2018 Badminton Asia Team Championships, Tournament
The 2018 Badminton Asia Team Championships officially crowned the best male and female national badminton teams in Asia and at the same time worked as the Asian qualification event towards the 2018 Thomas & Uber Cup finals. 28 teams, consisting of 15 men's teams and 13 women's teams entered the tournament.


2018 Badminton Asia Team Championships, Tournament, Venue
This tournament was held at Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium in Alor Setar, Malaysia.


2018 Badminton Asia Team Championships, Tournament, Draw
The draw was held on 23 January 2018, at the tournament venue. The men's team group stage consisted of one group with three teams and three groups each with four teams. The women's team group stage consisted of three groups each with three teams and one group with four teams.


2018 Badminton Asia Team Championships men's team squads
This article lists the latest men's squads lists for badminton's 2018 Badminton Asia Team Championships.


2018 Badminton Asia Team Championships men's team squads, Group C
Group C consists of Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar.


2018 Badminton Asia Team Championships women's team squads
This article lists the latest women's squads lists for badminton's 2018 Badminton Asia Team Championships.


2018 Baghdad bombings
On Monday January 15, 2018, two suicide bombings took place at al-Tayaran Square of Baghdad, killing 36 people and injuring more than 105 others, attacks later claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (IS).


2018 Baghdad bombings, Attacks
On Monday January 15, 2018, two suicide bombings took place at al-Tayaran Square of Baghdad, killing 36 people and injuring more than 105 others. The attackers struck during rush hour in the city's Tayran Square, which is usually crowded by laborers seeking work. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but it bore all the hallmarks of the Islamic State group, which has claimed many such attacks in the past.


2018 Baghdad bombings, Responsibility claim
Two days later (on Wednesday January 17, 2018) the jihadist group Islamic State (IS) "claimed responsibility for the twin suicide bombings in Baghdad this week", though the New York Times suggested that the delay, and a number of errors in the claim, may show that the group's "media apparatus has been disrupted".


2018 Baghdad bombings, Responsibility claim
According to the New York Times, which relied on a translation of the IS statement provided by SITE Intelligence Group, the IS claim's errors included that the attack "had occurred at Aden Square in Baghdad, where the police said an attack was foiled on Saturday, rather than in Tayaran Square, where Monday’s explosions took place", and that IS "said that there were three attackers, not two ... and said that the first two detonated their explosive vests in quick succession, while the third hit another gathering in the same area sometime after the first two explosions". IS referred to "the open-air market that was attacked as a gathering of 'rafidha' and of 'polytheists', two words they use to refer to Shiite Muslims in a derogatory manner".


2018 Bahamas Bowl
The 2018 Bahamas Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 21, 2018. It was the fifth edition of the Bahamas Bowl, and one of the 2018–19 bowl games concluding the 2018 FBS football season. Sponsored by Elk Grove Village, Illinois, the game was officially called the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl.


2018 Bahamas Bowl
The game featured the FIU Panthers of Conference USA against the Toledo Rockets of the Mid-American Conference. The matchup was announced on November 25, 2018, making this the first bowl matchup of the season to have both teams confirmed.


2018 Bahamas Bowl, Teams
This was the fourth matchup between these two teams, with FIU holding a 2–1 lead in the series. They met in the 2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, which FIU won, 34–32.


2018 Bahamas Bowl, Teams, FIU Panthers
FIU accepted a bid to the Bahamas Bowl on November 25. The Panthers entered the bowl with an 8–4 record (6–2 in conference). FIU's usual starting quarterback, James Morgan, was unavailable for the game due to a sore shoulder, resulting in backup Christian Alexander getting the start.


2018 Bahamas Bowl, Teams, Toledo Rockets
Toledo accepted a bid to the Bahamas Bowl on November 25. The Rockets entered the bowl with a 7–5 record (5–3 in conference).


2018 Bahrain Grand Prix
The 2018 Bahrain Grand Prix (formally known as the Formula 1 2018 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix) was a Formula One motor race that took place on 8 April 2018 at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. The race was the second round of the 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship and marked the 14th time that the Bahrain Grand Prix had been run as a round of the Formula One World Championship.


2018 Bahrain Grand Prix
Sebastian Vettel was the defending race winner. He entered the round with a seven-point lead over Lewis Hamilton in the World Drivers' Championship. In the World Constructors' Championship standings, Ferrari hold a ten-point lead over Mercedes.


2018 Bahrain Grand Prix, Report, Practice
Daniel Ricciardo was fastest in first practice with Kimi Räikkönen fastest in second and third practice.


2018 Bahrain Grand Prix, Report, Qualifying
Sebastian Vettel qualified on pole position with a time of 1:27.958, a new outright track record, with teammate Kimi Räikkönen second. Mercedes locked out the second row, although Lewis Hamilton subsequently took a five place grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change and started from ninth on the grid. Pierre Gasly made Q3 for the first time in his career, eventually qualifying in sixth. Max Verstappen started the race in fifteenth position, having been prevented from taking part in Q2 following a crash in Q1 after he lost control of his throttle as his car rode over a kerb.


2018 Bahrain Grand Prix, Report, Race
At the start, Vettel got away well, leading into turn 1. Bottas overtook Raikkonen to claim 2nd, and Gasly also overtook Ricciardo to claim 4th. However, Ricciardo got 4th place back at turn 4, on the first lap. Max Verstappen made up ground on the first lap so he was behind Lewis Hamilton, who'd fallen to 10th place. The pair fought at turn 1 on lap 2, with Verstappen puncturing his left rear tyre. His teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, experienced an electrical shutdown at the same time, forcing him to retire.


2018 Bahrain Grand Prix, Report, Race
Brendon Hartley received a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision with Sergio Pérez. Verstappen then lost drive, also forcing him to retire from the Grand Prix. This was the first time in 8 years that both Red Bull Racing drivers retired from a Grand Prix, and the first time since the 2016 Russian Grand Prix that neither Red Bull drivers had scored points, and the first time since the 2010 Korean Grand Prix that neither Red Bull was classified. Hamilton overtook Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon and Nico Hülkenberg into one corner to move up into 6th place. He then passed Kevin Magnussen and Pierre Gasly in the next few laps to move up into 4th place.


2018 Bahrain Grand Prix, Report, Race
During his second pit stop on lap 35, Kimi Räikkönen struck Ferrari tyre changer Francesco Cigarini with his left rear tyre as his car left the pit box, breaking Cigarini's tibia and fibula. The incident was caused by the Ferrari pit box's light incorrectly switching to green despite the fact that the left rear tyre had never actually been changed. After analysis, the faulty green was determined to have been caused by the pit system checking (only) if the wheel was securely fitted, and if the wheel gun had been "sufficiently active" beforehand. Räikkönen immediately stopped in the pit lane on advice over team radio and retired the car. Räikkönen's retirement promoted Lewis Hamilton to the podium, and Ferrari was subsequently fined €50,000 for an unsafe pit release.


2018 Bahrain Grand Prix, Report, Race
Räikkönen's pit lane incident meant that teammate Sebastian Vettel could not carry out his second pit stop on schedule, and had to extend the stint on his soft tyres for 30% longer than the expected lifespan of the tyres, as stated by Pirelli. Towards the end of the race, with Vettel struggling with his tyres, Bottas got within DRS range of Vettel, but could not pass for the lead of the race. Pierre Gasly finished the race in P4, equalling Toro Rosso's best result in 2017, scoring Honda's best result since returning to F1 and earning him his first points in F1.


2018 Bahrain Grand Prix, Report, Race
After the race, Brendon Hartley and Sergio Pérez both received 30 second time penalties for failing to maintain position on the formation lap.


2018 Bahraini general election
General elections were held in Bahrain in November and December 2018 to elect the 40 members of the Council of Representatives. The first round of voting was on Saturday, 24 November, with a second round in 31 constituencies on Saturday, 1 December. A municipal poll coincided with the parliamentary vote.


2018 Bahraini general election
The elections were considered to be a sham, as they followed a government crackdown on dissent that included prohibiting members of dissolved opposition groups from running. Following the 2011 Bahraini protests, all 18 Al Wefaq members on the Council resigned, and were barred from contesting the subsequent by-elections. Since 2011, authorities have imprisoned hundreds of dissidents, including Al Wefaq leader Sheikh Ali Salman, and stripped many of Bahraini citizenship. Al Wefaq boycotted the 2014 Bahraini general election.


2018 Bahraini general election
The two main opposition groups, the Shiite Al-Wefaq and secular Waad, were barred from fielding candidates in 2018, prompting renewed calls for a boycott. A court banned Al Wefaq in 2016 for "harbouring terrorism", inciting violence and encouraging demonstrations which threatened to spark sectarian strife. On 17 July 2016, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television and international print media reported that Bahrain's highest court dissolved Al Wefaq and liquidated the group's funds.


2018 Bahraini general election, Electoral system
The 40 members of the Council of Representatives were elected from single-member constituencies using a two-round system; if no candidate received a majority of the vote in the first round, a second round was held.


2018 Bahraini general election, Constituencies
Each governorate is divided into a number of constituencies for the election for the Council of Representatives. Each constituency is listed as area 1, area 2 etc. Each constituency elects one member. Only Bahraini nationals are entitled to stand for and to vote at elections.


2018 Bahraini general election, Campaign
Candidates had to apply between 17 and 21 October 2018, with 293 registering to contest the 40 seats.


2018 Bahraini general election, Results
Nine of the 40 constituencies were decided in the first round, with the other 31 going to a runoff. According to the government, voter turnout in the first round was 67%, an increase from 53% in the 2014 elections. However, the opposition claimed that the real voter turnout did not exceed 28%-30%.


2018 Baku Formula 2 round
The 2018 Baku FIA Formula 2 round was a pair of motor races for Formula 2 cars that took place on 28 and 29 April 2018 at the Baku Street Circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan as part of the FIA Formula 2 Championship. It was the second round of the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship and runs in support of the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.


