China is reportedly preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within the next few weeks, according to a CNN report citing three officials familiar with recent U.S. intelligence assessments. The intelligence review suggested that Iran may be using the current ceasefire period to reestablish certain weapons systems with the help of key foreign partners.

Two sources told CNN that Beijing might attempt to conceal the true origin of the weapons shipment by routing it through a third country. The systems reportedly include shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, known as MANPADS, which previously posed a significant threat to low-flying U.S. military aircraft during a five-week conflict and could do so again if the ceasefire collapses.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington denied the allegations, stating that China has never supplied weapons to any party in the conflict. The spokesperson added that China fulfills its international obligations responsibly and urged the U.S. to stop making unfounded accusations and spreading sensational claims, calling for all sides to help reduce tensions.

A strong race has begun among eight BNP women leaders from Cumilla seeking nomination for reserved seats in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament. Following the Election Commission’s announcement of the schedule for 50 reserved women’s seats, 52 nomination forms were sold on Thursday. The vote is set for May 12. The BNP leaders have submitted detailed resumes highlighting their political contributions, loyalty, and organizational experience to the party high command and are lobbying ministers and MPs for support.

The eight leaders in discussion are Samira Azim Dola, Raihan Rahman Helen, Shahinaz Akter, Advocate Sabera Alauddin Hena, Sakina Begum, Dilara Shirin, Advocate Dalia Rahman, and Shamima Akter Ruby. Several have already collected nomination papers. Party sources said the BNP high command will consider those who played active roles during the past 17 years of political struggle. BNP won eight of Cumilla’s eleven constituencies in the last election, with three leaders appointed as ministers.

According to the election schedule, nomination submission ends April 21, scrutiny will be held April 22–23, and voting will take place on May 12.

Bangladesh has condemned the death of a Bangladeshi woman in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka issued a statement on Saturday expressing strong condemnation of the attack that killed Dipali Begum in Beirut. The statement also extended condolences to her family and expressed solidarity with them during this difficult time.

According to the ministry, Bangladesh denounced the recent Israeli attacks in Lebanon that caused civilian casualties and injuries. The statement said such incidents undermine ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region. The Bangladesh Embassy in Lebanon is in contact with Dipali Begum’s family and will arrange for the repatriation of her body depending on the situation.

The government reiterated its concern over the loss of civilian lives and emphasized the importance of regional peace and stability, as reflected in its official statement.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Pakistan with an Iranian delegation to participate in discussions with the United States. A photograph taken inside his aircraft drew attention, showing empty seats adorned with pictures and belongings of children killed in the Minab school attack on February 28, the first day of the war. The attack, reportedly carried out by a US-Israeli coalition, claimed many lives, including schoolchildren.

Ghalibaf shared the image on the X platform, captioning it as a tribute to the victims of the Minab primary school, referring to them as his companions on the flight. Reports indicate that at least 165 people were killed and hundreds injured in the incident, which has since become central to Iran’s diplomatic messaging.

The discussions in Islamabad are beginning amid tensions over ceasefire negotiations, military strain, and fragile diplomatic conditions. Ghalibaf’s symbolic gesture was seen as a strong message before the talks commenced.

A mobile court in Bakshiganj upazila of Jamalpur fined a man named Md Jamrul Mia Tk 50,000 for illegally storing and selling petrol and diesel at nearly twice the government-fixed price. The operation took place on Friday night, April 10, 2026, in front of the Messrs Paresh Chandra Saha Filling Station at Tinanipara. The drive was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Asma-ul Husna.

According to the operation report, Jamrul Mia had long been storing fuel at his own shop and selling it at inflated prices, creating an artificial shortage. Earlier, authorities had seized 120 liters of petrol from his shop and fined him Tk 10,000 with a warning. Despite that, he continued the illegal practice, prompting renewed action under the Consumer Rights Protection Act.

Officials stated that similar drives against illegal fuel hoarding and overpricing will continue in the area to protect consumers and ensure compliance with government pricing regulations.

