Bangladesh’s Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that no additional 'grace marks' will be given in this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Dakhil, and equivalent examinations, which begin on Tuesday, April 21. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Monday, he said a total of 1,857,344 students will take part in the exams, including 930,305 boys and 927,039 girls.

The minister warned that any cybercrime or other offenses related to the exams would lead to legal action. He added that the number of examiners will be increased, and while no special marking instructions have been issued, examiners are expected to evaluate scripts in a 'liberal way.' Responding to questions about coaching centers, he said the ministry neither registers nor maintains lists of such centers.

Dr. Milan expressed confidence that there would be no cheating or question leaks this year. He also stated that anyone involved in corruption within the ministry would not be allowed to remain in office for even 24 hours.

Bangladesh’s Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that legal measures will be taken against anyone committing offenses, including cybercrimes, during the upcoming SSC, Dakhil, and equivalent examinations starting Tuesday. The exams will involve 1,857,344 students from 30,666 institutions across nine general, madrasa, and technical boards, held in 3,885 centers. The ministry and education boards have completed all necessary preparations to ensure smooth and fair examinations.

At a press conference in Dhaka on Monday, ministry adviser Mahdi Amin presented written remarks, emphasizing a student-friendly environment and urging parents not to panic. He noted that this SSC batch missed earlier public exams due to the pandemic, making this their first full-syllabus public test. The ministry instructed institutions to ensure safe, comfortable exam halls with proper facilities and to prevent congestion near centers.

The minister also stated that examiners would be increased and should evaluate answer sheets in a liberal manner. He reiterated that any corruption within the ministry would not be tolerated.

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 4:53 p.m. local time. Following the quake, tsunami warnings were issued for Aomori Prefecture, Hokkaido, and nearby coastal regions, with authorities warning that waves up to three meters high could hit the shore. Tremors were also felt in Tokyo, where buildings swayed for several minutes.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to move quickly to safe areas, advising people to avoid rivers and coastal zones and seek higher ground. Japan’s national broadcaster NHK displayed English alerts reading “Tsunami! Evacuate!” and “Don’t turn back” to warn foreign residents and visitors.

The Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed that the quake originated at a depth of 10 kilometers. Authorities continued to monitor the situation as precautionary measures remained in place across affected regions.

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Abdullah Jafar bin Abiyah, paid a courtesy call on Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the ministry office in Dhaka on Monday. During the meeting, both sides discussed law and order, security issues, the issuance of Bangladeshi passports to 69,000 Rohingya living in Saudi Arabia, and ways to expand Saudi investment in Bangladesh’s tourism and energy sectors.

The home minister welcomed the ambassador and described Saudi Arabia as one of Bangladesh’s closest partners. He highlighted opportunities for cooperation beyond manpower export, urging officials to explore new areas of collaboration. The ambassador emphasized expediting the passport process for Rohingya residents, to which the minister responded that 22,000 passports had already been issued based on proper documentation. He warned that any corruption or irregularities in passport issuance would not be tolerated.

The ambassador invited the minister to visit Saudi Arabia with a high-level delegation to strengthen bilateral ties. The minister thanked him and indicated that a visit could take place in early July.

Internal communications among US government departments indicate that the Iran war has severely undermined Washington’s global security relationships and reputation. According to documents obtained by Politico, the conflict has weakened the US position in Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and Indonesia. Diplomatic cables describe growing anti-American sentiment and portrayals of the US as isolated in the face of Iranian aggression.

Reports from US embassies show that American influence in Azerbaijan has collapsed, Bahrain’s government faces questions about US reliability, and calls are rising in Indonesia to scale back security cooperation. The messages also highlight a loss of public trust in Washington and the spread of anti-US narratives across multiple countries.

Embassies have been instructed not to create original content about the Iran war and to post only messages approved by the White House or the State Department. Some diplomats reportedly fear speaking out under the Trump administration, which has sidelined them from foreign policy decisions and dismissed several officials.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman officially inaugurated the long-awaited Bogura City Corporation at 11:10 a.m. on April 20, 2026. During the ceremony, he called on residents to take responsibility for keeping their city clean. The event marked the fulfillment of a major local demand, with large numbers of people gathering along the streets to greet him.

