A warrant-listed suspect was allegedly injured due to police assault during his arrest in Bakerganj, Barishal, on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. in the Katharpul area of Ward 4 under the municipal authority. The injured youth, Rezaul Hawlader, 22, from Khas Maheshpur village in Niamati Union, was taken to the Upazila Health Complex for initial treatment before being sent to court in Barishal. Rezaul’s mother, Shilpi Begum, accused Sub-Inspector (SI) Sabita Rani of detaining and beating her son without cause. She said a dowry case filed by Rezaul’s wife had led to a court warrant, which the family was unaware of. Witness Tara Banu confirmed seeing SI Sabita slap Rezaul during the arrest, while his sister Dalim Begum alleged human rights violations. Medical officer Miraj Uddin Ahmed reported visible injuries on Rezaul’s chest and legs. SI Sabita denied any assault, claiming she acted lawfully under the warrant. The Bakerganj police officer-in-charge stated that if any misconduct occurred, it would be investigated upon receiving a formal complaint.

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.

Iran has remained largely disconnected from the global internet for nearly 50 consecutive days, according to monitoring group NetBlocks. The organization stated in a post on social media platform X that the country has been effectively cut off from international networks for about seven weeks, calling the prolonged digital blackout highly unusual in the modern world. BBC Arabic reported that the Iranian government has begun gradually easing communication restrictions, with some media outlets noting that internet services are being partially restored. After nearly 50 days of disruption, access to various Google services has resumed, though users continue to experience significant connectivity issues. Due to limited access, many Iranians have turned to satellite-based internet options such as Starlink, which reportedly costs around six dollars per gigabyte. With the country’s average monthly income estimated between 200 and 300 dollars, the expense has become a heavy burden for ordinary citizens.

The Mymensingh Medical College administration has formed a three-member investigation committee following a violent clash between two factions of the Chhatra Dal at the college hostel on Friday evening. The committee, headed by Professor Seheli Jannat Sultana with Professor Shamimul Masud Ahmed and Professor Mohammad Rafiqul Haque as members, has been instructed to submit its report within seven working days. To maintain order, the academic council held an emergency meeting and suspended all classes and examinations for seven days, also directing students to vacate the hostel. College Principal Professor Dr. Md. Nazmul Alam Khan confirmed that injured student Mir Hamidur was flown to the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital for advanced treatment, where his condition remains critical. Police have arrested Nafiu Islam, a member of the Nure Zawad Rutap group, in connection with the incident. The Kotwali Model Police Station officer-in-charge stated that the situation is now under control with additional police deployed in the area. The campus remains tense following the incident, with students reportedly in a state of fear.

Legendary Bangladeshi actor Humayun Faridi was posthumously honored by Jahangirnagar University, his beloved alma mater, during the opening session of the three-day Jahangirnagar Film Festival 2026. The event took place at the university’s Zahir Raihan Auditorium, where the award recognized his outstanding contributions to film and performing arts. Organized by Bangla Theatre, the festival ran from April 14 to 16 and featured film screenings, discussions, and recognition of distinguished figures in cinema. On the closing day, special honors were presented in 18 categories, including awards for Shahiduzzaman Selim, Abu Rizwan Eureka, and Avanti Sithi for their contributions to Bangladeshi film. Faridi, who completed both his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in economics at Jahangirnagar University, began his acting journey on this campus through theatre. His career spanned stage, television, and film, with iconic performances such as his role in the drama “Sangsaptak.” He passed away on February 13, 2012.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has declared that the country will continue its resistance against what he called 'arrogant and infidel powers.' In a message marking Iran’s Army Day, shared on the social media platform Telegram, Khamenei praised the Iranian military for exposing the 'weakness and humiliation' of its enemies. He claimed that Iranian drones are striking 'American and Zionist criminals like thunder,' and said the navy is ready to inflict new defeats on adversaries. Khamenei described the current conflict as a continuation of Iran’s revolutionary tradition, linking it to the 1979 Islamic Revolution and previous 'imposed wars.' He called the army 'part of the people’s hearts' and 'true sons of the nation.' The message also paid tribute to his late father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the start of the war in February and was credited with strengthening the army. Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed leadership after his father’s death, has not appeared in public since taking office. He concluded his message by expressing condolences to the families of those killed in the 'war imposed by the United States and the Zionist regime.'

