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.

State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid said the country, achieved through the July uprising and the sacrifice of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, will be rebuilt under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He made the remarks on Saturday at the annual sports competition and prize distribution ceremony of Haider Ali School and College in Manda, Mugda, Dhaka. Rashid emphasized that the nation will become stronger in the post-uprising reality.

He announced that after the national parliamentary election, initiatives have been taken to remove all political banners and festoons. The government will ensure that educational institutions remain free from political displays and will create a conducive learning environment. Measures will also be taken to ensure safe movement for students.

Addressing students, Rashid said Bangladesh was earned through the blood of countless martyrs, and the new generation must grow into responsible citizens to build a prosperous nation. The event was presided over by Principal Muhammad Zakir Hossain and attended by local BNP leaders, teachers, students, and guardians.

Retired Appellate Division Justice Abdul Matin has accused the government of undermining judicial independence by repealing two key ordinances — the Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance and the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance — originally issued by an interim government after the July Revolution to ensure full judicial autonomy. Speaking at a public discussion titled “Fifty-five years since repeal of the Supreme Court Secretariat and Judges Appointment Ordinances: How far is independence?” held at the National Press Club on Saturday, he said the government’s decision would bring disastrous consequences.

At the same event, retired district and sessions judge Masdar Hossain, who was the petitioner in the judicial separation case, said the repeal would have negative outcomes and accused successive governments of fearing judicial independence. He criticized the government for interfering in judicial matters, including seeking explanations from 28 judges over social media posts, which he said exceeded the law ministry’s authority. Other speakers, including senior lawyers and July Movement leaders, echoed concerns that the government’s actions were eroding the judiciary’s autonomy.

Speakers warned that continued interference could provoke public backlash and urged the government to restore respect for judicial independence.

Political leaders, academics, and public figures have accused the government of duplicity in implementing the July Charter, describing it as a betrayal of the nation. Speaking at a seminar organized by the Center for Inclusive Policy and Governance (CIPG) at the National Press Club on Saturday, they said the government has failed to form the Constitutional Reform Council or take oath despite winning a majority in the national election held under the same schedule. They argued that the people’s will, expressed through the July uprising and referendum, is being ignored.

The speakers demanded the enactment and full implementation of the 'July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025' to uphold the spirit of the July movement. Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad alleged that the government is passing laws unilaterally and not following its declared 31-point agenda. Retired Major Akhtaruzzaman emphasized the need for an independent judiciary and an effective anti-corruption system through a reform council.

Barrister Muhammad Belayet Hossain stated that the interim government had formed 11 reform commissions whose proposals were approved by referendum, making their implementation a legal and moral obligation for the government.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the pre-pilot program for distributing the 'Krishak Card' on April 14. The launch event will take place at 10 a.m. at Shaheed Maruf Stadium in Tangail Sadar. The announcement was made in a letter from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday.

According to the ministry, the initiative will begin simultaneously in ten upazilas across the country as part of the program. These upazilas include Tangail Sadar, Panchagarh Sadar, Boda in Panchagarh, Shibganj in Bogura, Shailkupa in Jhenaidah, Neserabad in Pirojpur, Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar, Adarsha Sadar in Cumilla, Islampur in Jamalpur, Goaland in Rajbari, and Juri in Moulvibazar.

The pre-pilot program marks the initial phase of the 'Krishak Card' initiative, which aims to be expanded nationwide following its trial implementation in these selected areas.

Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election was held on February 12, 2026, across 299 constituencies, with one seat postponed due to a candidate’s death. According to the Election Commission, 86 women contested, and only seven were elected directly. The remaining women MPs will be chosen through the reserved seat system, which allocates seats proportionally based on each party’s number of elected members.

Under the 2004 Reserved Women’s Seat Election Act, one reserved seat is assigned for every six general seats won by a party. The Election Commission announces the schedule, and parties nominate candidates who are then elected by their party’s MPs. In past elections, many nominees were declared elected unopposed. This year, the BNP-led alliance won 212 of 297 seats, likely securing around 35 reserved seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance may receive 12 to 13.

Bangladesh currently has 50 reserved women’s seats. Analysts note that although the number has increased over time, the indirect election process raises questions about the effectiveness of women’s empowerment through this system.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has accused the newly formed government, led by the BNP, of betraying the people and ignoring their sacrifices. Speaking at the triennial national conference of the Workers’ Welfare Federation at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Saturday, he said the government came to power through the blood of workers but turned against the spirit of a new Bangladesh within a month. He described the administration as anti-people and claimed the BNP had forgotten the people’s struggles after tasting power.

