State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku has called for increased foreign investment to enhance development and production in Bangladesh’s fisheries and livestock sector. He made the appeal on Sunday during a courtesy meeting with Shibli Alam, the Civic Mayor of Tameside Council in Manchester, England, at his office in Dhaka.

During the meeting, the state minister highlighted the longstanding partnership and mutual understanding between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. He urged British investors to expand their investments in Bangladesh to further strengthen bilateral relations. Mayor Shibli Alam raised several issues faced by businesspeople investing in Bangladesh, and the minister assured that existing problems would be resolved promptly.

Both sides discussed organizing a joint working group meeting to expand economic and trade relations between the two countries. The minister expressed optimism that through joint initiatives and coordinated efforts, Bangladesh and the UK would elevate their investment and trade cooperation to new heights.

The Imam-Ulama Council has initiated a plan to establish an Islamic University (Jamia) on abandoned land valued at Tk 500 crore in the suburban area of Gaibandha. On April 16, the council submitted an application to the district commissioner seeking allocation of 20 bighas of recovered land from a 60-bigha abandoned plot in Gobindpur mouza under Gaibandha Sadar police station. The proposed university will operate under the supervision of the Bangladesh Qawmi Madrasa Education Board and focus on higher studies in Hadith, Islamic law, and Tafsir.

According to the application, the project also includes plans for skill development training, a drug rehabilitation center, a large Eidgah ground, a Tablighi center, and other religious and social facilities. Hundreds of local worshippers signed a public petition supporting the initiative, which was formally submitted to the district administration. The district commissioner reportedly welcomed the proposal and assured necessary administrative action after field verification.

The land in question has remained unutilized for 17 years despite previous administrative investigations and media reports since 2009. The council now seeks official allocation to develop the proposed Islamic University and associated institutions.

Md. Babul Mia, a 34-year-old from Paniumdah village in Habiganj’s Nabiganj upazila, described his harrowing experience during the recent conflict in Iran. Having moved to Oman in 2019 and later entering Iran illegally, he worked at a steel company in Hasinabad near Tehran. When fighting erupted on February 28, he and his coworkers endured continuous missile strikes, food shortages, and communication blackouts for weeks. Babul said he survived on dry food for 20 days, trapped amid collapsing buildings and constant air raid sirens.

He recalled that the area around his workplace suffered heavy bombardment, including an attack that killed 166 schoolchildren. With assistance from the Bangladesh Embassy, Babul eventually crossed into Azerbaijan and returned home to Bangladesh on April 15, 2026. He expressed gratitude to embassy officials who coordinated their evacuation through multiple cities and arranged a special flight to Dhaka.

Babul said he remains deeply shaken by the destruction he witnessed and uncertain about how Iran will recover from the devastation he left behind.

Security sources in Pakistan have indicated that new talks between the United States and Iran may begin before Friday. Two unnamed sources told Al Jazeera that several recent developments suggest this possibility. A US C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft reportedly landed at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, while roads leading to the capital’s Red Zone were temporarily closed, signaling tight security measures.

The sources also said that guests were being evacuated from Islamabad’s Serena and Marriott hotels, and no new bookings were being accepted until Friday. The first round of US-Iran discussions had taken place at the Serena Hotel on April 11. Analysts believe these preparations point to renewed diplomatic activity, although no official schedule for the talks has yet been announced.

The developments suggest that Pakistan may again serve as a venue for sensitive diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, pending formal confirmation from either side.

A Bangladeshi expatriate named Alamgir Hossain, aged 28, from Batta village in Kargaon Union of Katiadi upazila, Kishoreganj, was killed in a road accident in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday morning. According to his younger brother Rubel Mia, Alamgir had gone to Saudi Arabia about one and a half years ago to improve his family’s financial condition and was employed as a laborer at Al Liyan Company. He died on the spot after being hit from behind by a car while on his way to work. The company supervisor confirmed the news of his death to the family over the phone.

Alamgir’s wife Jesmin Akter, along with his parents and local residents, have appealed to the concerned government authorities to assist in repatriating his body and to ensure compensation for the bereaved family. The report did not mention any official response or further details about the repatriation process.

