Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis lawmaker Sayeed Uddin Ahmad Hanzala, representing Madaripur-1, has called for a law prescribing the death penalty for those who insult Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Speaking in parliament on Wednesday during the discussion on the president’s address, he also urged that anyone denying the Prophet as the final messenger be declared non-Muslim by law. Hanzala directed his appeal to Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarek Rahman, saying millions of Islamic scholars in Bangladesh expect such a move.

Citing verses from Surah Al-Ahzab, Hanzala said belief in the Prophet as the last messenger is integral to faith and lamented that some groups in Bangladesh reject this belief while claiming to be Muslim. He argued that many people have died protesting such denials and insults. The opposition MP emphasized that Bangladesh’s Muslim-majority population deeply reveres the Prophet and that insulting him provokes strong public outrage.

Hanzala also demanded justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, describing him as a man who sought justice and reform. He added that opposition members should support the government when it does good work and oppose it when necessary.

In Agailjhara of Barishal, serious allegations have surfaced against local union parishad member Sohel Molla for using bamboo sticks instead of iron rods in the concrete casting of a government-funded iron bridge. Locals also accused him of collecting money from residents in addition to the official allocation. Photos showing bamboo used in the bridge’s structure spread on social media, sparking widespread criticism across the district. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has not yet taken any action.

Residents said the bridge, built over the Dushmi-Karim Bazar canal in Ratnapur Union’s Barpaika village, was funded by the union council. The bridge measures 45 feet in length and 5.5 feet in width, though locals claim it should have been 55 feet long. They alleged that the concrete thickness and cement use were below standard, prompting them to buy extra cement themselves.

Union Parishad Chairman Golam Mostafa Sardar confirmed the project’s funding stages, while the Upazila Engineer and Executive Officer said the LGED had not been informed and that an on-site inspection would be conducted soon.

A Pakistani delegation led by Army Chief Asim Munir has arrived in Tehran to deliver a new message from the United States and advance the second round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is also in Tehran as part of ongoing mediation efforts, according to the Pakistani military’s media wing. Iran confirmed that indirect communication through Pakistan continues after the first round of talks in Islamabad over the weekend failed.

The diplomatic activity comes as former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict with Iran, calling for the world to prepare for “two extraordinary days.” Trump earlier praised Asim Munir’s mediation role, crediting him for helping negotiators return to Pakistan. A fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in effect until April 22.

Mediators are seeking agreement on three unresolved issues: Iran’s nuclear program, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for wartime damages.

Hezbollah spokesperson and parliament member Ibrahim Mousawi stated that a ceasefire could be implemented in Lebanon soon, supported by mediation efforts from Iran and other regional countries. The statement was reported by Reuters, citing Mousawi’s remarks on the ongoing diplomatic initiatives.

Two senior Lebanese officials, speaking anonymously to Reuters, confirmed that discussions toward a ceasefire are underway. However, they did not provide details on when the ceasefire might begin or how long it would last. Both officials indicated that the duration of any Lebanese ceasefire could depend on how long the current truce between the United States and Iran continues.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, highlights the ongoing regional diplomatic activity aimed at de-escalating tensions in Lebanon, though the timing and sustainability of a potential ceasefire remain uncertain.

The timing for a potential second round of talks between Iran and the United States has not yet been determined, according to reports on April 15, 2026. Diplomatic activity has intensified, with Pakistan’s army chief currently visiting Iran as head of a delegation to deliver a message on behalf of the United States. Discussions are reportedly focused on setting a suitable time for renewed negotiations and addressing issues related to ceasefire arrangements.

Iran has raised several key issues, including the lack of implementation of a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of its frozen assets. Analysts cited in the report suggest that progress on these matters is crucial for advancing to the next round of talks, as Iran considers them preconditions for participation.

Although both sides have expressed interest in continuing dialogue, no official schedule for the next meeting has yet been announced.

The government of Bangladesh has imposed a 58-day ban on all fishing activities in the Bay of Bengal starting from midnight on April 15 until June 11. The measure aims to protect marine biodiversity and ensure the free breeding and growth of 475 fish species. The restriction applies to all types of fishing vessels, including industrial trawlers and coastal engine-powered boats.

Since 2015, the government had enforced a 65-day annual fishing ban from May 20 to July 23 under the Marine Fisheries Ordinance. However, due to dissatisfaction among local fishermen, who claimed foreign fishermen exploited the closure, the duration was reduced to 58 days last year to align with India’s fishing ban period. The same schedule continues this year.

During the ban, 311,062 registered sea-going fishermen across 14 coastal districts and Chattogram city will receive 40 kilograms of rice per month under the VGF program. In 2025, authorities conducted 3,585 operations during the ban, seizing illegal nets and vessels, and imposing fines and jail terms for violations.

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.