BNP’s former joint secretary general and Chattogram-4 Member of Parliament Professor Aslam Chowdhury has called on farmers to unite to secure their rights. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at his residence in Sitakunda during a courtesy meeting with leaders of the Mirsharai Upazila unit of the Krishak Dal.

During the meeting, Chowdhury discussed the current political situation, farmers’ fair rights, crises in the agricultural sector, fertilizer and irrigation issues, and ensuring fair prices for agricultural products. He emphasized strengthening the organization at the grassroots level to make it more active and effective.

A delegation led by Mirsharai Upazila Krishak Dal convener Ashraf Uddin and member secretary Abu Dawood attended the meeting. On behalf of the Krishak Dal, Aslam Chowdhury was presented with floral greetings and a crest of honor.

Bangladesh’s opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said workers’ earnings are falling due to a nationwide fuel shortage. Speaking on Saturday at the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Federation’s district and metropolitan leaders’ conference in Dhaka, he claimed transport workers wait three to five hours daily for limited fuel, losing valuable work time. He added that fuel stations are receiving only half their usual supply, worsening workers’ financial hardship.

Rahman alleged that the government’s policies have deepened the crisis and that opposition voices are being silenced in parliament. He also criticized the new banking law, saying it hands public deposits to “bank robbers.” Addressing labor leaders, he urged them to continue fighting for workers’ rights peacefully and to avoid unrest that could harm both owners and workers. He called on the government to establish specialized hospitals in labor-intensive areas and ensure education for workers’ children.

Jamaat’s deputy leader A.N.M. Shamsul Islam echoed the need for dialogue-based solutions to labor issues, saying workers have long been exploited for political gain.

The Narendra Modi government faced a major setback in the Lok Sabha on April 18, 2026, as it failed to secure passage of the constitutional amendment bill aimed at increasing the number of seats and implementing women’s reservation. The proposed amendment required a two-thirds majority in the lower house, but the ruling NDA alliance managed only 298 votes in favor against 230 votes opposed. Following the defeat, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that the government would not proceed with the remaining two amendment bills.

The debate in Parliament centered on the 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, as well as the delimitation of constituencies. Home Minister Amit Shah responded to opposition members before the voting took place. During the session, the government unexpectedly implemented the women’s reservation law passed about two and a half years earlier, effective from April 16, 2026.

The defeated 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill had proposed that women’s reservation be enforced based on the redrawing of electoral boundaries, linking the reform to future delimitation exercises.

National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has urged opposition parties not to stage walkouts without valid reasons. He also called on the ruling party to allow the opposition adequate space to function and to maintain coordination with them. The Speaker made these remarks on Saturday afternoon while speaking to journalists after exchanging greetings with leaders of the Barishal Chamber of Commerce and Industries at the Barishal Circuit House.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed stated that walkouts are a legitimate political practice for the opposition, but prolonged boycotts harm the Parliament and deprive citizens of their rights. He emphasized the need for unity among those who fought against autocracy, warning that disunity could allow exiled figures to return and reestablish misrule. Reflecting on the past sixteen years, he described that period as one of darkness marked by sham elections and the absence of public rights.

Expressing optimism, the Speaker said political parties should remain united against autocracy to ensure democracy endures and citizens retain their right to choose their government freely.

Newly elected Member of Parliament Advocate Emran Ahmad Chowdhury from Sylhet-6 has announced the construction of a long-demanded bridge over the Korti Canal in Alinagar Union, Beanibazar upazila. The announcement came after 55 years of unfulfilled promises since Bangladesh’s independence. On Saturday afternoon, the MP visited the proposed site between Patan and Fulmalik villages along with the Upazila Engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to initiate the project.

Local residents expressed gratitude to the MP, noting that previous representatives had ignored their demand. Around ten villages, including Fulmalik, Ghagwa, Gobindasree, Deulgram, Patan, Chandragram, Kotlipara, and Angura, currently rely on a risky bamboo bridge to cross the canal for daily activities, schooling, and healthcare access. The area hosts six primary and three secondary schools, and students often face accidents while crossing.

