Rail Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam has assured that a new shuttle train and additional coaches will soon be introduced for Chittagong University (CU). The assurance came on Saturday night, April 18, during a meeting at the Chittagong Circuit House with CU unit Chhatra Dal leaders, confirmed by the organization’s general secretary Abdullah Al Noman.

During the meeting, Noman presented the minister with details of the difficulties faced by students using the shuttle train, including overcrowding and safety concerns. He requested a new pair of shuttle trains, more coaches for the existing service, and improved security measures. The minister listened attentively and promised to address the issues soon.

According to Noman, more than half of CU’s 28,000 students depend on the shuttle train for daily commuting. He described the train as an emotional symbol for students that has now become a source of hardship due to limited seating and safety problems.

A volunteer wing leader of the BNP was hospitalized following an alleged attack by party members in Kazipur upazila of Sirajganj on Saturday night. The incident occurred at Dhekuriya Bazar, where Abdullah Al Mamun, member secretary of the Maijbari Union Volunteer Team, was reportedly assaulted with sharp weapons and sticks. Locals rescued him and took him to the hospital. Preparations are underway to file a case over the incident.

Kazipur Police Station’s investigation officer Abu Sayeed said no formal complaint had been received yet, but action would be taken once a report is filed. Former general secretary of Kazipur BNP, Abdus Salam, described the attack as unfortunate and said the individuals involved had previously maintained good relations. He added that the assault appeared to stem from internal disputes.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions within local BNP and affiliated organizations in the Sirajganj district, with law enforcement awaiting an official complaint to proceed with legal measures.

Several leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have joined the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP), according to a report published on April 19, 2026. Those joining include President Rifat Rashid, Chief Coordinator Hasib Al Islam, Office Secretary Shahadat Hossain, Legal Cell Secretary Mahfuz, and Kushtia University unit convener S M Sweet, along with other unit leaders.

Rifat Rashid is taking charge as the chief organizer of the National Youth Force, while Hasib Al Islam will serve in the Dhaka University branch of the National Student Force. Shahadat Hossain and S M Sweet are joining the NCP central committee. The information was confirmed to the newspaper by several responsible leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

The report also notes that leaders from other organizations, including AB Party, UP Bangladesh, and the July Movement, have recently joined the NCP, indicating a broader trend of political realignment.

U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social praising Israel as a great ally of the United States. In his message, Trump described Israel as brave, fearless, loyal, and intelligent, asserting that the country knows how to fight hard and win. He stated that whether people like Israel or not, it has proven itself as one of America’s greatest allies.

The post came a day after Trump had reportedly told Israel to stop bombing Lebanon. His latest remarks, however, expressed strong support for Israel’s conduct and resilience during times of conflict and pressure. The comments were reported by Al Jazeera and published by the outlet Amar Desh.

The timing of Trump’s statement suggests a shift in tone following his earlier call for restraint, though the source does not elaborate on any official policy implications or reactions from other parties.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has increased fuel prices by 15 to 20 taka per liter, according to a government notification issued yesterday. The Islamist political party Khelafat Majlis strongly protested the decision in a statement released on Sunday, saying the hike has pushed fuel prices to a record high in the country’s history and will intensify inflation and public suffering.

Party leaders Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader questioned the timing of the increase, noting that the government cited global oil price rises and the ongoing Middle East war as reasons, even though the conflict is reportedly nearing its end. They also criticized the government for reducing subsidies under pressure from international lenders such as the IMF and development partners.

The statement further alleged that fuel shortages at pumps, long queues, and mismanagement have already caused insecurity among citizens. Khelafat Majlis demanded an immediate rollback of the price hike and effective measures to ensure national energy security.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Iran of committing a serious violation of the ceasefire but expressed confidence that a peace agreement will eventually be reached. The statement was reported by ABC News journalist Jonathan Karl, who said Trump made the remarks during a conversation shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

According to Karl, Trump stated that the peace deal would happen “one way or another,” emphasizing that it could occur either easily or with difficulty. The report, citing Al Jazeera as the source, did not provide further details about the nature of the alleged ceasefire breach or the context of the ongoing conflict.

The comments come amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, though Trump’s remarks suggest continued optimism for a diplomatic resolution despite the reported violation.

Two leaders of the Chhatra Dal at Mymensingh Medical College were removed from their positions following a violent clash between two groups at the college dormitory. The central Chhatra Dal relieved senior joint convener Nure Jawad Rutap from his organizational post and Nafiu Islam from primary membership. The incident led to a case being filed by Dr. Ahmad Shafi, brother of seriously injured student Aman Ullah Muaj, naming 32 accused including Nafiu Islam as the prime suspect.

Following the clash, the college authorities suspended all classes and examinations for seven days. Police confirmed that the altercation began on Friday evening over a minor issue. One person has been arrested so far in connection with the case. The central Chhatra Dal also formed a one-member investigation committee led by vice-president Hafizur Rahman Sohan, tasked with submitting a written report within 12 hours.

Two injured students, Mir Hamidur Rahman and Aman Ullah Muaj, are currently receiving treatment at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka.

National Chhatra Shakti organized a protest rally and assembly at Dhaka University on Sunday, April 19, 2026, opposing the recent increase in fuel prices. The event took place in front of the Anti-Terrorism Raju Sculpture at 5 p.m., with participation from central leaders and students from various levels.

Speakers at the rally described the fuel price hike as an artificial crisis imposed on the public. They alleged that the government had long used the excuse of a fuel shortage before suddenly raising prices, worsening the cost of living. National Chhatra Shakti President Zahid Ahsan said citizens could no longer bear the burden of rising commodity prices and accused the government of creating a false fuel crisis to justify the increase. He also criticized the government’s failure to control prices, maintain discipline in the banking sector, and curb market syndicates.

