Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy announced on Thursday that the country’s daily oil supply capacity has fallen by 700,000 barrels, equivalent to about 10 percent of its current exports, following attacks on its East-West pipeline. The ministry confirmed that one of the pipeline’s pumping stations was among the targets, disrupting the flow of crude oil across the kingdom.

This marks the first official Saudi statement acknowledging damage to its energy infrastructure caused by Iranian attacks. The announcement comes as the United States and Iran prepare for high-level peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan. The East-West pipeline has become increasingly vital for Gulf oil transport since Iran took control of the Strait of Hormuz and restricted vessel movement through the waterway.

The ministry also reported that the Manifa and Khurais oil processing centers were hit in the same wave of attacks, further straining Saudi Arabia’s energy operations.

At least a dozen US military bases across the Gulf region have been severely damaged in Iran’s retaliatory strikes following attacks by the United States and Israel, according to a report published on April 10, 2026. The damage is described as so extensive that the bases have become more of a liability than an asset for US forces. The New York Times previously reported that the affected installations were nearly uninhabitable, though the Trump administration has not acknowledged the extent of the losses.

Mark Lynch, director of the Project on Middle East Political Science at George Washington University, stated during the Arab Center Washington DC’s annual conference that Iran had rendered the physical architecture of US dominance ineffective within a month. He added that no comprehensive or accurate report on the scale of the damage has been made public. Access to bases in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman remains tightly restricted by both the Pentagon and host governments.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that secrecy around the sites is being maintained to protect the security of US bases used in operations against Iran.

Member of Parliament Saeed Al Noman from Chattogram-10 has formally requested the inclusion of recitation as an independent division under the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Ordinance 2026. In a demi-official letter sent to Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury on Thursday, he emphasized that recitation is a vital part of the nation’s cultural identity and deserves institutional recognition. He confirmed the matter to the newspaper on Friday.

In his letter, Noman noted that although the number of divisions in the new ordinance has been increased from six to nine, recitation was not included as a separate category. He described this omission as unfortunate and concerning, arguing that it undermines an important cultural tradition. He highlighted that recitation plays a historic role in promoting the Bengali language and culture and helps nurture a humane and culturally aware generation.

Cultural enthusiasts across the country have welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that recognizing recitation as an independent division will invigorate the art form and strengthen Bangladesh’s literary and cultural continuity.

Pakistan’s representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar, stated that the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Israel includes a provision to halt attacks in Lebanon. He questioned why confusion was being created over Lebanon’s inclusion, asserting that it is a clear part of the proposal.

Earlier, the White House had clarified that Lebanon was not included in the two-week ceasefire agreement announced between the United States and Iran. White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt said this during a briefing, noting that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken by phone on Tuesday night. Netanyahu expressed support for the ceasefire efforts and was described as an important partner in the discussions.

The differing statements from Pakistan and the White House highlight uncertainty over the scope of the ceasefire and whether it extends to Lebanon, a point that could affect regional stability if not clarified.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has started selling nomination forms for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament. Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the process at the party’s central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, on Friday morning. The sale will continue until Sunday, April 12. Each form costs 2,000 taka, with an additional 50,000 taka required as a security deposit. Rizvi said that priority will be given to women who played significant roles in past movements, possess strong educational backgrounds, and have the ability to speak effectively in parliament.

He added that the party’s parliamentary board will decide on the final nominations and urged all aspirants to maintain party discipline. Rizvi emphasized the need for vibrant parliamentary discussions as a core strength of democracy. The Election Commission has scheduled the reserved women’s seat election for May 12, with nomination submissions closing on April 21 and symbol allocation on April 30.

According to the announced schedule, the 13th Parliament will include 50 reserved seats for women, with the BNP alliance holding 36, the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance 13, and independents one.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has started selling nomination forms for reserved women’s seats at its central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka. The process began on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 11 a.m., with each form priced at 2,000 taka. Interested candidates can collect and submit their forms by April 12, along with a 50,000 taka security deposit.

