In Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat, consumers have expressed anger over pharmacies selling medicines strictly at the maximum retail price (MRP) without offering the usual 5–10 percent discount seen elsewhere in the country. A field visit on April 13 revealed that almost all essential and life-saving drugs, including insulin, were being sold at full price, putting additional financial pressure on buyers, particularly those with chronic illnesses.

Buyers alleged that while pharmacies in neighboring districts such as Rangpur and Kurigram continue to offer regular discounts, Patgram traders have stopped doing so, creating what appears to be an informal market control or syndicate. Pharmacy owners, however, claimed that rising operational costs, including rent and electricity, have made discounts unfeasible. Some businesspeople also hinted at an unofficial local decision discouraging commission or discount offers.

Consumers reported filing complaints with the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection but said no effective action had been taken. Observers stressed the need for stronger oversight to ensure transparency in the life-saving medicine market and protect ordinary consumers from financial strain.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced a naval blockade on Iran, declaring that American forces would intercept ships entering or leaving Iranian ports. The move followed the collapse of peace talks in Islamabad after Iran refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump warned that any Iranian vessels approaching the blockade would be destroyed, claiming that Iran’s navy had already suffered heavy losses. The U.S. Central Command confirmed the blockade’s initiation, stating it would cover all Iranian coastal areas but would not disrupt international transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian leaders rejected the threat, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf vowing not to yield and warning of severe retaliation. The Revolutionary Guard Corps labeled the U.S. action as “piracy” and released footage showing U.S. destroyers retreating after Iranian warnings. Britain, Russia, Spain, and China criticized the blockade, calling it reckless and harmful to global stability.

Following Trump’s announcement, global oil prices rose by 7 percent to $102.29 per barrel, while U.S. crude climbed 8 percent to $104.24. Germany responded to the energy shock by announcing temporary fuel tax cuts to ease domestic pressure.

Two prime suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of Jubo Dal leader and July Joddha Rakib in Rangpur city’s Kamal Kachna Masua Para Bazar. According to RAB-13, top drug dealer Momin and his wife Beauty Begum were detained on Monday afternoon during a raid at Shahapara village in Mithapukur upazila, based on secret information. The arrests were announced at a press briefing at the RAB-13 headquarters late Tuesday night.

RAB reported that on April 9, a dispute broke out between Rakib and the couple over drug-related issues. Later that day, Momin, with the help of his wife and associates, allegedly lured Rakib from his home and hacked him to death in broad daylight before fleeing the scene. Rakib’s father, Abdus Samad, filed a murder case with Kotwali Police Station following the incident.

RAB said the suspects had been hiding in different locations after the killing but were eventually captured. During initial interrogation, both Momin and Beauty Begum confessed to direct involvement in the murder.

An Israeli airstrike has caused extensive damage to the Tibnin Government Hospital in southern Lebanon, according to reports published on April 14, 2026. Verified video footage from Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera showed scenes of destruction inside the hospital, including debris and shattered glass scattered across corridors and overturned equipment in several rooms. Outside the facility, multiple vehicles were seen damaged under the rubble.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that there were casualties resulting from the strike on the hospital. The same report added that since March 2, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed more than 2,000 people, most of them residents of the country’s southern region.

The incident highlights the continuing escalation of violence in southern Lebanon, where civilian infrastructure has suffered repeated damage amid ongoing cross-border hostilities.

US President Donald Trump has expressed strong anger at American media outlets for their coverage of the ongoing Iran war. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump accused leading organizations such as The New York Times and CNN of spreading 'fake news.' He claimed that despite Iran being 'completely devastated' by US military operations, the media was portraying the situation as if Iran was performing well in the conflict.

Trump specifically criticized The New York Times, alleging that it was deliberately publishing false information and should apologize for its reporting. He also questioned the media’s integrity, asking whether they had any sense of shame or decency. Earlier, on April 13, Trump accused CNN of broadcasting a 'fake' Iranian statement and warned of an investigation. His administration even threatened to revoke the broadcast licenses of certain outlets, labeling their actions as 'treasonous.'

The dispute follows the February 28 launch of 'Operation Epic Fury,' after which US media questioned the effectiveness and humanitarian impact of Trump’s war strategy, prompting his latest outburst.

