Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed readiness for Russia to act as a mediator in resolving ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. According to a report published on April 12 by Roya News, Putin informed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian of Moscow’s willingness to assist in political and diplomatic solutions to regional tensions. A Kremlin statement reaffirmed Russia’s preparedness to help reduce tensions and promote dialogue among the involved parties, emphasizing support for broader international efforts toward a fair and lasting peace in the region.

The initiative comes after the failure of recent Iran–United States discussions held in Pakistan. Following the talks, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated that no agreement was reached and that Tehran had rejected Washington’s proposal. In response, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said both sides had reached understandings on several issues but still differed on two to three key points.

Roya News noted that Putin’s phone call with Pezeshkian reflects Russia’s active engagement in Middle Eastern crises and its effort to position itself as a key mediator.

After nearly 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad, peace talks between the United States and Iran ended without any progress. Both delegations left the venue after failing to reach consensus on several critical issues, according to the Arabic-language outlet Al Jarida.

The report identified six main reasons for the breakdown: disagreement over a permanent ceasefire in Lebanon involving Hezbollah, disputes about the release of Iran’s frozen assets, and U.S. demands to halt uranium enrichment and remove enriched uranium under international supervision. Additional points of contention included restrictions on Iran’s missile and drone programs, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and Washington’s refusal to pay compensation for damages from a February 28 U.S.-Israeli military strike.

These fundamental differences prevented any advancement in the peace process, leaving future dialogue between the two nations uncertain.

Chief Whip of the National Parliament Md. Nurul Islam stated that democracy is a matter of mutual trust between the government and the opposition. He made the remarks on Sunday at the National Parliament complex while briefing journalists after the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected MPs Md. Rezaul Karim Badsha and Md. Mahmudul Haque Rubel. During the event, the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged members to seek administrative help or inform him if problems arise, emphasizing that no one should take the law into their own hands.

Addressing the energy crisis, the Chief Whip said the Prime Minister allocated an additional subsidy of 360 billion taka to resolve the issue, stressing that national resources should serve public welfare rather than be siphoned abroad. He also mentioned that a special parliamentary committee reviewed 133 ordinances, recommending amendments to 16 and passing 117 within five days, marking a record in Bangladesh’s legislative history.

The Chief Whip expressed disappointment over the opposition’s walkout over minor amendments but acknowledged it as part of democratic practice. He also discussed plans to enrich the July Museum by integrating historical movements from 1971 to 2024.

A Dhaka court has sentenced one person to death and seven others to life imprisonment for the murder of Sheikh Kalam and Zahid Khan in Nawabganj, committed seven years ago during a robbery attempt. The verdict was delivered on Sunday afternoon by Acting Additional District and Sessions Judge-8 Muhammad Munir Hossain. Bench Assistant Md. Sajib confirmed the information. The death sentence was handed to Sheikh Nasir, 48, who was also fined 20,000 taka. The seven others received life imprisonment and fines of 50,000 taka each, with two of them remaining absconding during the verdict.

According to the case details, the victims were attacked while traveling by motorcycle on a rural road in Nawabganj. The assailants blocked the road with a banana tree to stop them and then attacked with sharp weapons and sticks, leaving both men fatally injured. Locals and police arrived after hearing their cries, but the attackers fled. The victims were taken to Nawabganj Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared them dead.

Police investigation led to a charge sheet filed in January 2021, and the court later began trial proceedings, hearing testimony from 18 of 37 witnesses.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir held separate meetings with German Ambassador Dr. Rüdiger Lotz and Swedish Ambassador Niclas Wik at his office in the Secretariat on Sunday afternoon. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the two European nations.

During the meeting with the German envoy, the minister emphasized Europe’s importance as a key export destination for Bangladesh and called for German investment in the light engineering, textile, and leather sectors. He noted that the government is working to remove non-tariff barriers and create an investment-friendly environment. Dr. Lotz expressed Germany’s interest in deepening trade relations, improving skill development, and ensuring a level playing field for businesses.

In the subsequent meeting with the Swedish ambassador, both sides discussed enhancing trade and investment ties. The minister said steps have been taken to remove non-tariff barriers with Sweden, while Ambassador Wik expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh’s telecom sector, citing Sweden’s global leadership in that field.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a renewed warning against Iran, declaring on his social media platform Truth Social that the United States is 'locked and loaded' and will 'finish off' Iran at an 'appropriate time.' His statement came shortly after U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, ended without any agreement.

The failed discussions in Pakistan highlighted the ongoing diplomatic deadlock between the two countries. Trump’s remarks signaled that despite continued diplomatic efforts, Washington is keeping military options open. The timing of his statement, just hours after the talks collapsed, underscored rising tensions between the two nations.

Following the breakdown of negotiations, international observers are closely watching how the situation evolves, as the growing strain between Washington and Tehran could have significant regional and global implications.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday sentenced former Youth League leader M H Babu Patwari to two months of rigorous imprisonment for contempt of court. The verdict was delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumdar. Patwari, a former central vice-president of the banned Chhatra League, had posted a Facebook statement alleging large-scale corruption involving tribunal officials and others over a death sentence in a July massacre case.

Before the verdict, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam made an unusual appeal to the tribunal to reduce the sentence, despite representing the state. The tribunal initially decided on a one-year term, later reducing it to three months, and finally to two months following repeated requests from the chief prosecutor. The move surprised observers and raised questions about the prosecutor’s impartiality.

During the hearing, Patwari and his wife both sought unconditional apologies. Investigators testified that his Facebook account was still active and linked him to a group accused of spreading false propaganda online. The tribunal found his claim of reposting the content untrue before announcing the sentence.

