Talks between the United States and Iran collapsed after more than 20 hours of negotiations in Islamabad, sparking renewed fears of conflict across the Middle East. US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that the differences between the two sides were too deep to resolve for now. Soon after, President Donald Trump ordered an immediate naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that any ship paying tariffs to Tehran would be seized and threatening to cut Iran off from future oil revenues.

The breakdown of talks has heightened uncertainty in an already volatile region. Citizens from Doha, Tel Aviv, Tehran, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia expressed anxiety about the prospect of renewed warfare. In Israel, a recent survey showed only 10 percent viewed the conflict with Iran as a success, while 32 percent saw it as a failure. In Iran, brief hopes for peace quickly faded, with many fearing an inevitable return to war.

In Lebanon, disputes over whether the country was included in the ceasefire agreement have led to intensified Israeli attacks. Observers warned that the collapse of negotiations could have global repercussions if peace efforts fail to regain momentum.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran came 'very close' to a possible agreement with the United States during discussions held in Islamabad last weekend. In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, Araghchi said Iran participated in the talks with goodwill, aiming to bring an end to the ongoing war.

According to Araghchi, while both sides were only 'a few inches' away from reaching an understanding, Tehran faced obstacles due to the other party’s rigid stance, shifting objectives, and imposed restrictions. The minister did not specify the exact nature of the talks or the issues under discussion.

The statement highlights continuing diplomatic engagement between Iran and the United States, though the outcome remains uncertain given the described challenges during the Islamabad meeting.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a strict directive to all scheduled banks to accept torn, damaged, and dirty banknotes and provide new or reissuable notes in exchange. The circular, released recently, aims to ensure smooth and fair cash transactions for the public. It requires every branch of all banks to regularly offer exchange services for such notes in accordance with existing regulations.

The central bank noted that despite earlier instructions issued on December 15, 2025, damaged and dirty notes remain widespread in circulation, causing inconvenience in daily transactions. To implement its 'Clean Note Policy,' the bank instructed that all denominations, particularly smaller ones such as 5, 10, 20, and 50 taka notes, must be accepted at designated counters and exchanged immediately.

The circular also warned that any bank branch refusing to provide this service would face necessary action. Bangladesh Bank emphasized the importance of this directive and urged all banks to ensure full compliance.

At least 350 people were killed across Lebanon on Wednesday, April 8, following a series of Israeli airstrikes carried out within minutes across the country. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, the attacks mark one of the deadliest days since the escalation began on March 2, bringing the total death toll to 2,055 and leaving at least 6,588 injured.

Lebanese medical professionals reported that the intensity of the Israeli bombardment has pushed the nation’s healthcare system to the brink of collapse. Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, and many areas have been heavily affected by the strikes. The widespread destruction has made it increasingly difficult for medical staff to manage the influx of wounded patients.

The situation underscores the growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon as the conflict continues to escalate, with health infrastructure struggling to cope with the scale of the devastation.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Ahsan Habib Palash stated that there is no information suggesting any threat or untoward incident ahead of Pahela Baishakh celebrations. Speaking at a press briefing after inspecting security arrangements at Ramna Batamul in Dhaka on Monday, April 13, he said RAB is fully prepared to ensure public safety during the festivities.

According to RAB, multi-layered security measures have been set up at key celebration venues including Shahbagh, TSC, Ramna Batamul, Hatirjheel, and Manik Mia Avenue. The force has deployed 15 battalions nationwide, operating 308 patrols—181 pickup and 127 motorcycle units—alongside plainclothes intelligence surveillance. Bomb disposal units, dog squads, control rooms, CCTV monitoring, and reserve forces are also on standby. A cyber monitoring team is working round the clock to prevent misinformation or provocative content on social media.

Special measures have been taken to ensure the safety of women and children, with immediate action instructed against any harassment complaints. RAB urged festivalgoers to remain alert and seek assistance from nearby law enforcement if needed.

US President Donald Trump expressed strong dissatisfaction with NATO for not supporting the United States during the recent Iran conflict and the Israel issue. Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on April 13, he announced that US spending within NATO would now be subject to deep examination. Trump argued that the alliance failed to stand by the US when needed and questioned the value of maintaining membership under such circumstances.

He reiterated his long-standing criticism that many NATO members do not contribute their fair share to defense budgets and fail to assist the US adequately during crises. Trump also described the massive US expenditure to protect NATO members from Russia as increasingly unreasonable. His remarks have reignited uncertainty over the future of US participation and financial commitment to the alliance.

The comments mark another escalation in Trump’s ongoing tension with NATO, raising questions about Washington’s strategic priorities and alliance obligations.

Hungary’s long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party suffered a major defeat in the country’s parliamentary election, ending his 16-year rule. Partial official results showed the Tisza Party, led by Péter Magyar, winning by a large margin. According to the results counted so far, Tisza secured 52.49 percent of the vote, while Fidesz received 38.83 percent. Magyar announced on social media that Orbán had called to congratulate him on the victory.

Orbán, known for his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, acknowledged the outcome in a message to his supporters, saying the result was painful but clear and that his party would now serve as the opposition. Partial results indicated that Tisza was leading in 95 of Hungary’s 106 constituencies and could win more than 130 of the 199 parliamentary seats.

The result marks Hungary’s first change of government since 2010, signaling a major political shift after more than a decade of Fidesz dominance.

Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley stated that former President Donald Trump has no alternative but to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. She made the remarks on a CNN program on Sunday, emphasizing that failing to act against Iran would allow Tehran to gain more financial and strategic advantages, including funding proxies, purchasing ballistic missile equipment, and continuing its nuclear program.

