At least 70 migrants are missing after a wooden boat sank in the Mediterranean Sea on Saturday afternoon within Libya’s search and rescue zone. The Italian NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans reported the incident on Sunday, stating that the vessel had departed from the Libyan coastal city of Tajoura carrying 105 people, including men, women, and children. The boat went down about 14 nautical miles northeast of Libya’s Bouri oil field. Thirty-four people were rescued alive, and two bodies were recovered. The survivors and the bodies were taken to Italy’s southern island of Lampedusa.

Mediterranea Saving Humans expressed sorrow over the missing persons and urged European countries to adopt safer migration policies. Meanwhile, Italy’s ANSA news agency, citing survivors, reported that the boat may have carried as many as 180 migrants and that around 80 people drowned before coast guard patrols arrived.

The differing accounts highlight uncertainty over the total number of passengers and missing persons, while rescue operations and identification efforts continue.

The United States, Iran, and several regional mediator countries are engaged in discussions over the terms of a potential 45-day ceasefire to address the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The information was reported by the US-based news outlet Axios on April 5, citing involvement from the United States, Israel, and four regional sources. Reuters has not independently verified the report.

According to the report, the ceasefire could be extended if necessary. On the same day, former US President Donald Trump told ABC News that if an agreement is not reached within 48 hours, Iran would face severe consequences. He described the situation as deteriorating rapidly and said Iran would need to rebuild much of its infrastructure.

The discussions come amid heightened regional tensions, with multiple reports of violence and destruction in recent days. The outcome of the talks remains uncertain as verification and official confirmation are still pending.

Recent reports suggest that the Republican Party may face a major setback in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections scheduled for November 2026. Once considered politically dominant after Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2024, the party is now struggling with declining public support. Polls by RealClear Politics show Trump’s approval at 41.3 percent, with 56.3 percent disapproving. Republicans risk losing control of both the House and the Senate, with Democrats needing only three seats to reclaim the House. Key Republican strongholds such as Texas, Iowa, and Ohio are now viewed as competitive.

The downturn is largely attributed to economic dissatisfaction. Despite Trump’s promises of strong growth, the year began with job losses, rising fuel prices, and growing uncertainty. Unemployment rose to 4.7 percent, and gasoline prices increased by 19 percent. Trump’s approval on inflation has dropped to minus 34 points. Additional controversies, including the release of the Epstein Files and the Iran war, have deepened internal party divisions.

Analysts note that Democrats are outperforming expectations in special elections, signaling voter backlash against Trump’s policies rather than a surge in Democratic enthusiasm.

An Iranian missile attack struck Israel’s largest city, Haifa, early Monday, killing two people and leaving two others missing, according to local reports. Rescue workers continued operations through the night, searching the debris of a heavily damaged apartment block that was hit by a large missile. Half of the building was destroyed, and the remaining structure was unstable, complicating rescue efforts.

Al Jazeera reported that Haifa, a strategically important city, is frequently targeted by Iranian missiles and lies within range of rockets launched from Hezbollah positions across the Lebanese border. During the ongoing rescue operation, another missile alert was issued as three additional missiles were detected from Iran. Most were intercepted, while the rest landed in open fields.

Authorities have not yet provided further details on the missing individuals or the extent of the damage, and search operations were continuing as of Monday morning.

The government has announced a general holiday on April 13 in three hill districts—Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban—on the occasion of Chaitra Sankranti. The decision was confirmed through a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, according to the report published on April 6, 2026.

The notification stated that while the day will be a general holiday in these three districts, it will be treated as an optional holiday for members of the relevant communities in other parts of the country. Chaitra Sankranti marks the end of the Bengali calendar year and is traditionally observed with various cultural and religious events in the hill regions.

The announcement ensures that local communities in the hill districts can celebrate the festival with official recognition, while others across Bangladesh may also observe it voluntarily.

