State Minister for Land Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin has directed field-level officials to be more active in ensuring efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly land services. He emphasized that the true owners of land are the people and that officials must remain dedicated to serving them. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday, April 21, during his visit to the Land Building at Satrasta in Dhaka.

During the inspection, he was accompanied by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Land A S M Saleh Ahmed, Director General of the Land Record and Survey Department Dr. Md. Mahmud Hasan, Additional Secretary (Development Division) Md. Emdadul Haque Chowdhury, and his Private Secretary Md. Ashraful Islam. The minister visited several facilities, including the Land Museum, Child Daycare Center, Social Media Monitoring Cell, Land Service Center, and Land Service Call Center.

He instructed officials to maintain efficiency and cleanliness in their offices, ensure timely attendance, and avoid delays in public service delivery. The minister stressed that all tasks should be completed promptly to uphold a dynamic and responsive land administration.

Thirteen women nominated by the 11-party electoral alliance submitted their nomination papers for reserved seats in the Bangladesh National Parliament on Tuesday at the Election Commission office. Alliance coordinator and Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad said the women members would work to fulfill national expectations and advance women’s interests. He added that they would cooperate with the government on just and welfare-oriented initiatives but take a firm stand against any anti-people decisions.

Azad reiterated Jamaat’s policy that no two members from the same family should serve in parliament, explaining why the party leader’s wife was not nominated this time. He emphasized that Jamaat has many capable female leaders ready to contribute to national development. Female nominees, including Nurunnisa Siddika and Rokeya Begum, expressed commitments to represent women’s aspirations, uphold justice for July uprising victims, and balance family, parliamentary, and street-level responsibilities.

Nominees also included representatives from the National Citizen Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, and Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish, reflecting the alliance’s multi-party composition. The Election Commission is scheduled to scrutinize the nomination papers tomorrow.

A clash erupted between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the Mouchak area of Kaliakoir, Gazipur, on Tuesday morning over control of a jhoot (garment waste) business linked to Hope Loan Intimate Limited. Several people were injured during the confrontation, and a crude bomb, locally known as a cocktail, exploded at the scene. Witnesses said the altercation involved groups led by Harun and Farhad, during which attackers vandalized BNP leader Harun’s car. Police arrived after the groups had dispersed and recovered an unexploded cocktail from the site.

According to Mouchak police outpost in-charge Shamim Akter, no formal complaint had been filed as of the report’s publication. Authorities stated that further action would be taken if a complaint was lodged and an investigation deemed necessary.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions within local BNP factions over control of business interests in the area, though no immediate arrests or charges were reported.

Four members of the Bangladesh Christian Association have joined the youth wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), known as Jatiyo Juboshokti. The joining ceremony took place on Monday, April 20, at the organization’s central office in Rupayan Tower, Banglamotor, Dhaka. The new members are Jackson Gomez, Russell Roman Rosario, Himel Gomez, and Jibon Slan.

The event was attended by Jatiyo Juboshokti Convener Advocate Tarikul Islam, who is also the NCP’s mayoral candidate for the Cumilla City Corporation election, along with Member Secretary Dr. Zahidul Islam and Chief Organizer Forhad Sohel. The leaders welcomed the new entrants with flowers during the ceremony.

Chief Organizer Forhad Sohel stated that the specific responsibilities of the newly joined leaders will be announced later. No further details about their future roles or political plans were disclosed in the report.

Shammi Akter from Goshapara village in Chunarughat, Habiganj, has been nominated for a second term as a Member of Parliament under the BNP’s reserved women’s seat list announced on Monday. Her name appears among 36 candidates selected by the party. Shammi currently serves as a member of the BNP’s media cell, assistant secretary for local government affairs in the central committee, and joint convener of the Habiganj district BNP.

Family sources said Shammi’s political journey began during her student life at Dhaka University, inspired by the ideals of former president Ziaur Rahman and the leadership of Khaleda Zia. Known for her active role in street movements, she earned the nickname “Agnikonna” for her courage. In 2008, at age 33, she first entered Parliament through a reserved seat, gaining attention for her strong and logical speeches.

