ceasefire arrangements.

Iran has raised several key issues, including the lack of implementation of a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of its frozen assets. Analysts cited in the report suggest that progress on these matters is crucial for advancing to the next round of talks, as Iran considers them preconditions for participation.

Although both sides have expressed interest in continuing dialogue, no official schedule for the next meeting has yet been announced.

The government of Bangladesh has imposed a 58-day ban on all fishing activities in the Bay of Bengal starting from midnight on April 15 until June 11. The measure aims to protect marine biodiversity and ensure the free breeding and growth of 475 fish species. The restriction applies to all types of fishing vessels, including industrial trawlers and coastal engine-powered boats.

Since 2015, the government had enforced a 65-day annual fishing ban from May 20 to July 23 under the Marine Fisheries Ordinance. However, due to dissatisfaction among local fishermen, who claimed foreign fishermen exploited the closure, the duration was reduced to 58 days last year to align with India’s fishing ban period. The same schedule continues this year.

During the ban, 311,062 registered sea-going fishermen across 14 coastal districts and Chattogram city will receive 40 kilograms of rice per month under the VGF program. In 2025, authorities conducted 3,585 operations during the ban, seizing illegal nets and vessels, and imposing fines and jail terms for violations.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad stated that many conspiracies are ongoing against the government and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He made the remarks on Wednesday, April 15, during a training session for Hajj team members at the Hajj Office conference room in Ashkona, Dhaka. The minister urged the members to remain vigilant so that the government’s image is not tarnished.

Addressing the Hajj team members, Kaikobad emphasized that they are going as servants of the pilgrims and that serving the pilgrims well is a way to earn divine satisfaction. He warned that negligence in serving the pilgrims would not be tolerated and that those who fail to perform their duties properly would be sent back from Makkah. Those who perform well would be given the opportunity to serve again in the following year.

The training session was presided over by Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad and attended by several members of parliament and senior officials from the Hajj division.