Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, Textiles and Jute, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, inaugurated the country’s first government-managed ‘Krishoker Hat’ in Sylhet on April 11, 2026. The initiative, jointly organized by the Sylhet District Administration and the Department of Agricultural Extension, aims to reduce middlemen’s influence, ensure fair prices for farmers, and provide consumers with safe and affordable food. The market, located near Tilagor Point, allows marginal farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers without intermediaries.

During the inauguration, the minister said the government is introducing new measures to bring transparency and balance to the market system. He noted that agricultural products often change hands multiple times before reaching consumers, causing unjustified price hikes. The ‘Krishoker Hat’ is expected to create a win-win situation for both farmers and consumers. The program will operate weekly under local administration supervision to prevent extortion or unexpected costs.

The minister also announced plans to digitize the supply chain from import to retail, strengthen the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh’s operations, and expand irrigation and canal re-excavation to boost agricultural production and market stability.

A fire that broke out at the Chittagong Shopping Complex near Gate No. 2 in Chattogram city was brought under control after two hours of effort by six units of the Fire Service around noon on April 11, 2026. The blaze reportedly started at 9:45 a.m. from a clothing store on the ground floor, quickly spreading through the two-story building. The Chittagong City Corporation has formed an investigation committee to determine the cause of the fire.

Fire Service Deputy Director Jasim Uddin confirmed that the fire was contained before it could spread to nearby important establishments, including gas and airline offices and several banks. The market was closed at the time of the incident, preventing casualties among shop owners or workers. However, several firefighters suffered from smoke inhalation and received on-site medical treatment.

Officials stated that the exact cause and extent of the damage remain unknown. The investigation committee will provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A pedestrian was killed and three others injured in a four-vehicle collision on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway in Mirsarai on Friday night. The accident occurred around 10:30 p.m. in the South Sonapahar area of Jorarganj Union when a pickup, two covered vans, and a steel-laden truck collided. During the crash, a five-ton steel bundle fell from the truck, crushing a pedestrian who was crossing the road. The deceased was identified as Ashraf, 18, of Durgapur Union’s Chaitanyerhat area.

Fire service, police, and locals conducted a rescue operation after receiving an emergency call through the national helpline 999. The injured were taken to Mirsarai Upazila Health Complex, and two critically injured victims were later transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Ashraf died there while undergoing treatment.

Police later cleared the damaged vehicles and restored traffic flow on the highway, according to Jorarganj Highway Police Station officials.

A 71-member Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad to participate in discussions with the United States. The delegation includes negotiators, experts, media representatives, and security personnel. It is led by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, National Defense Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei among the members. Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Chief of Defense Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the delegation at Islamabad airport.

Before departing for Pakistan, U.S. delegation head and Vice President JD Vance expressed a positive outlook, saying the United States was ready to extend a helping hand if Iran approached the talks with goodwill. The discussions are expected to address complex issues, including Iran’s frozen assets and the Lebanon ceasefire.

Tehran has signaled a firm stance ahead of the talks, emphasizing that while an agreement with the United States may be possible, no such deal is expected with Israel.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that Bangladesh has not yet become free from international influence. He made the remarks on Saturday morning at a seminar titled “Impact of the Global Energy Crisis on Bangladesh’s Agriculture: Ways to Overcome” held at the Krishibid Institute in Farmgate. Rahman said there is a gap between slogans and implementation in the country’s governance.

He criticized the current state of society, saying it is running through confusion and that lessons from the past have not been learned. He alleged that political syndicates are responsible for the ongoing fuel crisis, despite government claims that the country is thriving on oil. Rahman emphasized that the survival of agriculture is essential for the survival of the nation.

He further urged that everyone must fulfill their rightful duties and responsibilities, adding that if people act with a sense of divine accountability, Bangladesh will achieve true liberation.

Once a wide, water-filled river, the Teesta has now become largely dry across six northern districts of Bangladesh. The once barren sandbars have transformed into fertile farmlands where local farmers cultivate a variety of crops including pumpkin, bottle gourd, peanuts, maize, sesame, wheat, mustard, garlic, rice, onions, and chilies. Farmers in Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, and Nilphamari report that they now earn their livelihoods from these crops, selling produce worth hundreds of millions of taka each season.

Local farmers describe how they have turned adversity into opportunity. During floods, they lose homes and crops, but when the water recedes, they cultivate the exposed char lands. They receive agricultural incentives and guidance from local offices, though transportation remains a major challenge, as produce must be carried by horse carts across sandy terrain. Farmers say better transport support could help them earn higher prices.

Regional agricultural officials confirm that Teesta’s char lands now contribute significantly to national food production. Training and advice are being provided to help farmers increase yields and profits from short-duration crops.

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.