National Parliament Speaker and Bhola-3 Member of Parliament Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikrom said that the people of Bangladesh are now breathing a sigh of relief as good relations exist among all political parties. He expressed optimism that the government will fulfill the long-standing expectations and aspirations of the general public. He made these remarks on Saturday at the Bhola Circuit House.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed stated that although the world may underestimate Bangladesh in terms of economy and power, the country has drawn global attention through its democracy. He emphasized that good governance will be established regardless of political affiliation and that no one should face harassment for their political beliefs. He also said that the democratic movement of 24 years will remain memorable worldwide.

The Speaker added that the people of Bangladesh are politically aware and do not tolerate autocracy. After enduring oppression and injustice for 18 years, they have reestablished democracy, which is now a source of national pride.

Thirty people were injured in a clash between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Saltha upazila of Faridpur on Friday night. The violence erupted in Balia Bazar and nearby areas of Gatti Union following a long-standing rivalry between groups led by Zahid Matubbar and Nuru Matubbar. The incident began when supporters of Nuru Matubbar allegedly assaulted Zahid Matubbar’s supporter Arif Matubbar while he was returning from a feast.

The attack quickly escalated into a large-scale confrontation that lasted from evening until midnight. Both sides reportedly used local weapons, resulting in the vandalism of 20 to 25 houses and the burning of one home. Three cows belonging to Zahid Matubbar’s supporter Abul Sheikh were allegedly looted. Several of the injured were admitted to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, while others received primary treatment.

Saltha Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Babulur Rahman Khan said police intervened to control the situation and that the area is now calm. Additional police have been deployed, and an investigation is underway.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that when government ministers speak in parliament, it seems the country has no problems, but in reality, society faces many challenges. He made the remarks on Saturday, April 18, after visiting children infected with measles at the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in Dhaka.

Dr. Rahman stated that education and health should be the country’s top priorities, yet both sectors remain neglected. He questioned the government’s claim of having sufficient ICU facilities, asserting that most hospitals lack them. He emphasized the need to train critical care specialists to properly maintain ICUs, a system he said has not been developed in Bangladesh.

He added that Jamaat-e-Islami continues its social activities within its capacity and called on all political parties to work for the people. Rahman urged the government to increase the hospital’s budget, which was reduced from 30 crore to 28 crore taka, and to ensure adequate equipment for child healthcare. Hospital sources reported 64 measles patients currently admitted, with 13 new cases in the last 24 hours and 10 child deaths since March 15.

Faridpur-4 Member of Parliament Shahidul Islam Khan Babul called for a strong social movement to combat moral decay, drug abuse, and other social ills. He made the remarks on Saturday, April 18, at a special awareness meeting held at Sadarpur Stadium, organized by Faridpur District Police and Sadarpur Police Station. The event aimed to raise awareness against drugs, eve-teasing, online gambling, terrorism, extortion, child marriage, and suicide.

Addressing the gathering, MP Babul warned that the nation’s future would be destroyed if the youth and education system collapse. He urged young people to focus on education and stay away from harmful influences. During the meeting, he also collected opinions and suggestions from parents, students, and journalists on controlling drugs and preventing social degradation.

Faridpur Superintendent of Police Nazrul Islam, speaking as a special guest, said that drugs, eve-teasing, and child marriage are major obstacles to building a prosperous society. He emphasized that alongside legal measures, resistance must begin from every household to eliminate these crimes.

Nearly 40 leaders and activists from the July uprising movement are expected to join the National Citizen Party (NCP). According to the report, the formal announcement may take place at the NCP central office in Banglamotor around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Among those joining are Ali Ahsan Junayed, Rafe Salaman Rifat, and Shahreen Sultana Ira, along with about 30 others, while around 10 more leaders are also likely to join.

The NCP has reportedly been working for some time to unite various July movement groups. The party has maintained communication and held several meetings with different organizations and platforms to advance this process. As a result, a major portion of the Up Bangladesh group is joining the NCP in the first phase.

After this initial integration, NCP plans to include Up Bangladesh leaders and activists in its grassroots committees, signaling a broader organizational merger effort.