Once completed, the bridge is expected to ease travel between Beanibazar and Golapganj upazila centers and significantly improve local living conditions.

BNP activists in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar have accused their own union leadership of attempting to rehabilitate a former chairman allegedly aligned with the Awami League. The allegations were made at a press conference held on April 18 at the Cox’s Bazar Press Club, where local BNP and affiliated organization members demanded the dissolution of the current Rashidnagar Union BNP committee and the formation of a new one.

Speakers at the event claimed that current union BNP president Mosleh Uddin and acting general secretary Ahmad Nabi were creating divisions within the party and damaging its image through unethical activities. They alleged that the two leaders were trying to reinstate former chairman Shah Alam, who was previously removed amid accusations of violence, land grabbing, and drug-related crimes. The activists said Shah Alam’s past actions, including alleged attacks and cases against BNP-Jamaat members, had caused deep resentment among grassroots workers.

The participants urged the party’s central leadership to cancel the current committee and stop any move to reinstate Shah Alam, warning that larger protests would follow if their demands were ignored.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced an urgent press conference to address current political and organizational issues. According to the party, the event will take place on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Level 15 of Rupayan Tower in Banglamotor, Dhaka. Senior leaders including the party’s convener, member secretary, and spokesperson are expected to attend and deliver key statements on the prevailing political situation and internal matters.

The NCP has extended a special invitation to media representatives to attend the conference. The party stated that it aims to present a clear message regarding its stance and future course of action in the context of the country’s current circumstances.

The announcement comes amid ongoing political discussions in Bangladesh, with the NCP seeking to clarify its position and organizational direction through this event.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon announced that the government is working to introduce a retirement allowance to ensure financial security for senior journalists in Bangladesh. He made the statement on Saturday while visiting veteran journalist and former Barishal Press Club president Ismail Hossain Negaban, who is undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Medical University.

The minister said that although the media is considered the fourth pillar of a modern democratic state, journalists still lack institutional protection, leaving many in uncertainty. He noted that financial security for senior journalists has long been neglected and emphasized that journalism is a respected profession, yet many senior journalists face hardship in their later years. The government’s initiative aims to help them live with dignity.

Swapon added that the government is also working on policies to ensure media freedom and responsibility and to strengthen the Journalist Welfare Trust. During the visit, he handed over a financial assistance cheque of one lakh taka to Negaban on behalf of the trust.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) has demanded the unconditional release of activist Hasan Nasim, who was allegedly taken from his home in Agargaon, Dhaka, by individuals identifying themselves as members of the Detective Branch (DB) police. The incident reportedly occurred on Friday evening, April 17, when Nasim was picked up without any warrant or specific charges, according to a social media post by his brother, Hasan Noman.

In a statement, DUCSU General Secretary S M Farhad condemned the incident as a violation of constitutional freedom of expression and described such detentions as unacceptable. He linked the event to past instances of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial actions, calling them shameful for the state. DUCSU warned that attempts to suppress government criticism on social media through fear or abduction would fail, asserting that the current generation remains vocal against injustice and repression.

DUCSU emphasized that freedom of expression is a fundamental right and urged authorities to ensure Nasim’s immediate release.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump over his approach to the Iran issue. According to a report published by Al Jazeera on Saturday, Lula made the remarks during a speech at a progressive leaders’ conference in Barcelona. He said that a president’s tweets that issue threats and declare wars make it impossible for people to sleep peacefully at night or wake up calmly in the morning.

During his address, Lula also called for a change in the approach of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, blaming them for their failure to stop conflicts in the Middle East. His comments reflected growing frustration among some global leaders over escalating tensions and the perceived inadequacy of international institutions in maintaining peace.