2018 Baku fire
On 2 March 2018, a fire broke out at the Republican Narcological Dispensary in Baku, Azerbaijan, a drug rehabilitation facility for patients with opiate addiction.


2018 Baku fire
Around 200 people including patients and members of the clinic staff had to be evacuated from the area, while 34 had to be rescued from the blazing building. At least 26 people died, and another four were hospitalized. Although the fire was initially blamed on faulty wiring, it later emerged that the fire had actually started when a patient tried to commit suicide by self-immolation. The individual had second thoughts and tossed his burning blanket into the wooden ward, igniting the early morning inferno.


2018 Baku fire
Two days after the incident the authorities arrested former patient Mahammad Mammadov  and charged him with murder and arson, among other crimes. Civil rights activists blamed government corruption for lax fire safety measures in the facility that may have led to the accident. In the aftermath, President Ilham Aliyev created a commission to investigate the underlying causes of the accident and announced plans to build a fully equipped Rehab centre nearby.


2018 Baku fire, Background, Drug crisis
Azerbaijan's proximity to both Afghanistan and Iran and its location on the drug route known as the "Balkan Route" make it an easy drug corridor, and due to lax border control most of the illegal drugs (around 90%) are able to get through. It has been estimated that around 1,000 tonnes of drugs are smuggled through the country each year. According to estimates registered drug addicts in the country numbered 7,000 in 1996, however by 2006 this number had risen to 20,000, while some estimates put it at around 30,000.


2018 Baku fire, Background, Drug crisis
There is a severe shortage of personnel when it comes to treating drug addiction. According to the head of the working group for the Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking State Commission Araz Aliguliyev, "there are too few psychologists, social workers and almost no NGOs" working in the field of addiction rehabilitation.


2018 Baku fire, Background, Dilapidated state of rehabilitation centre
Azerbaijan spends around $2.00 on a single treatment, as opposed to the Western nations where the mean expenditure is around $100.00. There is a distinct lack of drug rehabilitation centres in the country with only 53 state-funded clinics and dispensaries in the entire country. These centres are usually established in Soviet-era barracks like buildings that are derelict to begin with. The Republican Narcological Center was built as a dispensary in 1986, and was further enlarged in 2011 to cater for 250 patients.


2018 Baku fire, Background, Dilapidated state of rehabilitation centre
According to reports, the dispensary was housed in an old, one-story, wooden building dating from the 1900s. Buildings with materials such as these are fire hazards and Azerbaijan has a history of large-scale fires in residential buildings. According to sources, the victims relatives have stated that the facility was "decrepit", paint was peeling from the walls, that had been constructed with plywood, and the equipment used by the facility was outdated as well; having been bought in 1991 before the Soviet Union collapsed.


2018 Baku fire, Background, Dilapidated state of rehabilitation centre
Former head physician at the Respublika Narkoloji Mərkəzi, Araz Aliguliyev stated that during his tenure (which ended in 2006) the building in question had been used only for housing archives and for "some accounting purposes". He said that patients were never housed in the building as it was an old and decrepit building dating from the 1990s. He said "I don't know why they were using it to treat patients".


2018 Baku fire, Fire
The government reported that the fire broke out at around 06:10 local time. A security guard stationed outside the facility was able to open the doors when he smelled smoke and started the evacuation. However the fire soon engulfed the building. Ten ambulances and 10 squads of firefighters with 43 fire engines were dispatched to the site. It took the 160 personnel of the State Fire Protection Service around three hours to successfully extinguish the blaze.


2018 Baku fire, Fire
It was originally believed to be caused by an electrical fault in the one-story, wooden ward, but the government later stated that arson was the cause. There was no automatic fire suppression system in the building. The building's wooden frame acted as the principal fuel source for the fire, and firefighters described the building burning intensely for over three hours due to strong winds. According to relatives of the patients, it was routine for the patients to be locked inside during the night.


2018 Baku fire, Fire
Some reports claim that the victims who were burnt alive may have been tied to their beds as a routine procedure and therefore they may have been unable to escape when the fire spread through the building. The building's windows had been barred with steel frames that could only be opened from the outside to prevent addicts from running away, and at least 55 of them were bedridden when the fire broke out. However, despite the barred windows, responding firefighters were able to rescue dozens of people from the fast-spreading fire. It was reported that by 8.20 am local time firefighters had brought the fire under control and it had been completely extinguished by 9:13.


2018 Baku fire, Aftermath, Hospitalization of survivors
According to the Ministry of Healthcare, around 200 patients and staff were safely evacuated from the hospital, with 34 needing rescue. Twenty-five dead bodies were found in the ruins after firefighters extinguished the blaze. Four of the injured had to be hospitalized. Three were admitted to the Toxicology Department of the Clinical Medical Center No 1 and one was moved to the City Clinical Hospital No 3. The bodies of the deceased were moved to the mortuary, but it was reported that the charred remains were not yet recognizable.


2018 Baku fire, Aftermath, Police investigation
President Ilham Aliyev visited the scene and an official investigation was ordered. A hotline was established to the offices of the Prosecutor General, Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Emergency Affairs so that relatives of the patients and staff, as well as witnesses could contact the authorities.


2018 Baku fire, Aftermath, Arrest
On March 3, a former patient of the rehab center named Mahammad Mammadov was arrested and charged with premeditated murder, multiple murders, and damaging property.


2018 Baku fire, Aftermath, Arrest
It was reported that Mammadov was being treated at the centre but wished to leave. In a suicide attempt he set fire to his blanket, but changed his mind when the flames started to engulf him. He then threw off the blanket, and left the building when the fire started to spread and the wooden infrastructure of the ward caught fire. The arrest of Mammadov contradicted earlier reports of the fire being caused by a short circuit. After the arrest Mammadov was subject to psychological and psychiatric evaluations.


2018 Baku fire, Aftermath, State commission
President  Ilham Aliyev created a state commission chaired by Abid Sharifov, the deputy president. It was tasked with investigating the fire, providing assistance to the families of the victims, resettling the staff and patients of the centre and making sure that the destroyed building is reconstructed quickly. The commission will also include the Prosecutor General as well as the ministers of health, economics, internal affairs, crisis, and social welfare of population.


2018 Baku fire, Aftermath, Plans for a new building
On March 2, the Health Ministry stated that plans had been put in place to build a new Drug Abuse Treatment Center in Sabunchu district of Baku. The new Rehabilitation Centre will consist of four buildings and will house 300 patients. It will also be supplied with the latest equipment.


2018 Baku fire, Aftermath, Allegations of corruption
Rights groups in Azerbaijan have long accused the authoritarian regime of  President Aliyev of prevalent corruption that, according to them, undermines the functioning of state institutions. So local civil activists blamed public corruption and lack of compliance with fire safety regulations as major contributors to the blaze. The head of the civil advocacy group Property Rights said "Fire safety regulations were not respected in the hospital’s Soviet-era wooden building". She further stated “As a result of systemic corruption, an adequate control over the compliance with fire safety norms is not in place in Azerbaijan.” The General Prosecutor's's Office responded by opening an investigation into possible violations of fire safety codes.


2018 Baku fire, Reactions
China — Xi Jinping, the president of China, sent a letter of condolence to Ilham Aliyev. He wrote, "Dear Mr. President, I was deeply saddened by the terrible news of numerous casualties in fire in the Drug Rehabilitation Center in Baku".


2018 Baku fire, Reactions
Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his condolences to President Ilham Aliyev, while the head of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, Vladimir Puchkov expressed his condolences to his counterpart in Azerbaijan, Kyamaledin Heydarov stating "We mourn together with you".


2018 Baku fire, Reactions
Turkmenistan — Gurbangulu Berdimuhamedov, the president of Turkmenistan, expressed his condolences, saying "At this difficult time, I ask you to convey to all the relatives and friends of the victims that I, on behalf of the people and government of Turkmenistan and my own behalf, share their sorrow and wish patience and immediate recovery."


2018 Baku fire, Reactions
Uzbekistan — Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the president of Uzbekistan, sent a letter of condolence, saying that he was deeply saddened by the news.


2018 Baku fire, Reactions
Turkey — President Erdogan expressed deep sorrow over the incident and offered his condolences to the victims and their families.


2018 Baku fire, Reactions
Thorbjorn Jagland, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alexander Lukashenko President of Belarus, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Prime Minister of Georgia Georgi Kvirikashvili and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev also expressed their condolences for the victims and their families.


2018 Balakong by-election
A by-election was held on 8 September 2018 for the Selangor State Legislative Assembly seat of Balakong. The seat became vacant after the death of the incumbent assemblyman, Eddie Ng Tien Chee on 20 July 2018 in a traffic accident on the Cheras–Kajang Expressway. Eddie Ng was a member of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component party of the state ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. This was the second casual vacancy in the Assembly since the May 2018 general election after Sungai Kandis, which held a by-election in August 2018. The by-election will be held on the same day as the Seri Setia by-election. In the last 2018 general election, Ng defeated Barisan Nasional (BN)'s Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) candidate, Lim Chin Wah and Mohamad Ibrahim Ghazali of Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), with a vote majority of 35,538.


2018 Balakong by-election
The nomination day was on 18 August 2018. The by-election set for a straight fight between PH's DAP and BN's MCA. While PAS had decided not to contest to make way for the BN candidate, just liked in the case of the Sungai Kandis by-election a month earlier.


2018 Balakong by-election
Pakatan Harapan retained the seat with a larger share of vote.


2018 Balakong by-election, Candidates
Pakatan Harapan (Democratic Action Party)Wong Siew Ki was serving as the Seri Kembangan assemblyman and Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah’s political secretary and she was also Subang Jaya municipal councillor since 2016 then. She graduated in 2009 from the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).


2018 Balakong by-election, Candidates
Barisan Nasional (Malaysian Chinese Association) Tan Chee Teong is a committee member in the Serdang Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA). He is a local of Balakong.


