State Minister for Land Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin has directed field-level officials to be more active in ensuring efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly land services. He emphasized that the true owners of land are the people and that officials must remain dedicated to serving them. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday, April 21, during his visit to the Land Building at Satrasta in Dhaka.

During the inspection, he was accompanied by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Land A S M Saleh Ahmed, Director General of the Land Record and Survey Department Dr. Md. Mahmud Hasan, Additional Secretary (Development Division) Md. Emdadul Haque Chowdhury, and his Private Secretary Md. Ashraful Islam. The minister visited several facilities, including the Land Museum, Child Daycare Center, Social Media Monitoring Cell, Land Service Center, and Land Service Call Center.

He instructed officials to maintain efficiency and cleanliness in their offices, ensure timely attendance, and avoid delays in public service delivery. The minister stressed that all tasks should be completed promptly to uphold a dynamic and responsive land administration.

Irrigation for the Irri-Boro rice season in Neserabad upazila of Pirojpur has been severely disrupted due to a shortage of diesel, leaving farmers deeply worried about possible crop failure. Around 3,000 hectares of paddy fields are affected as irrigation machines remain idle without fuel. The lack of water is causing rice plants to wilt and increasing the risk of empty grains, threatening the expected yield.

Farmers report that diesel is either unavailable in the market or being sold at high prices, forcing many to abandon their fields or irrigate on a limited scale. Some have taken loans for cultivation and now fear financial losses if the crops fail. Local farmer Khalek Bepari expressed frustration over the absence of government assurance on fuel supply, while another farmer, Afsar Ali, said he would struggle to repay his debts if the harvest is lost.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahfuzur Rahman confirmed that the diesel crisis has had a negative impact and warned of large-scale crop damage unless fuel supply is restored soon.

The Rangamati district administration has imposed a complete ban on fishing in Kaptai Lake to ensure proper breeding, growth, and natural expansion of released fish fry. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by District Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi, who also heads the Kaptai Lake Management and Operations Committee. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued a press release confirming the decision, which takes effect from midnight on April 24 until further notice.

According to the directive, fishing, transportation, and marketing of fish will remain suspended during the ban period. However, fish already caught may be landed at the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) jetty until 4 p.m. on April 25. The release of new fish fry will begin on May 2. To prevent illegal fishing, joint patrols by the naval police and BFDC will be conducted, with temporary checkpoints and mobile court operations in place.

The ministry has also launched a humanitarian program to support 26,845 affected fishing families in Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts, providing 40 kilograms of rice per family over two months and transportation allowances to ensure food security during the ban.

A railway employee was killed after being struck by the Meghna Express train in Sitakunda, Chattogram, on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred around 11 a.m. while the worker, Rafiqul Islam, was performing maintenance duties on the main railway line under the jurisdiction of the Divisional Engineer-1 of Bangladesh Railway’s Eastern Region. He died at the scene after being hit by the Chattogram-bound train.

According to Chattogram Railway Police, Rafiqul Islam was working on the track when the Meghna Express hit him, causing fatal injuries. Police have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances leading to the collision.

Following the accident, the Central Committee of the Bangladesh Railway Engineering Department Employees Association expressed deep sorrow, describing Rafiqul Islam’s death as an irreparable loss to the railway community and praying for the peace of his soul.

Thirteen women nominated by the 11-party electoral alliance submitted their nomination papers for reserved seats in the Bangladesh National Parliament on Tuesday at the Election Commission office. Alliance coordinator and Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad said the women members would work to fulfill national expectations and advance women’s interests. He added that they would cooperate with the government on just and welfare-oriented initiatives but take a firm stand against any anti-people decisions.

Azad reiterated Jamaat’s policy that no two members from the same family should serve in parliament, explaining why the party leader’s wife was not nominated this time. He emphasized that Jamaat has many capable female leaders ready to contribute to national development. Female nominees, including Nurunnisa Siddika and Rokeya Begum, expressed commitments to represent women’s aspirations, uphold justice for July uprising victims, and balance family, parliamentary, and street-level responsibilities.

