Four women leaders who began their political careers in student politics have been included in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) final nomination list for reserved women’s seats in the national parliament. The nominees are Selina Sultana, Arifa Sultana, Nadia Pathan Papon, and Mansura Akter. Their selection is being viewed as a significant example of leadership development among a new generation of politicians.

According to party sources, all four leaders started their political journeys through various organizational activities within the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the BNP. Their long experience in campus-based politics, grassroots movements, and organizational responsibilities has played a key role in their rise to national-level politics.

Observers within the party consider their nominations not only as personal achievements but also as a structured example of how student politics continues to serve as a foundation for national leadership within the BNP.

Bangladesh women’s cricket team achieved a historic milestone by defeating Sri Lanka for the first time in any format. The match took place at Rajshahi’s Kamruzzaman Stadium, where Nigar Sultana Joty’s side secured a three-wicket win in the opening game of the three-match ODI series. Chasing 206 runs, Bangladesh reached the target with nine balls to spare, despite a late collapse that briefly put pressure on the hosts.

Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 205 for nine in 50 overs, led by fifties from Imesha Dulani (52) and Hansima Karunaratne (54). Ritu Moni claimed three wickets, while Nahida Akter took two. In reply, Sharmin Akter anchored Bangladesh’s innings with a commanding 86 off 127 balls, supported by Sobhana Mostary’s 41 and Swarna Akter’s 35. Bangladesh finished on 206 for seven in 48.3 overs to take a 1–0 lead in the series.

The victory marked Bangladesh’s first-ever win over Sri Lanka’s women’s team, both at home and overall, giving them early momentum in the three-match ODI series.

Nepal has undergone a dramatic political transformation following a youth-led uprising that toppled the government last September. The movement, spearheaded by 28-year-old Bablu Gupta and other Gen Z activists, culminated in a March election where the youth-driven Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) achieved a sweeping victory. Nearly 10 percent of the newly elected lawmakers are aged 30 or younger, a sharp rise from less than 2 percent in the previous parliament. The new Prime Minister, 35-year-old rapper and former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, took office on March 27, symbolizing a generational shift in leadership.

The uprising was fueled by frustration over corruption, nepotism, unemployment, and restrictions on social media. Nepal’s transformation stands out amid fading youth movements elsewhere, such as in Bangladesh and Madagascar. The new government has pledged to create 1.2 million jobs, ensure universal health insurance, and build a digital governance system. However, questions remain about the durability of these reforms and the risk of populism.

Nepal’s political renewal has inspired optimism among young people worldwide, though challenges of accountability, inclusion, and economic opportunity continue to test the new leadership’s promises.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has released its final list of 36 candidates for reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament. The announcement was made on Monday, April 20, 2026, at a press conference in Nayapaltan, Dhaka, by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Despite competition among several prominent contenders, the party selected two candidates from Sylhet, reflecting a balance between experience and new leadership.

The final list includes Shammi Akter, Assistant Secretary for Local Government Affairs of the BNP Central Executive Committee and former MP from Habiganj, and Barrister Jhorat Adib Chowdhury, daughter of late Advocate Ebadur Rahman Chowdhury, a three-time MP and former State Minister for Food and Disaster Management. Adib, who was appointed Deputy CEO of Banglalink in 2025, received her first political nomination as her father’s successor from Barlekha.

Shammi Akter had previously sought nomination for the Habiganj-4 constituency but was not selected. However, in recognition of her contributions during the party’s difficult times, BNP nominated her again for a reserved women’s seat.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that 22,000 Rohingya residing in Saudi Arabia have been issued Bangladeshi passports. He made the statement on Monday, April 20, during a courtesy meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Abdullah Jafar bin Abiyah, at the Secretariat in Dhaka. The minister emphasized that Saudi Arabia is one of Bangladesh’s closest partners, with cooperation spanning manpower export, energy, and tourism sectors.

