Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the role of the armed forces in the July movement has given hope to the people. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at the armed forces' assembly in Dhaka Cantonment, emphasizing that a strong and united military ensures Bangladesh cannot be defeated.

Rahman stated that the armed forces belong to the nation, not to any individual, party, or family, and urged them to maintain professionalism without compromise. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the military and ensuring justice for the Pilkhana massacre, which he said had been intended to weaken the army.

The Prime Minister added that the government seeks a military respected by foreign powers and trusted by citizens. He called for the armed forces to uphold high moral standards and preserve the patriotic spirit instilled by President Ziaur Rahman across all ranks.

A total of 126,000 applications have been submitted nationwide for 2,703 vacant Trainee Recruit Constable (TRC) positions in the Bangladesh Police, according to an official announcement on April 12, 2026. On average, about 47 candidates are competing for each post. Applicants aged between 18 and 20 are now waiting for physical tests and subsequent selection stages, which will determine the final qualified candidates.

Police Headquarters’ Public Relations Officer Kamrul Ahsan confirmed the figures. Sources said the strong response reflects the government’s active initiative to strengthen public security and address long-standing manpower shortages in the force. The application process has concluded, and preparations for field-level physical examinations are underway.

Authorities have emphasized transparency in the recruitment process, warning that any lobbying or financial transactions will lead to disqualification. A zero-tolerance policy has been adopted to prevent broker involvement, and any falsified information will result in application cancellation and legal action.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that recent talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad ended without an agreement due to what he described as excessive demands from the US side. He emphasized that despite the lack of a deal, diplomacy never ends and that discussions between the two countries had covered several issues, reaching understanding on some while differing on two or three key points.

Baghaei told Iranian media that the Islamabad meeting was the longest round of talks in the past year, lasting 24 to 25 hours. He noted that the discussions took place in an atmosphere of mistrust following a 40-day conflict, and that no one had expected a single meeting to produce a final agreement. He reiterated that diplomats must continue their duties in both war and peace.

According to Baghaei, the success of future negotiations depends on the sincerity and goodwill of the opposing side and recognition of Iran’s legitimate rights and interests.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie inaugurated the excavation of the Zia Canal at the confluence of the Kajla River in Baliyapur village, Meherpur Sadar upazila, on Saturday afternoon. He said the initiative follows the legacy of late President Ziaur Rahman’s canal excavation program, which he credited for achieving food self-sufficiency and creating employment in Bangladesh. The current Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, has launched a nationwide canal excavation initiative continuing that vision.

The minister stated that the government aims to prioritize rural development over large-scale projects, with a plan to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals within five years to transform rural infrastructure. He also mentioned ongoing agricultural reforms, including a decision to waive agricultural loans of up to 10,000 taka with interest and the introduction of family and agricultural cards. A program to distribute agricultural cards is scheduled for April 14.

An integrated project for agricultural development in Meherpur is underway, involving sluice gate construction and canal re-excavation connected to the Bhairab and Kajla rivers to reduce waterlogging and boost agricultural productivity.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is providing a new house to the family of Harunur Rashid, a Jubo Dal leader who was killed in police firing during a peaceful procession in support of a hartal in Feni town in 2013. According to a press release signed by BNP Family Member Secretary Agriculturist Moksedul Momin Mithun, a delegation from the organization 'Amra BNP Poribar' will inaugurate the construction work of the new house on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

Harunur Rashid, a resident of Forhadnagar Union’s Vhorbazar area under Feni Sadar upazila, lost his life on December 4, 2013, when police opened fire on a procession supporting the hartal. The initiative to build a new house for his family is being undertaken under the patronage of Tarique Rahman as the chief sponsor of 'Amra BNP Poribar'.

The announcement reflects continued political engagement by the BNP leadership in supporting families of party activists affected by past political violence.

A syndicate allegedly linked to local Awami League leaders has taken control of the Lechraganj sand lease in Harirampur, Manikganj, for Tk 3.4 crore, far below the government’s estimated value of Tk 7.42 crore. The lease was awarded to Khan Enterprise, owned by Md. Billal Hossain Khan, nephew of Azimpur Union Awami League president Ali Akbar Khan. The issue has sparked widespread discussion across the district.

According to district administration sources, the tender process was held three times after bids repeatedly fell below the government’s set price. In the final round, Khan Enterprise offered the highest bid of Tk 3.4 crore and received the lease. Local residents allege that the sand lease has remained under the influence of a powerful Awami family for several years, despite changes in formal ownership.

Officials confirmed that the lease was granted to the highest bidder in the third round, while allegations persist that the tender process favored a specific group connected to ruling party figures.

More than 200 demonstrators were arrested in London during a pro-Palestinian protest supporting the banned group Palestine Action. The sit-in took place on Saturday at Trafalgar Square, where participants carried placards backing the organization, which police said constitutes a criminal offense. Officers removed protesters one by one as others applauded and cheered. Police confirmed that 212 people aged between 27 and 82 were detained.

Palestine Action was declared a terrorist organization in July last year, with support or affiliation punishable by up to 14 years in prison. In February this year, the High Court ruled that the ban interfered with freedom of expression, but the government was granted permission to appeal. After a temporary halt in arrests, the Metropolitan Police resumed enforcement in late March.

