The Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Dakhil, and equivalent examinations have begun across Chattogram and three hill districts under the Chattogram Education Board. Starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, a total of 130,724 students from 1,218 schools are participating in the exams held at 218 centers. Among them, 56,351 are male and 74,373 are female students. The first paper of Bangla marked the start of this year’s examination session.

According to the board, 34,991 students are from the science stream, 43,983 from humanities, and 51,750 from business studies. The participating students include 92,338 from Chattogram, 18,924 from Cox’s Bazar, 7,417 from Rangamati, 8,071 from Khagrachhari, and 3,874 from Bandarban. To ensure smooth conduct, the board has formed 76 vigilance teams, including 66 general and 10 special teams.

The Chattogram Education Board has also requested uninterrupted electricity supply during the exams and instructed strict measures to prevent cheating and maintain security around examination centers.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard conducted a special operation on the Meghna River near Pata Canal in Daulatkhan upazila of Bhola, seizing approximately 4,000 liters of illegally transported petrol. The operation took place late Monday night, April 20, 2026, based on intelligence provided by the National Security Intelligence agency. The seized fuel was found in 22 drums being moved unlawfully through the river.

According to the Coast Guard’s South Zone media cell, the confiscated petrol was handed over to the Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land), Shawon Majumdar Suman, who took it into custody through a mobile court for further legal action. The official stated that the seized fuel would later be sold at the government-fixed price, and the proceeds would be deposited into the national treasury.

The operation reflects ongoing enforcement efforts against illegal fuel transport in riverine areas of Bhola, aiming to prevent revenue loss and ensure lawful trade of petroleum products.

The Islamic Foundation has warned that fraudulent recruitment letters are being circulated on social media using its name, falsely claiming to offer teaching positions under the mosque-based child and mass education program. The foundation clarified in a statement on Tuesday that these letters are entirely fake and have no connection with the organization.

According to the foundation, legitimate teacher recruitment for the mosque-based education project is conducted through committees led by Upazila Executive Officers at the sub-district level and District Commissioners at the district level. Candidates are selected through written and oral examinations organized by these committees, and there is no alternative process for recruitment.

The foundation urged the public to remain cautious and avoid any financial transactions with fraudsters attempting to exploit the fake recruitment letters for monetary gain.

Medical services at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital were severely disrupted after intern doctors began a 24-hour work stoppage on Tuesday morning. The protest was launched in response to repeated incidents of harassment against interns by patients’ relatives and the alleged lack of visible action against the perpetrators. The strike, which started at 9 a.m., has directly affected patient care across multiple wards.

According to the interns’ organization, three interns were assaulted over two consecutive days, prompting widespread anger and concern among medical staff. The protesting doctors are demanding immediate security measures, punishment for those responsible, and a safer work environment. They have also announced a one-hour human chain demonstration scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Hospital operations have been strained by the absence of interns, who handle a large portion of daily patient care. Other doctors are struggling to manage emergency cases, and routine checkups have slowed. Patients and their families have expressed frustration over the disruption, while observers warn that the situation could worsen if swift action is not taken.

The new government of Bangladesh has borrowed Tk 445 billion from the banking system within just 52 days of assuming power. According to Bangladesh Bank data, this rapid borrowing has already exceeded the fiscal year’s target of Tk 1.04 trillion, with total government borrowing reaching Tk 1.127 trillion by April 9. Of this, the interim government borrowed Tk 682.29 billion between July and February 16. The report indicates that the government’s net bank borrowing during the first nine months and nine days of the fiscal year rose by 139.6 percent compared to the same period last year.

Sector insiders attribute the surge in borrowing to election-related expenses, new investments, and increased subsidies in the energy sector due to the Iran war’s impact. Revenue collection has fallen short by about Tk 715 billion over the first eight months, forcing the government to rely more heavily on bank loans to meet expenditure.

Bangladesh Bank’s former chief economist Dr. Mustafa K Mujeri noted that low revenue collection has made it difficult to meet budgetary spending targets, pushing the government to exceed its borrowing limit even with three months left in the fiscal year.

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.

The Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Dakhil, and equivalent examinations for the current year began on Tuesday at 10 a.m. across Bangladesh. A total of 1,857,344 students from 30,666 institutions are participating under nine general, one madrasa, and one technical education board. The exams are being held at 3,885 centers nationwide. The Ministry of Education and relevant boards have taken all necessary preparations to ensure smooth and fair conduct of the examinations.

At a press conference held on Monday at the Secretariat, Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon and ministry officials shared details of the arrangements. The minister said measures were taken to help students reach centers early and to prevent cybercrimes related to question papers. He also warned that any wrongdoing would face legal action. Despite preparations, widespread power outages in several areas have disrupted students’ exam preparations, though the ministry has requested uninterrupted electricity at exam centers.

The minister did not confirm whether SSC and HSC exams would be held in December this year but emphasized that exams would follow course completion schedules. He also reiterated a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption within the ministry.

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.

Bangladesh is experiencing mounting economic pressure as the Iran war sharply increases global oil prices. Since the United States and Israel launched an offensive in Iran on February 28, 2026, oil prices have surged from around 71–81 dollars per barrel to as high as 128 dollars in early April. The disruption of fuel supply through the Hormuz Strait, which carries about 63 percent of Bangladesh’s fuel imports, has forced the government to introduce oil rationing from March 8. Domestic fuel prices have risen by up to 16 percent, and liquefied gas prices have increased twice within 18 days, worsening inflation and living costs.

The conflict has triggered a cost-push inflation across Bangladesh, affecting households, transport, and industries. The government, already under fiscal strain, has sought about 2 billion dollars in emergency loans from development partners while facing pressure from the IMF and World Bank to reduce fuel subsidies. Rising fuel costs are also expected to severely impact agriculture, increasing production costs and threatening food security.

If the war continues, Bangladesh may face further economic instability, including risks to remittance inflows from the Middle East and potential social repercussions from returning migrant workers.

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.

The Forest Department has filed an eviction case in Cox’s Bazar following a report alleging illegal construction of a multistoried building on reserved forest land in Ukhia’s Rajapalong union. The case, registered on April 16, targets two individuals accused of occupying the land. However, environmental activists have criticized the move as superficial, claiming that construction continues despite the legal action.

Local residents allege that the case has effectively legitimized the building, while some corrupt officials reportedly accepted around 300,000 taka in bribes to allow the project. The building, located in the Swarn Pahar area, has already reached three stories, with work ongoing. Forest officials admit to manpower shortages and say they need administrative and police support to enforce eviction orders.

Environmental groups warn that without swift and effective measures, such encroachments on protected forest areas could increase further, undermining conservation efforts in the region.

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.

Bangladesh’s total foreign debt stood at 78.067 billion US dollars as of February 2026, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury informed the national parliament on April 21. He provided the figure in response to a question from Brahmanbaria-2 lawmaker Rumin Farhana during the parliamentary session.

The finance minister explained that the Economic Relations Division handles foreign debt repayments on behalf of the government. Each fiscal year, a projection is made for the total principal and interest payments, and corresponding allocations are included in the national budget to ensure timely repayment according to the schedule.

Amir Khasru further stated that since the current government assumed office, a total of 90.66 million US dollars in foreign debt has been repaid. The minister emphasized that repayments are being made regularly through the allocated budget funds.

In Faridpur’s Charbhadrasan upazila, Awami League activists attacked police officers and forcibly freed a handcuffed party leader during an arrest operation on Tuesday morning. Police had detained former union Awami League general secretary Md. Kabir Khan, 52, from Munshirchar Bazar under the Anti-Terrorism Act when his supporters launched the assault. The attackers reportedly beat the officers and took away the detainee. Five police members were injured in the incident and are receiving treatment at Charbhadrasan Health Complex.

A case regarding the attack is being processed at Charbhadrasan Police Station. Police said Kabir Khan, a resident of Paschim Charshalepur village, faces multiple cases and allegations, including land grabbing, assault, and involvement in terrorist activities. Officers stated that he was arrested from a remote area of the Padma River when his armed group attacked and rescued him.

Authorities have not yet been able to contact Kabir Khan for comment, as he did not respond to phone calls following the incident.

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.