Four astronauts from NASA’s Artemis-2 lunar mission safely returned to Earth, landing in the Pacific Ocean near the coast of California on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 6:07 a.m. local time. The Orion spacecraft, carrying U.S. astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, completed its re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere before splashdown. U.S. Navy ships and divers participated in the recovery operation to secure the spacecraft and bring the crew aboard a naval vessel for medical checks.

The 10-day mission began on April 1, marking a major milestone in NASA’s renewed lunar exploration program. During the mission, the crew traveled as far as 252,757 miles from Earth while orbiting the far side of the Moon, surpassing the distance record set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970. After initial health assessments, the astronauts will return to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The successful completion of Artemis-2 reinforces NASA’s progress toward future lunar and deep-space missions under the Artemis program.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that while Iran maintains goodwill toward the United States, it does not trust Washington. Speaking to Iranian state media, he said the Iranian delegation is confident but skeptical of its American counterparts. Ghalibaf added that if the United States is ready for a genuine agreement, Iran could also be prepared to engage.

He emphasized that Iran’s past experiences in negotiations with the United States have consistently ended in failure and breaches of commitments. His remarks come as discussions between the two countries face renewed attention, with reports highlighting tensions over Iran’s assets and the Lebanon ceasefire issue.

The comments signal Tehran’s cautious stance before any potential talks, underscoring a demand for credible assurances from Washington before progress can be made.

An Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Islamabad to hold discussions with US officials on a possible ceasefire. The team includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Supreme National Council Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolkadr, Defense Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati. Upon arrival, the delegation was received by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Tehran University professor Zohreh Kharazmi told Al Jazeera that Iran entered the Islamabad talks with confidence, viewing the meeting itself as a sign of a shift in the US position. She noted that while former US President Trump had demanded unconditional surrender as recently as March 6, Washington is now at the negotiation table. Kharazmi emphasized that Iran remains firm on its conditions and expects some of them to be accepted in later rounds.

Kharazmi also highlighted that control over the Strait of Hormuz remains central to Iran’s bargaining position, describing it as a means to recover war costs.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is traveling to Islamabad to join talks between the United States and Iran, scheduled to begin Saturday, aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire in the Middle East. Before his departure, President Donald Trump told reporters that Iran’s nuclear program would be the main focus of the discussions and that no backup plan was necessary. He added that a good deal with Iran would mean the absence of nuclear weapons and claimed that regime change had already occurred in Iran.

Trump also said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen soon, though he noted the United States did not need it. He rejected reports that Iran might impose tolls on ships passing through the strait, saying Washington would not allow that. Meanwhile, an Iranian delegation including senior officials such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already arrived in Islamabad for the talks.

The discussions are expected to address Iran’s assets and the Lebanon ceasefire, though their duration remains uncertain, according to Trump.

A fragile ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel has been announced, but experts caution that oil and gas prices will take months to return to previous levels. During the conflict, Iran restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20 percent of global oil and gas exports, causing prices to surge. Attacks on energy infrastructure in several Gulf countries also pushed up helium prices and disrupted fertilizer production, worsening inflation and shortages, particularly in developing nations across Asia and Africa.

Tufts University professor Rockford Wizd said no one knows when conditions will normalize, emphasizing that stability depends on safe and regular shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Before the conflict, 120 to 140 ships crossed daily, but only five and seven ships passed on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Reports suggested Iran was charging tankers fees, prompting former U.S. President Donald Trump to call for an end to such charges. The IMF’s Kristalina Georgieva warned that global growth forecasts will be lowered next week, even if the ceasefire holds.

Iraq could resume production of 3.5 million barrels per day, which may help reduce prices, but uncertainty over the ceasefire and past attacks keeps its output outlook unclear.

Israel and Lebanon are set to meet in Washington next Tuesday to discuss a possible ceasefire aimed at ending the ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah. The meeting will be mediated by the United States, according to a statement from the office of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Representatives from both countries will convene at the U.S. Department of State to determine a date for announcing a ceasefire and initiating direct negotiations.

