The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has finalized its list of candidates for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament. Among the 36 nominees announced, Selima Rahman, a member of the party’s National Standing Committee, has drawn the most attention. The announcement was made on April 20, 2026, at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, by Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The nomination process followed interviews held at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan, chaired by Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

According to party sources and political observers cited in the report, Selima Rahman was given special consideration due to her long political experience, organizational skills, and clean image. She previously served as State Minister for Cultural Affairs from 2001 to 2006 and currently holds the position of Vice Chairman in the central BNP. Hailing from Bahechar village in Dehergati Union of Babuganj, Barishal, she is the daughter of late Justice Abdul Jabbar Khan, a former Speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly.

Political analysts believe her nomination sends a positive signal for BNP and could strengthen the party’s position in the upcoming parliament once the list is submitted to the Election Commission for formal procedures.

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Abdullah Jafar bin Abiyah, paid a courtesy call on Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the ministry office in Dhaka on Monday. During the meeting, both sides discussed law and order, security issues, the issuance of Bangladeshi passports to 69,000 Rohingya living in Saudi Arabia, and ways to expand Saudi investment in Bangladesh’s tourism and energy sectors.

The home minister welcomed the ambassador and described Saudi Arabia as one of Bangladesh’s closest partners. He highlighted opportunities for cooperation beyond manpower export, urging officials to explore new areas of collaboration. The ambassador emphasized expediting the passport process for Rohingya residents, to which the minister responded that 22,000 passports had already been issued based on proper documentation. He warned that any corruption or irregularities in passport issuance would not be tolerated.

The ambassador invited the minister to visit Saudi Arabia with a high-level delegation to strengthen bilateral ties. The minister thanked him and indicated that a visit could take place in early July.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman officially inaugurated the long-awaited Bogura City Corporation at 11:10 a.m. on April 20, 2026. During the ceremony, he called on residents to take responsibility for keeping their city clean. The event marked the fulfillment of a major local demand, with large numbers of people gathering along the streets to greet him.

Before the inauguration, Rahman traveled by road from Dhaka at 6:10 a.m. and arrived in Bogura at 10:06 a.m. He unveiled the plaque of the newly constructed Bogura Bar Association building at 11:00 a.m. and addressed a meeting at the district court, emphasizing respect for the rule of law and stating that justice is a constitutional right, not an act of mercy. He then walked to the Bogura municipality, greeting citizens and party supporters along the way.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that his government would resume development works in Bogura, including roads and drainage projects, similar to those undertaken between 2001 and 2006.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Political Affairs Adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that the people of Bangladesh want a strong law to replace the existing disappearance ordinance by closing its loopholes and deficiencies. He made the remarks on Monday at a discussion and prayer meeting held at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, marking the disappearance of former BNP organizing secretary Ilias Ali and his driver.

Rizvi stated that the country is moving from a difficult period toward better times, but true progress will come only when the rule of law is ensured and justice is accessible to all citizens. He acknowledged the government’s initiative to repeal the disappearance ordinance but criticized it for leaving many gaps. He urged the government to pass an effective law in parliament to prevent any future administration from using enforced disappearances as a political tool.

He further emphasized that missing political activists must be traced and those responsible brought to justice, while also calling for measures to stop market manipulation and abuse of power by any group.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei announced that Tehran will not participate in discussions with the United States in Islamabad. He stated that the U.S. has not learned from its past experiences and warned that such behavior would not yield positive outcomes. Baghaei added that a ten-point proposal had been submitted and discussed in Islamabad, noting that the Strait of Hormuz had been secure before recent U.S. and Israeli attacks.

According to Baghaei, Iran had clearly communicated its position to the Pakistani mediator, while the United States claimed that the ceasefire agreement did not include Lebanon. He accused Washington of imposing a naval blockade against Iran and attacking an Iranian vessel, actions he described as violations of the ceasefire and international law.

The spokesperson further alleged that the United States had twice breached agreements and attacked Iran, resulting in the deaths of Iranian citizens. The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has published its list of 36 candidates for the reserved women’s seats in the national parliament. The announcement was made on Monday afternoon by Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General and Adviser to the Prime Minister. The list includes prominent BNP leaders such as Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, Rasheda Begum Hira, Rehana Akter Ranu, and several others.

According to the announcement, the full list comprises 36 names, representing women from different parts of the country and various levels of the party’s leadership. The publication of the list marks a key step in BNP’s internal nomination process for the reserved seats, which are allocated to ensure women’s representation in parliament.

The release of the list signals BNP’s readiness to participate in the parliamentary process concerning the reserved women’s seats, though further procedural steps were not detailed in the announcement.

Iran has announced that it has no plans to participate in peace talks with the United States. According to reports published by Iranian state media on Sunday, the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains the main obstacle to any dialogue. Tensions have escalated further following attacks and seizures of Iranian ships by U.S. military forces.

Citing the state broadcaster IRIB, the report stated that there is currently no plan to take part in the next round of discussions. Earlier, news agencies Fars and Tasnim, quoting unnamed sources, said the overall situation cannot be described as positive and that lifting the U.S. blockade is a condition for any talks. The state-run IRNA also referred to Washington’s “unreasonable and unrealistic demands,” saying there is no clear prospect for productive negotiations under the current circumstances.

The report comes as diplomatic efforts remain stalled, with both sides maintaining firm positions over sanctions and maritime security issues.

A Jerusalem court has postponed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled testimony in his ongoing corruption trial this week, according to local media reports. Netanyahu’s lawyer requested the cancellation of the testimony, citing “security and diplomatic” reasons. The trial, which began in 2019, involves three separate corruption charges and is currently at the stage of Netanyahu’s cross-examination.