At least 13 people were killed in airstrikes carried out by US and Israeli forces on two residential areas in Kaleh Mir, a city in Baharestan County of Iran’s Tehran Province, according to Fars News Agency. The attacks took place early on April 6, 2026, leaving significant destruction in the densely populated region.

Local authorities have launched search and rescue operations to remove debris and locate individuals possibly trapped under the rubble. The governor of Baharestan confirmed that rescue efforts are ongoing and described the situation as still tense.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as a source, did not provide further details on the motive or broader military context of the strikes.

Kuwait has announced a new defense and security strategy following a recent drone attack that targeted several government buildings and ministries. The incident occurred on April 5, 2026, and was described as a suspected Iranian drone strike. Although no casualties were reported, the attack caused significant damage and prompted immediate security responses.

In a statement, the Kuwaiti Army’s General Staff said that advanced air defense systems are now active to counter hostile missile and drone threats. The army also clarified through a post on social media platform X that any explosion sounds heard by residents were the result of defense operations intercepting enemy attacks. Citizens were urged to follow official safety instructions issued by relevant authorities.

The new measures mark Kuwait’s effort to strengthen internal security amid rising regional tensions and to reassure the public about the country’s defensive readiness.

Iran has reintroduced the concept of the 'oil weapon' by restricting oil tanker movement through the Hormuz Strait in response to continued US and Israeli airstrikes in the Gulf region. This move has triggered a global oil shortage and sharp price increases, with Brent crude trading above $100 per barrel and analysts warning prices could reach $140 if the conflict continues. On March 20, the Trump administration temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil for 30 days to stabilize prices, signaling limited policy options.

The article draws parallels between Iran’s current strategy and the 1973 Arab oil embargo, when Arab OPEC members halted exports to Israel-supporting nations, causing a fourfold price surge and forcing the US to alter its Middle East policy. Then, as now, energy restrictions achieved political leverage over Western powers.

Experts cited in the report note that despite larger petroleum reserves among OECD countries today, these would only cushion short-term disruptions. Iran’s actions have exposed the limits of US military power and underscored that oil remains a potent geopolitical tool even after five decades.

In Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh, allegations have surfaced that a government canal in Chhoto Baraihati village was illegally filled and part of the Gafargaon–Bormi regional road land excavated to build a fish farm. The action has raised fears of waterlogging during the monsoon and irrigation problems in the dry season for hundreds of farmers across several nearby villages.

The Baumra canal, also known locally as Shukline, runs through multiple unions before joining the Sutia River. Farmers depend on it for drainage and irrigation. Locals claim that Awami League activist Abul Kashem filled about 200 feet of the canal and dug a deep pond on occupied road land, creating risks for the adjacent road. Several residents, including retired army personnel and a freedom fighter, accused him of land grabbing and warned of potential road collapse.

Kashem denied the allegations, stating he only developed his own land. The local agriculture officer said an investigation would be conducted, while the upazila executive officer confirmed that filling a government canal is illegal and directed the assistant commissioner (land) to take action.

A month-long closure of the Strait of Hormuz has raised fears of a global energy crisis worse than the 1970s oil shock. Former Maersk director Lars Jensen told the BBC that the U.S.-Israel war with Iran could trigger economic disruption far greater than that of the 1970s. International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol echoed this concern, calling it the biggest global energy security threat in history. The blockade has severely disrupted oil and gas shipments from Gulf countries, which supply about one-fifth of the world’s oil.

Analysts note that the 1970s crisis stemmed from a deliberate oil embargo by Arab producers during the Yom Kippur War, causing prices to quadruple and triggering global recession and inflation. In contrast, experts say today’s market is more diversified and resilient, though developing nations remain highly vulnerable.

Consultants warn that even if the strait reopens soon, supply shortages and high energy costs could persist for six to twelve months, with stability depending on the de-escalation of the ongoing conflict.

Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah leader Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi has warned that regional oil and gas installations could come under attack if the United States enforces its threats over the Strait of Hormuz. His statement, published by Iran’s IRNA news agency, said that if Washington attempts to forcibly open the strait, no oil or gas platform would remain intact.

