Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen on Tuesday at the minister’s office in Dhaka. The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries. Both sides described the discussions as productive and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding mutual economic engagement.

Ambassador Christensen praised the effective functioning of Bangladesh’s parliamentary activities under the leadership of Prime Minister and Parliamentary Leader Tarique Rahman, calling it a positive example of democratic practice. He emphasized that expanding bilateral trade would benefit both nations. The ambassador also announced that Brendan Lynch, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, would soon visit Bangladesh as part of efforts to strengthen trade dialogue and expressed interest in the country’s new import policy order.

Minister Muktadir stated that the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant ministries are working on the new Import Policy Order 2026, which will soon be shared with the business community for feedback.

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.

Mahmuda Alam Mitu, joint chief organizer for the southern region of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has maintained its political commitment within the 11-party alliance. She made the remark on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka, after submitting nomination papers for reserved women’s seats on behalf of the alliance.

Mitu expressed gratitude to both the NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami, noting that she was nominated as a qualified candidate by her party and that Jamaat had honored the alliance’s commitments. She contrasted Jamaat’s approach with other larger parties that, despite having more seats, failed to respect coalition candidates. She also highlighted the inclusion of a martyr’s mother, representing the family of Shaheed Jabir, as a significant gesture within the alliance.

Mitu pledged to work alongside other women leaders to promote social protection, safety, and health for women and children, and to contribute to welfare-oriented legislation in the parliament.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan conducted a surprise inspection of SSC examination centers in Singair upazila of Manikganj on Tuesday afternoon. During his visit to Joymontop High School and Shahrail High School centers, he issued strict instructions to all concerned not to show negligence in their examination duties.

The minister inspected several examination rooms, reviewed the overall environment, discipline, and measures to prevent cheating. He also spoke with center secretaries, teachers, and officials on duty to ensure that examinations were being conducted properly and transparently. Milan emphasized that such surprise inspections would continue to ensure fair, transparent, and cheating-free examinations.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khairunnahar Popy, Officer-in-Charge Md. Mazharul Islam, and other administrative officials were present during the inspection.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) handed over the body of a Bangladeshi youth who died while serving a prison sentence in India for illegal entry. The handover took place on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Nakugaon border in Nalitabari upazila of Sherpur district, in the presence of border guards and police from both countries. The deceased was identified as Shipon Hawlader, 35, son of Sabej Hawlader from Barguna Sadar.

According to police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Shipon had crossed into India illegally through the Haluaghat border in Mymensingh about 19 months earlier. He was arrested by Indian border guards, handed over to local police, and later sentenced by an Indian court to imprisonment for illegal entry. He was serving his term at Tura jail, which was due to end on April 28.

Shipon reportedly fell ill on April 16 and died while under treatment. After completion of legal formalities between the two countries, his body was returned to his family around 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

At least ten people, including a local leader of the Volunteer Wing, were injured in a shooting by miscreants in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia early Monday night. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. in Majdiar village of Moricha Union, when a group of masked attackers opened fire indiscriminately, spreading panic in the area.

According to police and local sources, the attackers attempted to abduct Robiul Islam, convener of the Moricha Union Volunteer Wing, from a shop near his home at gunpoint. When nearby residents rushed to the scene after hearing his cries for help, the assailants fired shots using guns and shotguns, injuring at least ten men and women. Locals suspect that the attack may have stemmed from a dispute over sand extraction from the Padma River.

The incident has heightened tension in the locality, though further details about the attackers or arrests were not available at the time of reporting.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Asaduzzaman Ahmad stated that Italy is one of Bangladesh’s most important development partners within the European Union. He emphasized that Bangladesh attaches special importance to its relationship with Italy, particularly in areas such as safe migration. The minister made these remarks during a meeting with Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro at his office in the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the ambassador said Italy is keen to expand bilateral relations and highlighted that the Italian government is committed to ensuring safe migration and preventing illegal migration. He announced that Italy’s new migration policy will take effect in June, aiming to facilitate safe migration and expedite the repatriation of undocumented migrants. The ambassador also mentioned that the next meeting of the Bangladesh-Italy Joint Working Group on migration and labor issues will be held in Italy.

The meeting also discussed law and order, security, economic cooperation, and trade expansion. The ambassador delivered a congratulatory letter from Italy’s Interior Minister and invited the Bangladeshi minister to visit Italy later this year.

Three women from Brahmanbaria have been nominated for reserved seats in the national parliament. They are Sanjida Islam Tuli and Nadia Pathan Papon from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and Engineer Mardia Momtaz from Jamaat-e-Islami. The announcement was made on April 21, 2026.

Sanjida Islam Tuli, from Nabinagar’s Laurfatehpur village, is the coordinator of 'Mayer Dak', a platform for families of disappeared persons, and the sister of missing BNP leader Sajedul Islam Suman. She previously contested the 13th national election from Dhaka-14 and is known for her activism on enforced disappearances. Nadia Pathan Papon, from Bijoynagar’s Chandura village, has long been involved in BNP’s student politics and currently serves as a member of the party’s Dhaka South unit.

Engineer Mardia Momtaz, nominated by Jamaat-e-Islami, is the daughter of Engineer Momtazul Karim of Paikpara in Brahmanbaria town. A graduate and postgraduate in civil engineering from BUET, she works as a lecturer at Daffodil International University and is also known as a researcher and writer.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon stated that no question papers were leaked and no untoward incidents occurred during the ongoing SSC examinations. He made the remarks at a press conference held at the International Mother Language Institute on Tuesday afternoon, emphasizing that the upcoming examinations will be closely monitored.

