A Lebanese government source told AFP that the country was not informed about any planned talks with Israel, despite U.S. President Donald Trump announcing that leaders from both nations would hold discussions on Thursday. The source said there had been no official communication regarding such contact through any governmental channels.

Trump had earlier written on his Truth Social network that Washington was attempting to create a calmer atmosphere between Israel and Lebanon. He stated that the leaders of the two countries were set to speak for the first time in about 34 years, with the meeting scheduled for Thursday.

The Lebanese statement indicates a lack of coordination or awareness within Beirut regarding the reported diplomatic initiative, leaving uncertainty about whether the proposed talks will proceed as announced.

A cabinet meeting was held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s Office under the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The information was confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Zahidul Islam Rony.

The meeting took place in the afternoon and was part of the government’s regular administrative activities. No further details about the agenda or decisions taken during the meeting were provided in the source.

The report also mentioned other recent developments, including a courtesy meeting between the Prime Minister and Abdullah Abu Sayeed, the commissioning license for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, and the government’s target to produce 10,000 megawatts of solar power.

Bangladesh’s Law Minister Asaduzzaman informed the National Parliament that as of December 31, 2025, a total of 4,041,924 cases remain pending in the country’s subordinate courts. He presented the data during a parliamentary question session chaired by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal. The minister said the government is committed to easing public suffering and reducing case backlogs by expanding judicial capacity.

To address the backlog, 871 new courts and 232 judgeships have been created, with 304 more judicial positions under process. Recruitment of 150 civil judges is ongoing, and 708 judicial staff have been recommended for appointment to fill vacant posts. Additionally, 553 more staff are being recruited. The minister also reported that 467 judges received professional training in 2025, and 93 more have been trained so far in 2026.

Asaduzzaman added that the current government aims to ensure judicial appointments based on integrity and competence rather than political loyalty, marking a departure from previous practices. The Law Commission is also reviewing outdated British and Pakistani-era laws for necessary reform.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed a constitutional amendment to expand the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 seats, making it the world’s largest democratically elected lower house. The plan also includes reserving one-third of the seats for women. Three draft bills were introduced to parliament on Tuesday, and a special session was scheduled to begin on April 16 to discuss them. Modi said stronger female voices in the legislature would strengthen democracy.

Women’s rights leader Ranjana Kumari welcomed the move as long overdue, noting that women currently hold only 13 percent of seats. However, critics argue that the redistricting would benefit Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by increasing representation in northern states where it dominates, while reducing seats in opposition-controlled southern states. Opposition leaders said they support women’s quotas but oppose the seat redistribution.

The amendment requires a two-thirds majority to pass. The government aims to implement the women’s reservation law before the 2029 general election using 2011 census data, though opposition figures warn that the delimitation could unfairly shift political power among states.

The Bangladesh Bar Council has temporarily suspended the lawyer certificate of Md. Masdar Hossain. The decision was taken unanimously at a council meeting held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, according to an official press release. The council also decided to seek an explanation from Hossain within 15 days regarding why his certificate should not be permanently revoked.

The Bar Council stated that the decision followed a report published on April 12 in a daily newspaper concerning allegations against Hossain. After reviewing the report and considering the preliminary evidence and questions of professional ethics, the council concluded that there were sufficient grounds to take initial action against him.

Until Hossain submits his explanation and the council reaches a final decision, his lawyer certificate will remain temporarily suspended.

Authorities in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj have reclaimed government land worth around Tk 4 crore from illegal occupation near Khilakanda area of Togar Haor. The eviction drive was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sanjay Ghosh on Wednesday afternoon, who ordered the occupants to vacate the land immediately and marked the area with red flags.

According to local sources, about two years ago, at least 11 residents of Chakiya Chapur village, including Khurshed Alam Bhuiyan, had submitted an application to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer demanding removal of illegal occupiers. The operation had been delayed for various reasons. Bhuiyan said 20–30 influential individuals had occupied the land and damaged natural resources by cutting trees from the Hijolbagan area. Locals expressed satisfaction with the administration’s action.

Assistant Commissioner Ghosh stated that this was the largest land recovery operation of its kind in the area and that similar drives against illegal occupation would continue.

Top leaders of the Eleven-Party Alliance held a meeting in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area on Thursday to determine the next phase of their ongoing political movement. The meeting began at 11 a.m. at the Al-Falah auditorium and concluded around 12:45 p.m. A press briefing was scheduled to follow at the same venue.

Participants included opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, National Citizens Party convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam, LDP chairman Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque, among other senior alliance figures. The gathering focused on setting new programs following a series of recent nationwide activities.

Earlier, from April 9 to 15, the alliance conducted a week-long campaign across the country demanding implementation of the referendum verdict. Their activities included leaflet distribution, public outreach, demonstrations in all metropolitan and district areas, and a national seminar in Dhaka.

House Democrats have submitted articles of impeachment against US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of treason and multiple high crimes. The proposal, introduced in the House of Representatives last Wednesday, cites six specific charges, including launching an attack on Iran without congressional approval and ordering deadly strikes on civilian vessels under the guise of anti-smuggling operations. The impeachment motion references a March airstrike on an Iranian school that reportedly killed at least 175 people, including many children, according to The New York Times.

Arizona Democrat Yasamin Ansari and Representative John Larson are leading the effort, alleging that Hegseth violated laws intended to minimize civilian harm during armed conflict. The motion also accuses him of endangering national security by leaking classified information about planned attacks on Yemen’s Houthi rebels through a Signal group chat that allegedly included Vice President JD Vance and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Additional allegations include concealing civilian casualty data, attempting to punish Senator Mark Kelly, and removing transgender personnel from the military.

Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson dismissed the accusations as a publicity stunt, telling Axios that it was an attempt to distract the American public. Analysts note that with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, the impeachment proposal is unlikely to pass.

Pope Leo XIV has taken a bold stand against what he described as the bullying and warlike behavior of U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the Catholic leader of 1.4 billion followers declared that he is not afraid of the Trump administration’s threats or displays of power. Without naming Trump directly, he condemned the growing obsession with dominance and aggression, saying that the God of peace does not listen to those whose hands are stained with blood.

Reports indicate that Washington issued a veiled warning following the Pope’s remarks. During a meeting with Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the U.S. envoy to the Vatican, a senior Pentagon official reportedly asserted that Washington has the military capability to act as it wishes and suggested the Church should align with its position. Despite this, Pope Leo remained firm, stating that his mission is to spread the Gospel and that he fears no government.

Analysts noted that while many global leaders have chosen compromise to avoid Trump’s anger, Pope Leo XIV’s moral clarity and courage have set a rare example of principled leadership.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the first Hajj flight from Bangladesh on Friday, April 17, at 12:30 a.m. The announcement was confirmed by Religious Affairs Minister Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad. Preparations are in their final stages at the Ashkona Hajj Camp to ensure smooth operations for the pilgrimage season.

This year, a total of 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims are set to perform Hajj. Immigration procedures for the Saudi Arabian segment are being completed in Bangladesh as in previous years. On the first day, 13 flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Flynas, and Saudia Airlines will carry pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

A 171-member medical team has already arrived in Saudi Arabia, with an additional 150 personnel expected to assist pilgrims. However, travel agencies have expressed concerns about potential difficulties in Mina, Arafah, and Muzdalifah due to new regulations introduced by the Saudi government.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian strongly condemned attacks on schools, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure in Iran, describing them as violations of international law and humanitarian principles. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he accused the United States and Israel of being the 'real terrorists,' saying they disregard humanitarian norms by targeting civilians.

Pezeshkian stated that while the US and Israel label others as terrorists, they themselves conduct indiscriminate killings. His comments came amid ongoing tensions following more than six weeks of conflict, during which Iran halted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. In response, the United States imposed a military blockade in the area.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s military adviser, Mohsen Rezaei, warned that Iran would sink US ships if Washington attempted to act as a 'police force' in the strait. A two-week ceasefire has temporarily paused the fighting.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman departed Dhaka on Thursday, April 16, to attend the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey. The event, held under the patronage of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will take place from April 17 to 19. Rahman is leading the Bangladesh delegation at the forum, which brings together ministers and representatives from various countries.

During his visit, Rahman is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. He may also meet with ministers and representatives from Pakistan, Gambia, and other participating nations. The trip follows his previous visit to Turkey in mid-March, when he held bilateral discussions with the Turkish foreign minister on diplomatic matters.

According to a Foreign Ministry official, Bangladesh aims to use its participation in the forum to strengthen diplomatic efforts in support of its candidacy for the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Anisul Huq stated that effective measures have been taken to withdraw politically motivated harassment cases filed during the Awami League government’s tenure. He made the statement in a written reply to a question from Member of Parliament Md. Monowar Hossain during the question-answer session of the National Parliament on Thursday, presided over by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

The minister explained that the government is fully aware of the issue and has initiated concrete actions to address it. On March 5, 2026, the government formed four-member district-level committees headed by deputy commissioners to recommend withdrawal of such cases. Subsequently, on March 8, a six-member central committee was established with the law minister as convener to review the district committees’ recommendations and continue the case withdrawal process.

The central committee is currently examining the recommendations received from the district committees and proceeding with the withdrawal of identified harassment cases.

State Minister for Public Administration Md. Abdul Bari announced in Parliament on April 16, 2026, that the government has adopted separate plans of six months, one year, and five years to fill vacant government positions. Responding to a question from Chattogram-13 MP Sarwar Jamal Nizam, he said 2,879 posts will be filled within six months, 4,459 within one year, and 3,110 within five years under the ministry’s plan.

He added that letters have been sent to other ministries and departments to collect updated information on recruitment activities and monitor progress in filling vacancies. According to the latest Statistics of Public Servants 2024, there are a total of 468,220 vacant posts across the country, including 68,884 in grades 1–9, 129,166 in grades 10–12, 146,799 in grades 13–16, 115,235 in grades 17–20, and 8,136 honorary or contractual positions.

The government stated that efforts are underway to ensure transparency and efficiency in implementing the plan to recruit nearly 500,000 public employees nationwide.

A 19-member delegation from Bangladesh’s ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has departed for China at the invitation of the Chinese government. The team left Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport late on Wednesday, April 15, aboard a China Northern Airlines flight. The delegation is led by Ismail Zabiyullah, a member of the BNP chairperson’s advisory council, according to BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan.

Originally, BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was scheduled to lead the visit, but he could not join as he is currently in Singapore for medical treatment. Shayrul said Mirza Fakhrul is expected to join the delegation on April 19. The group includes senior BNP leaders, cultural figures, and party organizers from various sectors.

Before departure, the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka hosted a dinner on April 13 in honor of the delegation, where a documentary was shown outlining the sites they will visit in China. The delegation is expected to return to Dhaka on April 24.