Top leaders of the eleven-party alliance have called a meeting to determine the next phase of their ongoing movement. The meeting will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar, Dhaka. Following the meeting, a press briefing is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at the same venue. The information was confirmed by Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, coordinator of the alliance and assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Before this announcement, the alliance carried out a week-long series of programs from April 9 to April 15 across the country. These included leaflet distribution, public outreach, demonstrations in all metropolitan and district areas, and a national seminar in Dhaka. The programs were organized to press for the implementation of a referendum verdict.

The upcoming meeting is expected to finalize new programs following the completion of the previous week-long campaign, marking the next step in the alliance’s political activities.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam announced that both the government and opposition parties will jointly bring a proposal for constitutional amendment. Speaking to the media at the National Parliament tunnel on Wednesday, he said that while some differences remain between the two sides, consensus will be reached soon to move forward together.

He emphasized that the main goal of the amendment is to strengthen democracy, preserve independence and sovereignty, and promote constructive national development. Nurul Islam also urged the media to highlight positive news alongside negative reports, citing the example of coverage about the temporary closure of the Eastern Refinery PLC and the arrival of two ships carrying 200,000 metric tons of oil.

The Chief Whip further noted that the Prime Minister has been working for the overall welfare of the country, ensuring justice and protecting sovereignty. He added that the government aims to build skilled human resources by promoting multilingual education, including Arabic, Mandarin, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and English as a second language.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed stated in parliament that Bangladesh had invited its own misfortune regarding India’s Tipaimukh Dam. He made the remark on Wednesday during the question-and-answer session after a supplementary question from BNP lawmaker Abdul Malik of Sylhet-3. Earlier, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu said he would discuss the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Speaker recalled his experience as a former water resources minister, saying that India initiated the Tipaimukh project at the request of Bangladesh’s then foreign minister Abdus Samad Azad. Abdul Malik had raised concerns about floods and droughts in Sylhet caused by upstream water flow from the Barak River, asking what plans the government had to address the issue.

In response, Minister Mintu said he would consult the foreign ministry to find a long-term solution and take measures to reduce the recurring water crisis. The Speaker’s comment followed this exchange, linking the current challenges to earlier decisions involving the dam project.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will embark on a four-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. The trip comes as Islamabad prepares for a possible second round of talks between the United States and Iran, following an initial round held last Saturday. The announcement coincides with remarks suggesting that developments could occur in Islamabad within the next two days.

According to the ministry, Sharif’s visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar will focus on bilateral relations. In Turkey, he is scheduled to attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and hold bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other leaders on the sidelines of the event.

The timing of the visit highlights Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement in the region, particularly as discussions involving the United States and Iran continue to evolve.

Iran has stated that it has no information about any new negotiations with the United States, despite recent remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that something might happen in Islamabad within the next two days. The statement came through Iran’s state news agency IRNA, citing a diplomatic source who clarified that no new discussions have been confirmed.

According to IRNA, messages have been exchanged between Tehran and Pakistan, which has been acting as a mediator, but no concrete progress has been made. The source added that Pakistan remains committed to its mediation efforts even after previous talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad ended without agreement. Iran has not yet issued any public response to Trump’s latest comments.

A two-week ceasefire announced on April 8 is set to expire on April 22, adding urgency to diplomatic developments in the region.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his country prefers dialogue over war, emphasizing that Iran does not want conflict. He cautioned that any attempt by the United States to impose its will or force Iran into submission would not succeed. The remarks were reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA.

Pezeshkian questioned the legitimacy of targeting civilians, prominent individuals, and children, as well as destroying key facilities such as schools and hospitals, under international law and humanitarian principles. His comments reflect Iran’s stance on the need for diplomatic engagement rather than military confrontation.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not mention any ongoing or planned negotiations between Iran and the United States, indicating that no new talks have been initiated at this stage.

Two members of the US Congress have resigned following separate sexual misconduct scandals. Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell announced his resignation on Monday after multiple women accused him of sexual harassment or misconduct. Hours later, Republican Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas also stepped down after admitting to a relationship with a former aide amid mounting pressure.

In his resignation letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Swalwell expressed regret for past mistakes and apologized to his family, colleagues, and voters. He stated that he would fight what he described as serious and false allegations but accepted responsibility for his errors. Gonzales admitted to having a relationship with a staff member who later died by suicide. He also faces allegations of sending inappropriate messages to another former employee, which he has not publicly addressed.

The resignations mark a rare bipartisan fallout in Congress, highlighting ongoing scrutiny over personal conduct among elected officials.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman met with European Union Ambassador Michael Miller in Dhaka on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. During the courtesy meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides discussed the long-standing bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and the EU, which they described as having evolved into a broad and multidimensional partnership.

The meeting focused on key areas of mutual interest including ongoing reform initiatives, migration management, skills development, rule of law, and good governance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that detailed discussions were also held regarding the foreign minister’s upcoming visit to Brussels, where he will lead a delegation. One of the main objectives of the visit is to complete the initial process for signing the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), aimed at institutionalizing and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Ambassador Miller assured continued EU support for Bangladesh’s reform process, while Minister Rahman expressed appreciation for the EU’s role as one of Bangladesh’s major development and trade partners.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that any attempt by the United States or Israel to force Iran into surrender would fail. Speaking in Tehran on Wednesday during a meeting with emergency service officials, he emphasized that the Iranian people would never accept such pressure. Pezeshkian stated that Tehran supports constructive dialogue rather than war or instability.

