U.S. President Donald Trump has alleged that Kurdish groups retained weapons that Washington had attempted to send to anti-government protesters in Iran earlier this year. In an interview with Fox News, Trump revealed that the United States tried to deliver a large number of guns to Iranian demonstrators in January, but the weapons never reached their intended recipients.

Trump stated that the arms were sent through Kurdish intermediaries, though he did not specify which Kurdish group was involved or provide further details about the operation. According to him, the Kurds kept the weapons for themselves instead of passing them on to the protesters.

The remarks shed light on a previously undisclosed U.S. effort to support Iranian protesters and raise questions about the role of Kurdish groups in the failed transfer.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for a detailed discussion in the National Parliament on 133 ordinances. He raised the proposal on Sunday, April 5, during the eighth sitting of the first session of the 13th Parliament, drawing the Speaker’s attention before the second agenda began. Rahman noted that a special committee had reviewed the ordinances and submitted a report recommending that some be allowed to lapse, which he argued were significant and linked to the 'July Spirit'.

Responding to the proposal, the Speaker referred the matter to the Law Minister, who initially stated that two bills mentioned by the opposition leader were new and not derived from the ordinances. However, after the recess, the minister corrected himself, confirming that the two bills were indeed among the 133 ordinances. He assured that all ordinances would be presented in Parliament for first and second readings, allowing opportunities for discussion. The Speaker also reminded members that around 93 bills needed to be passed by April 9.

The opposition leader reiterated that the ordinances proposed for lapse were crucial for protecting citizens’ rights and should be debated in Parliament.

The government of Nepal has decided to introduce a two-day weekend for all public offices and educational institutions. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting held on Sunday. According to administrative experts, the initiative could bring positive outcomes if implemented properly, but poor management might lead to public inconvenience.

Former chairman of the Administrative Court and coordinator of the Administrative Reform Advisory Committee, Kashi Raj Dahal, said the move would be beneficial if proper management is ensured. He noted that it could help save energy, allow employees living near workplaces to engage in farming, and give them more time with their families. However, he cautioned that essential services must remain open and that offices with heavy public demand might not be able to adopt the two-day closure.

Dahal also emphasized the need for strict adherence to working hours once the new rule takes effect. He warned that if employees misuse the schedule by leaving early or arriving late, the reform could create complications instead of benefits.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Iran during an interview with Fox News, saying that if Iran does not agree to a deal soon, the United States will destroy the country’s power plants and bridges. He added that he would consider taking control of Iran’s oil resources if Tehran continues to delay. Trump stated that people would soon witness the collapse of infrastructure across Iran, according to a BBC report.

Despite the harsh rhetoric, Trump claimed that some Iranian officials have already joined negotiations and expressed optimism that a deal could be reached by Monday. His remarks come amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran over unresolved issues related to sanctions and regional security.

Iranian officials have repeatedly denied Trump’s claims, asserting that his statements about ongoing talks and potential agreements have no factual basis, according to the same report.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has warned that it will declare the current government illegal and launch a movement if the administration fails to honor the referendum verdict held on the day of the national election regarding state reforms. The warning came from NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan during an emergency press conference at the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka. The event addressed the BNP government’s alleged disregard for the referendum outcome, cancellation of reform ordinances, and other current issues.

Bhuiyan accused the government of exhibiting authoritarian tendencies and said the NCP initially sought cooperation but was hindered by the government’s lack of goodwill. He stated that the opposition alliance had not planned immediate street protests but was compelled by the unfolding situation around the referendum. Bhuiyan also criticized the government for violating the constitution by retaining ordinances that allow the removal of elected local representatives and for restoring broad phone surveillance powers to multiple agencies.

He further compared the current referendum to that of Ziaur Rahman’s era, emphasizing that the recent vote was aimed at structural reform, with the public supporting change.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington attempted to send weapons to Iranian protesters earlier this year amid ongoing unrest in Iran. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the weapons were sent through Kurdish intermediaries but ultimately did not reach the protesters. The report was carried by Al Jazeera, citing Trump’s remarks.

Trump stated that many weapons were sent via the Kurds, though he did not specify which groups or individuals were involved in the operation. He added that he believed the Kurds kept the weapons for themselves. The comments come at a time of heightened tension between the United States and Iran, and the statement is expected to spark new controversy.

The report also referenced related developments, including Trump’s earlier threats against Iran and remarks from Iranian leaders criticizing his stance, suggesting the issue could further strain relations between the two nations.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman spent time with injured July fighters who visited the National Parliament session on Sunday. During the session break, he personally met the 53 visiting fighters, inquired about their well-being, and listened attentively to their experiences from the July events. He comforted several of them by placing his hand on their shoulders and heads, creating a deeply emotional moment in the gallery.

Before the meeting, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni informed the Parliament about the presence of the injured July fighters and extended congratulations for their attendance. Both government and opposition members welcomed them by tapping on their desks, while the Speaker, Hafizuddin Ahmed, acknowledged their presence from the VIP gallery. The fighters responded by waving to the members, and excitement grew when security personnel announced the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit.

The meeting concluded with several fighters sharing their contributions and hardships with the Prime Minister. A few female fighters described their struggles in emotional voices, filling the gallery with a heartfelt atmosphere. The Law Minister and several whips were also present during the encounter.

At a press conference on Sunday, April 5, 2026, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan warned that the current government is showing clear signs of authoritarianism. He cautioned that if the government fails to respect the referendum verdict, the NCP will declare it an 'illegal government.' Bhuiyan compared the situation to past uprisings, saying that if the spirit of the 2024 mass movement is not preserved, similar events could recur in 2026 or 2027.

