Delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan are meeting in Urumqi, Xinjiang, for peace talks mediated by China to end renewed border clashes that began on February 22. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed the meeting on Friday, noting that both sides welcomed Beijing’s initiative and expressed willingness to continue discussions. China had earlier sent special envoys to Islamabad and Kabul in March to facilitate dialogue.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andarabi said Islamabad seeks a “permanent solution” and will raise its core concerns during the talks, emphasizing that peace depends on Kabul taking credible action against groups using Afghan territory to attack Pakistan. Meanwhile, Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi stated that Kabul’s delegation joined the talks at China’s request, aiming for balanced and ethical engagement based on good neighborly relations.

The renewed talks follow earlier mediation efforts by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey after border clashes last October. Both sides now hope the Chinese-led dialogue will strengthen trade and security cooperation.

BNP Standing Committee member and Prime Minister’s political adviser Mirza Abbas is showing signs of recovery after being admitted to Singapore General Hospital. On Friday morning, he was moved from the Coronary Care Unit to a cabin as his condition improved. BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan confirmed that Abbas is gradually recovering under medical supervision and is now able to speak with others to a limited extent.

Another BNP Standing Committee member and Prime Minister’s adviser, Nazrul Islam Khan, also traveled to Singapore on Tuesday for medical treatment at the National University Hospital. Party leaders and activists have expressed their wishes for the quick recovery of both senior leaders.

Mirza Abbas had lost consciousness during iftar on March 11 and was initially admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where he underwent two brain surgeries before being transferred to Singapore on March 15 for advanced treatment.

The United States’ national debt has exceeded $39 trillion just weeks after the start of the war against Iran, according to Treasury data released on March 18, 2026. The Congressional Budget Office reported that the federal budget deficit grew by another $1 trillion in the first five months of the fiscal year, with the government borrowing about $500 billion weekly. Analysts warn that under President Donald Trump’s policies, the debt could reach $64 trillion within a decade.

The debt surge reflects the combined impact of war spending, tax cuts, higher defense budgets, and immigration control costs. Interest payments alone have risen sharply, costing over $43 billion in the first five months. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and other economists have cautioned that the debt trajectory poses long-term risks, while the White House insists deficit reduction measures are beginning to take effect.

Financial institutions such as JPMorgan and experts like Ray Dalio and Janet Yellen have also warned that the growing debt burden could constrain investment, raise borrowing costs, and weaken the government’s ability to manage inflation and unemployment.

Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi, a long-standing cultural organization known for its progressive stance, is facing a severe internal crisis following a controversial caricature of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina displayed on March 25 during Genocide Day events near the Central Shaheed Minar. The artwork, portraying Hasina in a demonic form, sparked outrage among pro-Hasina leftists, journalists, and activists, who accused the organizers of engaging in anti-state activities. The dispute has deepened existing divisions within Udichi, which now operates under two rival committees.

Founded in 1968 by Satyen Sen and Ronesh Dasgupta, Udichi has often been accused of promoting Indian cultural influence and Islamophobia under the banner of progressivism. Critics claim the group failed to resist state repression during Hasina’s rule and alienated the majority by undermining religious values. The organization’s leadership remains split between factions led by Mahmud Selim–Amit Ranjan Dey and Habibul Alam–Jamshed Anwar Tapon, each accusing the other of deviation from Udichi’s original ideals.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that Udichi’s fragmentation reflects the decline of India-aligned cultural politics in Bangladesh, as public sentiment shifts against imported ideological narratives.

The Pentagon has confirmed that 13 US soldiers have been killed and 365 others injured so far in the ongoing war involving Iran. Among the injured are 247 members of the army, 63 navy sailors, 19 marines, and 36 air force personnel. The report was released on April 4, 2026.

According to the Pentagon, seven of the fatalities occurred at the hands of opposing forces, six were killed in Iranian attacks in Kuwait, and one soldier died in Saudi Arabia after being wounded. The report did not clarify whether any crew members from US warplanes downed or attacked by Iranian forces on Friday were included in the casualty figures.

