Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad stated that many conspiracies are ongoing against the government and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He made the remarks on Wednesday, April 15, during a training session for Hajj team members at the Hajj Office conference room in Ashkona, Dhaka. The minister urged the members to remain vigilant so that the government’s image is not tarnished.

Addressing the Hajj team members, Kaikobad emphasized that they are going as servants of the pilgrims and that serving the pilgrims well is a way to earn divine satisfaction. He warned that negligence in serving the pilgrims would not be tolerated and that those who fail to perform their duties properly would be sent back from Makkah. Those who perform well would be given the opportunity to serve again in the following year.

The training session was presided over by Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad and attended by several members of parliament and senior officials from the Hajj division.

India’s bond market has come under pressure as new restrictions on foreign exchange transactions have made it more expensive and complicated for foreign investors to hedge against rupee fluctuations. The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) measures, aimed at stabilizing the rupee, include limits on arbitrage trading, which have reduced currency pressure but increased hedging costs in both onshore and offshore markets. Onshore one-year hedging costs have risen by about 30 basis points, while offshore non-deliverable forward (NDF) costs have surged by around 70 basis points, reaching their highest level in over 12 years.

Portfolio managers say these higher costs are eroding nearly all returns from Indian government bonds, discouraging foreign participation. The situation has been worsened by the Middle East war, which has driven up global oil prices and added strain to India’s economy, heavily dependent on imported oil. Since the conflict began on February 28, foreign investors have sold about $2.26 billion worth of Indian government bonds, with outflows accelerating after the RBI’s currency restrictions.

Analysts suggest investor sentiment may remain weak even if oil prices fall, as concerns over rupee stability persist and higher yields may be needed to attract capital back.

Iran’s military has warned it will halt international trade through the Red Sea if the United States continues its naval blockade on Iranian ports. The statement, issued Wednesday and broadcast on Iranian state television, also included threats to disrupt all trade in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The warning follows Washington’s blockade, which began Monday after failed Iran-US talks in Pakistan.

Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s armed forces central command, said any interference with Iranian commercial ships or oil tankers would be treated as a violation of the current ceasefire. He declared that Iran’s armed forces would prevent all imports and exports in the region if national sovereignty and interests were threatened.

Despite the blockade, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that ships continue to depart from southern Iranian ports, with several commercial vessels reportedly heading to international destinations within the past 24 hours.

On April 15, 2026, Cumilla-4 Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah told the national parliament that he could no longer face his constituents due to the dire condition of the Cumilla-Sylhet highway. Addressing the Speaker, he pleaded for immediate government action to widen the road, describing it as a lifeline for one million people. He said administrative weakness had stalled work on the highway for the past 10 to 12 years.

Abdullah highlighted that the road, only 18 feet wide, connects Cumilla and Sylhet through Burichang, Brahmanpara, and Debidwar, linking to Brahmanbaria. He described it as the only route between Sylhet and Chattogram and said it had turned into a “procession of death,” with more than 30 fatalities in April alone. He urged the Speaker to draw the minister’s attention to stop the recurring accidents.

On the same day, Cumilla-5 MP Jasim Uddin also called for the immediate start of a four-lane expansion project on the Cumilla-Sylhet highway.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared that his government will not yield to pressure to join a war against Iran. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Starmer said he would not change his decision despite calls for Britain to take part in the conflict. His comments came after former US President Donald Trump suggested that the trade deal signed between the United States and the United Kingdom last year could be altered at any time.

Starmer emphasized that the conflict with Iran was not Britain’s war and that joining it would not serve the country’s national interest. He described the recent remarks and pressures as attempts to push the UK toward involvement in the conflict but reaffirmed his stance against participation.

The exchange underscores tensions between London and Washington over foreign policy priorities, particularly regarding Iran, though no immediate shift in UK policy was indicated.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reduced its global economic growth forecast to 3.1 percent for this year, down from its earlier projection of 3.3 percent. The revision follows escalating tensions after the United States and Israel began their war on Iran on February 28, prompting Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz and attack regional energy infrastructure. These developments have disrupted oil and gas supplies, driving up global energy and food costs and hitting import-dependent economies hardest.

