A large-scale fraud allegation has surfaced in Keraniganj, Dhaka, involving around 10,000 investors and hundreds of crores of taka. The accused is Naznin Akter Usha Nazim, daughter of former Shuvadda Union Parishad chairman Nazim Uddin and managing director of International Amusement Club. Victims claim they were denied promised plots, dividends, or refunds and instead faced threats and harassment. The projects include Bashundhara Riverview, Hasnabad Housing, Chandarchar BCRSP, and several others launched by Nazim Uddin before his death in 2013.

After Nazim Uddin’s death, his family inherited his assets, and Usha became the club’s managing director. The club’s operations stopped, and investors allege Usha secretly sold properties. In January 2025, victims filed a case against Nazim’s family members, accusing them of embezzlement and intimidation. Usha denies wrongdoing, calling the allegations false, though she admits selling some project lands and refusing refunds to permanent members.

The projects remain inactive, and thousands of investors are yet to recover their money. The dispute has left the International Amusement Club defunct and its members without resolution.

After 21 hours of negotiations, the first round of talks between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the Iran war concluded without any agreement. The discussions involved senior officials from both countries and were closely followed by regional stakeholders. In response, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar called on both sides to maintain their commitment to the ceasefire.

In an official statement, Dar emphasized the importance of continuing to uphold the ceasefire pledges and expressed optimism that Iran and the United States would sustain a positive attitude in future discussions. He stated that Pakistan would continue to play an active role in facilitating dialogue and communication between the two nations.

Dar also thanked both parties for recognizing Pakistan’s efforts toward achieving a ceasefire and voiced hope that the two countries would move forward with goodwill toward lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie inaugurated the excavation of the Zia Canal at the confluence of the Kajla River in Baliyapur village, Meherpur Sadar upazila, on Saturday afternoon. He said the initiative follows the legacy of late President Ziaur Rahman’s canal excavation program, which he credited for achieving food self-sufficiency and creating employment in Bangladesh. The current Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, has launched a nationwide canal excavation initiative continuing that vision.

The minister stated that the government aims to prioritize rural development over large-scale projects, with a plan to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals within five years to transform rural infrastructure. He also mentioned ongoing agricultural reforms, including a decision to waive agricultural loans of up to 10,000 taka with interest and the introduction of family and agricultural cards. A program to distribute agricultural cards is scheduled for April 14.

An integrated project for agricultural development in Meherpur is underway, involving sluice gate construction and canal re-excavation connected to the Bhairab and Kajla rivers to reduce waterlogging and boost agricultural productivity.

In Kaliganj upazila of Jhenaidah, 23 people including women, children, and elderly residents were injured after being bitten by rabid dogs over a 24-hour period from Friday to Saturday morning. The attacks occurred in several areas including Nishchintapur, Madhuganj, and Dhakalepra. Victims received treatment at Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex and local clinics, but the absence of rabies vaccines at the health center left many in distress.

Local residents reported that two aggressive dogs began attacking people across the town on Friday morning. Among the injured were a tea seller, pedestrians, and several children. Residents managed to capture one of the dogs on Friday night, but the other remained at large. Acting health officer Dr. Arun Kumar confirmed that 22 dog-bite victims and one cat-bite victim sought treatment, and due to the vaccine shortage, they were advised to obtain vaccines privately.

Kaliganj Upazila Executive Officer Rezwana Nahid said vaccines were purchased from the market for victims who approached her, and assured that the shortage at the hospital would be resolved soon.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is providing a new house to the family of Harunur Rashid, a Jubo Dal leader who was killed in police firing during a peaceful procession in support of a hartal in Feni town in 2013. According to a press release signed by BNP Family Member Secretary Agriculturist Moksedul Momin Mithun, a delegation from the organization 'Amra BNP Poribar' will inaugurate the construction work of the new house on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

Harunur Rashid, a resident of Forhadnagar Union’s Vhorbazar area under Feni Sadar upazila, lost his life on December 4, 2013, when police opened fire on a procession supporting the hartal. The initiative to build a new house for his family is being undertaken under the patronage of Tarique Rahman as the chief sponsor of 'Amra BNP Poribar'.

The announcement reflects continued political engagement by the BNP leadership in supporting families of party activists affected by past political violence.

