A petition has been submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seeking action against former Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, former Health Adviser Dr. Nurjahan Begum, and others over alleged misappropriation of funds related to vaccine procurement. The application was filed on Monday, April 13, 2026, by Supreme Court lawyers Biplob Kumar Das and Barrister Sanaullah Nur-e-Sagar. It urges the ACC to investigate possible corruption and irregularities in the purchase and distribution of measles and other vaccines during the tenure of the former interim government.

The petition cites recent reports of a nationwide measles outbreak that has caused the deaths of over a hundred children, describing the situation as alarming. It notes that despite a substantial health budget of about Tk 42,000 crore, the interim government allegedly failed to procure and distribute vaccines on time. The applicants argue that this failure and the subsequent vaccine shortage contributed to the rise in measles cases and child deaths, calling for a thorough investigation in the public interest.

If the ACC proceeds, the investigation could determine whether any irregularities occurred in vaccine procurement under the previous administration.

Armed Police Battalion (APBn) officers seized 10,000 yaba tablets and arrested a Rohingya drug dealer during a pre-dawn raid in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on April 13, 2026. The operation took place at Block-B/18 of Camp-8/East in the Balukhali area, under the jurisdiction of the Panbazar Police Camp. Acting on a tip-off, police searched the home of Rohingya resident Md. Ilias and recovered the amphetamine-type tablets from a locked blue polypack hidden inside a black plastic bag.

According to police sources, the seized drugs were documented in the presence of witnesses. The arrested suspect, Md. Ilias, is the son of Nur Amin from the same camp. APBn commander Riaz Uddin Ahmed stated that operations against drugs and other crimes in the Rohingya camps are ongoing and will continue to be intensified. Legal proceedings are underway to file a regular case with Ukhiya Police Station.

The operation underscores continued law enforcement efforts to curb narcotics trafficking within the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman reaffirmed his party’s commitment to defending citizens’ rights and fulfilling promises made to the public. He made the remarks on Sunday night at a meeting with local dignitaries in Dhaka’s Kafrul West Thana, organized by the party’s Dhaka North unit. The event was chaired by Thana Ameer Abdul Matin Khan and conducted by Thana Secretary M. Atik Hasan Raihan, with several central and city-level leaders also addressing the gathering.

Dr. Rahman recalled his candidacy in the 2018 election under the 20-party alliance, alleging voter intimidation and violence during that poll. He said he withdrew then but was later elected after the July uprising, crediting voters’ trust in Jamaat’s pledge to build a corruption-free and humane society. He vowed to continue efforts to establish justice and equality, regardless of parliamentary status, and urged unity to create a Bangladesh free from oppression, corruption, and discrimination.

He emphasized that Jamaat remains determined to pursue change and will not be deterred by obstacles in its mission to secure citizens’ rights.

Iran’s navy chief Rear Admiral Shahram Irani has dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz as “extremely ridiculous.” In a statement published by Iranian media on April 13, 2026, Irani said that Iran’s naval forces are closely monitoring every movement of U.S. fleets in the region.

According to the report, Iran restricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after a joint U.S.-Israeli offensive began on February 28. Tehran has allowed ships from allied nations to pass but banned vessels linked to what it calls aggressive states and their supporters. Iran’s parliament is also advancing a draft law to impose transit fees in the national currency and to prohibit U.S. and Israeli ships entirely.

The Iranian health ministry reported that since February 28, joint force attacks have killed 2,076 people and injured more than 26,000. A U.S. cruise missile strike on a primary school in Minab on the same day killed 168 students, according to the ministry.

Iranian authorities have stated that the United States must take greater initiative if any agreement is to be reached to end the ongoing war. The government also called on its supporters to maintain control of the streets. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that during lengthy talks in Islamabad on Saturday, the U.S. delegation failed to gain the trust of the Iranian side.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the U.S. Navy would begin blocking any ships attempting to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the U.S. military was fully armed and ready to act against Iran. Iran’s judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei praised the delegation for defending the rights of government supporters, including paramilitary groups that have been gathering nightly for over six weeks in Tehran and other cities.

Several Iranian lawmakers expressed satisfaction that the talks produced no results, asserting that Iran holds an advantageous position in the conflict. Deputy Speaker Hamidreza Haji-Babai said only a UN resolution signaling U.S. surrender and lifting sanctions on Iran would be acceptable to the regime’s street supporters.

Folk singer Abul Sarkar, who was arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiments and defamation of religion, has been released on bail. He was freed from Kashimpur Central Jail-2 in Gazipur at 11:12 a.m. on Monday, confirmed jail superintendent Md. Abul Hossain. The High Court had granted him six months of interim bail on April 6, and his release papers reached the prison on Monday morning before verification and release.

According to the case details, Abul Sarkar was accused of making derogatory remarks about religion during a performance at the Khala Pagli Mela in Jabra, Ghior upazila of Manikganj, on November 4. A video of his comments spread on social media, sparking criticism. He was later detained by a team from the Manikganj Detective Branch on November 19 during a musical event in Madaripur.

Following his arrest, a case was filed at Ghior Police Station by Mufti Md. Abdullah, and Sarkar was sent to jail through the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court of Manikganj.

Former Jubo Dal leader Moin Uddin, the prime accused in an extortion case at CKD Urology Hospital in Dhaka’s Shyamoli area, allegedly demanded Tk 5 lakh, according to Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Ahsan Habib Palash. He disclosed this during a press briefing at Ramna Park on Monday after inspecting RAB’s security arrangements for the Bengali New Year 1433 celebrations.

RAB stated earlier in a text message that Moin and six others had been arrested in connection with the case. The other detainees were identified as Suman, Liton, Md. Falan Mia, Md. Rubel, Md. Swapan Kazi, and Md. Shawon Hossain. CCTV footage reportedly showed Moin arriving at the hospital on April 10 at 8:40 p.m. with associates, threatening staff while demanding money using the name of Jubo Dal.

