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.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to continue waging war against Iran and its allies. In a post on social media platform X, he declared that under his leadership, Israel would persist in fighting what he called Iran’s terrorist regime and its partners. Netanyahu also criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of cooperating with Iran and being responsible for genocide against the Kurds.

The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, reflects ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as strained relations between Israel and Turkey. Netanyahu’s remarks come amid a broader regional climate of confrontation and mutual accusations among Middle Eastern powers.

The comments suggest that Israel’s leadership intends to maintain a hardline stance toward Iran and its regional allies, potentially deepening existing geopolitical rifts in the region.

According to a source close to the Iranian delegation cited by Al Jazeera, the United States has agreed to return Iran’s seized funds or assets. The Iranian delegation joined the discussions following Washington’s decision to release the assets. The report indicates that this move fulfills one of the key demands in Iran’s ten-point plan.

Despite the reported agreement, there has been no official comment from Washington regarding the decision to return the assets. The discussions between the two sides were still continuing four hours after they began, according to the same report. The development comes amid broader regional tensions and diplomatic efforts involving both nations.

Further details about the timing or mechanism of the asset release were not disclosed in the report, leaving uncertainty about the next steps in the negotiation process.

Gopalganj-2 Member of Parliament Dr. KM Babor announced that train operations between Dhaka and Gopalganj will begin in the last week of April. He also stated that from Pahela Baishakh, the Dhaka-Benapole train will make a stop at Muksudpur station. The announcement came during a reception event organized by chairmen of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila, where Dr. Babor attended as the chief guest.

Dr. Babor said the new train service will fulfill a long-standing demand of Gopalganj residents, allowing them to travel to Dhaka, Benapole, and Rajshahi at lower cost and in less time. He added that the service will accelerate the district’s economic development. Criticizing the previous government, he questioned why a Dhaka route and an EPZ were not established earlier to create local employment opportunities.

He also mentioned ongoing water supply problems in Gopalganj municipality and urged local chairmen to stand by the poor and resist drugs, theft, and terrorism. The event was chaired by Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Kaushik Ahmed and attended by local officials and political representatives.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed support for the Iranian delegation participating in the ongoing United States–Iran talks in Islamabad. In a post on his social media platform X, he stated that the delegation in Pakistan would negotiate courageously to protect the country’s interests. Pezeshkian emphasized that public service would continue uninterrupted regardless of the outcome of the discussions and that the government would remain by the people’s side.

The talks between the United States and Iran are being held in Islamabad, with Pakistan acting as the mediator. The discussions come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts between the two nations, with both sides engaging through intermediaries. The Iranian president’s statement signals confidence in his delegation’s approach and underscores Tehran’s commitment to safeguarding national priorities during the negotiations.

The continuation of the talks and the president’s remarks suggest that Iran aims to maintain a firm stance while engaging diplomatically through Pakistan’s mediation.

Opposition Leader in Parliament and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman called for an end to political violence, emphasizing that future elections should not cause bloodshed or suffering. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while visiting the Mymensingh Medical College Hospital to see the injured Sherpur Jamaat secretary, who was hurt in election-related violence. Rahman said politics should be a battle of ideals, not weapons, and that those who harm people cannot truly represent them.

He criticized the recent by-elections in Sherpur and Bogura held on April 9, alleging widespread irregularities, fraud, and violence, particularly in Sherpur-3. He recalled previous incidents of deadly election violence in the same area and noted that one elderly man was severely injured this time. Rahman also highlighted the overcrowded condition of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, saying it reflected the poor state of the health sector.

Rahman pledged to raise these issues in Parliament and reaffirmed that his party would continue peaceful but firm movements to secure citizens’ rights, rejecting any path of violence.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked the residency permits of several relatives of Masoumeh Ebtekar, Iran’s former vice president for women and family affairs, according to Al Jazeera. In a post on social media platform X, Rubio said that Ebtekar’s son Isa Hashemi, along with his wife and children, had their visas canceled.

Rubio stated that these individuals should never have been granted the privilege to live in the United States. He added that they are currently in the custody of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and are undergoing deportation procedures.

The announcement came as Iran and the United States held talks in Islamabad aimed at halting the ongoing conflict between the two countries, with reports suggesting some positive indications from the discussions.

The Alliance for Fair Election and Democracy (AFED) has reported indications of proxy voting at 11 percent of polling centers during the Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 by-elections. The organization presented its findings at a press conference held on Saturday at the Economic Reporters Forum auditorium in Dhaka. AFED stated that while most polling centers experienced peaceful voting, some irregularities occurred, including ballot counting before the end of voting in a few centers.

