Former Chattogram City Corporation mayor Manjur Alam has denied any plan to contest the upcoming mayoral election under the National Congress Party (NCP). He made the remarks in an interview with BBC Bangla after NCP MP Hasanat Abdullah visited his residence in Chattogram. During the visit, a group of youths identifying themselves as freedom fighters gathered outside and questioned Hasanat Abdullah.

Manjur Alam clarified that he had not discussed any political matters with Hasanat Abdullah. He said Abdullah had called him earlier in the day to inform him about a local program and accepted an invitation to lunch at his home. According to Manjur, Abdullah arrived around 3 p.m., had lunch, and later spoke briefly with the youths outside before leaving around 5:30 to 6 p.m.

Responding to allegations that he was aligned with the Awami League, Manjur Alam stated that he had no cases against him and was not affiliated with the party. He emphasized that he had previously served as a BNP mayor and had never joined the Awami League.

Pakistan has proposed hosting a second round of ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran. US President Donald Trump stated that the discussions could resume within the next two days. However, doubts have emerged about the timing, as Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to travel abroad on Wednesday and will return on April 18 after visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt.

Although Trump suggested that talks might take place within two days, Sharif’s travel schedule indicates that the meeting is more likely to occur later in the week. According to Al Jazeera’s Kamal Haider, diplomacy is a continuous process that requires time, and both Tehran and Washington have shown positive signals toward resuming dialogue.

The report also notes that Gulf countries have expressed interest in assisting Pakistan’s efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table.

Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman said Bangladesh might need to raise fuel prices if the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel prolongs. He made the remarks on Wednesday at a press briefing held at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room in the Secretariat, where he discussed the progress of various government activities.

Rahman explained that the United States has begun blocking ships related to Iran, and if this situation persists, it could worsen global conditions, making it difficult for the government to continue providing fuel subsidies for an extended period. He confirmed that fuel prices would not increase in April but noted that adjustments could become necessary if the conflict continues.

Since February, retail fuel prices in Bangladesh have been set at Tk 100 per liter for diesel, Tk 112 for kerosene, Tk 116 for petrol, and Tk 120 for octane.

Police have arrested Mizanur Rahman Mizan, a fugitive accused in 21 criminal cases, from a rented house in the Mission Mor area of Lalmonirhat town early Tuesday. The 45-year-old suspect, son of the late Hossain Ali from Shathibari in Durga­pur Union under Aditmari upazila, was apprehended in a joint operation by Aditmari and Lalmonirhat Sadar police based on secret information.

According to police sources, Mizan, a resident of a border area, had long been involved in drug trafficking, theft, extortion, and violence against women and children. Of the 21 cases filed against him, 15 are related to narcotics. To evade arrest, he had been secretly living in Lalmonirhat town while continuing his illegal drug trade from there.

Aditmari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nazmul Haque confirmed that Mizan was sent to court following his arrest.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has introduced Amazon Bio Discovery, a new application that integrates computational design and wet-lab validation into a single platform. The system provides access to more than 40 AI biology models and allows users to upload custom or third-party models. It includes agentic assistants that guide researchers in model selection, configuration, and candidate evaluation. The platform connects directly with contract research organization partners for seamless lab testing, with results automatically feeding back to improve subsequent research cycles.

According to AWS, the tool aims to remove collaboration bottlenecks between computational biologists and bench scientists by offering a no-code environment for workflow creation and experiment management. Computational experts can build reusable workflows with standardized data processing, while bench scientists can run parallel experiments and adjust parameters without coding. Both groups work from the same data and results, improving reproducibility and speed.

Amazon Bio Discovery is built on AWS infrastructure used by major pharmaceutical companies and is available immediately with enterprise-grade security. The platform is designed to make lab-in-the-loop drug discovery scalable and accessible across research organizations.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on Chinese goods, accusing Beijing of providing military assistance to Iran amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. In response, China has warned that it will take firm countermeasures if Washington proceeds with the tariff plan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated at a press conference that if the United States uses the allegation as a pretext to impose additional tariffs, China will respond strongly. He also dismissed reports claiming that China is supplying weapons to Iran, calling them completely fabricated.

The exchange underscores rising tensions between Washington and Beijing as accusations over Iran’s role in the Middle East war intensify, with both sides signaling readiness for economic retaliation.

A drone attack on an Iranian Kurdish group in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region on Tuesday killed one woman, according to a Komala party official quoted by AFP. The strike hit the group’s Sordash camp, about 40 kilometers west of Sulaymaniyah. Three Iranian Kurdish refugees were injured, one of whom later died from her wounds. The attack occurred shortly after a temporary ceasefire took effect in the Iran–US–Israel conflict last week.

Komala commander Mohammad Hakimi blamed Iran and its allied militias for the strike. He said the assault targeted exiled Iranian Kurdish groups that have long operated from bases in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region. Another opposition group, the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), reported a separate drone attack on its camp near Erbil’s Koysanjak district, though no casualties were reported.

The region’s counter-terrorism service said two explosive drones launched from Iran toward Erbil province were shot down by a warplane, but did not specify which country operated the aircraft.

Amid ongoing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, new concerns have emerged over the Malacca Strait following a recent defense agreement between the United States and Indonesia. The deal, finalized earlier this week, allows US military aircraft to conduct more operations using Indonesian airspace. Although officially described as a defense cooperation arrangement, it effectively expands Washington’s surveillance and operational reach over the Malacca Strait, a vital maritime route linking the Indian Ocean with East Asia.