The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook report highlights that the slowdown marks a decline from last year’s 3.4 percent growth. Iran’s 2026 forecast was cut by 7.2 points to a contraction of 6.1 percent, while Saudi Arabia’s growth outlook dropped from 4.5 percent to 3.1 percent. The Middle East and North Africa’s 2026 forecast was reduced to 1.1 percent, and the Middle East and Central Asia’s to 1.9 percent. The IMF also expects global inflation to rise to 4.4 percent, up 0.6 points from January.

Oil prices remain volatile, though they eased slightly on hopes of renewed US-Iran talks. The IMF warned that the conflict’s economic impact will be uneven, with low-income and emerging economies facing the greatest strain.

A group of 19 United Nations experts has condemned Israel’s ongoing attacks on Lebanon as illegal and called on all UN member states to suspend arms transfers to Israel. The experts, including special rapporteurs and independent human rights specialists, issued their statement on Wednesday as Israeli strikes continued in southern Lebanon, reportedly killing at least 16 people, including four paramedics. They described the April 8 wave of Israeli attacks, which Lebanese authorities said killed more than 350 people including 30 children, as a violation of the UN Charter and an assault on peace and multilateralism.

The experts urged Israel to cease all military operations in Lebanon and warned that the forced displacement of over 1.2 million civilians could constitute crimes against humanity. They also condemned the destruction of homes in predominantly Shia areas as collective punishment and a sign of ethnic cleansing. Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon followed Hezbollah rocket fire after the US-Israel killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, intensifying regional tensions.

Diplomatic efforts are reportedly under way, with Israel’s security cabinet set to discuss a possible ceasefire and Lebanese officials confirming ongoing negotiations.

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran to hold high-level meetings focused on restarting discussions between Iran and the United States. According to Iranian state media IRIB, the visit aims to deliver a message from Washington and coordinate a second round of talks between the two countries.

Reports indicate that the next phase of Iran-US negotiations may take place in Islamabad within the coming days. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that message exchanges between Tehran and Washington continue under Pakistan’s mediation, despite the failure of the first round of talks in Islamabad.

Iranian officials are expected to meet the Pakistani delegation in Tehran to discuss both sides’ positions in detail. The exact timing of the second round of talks remains uncertain, though the diplomatic activity signals ongoing efforts to reduce tensions.

Continuous power outages over the past three days have brought Chattogram city to a near standstill. Many neighborhoods, including Khulshi, Bakalia, Chandgaon, Bayezid, Panchlaish, Patenga, and Colonelhat, are receiving less than five hours of uninterrupted electricity in 24 hours. Residents report frequent blackouts without prior notice, disrupting hospitals, banks, clinics, shops, and schools. In Lal Khan Bazar, electricity reportedly fluctuates up to 15 times a day, while in Bayezid, power returns for only short intervals between long outages.

Hospitals and clinics are struggling to maintain operations as generator fuel costs soar. A doctor at Chittagong Medical College Hospital said diagnostic services and surgeries are delayed due to power instability. Private clinics report running generators up to 16 hours daily, doubling diesel expenses. Smaller clinics are unable to sustain generator use, forcing patients to leave. Banks have faced repeated server shutdowns, and schools report unbearable heat in classrooms.

Bangladesh Power Development Board spokesperson Shamim Hasan acknowledged that the fuel crisis is worsening and warned that even more severe load-shedding could occur soon.

In the first month of the ongoing conflict centered on Iran, the world’s top 100 oil and gas companies collectively earned more than $30 million per hour in excess or unearned profits, according to a special analysis by The Guardian. The report found that in March, as oil prices averaged $100 per barrel, these companies gained around $23 billion in additional profits. If prices remain at that level and supply takes months to normalize, total windfall earnings could reach $234 billion by year-end.

Among the biggest beneficiaries are Saudi Aramco, Gazprom, and ExxonMobil, all identified as major opponents of climate action. Rising fuel prices have increased costs for consumers and businesses worldwide, prompting several countries—including Australia, South Africa, Italy, Brazil, and Zambia—to cut fuel taxes, which has reduced public revenue. The European Commission is considering a proposal from several finance ministers to impose a windfall tax on companies profiting from the war.

