The United States military has announced a blockade of all Iranian ports, set to take effect on Monday. The decision follows an earlier declaration by President Donald Trump to impose a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. According to a statement from US Central Command (CENTCOM), the blockade will apply to all vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports, covering the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. However, CENTCOM clarified that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz will not be restricted for ships bound for non-Iranian ports.

The announcement marks a partial softening of the US stance compared to Trump’s earlier threats to block the entire strait and target ships paying tolls to Iran. Following the blockade declaration, US crude oil prices rose by 8 percent to $104.24 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed 7 percent to $102.29.

Since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched joint attacks, Iran has maintained control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy transport.

An opinion piece by Dr. Mohammad Abdul Halim Chowdhury, published on April 13, 2026, highlights the gap between teacher training programs in Bangladesh and their actual impact on classroom teaching. Despite the existence of PTI, B.Ed, M.Ed, and HSTTI courses from primary to higher secondary levels, the article argues that these programs often fail to produce meaningful changes in teaching quality. The author notes that teachers obtain certificates but show limited improvement in classroom performance.

The article identifies several structural issues, including outdated syllabuses, lack of practical application, and questionable evaluation practices. It points out that training content is often centrally designed without reflecting ground realities, and practical components are reduced to formalities. Problems such as favoritism in grading, ethical lapses, and a focus on financial benefits rather than professional growth further weaken the system. International organizations like UNESCO and the World Bank are cited as emphasizing the importance of effective teacher training.

To address these challenges, the author recommends revising syllabuses with grassroots input, strengthening research-based training, ensuring transparency in evaluation, monitoring post-training teaching, and linking incentives to performance.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has released new drone surveillance footage over the Strait of Hormuz following a threat from U.S. President Donald Trump to blockade the strategic waterway. The video, published on April 12, 2026, was accompanied by a caption asserting that all maritime movements in the area are under full control of Iranian forces.

After the video’s release, the IRGC naval command warned that any activity targeting the Strait of Hormuz would have consequences for those involved. In a separate interview with Fox News, Trump said he intended to impose a blockade but that it would take some time to implement. He also warned that if no agreement was reached, Iran’s energy infrastructure could be destroyed, claiming it could be done within a single day.

Earlier, Iran had stated that any attack on its infrastructure would prompt retaliation against similar facilities in Israel and other regional countries.

The Ministry of Education has directed the preparation of a list of retired and physically capable teachers to strengthen classroom teaching activities across all educational institutions in Bangladesh. The directive, issued through a letter signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Shirin Akter of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, was sent to all district commissioners, upazila executive officers, and the Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education.

According to the letter, teaching activities in non-government educational institutions have been disrupted due to a shortage of teachers and delays in recruitment by the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA). To address this, district commissioners have been asked to form upazila-based pools of retired teachers who are physically capable of teaching.

The ministry instructed that, with the advice of upazila executive officers and approval from managing committees, governing bodies, or ad hoc committees, institutions may temporarily appoint teachers from these pools. The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education has been requested to issue necessary guidance on covering honorarium expenses from the institutions’ essential funds.

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering resuming airstrikes on Iran following unsuccessful discussions held in Pakistan, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing unnamed sources. The report adds that Trump is weighing additional measures, including a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

The White House stated that all options remain open. Spokesperson Olivia Wells said the president has already ordered a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz aimed at halting Iranian tolls and is prudently considering other alternatives. She added that any claims made to The Wall Street Journal about Trump’s next steps are purely speculative.

The developments come amid heightened regional tensions, with related reports mentioning new Israeli bombings in southern Lebanon and continued disputes involving Iran and the United States.

The United States and Israel launched a joint military campaign against Iran on February 28, initially described as a preventive operation aimed at halting Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and destroying its ballistic missile capabilities. Despite weeks of intense fighting, those objectives remain unfulfilled. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had also hoped to trigger internal unrest in Iran, but Trump later admitted that such an outcome was too dangerous. After threatening Iran with total destruction, Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, but peace talks in Islamabad ended without agreement.

