Maritime intelligence agency Lloyd’s List reported that ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz has once again come to a stop following the U.S. President’s announcement of a blockade plan. The report said vessels navigating the vital Middle Eastern waterway either halted or turned back immediately after the declaration. Until Sunday, limited traffic, including oil tankers, had continued despite risks in the area.

According to Lloyd’s List, ship movement had slightly increased on Saturday as some shipping companies attempted to move their vessels out of the Gulf region amid hopes of a possible ceasefire. However, the U.S. blockade announcement dramatically changed the situation, leading to a complete halt in maritime activity. At least two ships that were leaving the strait reportedly turned back.

The report warned that the disruption in one of the world’s most critical maritime routes could have significant consequences for global energy markets and trade.

A 21-hour high-level meeting between Iran and the United States in Islamabad, mediated by Pakistan during a ceasefire, ended without any agreement. Despite initial optimism, both sides blamed each other for the failure. US Vice President JD Vance said Tehran rejected Washington’s final offer, while Iran’s state media accused the US of making unreasonable demands. The unresolved issues included Iran’s uranium enrichment, regional peace frameworks, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz without tolls.

Iranian Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Tehran’s delegation, said the US failed to earn Iran’s trust but hinted that diplomatic efforts would continue. Pakistan’s foreign minister expressed hope that dialogue would resume, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the ceasefire. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Russian President Vladimir Putin that a deal with the US was still possible if Washington respected international law.

Following the failed talks, US President Donald Trump announced an immediate blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to destroy Iran’s energy infrastructure. Iran dismissed the threats, saying they would not affect the nation’s resolve.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained a rickshaw van driver carrying 212 liters of diesel near the Chuadanga border on the night of April 12, 2026. The arrest took place in the Helatala area of Damurhuda upazila’s Parkrishnapur-Madna union, close to the Indian border. Members of the 6th Battalion seized both the rickshaw van and the diesel during the operation.

According to BGB sources, the detainee, identified as Israfil Hossain, 49, from Sorabaria village in Damurhuda, was allegedly involved in smuggling activities. The operation was part of an intensified security effort by the Chuadanga-6 Battalion to prevent fuel smuggling in the Boroboldia Border Outpost area. A temporary checkpost was set up between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., where patrol teams inspected vehicles and individuals.

BGB officials stated that legal action has been initiated regarding the seized diesel and that anti-smuggling surveillance will continue along the border to prevent similar incidents.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that the mild to moderate heatwave currently sweeping across parts of the country may expand further. The 24-hour weather outlook issued on Sunday evening indicated that the heatwave is affecting Dhaka, Tangail, Faridpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, and the Khulna division. The department warned that the heatwave could intensify and spread over the next few days.

According to the forecast, temporary gusty winds with rain or thundershowers may occur in a few places in the Chattogram and Sylhet divisions from Sunday evening. On Monday, scattered rain accompanied by strong winds is possible in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, while the rest of the country is expected to remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies.

The weather office also noted that daytime temperatures may rise slightly across the country over the next two days, with nighttime temperatures increasing by one to two degrees Celsius. A slight drop in daytime temperatures is expected from April 14.

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner reclaimed the world number one ranking after defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the Monte Carlo Masters final on April 13, 2026. Despite windy conditions that disrupted both players’ rhythm, Sinner held his composure to win 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, securing both the title and his return to the top of the ATP rankings.

This victory marked Sinner’s third Masters 1000 title of the season, following earlier wins at Indian Wells and Miami. It also extended his winning streak at Masters-level tournaments to 22 consecutive matches, underscoring his dominant form this year. After the match, Sinner said that winning the trophy and regaining the number one position meant a lot to him, adding that adapting to clay courts had been challenging but rewarding.

In women’s tennis on the same day, Mira Andreeva captured her fifth WTA title by defeating Anastasia Potapova 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the Linz Open final.

Former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul and several ousted directors are closely observing the evolving situation following the formation of an ad hoc committee under Tamim Iqbal. The National Sports Council has directed that a new BCB election be held by July 6, 2026. Although Bulbul initially claimed to be the legitimate president and appealed to the ICC alleging government interference, his efforts failed, and the ICC upheld the new committee’s legitimacy.

Many of the 18 former directors remain uncertain about contesting the upcoming election. Those from the club category may have a chance to return as councillors, but the prospects are slim for directors from divisional or player quotas. Several former directors said they have not yet decided whether to participate, preferring to wait and assess the situation. Most have withdrawn from public appearances and cricket-related discussions since losing power.

