BNP leader and Qatar expatriate Nurul Mostafa Khokon has donated Tk 1.2 million from his personal funds to renovate the Sandwip Upazila Health Complex in Chattogram. The initiative aims to address long-standing issues such as poor sanitation, lack of seating for patients, and inadequate cleanliness. The donation will fund repainting, toilet repairs, installation of 100 chairs, and the appointment of a full-time cleaner. A representative has already been sent to assess the hospital’s needs. The initiative began after Khokon attended a parliamentary session where the health minister urged wealthy citizens to assist in improving healthcare facilities due to limited government funds. Khokon immediately pledged to support the renovation of the neglected Sandwip hospital. Local residents and BNP leaders have praised his humanitarian gesture, describing it as a model for others. Health officials said the contribution will help improve patient services and working conditions for staff. The hospital, long plagued by staff shortages and poor infrastructure, is expected to see significant improvement once the renovation is complete.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam said efforts are underway to bring home the body of Bangladeshi woman Dipali Khatun, who was killed in an Israeli attack in Lebanon two days ago. She made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while speaking to journalists after a meeting with the local Hindu community at her home in Laskaradia village, Nagarkanda upazila of Faridpur. The minister stated that the foreign ministry has already contacted Dipali’s sister and family. She explained that due to the ongoing war situation in Lebanon, flight operations are not currently favorable for immediate repatriation. However, both the foreign ministry and the Bangladesh mission in Lebanon are working to bring the body back as soon as possible. Shama Obaid added that the government is taking steps to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates in the Middle East, including relocating them to safer areas. She said arrangements are being made to repatriate those unable to return due to security concerns, and some Bangladeshis have already been brought back on chartered flights.

Liverpool returned to winning form after three consecutive defeats across all competitions. Playing at their home ground Anfield, coach Arne Slot’s side defeated visiting Fulham 2-0. The goals came from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah, marking a crucial turnaround for the Reds after a difficult run. Before this match, Liverpool had suffered three straight losses: 2-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, 4-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals, and 2-0 to defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. In another Premier League development, Arsenal stumbled in their title race after a 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth. With 32 matches played, Arsenal remain on 70 points, while second-placed Manchester City trail by nine points but have two games in hand. City’s upcoming match against Chelsea could further narrow the gap.

Barcelona recovered from their Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat with a commanding 4-1 victory over Espanyol in La Liga. The match, held at the Nou Camp, saw Ferran Torres score twice, while Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford added one goal each. Paul Lozano netted Espanyol’s only goal. The win strengthened Barcelona’s position at the top of the league table with 79 points from 31 matches, including 26 wins, one draw, and four losses, placing them nine points ahead of Real Madrid. Real Madrid, meanwhile, continued to struggle in April after a strong March. The team has failed to win any of their three matches this month, dropping points in all. On Friday night, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Girona at the Santiago Bernabéu. Earlier, they lost to Mallorca in La Liga and to Bayern Munich 2-1 in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. The results have tightened Barcelona’s grip on the title race while Real Madrid’s recent slump threatens their championship hopes.

The first phase of direct talks between delegations from Iran and the United States has concluded, according to a report by Al Jazeera citing a close source in Pakistan, which acted as a mediator. The discussions marked a significant step in the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries, though no details of the agenda or outcomes were disclosed. Following the conclusion of the initial round, both delegations exchanged written messages, the source said. The Iranian delegation has since departed Pakistan, where the talks were held. The report did not specify the content of the messages or the next steps in the negotiation process. While the talks have ended for now, the completion of this first phase suggests that further discussions may follow, though no timeline or official statement has been released.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to continue waging war against Iran and its allies. In a post on social media platform X, he declared that under his leadership, Israel would persist in fighting what he called Iran’s terrorist regime and its partners. Netanyahu also criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of cooperating with Iran and being responsible for genocide against the Kurds. The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, reflects ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as strained relations between Israel and Turkey. Netanyahu’s remarks come amid a broader regional climate of confrontation and mutual accusations among Middle Eastern powers. The comments suggest that Israel’s leadership intends to maintain a hardline stance toward Iran and its regional allies, potentially deepening existing geopolitical rifts in the region.

Pope Leo, the first American in the history of the Catholic Church to hold the papal office, reiterated his opposition to the ongoing U.S.-Israel war in Iran during an evening prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica. He declared that displays of power and devotion to wealth had gone far enough, emphasizing that war itself had gone far enough. His remarks followed earlier statements in which he condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions against Iran as unacceptable and urged all sides to pursue a fair settlement through dialogue. Although Pope Leo did not mention the United States or Trump by name in his latest address, many observers interpreted his message as directed toward American leaders who have justified the conflict on religious grounds while asserting military superiority. His continued stance underscores the Vatican’s consistent call for peace amid escalating tensions in the region. The appeal comes as reports indicate that U.S.-Iran discussions remain ongoing, and Washington has agreed to return seized Iranian assets, signaling potential diplomatic movement.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that two US Navy guided-missile destroyers, USS Frank E. Petersen and USS Michael Murphy, have crossed the Strait of Hormuz. According to a statement posted on X, the operation aims to verify that the waterway is free from naval mines allegedly planted by Iran. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated in another post that the US has begun establishing a new maritime route to promote the free flow of commerce. He added that this secure route will soon be shared with the maritime industry to facilitate safe navigation in the region. The statement, citing BBC as a source, indicates that the operation is part of broader efforts to ensure maritime security and maintain open trade routes through one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.

