A Dhaka court on Tuesday evening granted bail to Youth Mahila League leader Shilpi Begum in an attempted murder case linked to the July movement. The order came just hours after she was sent to jail with her one-and-a-half-month-old baby. The bail was granted by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, and her lawyer Farzana Yasmin Rakhi confirmed the decision, expressing hope that Begum would be released the next day.

Shilpi Begum, affiliated with the 26th ward of Dhaka North Youth Mahila League, had been arrested Monday evening from Tejkunipara Railway Colony. She was accused of directing an attack on the home of Dhaka University student Tahmid Mubin Ratul, who was injured during an anti-discrimination protest on July 16, 2024. The assault allegedly caused property damage worth five lakh taka and theft of goods valued at three lakh taka. The case, filed on January 25 last year, named 103 individuals including former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

The court had initially denied bail despite her lawyer’s plea citing her recent childbirth, but the decision was reversed later in the day, allowing her conditional release.

A violent clash broke out between activists of the BNP and the NCP in Narayanganj Sadar upazila on Tuesday afternoon over the submission of lease tenders for the Rajapur ferry terminal. The confrontation began at the Sadar Upazila Parishad premises when both groups gathered to submit tenders. Witnesses said the dispute escalated into a chase and counter-chase, spreading panic in the area. Police from Fatullah Model Station arrived quickly and brought the situation under control, though tension remained.

Narayanganj district NCP leaders alleged that BNP activists led by local leaders attacked them without provocation, preventing them from submitting their tenders. They claimed they had followed proper procedures but were targeted by politically motivated violence. In response, BNP’s youth wing leaders denied the allegations, saying they had reached a consensus with NCP and Jamaat leaders earlier and were surprised by the sudden unrest.

Police stated that legal action would be taken against those responsible for obstructing government work and creating disorder, pending investigation.

Md. Sakhawat Hossain, previously Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, has been promoted to the position of Secretary of the same ministry. The appointment was confirmed through a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Tuesday night. The current Secretary of the Ministry, Abu Taher Md. Masud Rana, has been transferred to the Ministry of Food.

In the same set of administrative changes, Md. Firoz Sarkar, Secretary of the Ministry of Food, has been reassigned as Secretary of the Statistics and Information Management Division. The official order stated that these transfers and promotions were made in the public interest and would take immediate effect.

These changes reflect a routine reshuffle within the government’s senior bureaucracy, aimed at ensuring administrative efficiency across key ministries.

German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Rüdiger Lotz paid a courtesy call on Opposition Leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at his parliamentary office in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon. The meeting was attended by the embassy’s Political and Press Officer Sharlina Nuzhat Kabir. According to Jamaat sources, the discussion took place in a cordial atmosphere and covered topics including the strengthening of parliamentary democracy, the July Charter, and the referendum.

During the meeting, the German side expressed its interest in seeing good governance and accountability in Bangladesh. Dr. Rahman reiterated Jamaat-e-Islami’s commitment to the July Charter and public mandate, emphasizing the party’s desire for qualitative change and reform to prevent the return of one-party rule. Both sides also discussed the need to reinforce democratic institutions and ensure sustainable democracy in Bangladesh.

The participants expressed optimism about enhancing future bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Germany in trade, investment, economic collaboration, education, and skills development.

Iran has declared that it will not surrender to U.S. pressure following recent warnings from President Donald Trump. Senior Iranian officials said the country has made 'astonishing' military preparations to face any potential attack. Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s correspondent Ali Hashem noted that Iran had already clarified its stance against capitulation under American pressure.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran would not yield or join any talks under blockade conditions, warning that the nation is ready with many 'surprises' if war resumes. The Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, Iran’s top military command, announced full readiness to repel any assault. Multiple government officials, including from the judiciary, have expressed concern over the possibility of a major attack on Iran.

Officials have conveyed to the public that rejecting negotiations or surrender under siege could heighten the risk of war, emphasizing Tehran’s preference for military preparedness over accepting U.S. terms.

Tasnim Jara has stated that she declined an offer to become a Member of Parliament through a reserved seat in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament. In a verified Facebook post on April 21, 2026, she said she turned down the proposal with gratitude, emphasizing her belief that women should enter parliament through direct public voting rather than party nominations.