The information was sourced from Xinhua, and further details about the extent of US aircraft losses or additional casualties remain unclear.

Sixty-eight leaders from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami are serving as members of the 13th National Parliament, many of whom hold key party positions such as amir, nayebe amir, and central executive members. These MPs are finding it difficult to manage both their parliamentary and organizational duties, though they continue to perform their responsibilities diligently. Constituents’ expectations have also risen, with people frequently seeking assistance from their representatives.

Jamaat leaders, including Dhaka-12 MP Saiful Alam Khan Milon and Chapainawabganj-3 MP Nurul Islam Bulbul, acknowledged the challenges of balancing parliamentary work, party organization, and public service. They said administrative irregularities and long-standing complications make their work more difficult, but they remain committed to addressing them. MPs are also maintaining communication with constituents through local party leaders when parliamentary sessions keep them in Dhaka.

Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, who also serves as Leader of the Opposition, faces the heaviest workload. A team has been formed to assist him in managing constituency affairs while he fulfills his dual responsibilities in parliament and the party.

The Single Point Mooring (SPM) mega project built off the southwest coast of Maheshkhali Island at a cost of Tk 8,000 crore has yet to become operational. Completed in August 2024 under the previous Awami League government, the project was designed to unload crude oil directly from large tankers via undersea pipelines. However, a lack of storage facilities and complications in appointing an operator have left it idle, turning it into a major burden for the new government. The project was financed through Chinese loans and implemented by Eastern Refinery PLC with construction by China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited.

Officials and experts cited the project as an example of poor planning and politically motivated decision-making during the previous administration. They said the SPM was approved in 2015 without adequate feasibility studies and now faces controversy over tendering for maintenance contracts. Allegations have surfaced that former government-linked officials attempted to influence the process. The current government has pledged to review the project’s viability and investigate any irregularities.

Energy experts warned that without the launch of Eastern Refinery’s second unit, the SPM will remain largely underutilized, despite its potential to reduce oil unloading time and costs.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have jointly urged an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Middle East war. According to a Kremlin statement released on Friday, the two leaders made the appeal during a phone conversation, emphasizing the need for a negotiated peace agreement that considers the legitimate interests of all countries in the region.

The conflict began about a month ago following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, which subsequently spread across the Middle East. The Kremlin warned that the intensifying military confrontation is having negative effects not only regionally but also globally, particularly on energy, trade, and supply chains.

During the same call, Putin and Erdogan also discussed security in the Black Sea region. Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to attack gas transport infrastructure connecting Russia and Turkey. Gazprom reported that a drone attack on the TurkStream gas pipeline was thwarted on Thursday, a route that supplies gas to several European countries including Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia.

Iran has claimed that its air defense forces shot down a US A-10 Warthog fighter jet near the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian state television, the aircraft was destroyed through an air defense strike. The incident follows a report from Friday that another US F-15E Strike Eagle jet had crashed inside Iranian territory.

CBS News reported that the A-10 Warthog was participating in a rescue mission for the downed F-15E when it came under attack. It remains unclear whether the aircraft mentioned by Iran and the one cited by CBS are the same. During the rescue attempt, two additional US aircraft were also targeted, and the A-10 pilot ejected into the sea before being rescued. One of two helicopters involved in the operation was hit by small-arms fire, injuring several crew members, though it landed safely. The search for the second F-15E pilot continues.

US President Donald Trump told NBC News that the incident would not affect potential talks with Iran, describing it as part of wartime realities. The White House confirmed that the president had been fully briefed on the situation.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters spokesperson, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, announced that a US warplane was recently shot down using Iran’s new advanced defense system. In a televised statement, he said the aircraft was targeted south of Qeshm Island and crashed into the waters between Qeshm and Hengam islands. Zolfaghari argued that the incident disproves former US President Donald Trump’s claim that the United States had destroyed Iran’s air defense network.

The event is being portrayed as a demonstration of Iran’s growing military capability. It occurred against the backdrop of heightened political and military tension in the Middle East, where US air operations have been active. The report did not include any US response or independent verification of the incident.

