The much-anticipated Iran–United States talks in Islamabad ended abruptly without any agreement, creating a major diplomatic deadlock. US Vice President JD Vance announced the failure to reach a deal at a press conference and immediately left Pakistan with his family. The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, also departed soon after. The sudden breakdown has turned global attention toward President Donald Trump’s response.

The main reason for the impasse was the US reluctance to halt Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, which Iran had made a central issue of the negotiations. Tehran also rejected Washington’s conditions regarding security in the Strait of Hormuz as unacceptable. Pakistan, acting as mediator, urged both sides to keep the dialogue open and extend the ceasefire despite the escalating tensions.

With the talks stalled, the next steps from Washington—particularly Trump’s stance on the failed negotiations and the unstable Middle East situation—have become a key focus in international politics.

Iran and the United States concluded a lengthy round of discussions in Islamabad, Pakistan, according to an announcement from the Iranian government. Following the meeting, both sides have moved the process to a technical stage, exchanging written proposals. The update was shared through a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

The post stated that after the high-level meeting in Islamabad, technical teams from both countries are now exchanging detailed proposals and expert-level drafts. It also confirmed that while some differences remain, the dialogue will continue. The discussions were part of a ten-point negotiation aimed at ending ongoing conflict, but the meeting concluded without any formal agreement.

The continuation of talks suggests both sides are maintaining diplomatic engagement despite unresolved issues, with future progress depending on the outcomes of the technical exchanges now underway.

Two Boishakhi fairs in Patiya, Chattogram, have continued past midnight despite government restrictions on electricity use due to a nationwide energy crisis. The government has shortened office hours and ordered all shops and businesses to close by 7 p.m. to conserve power. However, the fairs at Patiya Adarsha High School field and Ruku Garden Community Center have been brightly illuminated and active until late night, defying the directive.

The fairs began on April 10 and are scheduled to run daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until April 20, according to organizers. Yet, reports indicate activities continued until 10 p.m. or later. Local residents and civic representatives have criticized the extended lighting and festivities, calling them inappropriate during a period of power shortages. They argue that such events increase pressure on the electricity supply when the government is emphasizing conservation.

Organizers have defended the fairs as cultural celebrations for the local community. Some admitted to exceeding permitted hours on the first day, citing misunderstanding of the government order, and claimed to have adjusted operations afterward.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam announced that the process of reopening the Dinajpur Textile Mill under a public-private partnership (PPP) model has begun. He made the statement on Sunday after inspecting the mill and speaking to journalists. The mill, once a symbol of pride for the people of Dinajpur, has remained closed for a long time.

The minister explained that the government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, had pledged in its election manifesto to revive closed industrial establishments and create new employment opportunities. As part of that commitment, initiatives have been taken to gradually reopen all closed institutions under the Ministry of Textiles and Jute. He noted that many jute and textile mills across the country have unused land, which the government plans to utilize through domestic or foreign investment.

According to the minister, the reopening of the Dinajpur Textile Mill through PPP investment will restore industrial activity in the area and generate new employment opportunities for local residents in the near future.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has decided to publish the draft voter list across the country on April 20. The list will include individuals born on or before January 1, 2008, who registered in the voter database between November 24, 2025, and March 31, 2026. The decision was confirmed in a letter signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Nasir Uddin Chowdhury on April 12.

According to the commission, applications for corrections, inclusion of names, or removal of deceased voters can be submitted until May 3. Upazila or thana election officers will resolve all received applications by May 6, and the updated final voter list will be published on May 14. Printed copies of the draft list will be displayed in public places for citizens’ convenience.

To raise public awareness, the Election Commission has instructed local religious institutions and cable operators to promote the correction process and encourage citizens to verify their information.

Farmers in the haor areas of Sunamganj are facing severe uncertainty over rice harvesting due to unseasonal rainfall and waterlogging at the start of the season. Around 3,189 hectares of land have already gone underwater, putting immature rice crops at risk of damage. The accumulation of water and mud has disrupted the use of agricultural machinery, while a shortage of laborers has further complicated the situation.

Field visits to areas such as Dekhar, Jhawar, Shanir, and Chayar haors revealed that low-lying fields are already submerged. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Sunamganj has 137 haors covering about 223,505 hectares of boro rice cultivation, producing around 1.4 million metric tons annually worth about Tk 5,000 crore. However, intermittent rainfall has already damaged crops on nearly 3,000 hectares.