The arrangement for the talks followed a phone conversation between the ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel to the United States and the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon. The discussions are part of broader diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The upcoming meeting signals a potential step toward renewed dialogue between the two nations, though the outcome of the talks remains uncertain.

Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has said that his country is prepared to do everything necessary and take as long as needed to help secure an agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at ending their ongoing conflict. He described the fact that discussions are taking place as a major success.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Sheikh explained that bringing Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table was not the result of any “magic word” but rather a process requiring persistence, patience, and continuous effort from all sides. He noted that each of these elements had been part of intensive diplomatic efforts over the past several weeks.

According to Sheikh, all parties have responded to Pakistan’s efforts to ensure a ceasefire and set a timeline for talks with a constructive attitude.

A persistent fuel shortage in Bangladesh’s Rangpur Division has intensified over the past six weeks, severely affecting daily life and work. Despite an average daily demand of 1 million liters of diesel, only 900,000 liters are being supplied. Supplies of petrol and octane have also dropped sharply, forcing many residents to stop using their motorcycles. Government-imposed time restrictions on fuel sales—from noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays—have further complicated access.

Local workers, teachers, and service employees report losing several hours each day waiting in long queues at filling stations. Many fuel pumps have closed due to insufficient supply, while others operate intermittently. Pump managers say depot deliveries are irregular and inadequate to meet demand. The Rangpur Petrol Pump Owners Association warns that without quick improvement in supply, owners could face heavy financial losses.

Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam acknowledged shortages in petrol and octane but said diesel supply remains stable. He expressed hope that the crisis would be resolved soon and urged the public to use fuel responsibly.

Bangladesh’s Jatiya Sangsad has completed the process of validating ordinances issued by the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Out of 133 ordinances, 113 were approved through 87 bills, while seven were repealed through four separate bills. Thirteen ordinances, including those on referendum, police commission, and anti-corruption amendments, were not approved, causing a total of 20 ordinances to lose effect from today. The parliament passed 91 bills over six consecutive days, marking an unprecedented legislative pace in the country’s history.

The repealed ordinances include those related to the National Human Rights Commission, Supreme Court Secretariat, and parliamentary administration. The fate of actions taken under the unapproved ordinances remains unclear, raising questions about the legal status of the 2026 referendum and other activities conducted under them. The opposition walked out of parliament after accusing the ruling party of breaking a committee agreement by amending the July Uprising Museum Bill at the last moment.

The session concluded with the passage of 28 bills on its final day, covering development authorities, financial reforms, and social welfare measures. The next parliamentary sitting is scheduled for April 15 at 11 a.m.

An Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad to participate in discussions with United States officials focused on achieving a ceasefire. Iranian media reported that the delegation reached the Pakistani capital on Friday night. The group includes several senior figures such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Supreme National Defense Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, and former IRGC commander Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr. Several members of Iran’s parliament have also joined the delegation, according to the reports.

The talks are expected to address complex issues, including Iran’s frozen assets and the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. Ahead of the meeting, Tehran issued a firm message emphasizing its readiness to respond if provoked. The discussions are taking place amid heightened regional tensions and international calls for restraint from both Iran and the United States.

The outcome of the Islamabad talks could influence future diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington, particularly regarding regional stability and economic sanctions relief.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Iranian leaders ahead of a scheduled meeting between U.S. and Iranian representatives in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday, Trump claimed that Iran holds no real power and that its leaders are being kept alive solely for negotiation purposes. He also asserted that Iran’s only leverage lies in temporarily blocking the Strait of Hormuz and accused Iranian leaders of being better at propaganda than warfare.

The Islamabad meeting aims to determine steps toward a permanent end to ongoing conflict, with both delegations expected to arrive by Friday night. Despite an Israeli strike on Lebanon that violated a ceasefire, Pakistan confirmed the talks would proceed as planned. However, continued hostilities and disputes over the Strait of Hormuz have raised doubts about the meeting’s potential success.