2018 Balakong by-election, Electoral logo quirk
This by-election marks the first time Pakatan Harapan had used their just approved common logo in an election. The then-federal opposition coalition was unable to contest the 2018 general election with their logo due to the Registrar of Societies not approving their registration in time for the election. The registration was finally approved only after the election, which delivered the coalition to power.


2018 Balakong by-election, Electoral logo quirk
Conversely, the MCA will be using their own party logo for the first time since they joined Barisan Nasional in 1973. MCA candidates have normally used the BN common logo in elections up to the 2018 general election.


2018 Balakong by-election, Result
DAP and Pakatan Harapan's Wong Siew Ki polled 22,058 votes to MCA and Barisan Nasional's Tan Chee Teong's 3,975 votes retaining the seat for DAP and Pakatan Harapan.


2018 Balakong by-election, Result
Note: 1Tan Chee Teong was a candidate of Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), who had contested under the MCA banner instead of the BN banner.


2018 Balakong by-election, Result, Results based on polling district
PH won all polling districts and post and early votes.


2018 Balestier Khalsa season
The 2018 season is Balestier Khalsa's 23rd consecutive season in the top flight of Singapore football and in the Singapore Premier League and the Singapore Cup.


2018 Bali United F.C. season
The 2018 season was the fourth season of competitive association football and third season in the Liga 1 played by Bali United Football Club, a professional football club based in Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia. Their 2nd-place finish in 2017 meant it was their third successive season in Liga 1.


2018 Bali United F.C. season
The main addition to the first team was striker Ilija Spasojević as they failed to negotiated new contracts for last season top scorer, Sylvano Comvalius. But they were successfully negotiated new contract with Nick van der Velden. Demerson, former Chapecoense player, and Kevin Brands were signed to complete their foreign players as they retained the service of Ahn Byung-keon. Two Indonesia national under-19 football team players, Feby Eka Putra and Hanis Saghara Putra also joined the team to fulfill under-23 quota. Before the league start, Kevin Brands was replaced by Miloš Krkotić; defender Mahamadou N'Diaye, midfielder Brwa Nouri, and striker Melvin Platje later signed in the second half transfer window to replace Demerson, Miloš Krkotić, and Ahn Byung-keon.


2018 Bali United F.C. season
Bali United ended the season 11th, failed to continue their great performance from last season. The club were eliminated in preliminary round 2 of AFC Champions League by Chiangrai United, made them competed in AFC Cup where they were eliminated in the group stage after only finished in 4th. But they were advanced to the round of 32 of Piala Indonesia which would be continued in 2019.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Background
The 2017 season was Indra Sjafri's third start to a season as manager of Bali United, having taken charge since the club's founded. Indra resigned in February 2017 before the start of the season because he was appointed as Indonesia national under-19 football team head coach. He was replaced by Hans-Peter Schaller, but only lasted for two games before being sacked due to two losses in a row. Then Widodo Cahyono Putro took charge in May 2017.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Background
Under him, Bali United almost won their first title before a controversial ending as Bhayangkara awarded a 3–0 win against Mitra Kukar and an additional three points. Bali United earn an opportunity to compete in the AFC Champions League because Bhayangkara failed to obtain an AFC license to participate in any Asian competitions.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, January–April
Having finished second in the league last season, Bali United began their AFC Champions League campaign in the qualifying play-offs. They were drawn against S.League runners-up Tampines Rovers, which they won 3–1. Goals from captain Fadil Sausu, Ilija Spasojević, and Hanis Saghara Putra made them through to the preliminary round 2. But they failed to reach the group stage as they were defeated by Chiangrai United in Thailand a week later. This resulted them to played in AFC Cup.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, January–April
Bali United were drawn into Group G with the runners-up from Myanmar, Philippines, and Vietnam: Yangon United, Global Cebu, and Thanh Hóa. Bali United opened their AFC Cup campaign with a 3–1 defeat against Yangon United. Goals from Sekou Sylla (2) and Emmanuel Uzochukwu can only be replied to one goal by I Gede Sukadana. The team earned a draw away to Global Cebu, but remained bottom of the group.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, January–April
The team scored three goals in the second half against Thanh Hóa and won 3–1. Followed by a goalless draw in Vietnam against the same team. Bali United hosted the newly promoted PSMS at Kapten I Wayan Dipta on the opening weekend of the league season. A goal from Stefano Lilipaly earned Bali United a 1–0 win.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, January–April
Bali United began April with a trip to Moch. Soebroto to face PSIS and a goalless draw became the result of this match. They faced Perseru at home. Midfielder Muhammad Taufiq gave the home team a deserved lead, before Sílvio Escobar scored for the visitors and made the game ended in a draw. On 11 April 2018, Bali United continued their campaign in AFC Cup group stage with a 3–2 defeat and destroyed their hopes of qualified for the next round. In the league, for the third time in a row, they got a draw, this time against Persela.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, January–April
They finally got a victory after defeating Barito Putera with goals from Lilipaly and Yandi Munawar. Bali United finished their first AFC Cup campaign at the bottom of the group after they were beaten by Global Cebu at home. The team also ended their April in a bad fashion after a defeat away against PS TIRA.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, May–August
Their losing streak continued into May as they suffered two defeat in a row against Sriwijaya and Mitra Kukar. It ended with a narrow 1–0 win against Arema with a goal from Stefano Lilipaly. Two minor results, a lost to Borneo and a draw against Persib without scoring any goals, closed their May.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, May–August
Two more points were dropped in Bali United's next match, away to Madura United on the first weekend of June. The hosts had taken the lead before I Nyoman Sukarja and Lilipaly scored for Bali United. But the team conceded the equaliser in 73rd minute. A goal from Lilipaly and Fadil Sausu earned Bali United a 2–0 win the following week, at home to Persipura.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, May–August
Due to Lebaran, Bali United did not play another game for three weeks. On the resumption of club football, they faced PS West Sumbawa in the first round of the newly reborn Piala Indonesia which ended in a 4–0 win. Five days later, the league continued as Bali United away to Persebaya. Winger Irfan Jaya scored for the hosts eight minute before the final whistle, handed Bali United their fifth lost this season. On 11 July 2018, Ilija Spasojević and Lilipaly scored for Bali United in a 2–0 win against PSM. Six days later, the team played Persija.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, May–August
Two goals of the match were scored by their new striker Melvin Platje and Lilipaly. At home, Bali United lost 3–2 to Bhayangkara; striker Marinus Wanewar scored the winning goal for the visitors and extend the results of their never winning over Bhayangkara since 2016. Bali United ended the month with a 2–1 victory over hosts PSMS; striker Spasojević scoring and Dias Angga Putra adding a further goal.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, May–August
Bali United's form improved as the second half of the season open. At home to PSIS on 4 August 2018, the team earned three points courtesy of Fadil and Platje. Platje again scored the goal along with Spasojević in Bali United's match against Perseru.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, September–December
In their next match, Bali United defeated Persela by three goals to two; the winner was a penalty scored by Melvin Platje. They were then held by Barito Putera to 1–1 draw. Two more points were dropped in Bali United's next match, at home to PS TIRA on the final day of September.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, September–December
The first week of October saw Bali United away to Sriwijaya at Gelora Sriwijaya. Sriwijaya managed to lead three goals before Ilija Spasojević and Platje narrowed the score. Bali United defeated Mitra Kukar 1–0 on 15 October 2018 when a goal from Platje secured the win. At Kanjuruhan, Bali United lost 3–1 to Arema; defender Hanif Sjahbandi scored twice against Bali United defense. They ended the October with 2–2 and 1—1 draws against Borneo and Persib respectively.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, September–December
Starting November, Fadil Sausu and Platje each scored as Madura United were beaten by two goals. After that win, they suffered three lost in a row for the rest of the month. Lost to Persipura 0–1, at home to Persebaya 2–5, and destroyed by PSM 0–4 drop them in the table even more.


2018 Bali United F.C. season, Review and events, September–December
In preparation for the final match at home in the league this season, there was a controversy in which Widodo Cahyono Putro suddenly resigned from his position as head coach of the team. In a thrilling match that was stopped several times due to flares from supporters, Bali United suffered a narrow 1–2 defeat from Persija. Bali United lost their final game of the league campaign, away to Bhayangkara. It was a lacklustre performance by the visitors, which conceded two goals inside the 20th minute. They then faced Persekabpas at away in the next round of Piala Indonesia; a goal apiece from Fadil and Spasojević secured a comfortable 2–0 victory.


2018 Bali gubernatorial election
The 2018 Bali gubernatorial election took place on 27 June 2018 as part of the simultaneous local elections. It was held to elect the governor of Bali alongside with their deputy, whilst members of the provincial council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah) will be re-elected in 2019.


2018 Bali gubernatorial election
Incumbent I Made Mangku Pastika was barred from participating in the re-elections after having served two full terms. Contesting the election were Denpasar mayor Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra and People's Representative Council member I Wayan Koster.


2018 Bali gubernatorial election, Timeline
Registration for party-backed candidates were opened between 8 and 10 January 2018, while independent candidates were required to register between 22 and 26 November 2017. The numerical order of the candidates were determined on 13 February through a lottery. The campaigning period would commence between 15 February and 24 June, with a three-day election silence before voting on 27 June.


2018 Bali gubernatorial election, Timeline
Up until the registration deadline, no independent candidates registered to contest the election. On 23 April, the regional KPU declared that there will be 2,982,201 eligible voters across the province.


2018 Bali gubernatorial election, Candidates
PDI-P chairman Megawati Soekarnoputri announced third-term People's Representative Council member I Wayan Koster as the party's candidate for the elections on 11 November 2017. He was part of the 10th commission, which covers education, sports, tourism and creative economy. In the same announcement, former regent of Gianyar Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati (Cok Ace) was endorsed by PDI-P as his running mate. Soon afterwards, the National Mandate Party endorsed him as well. Other parties supporting him are the National Mandate Party, Hanura, and the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party.