According to AFED spokesperson Harun-or-Rashid, about 12 percent of centers did not properly follow voter identification procedures, and one incident of physical intimidation was recorded. Around 47 percent of centers displayed campaign materials near polling areas, violating electoral codes. Unauthorized individuals were seen controlling access outside 12 centers, and in 15 cases, voters were reportedly directed on how to vote. Nearly half of the centers saw groups of voters arriving in the same vehicles.

AFED noted that voter turnout ranged between 31 and 64 percent, with many centers experiencing long periods of low attendance. The group recommended stronger training for polling officials, stricter enforcement of election-day codes, and expansion of postal voting based on pilot experiences.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has expressed disappointment over the BNP-led government's stance on national reforms following the July uprising. In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s joint secretary general and spokesperson, Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, said that the post-uprising period had created an unprecedented opportunity for reform through the Reform Commission and National Consensus Commission. He noted that the interim government had issued several ordinances to institutionalize political neutrality and strengthen constitutional bodies.

Rahman stated that the 13th National Parliament was expected to approve these ordinances and introduce further reform legislation. However, he said the BNP’s actions in its first parliamentary session had dashed public hopes. According to him, the government allowed key ordinances—such as those on referendums, enforced disappearance prevention, and the formation of a police commission—to lapse, and repealed seven others related to judicial independence, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Parliament Secretariat.

He argued that these ordinances could have dismantled authoritarian structures and advanced democracy. Islami Andolan condemned the repeals but urged BNP to present stronger reform bills in the next session, warning that otherwise, the public would press their demands independently.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under growing pressure over Israel’s ongoing offensive in Lebanon, according to multiple reports. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Netanyahu to halt attacks on Beirut and engage in dialogue with the Lebanese government. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s leadership, feeling cornered, agreed to speak directly with an Israeli representative despite the continuing assault, seeking to avoid Iranian mediation in ceasefire talks.

Initial meetings between the two sides are unlikely to yield major progress, as their positions remain far apart, particularly regarding whether to continue discussions amid active hostilities. The situation reflects deep divisions and limited trust between the parties.

Domestically, Netanyahu is also facing political strain. Recent opinion polls indicate a decline in his popularity, with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s right-wing bloc projected to win more seats than Netanyahu’s Likud party in upcoming elections, according to Al Jazeera.

Leaders of Khelafat Majlis expressed deep concern at their central Majlis-e-Shura session in Dhaka, accusing the BNP government of taking an anti-people stance by repealing the Referendum Ordinance 2025 along with several other major ordinances. They said the cancellation of these laws, including those on enforced disappearance prevention, anti-corruption, human rights, and judicial reform, was pushing the country toward authoritarian rule.

The leaders also criticized the BNP’s July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, calling it a document of deception that undermined the spirit of the July uprising. They emphasized that the 48 proposals approved through the referendum must be reviewed by the elected parliament and implemented in line with the people’s verdict.

The session, chaired by Amir Maulana Abdul Basit Azad, also discussed the 2026 national election, public health issues such as rising measles cases, inadequate mosquito control, and shortages in government hospitals. The leaders urged the government to withdraw the decision to hold online classes three days a week and demanded accountability from the Election Commission over alleged irregularities in recent by-elections.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has confirmed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit India, though the exact date has not yet been finalized. He made the remarks on April 10 while speaking to journalists in Port Louis, Mauritius, before returning home from the Ninth Indian Ocean Conference. The minister said that several preparatory activities will take place over the next few weeks to organize the visit.

Dr. Rahman stated that during his recent trip to India, he held important meetings with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, where the upcoming visit and other bilateral issues were discussed. He also met India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval during the April 8 visit to New Delhi. According to the minister, both countries’ prime ministers have already exchanged letters and spoken by phone, expressing strong interest in advancing the Bangladesh-India relationship.

The discussions and planned visit are expected to strengthen diplomatic engagement between the two neighboring countries, though no specific timeline has yet been announced.

The Bangladesh Police Association has expressed deep concern and anger over a comment made by Special Metropolitan Magistrate Arifur Rahman regarding a police officer’s vehicle parking incident in Dhaka. The association’s statement, signed by President Kamrul Hasan Talukder and General Secretary Monirul Haque Dabul, was issued after the magistrate’s remark spread on social media following the April 6 event.

According to the statement, the magistrate’s comment suggesting a lack of public trust in the police has hurt the professional dignity and self-respect of the entire force, negatively affecting morale among field-level officers. The association explained that police often have to park official vehicles on roads while performing duties such as ensuring road safety, patrolling, and handling emergencies, and such realities should be considered before making public remarks.

The statement further emphasized that state institutions complement each other and should maintain mutual respect and professional decorum. It added that the police force has been undergoing restructuring since 2024 to strengthen national security, and remarks undermining morale could disrupt public safety efforts.