Other speakers claimed that instead of taking action against syndicates, the government was harassing activists. They demanded the release of activist Hasan Nasim and warned that ignoring public expectations could have political consequences. The protesters called for an immediate reduction in fuel prices and restoration of market stability.

Masrur Anwar Chowdhury, a freelance procurement and supply chain specialist, testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that he was abducted and tortured by members of the Rapid Action Battalion’s Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell. He stated that the abduction occurred on March 3, 2020, after he posted on Facebook opposing the visit of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh. According to his testimony, he was blindfolded, handcuffed, and held in a small cell where he was repeatedly interrogated about his alleged links to militant groups and his criticism of the Awami League and India.

Masrur described being beaten with a belt and questioned about his activities during the Rohingya crisis. He said he was later moved between cells, where he met other detainees who claimed to have been held for years. After several days, he and three others were presented to the media and then charged in a fabricated militancy case before being sent to jail. He identified RAB-11 officer Alep Uddin as leading his abduction and said he was detained for about ten months before being released on bail.

Masrur demanded justice for his abduction, torture, and the damage caused to his career.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will destroy every power plant and bridge in Iran if Tehran refuses to accept a proposed agreement. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said Iran fired shots in the Strait of Hormuz, targeting a French ship and a British cargo vessel, which he described as a complete violation of their ceasefire agreement. He added that U.S. representatives are traveling to Islamabad for talks and are expected to arrive there on Tuesday morning.

Trump stated that Iran recently announced the closure of the strait, calling it strange since the U.S. blockade had already restricted it. He claimed that Iran was unknowingly helping the U.S. by doing so. The president emphasized that Washington is offering a fair and reasonable deal and expressed hope that Iran would accept it to avoid severe consequences.

According to the report, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains tense, with no visible signs of ship movement following the reported incidents.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah expressed astonishment in parliament on Sunday, April 19, 2026, over the arrest of an individual for sharing a cartoon. He raised the issue during a parliamentary session, questioning why such an arrest would occur in the present time.

Hasnat alleged that the person was arrested under an incorrect law and that bail was being denied even though the offense was bailable. He emphasized the need for ministerial accountability within parliament, stating that if ministers are not held answerable there, lawmakers have no other platform to voice their concerns. He also complained about being deprived of the right to ask starred questions in parliament.

The remarks highlighted ongoing concerns about legal procedures and parliamentary transparency, though no official government response was recorded in the session.

Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman strongly condemned indecent gestures made by some treasury bench members during the speech of independent MP Rumin Farhana from Brahmanbaria-2 in the National Parliament on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Speaking on a point of order under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal, he said such behavior had hurt his conscience and was unexpected from senior members of the House.

Dr. Rahman urged the Speaker to ensure proper order and fairness in allowing members to speak, noting concerns about discrimination in speaking opportunities. He emphasized the need to uphold parliamentary decorum and foster a culture of respect in discussions. The Speaker responded by urging all members to maintain parliamentary etiquette and ensure a conducive environment for debate.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam also called for maintaining serial order in granting speaking turns, suggesting that following this practice would encourage new members and make parliamentary sessions more vibrant.

The High Court has issued a rule asking why registration of domestic workers should not be made mandatory across Bangladesh, including in the capital. The rule was issued on Sunday by a bench comprising Justice Razik Al Jalil and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury. The court directed the law secretary, labour secretary, and other relevant authorities to respond within four weeks.

Advocate Khadijatul Kobra represented the petitioner during the hearing. Earlier, she had filed a writ petition seeking a directive to make registration of domestic workers mandatory nationwide. The petition aimed to bring domestic workers under a formal registration system to ensure better regulation and oversight.

The court’s order initiates a legal process that could lead to formal registration requirements for domestic workers if the authorities justify or implement the measure following the rule’s response period.

In Nandigram, Bogura, police allegedly raided the home of a Jubo Dal leader following a protest demanding the removal of the local officer-in-charge (OC). The protest, held on Thursday night, was organized by Jubo Dal and supported by Chhatra Dal activists, who marched through the municipal area declaring a campaign against drug abuse. The demonstration was led by Abdur Rouf Rubel, senior joint convener of the upazila Jubo Dal, who announced a commitment to resist narcotics.

Local residents accused police of retaliating against the protesters by conducting searches at their homes and attempting to file false cases. They also alleged that gambling and drug trading continued openly in rural areas while police conducted only superficial operations. Locals expressed concern over what they described as reckless behavior by law enforcement.

Nandigram OC Tarikul Islam denied the allegations, stating there was no conflict with the protesters and that a case was filed after an assault incident. Additional Superintendent of Police (Media) Md. Ataur Rahman said he was aware of the anti-drug rally but had not yet received full details and would investigate further.

Member of Parliament Rumin Farhana from Brahmanbaria-2 has strongly criticized the government in the national parliament over the ongoing fuel crisis and rising fuel prices. Speaking on a point of order during the 16th day of the first session of the 13th National Parliament, she accused the government of deceiving the public by denying the existence of a fuel shortage while long queues for fuel are visible across the country.

Farhana questioned the government’s repeated claims that there is no shortage of fuel, pointing to three-kilometer-long lines at fuel stations and drivers waiting through the night without success. She also criticized the government’s decision to close marketplaces at 7 p.m. instead of 8 p.m. as shortsighted, arguing that most people shop in the evening. Additionally, she raised concerns about changes to office hours and demanded transparency about the country’s actual reserves of octane and diesel.

She urged the government to clarify why fuel is not being adequately supplied to pumps, who is hoarding fuel, and who is responsible for the crisis.