2018 Bali gubernatorial election, Candidates
Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra (Rai Mantra) initially attempted to register at PDI-P which had supported him in the 2015 Denpasar mayoral elections. However, Golkar, whose cadre I Ketut Sudikerta was already the sitting vice-governor, decided to place its support behind the mayor attaching Sudikerta as his running mate after Nasdem and Gerindra endorsed Rai Mantra. The Democratic Party also endorsed him.


2018 Bali gubernatorial election, Issues
I Wayan Koster stated that he would like to see a reform on Indonesia's family planning program which recommends two children per family, saying that it defied Balinese traditions which ideally has four children. Rai Mantra stated that if elected, he would consistently oppose the reclamation program in Benoa Bay.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill
The 2018 Balikpapan oil spill was an oil spill off the coast from the city of Balikpapan, Indonesia. It was caused by a cracked pipeline linked to a Pertamina refinery in the city.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill
A blaze that occurred when the oil spill caught on fire had killed five residents who were in the bay, in addition to causing respiratory problems in the city.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Location
The spill occurred in Balikpapan Bay, on the coast of which the Pertamina Refinery Unit V is located. Balikpapan, which sits on the bay, is an energy and mining hub on the island and is populated by over 700,000 people.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Causes
Initially, Pertamina denied responsibility for the spill for four days, claiming that tests showed the oil originated from marine shipments and that divers sent had not discovered any leakage on their pipelines. Instead, the company claimed that the oil originated from MV Ever Judger, a Panama-flagged bulk carrier carrying coal to Malaysia. However, on 5 April, it admitted responsibility, adding that it discovered that the oil samples were crude oil and not marine fuel oil after its 10th sample.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Causes
According to Pertamina in an April 4 statement, a distribution pipeline carrying crude oil from a terminal in Lawe-Lawe, North Penajam Paser to Balikpapan which was installed in 1998 burst, having been displaced by 120 meters from its original position. The leaked pipeline was located at a depth of 25 meters, with a diameter of 20 inches and a thickness of 12 millimeters. Officials claimed that an anchor dropped by of a coal ship flying a Panamianian flag dragged the pipe, although it did not name the ship. Pertamina denied any negligence in the spill, adding that the pipe had been inspected as recently as December 2017.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Mitigation
During initial attempts on 31 March, some of the oil spill caught on fire with the blaze reaching as high as 2 kilometres (1.2 mi). Five people were killed when the oil spill caught on fire. According to a local search and rescue worker, the flame was sparked in an attempt to clear the spill by burning it. Director-general of oil and gas Djoko Siswanto stated that they suspected the ship dragging the pipeline had caught on fire, hence igniting the spill.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Mitigation
According to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, about 70 cubic meters of spilled oil have been contained by night on 3 April.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Mitigation
Environmental organizations and campaigners criticized the Indonesian government for its slow response, with Greenpeace claiming it had not received any information from the authorities on the fifth day of the spill.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Mitigation
The city's residents participated in the cleanup, using simple equipment such as buckets to scoop oil from the local beaches.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Effects
Balikpapan city secretary Sayid MN Fadli described that the bay was "like a gas station". The city itself declared a state of emergency, with over 1,000 people reporting nausea and breathing problem due to the smoke caused by a fire on the spill. Pertamina released a statement declaring that the operations of its refinery, which processes 260,000 barrels of crude oil daily, is unaffected.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Effects
Head of the People's Representative Council Bambang Soesatyo demanded an explanation from the Embassy of China in Jakarta, regarding a theory that the fire on the Ever Judger resulted in the blaze and hence fatalities.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Effects
On 20 April, Pertamina's Chief Executive Elia Massa Manik was removed from his position. Among other factors, the oil spill incident was quoted as one of the reasons for the dismissal.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Effects, Casualties and losses
Five people were killed when their ship was trapped in the blaze caused by the oil catching on fire. Two of the bodies were discovered immediately afterwards, with two more being discovered on the third day and the last the following day. The victims had rented a boat to fish around the bay. All victims were residents of the city.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Effects, Casualties and losses
The MV Ever Judger was also caught in the blaze, with its inflatable life raft and the rope binding it to the ship igniting. Its crew of 20 Chinese nationals were evacuated with 1 suffering from burns. While the ship, which carried more than 70,000 tons of coal, did not catch on fire fully, ship's port side was severely damaged.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Effects, Casualties and losses
Indonesian vice-minister of energy and mineral resources Arcandra Tahar stated that the pipeline damage may cause up to 200,000 barrels per day in lost production. Pertamina stated that the crude oil flow was diverted to a smaller, 16-inch pipe, although it confirmed the loss of some production in the refinery.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Effects, Environmental damage
At least 34 hectares of mangrove swamps were covered in the spill. A dead endangered Irrawaddy dolphin washed up to the city's beach, seemingly poisoned by the oil spill. Environmental and oceanographical experts have expressed concerns of long-lasting damages to the oceanic ecosystem including coral reefs and seagrass.


2018 Balikpapan oil spill, Effects, Environmental damage
Due to the spill, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries received reports of oil pollution across the country, such as in the Bay of Jakarta and in Bintan.


2018 Balkan Athletics Championships
The 2018 Balkan Athletics Championships was the 73rd edition of the annual track and field competition for athletes from the Balkans, organised by Balkan Athletics. It was held at Beroe Stadium in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria on 20 and 21 July. It was the fourth time that the city hosted the competition, following the 1985, 2011 and 2013 editions.


2018 Balkan Athletics Championships
Two championship records were broken: Paraskevi Papachristou of Greece set a women's triple jump mark of 14.60 m (+ 1.7 m/s), while Serbia's Marija Vučenović set a women's javelin throw best of 60.60 m. Bulgaria's Inna Eftimova took a women's sprint double in the 100 metres and 200 metres. Florina Pierdevară of Romania was runner-up in both women's middle-distance running events and Bulgarian horizontal jumper Gabriela Petrova also won two individual silvers. Romania was the most successful nation at the competition, topping the medal table with 23 medals (nine of them gold), and were closely followed by Greece on 22 medals and eight golds.


2018 Balkan Athletics Indoor Championships
The 2018 Balkan Athletics Indoor Championships was the 23rd edition of the annual track and field competition for athletes from the Balkans, organised by Balkan Athletics. It was held on 17 February 2018 at the Ataköy Athletics Arena in Istanbul, Turkey.


2018 Balkan Athletics Indoor Championships
Romania topped the medal table, winning 15 medals including 5 gold, ahead of the host nation Turkey, and Bulgaria.


2018 Ball State Cardinals football team
The 2018 Ball State Cardinals football team represented Ball State University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by third-year head coach Mike Neu and played their home games at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana as members of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 4–8, 3–5 in MAC play to finish in fifth place in the West Division.


2018 Ball State Cardinals football team, Previous season
The Cardinals finished the 2017 season 2–10, 0–8 in MAC play to finish in last place in the West Division.


2018 Ball State Cardinals football team, Preseason, Preseason media poll
The MAC released their preseason media poll on July 24, 2018, with the Cardinals predicted to finish in last place in the West Division.


2018 Ballon d'Or
The 2018 Ballon d'Or was the 63rd annual award ceremony recognising the best footballer in the world for 2018. The winners were announced on 3 December 2018, and for the first time in its history, the Ballon d'Or Féminin and Kopa Trophy were awarded to the best female footballer and male under-21 footballer, respectively.


2018 Ballon d'Or, Ballon d'Or
The nominees for the awards were announced on 9 October 2018.


2018 Balochistan provincial election
Provincial elections were held in the Pakistani province of Balochistan on 25 July 2018.


2018 Balochistan provincial election, Background
The 2013 elections resulted in a hung parliament, before Pakistan Muslim League (N), National Party, and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party joined hands to form a coalition government. A power-sharing agreement was also brokered between PML-N and NP where the province's Chief Ministership tenure would be bifurcated between the two parties. In consequence, NP's Abdul Malik Baloch served as chief minister from 2013 to 2015 before he was replaced by PML-N's Sanaullah Khan Zehri at the end of 2015.


2018 Balochistan provincial election, Background
However, Zehri couldn't complete his term as on 2 January 2018, a number of dissident members from the ruling PML-N colluded with opposition lawmakers to submit a no-confidence motion against him. Seeing that he has lost the majority of the house's support in the ensuing turmoil, Zehri resigned from his post before a no-confidence vote could take place. Pakistan Muslim League (Q)'s, Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, an opposition lawmaker and one of the leaders of the no-confidence bloc, was elected as the province's 15th Chief Minister. He secured 41 of the 65 votes.


2018 Balochistan provincial election, Background
This in-house change was also important in the lead-up to the 2018 Senate elections as the bloc managed to secure 6 of the 12 seats for the province, with no seat for PML-N. Further down the line, the group was also successful in making an alliance with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Peoples Party for the election of the Senate chairman, leading to their combined candidate from Balochistan, Sadiq Sanjrani, being elected to the post.


2018 Balochistan provincial election, Background
On 29 March 2018, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and Saeed Hashmi, with the support of Bizenjo, launched a new political party by the name of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP). It was composed of independent candidates, dissident PML-N lawmakers as well as PML-Q members


2018 Balochistan provincial election, Pre-election violence
On 13 July, a suicide bombing killed at least 131 people including BAP candidate for Balochistan Assembly,  Nawabzada Siraj Raisani and over 200 injured.


2018 Baltic Cup
The 2018 Baltic Cup was the 28th Baltic Cup, an international football tournament contested by the Baltic states. The tournament was held between 30 May and 5 June 2018. Latvia won their 13th title.


2018 Baltimore Brigade season
The 2018 Baltimore Brigade season is the second season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The Brigade play home games at the Royal Farms Arena.


