The United States military announced that it will begin blocking all Iranian ports starting Monday. According to the US Central Command, the blockade will start at 10 a.m. local time in Iran, equivalent to 2 p.m. GMT and 8 p.m. Bangladesh time. The military clarified that ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz to other countries will not be obstructed. US President Donald Trump said he ordered the move in response to what he called Iran’s deliberate failure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran will not bow to threats. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any military vessel approaching the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a violation of the current ceasefire. The situation follows the collapse of peace talks in Pakistan, which Trump said failed because Iran refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

Following the announcement, global oil prices surged above 100 dollars per barrel, reflecting market fears of supply disruptions linked to the new blockade.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a notification announcing the transfer of Dr. Nurunnahar Chowdhury, Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, to the Planning Commission as a member (secretary). The order was released on Sunday, April 12, 2026. In a separate notification, Zakaria, who had been serving as a member (secretary) of the Planning Commission, was appointed as the new Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping.

Dr. Nurunnahar Chowdhury was promoted to Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping on November 2 of the previous year, after serving as Additional Secretary in the Energy and Mineral Resources Division. She belongs to the 17th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) cadre. Zakaria was promoted to the rank of secretary on March 25 while serving as Chairman (Additional Secretary) of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority and was later posted to the Financial Institutions Division before being assigned to the Planning Commission.

The reshuffle reflects an administrative rotation among senior officials, aligning with the government’s ongoing personnel management practices.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly developing an AI clone of himself to attend meetings and provide feedback to employees, according to the Financial Times. The AI version is being trained on Zuckerberg’s image, voice, mannerisms, tone, and public statements so that employees can feel more connected to him through digital interactions. Zuckerberg is personally involved in training the avatar and spends several hours each week coding and reviewing Meta’s AI projects.

The Financial Times report adds that if the experiment with Zuckerberg’s AI avatar proves successful, Meta may allow creators to build their own AI avatars. In 2024, Meta demonstrated a live example of an AI persona for creators and began letting them create AI versions of themselves to respond to Instagram comments. The company also offers custom AI chatbots, though it recently restricted teen access to the feature.

A separate project, reported by The Wall Street Journal in March, involves Zuckerberg creating an AI agent to help him complete tasks, distinct from the avatar being developed for Meta’s internal use.

Iran’s armed forces have condemned the United States’ announced blockade of ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, describing it as illegal and an act of piracy. The statement, reported Monday by Iran’s state media IRIB, asserted that these ports must remain open to all or closed to all, emphasizing Iran’s right to defend its legal and territorial sovereignty.

The Iranian military declared that hostile vessels would not be allowed to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, while other ships could transit if they complied with Tehran’s regulations. The statement also said that a permanent system would be established to maintain control over this vital waterway amid ongoing threats against the nation.

Iran further warned that if the security of any of its ports was compromised, no other port in the region would remain safe. The statement concluded that US-imposed restrictions on international maritime movement were unlawful and amounted to piracy.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming daily life in Bangladesh, offering new opportunities in education, health, business, and communication. However, recent incidents highlight growing misuse of the technology. On April 10, 2026, a student at Pabna University of Science and Technology was expelled for using ChatGPT during an admission test, while on April 5, 2026, a man in Chattogram was arrested for creating a fake image of the home minister using AI. These cases reflect a broader trend of fraud, misinformation, and unethical use of AI tools.

The report warns that excessive reliance on AI is weakening critical thinking and creativity, especially among students. Deepfake technology and AI-generated content are blurring the line between truth and falsehood, making it difficult for people to verify information. This poses risks not only to individuals but also to national security and social stability.

The article calls for stronger digital awareness, tighter cybersecurity, and a clear national policy to regulate AI use. Without proper guidance and ethics, the country’s technological progress may come at the cost of social and moral decline.

Hungary’s long-serving nationalist leader Viktor Orbán was defeated in Sunday’s general election by the emerging center-right Tisza party, ending his 16-year rule. According to Reuters, the result marks a major setback for allies of Orbán and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The 62-year-old leader had been influential among conservatives in Europe and the United States, but his popularity declined amid economic stagnation, international isolation, and corruption allegations.