Observers expressed concern that escalating tensions and mutual distrust could undermine progress toward a lasting ceasefire agreement.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified operations in the southwest border region to curb illegal hoarding and smuggling of fuel and edible oil. The Jessore Region, covering about 600 kilometers across Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, Jessore, Satkhira, and Khulna, is conducting 464 patrols daily through two sectors, seven battalions, and 116 border outposts. Ahead of the Bengali New Year and Eid-ul-Azha, special security measures have been reinforced along the border.

Enhanced surveillance has been placed at Benapole, Bhomra, and Darshana land ports, with 2,325 patrols, 899 checkpoints, and 868 community meetings conducted. A total of 31 task force operations involving local administration, army, RAB, police, and customs led to one conviction with a two-month jail term and a fine. Additional patrols and checkpoints have been set up to prevent cattle intrusion and leather smuggling ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

In the first three months of 2026, the Jessore Region seized goods worth Tk 589.3 million and detained 88 suspects, including gold, diamonds, silver, weapons, and narcotics valued at Tk 221.3 million.

Delegations from the United States and Iran are meeting today, Saturday, in Islamabad to discuss steps toward a permanent end to the ongoing war. The Iranian delegation arrived Friday afternoon, while the US team was expected overnight. Despite Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon violating the ceasefire, Pakistan confirmed that the long-anticipated talks would proceed. The meeting is being held at the Serena Hotel near Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry under unprecedented security measures, with major roads closed and military personnel deployed across the city.

The US delegation includes Vice President JD Vance, adviser Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, while Iran’s team is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials are mediating. The discussions are expected to last several days and will be based on Iran’s ten-point proposal, which includes conditions for the Strait of Hormuz and ceasefire terms.

The talks come amid uncertainty as Israeli strikes continue in Lebanon, threatening the ceasefire. Both sides remain divided over Hormuz tolls and regional security, raising doubts about the meeting’s outcome.

BNP’s former joint secretary general and Sitakunda MP Aslam Chowdhury said the real strength of a political organization lies in the sacrifice, patience, and struggle of its grassroots activists. Speaking at a views exchange meeting at his Sitakunda residence on Friday afternoon, he stated that while senior leaders may err, grassroots members never betray the cause. He credited the grassroots for sustaining leadership and securing his nomination with the party’s symbol.

Chowdhury identified organizational weakness as a major reason behind the party’s unsatisfactory performance in the recent national election. He called for self-criticism, internal analysis, and structural reform to overcome future challenges. Emphasizing long-term planning and organized strategies, he urged activists to strengthen ties with the public and increase social and religious engagement to build stronger community connections.

During the meeting, the Sitakunda upazila BNP announced partial leadership changes in the local Jubo Dal committee, appointing Shahabuddin Raju as president and Mohammad Ismail Hossain as general secretary, while retaining the existing structure. The full committee has not yet been declared.

Two Dhaka University students have experienced a decline in their physical condition after continuing a hunger strike for 58 hours at the Raju Sculpture premises. On Friday night, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam visited the site to assess the situation and expressed concern for their health. He stated that the university administration wants the students to remain healthy and that their demands will be properly conveyed to the government. He also mentioned that the issue would be discussed in the national parliament among both ruling and opposition parties.

The Vice-Chancellor emphasized the health risks faced by the fasting students and said that a medical team had been sent the previous night to examine them, but the students refused treatment. The visit was attended by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha, deans, the proctor, and other senior officials. DUCSU Social Service Secretary A. B. Zubair reported that one student’s mother broke down in tears upon seeing her son’s weakened condition but did not pressure him to end the strike.

Members of martyr families and injured individuals have also visited the site to express solidarity, while eyewitnesses noted that despite physical weakness, the students remain mentally strong though disappointed by the lack of visible state response.