The hospital, led by Dr. Kamrul Islam, is known for providing free kidney transplants to over 2,000 patients. Dr. Islam received the Independence Award in 2022 for his humanitarian contributions.

At least five people were killed and nine others injured in new Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA). The report said one person died in multiple air raids on the town of Bajourieh, where several houses and a school building were severely damaged. Four more deaths were reported in Nabatieh El Fawka and Sir El Gharbiyeh, while additional casualties occurred in the town of Choukin.

NNA stated that the attacks caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure across southern Lebanon. The agency added that further details about the situation would be provided as more information becomes available.

The report cited Al Jazeera as its source, but did not include official statements or reactions from either side regarding the strikes or their aftermath.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Sunday that he is working to end the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory. His statement came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited troops in southern Lebanon, according to AFP.

In his address, delivered on the eve of the anniversary of Lebanon’s 1975–1990 civil war, Salam emphasized that his government is committed to halting the war, securing the release of all prisoners, rebuilding destroyed villages and towns, and ensuring the safe return of displaced people. He added that Lebanon continues to pursue diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

The remarks came ahead of a scheduled meeting in Washington on Tuesday involving officials from Lebanon, Israel, and the United States, where discussions are expected to focus on the ongoing conflict and possible de-escalation measures.

India has agreed to simplify the process for medical and business visas, according to Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir Sheikh. He announced the decision after meeting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Monday, April 13, 2026. The change is expected to take effect next week, marking a step toward easing travel between the two neighboring countries.

The adviser said that several issues of mutual interest were discussed positively during the meeting. He also mentioned that the Bangladeshi government expressed gratitude to India for supplying fuel through a pipeline. Additionally, he stated that the government would follow legal procedures to bring back Sheikh Hasina and that the process to repatriate Hadi’s killers was ongoing.

The discussions reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and India, particularly in trade, energy, and legal matters, as both sides continue to address shared regional concerns.

High-level peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without any agreement, with Tehran blaming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for derailing the process. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a phone call from Netanyahu to US Vice President JD Vance during the 21-hour meeting disrupted progress toward a potential deal.

In a post on social media platform X, Araghchi claimed that Netanyahu’s call shifted the focus of the talks from US-Iran issues to Israel’s interests. He further alleged that Washington sought to achieve at the negotiating table what it had failed to gain through conflict. The discussions were held under Pakistan’s mediation, and Araghchi described Vance’s subsequent press conference as unnecessary.

Iran reiterated its commitment to protecting its national interests and sovereignty. The White House has neither confirmed nor denied the reported phone call between Netanyahu and Vance.

U.S. President Donald Trump adopted a hardline stance after peace talks between Washington and Tehran failed to reach an agreement in Islamabad. Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, he said he was unconcerned whether Iran returned to the negotiating table, declaring, “It doesn’t matter to me if Iran comes back or not.” The talks, described earlier by Trump as friendly, ended without any breakthrough.

Trump’s comments marked a sharp shift from his earlier optimism that Iran might agree to a deal. Within hours of the failed discussions, Washington announced a stricter naval blockade against Iran. U.S. officials said the deadlock stemmed from Tehran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions and to stop financing armed groups.

The developments underscored escalating tensions following the breakdown of the Islamabad talks, with both sides showing little sign of compromise.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, raising new concerns for Taiwan. The announcement has highlighted the island’s vulnerability, as it relies heavily on imported energy to sustain its population of 23 million and its semiconductor industry, which produces about 90 percent of the world’s most advanced chips. Most of Taiwan’s energy shipments arrive by sea from the Middle East, entering through a few western ports.

China has long prepared strategies to pressure Taiwan, including military exercises simulating port and sea route blockades. The People’s Liberation Army now possesses the world’s largest navy, capable of extended operations. Beijing continues to frame the Taiwan issue as an internal matter while criticizing U.S. actions in Iran and Venezuela, which analysts say could serve as justification for similar Chinese measures.

Facing potential energy shortages, Taiwan may impose restrictions on air conditioning, elevators, street lighting, and business hours. The government is reconsidering nuclear power and reviewing plans to restart inactive reactors, though such steps could take years due to safety and regulatory requirements.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma met with Information and Broadcasting Minister Jahir Uddin Swapon at the minister’s office on Monday. During the courtesy meeting, they discussed various issues of mutual interest related to bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh.

The Indian High Commissioner congratulated the minister on assuming his new responsibilities at the ministry. Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening communication at different levels to enhance relations between the two neighboring countries.

The meeting reflected a continuation of diplomatic engagement aimed at deepening cooperation in areas of shared interest between Bangladesh and India.

The Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA) has called for prioritizing renewable energy to address the country’s ongoing energy crisis. The appeal was made at a press conference held at the National Press Club in Dhaka, where BSREA leaders highlighted that heavy reliance on imported fuels, rising global energy prices, and pressure on foreign reserves have created severe challenges. They noted that the government currently spends over Tk 200 crore daily in subsidies due to high LNG, coal, and oil prices.

BSREA President Mostafa Al Mahmud said renewable energy, especially solar power, is the most cost-effective and eco-friendly long-term solution but lacks adequate policy support. The association pointed out that import duties of 50–60% on renewable equipment and high tariffs on lithium-ion batteries hinder investment, while conventional energy sectors continue to receive subsidies. Citing examples from countries like India and Vietnam, BSREA argued that policy incentives can rapidly enhance energy security.

The organization recommended reducing taxes on renewable imports, introducing zero duty on lithium-ion batteries, ensuring low-interest financing, and expediting stalled solar projects to strengthen Bangladesh’s energy resilience.