Pakistan has prepared to host ceasefire talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad, deploying security forces and refurbishing city streets ahead of the event. Acting as mediator, Pakistan expressed optimism, claiming it has earned the trust of both sides. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, leading the American delegation, said Washington would cooperate if Iran negotiates sincerely but warned against any deceptive tactics.

The discussions face multiple obstacles, including Israel’s ongoing attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, which Iran says could render talks meaningless. U.S. President Donald Trump noted that Israeli strikes have become less intense and announced upcoming direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington. Another major issue is control of the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has restricted shipping and introduced new transit rules, prompting U.S. criticism.

Additional disputes include Iran’s nuclear program, its regional alliances with groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, and demands for lifting international sanctions. Iran insists on its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, while the U.S. demands a complete halt. The outcome of these talks remains uncertain as both sides maintain firm positions.

The Osmaninagar Upazila Health Complex in Sylhet has not yet opened a dedicated measles corner due to the absence of required administrative approval. Although hospitals were instructed to set up separate corners for measles cases, the facility remains pending approval. Since late March, only four suspected measles patients have been identified in the upazila, with two samples sent to the National Polio and Measles-Rubella Laboratory in Dhaka and two still under testing. No confirmed measles cases or related deaths have been reported so far.

Health officials stated that preventive measures have been strengthened for suspected patients, and vaccination activities have been expanded. A measles vaccination campaign is scheduled for April 20, with parents advised to remain alert. Sample collection from symptomatic patients continues across the upazila. Doctors emphasized that measles is highly contagious and that infected or symptomatic children should be isolated to prevent spread.

Separately, a One Stop Service Center for senior citizens has been launched at the same health complex to provide faster and prioritized medical services, inaugurated on January 15 by the Sylhet Civil Surgeon.

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.

BNP leader and Qatar expatriate Nurul Mostafa Khokon has donated Tk 1.2 million from his personal funds to renovate the Sandwip Upazila Health Complex in Chattogram. The initiative aims to address long-standing issues such as poor sanitation, lack of seating for patients, and inadequate cleanliness. The donation will fund repainting, toilet repairs, installation of 100 chairs, and the appointment of a full-time cleaner. A representative has already been sent to assess the hospital’s needs.

The initiative began after Khokon attended a parliamentary session where the health minister urged wealthy citizens to assist in improving healthcare facilities due to limited government funds. Khokon immediately pledged to support the renovation of the neglected Sandwip hospital. Local residents and BNP leaders have praised his humanitarian gesture, describing it as a model for others.

Health officials said the contribution will help improve patient services and working conditions for staff. The hospital, long plagued by staff shortages and poor infrastructure, is expected to see significant improvement once the renovation is complete.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam said efforts are underway to bring home the body of Bangladeshi woman Dipali Khatun, who was killed in an Israeli attack in Lebanon two days ago. She made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while speaking to journalists after a meeting with the local Hindu community at her home in Laskaradia village, Nagarkanda upazila of Faridpur.

The minister stated that the foreign ministry has already contacted Dipali’s sister and family. She explained that due to the ongoing war situation in Lebanon, flight operations are not currently favorable for immediate repatriation. However, both the foreign ministry and the Bangladesh mission in Lebanon are working to bring the body back as soon as possible.

Shama Obaid added that the government is taking steps to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates in the Middle East, including relocating them to safer areas. She said arrangements are being made to repatriate those unable to return due to security concerns, and some Bangladeshis have already been brought back on chartered flights.

Liverpool returned to winning form after three consecutive defeats across all competitions. Playing at their home ground Anfield, coach Arne Slot’s side defeated visiting Fulham 2-0. The goals came from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah, marking a crucial turnaround for the Reds after a difficult run.

Before this match, Liverpool had suffered three straight losses: 2-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, 4-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals, and 2-0 to defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.

In another Premier League development, Arsenal stumbled in their title race after a 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth. With 32 matches played, Arsenal remain on 70 points, while second-placed Manchester City trail by nine points but have two games in hand. City’s upcoming match against Chelsea could further narrow the gap.

Barcelona recovered from their Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat with a commanding 4-1 victory over Espanyol in La Liga. The match, held at the Nou Camp, saw Ferran Torres score twice, while Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford added one goal each. Paul Lozano netted Espanyol’s only goal. The win strengthened Barcelona’s position at the top of the league table with 79 points from 31 matches, including 26 wins, one draw, and four losses, placing them nine points ahead of Real Madrid.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, continued to struggle in April after a strong March. The team has failed to win any of their three matches this month, dropping points in all. On Friday night, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Girona at the Santiago Bernabéu. Earlier, they lost to Mallorca in La Liga and to Bayern Munich 2-1 in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

The results have tightened Barcelona’s grip on the title race while Real Madrid’s recent slump threatens their championship hopes.

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.

Pope Leo, the first American in the history of the Catholic Church to hold the papal office, reiterated his opposition to the ongoing U.S.-Israel war in Iran during an evening prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica. He declared that displays of power and devotion to wealth had gone far enough, emphasizing that war itself had gone far enough. His remarks followed earlier statements in which he condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions against Iran as unacceptable and urged all sides to pursue a fair settlement through dialogue.

Although Pope Leo did not mention the United States or Trump by name in his latest address, many observers interpreted his message as directed toward American leaders who have justified the conflict on religious grounds while asserting military superiority. His continued stance underscores the Vatican’s consistent call for peace amid escalating tensions in the region.

The appeal comes as reports indicate that U.S.-Iran discussions remain ongoing, and Washington has agreed to return seized Iranian assets, signaling potential diplomatic movement.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that two US Navy guided-missile destroyers, USS Frank E. Petersen and USS Michael Murphy, have crossed the Strait of Hormuz. According to a statement posted on X, the operation aims to verify that the waterway is free from naval mines allegedly planted by Iran.

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated in another post that the US has begun establishing a new maritime route to promote the free flow of commerce. He added that this secure route will soon be shared with the maritime industry to facilitate safe navigation in the region.

The statement, citing BBC as a source, indicates that the operation is part of broader efforts to ensure maritime security and maintain open trade routes through one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.

According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, discussions between Iranian and United States delegations have continued for more than four hours as of April 11, 2026. The report states that both sides took short breaks during the meeting for consultations and rest before resuming the talks. No official information has been released regarding the conclusion of the discussions.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, notes that it remains unclear whether the negotiations will extend further. The ongoing dialogue reflects continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries, though the specific agenda or outcomes have not been disclosed.

As of the latest update, neither side has provided details about progress or next steps, leaving the duration and results of the talks uncertain.

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.

Renowned Bangladeshi physician Professor Kamrul Islam, known for performing over two thousand kidney transplants free of charge and recipient of the Independence Award, has reportedly become a victim of extortion. The incident has sparked widespread discussion across the country. Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman addressed the issue in a Facebook post on Saturday, demanding visible punishment for those responsible.

In his post, Rahman described Dr. Kamrul Islam as a compassionate doctor and friend of the poor, widely respected for his humanitarian service. He alleged that a politically backed extortion group had long been pressuring the doctor for illegal payments, which he consistently refused. Rahman criticized the group for showing disrespect and misconduct toward such a distinguished medical professional.

Rahman further stated that it is clear who is depriving the public of the social service provided by figures like Dr. Kamrul Islam, urging strong action against the perpetrators. He concluded his post with prayers for the doctor’s dignity and for justice against the offenders.