2018 Baltimore Brigade season, Roster
Rookies in italics updated July 18, 201824 Active, 13 Inactive


2018 Baltimore Brigade season, Schedule, Regular season
The 2018 regular season schedule was released on February 13, 2018.


2018 Baltimore Orioles season
The 2018 Baltimore Orioles season was the team's 118th season overall, 65th in Baltimore, and 27th at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. They attempted to rebound from their first losing season since 2011 when they went 75–87. However, the Orioles instead suffered one of the worst seasons in MLB history, going 47–115. The season, as with the succeeding season, set several statistical records and quirks, such as being 60 or more games behind the division (later World Series) champions Boston Red Sox.


2018 Baltimore Orioles season
With the 47–115 record, they became the first team since the 2003 Tigers, who also suffered a similar season when they went 43–119, to have fewer than 50 wins in a full 162-game season. First baseman Chris Davis posted a .168 batting average in his third year of a 7-year, $161 million contract, the worst in Orioles history.


2018 Baltimore Orioles season
To further add to the team's abysmal season, their top players such as Manny Machado, Zack Britton, Jonathan Schoop, Darren O'Day, Kevin Gausman, and Brad Brach were all traded in the trade deadline.


2018 Baltimore Orioles season
Manager Buck Showalter and general manager Dan Duquette's contracts expired and were not renewed concluding the season.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season
The 2018 season was the Baltimore Ravens' 23rd season in the National Football League, 11th under head coach John Harbaugh, and their 17th and final season under general manager Ozzie Newsome.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season
In Week 6, the Ravens set a franchise record, sacking Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota 11 times in a 21–0 win.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season
After struggling to a 4–5 start, the Ravens went on a 6–1 run to finish 10–6 on the season, thanks to the emergence of rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson, who replaced longtime QB Joe Flacco due to injury. The Ravens clinched the AFC North after defeating the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and winning their division for the first time since 2012; they also finished the regular season ranked first in total defense. However they lost to the Los Angeles Chargers 23–17 in the Wild Card playoffs, which was the first time since 2006 that the Ravens went one-and-done and their first Wild Card playoff loss since 2003.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Preseason, Schedule
On February 13, the NFL announced that the Ravens will play the Chicago Bears in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, August 2, at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Preseason, Schedule
The remainder of the Ravens' preseason opponents and schedule were announced on April 11, 2018.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 1: Baltimore Ravens 47, Buffalo Bills 3
In a blowout win over the Bills, Ravens QB Joe Flacco passed for three touchdowns before being relieved by rookie Lamar Jackson, while Bills QB Nathan Peterman was benched for rookie Josh Allen after posting a 0.0 passer rating.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 9: Pittsburgh Steelers 23, Baltimore Ravens 16
After 10 years with the team, this would become Joe Flacco’s final start and last game as a Raven as he suffered a hip injury and was replaced by Lamar Jackson, who went on to start the final 7 games of the season. Flacco was ultimately traded to the Denver Broncos during the off-season.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 11: Baltimore Ravens 24, Cincinnati Bengals 21
On his first drive as the starting quarterback for the Ravens, Lamar Jackson orchestrated an 11 play, 75 yard gem ending with Alex Collins running the ball in for a touchdown. During the drive Jackson did not throw a single pass but rushed  5 times for 46 yards.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 17: Baltimore Ravens 26, Cleveland Browns 24
Similar to last season, the Ravens' playoff hopes was decided on a 4th down in the waning seconds of the game. Browns QB Baker Mayfield made a quick throw that was picked by Ravens LB C.J. Mosley to seal the game for Baltimore, clinching them their first division title in 6 years and making the playoffs.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Postseason, Game summaries, Wild Card Round: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Baltimore Ravens 17
The Chargers recorded six sacks, jumped out to a 23–3 lead and halted a late Ravens rally, forcing Lamar Jackson to fumble on the final drive to earn a trip to New England.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Postseason, Game summaries, Wild Card Round: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Baltimore Ravens 17
On the Ravens' second possession of the game, Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram forced a fumble from Kenneth Dixon that was recovered by safety Adrian Phillips, giving Los Angeles the ball on the Baltimore 14-yard line. Three plays later, Michael Badgley kicked a 21-yard field goal to give Los Angeles a 3–0 lead. Then the Chargers' defense forced a punt, which Desmond King returned 42 yards to the Ravens' 42-yard line, setting up a 53-yard Badgley field goal that increased their lead to 6–0.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Postseason, Game summaries, Wild Card Round: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Baltimore Ravens 17
Early in the second quarter, Phillips intercepted a pass from Jackson to give the Chargers a first down on the Ravens' 44-yard line. From there, they drove 27 yards to go up 9–0 on Badgley's third field goal. Following another Ravens punt, Los Angeles drove 53 yards in 12 plays to score on Badgley's fourth field goal on the last play of the half, giving them a 12–0 lead.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Postseason, Game summaries, Wild Card Round: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Baltimore Ravens 17
King returned the second half kickoff 72 yards to the Ravens' 35-yard line, but this time the Chargers failed to score when Badgley's field goal attempt was blocked by Za'Darius Smith. After a Ravens punt, linebacker Patrick Onwuasor forced a fumble from Chargers tight end Virgil Green that was recovered by linebacker C. J. Mosley on the Los Angeles 21-yard line. This set up Justin Tucker's 33-yard field goal, cutting the score to 12–3 with 8:34 left in the third quarter.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Postseason, Game summaries, Wild Card Round: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Baltimore Ravens 17
At the end of Los Angeles' next possession, the Ravens got another scoring opportunity when Javorius Allen blocked Donnie Jones's punt, resulting in Baltimore taking over on the Chargers' 40-yard line; they only managed to gain 4 yards with their next three plays and Tucker's 50-yard field goal attempt was wide right. Los Angeles then drove 60 yards in 10 plays, featuring a 28-yard completion from Philip Rivers to Mike Williams on the Ravens' 15-yard line. On the next play, Melvin Gordon ran the ball 14 yards to the 1-yard line.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Postseason, Game summaries, Wild Card Round: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Baltimore Ravens 17
The Ravens managed to keep Los Angeles out of the end zone for the next three plays, but Gordon scored with a 4th down 1-yard touchdown run on the first play of the 4th quarter; Rivers completed a pass to Williams for a two-point conversion, giving the Chargers a 20–3 lead.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Postseason, Game summaries, Wild Card Round: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Baltimore Ravens 17
A sack by Ingram on the Ravens' ensuing drive forced them to punt from their 14-yard line and Sam Koch's 31-yard kick gave the Chargers good field position on the Ravens' 45-yard line. Los Angeles then drove 16 yards, including a 9-yard scramble by Rivers on 3rd-and-8, to score on Badgley's 5th field goal, from 47 yards, that gave them a 23–3 lead. Taking the ball back with 9:02 left, Baltimore drove 75 yards in eight plays, including Jackson's 29-yard completion to Willie Snead on 4th-and-11.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Postseason, Game summaries, Wild Card Round: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Baltimore Ravens 17
On the next play, Jackson threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to receiver Michael Crabtree, making the score 23–10. The Chargers recovered Baltimore's ensuing onside kick attempt, but still had to punt after three plays. Baltimore went on to drive 85 yards in 12 plays, the longest a 39-yard completion from Jackson to Dixon. On the last play, Jackson threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Crabtree, narrowing their gap to 23–17 with 2:06 left. Baltimore then forced a punt with 45 seconds to go, giving them one last chance to drive for a winning touchdown, but Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu forced a fumble while sacking Jackson and Ingram recovered it to give Los Angeles the victory.


2018 Baltimore Ravens season, Postseason, Game summaries, Wild Card Round: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Baltimore Ravens 17
Rivers completed 22-of-32 passes for 160 yards and rushed for 15 yards. Ingram finished the game with seven tackles (two for a loss of yards), two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Phillips had five tackles (three solo), an interception and a fumble recovery. King returned a kickoff for 72 yards and had four punt returns for 46 yards. Jackson completed 14-of-29 passes for 194 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception; he was also Baltimore's leading rusher with 9 carries for 54 yards. Onwausor had seven tackles (six solo), a sack and a forced fumble.


2018 Bandung mayoral election
The 2018 Bandung mayoral election took place on 27 June 2018 as part of the simultaneous local elections. It was held to elect the mayor of Bandung alongside with their deputy.


2018 Bandung mayoral election
Sitting mayor Ridwan Kamil, while eligible for a second term, did not run due to his bid for the province's governorship. Vice mayor Oded Muhammad Danial came out on top, defeating city secretary Yossi Irianto in addition to former lawmaker and Golkar politician Nurul Arifin.


2018 Bandung mayoral election, Timeline
The KPU has stated that there will be approximately 1.7 million voters in the city. Registration for party-backed candidates were opened between 8 and 10 January 2018, while independent candidates were required to register between 22 and 26 November 2017. The campaigning period would commence between 15 February and 24 June, with a three-day election silence before voting on 27 June. The vote itself follows a first past the post system.


2018 Bandung mayoral election, Timeline
The candidates were assigned their order number on 13 February 2018. A public debate covered by media outlets was held on 15 April 2018.


2018 Bandung mayoral election, Candidates
Incumbent Ridwan Kamil participated in the 2018 West Java gubernatorial election, and declared that he will not be running for re-election in December 2017. Instead, he endorsed the Yossi-Aries ticket. Some independent candidates registered, but none passed the required qualifications in form of identity card copies.


2018 Bandung mayoral election, Candidates
Nurul Arifin's candidacy was backed by her party since mid-2017. Her running mate is Chairul Yaqin Hidayat, who is the vice-treasurer in Demokrat. She became eligible to run once the pair secured the support of PKB and hence controlling sufficient seats in the parliament. Newly registered political party Perindo also endorsed the pair.


2018 Bandung mayoral election, Candidates
City secretary Yossi Irianto first received the endorsement of Hanura in November 2017, followed by Nasdem. PDI-P and PPP endorsed the pair in the days leading up to the registration, with the former attaching Aries Supriatna as the running mate. Days before the election new party PSI endorse this pair.