According to a CNN report cited in the source, Trump’s plan to blockade the strait could serve as a test of Iran’s control over the key waterway. Such a move might avoid the need for risky ground troop deployments but could expose U.S. naval vessels to increased Iranian attacks. The report also noted that obstructing the strait could heighten diplomatic tensions with major powers such as China if U.S. forces attempt to stop their ships.

The issue has drawn global attention, with reports of international reactions and related developments involving Iran, the United States, and other stakeholders.

Saudi Arabia has announced that only the official Hajj visa will be valid for performing the annual pilgrimage. The country’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that the rule applies to all pilgrims arriving from outside Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made in a statement on Sunday, emphasizing that the Hajj visa is the sole authorized means for participating in the pilgrimage.

According to a report by Saudi Gazette, visitors holding visit, transit, Umrah, or tourist visas will not be permitted to take part in Hajj rituals. The ministry clarified that such visa holders will not receive permission to perform Hajj. For residents and citizens within Saudi Arabia, the process differs slightly, requiring them to complete bookings through the “Nusuk” application to obtain a Hajj permit.

The ministry also warned that all official reservations and bookings for Hajj must be made only through authorized channels. It cautioned against using any unauthorized or fraudulent means for securing Hajj bookings.

International activists are preparing to sail from Barcelona, Spain, in a 70-boat convoy called the Global Resilience Flotilla, aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian supplies. The mission, set to depart on Sunday, includes about 1,000 volunteers from 70 countries. The vessels are carrying food, medicine, and school materials for Palestinian children. Organisers say the effort is coordinated with Palestinian civil society groups, maritime security experts, and international NGOs such as Greenpeace and Open Arms, with additional support from the Barcelona municipality.

Flotilla spokesperson Pablo Castilla said the mission seeks to condemn what organisers describe as international complicity in Israel’s actions in Gaza, demand accountability, and open humanitarian corridors by sea and land. He warned that global attention on Gaza has waned amid other regional conflicts, allowing Israel to tighten its siege and expand settlements. The Gaza Strip has been under blockade since 2007 and faces a severe humanitarian crisis following Israel’s war that began in October 2023, which has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and displaced about 1.5 million people.

This voyage follows the first Global Resilience Flotilla in 2025, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. All previous flotillas since 2010 have faced similar interceptions or attacks.

The US military reported that five people were killed and one survived in its latest anti-drug operation in the eastern Pacific Ocean. According to a statement issued on Sunday, the attacks took place on April 11 against two suspected drug-trafficking vessels. The US Southern Command also released aerial footage of the operation on social media platform X, according to AFP.

The statement said that two men described as 'narco-terrorists' were killed and one survived in the first strike, while three more men labeled the same were killed in the second. However, no evidence was presented to support the drug-trafficking allegations. The military added that the total number of people killed in these operations has now reached at least 168.

The report did not provide further details about the identity of those killed or the specific location of the incidents within the eastern Pacific.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he felt like the 'owner' of the Al-Aqsa Mosque during a visit to the site in Jerusalem on Sunday. The statement came as he emphasized the need for greater access for Jewish worshippers and vowed to pressure the prime minister for further action. His remarks were made public through a video released by his office, where he added that more progress was needed.

The visit and comments occurred shortly after Israel reopened the mosque to Palestinians following more than 40 days of closure. During that period, Palestinians were barred from entering for Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Friday prayers.

Jordan, which oversees the Al-Aqsa compound, condemned Ben-Gvir’s visit as a violation of the status quo agreement and an unacceptable provocation. The office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned that such actions could further destabilize the situation in the region.

Iran has rejected US President Donald Trump’s threat of a naval blockade, warning that any such attempt would end in failure. Mohsen Rezaei, senior military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said the United States would face another historic defeat if it tried to block the Strait of Hormuz. He asserted that Iran’s armed forces would not allow any blockade to succeed.

The statement came after President Trump recently announced plans for a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. Rezaei added that Iran possesses “unused capabilities” sufficient to counter any threat and criticized the United States for trying to pressure Iran through tweets and imaginary plans.

Earlier, Trump claimed that peace talks with Islamabad had failed because Iran refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions, further intensifying the strategic standoff in the region.

Israeli forces have carried out new airstrikes in several areas of southern Lebanon, according to a report by Al Jazeera Arabic. The attacks targeted the city of Nabatieh and the area of Maifadoun. No immediate details were available regarding casualties or damage, and further information was expected as the situation developed.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that military operations in southern Lebanon would continue, including within so-called 'safe zones.' He made the remarks after a brief visit to areas near the border. Recent reports indicated that airstrikes around Beirut had decreased somewhat due to U.S. pressure and possible preparations for negotiations.

Despite the reduced activity near the capital, Israeli air operations have persisted across southern Lebanon, particularly in the Bint Jbeil region, underscoring the ongoing volatility along the border area.

The Chakaria upazila unit of the Bangladesh Mofossol Sangbadik Forum (BMSF) has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Rupayan Deb, demanding state recognition for National Media Week. The memorandum was handed over at the UNO office in Chakaria on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

According to the memorandum, although the media plays a vital role as the fourth pillar of the state and contributes significantly to democratic progress, journalists in Bangladesh still lack proper state recognition. The BMSF noted that the 10th National Media Week 2026 is scheduled to be observed from May 1 to 7, and official recognition would enhance journalists’ professional dignity while strengthening media freedom and responsibility.

Journalists from various national and regional newspapers working in Chakaria were present during the submission of the memorandum, alongside leaders of the BMSF Chakaria unit.