Before the inauguration, Rahman traveled by road from Dhaka at 6:10 a.m. and arrived in Bogura at 10:06 a.m. He unveiled the plaque of the newly constructed Bogura Bar Association building at 11:00 a.m. and addressed a meeting at the district court, emphasizing respect for the rule of law and stating that justice is a constitutional right, not an act of mercy. He then walked to the Bogura municipality, greeting citizens and party supporters along the way.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that his government would resume development works in Bogura, including roads and drainage projects, similar to those undertaken between 2001 and 2006.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Political Affairs Adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that the people of Bangladesh want a strong law to replace the existing disappearance ordinance by closing its loopholes and deficiencies. He made the remarks on Monday at a discussion and prayer meeting held at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, marking the disappearance of former BNP organizing secretary Ilias Ali and his driver.

Rizvi stated that the country is moving from a difficult period toward better times, but true progress will come only when the rule of law is ensured and justice is accessible to all citizens. He acknowledged the government’s initiative to repeal the disappearance ordinance but criticized it for leaving many gaps. He urged the government to pass an effective law in parliament to prevent any future administration from using enforced disappearances as a political tool.

He further emphasized that missing political activists must be traced and those responsible brought to justice, while also calling for measures to stop market manipulation and abuse of power by any group.

Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, has denied reports that Moscow provided any military or intelligence assistance to Iran during the ongoing war. In an interview with the Russian newspaper Vedomosti, Jalali stated that claims of intelligence support were false and even acknowledged as inaccurate by Western sources. He clarified that all agreements between Iran and Russia were signed before the conflict began and are unrelated to current hostilities.

Jalali also discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying it is now governed under a new legal framework ensuring safe navigation. He noted that ships can continue to operate under security considerations and legal regulations. However, he did not specify whether any fees would be imposed, mentioning that Iran’s parliament is reviewing various options.

The ambassador added that high-level contacts between Russia and Iran remain active, with only minor delays in some joint projects such as the Rasht-Astara railway and nuclear cooperation initiatives.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei announced that Tehran will not participate in discussions with the United States in Islamabad. He stated that the U.S. has not learned from its past experiences and warned that such behavior would not yield positive outcomes. Baghaei added that a ten-point proposal had been submitted and discussed in Islamabad, noting that the Strait of Hormuz had been secure before recent U.S. and Israeli attacks.

According to Baghaei, Iran had clearly communicated its position to the Pakistani mediator, while the United States claimed that the ceasefire agreement did not include Lebanon. He accused Washington of imposing a naval blockade against Iran and attacking an Iranian vessel, actions he described as violations of the ceasefire and international law.

The spokesperson further alleged that the United States had twice breached agreements and attacked Iran, resulting in the deaths of Iranian citizens. The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

Member of Parliament Monirul Haque Chowdhury of Cumilla-6 attended a class with seventh-grade students at Didar Model High School in Cumilla Sadar on Monday morning. He joined the session to better understand classroom challenges and encourage students to take greater interest in their studies. During the class, assistant teacher Shamima Nasrin was teaching Kazi Nazrul Islam’s poem 'Kuli Majur'. The MP listened to the lesson, interacted with students, and assured them of addressing their concerns.

Following requests from students, Monirul Haque Chowdhury pledged to construct a new building for the school. Teacher Shamima Nasrin expressed her delight at having an elected representative in her classroom, saying it motivated both her and the students. She noted that the students confidently explained the poem’s meaning before the MP.

Chowdhury emphasized that to increase children’s interest in education, schools must nurture joy in learning and be run by qualified, dedicated teachers. He also discussed the poem’s meaning with the students to deepen their engagement with the lesson.

