Confusion and disorder prevailed in Washington this morning as the schedule for the much-anticipated meeting between the United States and Iran in Islamabad remained unclear, according to BBC reports. Shortly after 9 a.m. local time, President Donald Trump told the New York Post in a brief phone interview that Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and adviser Jared Kushner had 'just departed.' However, there has been no official confirmation from the vice president’s office or the White House, and no reports have yet come from the traveling press pool, which is usually standard procedure.

The latest official information came yesterday when a senior White House official confirmed that the three would participate in the talks, though no specific timing was provided. Efforts are ongoing to clarify the situation through various Washington offices. Meanwhile, related developments include China expressing full support for Pakistan’s role in the US–Iran dialogue and a drop in global oil prices following news of the peace talks.

JD Vance is expected to arrive in Islamabad on Wednesday, though this has not been officially confirmed.

Myanmar’s military junta has expanded its ban on sanitary pads, claiming that resistance fighters use them for medical purposes. Although no official announcement has been made, the restriction is part of a broader strategy known as the “four cuts,” aimed at depriving opposition forces of essential supplies. The ban, which began in some rebel-held areas in August last year, now includes a transport blockade between Mandalay and Sagaing.

Women’s rights group Sisters2Sisters said the military alleges that the People’s Defense Force uses menstrual products to absorb sweat and blood in combat. Health experts, including Meredith Ban of Skills for Humanity, dismissed this claim, noting that sanitary towels are unsuitable for treating wounds. Activists described the policy as misogynistic and harmful, forcing women to rely on unsafe alternatives such as torn cloth or leaves, increasing risks of infections.

As prices for pads have tripled on the black market, many women face severe discomfort and reduced mobility. Observers believe the junta’s actions aim to further restrict women’s participation in public and political life, reflecting a broader pattern of gender-based repression.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a money laundering case against seven members of the same family for allegedly depositing around Tk 5.17 crore in banks from illegal drug trade over 17 years. The accused include a father, his three daughters, two sons-in-law, and a daughter-in-law. The case was lodged at Tongi East Police Station in Gazipur, according to a CID press release signed by Special Superintendent (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan.

Investigations revealed that between January 2009 and February 2026, the group conducted transactions totaling Tk 5.17 crore through their bank accounts. The operation was reportedly led by three sisters—Asma, Reshma Khatun, and Liza Begum alias Lipi Akter—who, along with their family members, ran a drug syndicate based in Tongi’s Dattapara area. CID found evidence of land purchases worth Tk 79.73 lakh and believes the rest of the money was spent on drugs and luxury living.

The CID’s Financial Crime Unit is investigating under the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012 (amended 2015) and continues efforts to identify other unnamed associates and uncover full details of the crime.

Popular Bangladeshi band Nagar Baul, led by Mahfuz Anam James, has undergone a significant lineup change. Guitarist Sultan Raihan Khan Rana has left the band after more than fifteen years of performing with James in numerous concerts at home and abroad. He parted ways recently due to personal reasons, ending a long professional association. Rana had not been seen performing with the band for some time and was absent from their recent Pahela Baishakh concert in Pabna.

At that event, guitarist Ismamul Farhad Elin performed with James, and it has now been confirmed that he has officially joined Nagar Baul as Rana’s replacement. According to the band’s spokesperson Robin Thakur, Rana could no longer dedicate enough time to the group because of personal commitments and decided to leave after discussions with other members. Elin formally joined the band in March 2026, having previously played as a guest artist in 2020 and gained recognition as a guitarist for the band Shunno. The current lineup includes James, Ahsan Elahi Fanti, Talukdar Sabbir Shawon, and Ismamul Farhad Elin.

The Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Dakhil, and equivalent examinations for the current year began across Bangladesh on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. 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. Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon announced that all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure smooth and fair examinations.

At a press conference held at the Secretariat, ministry officials including adviser Mahdi Amin and Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Director General Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud were present. The minister said measures have been taken to address power outages affecting students’ preparation and to ensure uninterrupted electricity at exam centers. He also mentioned steps to prevent cybercrimes and question paper leaks through monitoring cells and coordination groups.