Local BNP leaders described her new nomination as recognition of her dedication and a matter of pride for Chunarughat and Habiganj residents. Shammi said the nomination is both an honor and a responsibility, pledging lifelong commitment to her party’s ideals.

Member of Parliament Principal Selim Bhuiyan from Cumilla-2 entered an SSC examination center in Homna upazila and broadcasted a Facebook Live during the ongoing exam on Tuesday morning. The incident took place at a government high school, drawing widespread criticism for breaching examination rules. Despite strict security and restrictions, the MP entered the center and streamed the environment and activities inside, asking students about the exam’s difficulty and their performance.

Parents and students reported feeling disturbed, claiming the live broadcast distracted examinees and wasted valuable time. One guardian said the MP streamed for about ten minutes, which disrupted students’ concentration. Education officials noted that such actions violated ministry guidelines prohibiting unauthorized entry and the use of digital devices inside exam centers.

Local administrators confirmed that only designated teachers and the center secretary are allowed inside, and even they must use analog devices. MP Bhuiyan later said he visited to check on students’ well-being and was unaware that livestreaming was not permitted.

US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized several American media outlets for their coverage of a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. In multiple posts on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump singled out CNN and other networks, accusing them of failing to credit US pilots for what he described as a successful operation called “Operation Midnight Hammer,” which he claimed destroyed Iran’s nuclear sites.

Trump alleged that the media were downplaying US achievements and spreading misleading narratives. He asserted that the United States was “winning by a large margin” in its conflict with Iran, but said reports from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post portrayed the situation as if the US were losing. He further accused these outlets of helping Iran by confusing its leadership through biased reporting.

The statements, reported by Al Jazeera, reflect ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and major US media organizations over coverage of foreign policy and military actions.

A violent clash erupted between two rival groups in Meghna upazila of Cumilla on Monday afternoon, reportedly over political rivalry and longstanding enmity. The confrontation took place in Maisharchar village under Chalivanga Union, where both sides used local weapons, including spears. During the violence, a duplex house belonging to one faction was allegedly set on fire, leaving at least four people injured.

According to police and local sources, the conflict involved the BNP-aligned Salam group and the Awami League–aligned Monowar Member group, who have been engaged in disputes and legal battles over local dominance. The situation escalated following a minor altercation on Saturday, culminating in Monday’s large-scale clash. Police arrived at the scene to bring the situation under control.

Local officials confirmed that the fire caused significant damage and spread panic in the area. Injured individuals were taken to nearby hospitals, though most identities remain unknown. Authorities stated that legal action will follow if formal complaints are filed.

Police in Araihazar, Narayanganj, have arrested Mamunur Rashid, the former president of the now-banned Chhatra League unit in the upazila and a mayoral candidate for Araihazar Municipality. The arrest took place around 1 a.m. on Monday, April 20, at his residence in the Nagrapara area of Araihazar Municipality.

According to the Officer-in-Charge of Araihazar Police Station, Md. Alauddin, authorities are currently verifying whether any cases are filed against Mamunur Rashid. He stated that legal action will be taken following the review. No further details about the reasons for the arrest or the charges, if any, were provided in the report.

The incident marks a notable development in local political affairs, as Mamunur Rashid previously held a leadership role in a banned political student organization and was seeking municipal office.

A violent clash broke out at Chittagong Government City College on April 21, 2026, between activists of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir. The confrontation began after a graffiti related to the 'July-August' movement was altered, replacing the word 'student' with 'Gupta'. The incident led to an hour-long chase and counter-chase, prompting the college authorities to suspend internal classes and exams temporarily. However, degree and master’s level exams under the National University continued as scheduled.