Pakistan has sent military forces and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to strengthen security under a joint defense cooperation agreement between the two countries, according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Defense on Saturday. The Pakistani contingent arrived at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia’s eastern province, with the deployment aimed at reinforcing the bilateral defense pact.

The statement said the deployment includes Pakistan Air Force fighter and support aircraft to enhance joint military coordination and operational readiness between the two armed forces. Reuters reported, citing a senior Pakistani official and other sources, that the move followed Iranian attacks that damaged key Saudi energy infrastructure and killed a Saudi citizen. The official emphasized that Pakistan’s forces were not sent to attack anyone.

Sources added that the deployment seeks to reassure Riyadh of Islamabad’s commitment to assist in defending Saudi Arabia against future attacks. The two nations maintain long-standing ties based on strategic military cooperation, economic interests, and shared Islamic heritage, reinforced by a 2025 mutual defense pact signed by their leaders.

Medical services at the Camellia Duncan Foundation Hospital in Shamshernagar, Kamalganj, Moulvibazar have remained suspended for 15 days following the death of sixth-grade student Oishi Rabidas. The 50-bed hospital, established in 1994 and serving workers from 36 tea estates owned by Duncan Brothers, has been closed since March 27. As a result, over one hundred thousand tea workers and their families are deprived of healthcare, with several reportedly dying without treatment. Many are now forced to seek costly care at government hospitals.

Local health officials confirmed that patient pressure has increased at nearby government facilities. Tea worker leaders claim three workers have died in the past week due to lack of treatment. An English delegation has visited the site, but hospital operations have not resumed. Duncan Brothers’ coordinator said a team from England is handling the issue, while the Kamalganj Upazila administration has pledged to take steps to reopen the hospital.

The hospital was shut down after workers vandalized it on March 26, following allegations of negligence in Oishi Rabidas’s death.

A syndicate allegedly linked to local Awami League leaders has taken control of the Lechraganj sand lease in Harirampur, Manikganj, for Tk 3.4 crore, far below the government’s estimated value of Tk 7.42 crore. The lease was awarded to Khan Enterprise, owned by Md. Billal Hossain Khan, nephew of Azimpur Union Awami League president Ali Akbar Khan. The issue has sparked widespread discussion across the district.

According to district administration sources, the tender process was held three times after bids repeatedly fell below the government’s set price. In the final round, Khan Enterprise offered the highest bid of Tk 3.4 crore and received the lease. Local residents allege that the sand lease has remained under the influence of a powerful Awami family for several years, despite changes in formal ownership.

Officials confirmed that the lease was granted to the highest bidder in the third round, while allegations persist that the tender process favored a specific group connected to ruling party figures.

Inter Miami’s search for a home victory continued as they were held to a 2-2 draw by the New York Red Bulls in a Major League Soccer match on April 12, 2026. The defending champions drew for the second consecutive time at their new stadium, with Lionel Messi at the center of attention for missed chances and a disallowed goal. Miami started aggressively but fell behind in the 14th minute to a Jorge Ruvalcaba strike before Mateo Silvetti equalized just before halftime.

In the second half, Miami took control and went ahead through German Barterame in the 54th minute, assisted indirectly by Messi. However, New York leveled again in the 76th minute through Adrie Mehmeti. Late in the game, Messi’s goal was ruled offside, and his stoppage-time free kick was saved by goalkeeper Ethan Horvath. The result left Miami still unbeaten in six matches but without a home win.

After seven matches, Inter Miami stand third in the league table with three wins, three draws, and 12 points, maintaining their unbeaten streak despite back-to-back home draws.

More than 200 demonstrators were arrested in London during a pro-Palestinian protest supporting the banned group Palestine Action. The sit-in took place on Saturday at Trafalgar Square, where participants carried placards backing the organization, which police said constitutes a criminal offense. Officers removed protesters one by one as others applauded and cheered. Police confirmed that 212 people aged between 27 and 82 were detained.

Palestine Action was declared a terrorist organization in July last year, with support or affiliation punishable by up to 14 years in prison. In February this year, the High Court ruled that the ban interfered with freedom of expression, but the government was granted permission to appeal. After a temporary halt in arrests, the Metropolitan Police resumed enforcement in late March.

