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.

The Bangladesh Parliament has passed an amendment to the July Uprising Memorial Museum Ordinance, allowing the Minister or State Minister for Cultural Affairs to serve as the chairperson of the museum’s governing board. The bill was approved on Friday through a voice vote, following a proposal by ruling party MP Anichur Rahman. Opposition lawmakers walked out, accusing the government of breaking a prior agreement to pass 98 ordinances without changes.

Previously, the ordinance required that the board be chaired by a distinguished expert in education, history, literature, or culture. The amendment replaces that provision, transferring leadership to the cultural affairs minister. It also empowers the government to remove any board member and eliminates the fixed three-year term for the chairperson. Former interim government adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, who currently holds the chair as an expert, will lose his position once the law takes effect.

Opposition MPs protested the move, claiming it places the museum under direct government control. The Speaker and ministers defended the amendment as a legitimate parliamentary process, though some acknowledged that the prior committee understanding had been disrupted.

A special National Investigative Agency (NIA) court in New Delhi sentenced Kashmiri separatist leader Aasiya Andrabi to three life terms on March 24. Andrabi, 64, founded the banned all-women’s group Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM). Her associates Sofi Fehmeeda, 36, and Nahida Nasreen, 61, received 30-year prison terms. The three were arrested in 2018 under India’s Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and sections of the Indian Penal Code. The court dropped major terrorism charges but convicted Andrabi for provoking hostility between communities, undermining national integration, and instigating public disorder.

Legal experts and activists condemned the verdict, calling it part of a broader pattern of India’s suppression of dissent in Kashmir. They argued the conviction was based mainly on speech and ideology rather than violent acts. The court acknowledged no direct evidence of inciting violence but cited Andrabi’s statements endorsing separatist ideas. Critics, including the Kashmir Times, questioned the court’s emphasis on her lack of remorse, saying it risked punishing beliefs rather than proven crimes.

The case has reignited debate over India’s use of the UAPA, which was expanded in 2019 to allow individuals to be labeled as terrorists, and its implications for free expression in the disputed region.

Leaders of Khelafat Majlis expressed deep concern at their central executive meeting in Dhaka, alleging that the BNP government is leading the country toward fascist rule by repealing several major ordinances. These include the Referendum Ordinance 2025, the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Ordinance, the Anti-Corruption Commission Ordinance, the Human Rights Commission Ordinance, and the Judicial Reform Ordinance. The party also labeled the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order 2025 as a document of deception, accusing the BNP of betraying the spirit of the July uprising despite being a signatory to the charter.

The leaders demanded that the elected parliament review the 48 proposals approved through the referendum and take effective steps to reform the constitution accordingly. They criticized the government for severe disorder in the health sector, shortages of medicines and equipment in public hospitals, and rising measles deaths among children. They also opposed the decision to hold online classes three days a week, calling it harmful to students, and urged the government to withdraw it.

The meeting further raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 by-elections and called for accountability from the Election Commission.