The breakdown of negotiations has renewed fears of a wider conflict. Although the US maintained military advantages, Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz gave it strategic leverage, influencing global oil prices and markets. The article compares this situation to past US military failures in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, citing repeated strategic misjudgments and overconfidence among American leaders.

As domestic inflation and fuel prices rise, Trump faces mounting political pressure ahead of midterm elections. Analysts suggest he must now choose between accepting Iran’s terms to end the war or escalating into a prolonged conflict.

Tangail is witnessing extensive preparations ahead of Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s visit. The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Tangail tomorrow, April 14, to inaugurate the nationwide farmer card distribution program on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh. According to the itinerary, he will first pay respects at the mausoleum of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani before attending the main event at the district stadium, where he will distribute farmer cards and address a farmers’ gathering. Later, he will inaugurate an agricultural fair at the municipal ground.

Excitement has spread among BNP leaders, activists, and local residents eager to welcome their leader. The city has been cleaned and decorated, and stage construction at the stadium is nearly complete. Roads and infrastructure have been repaired, including a 40-kilometer stretch from Mirzapur’s Gorai to the city bypass. Security measures have been intensified, with a four-tier protection system in place around the event area.

Officials said all administrative preparations are complete, and the event is expected to highlight the government’s focus on supporting farmers through the new card initiative.

Authorities in Narayanganj have announced the start of an eviction drive from Monday to remove illegal occupiers and hawkers from the BB Road footpath. The initiative aims to reduce long-standing traffic congestion and restore pedestrian movement across the city. The decision was formally communicated through an administrative notice confirming that the operation begins on April 13, 2026.

According to the notice, BB Road’s footpath has become nearly unusable due to hawkers and encroachers, severely disrupting pedestrian and vehicular movement. The decision to launch the eviction drive was taken unanimously at a high-level meeting held on April 5, attended by Narayanganj-5 Member of Parliament Abul Kalam, City Corporation Administrator Sakhawat Hossain Khan, the Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police, and the RAB-11 commander.

The operation will be led by MP Abul Kalam and Administrator Sakhawat Hossain Khan under the City Corporation’s initiative. Mobile courts from the district administration will operate simultaneously to take immediate legal action against violators.

Shipping expert Lars Jensen has said that U.S. President Donald Trump’s announced blockade threat will likely affect only a very small number of ships. According to Jensen, even if the United States implements such a measure, the overall impact on maritime traffic will remain limited.

Jensen, the CEO of Vespucci Maritime, explained that the U.S. threat to act against ships paying tolls to Iran would not bring major changes, as those vessels were already at risk of U.S. sanctions. He noted that few ships currently use the route in question, and even fewer pay tolls to Iran. Most shipping companies, he added, are expected to monitor the situation for any temporary agreements before resuming normal operations.

Jensen emphasized that the safety of the route ultimately depends on trust between the United States and Iran, and the durability of any potential understanding between the two nations.

A Nigerian Air Force airstrike hit a market in Yobe State’s border area with Borno, reportedly killing more than 200 people. The incident occurred on Saturday night in the village market of Jilli, where local residents and a councilor confirmed the high death toll. The attack targeted the area near the border, which has long been affected by violence.

The Nigerian Air Force stated that its operation was aimed at fighters from the militant group Boko Haram but did not acknowledge striking a civilian market. The region, known for the presence of armed militias, frequently experiences clashes that have caused thousands of deaths over time. Local officials said the injured were taken to hospitals in Yobe and Borno for treatment.

Three residents and a non-governmental organization also reported that the number of dead could exceed 200, according to Reuters and BBC sources.

A gathering of parents and community members was held in Paris to promote Islamic education and awareness among the Bangladeshi diaspora in France. The event took place on Saturday at the second campus of the Multi Cultural (MC) Institute in the Overvilliers area, with the institute’s president and founding principal, Professor Badrul Bin Harun, presiding over the session.

