The United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom held a high-level diplomatic meeting to discuss the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to a statement from the UAE Foreign Ministry, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to review the regional situation and recent developments. The statement said the talks covered the overall situation in the region, including what the UAE described as “unprovoked and terrorist attacks” by Iran against the Emirates and other Gulf countries. Cooper reaffirmed the UK’s solidarity with the UAE in protecting its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its citizens, residents, and visitors. Sheikh Abdullah praised Cooper’s visit, calling it a reflection of the strong bilateral relationship and the UK’s full support following Iran’s “terrorist aggression.” The report noted that the UK has not yet issued an official statement regarding the meeting.

Turkey has shown interest in extending its natural gas supply agreement with Iran, which is set to expire in the coming months. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed that no formal discussions have yet begun due to ongoing conflicts but emphasized Ankara’s willingness to maintain gas imports from Iran to ensure supply continuity. Speaking on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Bayraktar said Turkey remains committed to securing stable energy supplies despite regional instability. He noted that, despite tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, Turkey has not faced any supply disruptions so far. The minister’s remarks suggest that Ankara may soon initiate talks with Tehran to renew or extend the existing gas deal once conditions allow, aiming to safeguard its energy security.

Farmers in Sunamganj are anxious about bringing in their haor paddy crops as harvesting begins in some areas while others remain waterlogged. Many fields are partially submerged, making it nearly impossible to use harvester machines. Concerns have grown over labor shortages, diesel scarcity, heavy rainfall, and flash floods, with farmers frequently watching the skies in fear of further damage. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, 755 hectares of paddy have been harvested across 12 upazilas, while 3,189 hectares have been affected by waterlogging. Around 200,000 farmers cultivated 223,511 hectares of boro paddy this season, valued at about Tk 5,000 crore. Officials said 900 harvesters and reaper machines are ready for use, though water levels have limited their operation. Farmers have urged authorities to suspend sand and stone extraction for 15 days to ease the labor shortage. District officials stated that embankments have been built to protect crops and that water will be drained where necessary. They expect full-scale harvesting to begin next week and finish by May 15 if weather conditions remain favorable.

Iran’s parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf warned that war could resume at any moment, according to a statement broadcast early Sunday on state television. Ghalibaf, who also serves as Iran’s chief negotiator, said Tehran does not trust the United States and cautioned that renewed conflict remains a real possibility. His remarks came amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the current ceasefire. The warning reflects heightened tensions and a lack of confidence in diplomatic progress between the involved parties. Meanwhile, Israeli radio, citing military and political sources, reported that Israel’s army has been placed on high alert over fears that the ceasefire with Iran could collapse.

An autonomous humanoid robot named Lightning completed a 13-mile half-marathon in Beijing on Sunday in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, setting a new record for both robots and humans. Developed by engineers at smartphone company Honor, Lightning was designed with 90 to 95 cm legs to mimic elite human runners and used liquid cooling technology similar to that in Honor smartphones. The robot outpaced all 12,000 human participants and broke the human world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds. This year’s race featured 300 robots from 102 teams, with 47 teams finishing the event. Among them, 18 teams used autonomous robots while 29 relied on remote control. The top three finishers were all Lightning robots, with the second and third autonomous models finishing in 51 and 53 minutes respectively. A remote-controlled Lightning recorded the fastest overall time of 48 minutes and 19 seconds, but the autonomous version was awarded first place due to category weighting. The result marks a major leap from last year, when only six of 21 robots completed the race, none close to victory.

The Dhaka Education Board has issued new instructions regarding entry to examination centers ahead of the 2026 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams, which begin on April 21. According to a notice signed by Exam Controller Professor S M Kamal Uddin Haydar, center secretaries have been requested to allow examinees to enter the centers from 8:30 a.m. to reduce traffic congestion and public inconvenience around exam venues. Previous instructions regarding entry into exam rooms will remain unchanged. Separately, the Ministry of Education has abolished the long-standing 'silent expulsion' rule from the SSC examination policy following a directive from Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan. The Dhaka Board announced that Section 29 of the 2026 SSC Examination Conduct Policy, which contained the provision, is now void. The minister stated that the rule originated from an outdated 1961 guideline and had no basis in the 1980 Public Examination Act. The minister emphasized that examinations should be held in a positive environment and that no regulation should negatively affect students’ mental health.

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.

The Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has proposed a 15 paisa per kilometer increase in bus fares following a recent rise in diesel prices. The organization’s secretary general, Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, made the proposal on Sunday night after reports surfaced of a secret meeting at the BRTA headquarters to discuss fare adjustments. He alleged that influential leaders of the bus owners’ association, with government backing, were attempting to monopolize fare increases through covert negotiations. Chowdhury noted that in the past, bus fares were reduced proportionally when fuel prices dropped, citing examples of 3 paisa and 2 paisa fare cuts corresponding to fuel price decreases of 3 and 2 taka per liter respectively. He warned that any fare increase beyond the proposed 15 paisa per kilometer, achieved through bureaucratic manipulation, could harm the government’s popularity and provoke public anger. The association called for the prime minister’s intervention to prevent unfair advantages for bus owners. The statement reflects growing tension between passenger rights advocates and transport operators over fare-setting practices linked to fuel price fluctuations.

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.