Five farmers were killed and at least three others injured by lightning strikes while harvesting paddy in different haor areas of Sunamganj district on Saturday. The incidents occurred across Dharmapasha, Tahirpur, Dirai, and Jamalganj upazilas. The deceased were identified as Habibur Rahman, Rahmat Ullah, Abul Kalam alias Kala Mia, Liton Mia, and Nur Jamal. Local representatives and health officials confirmed the deaths, while the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

According to local correspondents, the lightning strikes occurred during sudden storms in the afternoon. In Dharmapasha, Habibur Rahman died on the way to hospital after being struck, while 13-year-old Rahmat Ullah was pronounced dead at the local health complex. In Tahirpur, Abul Kalam died at Jamalabaj village, and another person was seriously injured. Dirai’s Liton Mia and Jamalganj’s Nur Jamal also lost their lives while working in the fields. Several others were referred to hospitals in Sylhet and Mymensingh for advanced care.

Officials confirmed the incidents and ongoing treatment of the injured. The lightning also killed two cows in Jamalganj during the same storm.

The SME Foundation and Prime Bank have signed a refinancing agreement in Dhaka to expand access to affordable loans for cottage, micro, small, and medium (CMSME) entrepreneurs. The initiative, supported by the government’s Tk 300 crore revolving fund and guided by credit wholesaling directives, aims to strengthen grassroots economic activity. Industry, Commerce, and Textile Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir attended the signing ceremony as chief guest, reaffirming the government’s commitment to a business-friendly environment for small entrepreneurs.

Under the agreement, eligible entrepreneurs will receive loans at a maximum annual interest rate of 8 percent, ranging from Tk 1 lakh to Tk 25 lakh, with a repayment period of up to four years including a six-month grace period. A significant portion of the fund is reserved for women entrepreneurs and those in specific industrial clusters. Priority will also be given to young ICT innovators, import-substitute producers, and entrepreneurs in climate-vulnerable or disadvantaged regions.

Leaders from both institutions expressed optimism about the program’s potential to enhance employment, promote eco-friendly technology, and integrate returning migrants into productive sectors, thereby strengthening Bangladesh’s CMSME sector.

An executive magistrate in Banshkhali, Chattogram, sentenced a man to three months in jail for assaulting his mother while under the influence of drugs. The punishment was handed down on Saturday, April 18, 2026, by Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Omar Sani Akon. The incident occurred in Khudukkhali area of Chanua Union, where the accused, Shahidul Islam, 27, attacked his mother after consuming drugs. Police quickly conducted an operation and arrested him following the report of the assault.

According to Banshkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khaled Saifullah, regular drives against drug abuse and social crimes will continue. He stated that strict legal measures will be taken against such offenses to maintain law and order in the area.

The case highlights ongoing local efforts to curb drug-related violence and reinforce community safety through immediate legal action.

The regional round of the 'Skills and Innovation Competition' for the Sylhet region was held on 17 April 2026 at Sylhet Polytechnic Institute. Students from 14 technical institutions presented 42 innovative projects, with three selected for the national round in Dhaka. The chosen projects were Smart Home Eco System from Sylhet Polytechnic Institute, Face Detector from Moulvibazar Polytechnic Institute, and Smoke and Fume Controlling Welding Helmet from Habiganj Government Technical School and College.

The event was organized under the Accelerating and Strengthening Skills for Economic Transformation (ASSET) project of the Directorate of Technical Education, Ministry of Education. Labor and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury attended as chief guest, emphasizing the importance of technical education and skilled workforce development. The secretary of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division also highlighted that technical education is now a mainstream necessity.

A colorful rally, seminar, and award ceremony accompanied the competition, attended by officials, educators, students, and community members. The national round will be held next month in Dhaka, featuring around 50 projects from eight regions.

KDS Group, a well-known name in Bangladesh’s construction sector, has inaugurated a new branch office of KY Two Tone in Purbachal. The opening ceremony took place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, with KY Steel’s Chief Operating Officer Jabir Hossain attending as the chief guest. Other senior officials from KY Steel, including General Manager Wahid Farhad and branch in-charge Wasif Zobayer, were also present alongside company distributors and staff.