U.S. President Donald Trump has again taken a firm stance on Iran’s nuclear program, declaring that Iran will never possess nuclear weapons. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iran remains unwilling to abandon its nuclear ambitions. He acknowledged some progress in discussions but suggested that continued military readiness could serve as an alternative to diplomacy.

Trump emphasized that his main concern is the potential for an unstable and unpredictable nation to gain nuclear capability. His remarks come at a time when diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran continue, yet both sides remain far apart on key nuclear issues.

The statement underscores persistent tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Trump reaffirming his uncompromising approach to Iran’s nuclear aspirations despite ongoing negotiations.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Shafiqur Rahman, has questioned how the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) can claim ownership of the 1971 Liberation War when the party did not exist at that time. He raised the issue during a meeting with families of July martyrs and freedom fighters, criticizing BNP’s assertion that both 1971 and later political milestones belong to them.

Rahman acknowledged that former president Ziaur Rahman made a declaration during the war and fought in it, but argued that giving all credit to one individual undermines the contributions of other fighters. He said that while Zia’s role deserves respect, the collective effort of all freedom fighters must also be recognized.

Criticizing the Awami League, Rahman said the ruling party also tried to monopolize the Liberation War narrative in the past, labeling Ziaur Rahman in derogatory terms. He called for an end to such divisive politics surrounding the war’s legacy.

A youth identified as Imon, known locally as Alex Imon and leader of the teen gang 'Alex Group', was hacked to death in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on Sunday afternoon. The attack occurred around 4:30 p.m. near the embankment slope on Buddhijibi Road, where several rivals assaulted him with sharp weapons. He was taken to Suhrawardy Hospital but died while undergoing treatment.

Police said the violence stemmed from a turf conflict between the 'Alex Imon Group' and the 'Arman-Shahrukh Group'. Officers detained three suspects—Md. Saif (23), Tuhin (20), and Md. Rabbi Kazi (25)—from the scene and recovered three machetes, a cutter, and a steel plate. CCTV footage showed armed groups chasing each other before Imon was fatally attacked.

According to police, Alex Imon was a known gang leader in the Rayerbazar area with multiple criminal cases, including robbery and murder. The long-standing rivalry between the two groups reportedly led to the deadly confrontation.

US President Donald Trump has announced a blockade on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, hours after talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad collapsed, according to Al Jazeera. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said US forces would take swift action to control vessels passing through the strait. He added that ships paying tolls to Iran in international waters would be intercepted by the US Navy, warning that those making such payments would not be guaranteed safe passage.

Tensions in the region have been rising since a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran on February 28. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route through which about 20 percent of the world’s energy supply passes. Disruptions in its operation have already created uncertainty in global energy markets.

The announcement marks a new escalation in US-Iran tensions, with both sides signaling firm stances over control of the strategic waterway.

After leaving Pakistan, US Vice President JD Vance stated that Washington had presented its best and final offer. However, reports suggest that indirect communication between the United States and Iran continues through Pakistan, according to the BBC. Neither side has officially confirmed these behind-the-scenes discussions, but their existence indicates that diplomatic channels remain open.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said they never expected a final agreement to be reached in a single meeting. This reflects how both sides are presenting different narratives to their domestic audiences, making the true situation difficult to assess.

Meanwhile, the ongoing ceasefire remains extremely fragile. Its future, the risk of global instability, and the fate of civilians caught in the conflict all hang in uncertainty.

Bangladesh Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque has said that the country cannot return to an era of medieval brutality in the name of defending religion. In a statement to the media on Sunday, he strongly condemned and protested the killing of Pir Abdur Rahman, also known as Shamim Reza, on April 11 in Philipnagar of Daulatpur upazila, Kushtia district.

Haque stated that a group of assailants carried out a planned attack with rods and sticks, vandalized the shrine, dragged Pir Abdur Rahman from the second floor, and beat him to death before leaving the scene. He said the incident demonstrated the alarming rise of mob violence reminiscent of the previous interim government period and held the current government responsible for failing to prevent such acts. He also cited earlier incidents of shrine vandalism and desecration that went unpunished.

He urged the government to immediately arrest and prosecute those involved in the killing and to ensure justice for all shrine-related violence. Haque also called on all devout citizens to speak out against such killings.

This year’s Hajj flight operations will begin on April 17, with Prime Minister Tarek Rahman scheduled to inaugurate the program that night. The announcement was made by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) after a meeting of the National Committee on Hajj Management held at the Secretariat on April 12, which was chaired by the Prime Minister.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister instructed officials on how to serve pilgrims properly, emphasizing that no injustice or misconduct toward Hajj participants would be tolerated. The minister added that the Prime Minister is highly attentive to the welfare of pilgrims and plans to visit the Hajj camp personally within a few days to observe preparations.

Concerns have been raised about potential complications in Hajj flights due to rising fuel prices. When asked about this, the minister expressed confidence that there would be no difficulties, describing the pilgrims as “guests of Allah” and assuring that all necessary arrangements would be made.

Islami Bank’s board of directors has placed its Managing Director, Md. Omar Faruk Khan, on one and a half months of leave effective from April 13, 2026. According to bank sources, the decision will take effect from tomorrow. Khan had originally applied for a 15-day leave starting April 28, but the board extended the duration and adjusted the dates to run from April 13 to May 31.

The bank’s chairman, Dr. M. Zubaidur Rahman, could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts by reporters. Omar Faruk Khan was appointed as the Managing Director of Islami Bank in August of the previous year.

No official explanation for the extended leave has been provided by the bank, and it remains unclear whether an acting managing director has been appointed during Khan’s absence.