According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, discussions between Iranian and United States delegations have continued for more than four hours as of April 11, 2026. The report states that both sides took short breaks during the meeting for consultations and rest before resuming the talks. No official information has been released regarding the conclusion of the discussions. The report, citing Al Jazeera, notes that it remains unclear whether the negotiations will extend further. The ongoing dialogue reflects continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries, though the specific agenda or outcomes have not been disclosed. As of the latest update, neither side has provided details about progress or next steps, leaving the duration and results of the talks uncertain.

According to a source close to the Iranian delegation cited by Al Jazeera, the United States has agreed to return Iran’s seized funds or assets. The Iranian delegation joined the discussions following Washington’s decision to release the assets. The report indicates that this move fulfills one of the key demands in Iran’s ten-point plan. Despite the reported agreement, there has been no official comment from Washington regarding the decision to return the assets. The discussions between the two sides were still continuing four hours after they began, according to the same report. The development comes amid broader regional tensions and diplomatic efforts involving both nations. Further details about the timing or mechanism of the asset release were not disclosed in the report, leaving uncertainty about the next steps in the negotiation process.

Renowned Bangladeshi physician Professor Kamrul Islam, known for performing over two thousand kidney transplants free of charge and recipient of the Independence Award, has reportedly become a victim of extortion. The incident has sparked widespread discussion across the country. Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman addressed the issue in a Facebook post on Saturday, demanding visible punishment for those responsible. In his post, Rahman described Dr. Kamrul Islam as a compassionate doctor and friend of the poor, widely respected for his humanitarian service. He alleged that a politically backed extortion group had long been pressuring the doctor for illegal payments, which he consistently refused. Rahman criticized the group for showing disrespect and misconduct toward such a distinguished medical professional. Rahman further stated that it is clear who is depriving the public of the social service provided by figures like Dr. Kamrul Islam, urging strong action against the perpetrators. He concluded his post with prayers for the doctor’s dignity and for justice against the offenders.

Three Iranian aircraft carrying a 70-member delegation landed at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, shortly after the start of US-Iran discussions in Islamabad aimed at establishing lasting peace in the Middle East. The planes arrived from Tehran about an hour after the talks began, but the identities of the passengers and the purpose of their visit were not immediately known. The aircraft belong to Pouya Air, a company known to be linked with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force and Aerospace Force. They reportedly departed from Mehrabad International Airport, which was recently damaged by US and Israeli strikes. Iranian sources told Al Jazeera that as the discussions entered a more detailed phase, some experts from Iran might travel to Pakistan. The Washington Post earlier reported that the Trump administration planned to request the release of Americans detained in Iran as part of the talks. However, it remains unclear whether the Islamabad discussions or the sudden Iranian flights are connected to any prisoner release negotiations.

Expert-level discussions between Iran and the United States have begun in Islamabad, according to a Pakistani foreign ministry official. The talks are focused on reviewing the technical aspects of proposals exchanged by both sides. The meeting follows earlier high-level discussions held with Pakistani mediators, which two government officials described as positive. A report from the White House press pool cited a U.S. official confirming that American technical experts are present in Islamabad, supported by additional specialists from Washington. The Iranian delegation includes Central Bank Governor Dr. Nasser Hemmati and other technical experts. The discussions are continuing after four hours, indicating sustained engagement between the two sides. The talks mark a continuation of diplomatic efforts facilitated by Pakistan, with both delegations emphasizing technical review and expert participation as they explore potential areas of cooperation or resolution.

French President Emmanuel Macron held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the regional situation and the ceasefire between Iran and the United States. The discussion took place amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, with both leaders emphasizing the need for restraint and adherence to ceasefire agreements. Macron stated on social media platform X that they first discussed the situation in the Middle East and called on all parties to respect the ceasefire and ensure that it includes Lebanon. He added that both sides urged respect for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and stressed the importance of achieving a strong and lasting diplomatic solution. The conversation reflects continued diplomatic engagement between France and Turkey over regional security and efforts to prevent further escalation between Iran and the United States.

Gopalganj-2 Member of Parliament Dr. KM Babor announced that train operations between Dhaka and Gopalganj will begin in the last week of April. He also stated that from Pahela Baishakh, the Dhaka-Benapole train will make a stop at Muksudpur station. The announcement came during a reception event organized by chairmen of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila, where Dr. Babor attended as the chief guest. Dr. Babor said the new train service will fulfill a long-standing demand of Gopalganj residents, allowing them to travel to Dhaka, Benapole, and Rajshahi at lower cost and in less time. He added that the service will accelerate the district’s economic development. Criticizing the previous government, he questioned why a Dhaka route and an EPZ were not established earlier to create local employment opportunities. He also mentioned ongoing water supply problems in Gopalganj municipality and urged local chairmen to stand by the poor and resist drugs, theft, and terrorism. The event was chaired by Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Kaushik Ahmed and attended by local officials and political representatives.