A new political controversy has emerged in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming state elections after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that beef consumption would be prohibited if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in the state. Speaking at an election rally in Cooch Behar, Sarma said that while other meats would remain allowed, beef eating would not be permitted under a BJP government. His remarks have sparked strong reactions across the political spectrum.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has long accused the BJP of intending to interfere with Bengal’s food culture, warning that the party’s vegetarian image could lead to restrictions on local dietary traditions. Sarma countered that TMC was spreading confusion, noting that in Assam, where the BJP has governed for years, there is no general ban on meat consumption. He emphasized that the proposed restriction would apply only to beef and cattle smuggling, citing Hindu religious beliefs that regard cows as sacred.

Political analysts suggest the statement reflects a strategy to appeal to religious sentiments without directly confronting Bengal’s non-vegetarian culture, making food habits a key election issue alongside development and employment.

A press conference marking two months of the BNP government’s tenure will be held today, Saturday, at 3:30 p.m. in the ‘Korobi’ hall of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The announcement came through a press release from the Prime Minister’s Press Wing on Friday. The event will be attended by the Prime Minister’s Adviser and Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin, Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, and other members of the Press Wing.

According to the release, the conference is expected to highlight the government’s activities, progress, and future plans over the past two months, along with remarks on various current issues. Journalists have been instructed to enter through Gate No. 4 of the Prime Minister’s Office to attend the event.

The BNP government, led by Tarique Rahman, assumed office on February 17 after winning more than two-thirds of the seats in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12. The two-month mark of the government’s tenure was reached on April 16.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In a message posted on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump described the meeting as potentially 'special' and 'historic', suggesting that significant achievements could result from it. He also claimed that Xi was pleased about the reopening or imminent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to analysts cited in the report, the meeting, expected to take place in mid-May, reflects Beijing’s stance on the ongoing Middle East conflict. As the world’s largest importer of crude oil, China aims to secure its energy supply, with about half of its total energy demand coming from the Middle East.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, highlights that the meeting could influence China’s approach to regional stability and energy security amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman formally inaugurated Hajj Flight 2026 on the night of April 17, 2026. The ceremony took place in the presence of Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam and State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat. Following the inauguration, the Prime Minister exchanged greetings with the departing pilgrims and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet them before their journey. He sought prayers for the nation’s welfare and for the government’s ongoing initiatives to be successfully completed.

According to the Saudi government’s Hajj management roadmap, the 2026 Hajj flight operations began on the same day. This year, a total of 207 flights operated by Biman Bangladesh, Saudia, and Flynas Airlines will transport approximately 78,500 pilgrims without any chartered flights. Ticket costs have been reduced by 12,000 taka compared to the previous year.

The inaugural flight departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:20 a.m. carrying 419 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. A total of 14 flights operated on the first day, including six by Biman Bangladesh, four by Saudia, and four by Flynas.

The Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to secure parliamentary approval for the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, which sought to expand Lok Sabha seats and introduce women's reservation. The bill received 298 votes in favor and 230 against, falling short of the required two-thirds majority. The vote took place on Friday during a special parliamentary session that began on Thursday. Following the bill’s failure, the government did not proceed with two other planned bills on delimitation and union territory law amendments.

Opposition parties under the INDIA alliance opposed the bill, arguing that the government was using women’s reservation as a pretext to increase parliamentary seats and consolidate power. They claimed the move aimed to favor northern states where the ruling party holds greater influence, potentially reducing southern states’ representation. Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah assured that southern states would not be disadvantaged and urged lawmakers to view the bill as a matter of national interest.

The defeat marks a setback for the government’s legislative agenda, particularly after the 2023 passage of the Women’s Reservation Act, which had tied seat reallocation to the next census.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that no tolls will be accepted in the Strait of Hormuz. He made the remarks on Friday while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One. When asked whether any restrictions or tolls would be imposed on vessels passing through the strait, Trump firmly replied that no tolls would be allowed under any circumstances.

Meanwhile, Iran announced that it will not impose any traditional fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the country is considering introducing a new type of fee to cover security-related expenses. According to Iranian National Security Committee spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei, Tehran will not apply conventional fees, but the parliament is currently drafting a bill to discuss the introduction of a security assurance fee for the strait.

The statements from both sides highlight differing positions over maritime charges in one of the world’s most strategic waterways, with Iran exploring legislative options while the U.S. rejects any form of toll.

US President Donald Trump stated that the United States currently has very good relations with Iran’s leaders and expressed confidence that a new agreement could soon be reached. Speaking to reporters, Trump said the two sides were close to a deal and that he would be willing to accept it.

Trump described the relationship with Iran’s current leadership as significantly improved compared to earlier interactions, calling it a change in governance. He emphasized that the present Iranian leaders are quite different from those the US initially dealt with, suggesting a shift in tone and approach between the two nations.

According to Trump, the improved relationship increases the likelihood of a successful agreement between the United States and Iran, though no specific details or timeline for such a deal were provided in the report.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping is 'very happy' about the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump said Xi was pleased that the vital maritime route had reopened quickly. The statement was published on April 18, 2026, according to the report.

Trump also commented on his upcoming visit to China, describing his planned meeting with Xi as 'special and possibly historic.' He added that he is looking forward to meeting the Chinese leader and expects significant achievements from the encounter.

