An Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Islamabad to hold discussions with US officials on a possible ceasefire. The team includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Supreme National Council Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolkadr, Defense Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati. Upon arrival, the delegation was received by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Tehran University professor Zohreh Kharazmi told Al Jazeera that Iran entered the Islamabad talks with confidence, viewing the meeting itself as a sign of a shift in the US position. She noted that while former US President Trump had demanded unconditional surrender as recently as March 6, Washington is now at the negotiation table. Kharazmi emphasized that Iran remains firm on its conditions and expects some of them to be accepted in later rounds.

Kharazmi also highlighted that control over the Strait of Hormuz remains central to Iran’s bargaining position, describing it as a means to recover war costs.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is traveling to Islamabad to join talks between the United States and Iran, scheduled to begin Saturday, aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire in the Middle East. Before his departure, President Donald Trump told reporters that Iran’s nuclear program would be the main focus of the discussions and that no backup plan was necessary. He added that a good deal with Iran would mean the absence of nuclear weapons and claimed that regime change had already occurred in Iran.

Trump also said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen soon, though he noted the United States did not need it. He rejected reports that Iran might impose tolls on ships passing through the strait, saying Washington would not allow that. Meanwhile, an Iranian delegation including senior officials such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already arrived in Islamabad for the talks.

The discussions are expected to address Iran’s assets and the Lebanon ceasefire, though their duration remains uncertain, according to Trump.

Bangladesh’s Jatiya Sangsad has completed the process of validating ordinances issued by the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Out of 133 ordinances, 113 were approved through 87 bills, while seven were repealed through four separate bills. Thirteen ordinances, including those on referendum, police commission, and anti-corruption amendments, were not approved, causing a total of 20 ordinances to lose effect from today. The parliament passed 91 bills over six consecutive days, marking an unprecedented legislative pace in the country’s history.

The repealed ordinances include those related to the National Human Rights Commission, Supreme Court Secretariat, and parliamentary administration. The fate of actions taken under the unapproved ordinances remains unclear, raising questions about the legal status of the 2026 referendum and other activities conducted under them. The opposition walked out of parliament after accusing the ruling party of breaking a committee agreement by amending the July Uprising Museum Bill at the last moment.

The session concluded with the passage of 28 bills on its final day, covering development authorities, financial reforms, and social welfare measures. The next parliamentary sitting is scheduled for April 15 at 11 a.m.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Iranian leaders ahead of a scheduled meeting between U.S. and Iranian representatives in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday, Trump claimed that Iran holds no real power and that its leaders are being kept alive solely for negotiation purposes. He also asserted that Iran’s only leverage lies in temporarily blocking the Strait of Hormuz and accused Iranian leaders of being better at propaganda than warfare.

The Islamabad meeting aims to determine steps toward a permanent end to ongoing conflict, with both delegations expected to arrive by Friday night. Despite an Israeli strike on Lebanon that violated a ceasefire, Pakistan confirmed the talks would proceed as planned. However, continued hostilities and disputes over the Strait of Hormuz have raised doubts about the meeting’s potential success.

Observers expressed concern that escalating tensions and mutual distrust could undermine progress toward a lasting ceasefire agreement.

BNP’s former joint secretary general and Sitakunda MP Aslam Chowdhury said the real strength of a political organization lies in the sacrifice, patience, and struggle of its grassroots activists. Speaking at a views exchange meeting at his Sitakunda residence on Friday afternoon, he stated that while senior leaders may err, grassroots members never betray the cause. He credited the grassroots for sustaining leadership and securing his nomination with the party’s symbol.

Chowdhury identified organizational weakness as a major reason behind the party’s unsatisfactory performance in the recent national election. He called for self-criticism, internal analysis, and structural reform to overcome future challenges. Emphasizing long-term planning and organized strategies, he urged activists to strengthen ties with the public and increase social and religious engagement to build stronger community connections.

During the meeting, the Sitakunda upazila BNP announced partial leadership changes in the local Jubo Dal committee, appointing Shahabuddin Raju as president and Mohammad Ismail Hossain as general secretary, while retaining the existing structure. The full committee has not yet been declared.

Two Dhaka University students have experienced a decline in their physical condition after continuing a hunger strike for 58 hours at the Raju Sculpture premises. On Friday night, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam visited the site to assess the situation and expressed concern for their health. He stated that the university administration wants the students to remain healthy and that their demands will be properly conveyed to the government. He also mentioned that the issue would be discussed in the national parliament among both ruling and opposition parties.

The Vice-Chancellor emphasized the health risks faced by the fasting students and said that a medical team had been sent the previous night to examine them, but the students refused treatment. The visit was attended by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha, deans, the proctor, and other senior officials. DUCSU Social Service Secretary A. B. Zubair reported that one student’s mother broke down in tears upon seeing her son’s weakened condition but did not pressure him to end the strike.

Members of martyr families and injured individuals have also visited the site to express solidarity, while eyewitnesses noted that despite physical weakness, the students remain mentally strong though disappointed by the lack of visible state response.

Akbar Hossain has resigned from his position as Press Minister at the Bangladesh High Commission in London. In a Facebook post on Friday night, he stated that personal and family reasons made it impossible for him to continue his duties. He clarified that his decision to step down was voluntary and unrelated to any other issue.

According to his statement, Hossain emphasized that his resignation was based solely on personal and family circumstances. The announcement came through his social media post, where he expressed that continuing his responsibilities in London was no longer feasible for him.

The resignation marks a change in the press affairs leadership at the Bangladesh High Commission in London, though no details were provided about his successor or the next steps following his departure.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman returned to the country on Friday after completing his official visit to the United States. During the trip, he participated in several programs in the state of Georgia and met with key officials. The visit was confirmed in a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday.