The minister did not confirm whether SSC and HSC exams will be held in December this year but emphasized that exams will follow course completion schedules. He further warned that any corruption within the ministry would not be tolerated.

Police in Shariatpur recovered the body of van driver Monu Bepari, 65, from an old grave in Angaria Union, 25 days after he went missing. The body was found on Monday afternoon, April 20, 2026, in the Madbor Bari area of Char Chatang. Authorities suspect that after the killing, the body was initially hidden and later reburied in a different grave to conceal the crime.

Family members said Monu had been missing for about 25 days, and his sister Minara Begum filed a general diary with Palong Model Police Station on April 13. Suspicion arose when Minara noticed fresh soil on the grave of her cousin, who had died three years earlier, and an unusual pit inside a nearby abandoned house. Police were informed and later discovered Monu’s body inside the old grave.

Relatives alleged that Monu’s second wife, who had a financial dispute with him, orchestrated the murder. Police said the body was recovered under a magistrate’s supervision and that legal procedures were underway.

A complaint has been submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal alleging that former three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was poisoned while in prison, leading to severe health deterioration. The complaint was filed last Sunday by Mominul Haque Milon, chairman of the Canada-based 'Ganatantrer Ma Begum Khaleda Zia Forum'. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam confirmed receipt of the complaint on Monday and said the tribunal would contact Khaleda Zia’s family to learn their position before taking further steps.

According to the written complaint, an international conspiracy led to the formation of the 1/11 caretaker government, which allegedly aimed to destroy the Zia family through fabricated cases and persecution. It claims that Khaleda Zia was imprisoned under politically motivated verdicts and subjected to slow poisoning, neglect, and inadequate medical care, resulting in multiple health complications including liver cirrhosis and heart disease. The complaint accuses the then government of denying her proper treatment and permission for medical care abroad.

The filing requests that all individuals involved in the alleged conspiracy be identified and brought to justice through legal action.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led eleven-party electoral alliance has finalized and published its list of candidates for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament. The announcement was made on Monday, April 20, 2026, in the evening. According to the finalized list, eight of the thirteen nominated candidates are from Jamaat-e-Islami, while the remaining five are from allied parties and special categories.

The nominated candidates from Jamaat-e-Islami include Nurunnisa Siddika, Marzia Begum, Sabikun Nahar Munni, Mardia Momtaz, Nazmun Nahar Nilu, Mahfuza Siddika, Sajeda Samad, and Shamsun Nahar. From the National Citizen Party (NCP), Monira Sharmin and Mahmuda Alam Mitu were nominated, while Tasmiya Pradhan represents JAGPA, Mahbuba Hakim represents Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and Rokeya Begum, mother of martyred child Jabir Ibrahim, was also nominated.

The alliance secured 77 seats in the national election held on February 12, 2026, entitling it to 13 reserved women’s seats under parliamentary rules. The BNP, by comparison, obtained 36 of the total 50 reserved women’s seats.

Rehana Akter Ranu, the central assistant training secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has received the party’s final nomination for a reserved women’s seat from Feni in the 13th National Parliament. The announcement was made on Monday, April 30, at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, by Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi during a press conference.

According to the report, several candidates from Feni, including Advocate Sahana Akter Sanu, Nur Tanjila Rahman, and Tanzia Afrin Elina, had submitted nomination papers for the reserved seat. Interviews for the selection were held at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, chaired by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. After a detailed evaluation, the nomination board selected the experienced former member of parliament, Rehana Akter Ranu.

Following the announcement, BNP leaders, activists, and supporters expressed their congratulations to Ranu on social media, while local party members in Feni reported widespread enthusiasm over her nomination.

A Bangladeshi expatriate named Nur Karim Farhad, aged 45, died in a road accident in Najran, Saudi Arabia. Two other Bangladeshi expatriates, identified as Md. Juleyl (28) and Md. Hossain (32), were seriously injured in the same incident. The accident occurred around 1 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, when their vehicle collided with a lorry while they were on their way to the airport. The death was confirmed on Monday by Abul Basar Monju, chairman of the Purba Charbata Union Parishad.

