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.

A sudden breach in the Gujauni embankment at Dekhar Haor in Sunamganj on Saturday, April 11, 2026, caused floodwaters to rush into hundreds of acres of half-ripe Boro paddy fields. The incident sparked panic among local farmers, many of whom appealed for help through social media as they watched their fields submerge. Witnesses reported that water was entering the haor at high speed, threatening widespread crop damage.

Local residents alleged that a leaseholder of a nearby wetland had failed to properly repair the embankment after fish harvesting, leaving it weak and vulnerable to pressure from rising water. Farmers and local authorities responded urgently, using bamboo, sandbags, and other materials to reinforce the damaged section. Water Development Board officials confirmed that emergency repairs were underway with 100 geo-bags and bamboo, and that water inflow had been stopped.

Officials stated that although the embankment does not fall under the Water Development Board’s jurisdiction, a team was deployed to assist in protecting the crops and stabilizing the structure.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not yet fully recovered from serious injuries to his face and legs, according to a Reuters report. Despite his physical condition, he continues to participate in major decision-making, including ceasefire talks with Washington. Khamenei has not appeared in public or in any photos or videos since his appointment.

Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as Iran’s Supreme Leader shortly after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint U.S. and Israeli attack. Reuters, citing three sources, reported that the attack also killed members of Mojtaba’s family, including his father, wife, and in-laws. The agency noted that these details could not be independently verified.

The report adds that discussions between Tehran and Washington are ongoing, focusing on ceasefire terms and regional issues, while tensions with Israel remain unresolved.

Bangladesh is set to host its first international-scale textile and garment exhibition, the BTKG Expo 2026, marking a major milestone for the country’s fast-growing apparel industry. The four-day event, jointly organized by the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Inforchain Digital Technology Co. Ltd., will take place at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka from April 29 to May 2, 2026. According to organizers, around 900 exhibitors from 30 countries, including Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, will participate across seven halls covering 20,000 square meters.

The exhibition will feature machinery and technology from across the textile and garment value chain, such as knitting, embroidery, dyeing, washing, and testing equipment. Bangladesh’s apparel sector, which earned about USD 39 billion in exports in fiscal year 2024–25 and employs over four million people, remains the backbone of the national economy. Organizers expect the expo to strengthen the industry’s technological capacity, foster international collaboration, and attract new investment.

The BTKG Expo 2026 is anticipated to enhance Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global apparel market and accelerate long-term industrial growth through innovation and networking opportunities.

A sister of a martyr from the July uprising has made an emotional appeal to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to implement the 'July Charter' and the verdict of the referendum. Speaking to the media, she called for the realization of the promises made during the movement, which she said were achieved through sacrifice but remain unfulfilled.

She expressed deep frustration and sorrow over the loss of her brother and the lack of support for families of those who died in the movement. She said her mother still worries whenever she leaves home, and no one has come forward to stand by them. She continues to feel her brother’s absence and waits for a phone call that will never come, describing how their hopes for the implementation of the referendum’s outcome have turned into disappointment.

Addressing the prime minister directly, she urged that the 'July Charter' and referendum verdict be passed in parliament, believing that only he has the authority to make it happen. She also recalled meeting him once at the Agriculture Institute, where he had called her “sister,” but lamented that no one has since checked on her family.

A United States delegation has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, to participate in discussions involving Iran. The delegation, consisting of around 100 members, was welcomed at the airport by Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and the US Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker. The visit marks the beginning of a series of talks hosted in the Pakistani capital.

An Iranian delegation had reached Islamabad earlier on Friday, led by Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf. The team includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Deputy of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Bagheri Kani, and other senior officials expected to attend Saturday’s sessions. According to reports, the discussions are expected to address issues such as Iran’s assets and the Lebanon ceasefire.

The talks come amid complex diplomatic conditions, with the United Nations Secretary-General urging both the United States and Iran to engage constructively before the formal discussions begin.

An essay published in *Amar Desh* on April 11, 2026, examines the psychological and cultural dimensions of swearing in contemporary Bangladesh, focusing on how Gen Z has transformed taboo language into a form of protest. The piece discusses the book *July-er Graffiti o Gail Samagra*, describing it as a linguistic and visual record of a turbulent era where language became a weapon of resistance rather than mere communication.

The article situates this linguistic rebellion within the 2024 July uprising, when young people used slang and so-called “gail” expressions to challenge political stagnation and social hypocrisy. Drawing on psychological and sociological theories, it argues that swearing functions as both emotional release and symbolic defiance, reflecting frustration, humor, and solidarity. The essay references thinkers such as Freud, Foucault, and Bourdieu to explain how language can dismantle power structures and express collective dissent.

It concludes that Gen Z’s use of provocative language represents a broader cultural evolution. What was once dismissed as vulgarity has become a creative manifesto of resistance, signaling a generational shift in how truth, identity, and democracy are voiced in Bangladesh.

The Road Safety Foundation reported that 576 road accidents occurred across Bangladesh in March 2026, resulting in 532 deaths and 2,221 injuries. Among the deceased were 66 women and 98 children. Motorcycles were involved in 219 accidents, causing 204 deaths, which accounted for 38.34 percent of total fatalities. The report, released to the media on Saturday, was based on data from newspapers, online portals, electronic media, and the foundation’s own sources.

The analysis showed that 45.83 percent of accidents occurred on regional roads, followed by 29.68 percent on national highways. Most crashes were caused by loss of control (40.10 percent) and head-on collisions (28.81 percent). Dhaka division recorded the highest number of accidents and deaths, while Sylhet had the lowest. The report also noted that daily average fatalities rose by 11.28 percent compared to February.

According to the foundation, excessive speed and loss of vehicle control were the main causes of accidents. It recommended technological monitoring and motivational training for drivers to reduce casualties.

The United States and Iran have begun talks in Islamabad aimed at ending ongoing conflicts, according to a BBC report. Iranian state media IRINN reported that Tehran has warned the discussions could be canceled if its conditions are not met. Iranian officials stated that respecting Iran’s interests, demands, and red lines is essential, and that walking away from the talks could itself be seen as a form of success.

The report added that the Iranian delegation’s first meeting of the day was with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, after which the schedule for possible talks with US representatives was expected to be clarified. That meeting with Sharif has already taken place, according to the report.

Iranian state television emphasized Tehran’s conditions and lack of trust toward the United States, asserting that Iran holds a strong position in the negotiations and has the capacity to proceed without the talks if its terms are not fulfilled.