The minister said the SSC exams were conducted in a peaceful environment and that any complaints would be investigated using CCTV footage. He instructed that footage from all examination centers be preserved for seven days for possible review. Addressing concerns about irregularities, he noted that center secretaries act as guardians of examinees and are trained to handle any mistakes by students.

Milon also commented that he does not believe media vigilance alone can prevent cheating, urging journalists to report any incidents if they occur.

A fresh spell of heatwave has intensified across Bangladesh since Monday, affecting nine districts including Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Dhaka, Faridpur, Khulna, Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) reported that the heatwave, currently mild to moderate, could spread to more areas and persist until around April 26. The highest temperature recorded in the past 24 hours was 38°C in Rajshahi, while Dhaka reached 36.2°C.

According to forecasts signed by meteorologist Dr. Omar Faruq, temperatures are expected to rise further, with the heatwave possibly turning severe in parts of Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, and Dhaka divisions by April 25–26. Earlier this month, several heatwaves were recorded, with Chuadanga registering the year’s highest temperature of 39.7°C on April 3. Brief rainfall in Sylhet, Rangpur, and Dinajpur was noted, but most regions remained dry.

Meteorologists expect rainfall to increase from April 26 or later, potentially continuing into early May, which could bring relief from the ongoing heat.

A Sirajganj court has issued an arrest warrant against Member of Parliament Mufti Amir Hamza in a defamation case. The order was given by Judge Suman Karmakar of the Chowhali Amli Court on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Advocate Humayun Kabir Colonel, general secretary of the Sirajganj District Lawyers Association and additional public prosecutor, confirmed the information. Earlier, on April 2, the court had summoned Amir Hamza to appear in connection with the case, and he was scheduled to attend the hearing today.

The defamation case was filed by Advocate Humayun Kabir Colonel, who alleged that Mufti Amir Hamza made remarks labeling State Minister for Power and Energy and BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku as an atheist and anti-Islamic. The case was lodged on April 2 following those comments.

The court’s decision marks a new development in the ongoing legal proceedings against the MP, with further actions expected following the issuance of the arrest warrant.

Authorities have announced that all import-export and immigration activities at the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh will remain suspended for three days. The closure begins on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and will continue until Thursday, April 23, 2026. The decision was confirmed by the port’s manager, Abul Kalam Azad.

According to an official letter signed by Sandeep Kumar Ghosh, District Magistrate and Returning Officer of Jalpaiguri, India, the suspension is linked to the upcoming Lok Sabha election in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, scheduled for April 23, 2026. The letter instructed relevant authorities to halt all trade and passenger movement through the port during this period.

The temporary closure affects both import-export operations and immigration services, meaning no goods or travelers will be allowed to cross through the Banglabandha checkpoint until the election concludes.

Police in Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila have arrested another suspect in the abduction case of an imam’s daughter, a madrasa student, from the Maona area. The arrest took place on Monday, April 20, when officers detained Md. Bachchu Mia, 47, from the Rajendrapur Bazar area. With this latest arrest, a total of eight suspects have now been taken into custody in connection with the case.

According to the case details, the student was abducted on the morning of April 14 while on her way to the madrasa. Following a complaint filed by the victim’s family, police launched an immediate operation, later rescuing the girl through technological tracking and intelligence efforts. The case was filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act at Sreepur Police Station.

Sreepur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Nasir Uddin stated that operations are ongoing to arrest the remaining fugitives and that legal proceedings against the detained suspects are underway. The swift police response has reportedly brought some relief to local residents.

A formal complaint has been submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) alleging that former three-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was poisoned while in prison, leading to a severe deterioration of her health. The complaint was filed on Sunday by Mominul Haque Milon, a Canada-based chairman of the 'Mother of Democracy Begum Khaleda Zia Forum'. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam confirmed receiving the complaint on Monday, stating that it concerns a family issue and that the tribunal will contact Khaleda Zia’s family before taking further steps.

The written complaint claims that an international conspiracy during the 1/11 caretaker government period aimed to destroy the Zia family through fabricated cases. It references the 2010 Zia Charitable Trust case and the 2018 verdict that sentenced Khaleda Zia to prison. The document alleges that during her imprisonment, she was denied proper medical care and subjected to slow poisoning, resulting in serious illness. It further accuses the then government, led by Sheikh Hasina, of orchestrating a politically motivated plot to eliminate Khaleda Zia.

The complaint requests identification and prosecution of all individuals allegedly involved in the incident.

Widespread and prolonged power outages have severely disrupted daily life in Rajshahi amid an ongoing heatwave. Residents across both urban and rural areas are facing frequent electricity cuts lasting eight to fifteen hours a day, affecting farmers, small businesses, industrial workers, and students. The situation has become particularly worrying as the SSC examinations begin, with students and parents expressing concern over study interruptions and health impacts due to sleepless nights and extreme heat.

Farmers in Tanore, Paba, Godagari, Durgapur, and Mohanpur upazilas report severe irrigation crises, threatening boro paddy and other crops. Many have resorted to diesel-powered pumps, but fuel shortages and higher costs are adding financial strain. Business owners in Rajshahi city say production and sales have dropped sharply due to power cuts, while households struggle with water shortages and mosquito infestations.

Electricity officials, however, claim the situation is under control. NESCO’s managing director asserts that supply exceeds demand, while rural electricity managers acknowledge limited load shedding but describe it as temporary. Locals remain skeptical, warning that prolonged disruptions could harm agriculture, the local economy, and students’ performance.