2018 Bandung mayoral election, Candidates
Ridwan Kamil's deputy Oded M Danial was officially endorsed by PKS in October 2017. Gerindra endorsed him, with Yana Mulyana being set as his running mate on the last day of registration.


2018 Bandy World Championship
The 2018 Bandy World Championship was the 38th Bandy World Championship between men's bandy teams. The tournament took place in China and Russia. Division A matches were played in the Russian city of Khabarovsk and Division B matches in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.


2018 Bandy World Championship, Participating teams and officials
Eight nations were qualified for the Division A, where the matches were played in Khabarovsk, Russia. Canada would have made its return to Division A, as it won in the Division B last year, but declined to participate and was replaced by Hungary. The other teams in Division A were directly qualified through their results in the same division last year.


2018 Bandy World Championship, Participating teams and officials
The Division B matches were played in Harbin, Manchuria, and made up of eight teams. Of the countries from 2017, Belarus, which finished in last place of Division A, and the Czech Republic, chose not to participate.


2018 Bandy World Championship squads
Below are the squads for the 2018 Bandy World Championship final tournament in Russia.


2018 Bangabandhu Cup
The 2018 Bangabandhu Gold Cup or simply 2018 Bangabandhu Cup was an international association football tournament organized by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) as a tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This was the 5th edition of the tournament with six teams competing from 1 to 12 October 2018.


2018 Bangabandhu Cup, Participating teams
Six nations competed in the tournament. BFF president Kazi Salahuddin has previously stated that the BFF wanted to get one team from each of the Asian Football Confederation's sub-confederations. Afghanistan was also reported as a potential participant. All teams were the first teams except for the Philippines which brought their second team.


2018 Bangabandhu Cup, Draw
The draw took place on 1 September 2018 at the Le Méridien Dhaka Hotel in Dhaka. The six teams were drawn into two groups with three teams each for the group stage.


2018 Bangabandhu Cup, Venues
Matches were played in three venues. The Sylhet District Stadium in Sylhet hosted the group stage matches while the Cox's Bazar Stadium in Cox's Bazar hosted the semifinals. The Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka was the venue for the final.


2018 Bangabandhu Cup, Goalscorers
There were 15 goals scored in 9 matches, for an average of 1.67 goals per match.


2018 Bangabandhu Cup, Sponsorship
Local sports marketing company K-Sports bought the rights for this edition of the tournament and provided all the expenditures.


2018 Bangka Belitung Indonesia Masters
The 2018 Bangka Belitung Indonesia Masters was a badminton tournament which took place at Sahabudin Sports Hall in Pangkal Pinang, Indonesia, from 18 to 23 September 2018 and had a total purse of $75,000.


2018 Bangka Belitung Indonesia Masters, Tournament
The 2018 Bangka Belitung Indonesia Masters was the eighth Super 100 tournament of the 2018 BWF World Tour and also part of the Indonesia Masters Super 100 championships, which was held for the first time. This tournament was organized by the Badminton Association of Indonesia with the sanction from the BWF.


2018 Bangka Belitung Indonesia Masters, Tournament, Venue
This international tournament was held at Sahabudin Sports Hall in Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia.


2018 Bangka Belitung Indonesia Masters, Tournament, Point distribution
Below is the point distribution table for each phase of the tournament based on the BWF points system for the BWF Tour Super 100 event.


2018 Bangka Belitung Indonesia Masters, Tournament, Prize money
The total prize money for this tournament was US$75,000. Distribution of prize money was in accordance with BWF regulations.


2018 Bangkok Challenger
The 2018 Bangkok Challenger was a professional tennis tournament played on hard courts. It was the tenth edition of the tournament and was part of the 2018 ATP Challenger Tour. It took place in Bangkok, Thailand between 1 and 7 January 2018.


2018 Bangkok Challenger, Singles main draw entrants, Other Entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2018 Bangkok Challenger II
The 2018 Bangkok Challenger II was a professional tennis tournament played on hard courts. It was third edition of the tournament and part of the 2018 ATP Challenger Tour. It took place in Bangkok, Thailand between 8 and 13 January 2018.


2018 Bangkok Challenger II, Singles main draw entrants, Other Entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2018 Bangkok Challenger II, Singles main draw entrants, Other Entrants
The following player received entry into the singles main draw using a protected ranking:


2018 Bangkok Challenger II – Doubles
Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana were the defending champions but lost in the quarterfinals to Hsieh Cheng-peng and Yang Tsung-hua.


2018 Bangkok Challenger II – Doubles
James Cerretani and Joe Salisbury won the title after defeating Enrique López Pérez and Pedro Martínez 6–7(5–7), 6–3, [10–8] in the final.


2018 Bangkok Challenger II – Singles
Janko Tipsarević was the defending champion but chose not to defend his title.


2018 Bangkok Challenger II – Singles
Marcel Granollers won the title after defeating Enrique López Pérez 4–6, 6–2, 6–0 in the final.


2018 Bangkok Challenger – Doubles
Grégoire Barrère and Jonathan Eysseric were the defending champions but chose not to defend their title.


2018 Bangkok Challenger – Doubles
Gerard and Marcel Granollers won the title after defeating Zdeněk Kolář and Gonçalo Oliveira 6–3, 7–6(8–6) in the final.


2018 Bangkok Challenger – Singles
Janko Tipsarević was the defending champion but chose not to defend his title.


2018 Bangkok Challenger – Singles
Marcel Granollers won the title after defeating Mats Moraing 4–6, 6–3, 7–5 in the final.


2018 Bangkok Glass F.C. season
The 2018 season is Bangkok Glass Football Club's 10th existence in the new era since they took over from Krung Thai Bank Football Club in 2009. It is the 3rd season in the Thai League and club's 10th consecutive season in the top flight of the Thai football league system since took over in the 2009 season.


2018 Bangkok United F.C. season
The 2018 season is Bangkok United Football Club's 10th existence in the new era since they took over from Bangkok University Football Club in 2009. It is the 3rd season in the Thai League and club's 8th (6th consecutive) season in the top flight of the Thai football league system since returned in the 2013 season.


2018 Bangkok United F.C. season, Reserve team in Thai League 4
Bangkok United F.C. 's  reserve side Bangkok United F.C. (B) was sent  to compete in the T4 Bangkok Metropolitan Region.


2018 Bangladesh Federation Cup
The 2018 Federation Cup also known as the 2018 Walton Federation Cup due to the sponsorship from Walton Group was the 30th edition of the tournament. Thirteeen teams completed. Dhaka Abahani was the winner of previous edition of the tournament. The winner earned a slot in the group stage of the 2019 AFC Cup.


2018 Bangladesh Federation Cup, Draw
The draw was held 20 October 2018 at BFF house Motijheel. The thirteen teams were divided into four groups and the top two teams from each group advanced to the quarter-finals.


2018 Bangladesh election violence
2018 Bangladesh election violence refers to a series of brutal attacks, mostly on opposition party candidates and clashes between ruling and opposition party men centering on the general election on December 30, 2018.


2018 Bangladesh election violence
According to UN human rights experts, from December 9 to 12 a total of 47 such incidents of violence were reported, in which eight people were killed  and 560 were injured, mostly from the ruling party.


2018 Bangladesh election violence
On December 18 the major opposition party of the country, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), claimed that at least 4 party activists have been killed and 152 of 300 candidates have been attacked while campaigning. Moreover, 16 candidates from the alliance of opposition groups are in jail. The number of activists arrested by police after the declaration of the election schedule is around 21,000 according to the leaders of the Jatiya Oikya Front, the largest opposition alliance in the country.


2018 Bangladesh election violence
The victims of violence include former ministers, parliamentarians, veteran freedom fighters and senior leaders from the opposition alliance. At least 70 candidates from the opposition alliance Jatiya Oikya Front claimed that they could not participate in the campaign for fear of attacks against them.


2018 Bangladesh election violence
Renowned human rights watchdog Human Rights Watch, in its bulletin titled "Bangladesh: Crackdown as Elections Loom," claimed that "Bangladesh security forces have been arresting and intimidating opposition figures and threatening freedom of expression in advance of national elections."


2018 Bangladesh election violence
On January 3, 2019, Human Rights Watch called for an investigation into attacks on members of the opposition parties before and during Bangladesh's elections.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Background
After the 1994-96 protest for neutral election time governments, Bangladesh amended the constitution to include a caretaker government system to oversee elections. Successive caretaker governments conducted free, fair and credible national elections in 1996, 2001 and 2008.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Background
In 2011, the Awami League led government in Bangladesh scrapped the provision for election time caretaker governments following a much debated Supreme Court ruling which declared the caretaker government system illegal, creating a political crisis in the country.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Background
The 2014 general election was then held under the supervision of the Awami League government and was boycotted by 30 of 42 registered political parties in the country, resulting in further deterioration of the political situation.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Background
In 2018, Bangladesh's election commission announced the schedule of another general election, which will again be held with the Awami League in power and its chief Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister. The election was set to take place on December 30, 2018.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Election schedule
Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda initially announced December 23, 2018 as the date of the general election. According to the schedule, the last date for filing candidate nomination papers was November 19, and the last date for withdrawal of candidates was November 29.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Election schedule
After public hue and cry, the commission rescheduled the election date to December 30, 2018, with December 9 as the last date for withdrawal of candidates on November 12.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Police harassment
BNP's candidate for the Dhaka-1 constituency Khondokar Abu Ashfaq was detained on December 11, 2018, while campaigning. The officer in charge of Dohar police, Md Sazzad, said he was detained "on security grounds." He was later freed.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Police harassment
As of December 21, Bangladesh police have detained 16 opposition party candidates who will be running for the election. In addition, Jatiya Oikya Front leaders have claimed that 21,000 activists of the alliance have been detained by police after the announcement of the election.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Police harassment
The list of candidates jailed by police before the election includes:


