Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to visit his ancestral home in Bagbari village of Gabtali upazila, Bogura, on Monday, marking his first return in nearly 20 years. The northern district is witnessing a festive atmosphere ahead of his arrival. This will also be his first visit to his home district since becoming prime minister. During the daylong official trip, he will inaugurate several development projects, including the Bogura City Corporation plaque, a new lawyers’ association building, and the e-bail bond system.

According to the schedule, the prime minister will leave Dhaka by road at 6 a.m. and reach Bogura Circuit House by 10:30 a.m. He will later visit Bagbari to launch a measles-rubella vaccination campaign and a family card distribution program, followed by inaugurating a canal excavation project in Nashipur. In the afternoon, he will address a public rally organized by the Bogura District BNP at Altafunnesa playground and inaugurate new facilities including the Bogura Press Club building and Baitur Rahman Central Mosque reconstruction.

Local residents expressed pride and excitement over the visit, while authorities have intensified security and beautification efforts across the district.

The Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association has welcomed the government’s decision to adjust domestic fuel prices in line with global market trends. The association’s member secretary, Mir Ahsan Uddin Parvez, said they appreciate the move as it reflects the recent rise in international fuel prices and ensures a fair adjustment in the local market.

According to the association, this decision will help reduce artificial shortages and hoarding tendencies in the fuel supply chain. They also expect the measure to bring greater transparency to market management and stabilize supply operations. The association emphasized that aligning domestic prices with international rates allows businesses to operate fairly and maintain a steady distribution system.

The statement suggests that the government’s pricing policy could contribute to a more balanced and transparent fuel market in Bangladesh, benefiting both suppliers and consumers.

The Noakhali health department has completed preparations for a large-scale measles vaccination campaign targeting 505,350 children across the district. The announcement was made by Civil Surgeon Dr. Anwar Hossain at a press conference held on April 18, 2026. The campaign will cover all nine upazilas, eight municipalities, 91 unions, 279 wards, 1,385 schools, and 1,480 madrasas, focusing on children aged six months to five years. A total of 2,241 vaccinators and 4,482 volunteers will participate in the drive.

According to the Civil Surgeon, the initiative follows a recent rise in suspected measles cases, with 273 suspected patients identified and 61 currently under treatment. Laboratory tests confirmed eight positive cases. The health department has mapped high-risk areas and strengthened surveillance, with local administration and media engaged to raise awareness. Parents have been urged to ensure timely vaccination and ignore misinformation.

Officials stated that no deaths from measles have been reported in the district so far, and most hospitalized patients are in stable condition. The campaign aims to ensure no child remains unvaccinated.

The Bangladesh government has initiated a process to increase electricity prices in response to heavy subsidy pressures and mounting financial losses in the power sector. A high-level committee, formed on April 9 and led by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, has begun reviewing proposals to adjust wholesale and retail electricity rates. The Power Development Board (PDB) reported that the current production cost per unit is around Tk 12, while the average selling price is just over Tk 7, resulting in a loss of about Tk 5 per unit. Despite Tk 38,637 crore in subsidies during the 2024–25 fiscal year, the sector still recorded a Tk 17,021 crore loss.

Officials indicated that consumer-level prices may rise by Tk 0.70 to Tk 1.80 per unit, and wholesale rates by Tk 0.50 to Tk 1.20, though prices for small users consuming up to 70 units may remain unchanged. The committee will submit its recommendations to the cabinet after reviewing the proposals.

Energy experts said the government has little alternative but to raise prices amid global fuel instability, though they urged accountability for past corruption and mismanagement that inflated production costs.

More than 4,500 people have died in lightning strikes across Bangladesh over the past fifteen years, according to data from the GDStar Forum. Despite the rising number of incidents each year, experts say that government measures to prevent lightning-related deaths have been largely ineffective and wasteful. On April 18, twelve people died in separate lightning incidents in Sunamganj, Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Netrokona districts.

The Disaster Management Department reported 21 deaths and 16 injuries so far this year, while last year saw 243 deaths. Weather experts note that Bangladesh experiences an average of 3.36 million lightning strikes annually, killing around 350 people, with the highest risks in Sunamganj, Netrokona, and Sylhet. The Meteorological Department began issuing lightning alerts in April last year, focusing on forecasts and public awareness.

A previous palm tree planting project intended to reduce lightning deaths was criticized for mismanagement and financial waste. Authorities have since shifted to installing lightning arresters, which divert high-voltage strikes safely into the ground. Officials emphasize that public awareness remains the most effective protection against lightning hazards.