The group Defend Our Juries claimed around 500 people joined the protest and criticized the ongoing arrests as a “wrong suppression policy.” The controversy over the ban continues, with several related court cases suspended until a review scheduled for July 30.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that the United States and Iran have reached an understanding on several issues following extended discussions. The announcement came after US Vice President J.D. Vance stated that the two sides had failed to reach any agreement even after 21 hours of talks. Baghaei later told Iranian media that while progress had been made, two or three key issues remained unresolved.

He explained that the talks took place after a 40-day conflict and were held in an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion. According to Baghaei, it was unrealistic to expect a full agreement in a single meeting, as no one had anticipated such an outcome. Earlier, he had emphasized that the success of the negotiations depended on the sincerity and goodwill of the opposing side and on recognition of Iran’s legitimate rights and interests.

The discussions mark a cautious step toward easing tensions, though the remaining disagreements suggest that further negotiations will be necessary before any comprehensive deal is reached.

Iran has stated that it is in no hurry to resume negotiations with the United States, saying the next move now lies with Washington. According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, citing reliable sources, Tehran has made reasonable proposals and expects the US to review them realistically. The source accused the US of miscalculations in the talks, similar to those made during wartime, and warned that no changes would occur in the Strait of Hormuz until a reasonable agreement is reached.

The report added that Iran remains patient and that no date or venue has been set for the next round of discussions. Meanwhile, US Vice President J.D. Vance left Pakistan after 21 hours of talks without reaching any agreement with Iran. Both sides have blamed each other for the failure to reach a deal, with Iran saying the negotiations stalled over two or three key issues.

The lack of progress underscores continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington, with no clear timeline for resuming dialogue.

Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, central assistant secretary general of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and a leader of the 11-party alliance, said that patriotic students and citizens will not allow fascist rule to return to Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing a protest rally in Sylhet organized by the city’s 11-party alliance, demanding implementation of the referendum verdict.

Zubair stated that the July uprising aimed not only at a change of power but also at ending fascism and reforming the constitution. He claimed that about 70 percent of voters in the February 12 referendum supported change and reform, but the BNP is allegedly conspiring to ignore that verdict and reestablish fascism. He also accused the government of misusing parliamentary procedures to curtail opposition rights and repealing around 20 key ordinances, including those related to human rights and anti-corruption.

The rally, presided over by Advocate Abdur Rahman Afzal of the National Citizen Party, was attended by leaders from several allied parties. A protest march followed the meeting through major streets of Sylhet city.

Iran has indicated that its planned peace talks with the United States could still be canceled if Washington fails to meet Tehran’s preconditions. The information was reported by a journalist from Iran’s state news agency IRINN, based in Islamabad. Iranian officials reportedly view withdrawal from the talks as a form of ‘strong diplomacy’ if their national interests, demands, and red lines are not respected.

According to Iran’s state television, the government currently places the highest emphasis on its own conditions and a lack of trust toward Washington. The report suggests that Iran considers itself to be in a favorable position and may proceed with further steps even without the planned discussions if its demands are not fulfilled.

The situation underscores ongoing uncertainty surrounding the talks, with Iran signaling readiness to act independently should its preconditions remain unmet.

U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the United States has completely defeated Iran, commenting on the latest round of discussions between the two countries. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said that regardless of what happens next, victory belongs to the United States. He added that Iran might or might not agree to a deal, but from the American perspective, the outcome is already a success.

Trump’s remarks came as high-level delegations from the United States and Iran continued ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan. According to Al Jazeera, the talks are ongoing, with both sides engaged in discussions over unresolved issues. The timing of Trump’s statement coincides with these diplomatic efforts, highlighting the tense and uncertain nature of the negotiations.

The outcome of the Islamabad talks remains unclear, as both nations appear to be weighing their options regarding a potential agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States would prevail whether or not Iran agrees to a deal in the ongoing discussions. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said that his administration had completely defeated Iran and that any outcome of the talks would not change America’s position. He added that Iran might or might not reach an agreement, but from the U.S. perspective, the result would still be a victory.

The remarks came amid the latest round of negotiations involving Iran, though details of the discussions were not disclosed in the report. The statement reflects Trump’s firm stance on maintaining U.S. dominance in dealings with Iran and his confidence in the country's strategic position.

The report also mentioned that Iran’s delegation had left Pakistan and that Iran’s negotiations were stuck on a few key issues, suggesting ongoing diplomatic challenges between the two nations.

Nizar Amedi, the candidate nominated by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), has been elected as Iraq’s new president. The election took place on Saturday during the second round of parliamentary voting, where Amedi secured a decisive victory with 227 votes. His closest rival, independent candidate Muthanna Amin Nader, received only 15 votes.

According to the report, Amedi becomes Iraq’s sixth head of state since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. The parliamentary vote marks a significant political development in Iraq, reflecting the continued influence of Kurdish parties within the country’s power structure.

The result concludes the presidential selection process and sets the stage for Amedi to assume office as the nation’s new leader, following the formal procedures outlined by Iraq’s political system.

The first phase of direct talks between delegations from Iran and the United States has concluded, according to a report by Al Jazeera citing a close source in Pakistan, which acted as a mediator. The discussions marked a significant step in the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries, though no details of the agenda or outcomes were disclosed.

Following the conclusion of the initial round, both delegations exchanged written messages, the source said. The Iranian delegation has since departed Pakistan, where the talks were held. The report did not specify the content of the messages or the next steps in the negotiation process.

While the talks have ended for now, the completion of this first phase suggests that further discussions may follow, though no timeline or official statement has been released.