Masuma Sultana, a 30-year-old woman from Dighaba village in Tok Union of Kapasia upazila, Gazipur, gave birth to five babies—three boys and two girls—through a cesarean section at PG Hospital in Dhaka two days ago. The operation was conducted under the supervision of prominent physician Dr. Ruhul Amin. The mother and newborns were later transferred to Module Community Hospital in Rayed Magartek, Kapasia, for postnatal care and were taken home on Friday night in a joyful atmosphere.

According to hospital officials, the surgery was highly risky but was successfully completed due to the expertise of the medical team. All five babies and their mother are currently healthy under continuous medical observation. Dr. Ruhul Amin, who previously gained attention for separating conjoined twins, oversaw the entire process.

The babies’ father, Kajol Mia, a migrant worker in Saudi Arabia, expressed happiness but noted financial challenges in raising the children. Local residents gathered at the hospital to see the rare quintuplets, and the family requested prayers for the mother and newborns’ continued well-being.

At least 13 members of Lebanon’s security forces were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Nabatieh, according to the state-run National News Agency. The report said Israel carried out extensive air raids in the area, including a strike near a government complex that hit a state security office.

The attack occurred as the Lebanese government prepared for negotiations next week aimed at ending its ongoing war with Israel, which began in early March and has already claimed around 1,900 lives in Lebanon. Lebanese President announced that a meeting would take place in Washington next week between Tel Aviv and Lebanese representatives to discuss a ceasefire and broader peace efforts between the neighboring countries.

The developments come amid regional diplomatic tensions, with discussions also involving the United States and Iran over related issues, including the Lebanon ceasefire and frozen Iranian assets.

A major fire erupted at the Chittagong Shopping Complex near the city’s Number Two Gate area on Saturday morning, April 11, 2026. The incident occurred around 9:45 a.m., filling the entire complex with smoke and causing panic among traders and visitors. Crowds gathered around the market as six units of the Fire Service rushed to the scene to bring the blaze under control.

According to initial reports, the fire is believed to have started on the second floor of the complex, possibly from a warehouse. The flames spread quickly throughout the building, prompting immediate evacuation efforts. The Agrabad Control Room of the Fire Service confirmed that six units were engaged in firefighting operations.

The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and no official statement has yet been issued by the Fire Service regarding the extent of the damage or any casualties.

Four astronauts from NASA’s Artemis II mission have safely returned to Earth after completing a record-breaking journey around the Moon. The Orion spacecraft carrying them splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at 6:07 a.m. Bangladesh time on April 11, 2026. The mission marked the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth, covering 694,481 miles in total. The spacecraft had launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 2.

Following splashdown, Navy divers and helicopters surrounded the capsule to begin recovery operations. NASA confirmed all astronauts were in good health, describing their condition as “green.” The crew was airlifted to the USS John P. Murtha for medical checks, including pulse, blood pressure, and neurological assessments. NASA officials reported that the capsule’s recovery followed years of testing and prior Artemis-1 rehearsals.

NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya called the mission “a gift to the world,” while Orion Program Manager Howard Hu described it as the beginning of a new era in human space exploration. NASA said the mission exceeded expectations and demonstrated the success of extensive teamwork.

All primary, secondary, and higher secondary educational institutions across Bangladesh will remain closed for three consecutive days from Sunday, April 12, to Tuesday, April 14, 2026. The closure schedule was confirmed after reviewing the annual holiday list.

According to the list, Sunday, April 12, marks a holiday for the Baisabi festival, followed by a holiday on Monday, April 13, for Chaitra Sankranti, and another on Tuesday, April 14, for the Bengali New Year. These three holidays will combine with the regular weekend holidays on Friday and Saturday, April 10 and 11, resulting in a total of five consecutive days off for all schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions.

The extended break will apply nationwide, covering all levels of education from primary to higher secondary, as outlined in the official holiday schedule.

A joint operation was conducted in the Padma River at Goalanda in Rajbari on Friday, April 10, 2026, as part of the National Hilsa Conservation Week 2026. Members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard and officials from the Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer’s office carried out the daylong drive. During the operation, approximately one lakh meters of illegal current nets were seized from various points of the river and later destroyed publicly by burning.

