U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to reporters at the White House about Iran, issuing a series of strong statements. He threatened renewed attacks on Iran’s bridges, power plants, and other civilian infrastructure, warning of actions that could amount to war crimes. Trump also said that if he had the opportunity, he would seize Iran’s vast oil reserves to generate significant revenue.

Trump criticized Americans who oppose war, calling them “fools,” while asserting that his “Make America Great Again” supporters remain firmly behind him. He further claimed that his administration had sent guns to anti-government protesters in Iran, though he did not specify which group received them.

The president declared that his ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was final, describing Tehran’s response to U.S. proposals as “important” but “not good enough.” The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.

The Ghorashal-Polash Urea Fertilizer Factory in Narsingdi resumed production at 12:10 p.m. on Monday, April 6, after remaining closed for nearly a month due to a gas supply suspension. The factory began preliminary operations on March 31 following the restoration of gas connection by Titas authorities. The plant’s General Manager (Administration), Md. Fakhrul Alam, confirmed the resumption of production.

According to factory sources, gas supply to the facility was halted on March 4 amid a nationwide gas crisis, forcing the shutdown of one of Asia’s major gas-dependent urea producers. The closure caused a daily production loss of about 2,800 metric tons of urea, valued at approximately Tk 13.44 crore per day. The factory, built at a cost of Tk 15,000 crore and operational since March 11, 2024, requires 71–72 MMC of gas daily for full-capacity production but can operate with 52–53 MMC.

Officials stated that the one-month shutdown will compel the factory to cover loan repayments, amounting to Tk 1,600–1,800 crore annually, through borrowing to offset the production gap.

The Bangladesh Parliament will begin holding two sessions daily starting Tuesday, according to Chief Whip Nurul Islam. The first session will start at 10:30 a.m. and adjourn at noon, while the second will begin at 3:30 p.m. and continue into the night. The decision was made at an emergency meeting of the parliamentary business advisory committee. The move aims to expedite legislative work before the April 9 deadline.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam explained that 133 ordinances must be passed by April 9, prompting the decision for extended sittings. He also noted that due to time constraints, copies of all bills could not be distributed in advance and expressed regret for the inconvenience. The Chief Whip added that bills already agreed upon in special committees would be passed first, while those with dissent notes or amendments would be presented separately by the following day.

If necessary, parliamentary sessions may also be held on Friday to ensure completion of the legislative agenda within the limited timeframe.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will bring 60,000 income tax returns under audit for the fiscal years 2023–2024, 2024–2025, and 2025–2026. NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan announced the plan during a pre-budget discussion with the Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) at the Revenue Building in Agargaon, Dhaka. He said the selection will be made on a risk-based basis through an automated system.

The chairman explained that manual audit selection had been suspended earlier due to complaints and would only resume after the transition to an online system. With online filing now mandatory for most taxpayers in the current fiscal year, the NBR has reintroduced audits through automation. He added that 600 companies have already been selected for VAT audits under the same automated process, covering manufacturing, service, retail, wholesale, and import-export sectors.

According to the NBR, the automated selection system aims to enhance transparency, neutrality, and efficiency in tax administration while reducing revenue evasion and improving taxpayer confidence.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has announced plans to impose an annual limit on head office expenses claimed by foreign companies operating in the country. NBR Chairman disclosed the move during a pre-budget discussion with representatives of the Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) at the Revenue Building on Monday. He said many firms report large head office costs each year, which reduces their declared profits, and argued that such expenses should not rise indefinitely after the initial years of establishment.

FICCI’s tax adviser Snehashish Barua opposed the proposal, noting that existing laws such as the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and transfer pricing regulations already ensure expense justification. He warned that setting arbitrary limits could send a negative signal to foreign investors. FICCI also proposed lowering the corporate tax rate from 27.5 percent to 20 percent, arguing that Bangladesh’s rate is higher than competitors like Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The NBR chairman rejected the idea, citing revenue pressures.