The previous BCB election, held on October 6 last year, was marred by allegations of manipulation and irregularities. A National Sports Council investigation later found evidence supporting those claims, leading to the dissolution of Bulbul’s board within five months.

Allegations have surfaced that the Dhaka District Council became a hub of corruption during the previous Awami League government, with irregularities, fake projects, and large-scale embezzlement under the guise of development. Hundreds of acres of land were reportedly lost, and several public facilities remain abandoned or misused. The new administration has pledged to recover misappropriated assets and declared a policy of zero tolerance against corruption.

According to council sources, about 405 acres of land across five upazilas and 20 parliamentary constituencies are currently under illegal occupation. Several auditoriums and rest houses are also in disuse. The most serious allegations concern the unfinished 20-story “Dhaka Tower” project, initiated in 2011 with a budget exceeding Tk 160 crore and awarded to Toma Construction, linked to former state minister Mirza Azam. Despite partial payments of over Tk 53 crore, construction remains incomplete after 11 years.

Current administrator Yasin Ferdous Murad stated that the council had long been plagued by corruption and pledged to ensure transparency and accountability in all future projects, including completing the Dhaka Tower and reclaiming occupied lands.

Bangladeshi expatriates in Lebanon are enduring extreme hardship as continuous Israeli airstrikes have devastated key areas, destroying workplaces and cutting off livelihoods. Many of them, particularly in the southern regions of Sur and Nabatieh and in Beirut’s Dahieh suburb, have lost their jobs and homes. Some are now living under makeshift tents or in overcrowded shelters, struggling with food scarcity and insecurity. The situation has worsened over more than 40 days of bombardment, leaving no area fully safe.

According to the Bangladeshi Embassy in Beirut, over a thousand nationals have received humanitarian assistance. The embassy says it is maintaining constant contact with expatriates, issuing safety alerts through community networks, and coordinating relief efforts. However, migrants report that embassy support remains limited and that adapting to life in shared shelters with locals has been difficult due to cultural and dietary differences.

The ongoing conflict, intensified after late February regional tensions, continues to threaten the safety and livelihoods of Bangladeshi workers in Lebanon, with many still displaced and living in fear.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works is planning a new official residence for Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, designed with advanced safety and security features. According to ministry sources, the residence will include an underground bunker and tunnel to protect the Prime Minister and family from external threats. The design will follow modern standards used in other countries’ prime ministerial residences. The project is being developed after the former official residence, Ganabhaban, was converted into the July Uprising Memorial Museum.

Officials said the new residence will be located in a central area of Dhaka, with Minto Road, Hare Road, and Bailey Road under consideration. The site will be chosen to ensure easy access to the Secretariat, the Prime Minister’s Office, and other key government institutions. The Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department has been tasked with selecting the location, while discussions between the Prime Minister and the Housing Minister have already taken place.

The Prime Minister currently operates from his private residence in Gulshan-2 and uses the state guesthouse Jamuna for official events. Construction of the permanent residence will begin once the final location is approved.

Bangladesh’s new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is confronting an immediate diplomatic challenge as both the United States and China intensify efforts to expand their influence in Dhaka. The US has expressed concern over China’s growing presence, with Ambassador Brent Christensen pledging to counter Beijing’s influence, prompting a sharp response from the Chinese embassy. Analysts say this rivalry has created a new geopolitical equation for Bangladesh’s foreign policy.

The situation follows a period of heightened engagement during the previous interim government, when China deepened ties through infrastructure and defense cooperation, while the US pressed Dhaka to limit dependence on Beijing. Bangladesh recently signed a trade deal with Washington under pressure, which diplomats describe as geopolitically driven. Since taking office, Rahman’s government has faced renewed US pressure to implement the deal and finalize major purchases, including Boeing aircraft, while China has invited Dhaka to strengthen bilateral and political relations.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has stated that both the US and China are vital partners and that Bangladesh will maintain balanced relations guided by national interests. Analysts view the situation as both a challenge and an opportunity, urging cautious diplomacy to preserve strategic autonomy.