The group Defend Our Juries claimed around 500 people joined the protest and criticized the ongoing arrests as a “wrong suppression policy.” The controversy over the ban continues, with several related court cases suspended until a review scheduled for July 30.

The Jamuna River in Sirajganj has turned into a vast stretch of sand, halting normal boat transport and causing severe hardship for thousands of riverside residents. With the riverbed now dominated by sandbars, horse carts have replaced boats for carrying goods. The lack of water has also led to a sharp decline in native fish species, leaving fishermen without their traditional source of income. Locals have demanded river management and dredging to restore navigability.

Once a major waterway in the 1990s supporting steamers, ferries, and ships, the Jamuna has now lost its flow, leaving districts like Kazipur, Sadar, Belkuchi, Chauhali, and Shahjadpur covered in sand. The Water Development Board reported that during the dry season, water flow drops to as low as 3,000 cusecs, compared to 130,000 cusecs in the monsoon. Heavy silt deposits from upstream have turned large areas into sandbanks.

Despite the crisis, farmers have begun cultivating crops such as maize, peanuts, mustard, onions, garlic, and tomatoes on the newly formed fertile land, bringing some economic relief to affected communities.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that the United States and Iran have reached an understanding on several issues following extended discussions. The announcement came after US Vice President J.D. Vance stated that the two sides had failed to reach any agreement even after 21 hours of talks. Baghaei later told Iranian media that while progress had been made, two or three key issues remained unresolved.

He explained that the talks took place after a 40-day conflict and were held in an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion. According to Baghaei, it was unrealistic to expect a full agreement in a single meeting, as no one had anticipated such an outcome. Earlier, he had emphasized that the success of the negotiations depended on the sincerity and goodwill of the opposing side and on recognition of Iran’s legitimate rights and interests.

The discussions mark a cautious step toward easing tensions, though the remaining disagreements suggest that further negotiations will be necessary before any comprehensive deal is reached.

Ahead of the Bengali New Year, the traditional weaving industry in Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj has regained its vibrancy. After a long lull, weavers have become busy producing towels, saris, and lungis to meet growing demand from wholesalers and customers. However, rising production costs, fuel shortages, and higher raw material prices are causing concern among those involved in the trade.

Visits to various weaving villages revealed that both handlooms and power looms are running at full capacity. Workers said that although work increases during the festive season, income does not rise proportionately, and frequent power outages disrupt production. Factory owners reported that irregular electricity supply and high prices of yarn, dyes, and chemicals have raised production costs. Diesel shortages have also made it difficult to operate generators, putting small and medium owners under pressure.

According to a Bangladesh Handloom Board official, the Raiganj weaving industry has strong potential but faces multiple constraints. Observers believe that timely government support and stable electricity and raw material supplies could help the sector recover sustainably.

Iran has stated that it is in no hurry to resume negotiations with the United States, saying the next move now lies with Washington. According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, citing reliable sources, Tehran has made reasonable proposals and expects the US to review them realistically. The source accused the US of miscalculations in the talks, similar to those made during wartime, and warned that no changes would occur in the Strait of Hormuz until a reasonable agreement is reached.

The report added that Iran remains patient and that no date or venue has been set for the next round of discussions. Meanwhile, US Vice President J.D. Vance left Pakistan after 21 hours of talks without reaching any agreement with Iran. Both sides have blamed each other for the failure to reach a deal, with Iran saying the negotiations stalled over two or three key issues.

The lack of progress underscores continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington, with no clear timeline for resuming dialogue.

Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, central assistant secretary general of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and a leader of the 11-party alliance, said that patriotic students and citizens will not allow fascist rule to return to Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing a protest rally in Sylhet organized by the city’s 11-party alliance, demanding implementation of the referendum verdict.

Zubair stated that the July uprising aimed not only at a change of power but also at ending fascism and reforming the constitution. He claimed that about 70 percent of voters in the February 12 referendum supported change and reform, but the BNP is allegedly conspiring to ignore that verdict and reestablish fascism. He also accused the government of misusing parliamentary procedures to curtail opposition rights and repealing around 20 key ordinances, including those related to human rights and anti-corruption.

The rally, presided over by Advocate Abdur Rahman Afzal of the National Citizen Party, was attended by leaders from several allied parties. A protest march followed the meeting through major streets of Sylhet city.