FICCI President Rupali Chowdhury said foreign firms are struggling with negative growth since the pandemic and the Ukraine war, urging NBR to support businesses ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming LDC graduation.

The Bangladesh Parliament has decided to conduct its sittings in two daily sessions starting Tuesday to meet the constitutional requirement of converting 133 ordinances issued by the interim government into laws. The announcement was made during the 13th National Parliament session on Monday, with Chief Whip Nurul Islam outlining the schedule and purpose of the extended sittings.

According to the Chief Whip, the first session will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the second at 3:30 p.m. To expedite the legislative process, Thursday’s Private Members’ Day has been canceled to prioritize government bills. He also noted that the Parliament is prepared to continue its sessions on Friday if necessary to complete the legislative workload.

The decision reflects the urgency to fulfill constitutional obligations within a limited timeframe, ensuring that all 133 ordinances are formally enacted into law without delay.

The National Parliament of Bangladesh passed the 'Voter List (Amendment) Bill, 2026' on Monday, April 6, 2026, through a voice vote during the 13th parliamentary session. The bill aims to ensure voting rights for citizens by allowing those who turn 18 before the announcement of the election schedule to be included in the voter list. The Speaker presented the proposed amendments, and as there were no objections, clauses 2, 3, and 4, along with the title and preamble, were adopted by voice vote.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman introduced the bill, stating that the amendment was brought to uphold the principle of universal suffrage. The Deputy Speaker conducted the session, and the bill was unanimously approved by members present.

The new law completes the process initiated with the 'Voter List Ordinance, 2025,' which was issued last year to amend the 'Voter List Act, 2009.'

Chief Whip Md. Nurul Islam stated that the current constitution of Bangladesh cannot be completely repealed and that necessary amendments should be made through discussions with all parties. He made the remarks on Monday, April 6, during a courtesy meeting with Stuart James, Political Officer of the US Embassy, held at his office in the Parliament building in Dhaka.

During the meeting, they discussed Bangladesh’s democratic journey, implementation of the July Charter, the process of constitutional amendment, and government initiatives to ensure an effective parliament. The Chief Whip emphasized that constitutional reform is essential to keep the democratic process on the right path. He criticized previous authoritarian governments for making changes to the constitution for personal interests and stressed the need to make it more people-oriented.

Nurul Islam reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the July Charter and expressed willingness to consult all stakeholders on the method of implementation, underscoring that the government prioritizes national interest and collective decision-making.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance launched an urgent overnight diplomatic effort to secure a peace deal with Iran after President Donald Trump threatened to bring “hell down” on Tehran. According to the report, the talks took place late Sunday under Vance’s leadership, with Pakistan mediating a proposed peace plan calling for an immediate ceasefire and further negotiations within 15 to 20 days.

Earlier, Trump warned that if Iran failed to reach an agreement by 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, he would destroy the country’s civilian infrastructure and “everything else.” A White House official said that despite the talks, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remained unlikely and the proposal had not yet received presidential approval.

The secret discussions were coordinated by Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, with U.S. representatives JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iran represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Iran’s foreign ministry confirmed it had conveyed its stance through mediators, while an Iranian source said Tehran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz or accept Trump’s deadline. The two sides remain divided over sanctions relief and Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.

The Bangladesh Parliament on Monday, April 6, 2026, passed the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill 2026, along with the Voter List Amendment Bill and the Election Commission Secretariat Amendment Bill. Law Minister Asaduzzaman introduced the bills to formalize three ordinances issued by the interim government, amending sections 27, 37, 39, 89, and 91 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO). The amendments aim to clarify postal ballot procedures, strengthen election security, and improve the management of electoral activities.

During the session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, the bills were passed by voice vote after brief discussions. Opposition Leader Shafiqul Rahman raised a wording issue in one clause, which Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal and the Law Minister agreed to review. The ordinances had been presented in the first session of the 13th National Parliament on February 12, 2026, in line with constitutional requirements.

According to the Law Minister, the new laws will ensure smoother execution of national election processes and allow the Election Commission to set additional dates for voter registration beyond January 1 each year.