The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations for 2026 are set to begin across Bangladesh on Tuesday, April 21. A total of 1,857,344 students will take part in the exams, which start with the Bangla First Paper. Written tests will continue until May 20, held daily from 10 a.m., followed by practical exams from June 7 to June 14. Examinations will take place at 3,885 centers nationwide.

According to official data, more than 1.4 million students are registered under nine general education boards, over 300,000 under the Madrasa board, and more than 134,000 under the Technical Education Board. Among the total candidates, 930,305 are male and 927,039 are female, marking a decrease of about 71,626 from the previous year.

Each subject will include multiple-choice and creative sections, except for Information and Communication Technology. Students must arrive at least 30 minutes before the exam, carry their admit cards, and are prohibited from bringing mobile phones. Passing separately in multiple-choice, creative, and practical parts is mandatory.

The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations for this year will begin on Tuesday and continue until May 20. Education boards and exam centers have completed all necessary preparations. A total of 1,857,344 students are set to take part across the country, including 1,418,398 under nine general education boards, 304,286 under the Madrasa Education Board, and 134,660 under the Technical Education Board.

Compared to last year, the total number of SSC and equivalent examinees has decreased by 70,837, continuing a downward trend seen in previous years. However, the number of Dakhil examinees under the Madrasa Board has increased from 286,572 last year to 304,286 this year. The Madrasa Board will conduct exams across 742 centers from 9,125 institutions. Among the general boards, Dhaka has the highest number of candidates at 366,650, while Barishal has the lowest at 81,831.

This year’s exams will be held at 3,885 centers nationwide, involving 30,666 institutions. Authorities have finalized all arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the examinations.

Israel’s military has issued a warning to residents of 21 villages in southern Lebanon, urging them not to return to their homes. The advisory specifically cautioned civilians against crossing a designated boundary or approaching areas near the Litani River, where Israeli forces are reportedly deployed. The statement was released by Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee, who emphasized that civilians should avoid the border villages for their safety.

The affected villages include Beit Siyad Farm, Majdal Jun, Jabbqin, Yatar, Sarbin, Hula, Beit Yahoun, Shakra, Majdal Salm, Kabriqa, Farun, Jutar al-Gharbiyah, Yahmar al-Shakif, Arnoun, Deir Mimas, Marjayoun, Abbel al-Saki, al-Mari, Kafar Shuba, Ain Kana, and Ain Atta. The warning comes as a 10-day ceasefire, brokered by the United States, has been in effect between Lebanon and Israel since April 16.

The announcement underscores ongoing security concerns along the Lebanon-Israel border despite the temporary truce, highlighting the fragile nature of the current calm in the region.

A Ukrainian drone attack on the southern Russian city of Tuapse killed one person and injured another, according to regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev. The incident occurred late Sunday, marking the second strike on the port city within a few days. Debris from the drones damaged windows of several buildings, including residential structures, a primary school, a kindergarten, a museum, and a church.

Governor Kondratyev stated that the fatality occurred at the city’s seaport and expressed condolences to the victim’s family. The injured person received medical treatment following the attack. The governor also mentioned that a previous drone strike in the same region last Thursday had killed a teenage girl and a young woman.

The repeated drone incidents highlight ongoing hostilities affecting Russia’s southern regions, with civilian areas increasingly sustaining damage from aerial attacks.

Lebanese-origin French artist Ali Cherri has filed a war crimes complaint in France against Israel, following the 2024 airstrike in Beirut that killed his parents. Cherri stated that his father Mahmoud Cherri and mother Nadra Hayek were civilians, and he urged France’s war crimes unit to investigate the attack and bring those responsible to justice.

Israel has said its airstrikes in the Lebanese capital targeted facilities used by the armed group Hezbollah. However, international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, reviewed Cherri’s case and reported finding no evidence of military targets in or near the building where his parents lived.

Cherri’s lawyer, Clémence Bectarte, told Al Jazeera that under French law, the Israeli strike could be considered a war crime. She added that Israel’s military and political authorities were justifying the attacks under the pretext of fighting Hezbollah, but international law requires strict adherence to rules governing military conduct.