Nominees also included representatives from the National Citizen Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, and Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish, reflecting the alliance’s multi-party composition. The Election Commission is scheduled to scrutinize the nomination papers tomorrow.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman announced that transport fares in Bangladesh will be determined rationally following the recent rise in fuel prices. He made the statement on Tuesday at a press conference held at the Department of Information in the Secretariat, where State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury was also present.

Rahman said discussions are ongoing between the government and stakeholders to adjust fares in line with fuel costs. To resolve complexities, air-conditioned bus fares may be set in two or three tiers, with implementation expected before the upcoming Eid. He also mentioned that city corporations have been instructed to improve facilities at Dhaka’s bus terminals, particularly toilet management.

The adviser added that eight night markets are planned in Dhaka to relocate street vendors and keep sidewalks free for pedestrians. He further stated that the pilot expansion of the “Fuel Pass BD” app now covers motorcycle registration in several districts beyond Dhaka, with over 170,000 registrations completed so far.

A clash erupted between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the Mouchak area of Kaliakoir, Gazipur, on Tuesday morning over control of a jhoot (garment waste) business linked to Hope Loan Intimate Limited. Several people were injured during the confrontation, and a crude bomb, locally known as a cocktail, exploded at the scene. Witnesses said the altercation involved groups led by Harun and Farhad, during which attackers vandalized BNP leader Harun’s car. Police arrived after the groups had dispersed and recovered an unexploded cocktail from the site.

According to Mouchak police outpost in-charge Shamim Akter, no formal complaint had been filed as of the report’s publication. Authorities stated that further action would be taken if a complaint was lodged and an investigation deemed necessary.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions within local BNP factions over control of business interests in the area, though no immediate arrests or charges were reported.

The Bangladesh High Commission in the Maldives has taken responsibility for the repatriation of expatriate Bangladeshi worker Minar Hossain, who recently became critically ill. On Monday, April 20, Bangladesh High Commissioner Dr. Mohammad Nazmul Islam handed over an air ticket to facilitate Minar Hossain’s return home. The ticket was provided from the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board fund under the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.

During the handover, the High Commissioner wished Minar Hossain a speedy recovery and assured that the High Commission would continue to support Bangladeshi expatriates in the Maldives in any situation. He also emphasized the mission’s commitment to ensuring proper medical care and legal rights for migrant workers.

Minar Hossain, a resident of Matlab South in Chandpur district, had been working in the Maldives for a long time with BMET clearance. He recently suffered a heart stroke and is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on April 24 via a US-Bangla Airlines flight.

Global oil prices declined following reports of possible second-round peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad. The news brought renewed optimism to investors and a slight rebound in Asian stock markets on Tuesday. Brent crude fell by 54 cents, or 0.6 percent, to 94.94 dollars per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for May delivery dropped by 1.11 dollars, or 1.2 percent, to 88.50 dollars per barrel.

The decline followed a sharp rise of nearly 6 percent in oil prices on Monday, when uncertainty over the talks had unsettled markets. The long-running conflict between Iran and the United States has disrupted global energy supplies and raised fears of a potential global recession. The renewed prospect of dialogue between the two nations has eased some of those concerns.

Analysts noted that expectations of progress in the Islamabad discussions could help stabilize energy markets if negotiations proceed as anticipated.

Apple CEO Tim Cook will step down from his position on September 1, 2026, ending nearly 15 years at the helm of the company. The 65-year-old executive will hand over leadership to John Ternus, Apple’s head of hardware engineering. Cook described leading Apple as the greatest privilege of his life. Although stepping down as CEO, he will remain with the company as executive chairman, following a transition model similar to those of Jeff Bezos at Amazon and Reed Hastings at Netflix.

John Ternus, 50, has been with Apple for 25 years and has overseen engineering for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac over the past five years. His long tenure and technical leadership positioned him as the leading candidate to succeed Cook. Ternus expressed gratitude for the opportunity to advance Apple’s mission.

The leadership change comes as the global technology sector undergoes major transformation driven by artificial intelligence. Apple, which initially lagged in AI development, recently sought Google’s assistance to enhance Siri’s capabilities after delays in implementing new features.