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Police harassment
Nazma Rahman, the wife of 20 Party Alliance candidate from Jhenaidaha-3 Motiar Rahman, was accused in a vandalism case on December 11, after police failed to nab her husband.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Police harassment
In Dhaka-16, BNP candidate Ahsanullah's wife Rina Hasan was obstructed by Awami League activists while campaigning with other women party members. After returning home local police arrested her, rather than taking any action against the Awami League activists.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Police harassment
On December 15, the Supreme Court Bar Association's Secretary General Mahbub Uddin Khokon, also the BNP candidate from Noakhali-1, alleged that he was shot by the local police while campaigning. Police Superintendent Ilias Sharif defended the attack, saying it was an attempt to bring the situation under control.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Police harassment
Following a December 20 attack on the BNP's Jhalakathi-2 candidate, Jeba Amin Khan, police arrested local BNP leaders instead of arresting the attackers.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Police harassment
Also on December 20, police pressed a charge sheet against Saiful Alam Nirob, BNP candidate in Dhaka-12, and 37 others, resulting in court issued arrest warrants in a case filed for assaulting police and preventing them from discharging their duties in December 2017.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Police harassment
Some reports stated that supporters of the opposition parties were arrested just before the Bangladesh elections occurred on December 30. The violence that erupted before election day left at least 17 people dead.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
No less than 100 candidates have been allegedly attacked by Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) men throughout the country. Even party leaders who are not taking part in the election were allegedly attacked in the open with police standing as spectators.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
Dr. Kamal Hossain, the leader of the Jatiya Oikya Front was attacked on December 14, 2018, while coming out of the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Dhaka along with A. S. M. Abdur Rab after paying homage to the martyred intellectuals of the Liberation War of Bangladesh.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
Bangladesh Nationalist Party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's motorcade was attacked at Thakurgaon while campaigning in his area.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
Several members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's National Standing Committee including Mirza Abbas, Moudud Ahmed and Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan were attacked during cthe campaign, on at least two separate occasions. Another National Standing Committee member, former minister and a Hindu minority leader of the party Gayeshwar Chandra Roy was brutally attacked just four days before the election.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
War veteran Oli Ahmad, the chief of the Liberal Democratic Party was attacked while campaigning at Chottogram.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
Other prominent leaders, including former minister Abdullah Al Noman of Chattogram-10, former minister Professor Abu Sayeed of Pabna-1, former minister Shah Moazzem Hossain of Munsiganj-1 and Supreme Court Bar Association Secretary General Mahbub Uddin Khokon of Noakhali-1 were attacked while campaigning. BNP Chairperson's advisor and BNP candidate from Pabna-4, Habibur Rahman Habib, was stabbed by Awami League activists while campaigning.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
Former Minister and Jatiya Oikya Front candidate Professor Abu Sayeed was the victim of 17-18 criminal attacks from December 10 to December 27, approximately one attack each day.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
Even women leaders were not spared, former minister Mirza Abbas's wife and BNP contender of Dhaka-9 Afroza Abbas, former minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku's wife Romana Mahmud of Sirajganj-2, former minister Ruhul Quddus Talukdar's wife Sabina Yasmin Chhobi of Natore-2, and Communist Party of Bangladesh candidate Jolly Talukdar were repeatedly attacked.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, chief of Nagorik Oikya, and candidate from Bogura-2, was attacked in Dhaka while campaigning for his party's candidate at Uttara.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
Former UN official and prominent economist Dr. Reza Kibria, the Jatiya Oikyafront candidate for Habiganj-1, came under attack in his constituency.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
Among other leaders Fariduzzaman, Jatiya Oikyafront candidate for Narail-2; GM Siraj, BNP candidate for Bogura-5; Sharifuzzaman, BNP candidate for Chuadanga-1; Manjurul Alam Bimol, 20-party candidate for Natore-1; Jeba Amin, BNP candidate for Jhalakathi-2; Azharul Islam Manna, BNP candidate for Narayanganj-3, Aminul Farid, Left Democratic Alliance candidate for Bogura-6; Jafrul Islam Chowdhury, BNP candidate for Chattogram-16; Irfan Ibne Aman, BNP candidate for Dhaka-2, and Zonayed Saki, Left Democratic Alliance candidate for Dhaka-12 were attacked in an incident during the campaign.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
Prominent Bangladeshi singer Kanak Chapa, BNP's candidate from Sirajganj-1 was forced to leave her constituency because she feared for her life.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
Former minister and independent candidate from Tangail 4, Abdul Latif Siddique was attacked in his area during the campaign. He subsequently withdrew from the election to protect his life.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Attacks on candidates
Jatiya Party leader Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury from Chottogram-16 was injured along with 30 of his supporters when miscreants opened fire on his motorcade during the campaign.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Violence, Incidents of death
As of December 30, 2018, at least fifteen political activists have died including 10 on election day in the run-up of the 2018 Bangladeshi general election.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Reactions
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has called upon the government to ensure an environment "free of violence, intimidation and coercion" before, during and after the elections and has placed emphasis on holding a peaceful, credible and inclusive poll.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Reactions
Referring to the ongoing violence in Bangladesh, global rights group Human Rights Watch's Asia Director Brad Adams said in a statement, "The Awami League government has been systematically cracking down on independent and opposition voices to ensure that the ruling party faces no obstacles to total political control." He added that, "Members and supporters of the main opposition parties have been arrested, killed, even disappeared, creating an atmosphere of fear and repression that is not consistent with credible elections."


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Reactions
US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Earl R. Miller commented that people from all parties were attacked during the campaign, but that opposition party members "bore the brunt" of the violence.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Reactions
The United States Department of State issued a statement on December 21, 2018, that the United States government is disappointed with the Government of Bangladesh's refusal to grant VISAs for the observers of the Asian Network for Free Elections.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Reactions
British Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field MP in a statement urged everyone in Bangladesh to refrain from further violence.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Reactions
A joint statement by 15 international election observers including the Asian Human Rights Commission and International Federation for Human Rights called the electoral environment of Bangladesh ahead of the 2018 election "undemocratic".


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Reactions
Bangladeshi rights group Ain O Salish Kendra, has condemned the attack on opposition men across the country in an official statement.


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Reactions
Jatiya Oikya Front's leader Dr. Kamal Hossain said, "The level of harassment is unprecedented and contrary to constitution."


2018 Bangladesh election violence, Reactions
Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam has downplayed the level of violence, opining that the violence is a part of elections in Bangladesh's political culture.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement
The 2018 Bangladesh Quota Reform Movement is an ongoing students' movement demanding reforms in policies regarding recruitment in the Bangladesh government services. Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Adhikar Sangrakshan Parishad (Bangladesh General Students' Right Conservation Council) initiated movement initially began in Shahbag and on Dhaka University campus on 17 February 2018, and eventually spread country-wide by 8 April 2018. The movement rapidly attained popularity among students of different universities and colleges forcing the government to announce changes in its policy.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Causes and demands
Under the existing Bangladesh government recruitment system, 56 percent of government job entry positions are reserved for specific "entitled" classes:  30 per cent for children/grandchildren of 1971 "freedom fighters," 10 per cent for women, 10 per cent is for districts based on population, 5 per cent for ethnic minorities, and 1 per cent for people with disabilities.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Causes and demands
As a result, only 44 percent of the job candidates are able to secure positions on the basis of merit, causing discontent among a large section of general students who say that they are deprived despite scoring higher than candidates who fall under any quota. Previous protests on the same issue were made in 2013 and 2008 but failed to bring change in government quota policy.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Causes and demands
In July 2018, protests and counter-violence erupted at various Bangladeshi universities, particularly the University of Rajshahi (RU), over the ‘quota reform movement,’ which sought to change the quota system. RU's vice-chancellor, Professor M. Abdus Sobhan, dismissed the quota-reform movement as an "anti-government movement with a motive to carry out sabotage."