Earlier, the Election Commission announced the schedule for the reserved women’s seat election for the 13th National Parliament. According to the schedule, the last date for submitting nomination papers is April 21, with scrutiny on April 22 and 23. Appeals can be filed on April 26 and resolved by April 28. The withdrawal deadline is April 29, symbols will be allocated on April 30, and voting will take place on May 12.

Out of 350 parliamentary seats, 50 are reserved for women. The BNP-led alliance will receive 36 of these seats, 13 will go to allied parties including Jamaat-e-Islami, and one seat is designated for independent candidates.

Mongla Port, Bangladesh’s second-largest seaport, maintained steady import and export operations despite global economic and energy challenges. According to port authorities, 10.5 million metric tonnes of goods were traded through 679 ships in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. The port’s performance improved due to modern facilities, dredging, and efficient management.

Officials said that while many ports faced slowdowns due to the global energy crisis, Mongla sustained normal operations by leveraging its strategic location and upgraded infrastructure. Imports of essential goods such as clinker, fertilizer, coal, stone, wheat, rice, and frozen products continued, alongside increased use of the port for ready-made garment exports. The opening of the Padma Bridge has also boosted business interest by improving connectivity with Dhaka and nearby industrial zones.

Authorities noted that larger vessels can now dock directly at the jetty following dredging works, and container handling time has decreased with expanded yards and new equipment. Business leaders said Mongla has become a reliable alternative to Chattogram Port, particularly for vehicle imports and faster delivery systems.

A joint operation by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered 2,000 liters of illegally stored loose soybean oil in Rupganj, Narayanganj. The raid took place around midnight on Thursday at Kazipara Chourasta in Tarab Union, where two warehouses owned by individuals named Raju and Khorshed were searched.

Authorities reported finding nine barrels of unbottled soybean oil that had been collected from local markets and stored for illegal bottling and marketing. Evidence showed that the oil was being repackaged and labeled under the names 'Bondhon Plus' and 'Bismillah' for sale in the market.

Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Marjanul Haque of Narayanganj district administration ordered the immediate sealing of the warehouses. Legal proceedings related to the incident are currently underway.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued five New Zealand tourists after they were attacked by assailants on a boat near Sonadia Island in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar. The incident occurred on the night of April 8, 2026, when a group of criminals assaulted the tourists and looted their belongings. Acting swiftly, Coast Guard teams reached the scene, ensured the tourists’ safety, and recovered most of the stolen items. The attackers fled before they could be apprehended.

According to Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, the tourists, led by New Zealand citizen John Edward Pudne, had arrived in Bangladesh in 2024 for a world tour by sea. Authorities had earlier discouraged them from such a voyage due to safety risks and noted that their passports had expired in January 2026. Despite the warnings, they continued their journey and anchored near Sonadia Island.

The rescued tourists are now in safe custody, and the Coast Guard is coordinating with relevant ministries to determine their next steps. Search operations continue to locate the attackers and recover remaining stolen property.

A planned meeting between the United States and Iran has fallen into uncertainty following continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The talks were scheduled to take place on Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan, but Iran’s delegation has yet to leave Tehran. Abbas Aslani, a senior fellow at the Middle East Strategic Research Center, confirmed to Al Jazeera that Iran refuses to engage in any dialogue while the attacks persist.

According to Aslani, Tehran has made it clear that no discussions will occur in Islamabad as long as the situation in Lebanon continues. The ongoing conflict has pushed the diplomatic initiative into deep uncertainty. Beyond the violence, Tehran attributes the delay to a shift in the US position, noting that Washington has signaled a move away from a ten-point peace plan previously approved by the US president.

Aslani added that this change has created a renewed trust deficit among Iranians, reinforcing fears that the United States cannot be relied upon to keep its commitments.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed officials to begin direct talks with Lebanon as soon as possible. Despite agreeing to the idea of direct negotiations, Netanyahu made it clear that there will be no ceasefire in Lebanon and that military operations against Hezbollah will continue. The directive marks the first time Netanyahu has accepted Lebanon’s request for direct discussions.