The government of Bangladesh has appointed three retired officials to secretary-level positions on a one-year contractual basis as part of an administrative reshuffle. The Ministry of Public Administration issued separate notifications on Saturday night confirming the appointments.

According to the notifications, Dr. Mohammad Zakaria has been appointed Director General of the NGO Affairs Bureau under the Prime Minister’s Office, Md. Abdullah Al Baki has been made Chairman of the Land Appeal Board, and Safiz Uddin Ahmed has been appointed Administrator of the Waqf Administration under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Each appointment carries the rank of secretary and will be effective for one year from the date of joining.

The appointments were made under Section 49 of the Government Service Act, 2018, which requires the appointees to relinquish any professional or institutional affiliations before assuming their new roles.

Water Resources Minister Md. Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee stated that resolving waterlogging in Dhaka and across Bangladesh cannot be achieved in a short time. He made the remark on Sunday afternoon after a meeting with the Prime Minister at the Secretariat, emphasizing that the government remains committed to addressing the issue.

The minister explained that the government has undertaken a canal excavation program aimed at reducing waterlogging and ensuring irrigation for agriculture. As part of this initiative, canal excavation programs will be inaugurated in Jashore district on April 27 and in Sylhet on May 2.

These measures are part of ongoing government efforts to improve water management and mitigate flooding problems in both urban and rural areas.

The High Court of Bangladesh will hold a hearing on Monday regarding a petition demanding the closure of all educational institutions until the nationwide measles outbreak is brought under control. The date was set on Sunday, April 19, 2026, by a bench led by Justice Rajik Al Jalil. Barrister Purnima Jahan represented the petition in court.

The petition, filed on April 2, seeks a directive to keep schools closed until the measles situation improves and requests the formation of a high-level investigation committee into the deaths of 47 children reportedly caused by the disease. In addition, a legal notice was sent to the health minister, health secretary, and the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, urging immediate action to ensure measles vaccination for all children within 24 hours.

The notice stated that vaccine shortages have led to infections, hospitalizations, and deaths among children, while authorities have yet to take effective measures. Media reports on child deaths and hundreds of infections were attached to the notice as supporting evidence.

The central committee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s student wing expelled two leaders following a violent clash between rival groups at Mymensingh Medical College dormitory. The decision, announced in a press release signed by central office secretary Md Jahangir Alam on Saturday night, removed senior joint convener Nure Jawad Rutap from his post and suspended Nafiu Islam’s primary membership. The expulsion was approved by the organization’s president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. A separate one-member inquiry committee led by vice president Hafizur Rahman Sohan was formed to submit a report within 12 hours.

Police and college sources said the clash began Friday night over a minor dispute involving motorcycle fuel. The altercation escalated into physical violence, leaving two third-year students, Mo. Muaz and Mir Hamidur, injured. Police intervened to restore order and detained Nafiu Islam. Muaz was later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

Following the incident, the college academic council suspended all classes and exams for seven days and ordered students to vacate dormitories. The college also formed a separate three-member investigation committee to report within a week.

Mexico, Spain and Brazil have jointly called for a sincere and respectful dialogue with Cuba as tensions with the United States intensify. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the three left-leaning governments expressed concern over what they described as Cuba’s “dramatic situation,” noting that the Cuban people are facing a severe humanitarian crisis. The statement urged all parties to take necessary measures to alleviate the situation.

The appeal was made during a leftist leaders’ conference in Barcelona, led by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and attended by Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The leaders emphasized the need to protect democracy and to find a lasting solution that allows the Cuban people to determine their own future in full freedom.

The call comes as US President Donald Trump has issued multiple warnings toward Cuba and imposed an oil blockade that has worsened the country’s long-standing economic and energy crisis.

The Cambodian government has announced a limited-time opportunity for Bangladeshi nationals residing irregularly in the country to return home without facing legal consequences. The special provision will remain effective until April 30, after which authorities warned that strict legal action will be taken against foreigners staying illegally. The Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok issued an urgent notice explaining that the initiative mainly targets those whose visas have expired and individuals working in online scam centers.