Nahid Islam recalled that workers had repeatedly sacrificed their lives in the nation’s history, from the 1947 independence struggle to the 1971 Liberation War and later uprisings, including the 2024 movement. He alleged that the BNP broke its promises to turn interim government ordinances into law and to implement reforms. He warned that breaking such commitments would have serious consequences and vowed to build a mass movement to ensure workers’ rights and reform implementation.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has said that the state must take responsibility for educating the children of workers so they can rise to leadership positions, including that of prime minister. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at the triennial national conference of the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Federation held at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that workers are citizens who also contribute through their votes, and their rights should not be left solely to employers. He called for the establishment of quality specialized hospitals in industrial areas alongside general hospitals, with treatment costs shared by employers. He also highlighted the historical role of workers in Bangladesh’s liberation war and later movements, criticizing successive governments for neglecting workers’ demands.

He further stressed the need for harmony between owners and workers, noting that industries can only survive when both sides thrive. The event was chaired by outgoing federation president A. N. M. Shamsul Islam and attended by several political leaders as special guests.

ATM Azharul Islam, central leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Member of Parliament for Rangpur-2 (Taraganj-Badarganj), called on officials to be more sincere toward farmers. He made the appeal on April 11, 2026, while inaugurating a seed and fertilizer distribution program under the government’s agricultural incentive scheme at the Taraganj Upazila Parishad hall.

The event, chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Monabbir Hossain, was attended by Upazila Agriculture Officer Dhiba Rani and other officials. The program distributed improved-quality paddy seeds and fertilizers to farmers for the 2025–26 fiscal year’s Kharif-1 season to boost jute and Aus paddy cultivation. ATM Azharul Islam emphasized the need for continuous government incentives to ensure farmers’ financial security and national agricultural growth.

He also highlighted the importance of modern technology, improved irrigation, and farmer training to enhance productivity. The event concluded with the distribution of wheelchairs to six persons with disabilities and checks worth over 10 million taka to 15 orphanages under the Capitation Grant program.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Amir and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has criticized the government, saying that listening to ministers and ruling party lawmakers gives the impression that the country is floating on oil, while ordinary citizens struggle to obtain fuel. He made these remarks on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at a seminar held at the Krishibid Institute of Bangladesh in Dhaka, organized by the Agricultureist Forum of Bangladesh. The event focused on the impact of the global energy crisis on Bangladesh’s agriculture sector.

Dr. Rahman said that parliamentary democracy should serve the people’s interests through effective legislation, but the current reality is different. He expressed frustration that despite efforts, Parliament has not delivered significant outcomes for the nation. He also criticized the broader system, alleging that the country is being run through manipulation and superficial accounting, and urged for a merit-based rather than politically driven society.

Expressing concern over the situation at the Krishibid Institute, he warned against attempts to seize leadership positions by force and called for ending such unhealthy political practices.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central president, Nurul Islam Saddam, has alleged that the country’s ruling class fears the people’s verdict despite speaking of democracy. Speaking on Saturday, April 11, at a discussion marking the martyrdom anniversary of Jamaat leader Kamruzzaman at Dhaka College, he said the rulers consider themselves supreme and disregard public opinion due to corruption and greed. He argued that implementing the people’s electoral mandate is the government’s duty, and when ignored, citizens eventually assert their rights.

Saddam criticized Bangladesh’s political structure, claiming that a privileged class dominates leadership and benefits regardless of political shifts. He accused the Bangladesh Cricket Board of nepotism and alleged that election engineering and a “deep state” influence political outcomes. He cited historical examples, including 1975, 1990, and the July uprising, to argue that regimes ignoring public sentiment cannot sustain power.

He also paid tribute to Kamruzzaman, describing him as a courageous intellectual and journalist who remained steadfast even at the gallows. Saddam claimed Kamruzzaman’s trial was politically motivated and conducted by a questionable tribunal.

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated that if discussions with the United States take place in Islamabad, there is a possibility of reaching an understanding that could benefit both sides and the wider world. His remarks were shared in a statement on social media platform X, where he outlined Iran’s position ahead of potential talks.

The statement warned that if pro-Israel representatives are present in the discussions, no agreement would be possible. Aref added that in such a case, Iran’s defensive measures would continue with greater intensity, which could lead to higher costs for the global community. The comments came as Tehran issued a firm message before the talks, emphasizing its readiness to respond strongly if provoked.

The discussions in Islamabad are reportedly complicated by issues surrounding Iran’s assets and a ceasefire in Lebanon, with the United Nations Secretary-General having called on both Iran and the United States to engage constructively.