According to the Hajj management portal of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, a total of 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj in 2026 under the country’s allocated quota. Of them, 65 percent are men and 35 percent are women. Dhaka Division has the highest share of pilgrims at 36.37 percent, while Barishal Division has the lowest at 3.03 percent. Flights carrying pilgrims began on Friday night, with 4,565 traveling under government management and 73,935 under private agencies.

The ministry’s data shows that 32.68 percent of pilgrims are aged between 50 and 60 years, while 5.94 percent are over 70. Chattogram Division accounts for 20.2 percent of pilgrims, followed by Rajshahi with 13.13 percent, Rangpur with 8.08 percent, and Khulna with 7.07 percent. Sylhet and Mymensingh each contribute about 6 percent.

Professionally, 40 percent of this year’s pilgrims are businesspeople, and 31 percent are homemakers. Private-sector employees make up 10 percent, while government employees, teachers, doctors, and students each represent 1 percent. Farmers account for 5 percent, retirees 3 percent, and others 6 percent.

The political distance between Bangladesh’s ruling BNP and the main opposition Jamaat-e-Islami has widened since the February 12 parliamentary election. Initially cooperative in building a fascism-free Bangladesh, the two sides are now divided over constitutional reform, implementation of the July Charter, and recognition of ordinances issued by the interim government. Disagreements that began in parliament have spilled onto the streets, with the opposition launching rallies and awareness campaigns demanding the July Charter’s implementation.

Tensions escalated after BNP lawmakers declined to take an oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council, prompting Jamaat’s boycott of the government’s swearing-in ceremony. Subsequent disputes over ordinance approvals and ignored committee recommendations led to multiple opposition walkouts from parliament. Jamaat leaders accused the government of breaching trust, while BNP officials insisted the issues could be resolved through parliamentary dialogue. Political analysts warned that the growing mistrust threatens the post-revolution unity that followed the July uprising.

Analysts urged both parties to return to negotiation, cautioning that continued confrontation could erode public confidence in the new democratic order and derail expectations for stability and reform.

Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry has entered a severe downturn since July of the current fiscal year, with exports falling steadily due to global instability and the Middle East war. According to BGMEA data, March 2026 exports dropped to USD 2.78 billion, down over 19 percent from a year earlier. The industry now faces a fourfold crisis—declining orders, surging shipping and transport costs, and worsening power shortages. BGMEA warns that if the situation persists, many factories may be forced to close.

Former BGMEA vice president Nasir Uddin Chowdhury said the Middle East conflict has intensified existing global economic disruptions, making buyers cautious and pushing Bangladesh behind China and Vietnam. Shipping costs have soared, with container rates to Europe rising from USD 1,600 to as high as USD 2,400, while Middle East-bound freight now costs up to USD 5,000 per container. Domestic transport and fuel costs have also nearly doubled, and frequent load-shedding has crippled production.

BGMEA leaders have urged the government for greater policy and financial support, including soft loans, to help sustain the sector amid prolonged global and regional instability.

A student of Jahangirnagar University was detained by dormitory authorities while allegedly consuming drugs inside a female dormitory room. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in room 116 of Nawab Faizunnesa Hall. The detained student, Inisha, is from the Department of Drama and Dramatics, 48th batch, and a resident of Begum Khaleda Zia Hall. Authorities recovered marijuana, bottles of local and foreign liquor, smoking equipment, lighters, cigarette remnants, and a suspicious liquid from the room.

According to the hall provost, Professor Golam Mostafa, the incident came to light after students reported a strong odor from the room. The student was found consuming drugs and was not a resident of that hall. The Begum Khaleda Zia Hall administration has been informed. The seized items have been confiscated, and the matter is under serious investigation.

A five-member investigation committee has been formed, headed by Professor Dr. Sultana, with Deputy Registrar Ear Hossain as member secretary. The committee also includes Rasheda Khatun, Nadia Sultana, and Shahanaj Akter.

A joint convener of the Mahiganj Thana unit of the Volunteer Party, Sajedul Islam Shoaib, aged 37, was arrested in Rangpur city with 72 bottles of Phensedyl during a special operation by the Detective Branch (DB) police. The operation took place on the night of April 18, 2026, following a tip-off about a large drug consignment heading toward Rangpur Railway Station. Police intercepted Shoaib in the Khasbag area, seizing a motorcycle and a bag used for transporting the drugs.