The National Nari Shakti, an affiliated organization of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has formed a 53-member full central convening committee. The announcement was made on Saturday afternoon through a notice signed by Member Secretary Mahmuda Alam Mitu. The committee was approved by NCP Convenor Md. Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain.

Monira Sharmin has been appointed as Convenor, while Mahmuda Alam Mitu will serve as Member Secretary. Nusrat Tabassum has been named Chief Organizer. Senior Joint Convenor Sagufata Bushra Mishma and Senior Joint Member Secretary Monjila Jhuma are among the top leadership. Several others have been appointed as joint convenors, joint member secretaries, and organizers to strengthen the organization.

The committee includes eight joint chief organizers and sixteen organizers, with a total of fifty-three members. The formation aims to make the organization more dynamic under the NCP’s guidance.

The 25th anniversary of the Barai Bari border clash was observed in Roumari upazila of Kurigram with due respect. The commemoration took place on Saturday morning at the Barai Bari BGB camp memorial, where tributes were paid to the martyrs. An accompanying discussion and prayer session continued until 1 p.m., chaired by former MP Ruhul Amin, with Kurigram Zila Parishad administrator and BNP leader Sohel Hossain Kaykobad as chief guest. Local BNP leaders, war-injured veterans, and families of the martyrs attended the event.

Speakers at the discussion demanded that Barai Bari Day receive official state recognition. They emphasized that the joint resistance by border guards and local residents in defense of national sovereignty was a proud chapter in Bangladesh’s history deserving formal acknowledgment.

The original clash occurred on April 18, 2001, when India’s BSF entered Bangladeshi territory through the Barai Bari border and attacked villagers. The confrontation left several BDR soldiers dead and injured, 89 homes burned, and damages estimated at about 7.2 million taka, making the day a lasting symbol of both grief and pride for border residents.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj stated that the government has taken multiple initiatives to eradicate the coaching business from the country's education system. He emphasized that the government’s stance against coaching is firm, describing it as a long-standing social problem. He made these remarks on Saturday morning after visiting the scholarship examination center at Mannan Government Primary School in Jatrabari, Dhaka.

Hajjaj mentioned that several innovations and policies have been identified to regulate coaching, and pilot implementation will begin soon. He noted that no major complaints have yet been received regarding coaching related to primary scholarship exams. The minister also said that the government plans to review the scholarship exam policy, including participation criteria and scholarship amounts.

He added that scholarship exams play an important role in motivating students and parents toward the curriculum. The government has also undertaken infrastructure development projects for schools, including classroom expansion, washroom construction, design updates, and furniture replacement, under initiatives such as the Drishtinondon Project and PDP Five.

At a conference of Upazila Health and Family Planning Officers held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday, April 18, 2026, Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bakul repeatedly praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership and policies. In response, the Prime Minister, attending as the chief guest, remarked, “Minister, a little less praise,” prompting laughter and applause from the audience. The minister replied that he had only offered minimal praise.

During his speech, the health minister emphasized that ensuring public health requires collective participation and a focus on humanitarian service. He highlighted the government’s “zero tolerance” policy against irregularities and corruption, noting that the Prime Minister’s dedication to public welfare and development has made him one of the most effective political organizers.

The minister also stressed the importance of coordination with field-level doctors and improving their working conditions as a government priority. He urged attendees to work together to strengthen the Prime Minister’s leadership and dedicate themselves to public service.

The Parliament Secretariat has issued a warning after discovering several fake Facebook groups and pages operating under the name of Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaisar Kamal. In a notice released on Saturday, April 18, 2026, it stated that misleading and intentionally distorted posts were being shared from accounts such as one titled “Barrister Kaisar Kamal Fan.” The Secretariat clarified that the Deputy Speaker has no involvement with these activities.

According to the notice, Kaisar Kamal does not manage any unofficial Facebook pages or groups and only uses his verified account. All other pages or groups using his name have been labeled as fraudulent and misleading. The public has been urged not to engage with or share content from these fake platforms.