The remarks come amid renewed attention to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping passage, and ahead of a high-profile diplomatic meeting between the leaders of the United States and China.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has started forming a shadow cabinet for the 13th National Parliament, according to party sources. The initiative, led by a team of experts, will include party-elected MPs, senior leaders, and specialists assigned to ministry-based roles. Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair said the process may take another one to two months to finalize. He also dismissed a list circulating on social media naming party chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman as prime minister of the shadow cabinet, calling it entirely false.

The idea of a shadow cabinet was first mentioned publicly by Supreme Court lawyer and Jamaat MP Mohammad Shishir Monir in February, who urged for creative political engagement through parallel ministerial structures. The National Citizen Party (NCP) later expressed similar intentions to form a shadow cabinet to ensure transparency and accountability. Party insiders said the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance, now recognized as the parliamentary opposition with 77 MPs, aims to monitor government activities and propose alternative policies through this structure.

The shadow cabinet concept, common in parliamentary democracies like the UK and Canada, is designed to hold the ruling government accountable and offer policy alternatives.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government, formed after its sweeping victory in the 13th parliamentary election, is preparing to hold local government elections by the end of 2026. Reliable sources indicate that polls for upazila and municipal councils are planned in phases from November to December. The government has decided not to appoint administrators to these bodies and instead proceed with elections to ensure representation through public voting. A recently passed amendment to the Local Government (Municipality) Act 2026 removes party symbols from local elections, allowing party members to contest as independents.

Officials cited extreme heat in June–July, monsoon rains in August–September, and overlapping national examinations as reasons for scheduling the elections in winter. BNP leaders have begun organizational preparations, focusing on candidate selection, local campaigning, and maintaining unity to avoid internal conflicts. The party aims to sustain its national momentum through strong local representation.

The Election Commission has confirmed readiness to conduct the polls once the government finalizes its decision. The first phase will cover upazila and municipal elections, followed by city corporation and union council polls.

Widespread frustration and anger have erupted following the cancellation of Bangladesh’s much-anticipated Human Rights Commission Ordinance. Analysts and stakeholders warned that the government’s decision not to retain key provisions from the interim administration’s ordinance would render the commission ineffective. The ordinance, issued in November 2025, had expanded the commission’s powers and restructured its leadership, including appointing former Justice Moinul Hossain as chairman. However, as the ordinance was not presented to parliament within 30 days of its first session, it automatically lapsed under constitutional provisions.

Officials and victims expressed deep dissatisfaction, alleging that the move aims to shield law enforcement officers implicated in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman defended the decision, citing the need to avoid legal conflicts between the ordinance and existing laws. In contrast, commission members and victims’ families accused the government of undermining accountability for serious human rights violations.

The commission’s chairman, Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, called the government’s move unprecedented and regrettable, warning it would damage Bangladesh’s international image. Several international organizations, including Washington-based Right to Freedom and TIP, also voiced concern over the government’s decision.

US President Donald Trump has made several comments and social media posts in recent hours concerning Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and the ceasefire in Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera. The remarks were reported on April 18, 2026, by the outlet Amar Desh Online.

The report lists Trump’s recent claims and statements but does not provide specific details about their content. It notes that his comments come amid heightened attention to regional developments involving Iran and Israel, as well as ongoing discussions about the situation in Lebanon and the strategic importance of the Hormuz Strait.

The article also references related regional reactions, including remarks from Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Turkey’s foreign minister, and updates on Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon, indicating a complex and evolving geopolitical context.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed a diplomatic breakthrough in ongoing negotiations with Iran, suggesting that Tehran has agreed to hand over its enriched uranium, which he referred to as “nuclear dust.” According to reports cited by the BBC, Trump stated that the United States would take possession of the material but would not release Iran’s frozen funds in exchange. He presented these conditions as a sign of progress in the discussions.

However, analysts and Iranian officials have disputed Trump’s optimism. Iran’s foreign minister has categorically rejected the idea of sending enriched uranium abroad, while Iranian parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed Trump’s claims as false. These reactions highlight the continuing divide between Washington and Tehran despite Trump’s assertions of success.

The situation remains uncertain as both sides face a critical period that could determine whether diplomacy endures or tensions escalate. Trump has warned that if no agreement is reached, conflict could resume.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has dismissed recent statements by US President Donald Trump as “completely false.” According to Al Jazeera, Ghalibaf made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, saying that all seven claims made by Trump within the past hour were untrue. He added that such falsehoods would neither help the United States win a war nor achieve progress in negotiations.

Ghalibaf warned that the Strait of Hormuz would not remain open if US sanctions continued. He stated that maritime traffic through the strait would operate only under Iran’s designated routes and authorizations, emphasizing that its regulations would not be determined through social media.

The exchange of conflicting statements between Iran and the United States has further complicated the already tense situation between the two nations.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday hosted the third meeting with his counterparts from Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. According to diplomatic sources, the session took place on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum in the southern Turkish city of Antalya. No details about the discussions were disclosed.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum, running from Friday to Sunday, brings together world leaders and senior government officials. This year’s event focuses on addressing global uncertainty. The forum is held under the patronage of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

Anadolu Agency serves as the global communication partner for the forum, which is themed “Outlining the Future, Managing Uncertainty.”