Sudanese refugees fleeing the war that erupted in Sudan in April 2023 are increasingly stranded along Morocco’s eastern border, caught between Algerian and Moroccan security forces. Many, like 17-year-old Amir Ali, have endured torture, trafficking, and repeated detentions while crossing Libya and Algeria before reaching Morocco, which they view as a safer destination to seek asylum. Despite being a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Morocco has yet to implement a national asylum law, leaving the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) to handle registration and refugee status determinations under its international mandate.

By the end of 2025, UNHCR had registered 22,370 refugees and asylum seekers in Morocco, with Sudanese nationals forming the largest group of new arrivals. However, refugees face severe challenges: limited access to healthcare, housing, and formal employment, and reports of police pushbacks to southern Morocco or the Algerian border persist. Aid groups such as Fondation Orient-Occident describe the Sudanese community as deeply traumatized and living in precarious conditions.

UNHCR officials warn that a humanitarian funding crisis in 2025 has slowed registration and reduced assistance, leaving many refugees vulnerable to arrest, removal, and worsening health conditions while awaiting resettlement or medical care.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that although some progress has been made in ongoing talks between the United States and Iran, major differences remain on key issues. He made the remarks in comments reported by Al Jazeera, noting that while partial agreements were reached, the two countries still hold widely divergent positions on important matters.

Ghalibaf described the United States as an enemy and claimed that Washington had failed to achieve its objectives despite setting deadlines and issuing warnings. He said the US had begun sending messages through mediators after failing to reach its goals directly. According to him, Iran accepted a temporary ceasefire to pressure the US into meeting its demands, and former US President Donald Trump agreed to it because Iran had prevailed on the battlefield.

He further asserted that the US had not succeeded in changing Iran’s political system or destroying its missile and attack capabilities, adding that Trump’s efforts had failed and emphasizing that Iran is not comparable to Venezuela.

Israeli forces shot and killed a young Palestinian man in southern Gaza’s Rafah area, according to reports on April 19, 2026. Medical sources cited by the Palestinian news agency Wafa said the victim, identified as Yusuf Hasan, was shot from an Israeli military vehicle northwest of Rafah. He was taken to Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Earlier, a child was injured by Israeli gunfire in Rafah’s Mawasi area. In a separate incident, Ahmed Hani Obeid, a 25-year-old who had been wounded in an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza nearly a year ago, died while under treatment. In occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli soldiers reportedly beat a Palestinian near the Qalandiya checkpoint, and the Palestinian Red Crescent said the injured person was taken to a hospital in Ramallah.

Additional clashes were reported near the Dhahiriya (Meitar) checkpoint in the southern West Bank, where a Palestinian worker was shot, and in the Sa’ir area northeast of Hebron, where four Palestinians were injured by pepper spray used by Israeli forces.

Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs reported that at least 3,468 people have been killed in the ongoing conflict involving US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The figure was released through Iran’s ISNA news agency, citing the foundation’s head, Ahmad Mousavi. Earlier, on April 12, the head of Iran’s Legal Medicine Organization had reported 3,375 deaths since the war began.

The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. In response, Iran targeted US bases across the Middle East. After 40 days of fighting, a two-week ceasefire was brokered by Pakistan, though tensions remain high. The United States continues to blockade Iran’s seaports, while Iran maintains control over the vital energy transport route through the Strait of Hormuz.

The situation remains volatile as both sides hold their positions despite the temporary ceasefire, with no clear indication of a lasting resolution.

Israel’s military has confirmed that at least 14 of its soldiers have been killed and more than 650 injured since the start of its large-scale offensive in Lebanon. The campaign began after the outbreak of war in Iran, prompting Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah to launch counterattacks. According to Al Jazeera, the Israeli assault has displaced more than one million people in Lebanon and caused over two thousand civilian deaths.

Following a joint U.S.-Israel strike on Iran, Israel expanded its operations to Lebanon, targeting multiple regions including southern and central areas. Despite a 10-day ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, reports indicate that Israeli forces have continued shelling parts of southern Lebanon. Preliminary assessments by Lebanese authorities suggest around 40,000 homes have been completely or partially destroyed.

The worst damage has been recorded in Beirut’s southern suburbs and across southern Lebanese districts, where returning residents are witnessing widespread devastation after the ceasefire took effect.

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.

The United States military is preparing to inspect and, if necessary, seize oil tankers and commercial vessels linked to Iran in international waters, according to a report published on April 18 citing US officials. The Wall Street Journal reported that the move comes as tensions rise over maritime access in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes, has become a focal point of the dispute. Iran had briefly reopened the strait for navigation but closed it again after the US maintained its blockade on Iranian ports. The development follows failed talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan last week, which ended without agreement, leading to the continuation of the US blockade since Monday.

The preparations for inspections and possible seizures signal a further escalation in maritime tensions between the two countries, with potential implications for global energy transport through the Strait of Hormuz.

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.

BNP’s former joint secretary general and Chattogram-4 Member of Parliament Professor Aslam Chowdhury has called on farmers to unite to secure their rights. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at his residence in Sitakunda during a courtesy meeting with leaders of the Mirsharai Upazila unit of the Krishak Dal.

During the meeting, Chowdhury discussed the current political situation, farmers’ fair rights, crises in the agricultural sector, fertilizer and irrigation issues, and ensuring fair prices for agricultural products. He emphasized strengthening the organization at the grassroots level to make it more active and effective.

A delegation led by Mirsharai Upazila Krishak Dal convener Ashraf Uddin and member secretary Abu Dawood attended the meeting. On behalf of the Krishak Dal, Aslam Chowdhury was presented with floral greetings and a crest of honor.

Students at the University of Chittagong staged separate protests after a student was injured in an attack allegedly carried out by local residents. The demonstrations were organized by the university’s central student council (Chakshu) and the campus unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir. The protests took place at the university’s Zero Point area on Friday midnight and again at noon.

Chakshu’s communication and housing affairs secretary Ishaq Bhuiyan criticized the absence of police presence at the campus police outpost, noting that in the past, hundreds of officers were deployed to prevent internal conflicts. He demanded swift justice for those involved in the attack. Mohammad Parvez, secretary of the campus unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, accused a local syndicate in Jobra village of repeated assaults on students and urged the university administration to dismantle the group.

Both student bodies called for immediate action to ensure student safety and restore a secure environment on campus.

Football fans attending the World Cup will face steep travel costs in addition to expensive match tickets. According to the report, a round-trip train journey between New York City and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will cost 150 US dollars, equivalent to about 18,000 Bangladeshi taka. The distance between Manhattan’s Penn Station and the stadium is only nine miles, taking roughly 15 minutes by train.

Normally, the fare for this route is 12.90 dollars, or about 1,600 taka. However, during the World Cup period, the price will rise twelvefold. Transport officials have confirmed the fare increase, which adds a significant burden to fans already paying high ticket prices for the matches.

The sharp fare hike highlights the financial strain on spectators planning to attend games in person, as both ticket and travel expenses are expected to reach record levels during the tournament.