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.

Popular Bangladeshi band Ashes canceled their much-anticipated concert scheduled for April 18 at Rabindra Sarobar in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The announcement came late on April 17 through a verified Facebook post by the band’s vocalist, Junayed Evan, confirming that the event would not take place as planned.

According to Evan, organizers informed the band that they expected an overwhelming turnout that would be difficult to manage in the open venue. The limited space and potential traffic disruptions in the surrounding area also prompted administrative concerns, leading to the decision to cancel the show. In an emotional message to fans, Evan expressed regret over the cancellation and promised future performances.

Ashes have already completed 12 concerts across Bangladesh since the beginning of April. The band is also scheduled to perform in Rome, Venice, and Paris in June, according to the same report.

Five activists of the opposition youth wing Jubo Dal were injured in separate clashes over drug control and local dominance in Feni district. The incidents occurred on Friday night in Sonagazi upazila’s Kazirhat and Lakshmipur villages. Police said three people were arrested on Saturday in connection with the violence, which has created tension in the area.

According to local sources, the first clash broke out around 10 p.m. in Lakshmipur area of Mangal Kandi union, where two Jubo Dal factions engaged in fighting and gunfire. Jubo Dal leader Mohammad Suman and activists Harun and Faisal were among those injured and admitted to Feni General Hospital. In a separate incident at Kazirhat Bazar, Sonagazi, volunteer leader Jasim Uddin was attacked after trying to stop theft and extortion.

Sonagazi BNP convener Zainal Abedin said the incidents were driven by personal interests and not linked to party activities. Police confirmed that both clashes stemmed from disputes over local dominance and said legal action would follow upon receiving written complaints.

The government has waived loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, for nearly 1.2 million small and marginal farmers, according to Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin. He announced the decision on Saturday afternoon at a press conference held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon. The briefing marked two months of the current government’s tenure and highlighted 60 major initiatives taken during this period.

At the same event, the Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson said the government had resolved 133 ordinances during the first session of the 13th National Parliament, setting a precedent for parliamentary democracy. Sixteen of these ordinances, including those related to the Human Rights Commission and enforced disappearance prevention, will be reintroduced as bills after further review. The spokesperson added that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Additionally, the government has launched a project to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and water bodies across the country, with work already underway in 54 districts.

Dr. Jalal Uddin, Member of Parliament for Chandpur-2, declared that no leniency would be shown toward drug dealers. He made the statement on Saturday at a drug awareness rally and discussion meeting organized by the Upazila administration at Chengarchar Government High School field in Matlab North, Chandpur. He described drugs as a social problem that destroys the nation, families, and society, urging everyone to unite in combating it.

During his speech as chief guest, Jalal Uddin emphasized that those who consume or sell drugs are enemies of the country and the nation. He called for collective efforts to persuade them to abandon this path and urged cooperation with law enforcement and administration to build a drug-free society. The event was chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahmuda Kulsum Moni and attended by local officials, political leaders from various parties, and teachers and students from local institutions.

The gathering reflected a unified stance among administrative and community representatives to strengthen anti-drug initiatives in the region.

Nur Alam Masud, owner of Satata Oil Mills in Feni’s Sonagazi municipality, died early Saturday at Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s burn unit after suffering severe burns in an explosion. The incident occurred on April 14 when Masud attempted to produce octane using an alternative method learned from YouTube. His colleague, Omar Faruk, was also critically injured and remains under treatment.

According to family members and police, the explosion happened when a pipe burst due to excessive heat during the experiment at the oil mill. Masud’s brother said the temperature went out of control, causing the blast. Police from Sonagazi Model Station visited the site but reported that no formal complaint had been filed as of yet.

Authorities stated that legal action would be taken if a written complaint is submitted. The body of the deceased was sent home after autopsy for burial.

Actress Rukaiya Jahan Chamak has collected and submitted a nomination form seeking a reserved women’s seat under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) from the Kushtia-4 constituency. She confirmed the matter to the media after attending an interview with the BNP selection board on April 17, 2026. Chamak stated that she wants to work for the country, particularly for women, and believes joining BNP would help her realize her plans.

During the interview, she was asked whether she wanted to serve the BNP, to which she replied affirmatively, adding that her primary goal is to serve the country. She expressed optimism about receiving the party’s nomination and said discussions with the party leadership had been positive. Earlier, she hinted at a new beginning through a social media post on Facebook.

Chamak began her entertainment career as the second runner-up in the 2017 Miss World Bangladesh competition and has since appeared in several television dramas and web series.