Several major cricket and football matches will be broadcast live on television tonight, according to the schedule released on April 13, 2026. The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 fixture between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi will air live at 8 p.m. on T Sports and Tapmad. Football fans can watch the English Premier League clash between Manchester United and Leeds United live at 1 a.m. on Star Sports and Toffee Live. Additional European football matches include Levante versus Getafe in La Liga, airing at 1 a.m. on Fancode and Bet365, and Fiorentina versus Lazio in Serie A, airing at 12:45 a.m. on Bet365.

The broadcast lineup highlights a busy night for sports enthusiasts, offering simultaneous coverage of top-tier cricket and football competitions across multiple platforms. The schedule reflects the growing availability of international sports content on Bangladeshi television and streaming services, catering to diverse viewer interests.

These live telecasts are expected to attract strong viewership among cricket and football fans, particularly given the prominence of the teams and leagues featured.

Bangladesh is experiencing a major energy crisis, with 65 percent of its power generation capacity currently inactive. Out of a total capacity of 32,322 megawatts, only 10,000 to 10,500 megawatts are being added daily to the national grid. Officials from the Power Division and related agencies said the Power Development Board paid over Tk 26,000 crore in capacity charges in one fiscal year. They blamed the previous Awami League government’s policies for the current crisis, citing mismanagement and corruption in the energy sector.

Gas-based plants, with a capacity of 12,000 megawatts, are producing only about 4,000 megawatts due to gas shortages, while coal-based plants are generating 4,500 megawatts out of 7,500. Oil-based plants are also underperforming. Experts warned that if the fuel crisis continues, the country could face severe power disruptions as summer demand rises to 18,000 megawatts. The interim government has published a white paper alleging Tk 1.25 trillion in corruption in the power and energy sectors during the Awami League’s 15-year rule.

Officials said the government is struggling to maintain supply despite having 32,000 megawatts of installed capacity, while unpaid bills exceeding Tk 50,000 crore threaten future energy imports and production.

The United States military, under President Donald Trump’s directive, is set to begin a naval blockade around Iran starting Monday morning, according to the US Central Command. Iran has warned that while the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to civilian vessels, no military ships will be allowed to pass. The blockade follows a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, after which Iran effectively closed the strait, a route that carries about 20 percent of the world’s energy supply, triggering global energy instability.

In response, Gulf countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia are moving to secure alternative routes. Qatar has lifted all maritime restrictions, while Saudi Arabia announced that its east-west pipeline, previously damaged by Iranian attacks, is now fully operational. This pipeline can transport up to seven million barrels of oil daily, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz entirely. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s Manifa oil field is ready to supply an extra 300,000 barrels per day.

Amid the ongoing crisis, Gulf nations are relying on new strategies and alternative routes to sustain their economies, as uncertainty over the Hormuz Strait continues.

Israel has intensified its attacks on Lebanon’s southern border areas since February 28, coinciding with its joint offensive with the United States against Iran. According to reports, Israeli forces have destroyed entire villages in southern Lebanon, including Tayba, Naqoura, and Deir Saryan. The Guardian analyzed videos posted by the Israeli military showing widespread explosions across these villages, though satellite verification has not yet been confirmed.

The destruction reportedly followed an order from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who instructed forces to demolish all houses along the Lebanon border, similar to operations in Gaza’s Rafah and Beit Hanoun. Israel claims the strikes target Hezbollah tunnels and military sites, asserting that the group operates from civilian areas. The military also plans to establish a “security zone” from the border to the Litani River, barring displaced residents from returning until northern Israel’s security is ensured.

Human rights organizations have condemned the campaign as unlawful destruction of civilian property, calling it a potential war crime under international law. A Human Rights Watch researcher said the justification for razing entire villages is unfounded.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) saw a festive atmosphere at its Nayapaltan headquarters as the deadline for submitting nominations for reserved women’s seats in the 13th Parliament ended on Sunday. More than 1,200 nomination forms were sold over three days, and over 900 completed forms were submitted by female leaders. Although the official deadline was 5 p.m., submissions continued until 9 p.m., and the party decided to accept additional forms on Monday.

According to party sources, the BNP’s parliamentary board will now verify the submitted biographies before shortlisting candidates for interviews and development plan discussions. The party has 36 reserved seats but may review over 100 candidates. Interviews are scheduled to begin on April 16, led by Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan after his return from medical treatment. Selection will consider regional representation, with special attention to districts where BNP candidates lost in the general election.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi warned of disciplinary action against any misconduct toward celebrity aspirants, emphasizing that organizational ability and intellect will guide the final selection.