Iran has strongly condemned the United States for seizing its commercial vessel 'Tuska' in the Gulf of Oman, calling the action illegal and terroristic. In a statement issued by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on April 21, 2026, Tehran demanded the immediate release of the ship and its crew, claiming that both the sailors and their families were being detained. Iran described the seizure as a violation of international law and a recent ceasefire agreement.

The US military stated that the Iranian crew had ignored multiple warnings over six hours before the destroyer USS Spruance ordered the engine room to be evacuated and fired several rounds to disable the ship’s engines. Iran warned that the move could have extremely dangerous consequences and urged the United Nations and other international bodies to condemn the US action. Senior Iranian officials had previously issued similar statements following the seizure.

Former US President Donald Trump said the United States would not lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports until an agreement with Iran is reached.

Ten individuals were sentenced to three months of imprisonment without labor for illegally extracting sand during a late-night operation in the Kolabagan area near Daulatdia ferry terminal in Goaland upazila of Rajbari district. The operation, conducted from midnight to early morning on April 21, 2026, was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Muntasir Hasan Khan with support from the Coast Guard, Daulatdia River Police, and other law enforcement agencies. Authorities seized one cutter and two bulkheads used in the illegal activity.

Following their arrest, a mobile court sentenced the offenders under Section 15 of the Sand Quarry and Soil Management Act, 2010, for violating Section 4 of the same law. The seized vessels were placed under the custody of the Daulatdia River Police outpost, and the convicted individuals were sent to jail.

According to the upazila administration, similar operations will continue to prevent illegal sand extraction, and strict legal measures will be taken against violators.

Police recovered the bloodied bodies of three young men from a remote forest in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday morning. The discovery was made around 9 a.m. in the North Shilkhali area of Baharchhara Union. Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam confirmed the incident. The deceased were identified as Aminul Islam Robi, 19, Mujibur Rahman, 38, and Nur Bashar, 20, all residents of the same locality.

According to police and local sources, laborers working on the eastern side of the hill spotted the bodies and alerted nearby residents, who then informed the police. Robi’s father, Ruhul Amin, identified his son’s body at the scene and demanded justice for what he described as a brutal killing.

OC Saiful Islam said police immediately reached the site, recovered the bodies, and began preparing an initial report. The bodies will be sent for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, and legal procedures are underway.

Serious allegations of mental and physical abuse have emerged at Dhaka University’s Dr. Kudrat-e-Khuda Hall, where first-year students of the Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology were reportedly subjected to late-night ‘guestroom’ sessions under the pretext of teaching manners. Victims said they were forced to sit for hours, verbally abused, and intimidated by senior students. The incidents allegedly took place over four consecutive nights, involving members of the 43rd batch and some linked to the student group Chhatra Dal.

According to the victims, the sessions were held mainly in rooms 1003 and 1004, and on one occasion in the hostel dining room. They described the activities as psychological torture and ragging, including offensive remarks about female classmates and forced displays of respect. One accused student denied any knowledge of the events, while another admitted to a “familiarization meeting” but rejected the torture claims.

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

Farmers in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj are struggling to harvest ripe Boro paddy due to an acute shortage of laborers. Despite the crops being fully mature, harvesting has been delayed, raising fears of damage from further storms or rainfall. According to the local agriculture office, Boro paddy was cultivated across 45 haors this season, but heavy rains on March 14, 15, and 27 submerged about 410 hectares of land in 16 haors, completely destroying crops in 13 of them. Another storm on April 16 flattened ripe paddy, and rising water levels have made it impossible to use harvesters.

Farmers report that daily wages for harvest workers have surged to Tk 1,000–1,200, while the market price of paddy remains only Tk 27–28 per maund. Many are resorting to traditional sharecropping methods where workers take half the yield. Rising fuel prices have further increased costs for threshing and transporting paddy from the haor areas. Farmers are urging the government to ensure labor supply and fair pricing to prevent large-scale losses this season.