Officials said 577 combined harvesters are currently operational, with 108 under repair. The district administration is coordinating with nearby districts to bring in more harvesters and laborers, while requesting adequate diesel supply to support harvesting operations.

A violent clash between representatives of two insurance companies left more than fifty people injured in Nabiganj upazila of Habiganj district. The incident occurred on Saturday night, April 11, in Choushatpur village under Sadar Union. According to police and local sources, the conflict began when Ahmad Ali of Delta Life Insurance and Mauld Hossain of Pragati Life Insurance argued over client recruitment and related benefits. The dispute quickly escalated, drawing in supporters from both sides.

The confrontation turned violent as both groups used local weapons, leading to an hour-long clash that injured over fifty individuals. The wounded were taken to Nabiganj Upazila Health Complex and other nearby hospitals for treatment. Police from Nabiganj station arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.

Nabiganj police officials confirmed that the violence stemmed from a dispute over customer acquisition between the two insurance companies and that the situation has since returned to normal.

In Cumilla, the Executive Engineer of the Department of Public Health Engineering, Md. Shafiul Haque, has been accused of irregular attendance despite Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s directive requiring all government officials to maintain office hours. Reports indicate that Haque, who joined the Cumilla office on November 24 of the previous year, is often absent during official hours and allegedly spends much of his time in his home district of Brahmanbaria. On April 12, he was not found at his Cumilla office during scheduled hours.

According to department staff, Haque frequently claims to be engaged in official duties in Brahmanbaria, though inquiries revealed he was not present at the relevant office there either. Local observers have raised questions about his dual-office practice, as he reportedly divides his time between Cumilla and Brahmanbaria. When contacted by phone, Haque stated he was responsible for both districts but did not respond when informed that Brahmanbaria officials denied his presence.

Chattogram Circle’s supervising engineer, Firoz Alam Chowdhury, confirmed that Haque holds responsibilities in both districts and said he would question him regarding the matter.

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) launched the 'Emergency Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign 2026' on Sunday across 599 centers in its 10 regions. The program, running until May 11, aims to vaccinate around 500,000 children aged six months to five years. The campaign was inaugurated in the capital’s Korail area, with State Minister for Health Dr. M A Muhit as chief guest and DNCC Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan as special guest.

According to the health ministry, the vaccination drive initially began in 17 upazilas and four city corporations, with a nationwide rollout planned from April 20. DNCC has set up 54 permanent and 502 temporary centers, along with 35 evening and eight Friday centers, to ensure wide coverage. A total of 594 vaccinators, 650 volunteers, and 203 supervisors are engaged in the campaign.

DNCC officials urged all parents to bring their children to designated centers for immunization. The DNCC administrator also mentioned plans to convert the Mohakhali DNCC COVID Hospital into a general hospital to expand healthcare services using existing infrastructure.

A Palestinian youth was shot dead in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The ministry identified the victim as 23-year-old Ali Majed Hamadneh, who was critically injured when Israeli settlers opened fire during an operation in Deir Jarir village, northeast of Ramallah. He was taken to the Palestine Medical Complex, where he later died. Palestinian news agency Wafa confirmed the incident, reporting that armed settlers entered the village under Israeli military protection and fired at residents.

The Israeli army confirmed a Palestinian death in Deir Jarir, stating that troops had responded to reports of stone-throwing at Israeli civilians. According to the military, the situation escalated into a violent riot, prompting a reserve soldier to fire warning shots before shooting one attacker. The army said the wounded man was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead, adding that an investigation was underway.

Violence in the occupied West Bank has intensified since the Gaza war began in October 2023 and further escalated after the Iran war started in February 2026, with at least six Palestinians killed in settler attacks since then.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard detained an Indian citizen in Bhola on April 11, 2026, for allegedly entering the country illegally. Acting on a tip-off, a Coast Guard team arrested Abdul Momin, 34, from the area near the Kheyaghat Bridge in Bhola Sadar upazila. He is the son of Bosar Ali and Hajera Khatun from Bashpukur village under Jatrapur police station in Sipahijala, India.