Al-Hamidawi further expanded the warning to include American infrastructure in the region, declaring that US power plants are legitimate targets and that there would be no limits in such actions. He emphasized that either security will be ensured for all parties or none will have security.

The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, reflects heightened rhetoric amid ongoing regional tensions involving Iran, the United States, and allied groups operating across the Middle East.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will never return to its previous state, saying conditions have permanently changed for the United States and Israel. In a social media statement, the IRGC Navy said it is in the final stage of military preparations to implement a new system Iran plans to introduce in the Persian Gulf region.

Earlier, an Iranian parliamentary committee approved a draft law proposing transit fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, to be paid in Iran’s national currency. The draft also calls for a complete ban on U.S. and Israeli vessels and reciprocal restrictions on countries imposing unilateral sanctions on Iran. The plan includes provisions on Iran’s sovereignty, armed forces’ control, maritime security, environmental protection, and legal cooperation with Oman.

Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued multiple ultimatums demanding Iran reopen the strait, warning of strikes on Iranian power plants and infrastructure if it fails to comply. Russia, China, and other countries have expressed deep concern over the escalating situation.

The Bangladesh government is facing severe fiscal pressure as revenue collection in the first eight months of the 2025–26 fiscal year fell short by over Tk 710 billion, while foreign loan disbursements remained far below expectations. To cover expenses, the government borrowed Tk 1.05 trillion from domestic sources, mostly from the banking sector. Rising global oil prices have increased import costs, forcing the government to provide large fuel subsidies, including Tk 160.45 billion for diesel and octane between March and June.

Exports have declined for eight consecutive months, with earnings down 4.85 percent in the first nine months of the fiscal year. Despite record remittance inflows of USD 3.75 billion in March, economists warn that the Middle East conflict could disrupt this key source of foreign exchange. Former World Bank economist Dr. Zahid Hossain noted that balancing income and expenditure has become difficult and warned that further borrowing or money printing could fuel inflation.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury acknowledged three major challenges—weak inherited economy, election pledges, and rising oil prices—while emphasizing investment and resource efficiency over money printing. Economic advisers stressed the need to rely on revenue mobilization and reduce subsidies to maintain stability.

Bangladesh has begun experiencing widespread power outages even before the onset of summer due to a severe fuel shortage and rising electricity demand. On Sunday, the national grid supplied 12,894 megawatts against a demand of 13,530 megawatts, resulting in 607 megawatts of load shedding across the country. Officials from the Power Division and related agencies said that fuel shortages have limited electricity generation capacity, with oil-based power production dropping by nearly half within a day.

According to official data, gas-based plants are producing between 4,500 and 5,000 megawatts, while coal-based plants contribute about 4,000 megawatts. Imports from India’s Adani, Bheramara, and Tripura plants average 1,800 megawatts. The Power Development Board (PDB) owes around Tk 46,000 crore to power producers, including Tk 14,000 crore to private oil-based plants. The PDB has requested Tk 20,000 crore in emergency funds to maintain supply during the summer and irrigation season.

The government has also adjusted its energy-saving measures, allowing shops and malls to remain open until 7 p.m. instead of 6 p.m., following appeals from business owners.

Iran has condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to destroy the country’s infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. On Sunday, April 5, Trump warned that Iran would face devastating attacks on its bridges and power plants, saying the country would be forced to live in hell if it did not comply. Iranian officials denounced the remarks as a “dangerous game” and described them as an incitement to war crimes.

Following Trump’s comments, Iran claimed to have shot down two U.S. C-130 warplanes and two Black Hawk helicopters. The statement came as Trump confirmed that an American officer missing after an F-15E fighter jet was downed in Iran had been rescued. The exchange of threats and military claims has further heightened tensions between the two nations.

The situation underscores the fragile state of U.S.-Iran relations, with both sides trading accusations and military actions in a volatile regional environment.