Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Raiqul Uddin took an unusual step by working on a government holiday to address administrative delays. On Saturday, April 11, 2026, he was seen in his office reviewing and signing pending files to reduce the long-standing backlog and improve the pace of official work. The initiative aimed to ensure faster decision-making and greater efficiency in university administration.

Students and administrative staff welcomed the vice-chancellor’s decision, describing it as a positive example of dedication and direct supervision. Dr. Uddin stated that his main goal was to minimize bureaucratic delays, noting that some files had previously remained pending for up to four months. He emphasized that such efforts were necessary to bring momentum to official activities.

Observers within the university believe that the vice-chancellor’s hands-on approach could play a significant role in resolving administrative bottlenecks and improving overall institutional efficiency.

Masko Group has launched its annual drain cleaning program in the Sataish area of Tongi, Gazipur. The initiative was formally inaugurated on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. by the company’s General Manager, Nazmul Huda Ahmed. He stated that the program aims to reduce the suffering of workers and residents by ensuring smoother movement and minimizing waterlogging in the area.

Several company officials, including Nasir Uddin, Gazi Md. Moniruzzaman, Ruhul Amin Ripon, and Senior Manager Md. Borhan Uddin, attended the event. Local residents and workers expressed hope that the regular cleaning effort would significantly reduce stagnant water problems that often persist for days after rainfall. Business owners also noted that improved drainage could positively impact local commerce by attracting more customers.

According to Masko Group, the cleaning operation will continue for seven consecutive working days. Organizers expect that the initiative will substantially reduce waterlogging and ease public inconvenience in the Sataish area once completed.

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated that if discussions with the United States take place in Islamabad, there is a possibility of reaching an understanding that could benefit both sides and the wider world. His remarks were shared in a statement on social media platform X, where he outlined Iran’s position ahead of potential talks.

The statement warned that if pro-Israel representatives are present in the discussions, no agreement would be possible. Aref added that in such a case, Iran’s defensive measures would continue with greater intensity, which could lead to higher costs for the global community. The comments came as Tehran issued a firm message before the talks, emphasizing its readiness to respond strongly if provoked.

The discussions in Islamabad are reportedly complicated by issues surrounding Iran’s assets and a ceasefire in Lebanon, with the United Nations Secretary-General having called on both Iran and the United States to engage constructively.

Md. Saiful Islam, Deputy Director of the Public Relations, Information and Publication Office at Jagannath University, has achieved second place in the 2022 Master’s final examination in Mass Media and Journalism with first-class results. He earned the degree under the National University from the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB), and the results were published recently.

Earlier, Saiful Islam also secured fifth place with first-class results in the Post Graduate Diploma examination from the same institution. His consistent academic excellence has drawn appreciation from colleagues. Observers believe that such achievements, alongside professional responsibilities, serve as an inspiration for others.

The recognition highlights the balance between professional duties and academic pursuit within the university’s administrative community.

Iran has sent a delegation to Islamabad for discussions aimed at ending ongoing hostilities but signaled a firm stance ahead of the talks. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said the delegation’s presence shows Tehran’s willingness for dialogue, yet emphasized that Iran’s 'finger will remain on the trigger.' The statement was reported by Al Jazeera, citing Iran’s Mehr news agency.

Mohajerani stated that Iran believes in dialogue and rationality but does not trust the United States. She added that Tehran will not compromise on its sovereign rights and is participating in the talks with extreme caution. Analysts noted that the remarks reflect both Iran’s interest in negotiations and its deep mistrust, which could complicate the Islamabad discussions.

The talks are expected to address issues including Iran’s assets and a ceasefire in Lebanon, though the firm tone from Tehran suggests limited room for concessions.

Government employees in Bangladesh could enjoy a continuous five-day holiday this week if they manage two days of personal leave. According to the official holiday schedule, April 14, Tuesday, will be a public holiday for Pahela Baishakh, the Bengali New Year. By taking leave on Wednesday and Thursday, April 15 and 16, employees can extend their break through the weekend.

Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18, are regular weekly holidays in Bangladesh, completing the five-day stretch. The opportunity follows shortly after the long Eid-ul-Fitr holidays that employees recently enjoyed. The arrangement offers a chance for extended rest or travel without requiring significant additional leave.

The report highlights how strategic leave planning around national and weekly holidays can maximize time off for public sector workers, aligning with the country’s official holiday calendar.

Negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad have become increasingly complex, according to observers cited in the report. Despite differing objectives, both sides are attempting to reach a compromise. A major obstacle remains the deep mistrust between the two countries, further complicated by the U.S. President’s recent military threat to rearm naval forces if talks fail.

Iran’s key conditions include halting the ongoing conflict in Lebanon and securing the release of several billion dollars in Iranian assets frozen in foreign banks since 1979. Tehran views progress on these issues as essential, particularly amid continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Some sources have suggested that Washington may agree to release the funds, though no official confirmation has been made.

The presence of U.S. Vice President JD Vance in the discussions is seen as significant, as he is regarded as a relatively neutral mediator and a long-time critic of U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and opposition chief whip, warned that the current government will soon face consequences for breaking its promises. Speaking on Saturday at the triennial conference of the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Federation at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, he said the government had pledged to turn many ordinances protecting people’s rights into law but failed to do so. He accused the ruling party of betraying the workers and ignoring the results of a referendum.

Islam stated that the NCP had been ready to cooperate with the government for national unity amid an international war situation, but the government broke that unity. He alleged that the new government, led by the BNP, came to power through the sacrifices of workers but quickly turned against them. He called the administration anti-people and urged workers to unite and hold Prime Minister Tarique Rahman accountable.