In her post, Jara explained that accepting a reserved seat would contradict her long-held stance that such positions should be filled by direct elections. She argued that representatives elected by citizens are accountable to their voters, while those appointed through party nominations lack a direct constituency. Jara also noted that women constitute more than half of Bangladesh’s population and deserve representation through democratic processes.

Jara previously contested as an independent candidate in Dhaka-9, receiving over 44,000 votes despite limited campaigning. She affirmed her commitment to continue working for society outside parliament and reiterated that if she ever enters parliament, it will be through the people’s vote.

A five-member investigation committee led by lawmaker ABM Ashraf Uddin (Nizam) has been formed to examine allegations of corruption and irregularities in the procurement of cameras, bags, and card readers by the Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat. The committee was established under the directive of the Speaker, according to an office order issued on April 21, 2026, and signed by Secretary Barrister Md. Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan. The committee includes MPs Lutfullah El Majed, Md. Saiful Alam, Humam Kader Chowdhury, and Md. Abul Hasnat. It has been instructed to submit its report within seven days, with administrative support from Joint Secretary Miz Syeda Mashuma Khanam.

The investigation follows reports published on April 19 in a national daily and several online portals alleging large-scale corruption in the Secretariat’s procurement process. The reports claimed that cameras and bags were purchased at several times their market price, sparking widespread public and political criticism.

The committee’s findings are expected to clarify the extent of the alleged financial misconduct and determine accountability within the Secretariat.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam announced that members of parliament have decided not to use tax-free cars or accept government plots, a decision supported by both ruling and opposition parties. He made the statement on Tuesday, April 21, after a parliamentary session.

Earlier in the session, NCP lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah had requested government-provided vehicles for MPs, arguing that while upazila officials receive official cars, legislators often rely on rented vehicles to visit their constituencies. In response, Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed said Prime Minister Tarek Rahman had instructed MPs to avoid luxury or extra privileges. He added that the government plans to amend existing laws to cancel the tax-free car benefit for MPs and has already reduced fuel allocations by 30 percent and limited loan facilities for officials due to the current economic crisis.

Opposition leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman commented that young MPs’ requests should not be dismissed outright, suggesting the issue could be considered further. The Speaker concluded by noting that the Home Minister had already mentioned the matter would be reviewed.

Cumilla-4 Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah has requested that the government provide vehicles for lawmakers to facilitate travel to their constituencies. Speaking in the national parliament on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, he thanked the government for providing offices at the upazila level but said that having official vehicles would make it easier for MPs to reach people. He noted that while upazila chairmen and UNOs have government cars, MPs often have to rent vehicles at personal expense.

In response, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman had instructed that MPs should not seek additional privileges or luxuries. He added that the government is considering canceling tax-free car benefits for MPs and has already reduced fuel allocations by 30 percent due to the economic crisis. However, he said the issue could be discussed with both ruling and opposition parties for possible consideration.

Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman thanked the treasury bench for acknowledging the issue and humorously suggested that the minister could have responded more encouragingly to the young MP’s request.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reiterated Bangladesh’s firm support for China’s One China Policy during a dinner hosted by the Communist Party of China in Beijing. He expressed optimism about strengthening the historic ties between the two nations and highlighted the enduring friendship built on a strong foundation. The dinner took place on Monday at a prominent hotel in Beijing, attended by a high-level BNP delegation invited by China’s Vice Minister Jin Xin.

Mirza Fakhrul stated that Bangladesh’s support for the One China Policy would continue and voiced hope that under newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, bilateral relations would reach new heights. The BNP delegation arrived in Beijing on Monday morning at the invitation of the Communist Party of China, joining a 19-member team that began its visit on April 16.

According to the schedule, Mirza Fakhrul is set to meet Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, on Tuesday morning, followed by a formal bilateral meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng at the Great Hall in the afternoon.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam announced that Members of Parliament (MPs) will now have special 'inspection rooms' with modern facilities in all upazila parishad complexes across Bangladesh. The directive was issued through a government order (GO) sent to upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) following consultation with the Minister for Local Government and Cooperatives. The announcement was made on April 21, 2026, during a parliamentary session presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

According to the state minister, each inspection room will include an attached bathroom and necessary furniture, allowing MPs to conduct official work and meet constituents directly. As current regulations do not permit rooms to be allocated in MPs’ names, the spaces will officially be designated as 'inspection rooms'. MPs representing constituencies with multiple upazilas will have such rooms in each upazila.