The development may further strain US-Iran relations and influence ongoing regional security dynamics if confirmed, though details remain limited.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday for an unannounced visit amid the ongoing war in the Middle East. According to Al Jazeera, she is currently in Jeddah and plans to hold important meetings in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates during her two-day regional trip. This marks the first visit by a European Union leader to Saudi Arabia since the Iran–United States war began on February 28.

Meloni is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the trip. The visit aims to express Italy’s support for Arab allies facing Iranian attacks and to secure stable energy supplies for Italy amid rising global energy prices. Her engagements in the region are seen as part of efforts to strengthen diplomatic and energy cooperation with Gulf nations.

The visit underscores Italy’s intention to balance solidarity with regional partners and safeguard its national energy interests during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.

Major US media outlets reported that one crew member from an American fighter jet downed over Iran has been rescued. According to AFP from Washington, citing unnamed sources, Axios and CBS News said US special forces recovered one of the two crew members, while search operations continue for the second. The New York Times and Wall Street Journal identified the aircraft as an F-15E model, which typically carries a pilot and a weapons systems officer.

CNN reported that analysis of wreckage photos published by Iranian media also suggested the aircraft was an F-15, though some Iranian sources claimed it was an F-35 stealth jet. US media further noted that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the incident, but there has been no official comment from the White House or the Pentagon.

Reports added that specialized US forces are conducting rescue operations near the suspected crash site, with social media and Iranian outlets showing low-flying US helicopters and aircraft in the area.

The United Nations Security Council has postponed a scheduled vote on a draft resolution authorizing the use of defensive force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The 15-member council was expected to vote on Friday morning, but the session was rescheduled Thursday night due to the Good Friday holiday. No new date has been set for the vote.

The draft, backed by the United States, would allow member states to take necessary defensive measures individually or through a voluntary multinational naval coalition to secure navigation in the strait and nearby waters. The proposal follows Iran’s effective control of the strait after U.S.-Israeli attacks, which has disrupted global energy supplies. Diplomats said the text was revised several times to address concerns from Russia, China, and France, removing direct reference to Chapter VII of the UN Charter and emphasizing the defensive nature of any action.

Uncertainty remains over whether Russia and China, both with veto power, will support the measure. Analysts warn that potential vetoes could block the resolution, while energy prices continue to rise due to the disruption.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has congratulated the Bangladesh Under-20 football team for winning the SAFF U-20 Championship. In a message issued after the final match held on April 3, 2026, in Malé, Maldives, he extended greetings to the players, coaching staff, and all involved, expressing hope that such success will continue in the future.

The Prime Minister stated that the government has begun implementing plans to establish sports as a profession and that the young players’ achievement will inspire sports enthusiasts across the country. He praised the team’s unity and patriotism, saying their collective effort has proven that Bangladesh can continue its winning streak both at home and abroad.

Bangladesh defeated India 4–3 in a penalty shootout after a dramatic final that ended in a tie. This marks Bangladesh’s second consecutive SAFF U-20 title, following their previous win in 2024.

Bangladesh clinched the SAFF Under-20 Championship title after a dramatic final against India in Malé, Maldives. The match ended goalless in regulation time, leading to a tense penalty shootout where Bangladesh triumphed 4–3. Goalkeeper Mahin made a crucial early save, while Morshed, Chandan, and Fahim converted their shots. After a 3–3 tie following four rounds, India’s top scorer missed his final attempt, allowing Ronan Sullivan to seal victory with a composed finish.

Throughout the match, Bangladesh showed early dominance in possession and attack, though India increased pressure in the second half. Despite several counterattacks, neither side could score in open play. Declan Sullivan’s introduction added pace to Bangladesh’s offense, but missed chances kept the score level. The Malé Stadium crowd featured strong support from expatriate Bangladeshis, adding to the charged atmosphere.

With this win, Bangladesh reclaimed the SAFF Under-20 title, demonstrating resilience under pressure and tactical discipline against a familiar rival.