During the event, Jabir Hossain stated that the new branch would bring KY Two Tone’s services closer to customers, emphasizing modern technology, quality, and customer service. Speakers highlighted the company’s development plans, architectural solutions, and commitment to customer satisfaction. They expressed optimism that the new office would play a key role in delivering quality construction services in Purbachal and surrounding areas.

After the inauguration, guests toured the new facility and wished success for the company’s future operations.

Two farmers were killed by lightning while harvesting paddy in the haor areas of Dharmapasha upazila in Sunamganj on Saturday afternoon. The victims were identified as Habibur Rahman, 22, of Baroihati village in Paikurati Union, and Rahmat Ullah, 13, of Saraswatipur village in Joysree Union. The incidents occurred separately in different locations.

According to local reports, Habibur Rahman was harvesting boro paddy with his uncle near Chokiyachapur village in Togar Haor when a sudden storm struck around noon. He was seriously injured by lightning and died on the way to Dharmapasha Upazila Health Complex. Several others were also injured and received local treatment.

In another incident around 1 p.m. in Islampur village of Joysree Union, lightning struck again, injuring Zainal Haque, his son Rahmat Ullah, and a woman named Shikha Moni. Rahmat Ullah was declared dead at the Upazila Health Complex, while the other two were referred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for advanced care.

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister has implemented 60 key initiatives within the first two months of the new government’s tenure, according to an official briefing by the Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson and adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin. The report, presented at a press conference in Tejgaon, highlights actions aligned with pre-election pledges, including the completion of a pilot project for family cards providing monthly cash support to women, the launch of farmer cards, and the waiver of loans for small farmers. Other measures include controlling commodity prices, expanding renewable energy, and ensuring religious inclusivity through stipends for clerics of various faiths.

The government has also initiated large-scale river dredging, prioritized employment generation, and announced plans to fill over 468,000 vacant government posts. Steps have been taken to modernize education, healthcare, and digital governance, including e-health cards, free Wi-Fi in educational institutions, and online land services. The administration emphasized transparency, human rights protection, and freedom of expression as central to its governance approach.

According to the report, these early actions reflect the government’s commitment to economic stability, women’s empowerment, and inclusive national development.

Police in Sreepur, Gazipur rescued a 16-year-old madrasa student who had been abducted on April 14 while on her way to school. According to police and press sources, the main accused, Md. Abid, and his associates forcibly took the girl near the Maona Fire Service area. Although she was briefly returned home the next day following community pressure, she was abducted again later that morning. During the second abduction, her relatives were assaulted when they tried to intervene.

The victim’s father filed a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, naming ten individuals including Abid and listing 25–30 unidentified suspects. Acting on the Superintendent of Police’s directive, a joint operation by the district detective branch and Sreepur police led to the arrest of seven suspects, including two named in the case. The rescued victim was found early on April 18 in the MC Bazar area and sent for medical examination and judicial procedures.

Police confirmed that the main suspect and several others remain at large, and operations to apprehend them are ongoing.

Popular Bangladeshi band Ashes canceled their much-anticipated concert scheduled for April 18 at Rabindra Sarobar in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The announcement came late on April 17 through a verified Facebook post by the band’s vocalist, Junayed Evan, confirming that the event would not take place as planned.

According to Evan, organizers informed the band that they expected an overwhelming turnout that would be difficult to manage in the open venue. The limited space and potential traffic disruptions in the surrounding area also prompted administrative concerns, leading to the decision to cancel the show. In an emotional message to fans, Evan expressed regret over the cancellation and promised future performances.

Ashes have already completed 12 concerts across Bangladesh since the beginning of April. The band is also scheduled to perform in Rome, Venice, and Paris in June, according to the same report.

Five activists of the opposition youth wing Jubo Dal were injured in separate clashes over drug control and local dominance in Feni district. The incidents occurred on Friday night in Sonagazi upazila’s Kazirhat and Lakshmipur villages. Police said three people were arrested on Saturday in connection with the violence, which has created tension in the area.