Led by 45-year-old Péter Magyar, the Tisza party secured a strong majority in the 199-seat parliament, with nearly all votes counted indicating 138 seats. Magyar said the victory would set Hungary on a new political path, enabling anti-corruption efforts and constitutional reform. Orbán conceded defeat, calling the result painful but clear, while many of his supporters were seen in tears during his televised address.

Analysts suggest the outcome could shift the European Union’s policy balance, potentially easing approval of major aid for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Magyar, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Hungary had chosen Europe.

Zohreh Kharazmi, an associate professor of World Studies at the University of Tehran, stated that US President Trump's threats regarding control of the Hormuz Strait will not alter Iran's negotiating stance. She argued that discussions about blocking the strait reflect a broader debate on resilience, noting that Iran recently sold 150 million barrels of oil and expanded ties with various countries to meet basic needs.

Kharazmi asserted that the United States is overestimating its ability to pressure Iran into changing its position. She emphasized that Iran is fully prepared for counterattacks and that control over the Hormuz Strait forms the core of the region's emerging security structure. She also suggested that a shift from the petrodollar to the petroyuan could bring significant global changes.

According to Kharazmi, Washington lacks the capacity to alter Tehran’s firm determination, underscoring Iran’s confidence in maintaining its strategic stance despite external pressure.

Australia has announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Susan Coyle as the new Chief of Army, marking the first time a woman will lead the Australian Army. The government confirmed that Coyle, currently serving as Chief of Joint Capabilities, will assume her new role in July, succeeding Lieutenant General Simon Stuart. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said this is the first time in the army’s 125-year history that a woman has been appointed to the top position.

Defense Minister Richard Marles described the appointment as a historic moment, noting that Coyle’s achievements will serve as an important source of inspiration for women serving in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The 55-year-old officer joined the army in 1987 and has held several key command positions throughout her career.

Women currently make up about 21 percent of the ADF, with 18.5 percent in senior leadership roles. The ADF aims to increase female representation to 25 percent by 2030, a goal that aligns with the significance of Coyle’s appointment.

A petition has been submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seeking action against former Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, former Health Adviser Dr. Nurjahan Begum, and others over alleged misappropriation of funds related to vaccine procurement. The application was filed on Monday, April 13, 2026, by Supreme Court lawyers Biplob Kumar Das and Barrister Sanaullah Nur-e-Sagar. It urges the ACC to investigate possible corruption and irregularities in the purchase and distribution of measles and other vaccines during the tenure of the former interim government.

The petition cites recent reports of a nationwide measles outbreak that has caused the deaths of over a hundred children, describing the situation as alarming. It notes that despite a substantial health budget of about Tk 42,000 crore, the interim government allegedly failed to procure and distribute vaccines on time. The applicants argue that this failure and the subsequent vaccine shortage contributed to the rise in measles cases and child deaths, calling for a thorough investigation in the public interest.

If the ACC proceeds, the investigation could determine whether any irregularities occurred in vaccine procurement under the previous administration.

Armed Police Battalion (APBn) officers seized 10,000 yaba tablets and arrested a Rohingya drug dealer during a pre-dawn raid in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on April 13, 2026. The operation took place at Block-B/18 of Camp-8/East in the Balukhali area, under the jurisdiction of the Panbazar Police Camp. Acting on a tip-off, police searched the home of Rohingya resident Md. Ilias and recovered the amphetamine-type tablets from a locked blue polypack hidden inside a black plastic bag.

According to police sources, the seized drugs were documented in the presence of witnesses. The arrested suspect, Md. Ilias, is the son of Nur Amin from the same camp. APBn commander Riaz Uddin Ahmed stated that operations against drugs and other crimes in the Rohingya camps are ongoing and will continue to be intensified. Legal proceedings are underway to file a regular case with Ukhiya Police Station.

The operation underscores continued law enforcement efforts to curb narcotics trafficking within the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman reaffirmed his party’s commitment to defending citizens’ rights and fulfilling promises made to the public. He made the remarks on Sunday night at a meeting with local dignitaries in Dhaka’s Kafrul West Thana, organized by the party’s Dhaka North unit. The event was chaired by Thana Ameer Abdul Matin Khan and conducted by Thana Secretary M. Atik Hasan Raihan, with several central and city-level leaders also addressing the gathering.