According to Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Mohammad Abul Kashem, Momin admitted during interrogation that he had crossed into Bangladesh on April 7, 2026, through the Birampur border in Dinajpur with the help of a drug trafficking group. He reportedly entered the country to go into hiding. The Coast Guard later handed him over to Bhola Sadar police for legal action.

Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Monirul Islam of Bhola Sadar Model Police Station confirmed that a case has been filed against Momin for illegal entry under case number 25 dated April 11, 2026. He will be sent to court for further proceedings.

Rajshahi University authorities have temporarily suspended the residential privileges of three students, including the Assistant General Secretary (AGS) of the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall Students’ Union, following allegations of conducting an unauthorized search in a dormitory room. The incident occurred early Saturday when the students reportedly searched room 121 on suspicion that a woman had entered the hall. The hall provost, Professor Dr. Mahbubar Rahman, confirmed the decision in a notice issued at 4 a.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

According to the notice, the allegation of a woman entering the hall was found to be baseless. However, the students were penalized for violating hall discipline by conducting the search without authorization. The hall’s Vice President (VP), Md. Mozammel Haque, was also served a show-cause notice. The provost stated that no one other than the hall administration has the authority to conduct searches in residential halls.

A meeting held later that day between hall leaders and student representatives turned contentious, leading to a temporary suspension of proceedings before the final decision was made to revoke the students’ residential privileges.

BNP-backed lawyers secured nine out of fifteen posts, including the president, in the Dinajpur District Bar Association election held on April 12, 2026. The results were announced at 3 a.m. after vote counting by the election committee led by Md. Ibrahim. Voting took place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the association auditorium, with 503 out of 546 registered voters casting their ballots.

The BNP-aligned winners include Md. Emam Ali as president, Md. Sirajul Islam and Md. Abdul Hannan as vice presidents, Md. Moshihur Rahman Fatemi as joint general secretary, Md. Niyamul Haque Chowdhury as treasurer, SMG Mostakim as library secretary, Sadeka Tamanna as education and cultural secretary, and Md. Zobayer Al Mahmud Tuhin and Md. Enamul Haque as executive members. The general secretary post went to Abul Ala Md. Mahbubur Rahman Bhuttu from the Lawyers Unity Council panel, while independent candidate Md. Tozammel Haque Liton won the joint general secretary post with 193 votes.

The election outcome reflects a strong presence of BNP-backed lawyers in the district bar leadership, with participation from multiple panels and independent candidates.

China is building a new generation of nuclear-powered submarines to enhance the strength of its navy. Using its advanced dual-use shipbuilding industry, the People's Liberation Army Navy is rapidly expanding its fleet with new warships and submarines. Satellite images published in early 2026 revealed a glimpse of the Type-095 submarine, believed to be the largest and most modern in China's fleet.

Reports suggest that the Type-095 is an upgraded version of earlier models such as the Type-093B and Type-094. The submarine is estimated to be about 110 meters long with a displacement between 9,000 and 10,000 tons. Experts believe it could significantly improve China's underwater capabilities through advanced hydrodynamic design, noise reduction systems, and quieter propulsion technology.

Although details about its missile and torpedo systems remain limited, analysts speculate that the submarine may include vertical launch systems capable of deploying modern hypersonic or anti-ship ballistic missiles. If confirmed, the Type-095 could mark a major step in Beijing’s efforts to close the gap with U.S. undersea dominance.

Bangladesh’s weightlifting community has been hit by a major setback as Asian Games gold medalist Mabia Akter Shimanta has been banned for two years after testing positive for a prohibited substance. The Bangladesh Olympic Association confirmed the suspension, which bars her from all competitive weightlifting events. The sample that led to the sanction was collected in Riyadh after the Islamic Solidarity Games last year, where traces of banned diuretics were detected. The South Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization’s Result Management Committee imposed the penalty under World Anti-Doping Agency regulations.

Officials said the process followed all required procedures, and Mabia has been formally notified of the decision. Under international anti-doping rules, she retains the right to appeal. Experts noted that banned substances can sometimes appear in the body due to unintentional use of medication or contaminated supplements.

At 26, Mabia faces a major career setback but could seek reconsideration through appeal. She began her weightlifting career in 2010 and has been a dominant national athlete since 2013, winning gold medals for Bangladesh in the 2016 and 2019 South Asian Games.