Speakers at the meeting highlighted the MC Institute’s mission to foster moral and humanitarian values among expatriate children. Prominent community figures, educators, social workers, and professionals attended, emphasizing the importance of ethical education for the younger generation. Participants also expressed support for expanding the institute’s activities and called for collective cooperation to strengthen its programs.

During a fundraising segment, attendees pledged financial assistance for the institute’s development. The event concluded in a cordial atmosphere, with organizers expressing gratitude to guests and voicing optimism about conducting larger-scale initiatives in the future.

Dhaka University celebrated the Biju-Baisu-Sangrai-Bishu-Changkran-Sangkrain-Bihu-Baisu festival, the main social festival of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, with colorful events on Sunday. Organized by the university’s Jum Literature and Cultural Council under the theme “Let our rights be enriched in the weave of festivals,” the program included floral tributes, a vibrant rally, and the serving of traditional ‘pajon’. The event was inaugurated by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha and chaired by the organization’s joint general secretary, Shantimoy Chakma.

Special guests included Jagannath Hall Provost Debashish Pal, Dhaka University Hill Alumni Association General Secretary Kriti Nishan Chakma, and Jagannath Hall Students’ Union General Secretary Sudipta Pramanik. In her speech, Professor Bidisha said the presence of indigenous students from hills and plains enriches the university’s diversity and beauty, and she assured consideration of a holiday for the festival in the future. Other speakers also expressed support for granting holidays during the festival period.

Students from Dhaka University and other institutions in the capital, along with their families, participated enthusiastically, making the daylong celebration joyful and inclusive.

Manchester City reignited the Premier League title race with a commanding 3-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The win reduced the gap with league leaders Arsenal to six points, with City having one game in hand. Nico O’Reilly opened the scoring in the 51st minute from a Ryan Cherki cross, followed by a goal from former Chelsea defender Marc Guehi. Jeremy Doku sealed the win in the 68th minute after dispossessing Moises Caicedo and beating goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Chelsea remains sixth in the standings.

In Germany, Bayern Munich continued its dominant Bundesliga campaign by defeating relegation-threatened St. Pauli 5-0. The victory not only secured three points but also set a new single-season scoring record with 105 goals. Leon Goretzka’s volley marked the record-breaking 102nd goal, surpassing the 101-goal mark set by Bayern’s 1971–72 team. Bayern now leads Borussia Dortmund by 12 points with five matches remaining and is closing in on another league title.

The Munich club is also eyeing European scoring records, with opportunities to surpass Manchester City’s 106 goals from 2017–18 and Real Madrid’s 121 from 2011–12.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that NATO has assured support in removing mines from the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the alliance, once a source of disappointment for Washington, is now willing to help clear the strategic waterway. He added that the cleanup would not take long and that the strait would soon reopen for shipping.

Trump mentioned that the United States is deploying mine-clearing vessels and that the United Kingdom and several other NATO countries are also sending similar ships. According to him, these coordinated efforts aim to ensure safe passage for maritime traffic through the vital route.

The report, citing Fox News, indicates renewed cooperation between the U.S. and NATO on maritime security operations in the region.

US Vice President JD Vance has said that reaching a deal with Iran remains possible, even though Tehran has not agreed to abandon its nuclear program. Vance left Islamabad after presenting what was described as a final proposal to Iranian negotiators, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The official stated that Vance, who led the US delegation, returned with the belief that Iranian leaders hold a mistaken perception of their leverage in negotiations with the Trump administration. Despite extended discussions, the two sides failed to reach agreement on several key issues, including halting Iran’s uranium enrichment, establishing a broader regional peace framework with allies, and finding a permanent solution to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without tariffs or tolls.

The talks ended without a breakthrough, leaving major questions unresolved about the future of US-Iran relations and regional stability, according to the summary provided by the US official.