Dr. Rahman recalled his candidacy in the 2018 election under the 20-party alliance, alleging voter intimidation and violence during that poll. He said he withdrew then but was later elected after the July uprising, crediting voters’ trust in Jamaat’s pledge to build a corruption-free and humane society. He vowed to continue efforts to establish justice and equality, regardless of parliamentary status, and urged unity to create a Bangladesh free from oppression, corruption, and discrimination.

He emphasized that Jamaat remains determined to pursue change and will not be deterred by obstacles in its mission to secure citizens’ rights.

Iran’s navy chief Rear Admiral Shahram Irani has dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz as “extremely ridiculous.” In a statement published by Iranian media on April 13, 2026, Irani said that Iran’s naval forces are closely monitoring every movement of U.S. fleets in the region.

According to the report, Iran restricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after a joint U.S.-Israeli offensive began on February 28. Tehran has allowed ships from allied nations to pass but banned vessels linked to what it calls aggressive states and their supporters. Iran’s parliament is also advancing a draft law to impose transit fees in the national currency and to prohibit U.S. and Israeli ships entirely.

The Iranian health ministry reported that since February 28, joint force attacks have killed 2,076 people and injured more than 26,000. A U.S. cruise missile strike on a primary school in Minab on the same day killed 168 students, according to the ministry.

Iranian authorities have stated that the United States must take greater initiative if any agreement is to be reached to end the ongoing war. The government also called on its supporters to maintain control of the streets. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that during lengthy talks in Islamabad on Saturday, the U.S. delegation failed to gain the trust of the Iranian side.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the U.S. Navy would begin blocking any ships attempting to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the U.S. military was fully armed and ready to act against Iran. Iran’s judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei praised the delegation for defending the rights of government supporters, including paramilitary groups that have been gathering nightly for over six weeks in Tehran and other cities.

Several Iranian lawmakers expressed satisfaction that the talks produced no results, asserting that Iran holds an advantageous position in the conflict. Deputy Speaker Hamidreza Haji-Babai said only a UN resolution signaling U.S. surrender and lifting sanctions on Iran would be acceptable to the regime’s street supporters.

Folk singer Abul Sarkar, who was arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiments and defamation of religion, has been released on bail. He was freed from Kashimpur Central Jail-2 in Gazipur at 11:12 a.m. on Monday, confirmed jail superintendent Md. Abul Hossain. The High Court had granted him six months of interim bail on April 6, and his release papers reached the prison on Monday morning before verification and release.

According to the case details, Abul Sarkar was accused of making derogatory remarks about religion during a performance at the Khala Pagli Mela in Jabra, Ghior upazila of Manikganj, on November 4. A video of his comments spread on social media, sparking criticism. He was later detained by a team from the Manikganj Detective Branch on November 19 during a musical event in Madaripur.

Following his arrest, a case was filed at Ghior Police Station by Mufti Md. Abdullah, and Sarkar was sent to jail through the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court of Manikganj.

Former Jubo Dal leader Moin Uddin, the prime accused in an extortion case at CKD Urology Hospital in Dhaka’s Shyamoli area, allegedly demanded Tk 5 lakh, according to Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Ahsan Habib Palash. He disclosed this during a press briefing at Ramna Park on Monday after inspecting RAB’s security arrangements for the Bengali New Year 1433 celebrations.

RAB stated earlier in a text message that Moin and six others had been arrested in connection with the case. The other detainees were identified as Suman, Liton, Md. Falan Mia, Md. Rubel, Md. Swapan Kazi, and Md. Shawon Hossain. CCTV footage reportedly showed Moin arriving at the hospital on April 10 at 8:40 p.m. with associates, threatening staff while demanding money using the name of Jubo Dal.

The hospital, led by Dr. Kamrul Islam, is known for providing free kidney transplants to over 2,000 patients. Dr. Islam received the Independence Award in 2022 for his humanitarian contributions.