According to the embassy, assistance is being provided to ensure the safe return of irregular Bangladeshis, including waivers of overstay fines and the issuance of travel passes. Many Bangladeshis have already received travel passes through a consular camp held in Phnom Penh. However, the embassy observed that some individuals, despite obtaining travel passes, have not returned home and are attempting to remain in Cambodia or enter other countries illegally, which increases their risk of punishment.

The embassy urged interested individuals to apply promptly via email or by submitting hard copies, and to avoid misinformation or delay in taking advantage of the repatriation window.

Farmers in Sarishabari municipality of Jamalpur staged a road blockade on April 18, 2026, protesting a severe shortage of petrol and diesel at local filling stations. The unrest erupted after allegations surfaced that Messrs Jhinai Filling Station and Messrs Chan Filling Station were supplying fuel irregularly and favoring certain individuals through a syndicate. Farmers said they had been unable to obtain diesel for three to four days, halting irrigation for maize and paddy cultivation. The protest disrupted traffic on the Sarishabari-Dikpait highway until local authorities intervened to restore order.

Farmers accused the stations of prioritizing commercial vehicles over agricultural ones and claimed that only 130 out of 300–400 farmers received diesel. They alleged that some people were allowed to buy fuel multiple times while others waited in vain. Station owners denied the allegations, asserting that fuel distribution followed government rules. Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Liza Richel stated that the complaints would be investigated and that legal action would be taken against anyone found creating an artificial crisis.

The incident highlights growing tension over fuel distribution fairness in rural agricultural areas, with farmers demanding transparent and equitable supply management.

Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon stated that investments and contributions from expatriate Bangladeshis are making the national economy stronger. He described expatriates as the country’s invaluable assets and urged them to continue contributing to future development. The minister made these remarks on Sunday at his office during a courtesy meeting with Councillor Shibli Alam, the Civic Mayor of Tameside Council in Manchester, England.

During the meeting, the minister highlighted that England is the cradle of democracy and noted that Bangladeshis living there have been playing a positive role not only in economic activities but also in the democratic progress of Bangladesh. Councillor Shibli Alam praised Bangladesh’s achievements in women’s empowerment and expressed hope that Bangladeshi women would advance further in economic and social sectors. He also showed interest in working for women’s health protection and rights.

Both sides expressed optimism about further strengthening relations between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.

South Korea’s military reported that North Korea launched multiple unidentified ballistic missiles into the East Sea early Sunday, local time around 6:10 a.m. The missiles were fired from the Sinpo area, marking the latest in a series of weapons tests by the nuclear-armed state. In response, South Korea’s presidential office decided to convene an emergency security meeting, while surveillance and alert levels were heightened amid concerns of further launches.

According to AFP, Pyongyang has recently conducted several weapons tests, including ballistic and anti-ship cruise missiles as well as cluster munitions. Analysts view the latest launch as a signal of North Korea’s rejection of Seoul’s efforts to improve strained relations. Earlier this year, Seoul had expressed regret over a drone intrusion into North Korea, which was initially welcomed by Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong. However, Pyongyang later labeled South Korea its “most hostile state.”

The report also notes that North Korea continues to defy UN sanctions restricting its nuclear and missile programs. Recent satellite imagery cited by a South Korean lawmaker suggests Pyongyang is accelerating naval modernization with possible Russian military assistance.

Rail Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam has assured that a new shuttle train and additional coaches will soon be introduced for Chittagong University (CU). The assurance came on Saturday night, April 18, during a meeting at the Chittagong Circuit House with CU unit Chhatra Dal leaders, confirmed by the organization’s general secretary Abdullah Al Noman.

During the meeting, Noman presented the minister with details of the difficulties faced by students using the shuttle train, including overcrowding and safety concerns. He requested a new pair of shuttle trains, more coaches for the existing service, and improved security measures. The minister listened attentively and promised to address the issues soon.

According to Noman, more than half of CU’s 28,000 students depend on the shuttle train for daily commuting. He described the train as an emotional symbol for students that has now become a source of hardship due to limited seating and safety problems.