Police in Lalpur upazila of Natore arrested a drug dealer with heroin and yaba tablets during a special anti-narcotics operation. The raid took place on Monday, April 13, in Mohorkoya Paschimpara village based on secret information. A special police team led by Sub-Inspector Golam Morshed detained a 35-year-old man named Milon Sarkar. Officers recovered 120 yaba tablets and 20 packets of heroin from his possession.

Lalpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam confirmed the arrest and said it was part of the ongoing anti-drug campaign in the area. A case has been filed against the detainee under the Narcotics Control Act. Police authorities stated that similar operations will continue to eliminate drug activities in the region.

The operation reflects the continuation of local law enforcement efforts to curb drug trafficking and maintain public safety in Natore district.

The New Zealand national cricket team has arrived in Dhaka to play a white-ball series against Bangladesh. The 26-member squad landed in the capital late on April 13 and was taken directly to the team hotel under tight security. Most of the players traveled together, while three others joined later after completing duties with the New Zealand ‘A’ team in Sri Lanka. The group includes players, coaching staff, and team management members.

The One Day International (ODI) series will begin on April 17 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, with the second ODI scheduled for April 20 at the same venue. The third and final ODI will take place in Chattogram on April 23. The T20 series will follow, starting with two matches on April 27 and 29 in Chattogram, before concluding with the final T20 on May 2 in Mirpur.

The arrival marks the start of another high-profile bilateral series on Bangladeshi soil, continuing the cricketing engagements between the two nations.

Ninety-two students from Baligaon High School in Feni Sadar upazila have been granted permission to sit for this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations. The confirmation came on Monday, April 13, from the district’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT), following earlier reports in local newspapers about the students’ uncertain exam participation.

The issue arose when the school’s office assistant, Mihir Chandra Shil, allegedly embezzled 117,000 taka meant for board fees, preventing the issuance of admit cards. Despite months passing, the head teacher and other officials failed to verify whether the payment had been made. The problem surfaced when other schools received admit cards but Baligaon High School did not. Teachers later collected 125,000 taka from coaching funds and contacted the Comilla Education Board to resolve the matter.

With assistance from the district administration, the school’s governing body, and the Feni Sadar Upazila Executive Officer, the board finally issued the admit cards, ensuring that all 92 students could participate in the exams starting April 21.

Barcelona and Liverpool face crucial second-leg matches in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, both seeking dramatic turnarounds. Barcelona will play Atlético Madrid in Spain’s capital after losing the first leg 2–0 while reduced to ten men. Liverpool, meanwhile, host Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield, also trailing 2–0 from the first leg. Both matches are scheduled to start at 1 a.m. Bangladesh time.

Barcelona enter the match under pressure but buoyed by recent domestic form. The team, led by Hansi Flick, recently defeated Espanyol 4–1 in La Liga, with Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest player to reach 100 appearances while contributing a goal and two assists. Atlético’s past elimination after winning a first leg offers further encouragement for Barcelona.

Liverpool’s challenge is equally steep after goals from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave PSG a strong advantage. Yet Anfield’s history of famous comebacks, including a 4–0 win over Barcelona in 2019, fuels optimism. A recent 2–0 victory over Fulham ended a three-match losing streak, and four wins in their last five home games have strengthened belief in another memorable night.

Chattogram’s iconic DC Hill, long regarded as a symbol of the city’s cultural and historical identity, is witnessing renewed optimism as new Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia initiates efforts to restore its heritage. On Pahela Baishakh, the hill once again drew attention as a potential hub for cultural revival through rapid renovation, beautification, and reintroduction of public events.

The site carries deep historical significance, notably linked to poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s 1926 visit, which inspired the creation of Nazrul Square in 2004. Over time, neglect and restrictions eroded much of its cultural infrastructure. Since 2017, most events except Pahela Baishakh celebrations were banned due to noise and privacy concerns, leading to public disappointment and protests from cultural groups.

With the new restoration drive, residents are hopeful that DC Hill will regain its role as an open cultural gathering place, preserving both the city’s heritage and its communal spirit.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has imposed stricter control over the correction process of National Identity Cards (NID), concentrating key decision-making authority in the hands of the NID Wing’s Director General (DG). Under the new regulation, any correction of birth year or other critical data now requires the DG’s approval, ending the previous system that allowed field-level officers to handle certain cases. The revised rules were enacted through amendments to the regulations governing NID data correction, verification, and supply.