During the meeting, the Saudi ambassador highlighted the ongoing process of issuing Bangladeshi passports to 69,000 Rohingya in Saudi Arabia and urged for its acceleration. In response, the minister said that a special team from Bangladesh has been sent to expedite the process and warned that no corruption or irregularities would be tolerated in passport issuance. He also instructed officials to verify lists from Saudi Arabia and ensure that Myanmar nationals meeting the required conditions receive passports promptly.

The discussion underscored both countries’ interest in expanding cooperation and ensuring transparency in handling the Rohingya documentation process.

Fresh allegations have surfaced of harassment against first-year students at the Dr. Kudrat-e-Khuda Hostel of Dhaka University’s Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology. According to victims, senior students forced them to attend late-night guestroom sessions under the pretext of teaching manners, where they were subjected to intimidation, insulting remarks, and coercive behavior. The incidents reportedly took place between 11:30 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. over four consecutive nights, involving members of the 43rd batch, with some seniors denying the accusations.

Victims described the sessions as psychological abuse akin to ragging, including pressure to follow arbitrary rules and endure offensive comments about female classmates. The activities were said to occur mainly in rooms 1003 and 1004, but the latest session was held openly in the dining room with participation from older batches. Some students claimed that individuals linked to a political student group were present.

The hostel’s vice president of the hall council confirmed awareness of the issue and said it would be discussed with university authorities. The hostel warden stated that no formal complaint had yet been received but promised strict action if the allegations were proven.

The government has launched Fuel Pass registration in 19 additional districts as part of its plan to streamline national energy management. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources confirmed the expansion in a notice issued on Monday, April 20, 2026. Registration is now open in Gazipur, Narayanganj, Cumilla, Lakshmipur, Noakhali, Bogura, Pabna, Sirajganj, Bagerhat, Chuadanga, Jashore, Barguna, Bhola, Jhalakathi, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, and Kurigram.

According to the ministry, the Fuel Pass system aims to make fuel usage more transparent and efficient. The registration process will gradually be extended to all remaining districts across the country. Citizens can also share feedback, complaints, or suggestions about the system through the official Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/fuelpass.

The initiative is expected to enhance monitoring and control of fuel distribution nationwide once fully implemented.

A delegation from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) met with Bangladesh’s Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP, at his parliamentary office on Monday afternoon. The meeting took place at the National Parliament and was led by Lina Rikkila Tamang, Director for Asia and the Pacific at International IDEA. Sumit Bisarya, Head of the Constitutional Governance and Rule of Law Programme, was also part of the visiting team.

According to Jamaat sources, the meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. Discussions covered the effectiveness of Bangladesh’s National Parliament, the “July Charter,” and other matters of mutual interest. The visiting delegation expressed willingness to support efforts to strengthen democracy and institutional integrity in Bangladesh. Dr. Rahman highlighted Jamaat’s historical role in building a stable and democratic Bangladesh and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to implementing the July Charter and referendum verdict.

Dhaka-12 MP Saiful Alam Khan Milon and Ali Ahmad Mabrur, a member of the opposition leader’s foreign affairs advisory team, were also present during the meeting.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury stated that the current government does not believe in controlling the media and upholds the principle of media freedom as directed by the Prime Minister. He made the remarks on Monday at the Secretariat during a 'BSRF Dialogue' organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum. The minister emphasized that the government is working to ensure accurate information flow and will take effective measures to prevent online misinformation and character assassination.

Yasser Khan said the government’s main goal is to deliver precise news to the public and strengthen the digitalization process. He mentioned ongoing discussions with media-related organizations, including the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh and IPTV representatives, regarding policy updates such as the 2014 IPTV guidelines. He also noted that journalists’ wages and benefits are under government consideration and may see positive decisions in the upcoming budget.

