Islamic scholar and As-Sunnah Foundation chairman Shaykh Ahmadullah announced that a former imam earning Tk 1,500 monthly has become an entrepreneur now earning Tk 45,000 per month. He shared the story on his verified Facebook page on April 19, 2026, highlighting the success of Siddiqur Rahman from Ververi village in Kurigram Sadar. Once dependent on a small income from leading prayers and teaching, Rahman turned to nursery work to support his family. Over three years, Rahman gained expertise in seed selection, planting, irrigation, and plant care. He began selling seedlings online and gradually expanded his business. With Tk 180,000 in support from As-Sunnah Foundation’s skill-based entrepreneurship program, he established his own nursery named Sabah Agro Valley. The nursery now produces and sells various vegetable seedlings, including tomato, eggplant, chili, papaya, cauliflower, cabbage, and bottle gourd. According to the post, Rahman currently earns Tk 40,000 to 45,000 per month during peak seasons and Tk 20,000 in off-seasons. The foundation expressed pride and joy in his achievement.

Three Bangladeshi youths were detained by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday afternoon while allegedly attempting to bring drugs into Bangladesh through the Par Gopalpur border in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah. According to local residents, the arrests took place in the Madhupur area of India after the youths crossed the border illegally. The detainees were identified as Shahin, 22, son of Abdul Gani of Par Gopalpur village; Sohag, 27, son of Abu Bakkar of the same village; and Hridoy, 15, son of Hayat Ali of Kanaidanga village. Locals said they entered Indian territory to collect drugs when BSF patrol members apprehended them. Lieutenant Colonel Md Rafiqul Alam, commanding officer of Maheshpur 58 BGB, confirmed that the trio was detained by BSF while attempting to bring drugs. He said communication had been established with BSF regarding the matter, and the detainees were reported to be in good health under BSF custody.

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.

US President Donald Trump announced that an American delegation will travel to Pakistan for discussions, arriving in Islamabad on Monday evening. In a social media post, Trump stated that his representatives are going to Pakistan to hold talks and are expected to reach the capital by tomorrow evening. Trump added that the United States is offering what he described as a very fair and reasonable deal, expressing hope that the concerned parties will accept it. However, he warned that if the proposal is rejected, the US would take tough measures. He cautioned that if the talks fail, there would be no more politeness, and the United States could target Iran’s power plants and bridges. Trump claimed that these Iranian facilities could be destroyed quickly and easily, underscoring his warning amid ongoing tensions. The statement follows his earlier remarks accusing Iran of violating a ceasefire but insisting that a peace agreement will eventually be reached.

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.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, informed Parliament that as of April 9, 2026, the total outstanding bills owed by public and private power plants amount to Tk 52,300.88 crore. He disclosed this while responding to a question from a ruling party lawmaker during a parliamentary session chaired by Deputy Speaker Qaiser Kamal. The minister added that Petrobangla is owed Tk 11,634.06 crore in gas bills, while Tk 3,891.55 crore remains unpaid for electricity imports from India. He also noted that power plants have bank loans totaling Tk 149,311.26 crore. Mahmud said the government has introduced fuel cards on a trial basis at several filling stations in Dhaka to enhance transparency in fuel distribution. He further stated that Bangladesh imports 50 percent of refined fuel under direct contracts with countries including Kuwait, Malaysia, China, the UAE, Indonesia, Thailand, Oman, and India, while the rest is procured through open tenders. Crude oil is imported mainly from Saudi Arabia and the UAE via the Strait of Hormuz. The minister also confirmed that the government has repealed the controversial quick rental power law and initiated efforts to recover embezzled funds allegedly laundered abroad during previous administrations.

US intelligence and military officials have stated that despite more than four weeks of attacks by the United States and Israel, a significant portion of Iran’s weaponry remains intact. According to a New York Times report cited in the source, Iran continues to maintain a strong defensive capability. The report indicates that Iran still possesses about 40 percent of its pre-war drones and more than 60 percent of its missile launchers. Officials said that since a two-week ceasefire began on April 8, Iran has recovered over 100 launch systems that had been hidden in caves and bunkers, suggesting active efforts to restore its operational capacity. They added that Iran is working to retrieve missiles buried under debris from attacks on depots and underground facilities. Once recovery operations are complete, the country could regain up to 70 percent of its pre-war arsenal, according to the assessment.

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.

Tehran has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz as the United States continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports. According to ship-tracking website MarineTraffic, there are currently no signs of vessel movement through the strait. Many ships have been observed anchored across the Gulf, particularly near the coasts of Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The report notes that some ships were still passing through the vital waterway on Saturday, but traffic dropped sharply after Tehran announced the closure. On the same day, several vessels were reportedly struck by missiles or projectiles, and a separate incident involved gunfire targeting an oil tanker. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime routes, underscores rising tensions in the region as maritime security deteriorates under the ongoing blockade.

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.

Five private banks have been integrated into the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority’s (BIDA) online One Stop Service (OSS) platform. The banks are National Credit and Commerce (NCC) Bank, One Bank, United Commercial Bank (UCB), Shimanto Bank, and Al-Arafah Islami Bank. The memorandum of understanding was signed on Sunday at BIDA’s conference room, chaired by Executive Member Air Commodore (Retd.) Md. Shaharul Huda. With the inclusion of these banks, investors can now open bank accounts and temporary accounts for foreign investors directly through the OSS portal. BIDA officials said the move aims to ensure faster, simpler, and more modern services for investors by strengthening the OSS platform. Senior representatives from the participating banks, Bangladesh Bank, and the Financial Institutions Division attended the signing event. Currently, the OSS platform offers 142 services involving 47 stakeholder organizations and has processed over 215,000 applications. BIDA plans to expand the system to provide more than 150 services from 60 institutions and integrate them under the unified BanglaBiz platform.