The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that escalating conflict in Iran and continued volatility in global energy markets could push the world economy to the brink of recession. According to the IMF, repeated shocks in the energy sector may reduce global growth from the current 3.1 percent to 2 percent.

The IMF outlined three possible scenarios. In the best case, if the war remains short-lived, oil prices could normalize to an average of 82 dollars per barrel in the second half of 2026. Under a moderate scenario, if the conflict drags on, oil prices may hover around 100 dollars this year and fall to 75 dollars in 2027, bringing global growth down to 2.5 percent from 3.4 percent in 2025. In the worst case, oil could reach 110 dollars per barrel in 2026 and 125 dollars in 2027.

IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said current supply disruptions and the lack of a clear path to peace make the moderate or adverse scenario more realistic. The organization also warned that the crisis could further fuel global inflation.

Ireland’s coalition government survived a no-confidence vote in parliament on Tuesday, retaining power amid criticism of its response to an energy crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict. The motion, brought by the main opposition party Sinn Féin, was defeated with 92 votes in favor of the government and 78 against after a heated debate.

The vote followed a week of protests by transport operators and agricultural contractors over soaring petrol and diesel prices. Demonstrations had disrupted major roads in Dublin and partially blocked the country’s only oil refinery and several fuel depots. In response, the government convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday and announced tax relief measures.

Under the new measures, fuel prices were reduced by 10 cents per liter, and a planned carbon tax increase was postponed from May until the October budget. The government’s victory in the vote allows it to continue implementing these measures to ease public discontent.

Sri Lanka has repatriated 238 Iranian sailors who had been stranded in the country following damage to an Iranian naval vessel caused by a U.S. submarine torpedo attack. Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara said 32 sailors rescued from the warship IRIS Dena and 206 from IRIS Bushehr left Sri Lanka on Tuesday aboard a chartered flight. Fifteen Iranian sailors remain in Sri Lanka to operate the Bushehr, which is anchored near Trincomalee.

According to Iranian authorities, the IRIS Dena was destroyed in the attack, killing 104 sailors, of whom 84 bodies have been recovered and sent home. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Bushehr crew were sheltered under the 1907 Hague Convention for humanitarian reasons. Iran’s ambassador Alireza Dilkhoush confirmed that Tehran and Colombo had been in talks over the sailors’ return.

Analysts view Sri Lanka’s decision as a humanitarian gesture that underscores its diplomatic neutrality amid regional tensions.

Iran is attempting to strengthen its relations with European nations to increase pressure on the United States. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has intensified diplomatic efforts, briefing European countries on Tehran’s proposals regarding its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and supervision of the Strait of Hormuz during discussions held in Islamabad.

Araghchi has also held phone conversations with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar to discuss these issues. He emphasized that although the first round of talks in Islamabad did not result in an agreement, Iran does not consider the process to be over.

The report notes that U.S. President Donald Trump has sidelined Europe on the Iran issue for over a year, focusing instead on cooperation with Israel. In response, Tehran, which had long viewed European governments as permanent U.S. allies, is now reconsidering its stance as transatlantic divisions deepen and European economies face mounting pressure.

Former Chattogram City Corporation mayor Manjur Alam has explained what happened when NCP leader and Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah visited his residence. According to Manjur, Hasnat had a scheduled program in Chattogram and called him around noon, expressing his wish to visit. Manjur invited him for lunch, and Hasnat arrived around 3 p.m., staying until about 6 p.m. During that time, a group of local youths gathered outside the house, identifying themselves as July fighters and questioning Hasnat about his visit. Videos of the incident later spread on social media.

Manjur told BBC Bangla that some of the youths accused him of being an ally of the Awami League, which he denied. He stated that he had been elected mayor in 2010 with BNP support and retired from politics after the 2015 election, now focusing on social work. He also dismissed speculation that he might contest future mayoral elections under the NCP banner, saying he had not discussed such matters with Hasnat Abdullah.

Hasnat Abdullah did not respond to calls seeking his comment on the incident.

Authorities in Noakhali’s Senbagh upazila seized around 5,500 liters of fuel hidden inside a house in Madhya Kadra village under Senbagh municipality on Tuesday afternoon. The mobile court recovered 4,000 liters of diesel and 1,500 liters of octane from the residence known as Bhuiyabari. The operation was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Nur Peyara Begum, who also fined a man named Iqbal Bhuiya Tk 50,000 under the Consumer Rights Protection Act.

According to the mobile court, the seized fuel will be sold in the local market at government-fixed prices. Officials stated that the fuel had been illegally stored inside the house. The raid was part of an ongoing administrative effort to curb illegal fuel hoarding in the area.

The enforcement action highlights local authorities’ continued monitoring of fuel storage and distribution practices to ensure compliance with government regulations.

U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for not directly supporting the United States in its conflict with Iran. In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Trump said he was disappointed in Meloni, claiming she lacked courage and questioning why she was not involved in securing Iranian oil resources. He also accused her of ignoring the threat of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The remarks came after Meloni’s right-wing government decided not to automatically renew Italy’s defense cooperation agreement with Israel, opting instead to suspend it. Tensions between the two leaders had already risen when Meloni previously condemned Trump’s negative comments about Pope Leo as unacceptable.

Analysts cited in the report said the public exchange between the long-time allies signals growing instability in international politics, particularly in U.S.–European relations. Trump’s aggressive stance toward Iran is reportedly creating pressure even among his closest allies.

A new Pew Research Center survey indicates that Israel is losing public support in the United States, particularly among Democrats, younger Americans, and increasingly among Republicans. More than 60 percent of Americans now view Israel negatively, up from 53 percent the previous year. The report notes that 28 percent of respondents hold a very negative view of Israel, a nine-point increase in one year and nearly triple the 2022 figure.

Among Americans aged 18 to 29, 75 percent expressed negative views of Israel, while 67 percent of those aged 30 to 49 shared similar sentiments. Even before the Iran war, U.S. public support for Israel had been declining over its military actions in Gaza. The Gaza conflict further alienated many Americans, especially left-leaning youth, while far-right antisemitism has also resurfaced.

The report underscores that Israel’s long-term security depends heavily on its alliance with the United States, which in turn relies on American public backing. Pew’s data suggest that the erosion of this support is a tangible and growing reality.

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.