The minister added that a policy is being developed to ensure transparency in government advertisement distribution and that the Secretariat’s media facilities will be modernized soon.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has ordered the start of trial proceedings against former Jashore Superintendent of Police Anisur Rahman and seven others in connection with a 2016 incident in Chowgacha, Jashore. The case involves allegations that police staged a gunfight after arresting two Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders and shooting them in the legs. The tribunal, led by Justice Shofiul Alam Mahmood with Judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, fixed June 1 for opening statements and the first witness testimony.

Three accused—then Sub-Inspector Akikul Islam and constables Sajjadur Rahman and Jahurul Haque—are in custody, while five others, including the former SP, remain absconding. The tribunal rejected the defense’s plea for discharge, which argued that the incident was isolated and not a crime against humanity. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam countered that the case was part of a wider pattern of systematic attacks between 2009 and 2015.

According to the case details, the two victims were allegedly tortured for two nights and shot under the direction of the former SP, leading to severe injuries that required amputation.

Israeli forces and Jewish settlers have intensified raids and demolitions across the occupied West Bank, detaining at least fifty Palestinians. According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, the operations took place in several areas including Hebron, Yatta, and Beit Ummar, where forty people were arrested, some of them former prisoners. In Jenin’s Kafr Qud village, an Israeli shooting left one Palestinian youth seriously injured and hospitalized.

In Jerusalem’s Silwan neighborhood near the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israeli bulldozers demolished Palestinian-owned land and cleared debris from previously destroyed homes. In the Tubas region, Israeli forces destroyed water pipelines in Tammun and continued clearing privately owned Palestinian land to build a 22-kilometer road between Nablus and Tubas. Military checkpoints and roadblocks were also reinforced around Hebron, restricting movement.

The report comes as global attention remains focused on U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan, creating a backdrop for Israel’s escalated actions in the West Bank.

The Kremlin has expressed hope that discussions between the United States and Iran will continue to prevent negative impacts on the Gulf region and the global economy. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made the remarks on Monday while speaking to reporters, emphasizing that the current situation in the Gulf is highly fragile and uncertain.

Peskov stated that Moscow expects the dialogue process to persist in order to avoid escalation toward a military situation or major tensions. He clarified that Russia is not acting as a mediator in the ongoing discussions but remains ready to assist in achieving a peaceful resolution and agreement if needed.

The statement reflects Russia’s concern over regional stability and its willingness to support diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Farmers in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj are unable to harvest ripe Boro paddy due to a severe shortage of laborers. Despite the fields being ready for harvest, many farmers are watching their crops fall and rot as they fail to find workers. The situation has worsened following recent heavy rains that caused ripe paddy to collapse onto the ground, while rising water levels in the haor areas have made it impossible to use harvesters.

According to the local agriculture office, Boro paddy was cultivated across 45 haors this season. Farmers report that daily wages for harvest workers have surged to between Tk 1,000 and Tk 1,200, while the market price of paddy remains only Tk 700 to Tk 800 per maund. Many are being forced to share half their yield with workers under the traditional “Adi” system to avoid total loss. Rising fuel prices have also increased the cost of threshing and transporting harvested paddy.

Farmers have urged the government to take urgent measures to address the labor crisis and prevent large-scale crop losses.

A new Air Traffic Management Center at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka was inaugurated on Monday by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom. The event was attended by State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, French Ambassador Jean-Marc Serre-Charlet, ministry officials, and senior members of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.

In her speech, Minister Afroza Khanom said the state-of-the-art and automated air traffic management system will make Bangladesh’s airspace safer, more efficient, and aligned with international standards. She recalled the contribution of late President Ziaur Rahman, who inaugurated the airport in 1980, laying the foundation for the country’s aviation sector. The minister expressed her vision to transform the airport into a global aviation hub.

State Minister Millat added that the new system, covering a 350-nautical-mile range, will enhance regional cooperation through integrated airspace management and information sharing with neighboring countries, supporting Bangladesh’s goal of becoming a regional aviation hub.

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.