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.

The Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) held a public hearing in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar with over a hundred male and female microcredit clients. Organized jointly by Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) and COAST Foundation on April 12, the event allowed rural participants to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations related to microcredit. MRA’s Executive Vice Chairman Professor Dr. Mohammad Helal Uddin attended as chief guest, emphasizing proper fund utilization and institutional capacity building.

Participants raised issues such as high service charges, lack of safe drinking water, and the need for grants for injured or affected members. They also discussed expanding employment opportunities for women and in the tourism sector to boost the local economy. COAST and YPSA representatives highlighted ongoing training programs and joint efforts to address water scarcity.

Dr. Helal Uddin noted that regulatory reforms and concessional funding are being pursued to strengthen microcredit institutions. He added that new tourism demand following the railway expansion could create local employment through professional training.

Iran has warned that it will take strict action if any military vessels enter the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that while the strait remains open to civilian maritime traffic under international law, any military ship approaching the area will be considered a violation of the ceasefire and will face severe measures.

According to the IRGC statement cited by Al Jazeera, Iran emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is legally open for civilian navigation but not for military presence. The warning underscores Tehran’s sensitivity to foreign military activity near its territorial waters and its intent to enforce restrictions on such movements.

The statement reflects Iran’s continued assertion of control over the strategic waterway and signals potential escalation risks if foreign military forces attempt to operate in the region.

Employees of the West Zone Power Distribution Company (Ozopadico) highlighted severe deprivation and unfair wages during a press conference held at Khulna Press Club on Sunday. Organizational leaders warned that if the current situation continues, the quality of electricity service will deteriorate and employees’ livelihoods will be at risk. They demanded fair wages, immediate recruitment to fill vacant posts, and an end to outsourcing.

According to the written statement by the organization’s general secretary, Ozopadico serves 1,728,316 customers through 10,786 kilometers of distribution lines and 97 substations, with only 440 officers and 964 workers. Each employee currently serves an average of 1,792 customers, causing excessive workload and declining service quality. The shortage of substation operators (SBA) was identified as a critical issue, with 119 of 344 positions vacant and further retirements expected by 2027.

The employees alleged that despite working 8 to 16 extra hours daily, they are not paid for 21,360 monthly overtime hours. They also claimed that recruitment notices issued in 2025 remain unimplemented and that outsourcing violates decent work principles. The organization warned of strong protests if their demands are not met.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Russian President Vladimir Putin that reaching an agreement with the United States is not impossible. According to Iran’s state broadcaster, Pezeshkian made the remark during a phone conversation with Putin that took place after nearly 21 hours of discussions between U.S. and Iranian representatives in Islamabad concluded earlier in the day.

Earlier, a report by Roya News said that Russian President Putin had expressed readiness to act as a mediator in resolving ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin reiterated Russia’s willingness to assist in political and diplomatic solutions to regional tensions and to promote dialogue among involved parties. Moscow was presented as a potential mediator aiming to help achieve a “just and lasting peace” in the region.

The initiative comes amid multiple diplomatic efforts by the international community to contain the impact of regional conflicts, highlighting Russia’s attempt to play a more active mediating role in Middle Eastern crises.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Road Transport, Bridges, Railways and Shipping, Sheikh Robiul Alam, has expressed optimism about potential US investment and technical assistance in the country’s transport sector. During a courtesy meeting at the Secretariat on Sunday, US Ambassador to Dhaka Brent T. Christensen reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening mutual cooperation, increasing investment, and sharing technological expertise to advance Bangladesh’s transport infrastructure. The meeting also discussed ongoing development projects and future collaboration opportunities, attended by Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr. Ziaul Haque.

The minister said the government, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, is working tirelessly to modernize and ensure sustainable and safe transport systems. The US ambassador emphasized that his country would continue supporting road safety, modern transport systems, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Separately, a delegation from Nirapad Sarak Chai (NISCHA) met the minister to discuss road safety, accident prevention, and public awareness. The minister highlighted government initiatives to reduce accidents and stressed the importance of citizen awareness and social movements in ensuring safer roads.