Water Resources Minister and BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said that if the canal excavation program continues, a new awakening and revolution could emerge in Bangladesh under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon after inaugurating a canal excavation initiative in Uttar Joypur Union of Lakshmipur Sadar upazila.

Before the event, the minister inaugurated the re-excavation of the Rahmatkhali canal from Kaichcha Bari to Yusufpur under the Employment Generation Program for the Poorest (EGPP) project. He noted that many canals had been encroached upon and blocked by illegal structures and industrial waste, and the excavation work aims to restore them.

Annie also emphasized the importance of improving education quality, particularly at the primary level, describing it as the foundation of learning. He said attention is being given to schools, colleges, temples, and madrasas to strengthen educational infrastructure and ensure a better future for children.

Police in Saidpur, Nilphamari recovered the hanging body of a female patient named Sathi Akter, aged 28, from a room at a private clinic called Doctors Hospital on Saturday morning. Before police arrived, her husband, Raihanul Islam, and relatives fled the scene. The incident created shock in the local area.

According to hospital sources, Sathi was brought by ambulance from the 100-bed Saidpur Hospital around 5 a.m. and admitted to the private clinic, where nurses continued her previous treatment. Nurse Zahida Begum said the husband stayed briefly, left to bring breakfast, returned once, and then went out again, leaving the patient alone. During a routine check, staff found the room locked from inside and later discovered her hanging from a ceiling fan with a scarf.

Police sent the body for autopsy at Nilphamari General Hospital and confirmed that an investigation and legal procedures are underway.

The government of Bangladesh has initiated steps to sign bilateral agreements with seven European countries to explore alternative labor markets. The countries include Serbia, Greece, North Macedonia, Romania, Portugal, Brazil, and Russia. The announcement was made by Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin at a press conference held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Saturday afternoon. The event marked two months of the current government’s tenure and highlighted 60 major initiatives taken so far.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson, the initiative aims to increase overseas employment by exporting more skilled and semi-skilled workers. The government is emphasizing technical training and multilingual education to enhance both the quantity and quality of migration. Nationwide technical training centers and updated curricula are being prioritized to support this goal.

The spokesperson also mentioned plans to develop North Bengal as a hub for agro-processing industries and to introduce PayPal and other payment gateway services in Bangladesh, signaling broader economic and technological reforms.

Israel intends to implement a so-called 'yellow line' in Lebanon, mirroring a strategy previously used in Gaza, according to senior officials of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The officials said residents of 55 Lebanese villages located within this designated area would not be allowed to return. The measure was discussed during a Saturday briefing where IDF officers confirmed that the model used in Gaza would be replicated in Lebanon.

The 'yellow line' concept was originally introduced in Gaza as part of a ceasefire arrangement, creating zones that local residents were prohibited from entering. IDF officials stated that even during a ceasefire, the military would continue to destroy infrastructure within the restricted area. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also said the IDF would maintain control over all territories it had captured.

The report noted that many residents of southern Lebanon had begun returning home following the implementation of a ceasefire, but the new restrictions could prevent those living within the designated zone from doing so.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Aminur Rashid Yasin said that farmers are being deprived of fair prices due to syndicates controlling agricultural inputs and markets. He stated that farmers must buy fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides at high prices and that the government will take strict action against these syndicates. The minister made these remarks on Saturday, April 18, during a gathering at Harindhara in Moynamoti Union of Burichang upazila, Cumilla, after inspecting the Gomti River and Jainta Canal.

He emphasized that the government is following farmer-friendly policies, noting that about 70 percent of the population is directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. He added that a strong agricultural sector ensures a stable national economy. The minister also mentioned that the government has introduced agricultural cards to provide subsidies and other benefits to farmers, initiatives taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Yasin announced that a modern vegetable storage facility will be built soon at the Nimsar vegetable market, one of the largest in the region, to help farmers preserve their produce and sell it at fair prices, thereby strengthening local agriculture.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has permitted limited ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz despite U.S. sanctions. The decision, made within the past hour, is being described as a gesture of goodwill, though the overall situation remains tense. Iran has allowed passage only for vessels it does not consider hostile and has announced plans for a new control system in the strategic waterway.

A recently released IRGC map labels southern waters near Oman as a “danger zone” while marking Iran’s coastal routes as “safe zones,” signaling Tehran’s intent to assert greater authority over the strait. Iran is also considering a toll collection system, which it views as a means to recover war-related losses. Broader negotiations remain unresolved, with Iran demanding an end to regional conflict, security guarantees, sanctions relief, the return of frozen assets, and improved regional ties.

The situation remains fragile, and uncertainty continues to dominate, making near-term diplomatic progress difficult according to the report.