Analysts warned that while corporate profits surge, ordinary people face higher living costs and inflationary pressures globally.

BNP Chairperson’s adviser Dr. Ziauddin Haider has warned that 80 percent of Bangladesh’s waste currently ends up in rivers and canals, posing a severe environmental threat. Speaking to journalists after inspecting the Faridpur Municipality Waste Processing Center on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, he emphasized the need to transform waste into organic fertilizer and fuel through modern recycling instead of treating it as a problem.

Dr. Haider said that under the slogan “Bangladesh First,” the BNP identified eight priority sectors, with the environment being one of them. He stressed that proper waste management is essential to protect public health, as indiscriminate dumping has spread from rural to urban areas. He called for swift waste removal, initiatives to produce fertilizer or electricity from waste, and public awareness to dispose of garbage in designated places.

During the visit, he also instructed officials to ensure the safety and health of workers. The inspection was attended by Barishal City Corporation Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, Practical Action Bangladesh Country Director Ishrat Shabnam, and local BNP leaders.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with Turkish Ambassador Ramiz Sen at the minister’s office in the Secretariat on Wednesday. The meeting focused on expanding bilateral trade, increasing investment, and strengthening economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Turkey.

During the discussion, the commerce minister highlighted the potential for further trade and investment growth by leveraging the existing friendly relations between the two countries. He emphasized joint ventures in sectors such as ready-made garments, textiles, agro-based industries, and light engineering. Muktadir also noted that Turkish investors could benefit from Bangladesh’s lower production costs, particularly in leather and jute products.

Ambassador Ramiz Sen praised Bangladesh’s growing economy and skilled workforce, describing the country as an attractive destination for Turkish investors. He also commended Bangladesh’s eco-friendly jute products, noting their popularity in Turkey, and congratulated the minister on his appointment following the national election.

Mediators are reportedly close to securing an extension of the ongoing ceasefire between the United States and Iran, aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East. According to a report published by Israeli media outlet Haaretz on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Washington and Tehran have reached a 'policy-level understanding' to prolong the truce before its current term expires next week.

The existing two-week ceasefire is set to end on April 22. Diplomatic efforts are intensifying to preserve the agreement and restart direct talks that collapsed late last week. Mediators are working to resolve three key outstanding issues: Iran’s nuclear program, control over the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for war-related damages. Officials familiar with the discussions shared these details on condition of anonymity.

The report indicates that while progress has been made, the exact timing of a second round of direct US-Iran talks remains uncertain, leaving the future of the ceasefire dependent on continued diplomatic momentum.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been listed among Time magazine’s “The 100 Most Influential People of 2026,” published on Wednesday. The list includes global leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The profile on Rahman was written by Charlie Campbell, editor of Time’s Singapore bureau, highlighting his political rise after years in exile.

According to the magazine, Rahman had been living in exile in southwest London until former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in 2024. Following a landslide election victory in February, he returned to Bangladesh after 17 years abroad. His mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, passed away five days after his return. In a January interview with Time, Rahman expressed his determination to unite the nation and revive its struggling economy amid high inflation, youth unemployment, and strained relations with India.

Time also noted that although corruption allegations against Rahman were later dismissed by the court, they could shorten his political honeymoon period. The 2026 list also features Google CEO Sundar Pichai, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be 'permanently open,' only hours after imposing a naval blockade on Iran. Trump said the decision followed a secret discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping, claiming China agreed to halt arms supplies to Iran. Posting on his Truth Social account, Trump stated that China was pleased with the move and that it served both nations and the world. He added that Xi would give him a 'warm embrace' at their upcoming meeting and that both countries were working well together.

Earlier, Trump had ordered the blockade to pressure Iran back into negotiations. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil routes, carrying about one-fifth of global crude supplies. Iran responded by disrupting shipping and pressuring oil tankers, triggering volatility in global energy markets and rising fuel prices in the United States. The U.S. military reportedly halted six oil tankers within 24 hours.

Beijing criticized the blockade as 'dangerous and irresponsible,' while a mid-May summit in Beijing is planned to address trade tariffs and critical minerals. It remains unclear whether Trump’s new declaration takes immediate effect or forms part of ongoing peace talks.