Talks between the United States and Iran concluded without any agreement, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei. The discussions, held with Pakistan’s mediation, covered the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear concerns, wartime compensation, sanctions relief, and efforts to end regional conflicts. In a post on social media platform X, Baghaei expressed Iran’s gratitude to Pakistan for organizing and facilitating the dialogue.

Baghaei stated that Iranian representatives used all their strength, experience, and knowledge to defend Tehran’s rights and interests. He emphasized that Iran remains determined to protect its national interests and welfare through diplomacy and all available means. The spokesperson also reiterated Iran’s distrust of the United States, citing past hostilities and attacks allegedly carried out by the US and Israel.

He added that the success of the diplomatic process depends on the sincerity and goodwill of the other side, and on recognition of Iran’s legitimate rights. Baghaei concluded by thanking the Pakistani government and people for their sincere efforts in advancing the talks.

The Dhaka Traffic Relief Committee, a private organization, unveiled 11 proposals aimed at reducing traffic congestion in the capital. The proposals were presented by committee president Ishaq Dulal at a press conference held at the National Press Club on Sunday. Key recommendations include canal restoration for water transport, construction of tram and ring roads, relocation of major bus terminals, and improved traffic management training. The committee also suggested launching city transport under the two city corporations, freeing sidewalks from illegal occupation, and halting gas supply to private vehicles to redirect it toward industrial production.

Citing a United Nations Development Programme report, Dulal warned that Bangladesh’s population could reach 230–250 million by 2050, with most growth occurring in urban areas, intensifying congestion if no action is taken. He noted that Dhaka’s average vehicle speed has dropped from 21 km/h in 2007–2008 to between 4.5 and 7 km/h. A CPD survey found that passengers lose 46 minutes to traffic every two hours, costing the economy an estimated 500 billion taka annually.

The committee urged the government to consider these proposals, some of which are already under partial implementation.

The Bangladesh National Parliament has formed a 10-member Library Committee during the first session of the 13th Parliament, following an order from the Speaker. The committee was officially announced on April 6 through a notice issued by the Committee Branch-2 of the Parliament Secretariat. Saied Al Noman, Member of Parliament for Chattogram-10 (Double Mooring–Pahartali–Halishahar), has been included as a member of this committee.

According to the announcement, the committee was constituted under Article 76 of the Constitution and Rule 257 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. Barrister Kaiser Kamal, MP for Netrakona-1, will serve as the committee’s chairman. Other members include MPs from Lakshmipur-4, Mymensingh-7, Faridpur-3, Dhaka-14, Patuakhali-4, Chattogram-7, Pabna-1, and Rangpur-4. The committee’s tenure and responsibilities will be determined according to parliamentary rules.

Local leaders and residents of Chattogram-10 have expressed enthusiasm over Saied Al Noman’s inclusion, with expectations that he will contribute to modernizing the parliamentary library and promoting knowledge-based legislative practices.

Legendary Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. She was 92 years old. Hospital sources said she had been suffering from age-related ailments for several months and was admitted on Saturday with heart and respiratory complications. Her condition worsened that night, leading to her transfer to the ICU. Her son Anand Bhosle confirmed her death, and her funeral is scheduled for Monday.

Born in 1933 into the musically renowned Mangeshkar family, Asha Bhosle began her professional singing career at the age of nine and recorded her first film song in 1943. By the 1950s, she had established herself as a major voice in Bollywood, known for her versatility and distinctive style alongside her sister Lata Mangeshkar. Over her long career, she won seven Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer and two National Film Awards.

Her death marks the end of a golden era in Indian music, leaving behind a legacy that spanned decades and genres.

At least five people were killed and several others injured in an Israeli airstrike on Qana in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA). Civil Defense workers were reported to be rescuing the injured and transporting them to a hospital in the nearby city of Tyre. Al Jazeera reported that simultaneous strikes also hit other parts of Tyre district, injuring at least three more people in the Ma’raka area.

Qana has a tragic history of Israeli attacks, with deadly incidents in 1996 and 2006 still remembered by residents. The latest assault has revived memories of those earlier tragedies and heightened tensions across southern Lebanon, according to local sources.

The escalation in violence has raised concerns about further instability in the region, though no official statements on next steps were reported in the source.

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that the government will distribute farmer cards without any political consideration. The initiative targets 22.7 million marginal farmers, ensuring that all eligible recipients will receive cards in phases. He made the statement on Sunday at a press conference held at the Press Information Department (PID) auditorium in Dhaka, marking the launch of the farmer card distribution program.

According to the minister, the government aims to modernize Bangladesh’s agriculture sector through a technology-driven and farmer-centered system. The farmer card will serve as a universal digital identity for each farmer, enabling access to banking and agricultural services. Accounts have already been opened through Sonali Bank, and preparations for distribution are complete. As of April 11, data from 22,065 farmers have been collected, including 20,671 marginal and small farmers, 1,303 medium farmers, and 91 large farmers.

In the pre-pilot phase, landless, marginal, and small farmers will receive annual direct cash assistance of 2,500 taka. The card will also provide access to fertilizers, seeds, irrigation, and agricultural loans at fair prices and easy terms.

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.