He further urged preparations for street movements to ensure the implementation of the July Charter, referendum outcomes, and workers’ rights, emphasizing that only through collective struggle could a just and equitable Bangladesh be achieved.

A Seerat Symposium and award ceremony organized by Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir was held at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) on Friday. The event took place at the university’s mini auditorium, where prizes were distributed among winners of a Seerat reading competition held during Ramadan and a video speech competition marking International Mother Language Day.

The program was presided over by SUST Chhatra Shibir president Masud Rana Tuhin and conducted by secretary Mujahidul Islam. Jalalabad International Madrasa principal Maulana Masuk Ahmed attended as the chief guest and discussed the life and ideals of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), emphasizing the importance of learning from his example. Tuhin stated that the competitions aimed to inspire students with the Prophet’s teachings on justice, tolerance, leadership, and humanity.

At the end of the event, winners received cash prizes, crests, and Seerat books. Three winners of the video speech competition and ten winners of the Seerat competition were honored, while other participants also received Seerat books.

After the completion of voting for the 13th National Parliament’s general seats, attention has shifted to the 50 reserved seats for women. These seats are allocated proportionally based on the number of general seats won by each political party. Bangladesh has held 13 national elections so far, with the number of reserved women’s seats gradually increasing over time.

The first parliament in 1973 had 15 reserved seats for women. The number rose to 30 in the second and third parliaments, though the fourth parliament (1988–1990) had none. Following the 1990 mass uprising and the restoration of democracy, the 1991 parliament again had 30 reserved seats. The same number continued through the sixth and seventh parliaments. The eighth parliament raised the number to 45, and the ninth increased it to 50, which remains the current figure.

Despite this expansion, analysts question whether indirect elections for these seats truly empower women. Researcher Mohiuddin Ahmad described the system as ornamental, arguing that women are selected by party decisions rather than direct voter choice, limiting genuine representation.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan stated that technical education has become the main driving force of Bangladesh’s national development. Speaking on Saturday at the Rajshahi Polytechnic Institute during the regional round of the ‘Skills and Innovation Competition,’ he emphasized that sustainable economic progress is impossible without skilled manpower. He added that the goal is not only to provide certificates but to build employable skills that can compete in the global labor market.

The competition, organized under the Directorate of Technical Education’s ‘Accelerating and Strengthening Skills for Economic Transformation (ASSET)’ project, featured 84 innovative projects from 28 technical institutions in the Rajshahi region. Six of these were selected for the national round to be held in Dhaka on May 17. The minister highlighted the government’s priority to transform youth into skilled, innovative, and technology-driven human resources, ensuring inclusive technical education for women, marginalized groups, and persons with special needs.

Senior officials from the Technical and Madrasa Education Division, Directorate of Technical Education, and Rajshahi administration attended the event, which also included a rally, seminar, and award ceremony.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon announced a strict stance to ensure transparency in the upcoming 2026 SSC and equivalent examinations. Speaking at two separate events in Rajshahi on Saturday, he stated that no irregularities or excuses, including power outages affecting CCTV cameras, would be tolerated. He emphasized proper preservation of all exam-related documents and hinted at new laws to prevent question paper leaks, ensuring accountability for everyone involved.

The minister also criticized the ‘ward quota’ in university admissions, urging merit-based selection. He proposed that district commissioners enroll their children in local government schools to enhance institutional accountability. Addressing the Skills and Innovation Competition 2026 at Rajshahi Polytechnic Institute, he highlighted the shortage of skilled workers in Bangladesh and underscored the importance of technical education as a key driver of national development.

He directed the installation of CCTV cameras in all polytechnic classrooms to monitor teaching quality remotely from Dhaka, reinforcing his commitment to transparency and accountability in education management.

Two newly elected members of the 13th National Parliament are scheduled to take their oath on Sunday. The ceremony will be held at 12 noon in the office of the Speaker at the Parliament Building, where Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed will administer the oath. The information was confirmed in a press release issued by the Parliament Secretariat.

The announcement marks the formal beginning of parliamentary duties for the two new MPs following the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The Parliament Secretariat’s statement provided logistical details of the event but did not disclose the names or constituencies of the elected members.

The swearing-in will complete an essential procedural step before the MPs can assume their legislative responsibilities in the new parliamentary session.

Israel has expressed interest in beginning formal peace talks with Lebanese representatives in Washington next week but has made it clear that Hezbollah will not be included in the discussions. The announcement was made on Friday by Michael Letter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, who stated that Hezbollah continues to attack Israel and remains the biggest obstacle to peace between the two countries.

According to the report, a telephone conversation took place involving the U.S. ambassador in Beirut and the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington. Lebanon’s presidential office said in a statement that under U.S. mediation, discussions scheduled for Tuesday will address ongoing tensions between Israel and Lebanon and explore the possibility of a ceasefire.

The talks come amid heightened regional tensions, with the United States playing a mediating role to prevent further escalation between the two neighboring states.

At a discussion and prayer event marking the martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Kamaruzzaman, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central president Nurul Islam Saddam alleged that Kamaruzzaman was judicially killed through a fabricated tribunal process. The program, organized by Dhaka College unit of Chhatra Shibir on Saturday, was attended by leaders from various levels of the organization.

In his speech, Nurul Islam said that after Bangladesh’s independence, the promises of justice, democracy, and equal rights were not fulfilled, and instead one-party rule and repression emerged. He argued that successive governments ignored the people’s mandate and that the current government continues to disregard public opinion. He described Kamaruzzaman as a visionary and fearless leader who strengthened Chhatra Shibir across campuses and contributed to the country’s Islamic movement through intellect and leadership.

Nurul Islam added that Kamaruzzaman’s steadfastness and sacrifice remain an inspiration for Islamic movement activists, portraying him as a symbol of resistance against injustice and oppression.