Italian energy company Eni has announced the discovery of a large new natural gas reserve off the coast of Indonesia. According to the government, this find could allow the European firm to triple its production in the country by 2028. The discovery site lies about 70 kilometers off East Kalimantan province, containing an estimated 5 trillion cubic feet of gas and 300 million barrels of condensate, a liquid hydrocarbon. Eni said the new reserve will open an important supply route for both domestic and international markets.

Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia described the discovery as significant, projecting condensate production to reach 90,000 barrels per day by 2028 and 150,000 by 2029–2030. The government expects higher condensate output to reduce oil imports. The announcement comes as Indonesia faces rising global energy prices following conflict in the Middle East.

Recent diplomatic efforts by President Prabowo Subianto included meetings with Russia and France to secure oil supply and advance renewable energy cooperation, reflecting Indonesia’s broader push for energy security and self-sufficiency.

Four members of the Bangladesh Christian Association have joined the youth wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), known as Jatiyo Juboshokti. The joining ceremony took place on Monday, April 20, at the organization’s central office in Rupayan Tower, Banglamotor, Dhaka. The new members are Jackson Gomez, Russell Roman Rosario, Himel Gomez, and Jibon Slan.

The event was attended by Jatiyo Juboshokti Convener Advocate Tarikul Islam, who is also the NCP’s mayoral candidate for the Cumilla City Corporation election, along with Member Secretary Dr. Zahidul Islam and Chief Organizer Forhad Sohel. The leaders welcomed the new entrants with flowers during the ceremony.

Chief Organizer Forhad Sohel stated that the specific responsibilities of the newly joined leaders will be announced later. No further details about their future roles or political plans were disclosed in the report.

A young man from Moulvibazar, Bangladesh, named Muhibur Rahman, aged 23, was killed while fighting for Russia in the ongoing war. He reportedly died in a Ukrainian drone strike about a week before the news became public on April 20, 2026. Muhibur had left Bangladesh with hopes of pursuing higher education abroad but ended up joining the Russian military after being deceived by brokers promising high pay and citizenship.

According to family sources, Muhibur was a former HSC student from the 2019 batch and a resident of Sampadpur village in Amtail Union under Moulvibazar Sadar upazila. After his student visa to Mexico was canceled, he fell into the hands of brokers who persuaded him to enlist in the Russian army. Following extensive training, he was deployed to the front lines, where he was killed when a bunker he was in was destroyed by a Ukrainian drone strike.

The family reportedly learned of his death through a food supplier working with Russian soldiers.

Shammi Akter from Goshapara village in Chunarughat, Habiganj, has been nominated for a second term as a Member of Parliament under the BNP’s reserved women’s seat list announced on Monday. Her name appears among 36 candidates selected by the party. Shammi currently serves as a member of the BNP’s media cell, assistant secretary for local government affairs in the central committee, and joint convener of the Habiganj district BNP.

Family sources said Shammi’s political journey began during her student life at Dhaka University, inspired by the ideals of former president Ziaur Rahman and the leadership of Khaleda Zia. Known for her active role in street movements, she earned the nickname “Agnikonna” for her courage. In 2008, at age 33, she first entered Parliament through a reserved seat, gaining attention for her strong and logical speeches.

Local BNP leaders described her new nomination as recognition of her dedication and a matter of pride for Chunarughat and Habiganj residents. Shammi said the nomination is both an honor and a responsibility, pledging lifelong commitment to her party’s ideals.

Iran has executed a man named Amirali Mirjafari after convicting him of alleged links with Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad and involvement in setting fire to a mosque during protests in January. The execution was carried out early on April 21, 2026, following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold his death sentence, according to the judiciary’s media outlet Mizan.

Mizan reported that Mirjafari was accused of arson at Tehran’s Kolhak Mosque and of conducting activities described as anti-state. The case emerged amid widespread unrest across Iran earlier in the year, when demonstrations over various issues led to heightened tensions in the capital and other cities. Several individuals were arrested at that time on security-related charges.

The report did not include further details about the trial proceedings or possible international reactions to the execution.