Members of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) in Barishal district seized a pickup truck loaded with diesel, petrol, and octane that was being stored illegally in Gournadi upazila. The operation took place on Saturday afternoon at the warehouse of a local businessman, Abdur Rahman, in the Sarikal port area. The seized fuel, collected from the Meghna depot in Barishal, included 2,400 liters of diesel, 600 liters of octane, and 200 liters of petrol. According to sources, the NSI team acted on a tip-off about fuel smuggling and caught the vehicle while the fuel was being unloaded for illegal storage. Abdur Rahman allegedly used a license from Khan Enterprise to collect the fuel unlawfully and had previously sold such fuel at inflated prices. He reportedly ran an electronics shop in Sarikal port where he sold fuel without a valid license. Authorities said that legal action against those involved in the illegal storage is being processed through a mobile court.

Five farmers were killed and at least three others injured by lightning strikes while harvesting paddy in different haor areas of Sunamganj district on Saturday. The incidents occurred across Dharmapasha, Tahirpur, Dirai, and Jamalganj upazilas. The deceased were identified as Habibur Rahman, Rahmat Ullah, Abul Kalam alias Kala Mia, Liton Mia, and Nur Jamal. Local representatives and health officials confirmed the deaths, while the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. According to local correspondents, the lightning strikes occurred during sudden storms in the afternoon. In Dharmapasha, Habibur Rahman died on the way to hospital after being struck, while 13-year-old Rahmat Ullah was pronounced dead at the local health complex. In Tahirpur, Abul Kalam died at Jamalabaj village, and another person was seriously injured. Dirai’s Liton Mia and Jamalganj’s Nur Jamal also lost their lives while working in the fields. Several others were referred to hospitals in Sylhet and Mymensingh for advanced care. Officials confirmed the incidents and ongoing treatment of the injured. The lightning also killed two cows in Jamalganj during the same storm.

The SME Foundation and Prime Bank have signed a refinancing agreement in Dhaka to expand access to affordable loans for cottage, micro, small, and medium (CMSME) entrepreneurs. The initiative, supported by the government’s Tk 300 crore revolving fund and guided by credit wholesaling directives, aims to strengthen grassroots economic activity. Industry, Commerce, and Textile Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir attended the signing ceremony as chief guest, reaffirming the government’s commitment to a business-friendly environment for small entrepreneurs. Under the agreement, eligible entrepreneurs will receive loans at a maximum annual interest rate of 8 percent, ranging from Tk 1 lakh to Tk 25 lakh, with a repayment period of up to four years including a six-month grace period. A significant portion of the fund is reserved for women entrepreneurs and those in specific industrial clusters. Priority will also be given to young ICT innovators, import-substitute producers, and entrepreneurs in climate-vulnerable or disadvantaged regions. Leaders from both institutions expressed optimism about the program’s potential to enhance employment, promote eco-friendly technology, and integrate returning migrants into productive sectors, thereby strengthening Bangladesh’s CMSME sector.

An executive magistrate in Banshkhali, Chattogram, sentenced a man to three months in jail for assaulting his mother while under the influence of drugs. The punishment was handed down on Saturday, April 18, 2026, by Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Omar Sani Akon. The incident occurred in Khudukkhali area of Chanua Union, where the accused, Shahidul Islam, 27, attacked his mother after consuming drugs. Police quickly conducted an operation and arrested him following the report of the assault. According to Banshkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khaled Saifullah, regular drives against drug abuse and social crimes will continue. He stated that strict legal measures will be taken against such offenses to maintain law and order in the area. The case highlights ongoing local efforts to curb drug-related violence and reinforce community safety through immediate legal action.