Local residents in Cumilla’s Burichong upazila have accused two brothers, Arif and Sharif, of closing a one-kilometer stretch of the Cumilla–Sylhet Highway by building a wall across it. The complaint, signed by over a hundred residents from Rampal, Paschim Farizpur, and Purba Shah Daulatpur, was submitted to the Burichong Upazila Nirbahi Officer on Tuesday. The road, used for more than 20 years, connects several villages and serves around 1,500 to 2,000 people daily, including students and commuters.

According to the complaint, the brothers, along with Shah Alam, allegedly used force on April 8 to block the road and erect structures on land belonging to the Roads and Highways Department. Locals said they were threatened when they tried to intervene. A previous meeting on April 15, mediated by a representative of a Member of Parliament, failed to resolve the issue, and construction resumed on April 20.

The Upazila Engineer stated that road paving work was ongoing and that he would inspect the site. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer confirmed receiving the complaint and said necessary action would be taken.

Students of Rajshahi Nursing College declared a complete shutdown on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, locking the college gates to demand the appointment of a permanent principal. The protest began around 11:30 a.m., with students stating that the absence of a principal for nearly three months has severely disrupted academic activities.

According to the students, the lack of leadership has caused administrative difficulties and uncertainty, raising fears of a potential session jam. They announced that all academic and administrative operations would remain suspended until their demand for a permanent principal is fulfilled.

The demonstration reflects growing frustration among students over prolonged administrative vacancies that they say are hindering their education and institutional stability.

Riverbank erosion has appeared at two points of the Jamuna River protection area in Kazipur, Sirajganj, during the dry season. Several sections have collapsed into the river, with locals blaming illegal sand extraction for intensifying water currents that struck the western bank. The Water Development Board (WDB) said there is no cause for panic, as sand-filled geo bags are being placed to prevent further damage.

Residents alleged that influential groups have been illegally extracting sand from the Jamuna using dredgers in areas such as Kazipur Eco Park, Palashpur Ghat, Meghai Ghat, and Dhekuriya. The WDB completed riverbank protection work in 2014, but recent collapses have raised fears for Meghai embankment, farmland, and nearby structures. Locals said the erosion has already consumed large portions of their land.

Officials stated that legal sand extraction must occur at least one kilometer away from public and private structures, embankments, and pipelines. The administration has conducted drives and imposed fines against illegal operators, vowing to prevent further unauthorized sand lifting.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has voiced deep concern over ongoing restrictions and rising maritime tensions in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said that in the past 48 hours there had been significant activity and confusion in the area. Guterres emphasized that all parties must respect international freedom and rights of navigation in the strait and expressed concern over recent maritime incidents.

The United Nations reiterated that no military objective can justify widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure or deliberate suffering of civilians. Dujarric noted that the situation has already begun to affect global supply chains, with about 10 to 12 percent of fertilizer shipments disrupted, leading to higher prices for urea and other fertilizers. Oil prices have also risen.

He added that the disruption is impacting the UN’s planning and procurement capacities, complicating humanitarian assistance operations worldwide.

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.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that extracting enriched uranium from Iran will be a long and difficult process. He referred to the aftermath of 'Operation Midnight Hammer,' a U.S. military campaign conducted in June of the previous year targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. Trump described the operation as a complete and comprehensive destruction of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

In his post, Trump criticized what he called 'fake news media' such as CNN and other networks for failing to give proper credit to U.S. pilots involved in the operation. He accused them of consistently downplaying their achievements. The post was published on April 21, 2026, and cited by BBC Bangla.

The statement follows continuing tensions between the United States and Iran over nuclear activities, with recent reports mentioning China’s support for Pakistan’s role in U.S.-Iran talks and a decline in global oil prices following peace discussions.

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.

US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized several American media outlets for their coverage of a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. In multiple posts on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump singled out CNN and other networks, accusing them of failing to credit US pilots for what he described as a successful operation called “Operation Midnight Hammer,” which he claimed destroyed Iran’s nuclear sites.

Trump alleged that the media were downplaying US achievements and spreading misleading narratives. He asserted that the United States was “winning by a large margin” in its conflict with Iran, but said reports from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post portrayed the situation as if the US were losing. He further accused these outlets of helping Iran by confusing its leadership through biased reporting.

The statements, reported by Al Jazeera, reflect ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and major US media organizations over coverage of foreign policy and military actions.