Three Iranian aircraft carrying a 70-member delegation landed at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, shortly after the start of US-Iran discussions in Islamabad aimed at establishing lasting peace in the Middle East. The planes arrived from Tehran about an hour after the talks began, but the identities of the passengers and the purpose of their visit were not immediately known.

The aircraft belong to Pouya Air, a company known to be linked with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force and Aerospace Force. They reportedly departed from Mehrabad International Airport, which was recently damaged by US and Israeli strikes. Iranian sources told Al Jazeera that as the discussions entered a more detailed phase, some experts from Iran might travel to Pakistan.

The Washington Post earlier reported that the Trump administration planned to request the release of Americans detained in Iran as part of the talks. However, it remains unclear whether the Islamabad discussions or the sudden Iranian flights are connected to any prisoner release negotiations.

Expert-level discussions between Iran and the United States have begun in Islamabad, according to a Pakistani foreign ministry official. The talks are focused on reviewing the technical aspects of proposals exchanged by both sides. The meeting follows earlier high-level discussions held with Pakistani mediators, which two government officials described as positive.

A report from the White House press pool cited a U.S. official confirming that American technical experts are present in Islamabad, supported by additional specialists from Washington. The Iranian delegation includes Central Bank Governor Dr. Nasser Hemmati and other technical experts. The discussions are continuing after four hours, indicating sustained engagement between the two sides.

The talks mark a continuation of diplomatic efforts facilitated by Pakistan, with both delegations emphasizing technical review and expert participation as they explore potential areas of cooperation or resolution.

French President Emmanuel Macron held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the regional situation and the ceasefire between Iran and the United States. The discussion took place amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, with both leaders emphasizing the need for restraint and adherence to ceasefire agreements.

Macron stated on social media platform X that they first discussed the situation in the Middle East and called on all parties to respect the ceasefire and ensure that it includes Lebanon. He added that both sides urged respect for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and stressed the importance of achieving a strong and lasting diplomatic solution.

The conversation reflects continued diplomatic engagement between France and Turkey over regional security and efforts to prevent further escalation between Iran and the United States.

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.

Security analyst Mohammad Ali told Al Jazeera that a certain level of flexibility has emerged in the ongoing talks between the United States and Iran, attributing this shift to Pakistan’s mediation efforts. He noted that if the current ceasefire continues for a longer period, it would indicate that both sides are unwilling to escalate the conflict further.

Ali explained that while both parties may display strong public postures, the actual discussions at the negotiation table are more pragmatic, as each side remains aware of domestic political pressures. He emphasized that Pakistan has played an important role since the arrival of both delegations, holding separate meetings with each to encourage greater flexibility and to seize what he described as a historic opportunity.

According to Ali, the world is no longer in a position to endure further conflict or tension, particularly given the potential impact on global peace, security, and the energy economy.

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.

More than a hundred journalists gathered at Islamabad’s main convention center to cover the ongoing United States–Iran dialogue, according to the report. The Pakistani authorities temporarily turned the venue into a media hub, located about half a kilometer from the main discussion site. Reporters spent long hours waiting as the talks continued, while the center offered high-speed internet, gourmet coffee, and elaborate meals under the slogan “Brewed for Peace.”

Inside the media center, facilities included biryani, kebabs, and desserts, along with coffee made from Brazilian and Ethiopian beans. Folk musicians performed outside on a small stage, adding a cultural touch to the environment. Despite these arrangements, several journalists expressed boredom and frustration, noting that there was little to do while waiting for updates.

The contrast between the high-level diplomatic discussions and the journalists’ idle hours highlighted the different realities surrounding the event, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered 1,400 rounds of ammunition during an operation in Panchhari upazila of Khagrachhari district. The operation took place on Friday afternoon in the remote Kathaltali area of Bauddhamonipara, following intelligence about an ammunition shipment. BGB reported the recovery in a press release on Saturday morning, confirming that no suspects were detained.

According to BGB, a patrol team led by Naib Subedar Md. Shah Alam of the Bauddhamonipara border outpost under the 3 BGB Battalion intercepted two motorcycles carrying four suspects. The suspects fled into the hilly area, abandoning their motorcycles and a bag that contained the ammunition. BGB stated that while returning from the site, its members were surrounded by a group of armed men, but reinforcements led by Acting Commander Major S.M. Imrul Kayes arrived promptly, forcing the attackers to retreat.

Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Md. Robiul Islam said BGB maintains a zero-tolerance policy against illegal arms, ammunition, and smuggling along the border and that intelligence surveillance and patrols have been intensified.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said a US destroyer moving from the UAE’s Fujairah port toward the Strait of Hormuz came under surveillance by Iran’s armed forces. The information was also shared with an Iranian negotiation team in Pakistan. At the same time, journalist Barak Ravid of Axios, citing US officials, reported that American warships had already crossed the strait, though Iran’s Tasnim news agency denied this through an unnamed official.

Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder data indicated that the US warship USS Michael Murphy departed Dubai’s Jebel Ali port and was near the western part of the Strait of Hormuz, with its listed destination as Singapore. The movement comes as Iran has declared it will not allow US or Israeli ships to pass through the strategic waterway.

The situation highlights rising maritime tensions in the region, with both sides issuing conflicting accounts of naval activity and Iran asserting control over transit permissions in the strait.

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.

Representatives from Iran and the United States are engaged in direct discussions in Islamabad, according to Al Jazeera. The meeting, which began as a closed-door session, lasted about two hours before breaking for dinner and is expected to resume. Sources cited by the report described the talks as taking place in a positive environment.

Initially, the two sides were expected to participate in indirect negotiations, but the format shifted to direct talks in the presence of Pakistani officials, which observers consider a significant step forward. Iranian sources indicated that some changes have occurred regarding the release of the country’s frozen assets.

Al Jazeera noted that the process remains at an early stage, with limited verified information available. The situation continues to evolve as more details emerge from the ongoing 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.

Bangladesh has expanded its special measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign to four major city corporations starting Sunday, April 12, 2026. The program will cover both city corporations in Dhaka, as well as Mymensingh and Barishal City Corporations. According to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), the campaign aims to vaccinate 1,219,957 children aged six months to five years in these urban areas. The nationwide rollout is scheduled to begin on April 20, 2026.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the special vaccination drive on April 5, initially targeting 30 upazilas across 18 districts where measles infections were most severe. The campaign prioritizes regions with higher infection rates and includes all children aged six to 59 months, regardless of previous vaccination status. Vaccinations will be administered daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on weekly holidays.

Originally planned for May 3, the nationwide campaign start date was advanced to April 20 to accelerate measles prevention efforts across the country.

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.