Israel has claimed responsibility for killing Asghar Bekeri, the head of a secret unit within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, according to a report by Al Jazeera. Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani confirmed the operation, stating that Bekeri was killed during the mission. Iran has not yet issued any official comment on the incident.

The Quds Force is a special branch of the IRGC known for conducting covert operations and military activities beyond Iran’s borders. The report noted that since the beginning of recent conflicts, the United States and Israel have been targeting senior Iranian leaders in their attacks. This latest killing adds to a growing list of Iranian revolutionary figures reportedly killed in Israeli strikes, including top security officials.

The development underscores escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, with continued cross-border operations and targeted killings raising concerns about further regional instability.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government has begun work to build a humane and integrated health system across Bangladesh. In a message marking World Health Day 2026, he said the initiative aims to ensure quality healthcare in both urban and rural areas, expand maternal and child health services, and strengthen preventive programs. The theme for this year’s observance is “Together for Health, Stand with Science.”

Rahman emphasized the importance of the “One Health” approach, linking the well-being of humans, animals, and the environment. He highlighted the role of modern technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in delivering sustainable and equitable healthcare, particularly for marginalized communities. The government plans to recruit 100,000 health workers—80 percent of them women—and introduce e-health cards for all citizens.

Additional measures include expanding public-private partnerships for complex disease treatment, launching and scaling health insurance, strengthening medical education and research, and raising health sector funding to 5 percent of GDP. The Prime Minister expressed hope that integrity and dedication would help build a healthy and strong nation.

Israel carried out an airstrike in Lebanon on Sunday targeting a Hezbollah leader, but the attack missed its intended objective. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the strike failed to hit the correct target, resulting instead in the deaths of Pierre Mouawad, a senior figure in the Christian-backed Lebanese Forces Party, and his wife Flavia Mouawad. The IDF expressed regret over the incident.

The strike hit a residential apartment building in eastern Beirut, an area largely inhabited by members of the Christian community. Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed that one man and two women were killed. The local mayor said the couple lived on the ground floor of the building that was struck. The IDF stated it is assessing the damage caused by the mistaken attack.

The Lebanese Forces Party said Pierre Mouawad was not a combatant and had no military role. He was reportedly celebrating Easter Sunday at home with his family when the strike occurred.

BNP Standing Committee member and Cumilla-1 MP Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain has demanded that the proposed new division be named 'Cumilla'. Speaking in the national parliament on Monday, April 6, 2026, during a discussion on urgent public issues, he emphasized that Cumilla is a historically significant district known for its education and cultural heritage. He urged the government to officially establish the division under the name 'Cumilla'.

Hossain recalled that a previous authoritarian government had announced plans to create a division in Cumilla under a different name, arguing that the word 'Ku' carried a negative meaning. He said the people of Cumilla, regardless of political affiliation, protested that decision, forcing the government to promise a solution that was never implemented.

The report notes that during the Awami League government, proposals were made in 2017 to name the division 'Moynamoti' and again in 2022 as 'Meghna', but neither was finalized.

An emergency meeting of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) technical committee on mosquito control was held on Monday morning at the Gulshan Nagar Bhaban. The session, chaired by DNCC Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, reviewed ongoing dengue prevention activities and discussed future strategies. DNCC Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan, attending as chief guest, said that different insecticide combinations will be tested in multiple laboratories, and decisions will be based on the results. He also announced plans for special public awareness campaigns on mosquito control.

The meeting focused on identifying new and more effective insecticides. Kurigram Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Rashedul Islam warned of a possible rise in dengue during the upcoming monsoon and emphasized early preparation. He noted that resistance to the larvicide temephos has been observed in some countries and recommended biological control methods and multi-site testing. Entomologist Professor Dr. Kabirul Bashar reported that malathion showed better results than novaluron and temephos in tests and suggested considering Bti as an alternative. Public health expert Professor Dr. Benazir Ahmed stressed source reduction and improved waste management as key to sustainable mosquito control.