According to local sources, Farhad, a resident of Purba Charbata village in Subarnachar upazila of Noakhali, had been living in Saudi Arabia for about three years. After the collision, local people rescued the injured and took them to a hospital, where doctors declared Farhad dead. The two injured Bangladeshis remain in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Authorities have not released further details about the cause of the accident or the current investigation status.

The government has reinstated Sultana Habib, an Additional Tax Commissioner (acting), who was previously dismissed for her alleged role in organizing protests against the 2025 ordinance that dissolved the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and separated revenue policy from administration. A notification published on the Internal Resources Division (IRD) website on April 20, 2026, confirmed her reinstatement with a three-step demotion in salary grade for three years. The order was signed by IRD Secretary Abdur Rahman on April 19 under the President’s directive.

According to the source, Habib was accused of encouraging non-cooperation and illegal activities through social media messages during the protests under the banner of the “NBR Reform Council.” A departmental investigation found her guilty of misconduct under government service rules. Several other officers dismissed for similar reasons have also been reinstated with minor penalties.

The ordinance that triggered the protests was automatically nullified after failing to gain parliamentary approval. However, the government has indicated plans to review and possibly reintroduce a revised bill in the future.

Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the second One Day International at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur on April 20, 2026. The hosts chased down a target of 199 runs with 87 balls remaining, leveling the three-match series 1-1. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy guided the team to victory with an unbeaten 32-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Earlier, New Zealand were bowled out for 198 runs in 48.4 overs. Pacer Nahid Rana starred with the ball, taking five wickets for 32 runs—his second five-wicket haul in just his 11th ODI. Shariful Islam supported with two wickets for 32 runs. For New Zealand, opener Nick Kelly top-scored with 83 runs, while Muhammad Abbas added 19.

This was Bangladesh’s second-largest win over New Zealand in ODIs in terms of balls remaining. The series decider will be played on Thursday at the Bir Shreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram.

The Bangladesh Navy detained 11 individuals along with a wooden engine-powered boat loaded with cement that was allegedly being trafficked to Myanmar. The operation took place late Sunday night, April 19, 2026, about 12 nautical miles from the Saint Martin Lighthouse. The navy vessel ‘Samudra Avijan’ intercepted the suspicious boat named ‘FB Abdur Rahman–2’ during a routine patrol and intelligence surveillance mission.

Upon inspection, the navy recovered 850 sacks of Diamond Cement from the boat. The seized goods and vessel were estimated to be worth around 15.1 million taka. The detained individuals are suspected to be part of a smuggling network. The navy stated that legal proceedings against them are underway.

Officials added that regular operations continue to curb illegal trafficking, smuggling, and maritime crimes within Bangladesh’s territorial waters.

Dhaka University administration has come under criticism for allegedly violating housing policies by allocating dormitory seats to at least 36 leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal. The allocations reportedly went to students from sessions as old as 2008–09 to 2016–17, while newly admitted students of the 2025–26 academic year remain without accommodation. Protesters claim the decision was politically motivated and worsened the ongoing housing crisis.

In response, the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and hall representatives held a protest on April 20 in front of the registrar building, demanding fair seat distribution and accountability from the administration. They issued a seven-day ultimatum for resolving the crisis, warning of class boycotts if no action is taken. DUCSU leaders also called for housing allowances or stipends for students unable to secure seats.

Vice-Chancellor Professor A.B.M. Obaidul Islam acknowledged the housing shortage, saying the university cannot provide accommodation for all students and promised a full report by April 30. However, many students remain dissatisfied, alleging that political favoritism continues to override official housing policies.

An inquiry committee has been formed to investigate alleged irregularities in the distribution of government rice allocated for unemployed fishermen in Daulatkhan upazila of Bhola. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock announced the decision on Monday, following reports that the rice distribution did not follow official guidelines. The committee is headed by Bijon Kumar Nandi, District Fisheries Officer of Patuakhali, under the directive of State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku.

According to media reports cited by the ministry, fishermen in Hajipur Union were supposed to receive 80 kilograms of rice each, but only 50 kilograms were distributed per person, leading to dissatisfaction among recipients. The ministry took notice of these reports and instructed the committee to uncover the facts and identify those responsible.

The ministry also directed all concerned officials to ensure transparency and accountability so that government aid reaches the rightful beneficiaries effectively.