The minister expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for issuing special instructions to implement the initiative and urged MPs to coordinate with their local UNOs to prepare the rooms promptly.

Former acting managing director of Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company, Mirza Kamal Ahmed, testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that then state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Polok instructed him to shut down internet services on July 18, 2024, during the July uprising. He said Polok called him around 9 p.m. asking why the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s directive had not been implemented and told him to confirm once the shutdown was complete. Following the order, the submarine cables at Cox’s Bazar and Kuakata were disconnected within 15 minutes.

Mirza Kamal detailed that the shutdown decision was first communicated through BTRC’s WhatsApp groups named “18 July ITC Operation” and “IIG Operation,” involving representatives from BTRC, BTCL, and the submarine cable company. He expressed surprise at the instruction to cut submarine-level internet, noting it had never been done before. Later, on July 23, a meeting at BTRC led to the restoration of services that night, and another temporary shutdown occurred on August 5 following further directives.

The testimony was part of proceedings against Sajib Wazed Joy and Zunaid Ahmed Polok, both accused in the July genocide case.

National Chhatra Shakti organized a human chain and protest at Dhaka University’s Raju Sculpture on Tuesday, April 21, demanding the unconditional release of content creator Hasan Nasim, who was arrested for sharing a cartoon. Leaders and activists of the organization participated, carrying placards with slogans defending freedom of expression.

Speakers at the event alleged that laws are still being used to suppress free speech and described Nasim’s arrest as a violation of fundamental rights. National Chhatra Shakti president Zahid Ahsan compared the incident to previous cases involving writer Mushtaq and cartoonist Ahmed Kishore, criticizing the manner of Nasim’s detention and the lack of information provided to his family. He urged the government to ensure that writers, artists, and cartoonists can work freely.

Senior joint general secretary Khan Talat Rafi said the Digital Security Act of 2018 continues to be misused to curb expression, calling it alarming. The speakers demanded Nasim’s immediate release and protection of citizens’ constitutional right to free expression.

A total of 53 candidates submitted nomination papers for the reserved women's seats in the 13th National Parliament election by 4 p.m. on April 21, 2026. The information was confirmed by Returning Officer and Election Commission Joint Secretary Md. Moin Uddin Khan at the Election Building in Agargaon, Dhaka. According to him, 36 nominations came from the BNP and its alliance, 13 from the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami alliance, and one from an independent alliance. Additionally, three individuals—Shamma Akter, Mosammat Mehrunnesa, and Mahbuba Rahman—submitted nominations independently, without party affiliation.

As per the previously announced schedule, the Returning Officer will scrutinize the nomination papers on April 22 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on April 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appeals against the scrutiny decisions can be filed on April 26, with the Election Commission resolving them on April 27 and 28. The deadline for withdrawal of candidacy is April 29, symbol allocation will take place on April 30, and voting is scheduled for May 12.

The Returning Officer also stated that nomination scrutiny for the Jamaat alliance and independent alliance will occur on April 22, while the BNP alliance’s scrutiny will be held on April 23.

Laxmipur-1 Member of Parliament Shahadat Hossain Selim has denied the long-circulated claim that residents of Noakhali ate Mahatma Gandhi’s goat. He made the statement on Tuesday while participating in a parliamentary discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address. The BNP lawmaker referred to his constituency’s historical background and asserted that the allegation was entirely false.

Selim said that his birthplace, Korpora village in Laxmipur, played a role in the 1946 Pakistan movement and that Gandhi had visited the area to promote peace during communal unrest. Historical accounts mention that Gandhi stayed in Noakhali for four months during the 1946 riots, bringing a goat for milk. A popular story claims that local men stole and cooked the goat, but Selim rejected this version as baseless.

Laxmipur was once part of Noakhali until 1984, when the district was divided to create Feni and Laxmipur. Selim’s remarks aimed to defend the reputation of his region and its people from what he described as a historical misconception.