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, March, 21 March
On 21 March 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced the quota system in government jobs for freedom fighters, their children and grandchildren will continue when a section of students and job-seekers were agitating seeking quota reform in government jobs.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, April, 8 April
On 8 April 2018, hundreds of students began protests in Shabag after 2 pm. The protesters under the name Council to Protect Students' Rights demanded the quota system reforms by bringing down quotas altogether to 10 percent and filling up vacant quota posts by candidates from the merit list. At 7.30 pm, police started lobbing teargas shells, charged baton and used water cannons on the crowd. At 8.30 pm, protesters were attacked by a group of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists led by DU unit General Secretary Motahar Hossain Prince. More than 160 protestors were injured in the clashes that took place at Dhaka University campus.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, April, 9 April
University students from all over Bangladesh boycotted classes, took out processions and blocked highways since morning to express solidarity with the demonstrators of the central program. Thousands of students of BUET, Rajshahi University, Jahangirnagar University, Chittagong University, Khulna University, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Islamic University, National Institute of Textile Engineering and Research, Barisal University, etc. participated in the demonstrations in respective cities. A delegation of protesters met Minister Obaidul Quader Chowdhury at the Secretariat in the afternoon.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, April, 9 April
Mr. Quader asked to postpone protests for one month so that the government may examine the quota system. But protesters refused to pause their programmes until there was specific announcements from the prime minister. Minister of Agriculture and presidium member of the ruling Awami League Matia Chowdhury made a controversial remark in Parliament by calling the quota reform protestors 'children of razakars'.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, April, 10 April
Students of Stamford University Bangladesh, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, East West University, North South University, Daffodil International University, Eastern University (Bangladesh), Independent University, United International University, American International University of Bangladesh and University of Information Technology and Science took to different streets in Dhaka and blocked a number of key thoroughfares for several hours. Leaders of Bangladesh Shadharan Chhatra Odhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad called for a nationwide road blockade and strike at universities and colleges from 11 April 2018.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, April, 11 April
After midnight, Iffat Jahan Esha, the president of Sufia Kamal hall unit of BCL tortured and wounded a female student named Morsheda in Sufia Kamal Hall of DU for participating in quota reform protests. Photo and video of the incident quickly went viral on different social networking sites which drew attention to other general students. At 1 am, around 5,000 students of the university thronged in front of the Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall and took position in front of the gate in protest of the incident. Members of Chhatra League tried to block the protesters from getting out of halls to demonstrate by locking gates and threatening them, but protesters eventually broken down the locked gate at Bijay Ekattor Hall and came out.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, April, 11 April
Resuming the ongoing agitation demanding quota reforms in government jobs, students made demonstrations in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Comilla and other places. Many roads including two major highways were blocked by students of University of Dhaka, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Jahangirnagar University, Islamic University, Kushtia, and other institutions. Dhaka-Rajshahi highway remained blocked since morning by several hundred students of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET). More than 6,000 protesters blocked the CDA Avenue in Chittagong.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, April, 11 April
In a speech delivered in Parliament, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina criticised the protesters for creating public sufferings and angrily said: "Alright then, there won't be any quotas. There is no need for quotas. They will take BCS exams and get jobs on their merit". While many protesters rejoiced this statement as fulfillment of their demands, others remained skeptic about the commitment of the government and opted to wait until more specific declaration from the government regarding reformation of quota system is made.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, April, 12 April
Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad officially announced the end of quota movement and leader of this organization Nurul Haq Nur called Sheikh Hasina the Mother of Education. They demanded medical expenses for the injured students, release of the arrested students, and overall security for all of students.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, April, 12 April
Chhatra League has expelled 22 students from residential halls to participate in the quota reform movement at the Islamic University, However, they are given the opportunity to return to the residential hall.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, May–June, 2 May
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reaffirmed abolition of quota during a press conference at Ganabhaban, Dhaka on 2 May 2018.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, May–June, 30 June
The students started second phase of protests saying there has been no sign of quota reform implementation after three months had been passed since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's announcement in Parliament. Protesting students came under several attacks by BCL in Dhaka University and Rajshahi University.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, May–June, 30 June
Members of quota reform movement scheduled a press briefing on 30 June 2018 at Dhaka University campus but could not hold it as they were attacked allegedly by the members of BCL.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, July, 2 July
When students were staging a demonstration demanding quota system reform at Dhaka University campus, then at point Faruk Hasan (joint convener, Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra Odhikar Sangrakkhan Parishad) was snatched away allegedly by a group of BCL men. Moriom Mannan, a first year honours student of Political Science department at Tejgaon College, who joined the protests that day, came to rescue Faruk, but she herself experienced physical assault, verbal abuse and mental tortures allegedly inflicted by activists against quota reform movement and policemen.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, July, 2 July
Later that day Faruk Hasan went on traceless after being picked up by BCL men allegedly from central Shaheed Minar area.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, July, 2 July Rajshahi University attack
On 2 July 2018, during their protest march near the main gate of RU, a master's student and joint convenor of the quota reform movement at the same university, Toriqul Islam, and 15 others, were attacked by some BCL men, including several local BCL officers, as nearby police stood still. Toriqul Islam was beaten with a hammer and sticks and other weapons, resulting in multiple leg fractures and severe head injury.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, July, 2 July Rajshahi University attack
A video footage shot by Reporter , of The Daily star, covering the quota reform protests, during the attack allegedly showed the following attackers. Later the reporter Arafat Rahaman was recognised as the Best Photographer of the year-2018 for capturing the incident. :


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, July, 3 July
Guardians and teachers of students, rights activists, and eminent citizens scheduled to hold a rally protest the continued attacks, torture and arrest of quota reform activists in front of the Jatiya Press Club at 4:00pm under the banner of "Udbigno Obhibhabok O Nagorik” (worried guardians and citizens). But Police barred demonstrators from holding the event claiming that they did not allow the programme as the demonstrators did not have the permission. When the demonstrators tried to assemble, Azimul Haque, additional deputy commissioner of police (Ramna Division), commanded his men to arrest whoever tries to take position there.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, July, 3 July
On the same day, Faruk Hassan was shown arrested in a police assault case of Shahbagh police station.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, July, 12 July
While addressing the parliament on 12 July 2018 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that it is impossible to reform the freedom fighters' quota in public jobs because of a High Court verdict.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, July, 17 July
While speaking at a function through video-conferencing from the Gono Bhaban on 17 July 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina explained her earlier declaration (on 11 April 2018) of quota system removal was because there had been an anarchic situation created in the name of anti-quota movement.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, July, 18 July
Under the banner of "All Combined Departments", around 500 students from different departments of Dhaka University formed a human chain on the Central Shaheed Minar premises in Dhaka, demanding exemplary punishment for those who attacked the quota reformists. Holding various placards protesting the recent attacks, they also demanded the release of quota reform leaders who were under arrest and a safe campus for all. Expressing solidarity with the students, assistant professor of DU's economics department Rushad Faridi attended the program.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Timeline, July, 18 July
Besides, students of the university's history department formed a human chain at the Aparejeyo Bangla premises, protesting the recent attack on their fellow student Tanzir Hossain Sarker and demanded a safe campus for students. Associate professors Golam Saklayen Saki and MM Kawser were present at the human chain joined by around 200 students of the department. Later, the students brought out a silent procession from the spot. Boycotting regular classes and examinations, several hundred students of Jahangirnagar University also formed a human chain on the campus protesting the recent spate of attacks on some teachers and students and demanded reformation in the existing quota system.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Concern over attack on quota reformists
The Embassy of Germany, USA, Norway, Switzerland and few other countries in Dhaka expressed their concern over the 'brutal attacks' on peaceful demonstration of the quota reform protesters.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Against quota reform protest
Some politicians and university teachers have expressed their position against quota reform protest. Among them, Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman, Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University has compared the activities of quota reform protesters with that of Islamist militant outfits like the Taliban, Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram. He also compared the protests by female students at Dhaka University dormitory a characteristic of militant outfits pointing out that the militant outfits use women and children as their last resort. Vice Chancellor of RU, M Abdus Sobhan, also condemned the protest by saying that it is not a quota reform movement rather it is an anti-government movement. Dr. Muhammed Zafar Iqbal expressed that protesters were agitated at freedom fighters & thus disrespected freedom fighters' families.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Arrests
According to Bangladesh police, more than 16 quota reform protesters including Muhammad Rashed Khan, Faruk Hossain, Tariqul Islam, Josim Uddin, Mashiur were arrested between April, 2018 and July, 2018.


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Outcome
In the wake of the movement, the Cabinet of the Government of Bangladesh on October 3, 2018, issued a circular dismissing the quota system for recruitment in the ninth to thirteenth grades (formerly known as first and second class jobs).


2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement, Outcome
On July 30, 2019, the government said, there is no quota in recruitment in 1st and 2nd class post (9th to 13th grade) at present, the quota for the post of 3rd and 4th class (14th to 20th grade) is still in force, but if no candidate of the relevant quota is found, it has to be filled from the merit list of the general candidate. In addition to clarifying the previous circular on quotas issued on January 20, 2020, the cabinet also approved a proposal provided by the Ministry of Public Administration to cancel quotas on direct appointments to eighth or higher grade posts in government jobs.


2018 Bangladesh road-safety protests
A series of public protests in Bangladesh advocating improved road safety were held from 29 July to 8 August 2018. They were sparked by the deaths of two high-school students in Dhaka struck by a bus operated by an unlicensed driver who was racing to collect passengers. The incident impelled students to demand safer roads and stricter traffic laws, and the demonstrations rapidly spread throughout Bangladesh.


2018 Bangladesh road-safety protests
The protests were peaceful until 2 August, when police attempted to disperse the demonstrators with tear gas and people believed to be members of a pro-government youth league attacked protesters and journalists. The government arrested several protesters and a photographer for giving an interview about the protests to international media. Various international organisations and high-profile figures expressed solidarity with the protesters. The crack-down on the student protesters received high criticism both domestically and internationally.


2018 Bangladesh road-safety protests
The third Sheikh Hasina Cabinet approved on 6 August a draft traffic act stipulating capital punishment for intentional killing and a maximum five-year prison sentence for accidental killing with a motor vehicle. The protesters felt that the maximum five-year sentence was too light for accidental deaths due to reckless driving. By 8 August, the situation in the city had returned to normal, most students had returned to their classes and traffic had resumed as normal, with many sources stating that the nine-day protests were over.


2018 Bangladesh road-safety protests, Background
Bus services in Dhaka are notoriously unregulated and accident-prone. Although many traffic laws and regulations were passed by the parliament, it had not been put into action. Research by the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways showed that more than 4,200 people were killed and 16,100 others were injured in road accidents in Dhaka in 2017. It is estimated that approximately 2.4 million vehicles are being driven by unqualified drivers in Dhaka in 2018. The deaths of two students had led to these protests.


2018 Bangladesh road-safety protests, Protests
The protests started on 29 July 2018 after two students of Shaheed Romijuddin Cantonment College were killed when a speeding bus ploughed into a bus stop on Airport Road, Dhaka. The vehicle had been racing another bus to pick up passengers when it drifted onto the sidewalk, killing the two and injuring 12 others. Hundreds of students poured into the streets demanding justice for the incident. The bus responsible for the crash was run by Jabal-e-Nur Paribahan and owned by Shahadat Hossain, who was later arrested. It was later revealed that three buses were involved in the incident. All three drivers were arrested, along with two assistants.


2018 Bangladesh road-safety protests, Protests
Hours later, journalists spoke with Shajahan Khan, Bangladeshi Minister of Shipping, who is also the Executive President of Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, who said, "a road crash has claimed 33 lives in India's Maharashtra; but do they talk about it like the way we do?" His remark and smile were highly criticised by citizens and triggered protests in other areas of the country, and the protesters started demanding his apology.