His remarks came just hours after US President Donald Trump announced that peace talks could resume later in the week. However, Tehran has not made any direct comment on the possibility of renewed negotiations. The statement reflects Iran’s continued stance on resisting external pressure while expressing openness to diplomatic engagement.

The timing of Pezeshkian’s comments suggests Iran’s intent to reinforce its position amid renewed international discussions about peace talks, though no formal communication between Tehran and Washington has been confirmed.

House Democrats have proposed forming a commission led by Vice President JD Vance to determine whether President Donald Trump should be removed from office under the 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The proposal was introduced on Tuesday by Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, following concerns about Trump’s physical and mental fitness after a series of controversial remarks and actions. These included threats to destroy Iran’s civilization and social media posts comparing himself to Jesus Christ.

Raskin stated that such behavior has severely eroded public trust and turned the issue into one of national security. Former CIA Director John Brennan and several Democratic lawmakers have argued that the 79-year-old president is no longer fit to lead. The bill has 50 Democratic co-sponsors and calls for a 17-member commission comprising former executive officials, physicians, and psychiatrists nominated by both parties.

However, the proposal faces steep odds in the Republican-controlled House, where passage is considered highly unlikely.

The United States has set two new conditions before resuming talks with Iran following the failure of their meeting in Islamabad, according to Israeli media reports cited by NDTV. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that discussions with Tehran could restart within two days, claiming that appropriate representatives from Iran had reached out to Washington seeking a possible agreement.

Diplomatic sources reported that Washington’s first condition is the complete and unhindered reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. remains firm on its principle of reciprocity, meaning if Iran blocks ship or oil tanker movement through the strait, its own vessels will face similar restrictions. The second condition requires Iran’s negotiation team to have full authorization from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to finalize any potential deal, ensuring top-level approval from Tehran.

Iran has not yet responded to these conditions and has denied that any new round of talks is being planned, reiterating its distrust of negotiations with the United States.

A special eviction drive was conducted around Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) to clear sidewalks occupied by hawkers and illegal structures. The operation, held on Wednesday morning, was inaugurated by Abdus Salam, administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation, as part of a broader initiative to free footpaths and enhance the area’s appearance. Ansar members actively participated in the drive, removing makeshift shops and mobile vendors from the hospital vicinity.

Following the inauguration, a team led by Brigadier General Asaduzzaman, director of DMCH, began the operation from the Shaheed Minar Gate (Gate No. 3). Authorities reported that the sidewalks around the hospital were freed from encroachment, improving movement for patients and visitors and restoring overall order.

A similar operation had been launched on April 2 to improve the hospital’s environment and discipline. However, after hawkers reoccupied the cleared spaces, the hospital administration initiated this renewed drive to maintain cleanliness and accessibility in the area.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan informed the National Parliament on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, that Bangladesh currently has 198,037 officially recognized freedom fighters, according to the ministry’s consolidated list. He made the disclosure while responding to a question from ruling party MP A.M. Mahbub Uddin Khokon during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The minister also stated that the government is not presently considering any increase in the honorarium for the freedom fighters.

In response to separate questions, the minister explained that allegations against gazetted freedom fighters are investigated by a subcommittee of the National Freedom Fighters Council (JAMUKA). Since August 2024, the council has received 842 complaints, resulting in the cancellation of 481 gazettes or related documents. Since its inception, JAMUKA has recommended the cancellation of 6,465 gazettes through 103 meetings.

The session also featured statements from the agriculture and land ministers on fertilizer pricing oversight and anti-corruption measures in land offices, highlighting ongoing government monitoring and digital reforms.

Former Chattogram City Corporation mayor Manjur Alam has denied any plan to contest the upcoming mayoral election under the National Congress Party (NCP). He made the remarks in an interview with BBC Bangla after NCP MP Hasanat Abdullah visited his residence in Chattogram. During the visit, a group of youths identifying themselves as freedom fighters gathered outside and questioned Hasanat Abdullah.

Manjur Alam clarified that he had not discussed any political matters with Hasanat Abdullah. He said Abdullah had called him earlier in the day to inform him about a local program and accepted an invitation to lunch at his home. According to Manjur, Abdullah arrived around 3 p.m., had lunch, and later spoke briefly with the youths outside before leaving around 5:30 to 6 p.m.

Responding to allegations that he was aligned with the Awami League, Manjur Alam stated that he had no cases against him and was not affiliated with the party. He emphasized that he had previously served as a BNP mayor and had never joined the Awami League.

Pakistan has proposed hosting a second round of ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran. US President Donald Trump stated that the discussions could resume within the next two days. However, doubts have emerged about the timing, as Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to travel abroad on Wednesday and will return on April 18 after visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt.

Although Trump suggested that talks might take place within two days, Sharif’s travel schedule indicates that the meeting is more likely to occur later in the week. According to Al Jazeera’s Kamal Haider, diplomacy is a continuous process that requires time, and both Tehran and Washington have shown positive signals toward resuming dialogue.

The report also notes that Gulf countries have expressed interest in assisting Pakistan’s efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table.