The remarks came amid ongoing global concern about instability in the Middle East and the role of major powers in addressing it.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has described the blockade of Iranian ports as an 'unwise and wrong decision,' according to Al Jazeera. Speaking on state television, Ghalibaf said he had warned that if the United States did not lift its blockade, movement through the strait would be restricted. In a video message, he claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is currently under Iran’s control.

Ghalibaf added that when the United States attempted a mine-clearing operation in the strait, Iran strongly resisted and confronted them. Referring to the U.S. blockade, he said Iran considered it a violation of the ceasefire and warned that any such action would be met with attacks. Since the start of the war, Ghalibaf has emerged as one of the key figures in Iran’s administration and led the Iranian delegation in recent U.S.-Iran talks held in Islamabad.

The remarks highlight Iran’s firm stance on maritime control and its growing assertiveness amid ongoing tensions with the United States.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has declared that the country will not hand over its enriched uranium to the United States, describing President Donald Trump’s demand as unacceptable. Speaking to the Associated Press, Khatibzadeh said Iran is not ready to resume talks with U.S. officials because Washington has failed to abandon what Tehran views as excessive demands regarding its nuclear program.

Khatibzadeh referred to Trump’s recent post claiming the U.S. was prepared to go to Iran to collect “all nuclear dust.” In response, he reaffirmed that no enriched uranium would be sent to the United States under any circumstances. He emphasized that while Iran remains open to addressing legitimate concerns, it will not accept any proposal it deems entirely unacceptable.

Following Trump’s recent assertions about securing major concessions from Iran, Khatibzadeh noted that multiple exchanges have taken place between the two sides but accused Washington of remaining inflexible on demands Tehran considers unreasonable.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei praised the country’s army, saying that the weaknesses of the United States and Israel have been exposed to the world. According to the state news agency Tasnim, Khamenei delivered his message on the occasion of Army Day, extending greetings to soldiers, their families, and the nation.

He stated that the victory of the Islamic Revolution ended the era of weakness imposed on the army by enemies and commended the military’s recent acts of bravery in defending the country. Khamenei further claimed that Iran’s armed forces have stood firmly against US conspiracies, the legacy of the Pahlavi regime, and separatist groups seeking to divide the nation.

Khamenei added that Iran’s resistance against attacks from Israel and the United States has revealed their weakness and humiliation before the world.

Seventy-five members of the British Parliament have called for punitive measures against Israel in response to its plan to register parts of the occupied West Bank as state land. The MPs submitted an emergency motion in Parliament, led by Richard Burgon, condemning Israel’s decision to legitimize land appropriation through registration. The motion described the move as illegal and aimed at expanding control over occupied territories.

The proposal referenced a July 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, which declared Israel’s presence in Palestinian territories unlawful and urged its immediate end. The MPs urged the British government to align its policies with international law and to halt any support that sustains the occupation. They also called for restrictions on economic activities linked to illegal settlements, arguing that such trade and investment reinforce Israeli control.

The lawmakers further pressed for specific actions, including banning goods and services produced in settlements and imposing targeted sanctions such as travel bans and asset freezes on individuals and entities involved in the occupation.

Bangladesh National Parliament Whip and Natore-2 Member of Parliament Advocate M Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu stated that late President Ziaur Rahman had initiated a canal excavation program nearly fifty years ago to address climate challenges. He said that Ziaur Rahman’s son, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has now revived the initiative to benefit the people by restarting canal excavation across the country. Dulu made these remarks on Saturday afternoon at a ceremony marking the re-excavation of the Helencha canal in Halsha Union of Natore Sadar.

Dulu emphasized that Bangladesh’s people depend on agriculture and that the nation’s survival relies on farmers. He credited Ziaur Rahman for transforming the country from producing one crop to three crops annually. The new canal excavation program, he said, aims to preserve water during droughts and improve farmers’ livelihoods. The event was chaired by Additional District Magistrate Arif Hossain and attended by several local officials and BNP leaders.

According to Dulu, the ongoing canal re-excavation will help store water and bring lasting benefits to the agricultural sector.