The regional round of the 'Skills and Innovation Competition' for the Sylhet region was held on 17 April 2026 at Sylhet Polytechnic Institute. Students from 14 technical institutions presented 42 innovative projects, with three selected for the national round in Dhaka. The chosen projects were Smart Home Eco System from Sylhet Polytechnic Institute, Face Detector from Moulvibazar Polytechnic Institute, and Smoke and Fume Controlling Welding Helmet from Habiganj Government Technical School and College. The event was organized under the Accelerating and Strengthening Skills for Economic Transformation (ASSET) project of the Directorate of Technical Education, Ministry of Education. Labor and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury attended as chief guest, emphasizing the importance of technical education and skilled workforce development. The secretary of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division also highlighted that technical education is now a mainstream necessity. A colorful rally, seminar, and award ceremony accompanied the competition, attended by officials, educators, students, and community members. The national round will be held next month in Dhaka, featuring around 50 projects from eight regions.

KDS Group, a well-known name in Bangladesh’s construction sector, has inaugurated a new branch office of KY Two Tone in Purbachal. The opening ceremony took place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, with KY Steel’s Chief Operating Officer Jabir Hossain attending as the chief guest. Other senior officials from KY Steel, including General Manager Wahid Farhad and branch in-charge Wasif Zobayer, were also present alongside company distributors and staff. During the event, Jabir Hossain stated that the new branch would bring KY Two Tone’s services closer to customers, emphasizing modern technology, quality, and customer service. Speakers highlighted the company’s development plans, architectural solutions, and commitment to customer satisfaction. They expressed optimism that the new office would play a key role in delivering quality construction services in Purbachal and surrounding areas. After the inauguration, guests toured the new facility and wished success for the company’s future operations.

Two farmers were killed by lightning while harvesting paddy in the haor areas of Dharmapasha upazila in Sunamganj on Saturday afternoon. The victims were identified as Habibur Rahman, 22, of Baroihati village in Paikurati Union, and Rahmat Ullah, 13, of Saraswatipur village in Joysree Union. The incidents occurred separately in different locations. According to local reports, Habibur Rahman was harvesting boro paddy with his uncle near Chokiyachapur village in Togar Haor when a sudden storm struck around noon. He was seriously injured by lightning and died on the way to Dharmapasha Upazila Health Complex. Several others were also injured and received local treatment. In another incident around 1 p.m. in Islampur village of Joysree Union, lightning struck again, injuring Zainal Haque, his son Rahmat Ullah, and a woman named Shikha Moni. Rahmat Ullah was declared dead at the Upazila Health Complex, while the other two were referred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for advanced care.

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister has implemented 60 key initiatives within the first two months of the new government’s tenure, according to an official briefing by the Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson and adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin. The report, presented at a press conference in Tejgaon, highlights actions aligned with pre-election pledges, including the completion of a pilot project for family cards providing monthly cash support to women, the launch of farmer cards, and the waiver of loans for small farmers. Other measures include controlling commodity prices, expanding renewable energy, and ensuring religious inclusivity through stipends for clerics of various faiths. The government has also initiated large-scale river dredging, prioritized employment generation, and announced plans to fill over 468,000 vacant government posts. Steps have been taken to modernize education, healthcare, and digital governance, including e-health cards, free Wi-Fi in educational institutions, and online land services. The administration emphasized transparency, human rights protection, and freedom of expression as central to its governance approach. According to the report, these early actions reflect the government’s commitment to economic stability, women’s empowerment, and inclusive national development.

Police in Sreepur, Gazipur rescued a 16-year-old madrasa student who had been abducted on April 14 while on her way to school. According to police and press sources, the main accused, Md. Abid, and his associates forcibly took the girl near the Maona Fire Service area. Although she was briefly returned home the next day following community pressure, she was abducted again later that morning. During the second abduction, her relatives were assaulted when they tried to intervene. The victim’s father filed a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, naming ten individuals including Abid and listing 25–30 unidentified suspects. Acting on the Superintendent of Police’s directive, a joint operation by the district detective branch and Sreepur police led to the arrest of seven suspects, including two named in the case. The rescued victim was found early on April 18 in the MC Bazar area and sent for medical examination and judicial procedures. Police confirmed that the main suspect and several others remain at large, and operations to apprehend them are ongoing.