The EC stated that the new system aims to curb fraudulent corrections and ensure data integrity. Applicants must now provide a valid Secondary School Certificate (SSC) for any data change, and if multiple certificates exist, only one will be retained. The rules also simplify address transfers within parents’ registered addresses and ease procedures for individuals who have converted religions, provided they submit certification from a recognized religious leader. However, officials and analysts warned that centralization could slow processing and increase citizen inconvenience.

According to EC officials, the commission may consider restoring some decentralized authority once the new system stabilizes and compliance improves.

The trial of the 2001 Ramna Batamul bomb attack in Dhaka remains incomplete even after 25 years. The attack occurred on April 14, 2001, during the Chhayanaut New Year celebration, killing ten people. While the murder case related to the attack concluded in 2014 with eight death sentences and six life imprisonments, the explosives case is still pending. The case is currently at the stage of defendants’ self-defense hearings under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The next hearing is scheduled for July 9, 2026.

Court records show that witness testimony in the explosives case ended in March 2022, but procedural delays and the absence of defendants from court have stalled progress. Prosecutors said 54 of 84 witnesses have testified and expressed hope for a verdict before the next Bengali New Year. Defense lawyers argued that some accused have been in custody for nearly two decades without resolution, calling it a violation of justice.

The case involves eleven accused, including several already sentenced in the murder case. Two remain fugitives, and two are on bail, while the rest are in custody across different prisons, complicating court appearances.

The traditional Bangla New Year celebration organized by Chhayanaut began at Ramna Batamul in Dhaka on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. The event started just after sunrise with a choral performance of a song welcoming the new dawn. From early morning, people gathered in front of the banyan tree to join the festivities, which symbolize the triumph of good over evil and the hope for a prosperous year ahead.

According to Chhayanaut authorities, this year’s morning program features a diverse collection of musical performances. The lineup includes eight choral songs, fourteen solo songs, and two poetry recitations, totaling twenty-two performances. The main event will conclude with the national anthem.

The celebration continues a long-standing cultural tradition that marks the beginning of the Bengali calendar year, drawing large crowds to Ramna Batamul each year.

An article by Dr. Ahmad Anisur Rahman, published on April 14, 2026, discusses the cultural and historical roots of Pohela Boishakh, the Bangla New Year. The author emphasizes that like all cultural elements, the celebration’s value depends on its proper use and warns against distortions caused by foreign or colonial influences. He argues that national culture must serve the nation’s life and progress, not degenerate into irrelevant or harmful practices.

The essay traces the origin of the Bangla calendar, explaining that it was introduced around 1556 CE as a solar adaptation of the Islamic Hijri lunar calendar, known as the ‘Fasli’ year, to align with Bengal’s agricultural cycles. It contrasts this with the much older Indian Vikrami calendar, clarifying that the Bangla calendar is distinct and rooted in Bengal’s own socio-religious and economic context. The article also outlines the historical background of Bengal’s Muslim governance and its connection to the broader Islamic world through the Caliphate system.

The author concludes that preserving the authentic spirit of Pohela Boishakh requires awareness of its historical and cultural foundations to prevent misuse or cultural erosion.

Bangladesh is experiencing a sharp decline in both domestic and foreign investment, with private sector credit growth dropping to 6.03 percent in February 2026—the lowest in two decades, according to Bangladesh Bank. The slowdown follows months of reduced investment activity and growing uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict, rising oil prices, and supply chain disruptions. Despite these challenges, the BNP government aims to create 10 million new jobs within 18 months through investment-driven growth.

To revive industrial activity, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed efforts to reopen sick and closed factories, while four key investment agencies—BIDA, BEZA, PPP Authority, and MIDA—have jointly prepared a 180-day action plan focusing on infrastructure, investment support, and development. However, economists and business leaders doubt the feasibility of the government’s employment target amid global economic instability and declining exports.

The World Bank warns that ongoing conflicts could push about 1.2 million Bangladeshis below the poverty line, with economic recovery forecasts for 2026 now at risk. Experts emphasize that stabilizing the economy, rather than rapid job creation, remains Bangladesh’s most urgent challenge.