The Secretariat further cautioned that individuals or organizations found deliberately spreading such misinformation will be held responsible. Legal measures against these deceptive activities are already underway, the notice added.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), has alleged that overly enthusiastic supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have been issuing him death threats. Speaking at an emergency press conference at the National Press Club on Saturday, he said his and his wife’s phone numbers were circulated on social media, leading to harassment and embarrassment. He clarified that his recent political statement represented only JAGPA’s position, not that of the 11-party alliance or Jamaat.

Pradhan stated that BNP supporters were verbally abusing him over the phone and threatening his life. He criticized the behavior as a troubling example of the state of free speech in post-July uprising Bangladesh. He also condemned the online harassment of his wife, who is not involved in politics, and denounced false claims labeling his late father, JAGPA founder Shafiul Alam Pradhan, and his grandfather as collaborators or killers.

He urged BNP supporters to verify historical facts before making accusations and called on citizens to support healthy political practices and genuine democracy in Bangladesh.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman visited measles patients at the Shishu Hospital in Dhaka’s Shyamoli area on Saturday at 11 a.m. He toured several wards with attending doctors, inquired about the patients’ conditions, and held a discussion with medical staff about hospital issues. Senior party leaders including MP Saiful Alam Khan Milon and several central executive members accompanied him during the visit.

During a press briefing, Dr. Rahman said he came to observe the measles situation in the country and noted that the hospital had more patients than available beds. He pledged to raise the issue in parliament. He criticized the overall state of the health sector, describing hospitals as overcrowded and lacking intensive care facilities for measles treatment. He also remarked that while government records show many initiatives, the reality is different.

Later, Dr. Rahman visited a petrol station at Asad Gate, where he observed fuel shortages and long queues, blaming the government for mismanagement and public suffering.

The Indian Income Tax Department conducted a raid on the home and campaign office of Trinamool Congress candidate Debashis Kumar in the Rashbehari constituency of West Bengal. The operation began on Friday morning, just days before the state assembly elections. Searches were also carried out at his mother-in-law’s flat. The raids drew a crowd of Trinamool workers and supporters outside Kumar’s residence.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the action, alleging that authorities were targeting Trinamool offices while ignoring illegal money operations elsewhere. The reason for the raid has not yet been clarified. Recently, the Enforcement Directorate had summoned Debashis Kumar in connection with a land fraud case.

Debashis Kumar is contesting against BJP candidate Swapan Dasgupta in the Rashbehari seat, where the BJP expects a strong performance. The timing of the raid, so close to the election, has added political tension in the constituency.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government has taken steps to introduce a pension scheme for senior journalists to ensure their financial security. He made the statement on Saturday while visiting ailing journalist Ismail Hossain Negaban at Bangladesh Medical University. The minister said that although the media is considered the fourth pillar of a modern democratic state, journalists often work without institutional protection, leaving them vulnerable to financial uncertainty.

Swapan noted that the financial well-being of senior journalists has long been neglected and that the government’s new initiative aims to address this gap. He emphasized that journalism is a respected profession, yet many veteran journalists face hardship in their later years. The government is working to help them live with dignity.

The minister also stated that the government is strengthening the Journalist Welfare Trust and developing policies to ensure media freedom and responsibility. During the visit, he handed over a financial assistance cheque of 100,000 taka to Ismail Hossain Negaban on behalf of the trust.

Rumee Farhana, Member of Parliament from Brahmanbaria-2 and former BNP leader, has dismissed rumors about her joining the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP). Speaking on Friday during a Deutsche Welle (Bangla) talk show, she said the speculation had no basis and was entirely false. She clarified that although several political parties approached her after her expulsion from the BNP, she had not accepted any such offer.

Farhana explained that the NCP had invited her to join, citing her active political role and past experiences, but she did not pursue the matter. She emphasized that she would not join any political alliance merely to gain more speaking opportunities in parliament. According to her, there are many platforms to express opinions without compromising personal political ideals and principles.

Her remarks directly counter recent discussions about her possible alignment with the NCP, reaffirming her independent political stance following her departure from the BNP.