This is not the first delay in the proceedings. The report notes that Netanyahu’s court appearances have been postponed multiple times in the past, often due to military tensions and conflicts involving Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Each postponement has contributed to extending the duration of the trial.

The latest decision is expected to further delay the judicial process, adding to the already lengthy timeline of the case.

Iran has clarified its stance on potential discussions with the United States, stating that it will continue talks but not at any cost. Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee and a former IRGC commander, said that engaging in dialogue does not mean Iran will accept all conditions or methods proposed by the other side. He emphasized that Iran has set certain 'red lines' that must be respected.

When asked whether Iran would send a delegation to a possible meeting in Islamabad, Azizi indicated that the decision depends on whether Tehran receives a positive signal. He noted that Iran has never feared the principle of negotiation and could see positive prospects if the US negotiating team responds constructively to Iran’s messages.

The statement underscores that while Iran remains open to dialogue, it intends to uphold its own terms and conditions in any future engagement with Washington.

Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran on April 20, 2026, to show support for their government and call on officials not to back down amid tensions with the United States. Participants voiced distrust toward Washington and urged continued diplomatic efforts while maintaining a firm stance. The rally featured strong nationalist sentiment and calls for resistance against perceived external threats.

Several attendees expressed frustration over what they described as broken U.S. promises and agreements. One participant, Masoumeh Alimohammadi, told Reuters that Iran should pursue diplomacy but remain wary of the United States. Another, Hamidreza Heidari, declared that Iranians “do not fear war” and insisted that Iran would respond with greater strength if attacked. Negin Gholizadeh urged the government to continue resisting U.S. pressure, referencing a recent episode she viewed as a sign of American retreat.

The demonstration reflected ongoing public support for Iran’s leadership amid strained relations with the United States and Israel, as reported by Al Jazeera.

After a long wait, the 150-year-old Bogura Municipality is being upgraded to a city corporation today, Monday, April 20, 2026. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will formally inaugurate the new Bogura City Corporation during his visit to the district. All preparations have been completed for the event, which will make Bogura the country’s 13th city corporation and recognize it as a metropolitan area, according to municipal officials.

Bogura’s municipal history dates back to 1869, when the Bogura Town Committee was formed under British rule. Over time, the municipality expanded in size and population, reaching 69.56 square kilometers with 21 wards and about 700,000 residents. Despite fulfilling all criteria for city corporation status, Bogura remained a municipality for decades, which locals attributed to political neglect. The interim government approved the upgrade following recommendations from local authorities and the Ministry of Local Government.

Local BNP leaders said the city’s transformation fulfills a long-cherished dream of residents and expressed hope that Bogura will now develop as a model city corporation under the new administration.

Pakistan is intensifying preparations for a possible second round of talks, with strict security measures in place across key areas of Islamabad, including the Red Zone. Several roads have been closed, creating a partial lockdown atmosphere in the capital. Over the past 24 hours, multiple U.S. military transport aircraft, including C-17 Globemasters, have reportedly landed in Islamabad, carrying advance teams, security personnel, and armored vehicles. More aircraft are expected to arrive.

Iran’s participation in the upcoming discussions remains uncertain, though Pakistan continues active diplomatic engagement. The country’s Chief of Defense Forces recently completed a three-day visit to Tehran, viewed as part of efforts to manage the evolving situation.

The arrival of U.S. representatives suggests a strong likelihood that the talks will proceed, but recent tensions and firm rhetoric from both sides have cast uncertainty over the outcome. The direction of developments now depends on the diplomatic positions and decisions of the involved parties.

Iran has accused the United States of breaking promises and betraying diplomacy, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, as reported by Al Jazeera. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made the remarks during a phone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying that the U.S. repeatedly violated commitments during talks and ceasefire periods and acted in an oppressive and unreasonable manner.

Pezeshkian stated that the so-called naval blockade against Iran constitutes a provocative and illegal act, violating the ceasefire agreement and contradicting the United Nations Charter. He emphasized that U.S. officials’ threatening statements and such actions have deepened distrust about Washington’s sincerity and revealed that the U.S. intends to repeat its previous patterns of behavior and betray diplomacy once again.

The Iranian president further asserted that Iran would defend its territorial integrity against any new adventurism by the United States and the Zionist regime.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian held a warm and friendly phone conversation on Sunday, according to a statement from the Pakistani government. During the 45-minute call, Sharif assured Pezeshkian that Pakistan would continue its sincere efforts to promote regional peace and security. He also thanked Iran for sending a high-level delegation to Islamabad last week for discussions with the United States.

However, the statement did not specify when the next round of talks would take place. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that an American delegation was heading to Pakistan for discussions with Iran, but Tehran has not officially confirmed any such meeting. Iranian media reported that participation in a second round of talks remains uncertain, despite earlier reports suggesting an Iranian delegation might arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday.

As a result, uncertainty continues to surround the potential meeting between the two countries and the United States, with no confirmed schedule or official acknowledgment from Iran.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir left Dhaka for China on Sunday night at 10:10 p.m. on a China Air flight. His visit comes at the invitation of the Chinese government, according to BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan. Before his departure from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh met Fakhrul for a courtesy call and saw him off. Fakhrul is accompanied by his assistant private secretary Yunus Ali.

Earlier, on April 15, another BNP delegation traveled to China at the invitation of the Chinese government. That delegation was led by Ismail Jabiuallah, a member of the BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council and the Prime Minister’s Adviser, along with several other senior BNP leaders. The visits reflect ongoing exchanges between the BNP and Chinese officials.

The source does not specify the duration or agenda of Fakhrul’s visit, leaving the purpose and expected outcomes of the trip unclear.