The report notes that the pace of Israeli military operations in Lebanon has slowed in recent hours, with no major attacks reported in Beirut since Wednesday. This development follows a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, after which Israel continued its strikes in Lebanon. The situation reflects a complex regional dynamic involving multiple actors and ongoing hostilities.

It remains uncertain whether the proposed talks will lead to a reduction in hostilities or a broader diplomatic breakthrough, as Israel maintains its military stance while expressing readiness for dialogue.

The cluster-based 'A' unit admission test for the 2025–2026 academic year began today, Friday, at Islamic University (IU). The one-hour examination is being held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. across nine academic buildings on the campus. A total of 11,186 candidates are seated at the IU center under the science faculty’s 'A' unit. This test marks the conclusion of the cluster university admission process for the year.

To assist candidates and guardians, various student organizations have set up help desks at the university’s main gate. The university administration has strengthened a four-tier security system involving Ansar, RAB, BNCC-Rover Scouts, and police to ensure smooth conduct of the exam. IU Proctor Professor Dr. Shahinuzzaman stated that all necessary security measures have been implemented and expressed hope for an orderly examination environment.

According to the university, a total of 284,480 students applied for the cluster admission tests this year, including 166,240 for 'A' unit, 93,158 for 'B' unit, and 25,282 for 'C' unit. The 'C' and 'B' unit exams were held earlier with attendance rates of 88.53% and 86.45%, respectively.

Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a protest rally and procession to be held on Friday after Juma prayers at the north gate of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram in Dhaka. The demonstration is being organized to protest alleged vote rigging, polling center occupation, and attacks on party activists during the suspended election in Sherpur and the by-election in Bogura. Jamaat’s Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar will attend the event as the chief guest, alongside central and metropolitan leaders.

The announcement was confirmed by Muhammad Delawar Hossain, publicity and media secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan South Jamaat, who informed the media about the planned gathering. The protest reflects the party’s demand for the cancellation of the Sherpur and Bogura elections, which it claims were marred by irregularities and violence against its members.

The event underscores Jamaat-e-Islami’s continued political mobilization around alleged electoral misconduct and its call for accountability in the recent local and by-elections.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have intensified their ground operations in southern Lebanon, focusing on encircling the strategically important town of Bint Jbeil. According to the latest reports, Israeli troops attempted to advance into the outskirts of the town within the past 24 hours. In response, Hezbollah claimed to have launched multiple attacks targeting Israeli forces near the town’s entrance, asserting that it halted the Israeli advance.

Hezbollah stated that it carried out more than 50 military operations in the past day, including several cross-border strikes inside Israel. The group had briefly reduced rocket attacks following reports of a regional ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States, believing Lebanon would be included. However, after Israel clarified that the truce would not affect its Lebanon campaign, Hezbollah resumed full-scale resistance.

Military analysts cited in the report noted that Bint Jbeil holds both strategic and symbolic significance for Hezbollah. Control of the town would give Israel a major tactical advantage in southern Lebanon, raising fears that fighting in the area could escalate further in the coming days.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented a detailed statement on Bangladesh’s overall economic condition in the National Parliament on Friday. His report highlighted widespread irregularities, mismanagement, and corruption in the financial sector during the previous authoritarian government. He said that due to economic mismanagement and illicit financial flows, foreign reserves had fallen to 20 billion dollars. The minister noted that while exports rose slightly under the interim government, import growth slowed and remittance inflows increased significantly.

He stated that social safety programs under the former regime failed to adjust benefits for inflation, leaving many beneficiaries outside inclusive development. Weak market management and syndicate corruption caused abnormal price hikes and supply disruptions, burdening ordinary citizens. The minister also described steps taken under the current government’s election manifesto, including improved debt management, reduced loan dependency, and structural reforms to strengthen the capital market.

He announced plans to form a special commission to investigate irregularities from the past 15 years and expressed hope that by 2034 Bangladesh would become a developed economy through sustained growth and fiscal discipline.