According to local sources, the first clash broke out around 10 p.m. in Lakshmipur area of Mangal Kandi union, where two Jubo Dal factions engaged in fighting and gunfire. Jubo Dal leader Mohammad Suman and activists Harun and Faisal were among those injured and admitted to Feni General Hospital. In a separate incident at Kazirhat Bazar, Sonagazi, volunteer leader Jasim Uddin was attacked after trying to stop theft and extortion.

Sonagazi BNP convener Zainal Abedin said the incidents were driven by personal interests and not linked to party activities. Police confirmed that both clashes stemmed from disputes over local dominance and said legal action would follow upon receiving written complaints.

The government has waived loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, for nearly 1.2 million small and marginal farmers, according to Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin. He announced the decision on Saturday afternoon at a press conference held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon. The briefing marked two months of the current government’s tenure and highlighted 60 major initiatives taken during this period.

At the same event, the Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson said the government had resolved 133 ordinances during the first session of the 13th National Parliament, setting a precedent for parliamentary democracy. Sixteen of these ordinances, including those related to the Human Rights Commission and enforced disappearance prevention, will be reintroduced as bills after further review. The spokesperson added that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Additionally, the government has launched a project to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and water bodies across the country, with work already underway in 54 districts.

Dr. Jalal Uddin, Member of Parliament for Chandpur-2, declared that no leniency would be shown toward drug dealers. He made the statement on Saturday at a drug awareness rally and discussion meeting organized by the Upazila administration at Chengarchar Government High School field in Matlab North, Chandpur. He described drugs as a social problem that destroys the nation, families, and society, urging everyone to unite in combating it.

During his speech as chief guest, Jalal Uddin emphasized that those who consume or sell drugs are enemies of the country and the nation. He called for collective efforts to persuade them to abandon this path and urged cooperation with law enforcement and administration to build a drug-free society. The event was chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahmuda Kulsum Moni and attended by local officials, political leaders from various parties, and teachers and students from local institutions.

The gathering reflected a unified stance among administrative and community representatives to strengthen anti-drug initiatives in the region.

Nur Alam Masud, owner of Satata Oil Mills in Feni’s Sonagazi municipality, died early Saturday at Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s burn unit after suffering severe burns in an explosion. The incident occurred on April 14 when Masud attempted to produce octane using an alternative method learned from YouTube. His colleague, Omar Faruk, was also critically injured and remains under treatment.

According to family members and police, the explosion happened when a pipe burst due to excessive heat during the experiment at the oil mill. Masud’s brother said the temperature went out of control, causing the blast. Police from Sonagazi Model Station visited the site but reported that no formal complaint had been filed as of yet.

Authorities stated that legal action would be taken if a written complaint is submitted. The body of the deceased was sent home after autopsy for burial.

Actress Rukaiya Jahan Chamak has collected and submitted a nomination form seeking a reserved women’s seat under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) from the Kushtia-4 constituency. She confirmed the matter to the media after attending an interview with the BNP selection board on April 17, 2026. Chamak stated that she wants to work for the country, particularly for women, and believes joining BNP would help her realize her plans.

During the interview, she was asked whether she wanted to serve the BNP, to which she replied affirmatively, adding that her primary goal is to serve the country. She expressed optimism about receiving the party’s nomination and said discussions with the party leadership had been positive. Earlier, she hinted at a new beginning through a social media post on Facebook.

Chamak began her entertainment career as the second runner-up in the 2017 Miss World Bangladesh competition and has since appeared in several television dramas and web series.

Water Resources Minister and BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said that if the canal excavation program continues, a new awakening and revolution could emerge in Bangladesh under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon after inaugurating a canal excavation initiative in Uttar Joypur Union of Lakshmipur Sadar upazila.

Before the event, the minister inaugurated the re-excavation of the Rahmatkhali canal from Kaichcha Bari to Yusufpur under the Employment Generation Program for the Poorest (EGPP) project. He noted that many canals had been encroached upon and blocked by illegal structures and industrial waste, and the excavation work aims to restore them.

Annie also emphasized the importance of improving education quality, particularly at the primary level, describing it as the foundation of learning. He said attention is being given to schools, colleges, temples, and madrasas to strengthen educational infrastructure and ensure a better future for children.