As part of the visit, the state of Georgia presented a special resolution to General Waker-Uz-Zaman in recognition of the commendable contributions of Bangladeshi peacekeepers to United Nations peacekeeping missions. In addition, bilateral meetings were held with important figures to discuss various issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and the United States.

The ISPR statement highlighted that the engagements during the visit reflected ongoing cooperation and shared interests between the two nations in defense and peacekeeping matters.

Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has sharply criticized the Indian central government for allowing former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to remain in Delhi for about one and a half years. Speaking ahead of the West Bengal elections, Banerjee questioned why Hasina continues to be sheltered in India and suggested that powerful industrial interests might be influencing the decision.

He implied that Hasina’s stay in India may not be purely diplomatic but could involve deeper economic motives. Banerjee directly asked whether major business groups such as Adani or Ambani were being protected through this arrangement. He accused the Modi government of prioritizing corporate interests over public welfare and using Hasina’s presence as a political shield in Bangladesh’s internal affairs.

Banerjee further argued that the government should focus on domestic issues like unemployment and inflation instead of hosting foreign leaders at public expense. His remarks have sparked debate over India’s foreign policy and the relationship between political power and corporate influence.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that two major conditions remain unfulfilled, preventing the start of talks with the United States. In a post on social media platform X, he said both sides had agreed on two preconditions: implementing a ceasefire in Lebanon and releasing Iran’s frozen assets. Ghalibaf emphasized that these must be met before any negotiations can begin.

Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance has departed for Pakistan and expressed optimism about the upcoming discussions. Although not officially confirmed, reports suggest that Ghalibaf may join Iran’s negotiating team. Iranian state media claimed that Israel has agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon, but no official confirmation has been received from Israel.

The situation underscores the fragile diplomatic environment surrounding the anticipated Iran–US meeting, with both sides signaling conditions and expectations ahead of formal engagement.

Saiful Haque, General Secretary of Bangladesh’s Revolutionary Workers Party, stated that unplanned evictions of street vendors have created a humanitarian crisis. He made the remarks on Friday at the party’s central committee meeting of the Revolutionary Workers Solidarity held at its office in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. Haque said that the eviction drives in Dhaka and other cities without rehabilitation measures have left thousands of families in distress, destroying the small capitals of many livelihoods.

He urged the city corporations and relevant ministries to consider the livelihoods and human dignity of working people when planning urban policies. Haque emphasized that millions of laborers form the foundation of the cities through their hard work and that their displacement could lead to broader social crises if alternative livelihoods are not arranged.

The meeting was presided over by Mir Mofazzal Hossain Moshtaq, president of the Revolutionary Workers Solidarity, and was attended by party leaders including Akbar Khan, Mahmud Hossain, Abul Kalam Azad, Saiful Islam, and Firoz Ali.

Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman claimed that the outcome of the recent election was determined behind the scenes through manipulation and blackmailing. Speaking at a press briefing on Friday evening after walking out of the parliamentary session, he alleged that the election’s integrity was compromised and that evidence of such manipulation had surfaced in two recent elections. He also criticized a minister’s remarks and questioned the legitimacy of the electoral process.

Dr. Rahman detailed that since the parliament session began on March 12, 133 ordinances from the interim government were tabled, which by rule must be resolved within 30 calendar days. A special committee was formed with members from both government and opposition, but he said the ruling party finalized a report without informing opposition members, eroding trust. He further alleged that key bills related to national security and citizens’ interests were ignored and allowed to lapse.

He accused the government of breaking promises made in parliament and undermining democratic norms. Rahman reaffirmed that his party would continue its struggle to protect citizens’ rights and uphold the people’s mandate.

US Vice President JD Vance has departed for Islamabad to lead the American delegation in the upcoming United States–Iran dialogue scheduled for Saturday. The talks are taking place during a two-week temporary ceasefire between the two sides, marking one of the most challenging diplomatic tests since Vance assumed office.

According to the report, Vance faces the complex task of balancing multiple interests, including those of President Donald Trump, Tehran, Israel, and US allies, while also managing pressure from domestic supporters opposed to foreign interventions. The discussions aim to explore a lasting resolution that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stabilize oil prices, though such an outcome remains uncertain.

Before leaving Washington, Vance stated that President Trump had given the delegation clear instructions for the negotiations. However, no details about those directives or the potential results of the talks have been disclosed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expelled Spain from a civil-military coordination center established to implement the Gaza ceasefire. The center, located in Kiryat Gat, was formed as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. Netanyahu announced the decision on April 10, 2026, citing Spain’s repeated criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon.

In a statement, Netanyahu accused Spain of spreading falsehoods about the Israeli army, which he described as the world’s most moral force. He said Israel would not remain silent against countries that attack it diplomatically and warned that such hostility would have consequences. The move follows Spain’s strong condemnation of Israel’s policies and military operations in the region.

Observers view this expulsion as a sign of escalating diplomatic strain between Israel and Spain, potentially affecting broader international relations surrounding the Gaza ceasefire process.

Attorney General Barrister Ruhul Kudduz stated that the government is continuously working to ensure the independence of the judiciary and uphold citizens’ constitutional right to justice. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while speaking to journalists after a meeting with local dignitaries at the Dak Bungalow hall in Maheshpur, Jhenaidah.

He emphasized that establishing justice is a constitutional commitment and that judicial independence is a cornerstone of a democratic state. The Attorney General said the government has taken steps to improve court infrastructure, increase the number of judges, and reduce case backlogs. He added that initiatives are underway to modernize and digitize the judicial process to make legal services more accessible to the public.

Local lawyers, professionals, and community representatives attended the meeting and expressed their views on the justice system, welcoming the government’s initiatives to strengthen judicial independence and ensure fair justice.