According to the Upazila Fisheries Office, such operations are being conducted regularly to ensure the success of the hilsa conservation program. The joint initiative by the Coast Guard and the Fisheries Department aims to stop illegal fishing practices and protect the country’s fish resources.

Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Md. Anwarul Islam Pilot stated that the authorities are taking strict measures to enforce the government’s ban on catching juvenile hilsa. He emphasized that continued awareness and law enforcement are essential to end illegal fishing activities.

In Lalmohan upazila of Bhola, fishermen staged a protest and human chain on Friday, April 10, demanding distribution of the allocated VGF rice that they have not yet received. The demonstration took place at the embankment near Kobkhali fish landing station in Dhaligournagar Union, where over a hundred fishermen participated. They complained that despite following government fishing restrictions, they were struggling to survive without the promised rice support.

The fishermen accused Dhaligournagar Union Chairman Maksudur Rahman of delaying the rice distribution and alleged that the upazila fisheries office had not taken any initiative to resolve the issue. According to the allocation, each fisherman was supposed to receive 80 kilograms of rice before Eid-ul-Fitr. Chairman Rahman said distribution was delayed because the local BNP unit had not yet submitted the full list of eligible fishermen. The upazila fisheries officer stated that the delivery order had already been issued, while the upazila executive officer explained that the delay was due to the late preparation of the fishermen’s list.

Officials indicated that rice distribution might begin on Sunday once the fishermen’s cards are verified.

Iran and the United States are set to meet in Islamabad on Saturday to discuss a possible ceasefire, but renewed tensions between the two sides have cast doubt on the talks. The US delegation is en route, while the Iranian team has already arrived. The meeting follows a ceasefire agreement announced Tuesday that temporarily halted US and Israeli military actions against Iran, yet disagreements over Iran’s ten-point proposal have since emerged.

Both sides have offered differing interpretations of the ceasefire terms, particularly regarding whether it applies to Israel’s operations in Lebanon. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that the talks could collapse before they begin, citing two unmet preconditions: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s frozen assets. Iranian state media later confirmed that negotiations would start only if Washington accepted these terms.

Former US President Donald Trump reiterated threats against Iran, saying his administration was prepared to use advanced weaponry if no deal is reached. Analysts noted deep divisions remain over Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, frozen assets, nuclear program, and Israel’s actions in Lebanon.

Professor Dr. Rois Uddin has officially taken charge as the new vice-chancellor of Jagannath University on February 27. In an interview with Amader Desh, he discussed his plans for academic reform, campus development, and administrative transparency. He said all department heads and deans have shown a strong desire for positive change and pledged full cooperation in building a modern, student-friendly campus.

The vice-chancellor emphasized resolving academic stagnation, session jams, and accommodation shortages as his top priorities. A high-level committee has been formed to address these issues. He announced a four-step teacher recruitment process involving preliminary, written, and demonstration tests before the final interview, aiming to eliminate favoritism and political influence. He also stated that the university would not tolerate corruption or banned political activities, stressing that merit and fairness would guide all decisions.

Regarding infrastructure, he said efforts are underway to recover and complete student halls, with support from local authorities. The naming of a female dormitory after former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will be decided by the academic council and syndicate. Work on the second campus is being closely monitored in coordination with the army to ensure timely progress.

A severe fuel shortage in Rangpur Division has persisted for over six weeks, worsening despite earlier expectations of improvement. Local residents are facing acute difficulties as fuel is distributed only during limited hours set by the government. Many people are reportedly hoarding fuel and selling it at inflated prices, while others have stopped using their motorbikes due to long queues and limited availability. According to the Rangpur Divisional Commissioner’s Office, the region’s daily demand for diesel is 1 million liters, but only 900,000 liters are being supplied. Petrol and octane supplies are also far below demand.

Fuel station managers report receiving insufficient deliveries from depots, forcing many pumps to close for several days between shipments. The Rangpur Petrol Pump Owners Association said that more than half of the 350 pumps in the division have already shut down. The Divisional Commissioner, Shahidul Islam, acknowledged shortages in petrol and octane but said diesel supply remains stable and expressed hope for a quick resolution, urging citizens to use fuel responsibly.

If supply conditions do not improve soon, pump owners fear heavy financial losses and further disruption to local transport and employment.