The press conference was organized to address the BNP government’s alleged disregard for the referendum outcome, the repeal of reform ordinances, and the overall political situation. Bhuiyan accused the government of violating the constitution by retaining executive powers that allow the removal of elected representatives and by restoring broad surveillance powers to 18–19 agencies without court oversight. He said these actions undermine democratic accountability.

Bhuiyan added that the NCP initially sought cooperation with the government but now sees no alternative to street protests due to the controversy surrounding the referendum. He warned that such confrontation would not benefit any side.

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump, saying Trump remains “stuck in the Stone Age.” Aref made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, responding to Trump’s recent comments threatening to destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges. The statement was reported by Al Jazeera on April 5, 2026.

According to U.S. media reports cited in the source, Trump said his administration could not fund healthcare and childcare programs because of increased military spending. Aref argued that a leader who abandons his own people’s welfare while threatening others is still living in the Stone Age. He added that Iran has chosen a path of development and construction despite external pressure.

Aref’s comments came after Trump had repeatedly threatened to “send Iran back to the Stone Age.” The exchange underscores continuing verbal hostilities between Washington and Tehran over military and economic issues.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that several political parties are attempting to create unrest in the country over the July Charter. Speaking at an Easter Sunday greetings event at the Archbishops House in Ramna, Dhaka, he said the BNP will fully implement the commitments made in the charter. He added that the party has long struggled for people’s aspirations and has already outlined a 31-point reform plan.

Fakhrul emphasized that the BNP seeks peace and aims to build a humane, non-communal, and democratic Bangladesh. He said the country has entered a new era after completing an election in a free and democratic environment, creating an opportunity to realize the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War. He warned that some political forces are using religion to divide society and reject the ideals of the Liberation War.

Addressing the ongoing energy crisis, Fakhrul said the government is trying to import fuel despite global challenges, and that there is sufficient stock, though some people are panic-buying fuel.

The Speaker of Bangladesh’s Parliament, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikrom, has ordered an investigation into the purchase of the parliamentary microphone system following repeated technical failures that disrupted sessions. On Sunday evening, a malfunction forced the Speaker to suspend proceedings for 40 minutes after members complained they could not hear speeches. A similar disruption had occurred on March 12, the first day of the current session.

According to the Speaker, the sound system was damaged when protesters entered Parliament on August 5, 2024, during the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Although repairs were made, malfunctions have persisted, and members have continued to raise complaints about sound quality and headphone issues. The Speaker noted that the system was originally installed in 2022 under the previous government, but no warranty or documentation could be found. He criticized the installation process as careless and said the supplier company was avoiding responsibility.

The Speaker directed the Parliament Secretary to investigate and report the facts, calling the repeated disruptions a serious embarrassment for the state.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar has accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of heading toward a fascist regime by opposing the implementation of the July Charter and the constitutional reform order. He made the remarks on Sunday, April 5, during a discussion meeting in Bogura-6 constituency, where Jamaat candidate Principal Abidur Rahman Sohel announced his election manifesto for the upcoming by-election.

Parwar stated that the July Charter was formulated based on the consensus of 33 political parties during the interim government and was legally supported through a presidential order that organized parliamentary elections and a referendum. He alleged that despite forming the government under the same order, the BNP is now rejecting the referendum results and seeking to annul the reform order. According to him, nearly 50 million voters supported the referendum, rejecting BNP’s note of dissent.

He further expressed concern over the election environment in Bogura, claiming that ruling party members were intimidating Jamaat activists. JAGPA Senior Vice President Engineer Rashed Pradhan also alleged that the BNP had adopted authoritarian traits and was pursuing agendas aligned with India and the Awami League.

BNP lawmaker Monirul Haque Chowdhury expressed dissatisfaction with the reply of Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam during a parliamentary session on Sunday, April 5. The discussion took place under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. Chowdhury compared the minister’s response to those given by former ministers under the Awami League government, saying he was disappointed by the similarity.

In his supplementary question, Chowdhury alleged that despite spending Tk 17,500 crore on road projects, necessary underpasses and overpasses were not built in Cumilla. He criticized the lack of compensation for victims of road closures since 2014. In response, Minister Alam said feasibility studies were ongoing to upgrade the Dhaka–Chattogram highway to ten lanes, with design and budget adjustments underway. He added that new plans include three underpasses in the region and two more at Paduar Bazar.

When asked by the Speaker whether these steps would solve the problem, the minister replied that the solution would be partial.

Dhaka-14 MP Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem expressed deep anger in Parliament over the recommendation to repeal the 'Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Ordinance' issued during the interim government. Speaking on a point of order, he said victims of enforced disappearance and those who suffered under past repression could not support such a move. He urged that the ordinance be approved as law first and then amended if necessary, warning that otherwise the legal definition of disappearance would be lost.

During the same session, Law Minister Asaduzzaman responded that the bill would be revised to make it more contemporary and presented in the current or next parliamentary session. He explained that the definition of disappearance had already been included in the ICT Act, which provides for harsher penalties, including death or life imprisonment, compared to the ten-year maximum under the ordinance. He added that the Human Rights Commission Ordinance would also be reviewed to prevent misuse and ensure justice.

The minister assured that the review process would involve victims like Barrister Arman and others affected by enforced disappearances to ensure no offender escapes accountability.

Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Grigorievich Khokhin paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Defense Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) A.K.M. Shamsul Islam on Sunday at the Armed Forces Division office in Dhaka Cantonment. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) release, the meeting focused on issues of mutual interest and expressed optimism about enhancing bilateral military relations and strategic ties between Bangladesh and Russia.

The discussion underscored the ongoing cooperation between the two nations in defense matters, reflecting a shared interest in deepening engagement. The ISPR statement highlighted that both sides viewed the meeting as an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening defense collaboration.

No further details were provided about specific agreements or future initiatives discussed during the meeting.