The Malacca Strait is jointly managed by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, and serves as a crucial artery for global trade. The agreement has prompted questions about whether the United States is recalibrating its Indo-Pacific strategy to secure key maritime chokepoints beyond the Middle East. The strait plays a central role in global energy and goods transport, particularly for East Asian economies.

China is especially dependent on this corridor for its energy imports, underscoring the strategic importance of the route in regional and global trade dynamics.

Police have arrested three leaders linked to the BNP following a violent clash between two party factions over the jhut (waste fabric) trade in Enayetnagar Chandni Housing area of Fatullah, Narayanganj. The detainees include Monir Hossain, president of the local Jubo Dal, general secretary Khairul Alam Jasim, and Chhatra Dal leader Liyan Mahmud Akash. They were apprehended early Tuesday from a hotel in Kuakata, Patuakhali, and later sent to Narayanganj court on Wednesday.

According to Fatullah Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge Md Abdul Mannan, the arrests followed a case filed by Md Hossain Khoka, father of a gunshot victim named Rakib. The suspects had gone into hiding after the case was lodged, and police tracked them down using information technology. The clash on April 12 involved gunfire and crude bomb explosions, leaving two people injured.

Authorities continue investigating the incident to identify others involved in the violence and determine the full extent of the damage caused during the confrontation.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam told Parliament that the government is in contact with several airlines to begin international flights from Cox’s Bazar Airport. She said this during a parliamentary question session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The minister noted that the airport has received certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) after meeting international standards and suitability requirements.

According to the minister, the runway has been extended from 9,000 to 10,700 feet toward the sea to accommodate larger aircraft, and a new international terminal building covering 17,955 square meters has been constructed. Testing and commissioning work is ongoing to make the airport fully operational. Afroza Khanam added that it will take a few more months to modernize and launch the airport as an international facility.

She also stated that Biman Bangladesh Airlines remains profitable overall, though it faces aircraft shortages. Steps are underway to add new aircraft to the fleet and improve operational efficiency to enhance profitability and service quality.

A young man named Md. Sabbir, aged 21, has been sentenced to seven days of simple imprisonment for illegally storing fuel in Dewanganj upazila of Jamalpur district. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning near the Kathar Bil Filling Station area. According to the upazila administration, Sabbir was transporting 120 liters of diesel without authorization, intending to store it illegally. Upon receiving information, the administration conducted an immediate operation and detained him.

A mobile court led by Executive Magistrate and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shah Zahurul Hossain later sentenced Sabbir to seven days in jail for fuel hoarding and irregularities. The UNO confirmed that the sentence was handed down the same morning following the seizure of the diesel.

The operation reflects the local administration’s ongoing enforcement against unauthorized fuel storage and related violations in the area.

Spain’s government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has approved a program to legalize around 500,000 undocumented migrants, including Bangladeshis. The decision was made on Tuesday, with online applications opening on Thursday, April 16, and in-person submissions starting on April 20, continuing until June 30. The initiative allows eligible migrants who entered Spain before January 1, 2026, and can prove at least five months of residence, to apply for one-year residence and work permits.

Applicants must have no criminal record. Those granted temporary permits will become eligible to apply for permanent residency and broader work rights after one year. The program follows long-standing demands from Spanish civil society and rights organizations for regularization of undocumented residents.

According to the Spanish government, the measure aims to address labor shortages and enhance social security for irregular migrants. Experts have described the move as both migrant-friendly and humanitarian. The decision is expected to bring relief to many Bangladeshi migrants currently living in Spain without legal status.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said students and parents are delighted by the reinstatement of the primary scholarship examination. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday morning after visiting the Motijheel Government Primary School exam center in Dhaka, he stated that the government aims to encourage school attendance and learning through programs like scholarships. He added that the initiative will be expanded further in the future.

Hajjaj explained that his visits to two centers, including Motijheel Ideal Government Primary School, were to ensure students received all necessary facilities for a smooth examination. Reports from across the country were described as positive, though some student absences were noted. He said steps would be taken to improve attendance and meet parents’ expectations through continued and new initiatives.

The state minister also mentioned that the government is considering revising the scholarship policy, including the amount and number of recipients, and setting new criteria for both public and private school students. The government’s broader goal is to raise the literacy rate to 96 percent by strengthening both formal and non-formal education systems.

Hezbollah launched about 40 rockets into Israel on Wednesday morning, according to the Israeli military. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that most of the rockets were intercepted, while the rest landed in open areas. The attack came a day after Israel and Lebanon held direct talks in Washington, D.C., for the first time in decades.

Lebanon’s health ministry said on Tuesday that Israeli strikes had killed at least 35 people in the country within 24 hours. Despite a ceasefire recently implemented among the United States, Israel, and Iran, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has continued. Israel has refused to adhere to the ceasefire in Lebanon, though both sides have agreed to pursue further discussions.

On Tuesday, foreign ministers from Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and 14 other countries issued a joint statement urging all parties to de-escalate immediately and take advantage of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the NATO military alliance has not adequately supported the United States in the past or present and will not do so in the future. According to a report published on April 15, 2026, by Iran International, Trump made the remarks in a post on Truth Social on April 14, asserting that NATO has not stood by the U.S. and will not in the future.

His comments have sparked renewed discussion and criticism in international circles. The statement is considered significant given that the United States is a principal member of NATO, one of the world’s most powerful military alliances. The remarks have drawn attention to the dynamics of U.S. relations with NATO and the broader implications for transatlantic defense cooperation.

The report did not specify any official responses from NATO or other governments following Trump’s statement.