According to college and local sources, the graffiti originally read 'student politics and Chhatra League-free campus'. The alteration, allegedly led by Chhatra Dal’s joint convener Abdullah Al Mamun, triggered outrage after a video circulated on social media. Shibir leaders accused Chhatra Dal of launching an unprovoked attack, while Chhatra Dal leaders claimed they were investigating the graffiti issue and emphasized the need for peaceful coexistence on campus.

Police were deployed to restore order, and teachers helped calm the situation. The college principal confirmed that the situation had returned to normal, though internal academic activities remained suspended for the day.

US Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has announced her resignation from the Trump administration. In a message released on Monday, she said that although her tenure in office has ended, she will continue working for American workers and plans to return to the private sector.

Speculation about her departure had circulated for weeks, following recent removals of Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi from the administration. The White House communications director, Steven Cheung, praised Chavez-DeRemer’s service, calling her tenure “outstanding.” However, her time in office was marked by multiple controversies. Reports alleged that she, her aides, and family members sent personal messages to young female staffers and used staff for personal errands during official trips. Her husband and father also faced allegations of inappropriate contact with young female employees, prompting an internal investigation that led to the removal of four officials, including her former chief and deputy chief of staff.

At least three employees reportedly filed civil rights complaints citing a hostile work environment. Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling will serve as acting secretary until a permanent replacement is named.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s political and agriculture adviser Nazrul Islam Khan at the Prime Minister’s Tejgaon office on Tuesday morning. The meeting focused on issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and China.

During the discussion, both sides emphasized strengthening cooperation in agriculture, forestry, and education. They discussed modern agricultural technology, forestation for environmental conservation, and skill development programs in the education sector. Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan sought more active Chinese involvement in these areas.

Ambassador Yao Wen assured that China would continue its cooperation in various development sectors in Bangladesh. The meeting was also attended by Cultural Counsellor Li Xiaopeng and Second Secretary Huang Maocong from the Chinese Embassy.

China has expressed full support for Pakistan’s efforts to advance peace talks between the United States and Iran. The statement came from China’s ambassador to Pakistan, who praised Islamabad’s initiative to facilitate dialogue between the two countries.

According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong to discuss regional developments. During the meeting, Jiang commended Pakistan’s continued efforts to ease communication between Washington and Tehran, describing them as helpful for ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond.

The discussion underscores China’s backing of Pakistan’s diplomatic role in regional peacebuilding, particularly in fostering dialogue between the US and Iran.

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has announced that both its Appellate and High Court Divisions will conduct court sessions virtually every Wednesday and Thursday each week. The decision was conveyed through a notice signed by Registrar General Muhammad Habibur Rahman Siddiqui under the directive of the Chief Justice. The new arrangement will take effect on April 22, 2026, and remain in force until further notice.

According to the notice, the move considers the current global energy situation and will be implemented under the Information Technology Use Act 2020 and the Supreme Court’s existing practice directions. On other working days, court proceedings will continue in person. Daily cause lists and virtual meeting IDs for cases eligible for virtual hearings will be published on the Supreme Court’s official website and can also be obtained from the respective benches.

The directive aims to ensure judicial continuity while adapting to energy and technological considerations, marking a structured integration of virtual proceedings into the court’s weekly operations.

A total of 150 students from educational institutions in Dhaka will be allowed to attend the 13th National Parliament session under six specific conditions. The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education announced the decision on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. According to the notice, 100 students will be selected from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, 25 from the Directorate of Technical Education, and 25 from the Directorate of Madrasa Education. Seats have been allocated in the visitor galleries, including 50 in the children’s gallery and 100 in the Shiuli/Shimul galleries.

The initiative follows a request from the Minister of Education and the Minister of Primary and Mass Education, Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan, to facilitate student participation in parliamentary proceedings. The conditions include prior application through institutional channels, submission of identification documents, mandatory security checks, and restrictions on carrying electronic devices or food. Students must wear modest attire or uniforms and follow all instructions from on-duty officials.

Authorities retain the right to revoke permission without explanation, ensuring strict adherence to the rules during the parliamentary visit.