According to police sources, Shoaib admitted during interrogation that he had received the drugs two days earlier from an unidentified person in Kurigram’s Fulbari area. He had planned to deliver the consignment to another person via a Dhaka-bound train. Shoaib is the son of the late Amanat Ullah Bhuiya of Khasbag, Mahiganj.

Following the arrest, the Rangpur Metropolitan Volunteer Party expelled Shoaib from the organization. In a joint statement, city convener Imran Hossain and member secretary Nur Hasan Sumon said the expulsion was due to his involvement in unethical activities violating party discipline.

Brazilian footballer Neymar Junior has received the Bangladesh national football team jersey from Shahnoor Romen, a Bangladeshi expatriate living in Brazil. Romen, who works as a sports photojournalist, presented the jersey to Neymar during a media session at the Santos club training ground in Brazil. The event took place while Neymar was attending his club’s practice session.

In a video message from Brazil, Romen said he has been living there for over a decade and often photographs sports events. He mentioned that Neymar was pleased to receive the Bangladesh jersey and was aware of his popularity and the strong base of Brazil supporters in Bangladesh. Romen has previously gifted Bangladesh jerseys to other Brazilian footballers as well.

The gesture highlights the cultural connection between Bangladeshi football fans and Brazilian players, reflecting Bangladesh’s enthusiasm for global football icons.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal announced that the design of the Purbachal Stadium will undergo necessary changes following a site visit with State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque on April 18, 2026. The long-delayed project, located in Purbachal, has seen limited progress despite being planned years ago. Tamim stated that the modifications are essential and not being made arbitrarily.

During the visit, Tamim explained that the design adjustments are required to meet current needs and that discussions will be held with the original designers and the National Sports Council (NSC) to finalize the updated plan. He also indicated that the stadium will not be limited to cricket but will accommodate other sports as well, emphasizing the BCB’s responsibility to support broader athletic development.

The proposed redesign aims to create a larger, multi-sport facility in collaboration with relevant authorities, reflecting the government’s and BCB’s shared vision for expanding sports infrastructure in Bangladesh.

Police in Kuliarchar, Kishoreganj, arrested a man named Pukai Chandra Barman, now known as Md. Usman Mia, on Friday night based on a court-issued warrant. The arrest took place in South Salua village under Salua Union. Authorities said the warrant stemmed from a case filed by his mother in January, accusing him of assault and theft under sections 323, 380, and 427 of the Penal Code. Following his arrest, he was sent to jail through the court.

According to police, the accused had been in hiding for some time after the case was filed. About a month ago, he formally converted to Islam through an affidavit and changed his name. Local sources said several family mediations were held after his conversion, during which he stated that he changed his religion voluntarily and expressed willingness to support his wife, children, and mother. The last mediation decided he would pay 4,000 taka monthly for family expenses.

Some locals claimed he faced family pressure after converting, but no official statement on this matter has been issued by authorities.

Homayra Akter Antora and Marzan Akter Priya, who previously won gold at the South Asian Games in Nepal, secured gold medals again at the National Karate Championship held at Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday. Antora, representing Ansar, triumphed in the women’s under-61 kg category, while Priya, representing the Army, won in the under-68 kg division.

The championship also saw several other winners across different weight categories. In the men’s division, Md. Azad from Khagrachhari won the under-55 kg event, Siam Hossain from BKSP won under-60 kg, Monirul Islam from the Army won under-67 kg, Sajib Mondol from Ansar won under-75 kg, Mintu Dey from the Army won under-84 kg, and Arafat Enayet from the Police won in the above-84 kg category. In the women’s division, Deepa Rani Saha from the Army claimed gold in the above-68 kg category.

The results highlighted the continued dominance of experienced athletes and institutional teams such as the Army, Ansar, and Police in national-level karate competitions.

Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4, Hasnat Abdullah, has issued a stern warning against any form of land syndicate operating in Debidwar upazila. He made the statement on Saturday afternoon during a public hearing organized by the upazila administration to raise awareness about land services, improve service quality, and address existing problems.

During the hearing, Abdullah listened to complaints from land service seekers and noted that a powerful syndicate was forcing ordinary people to pay extra money in land transactions. He said those involved would be identified and brought under legal action. The MP also mentioned that many expatriates face harassment from brokers when trying to buy small plots of land with their hard-earned money. He urged victims to file direct complaints and to inform him if issues remain unresolved through land officials.

The event was presided over by Debidwar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rakibul Islam, with other local officials and residents in attendance.