Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s political and agriculture adviser Nazrul Islam Khan at the Prime Minister’s Tejgaon office on Tuesday morning. The meeting focused on issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and China.

During the discussion, both sides emphasized strengthening cooperation in agriculture, forestry, and education. They discussed modern agricultural technology, forestation for environmental conservation, and skill development programs in the education sector. Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan sought more active Chinese involvement in these areas.

Ambassador Yao Wen assured that China would continue its cooperation in various development sectors in Bangladesh. The meeting was also attended by Cultural Counsellor Li Xiaopeng and Second Secretary Huang Maocong from the Chinese Embassy.

Bangladesh’s total foreign debt stood at 78.067 billion US dollars as of February 2026, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury informed the national parliament on April 21. He provided the figure in response to a question from Brahmanbaria-2 lawmaker Rumin Farhana during the parliamentary session.

The finance minister explained that the Economic Relations Division handles foreign debt repayments on behalf of the government. Each fiscal year, a projection is made for the total principal and interest payments, and corresponding allocations are included in the national budget to ensure timely repayment according to the schedule.

Amir Khasru further stated that since the current government assumed office, a total of 90.66 million US dollars in foreign debt has been repaid. The minister emphasized that repayments are being made regularly through the allocated budget funds.

China has expressed full support for Pakistan’s efforts to advance peace talks between the United States and Iran. The statement came from China’s ambassador to Pakistan, who praised Islamabad’s initiative to facilitate dialogue between the two countries.

According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong to discuss regional developments. During the meeting, Jiang commended Pakistan’s continued efforts to ease communication between Washington and Tehran, describing them as helpful for ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond.

The discussion underscores China’s backing of Pakistan’s diplomatic role in regional peacebuilding, particularly in fostering dialogue between the US and Iran.

In Faridpur’s Charbhadrasan upazila, Awami League activists attacked police officers and forcibly freed a handcuffed party leader during an arrest operation on Tuesday morning. Police had detained former union Awami League general secretary Md. Kabir Khan, 52, from Munshirchar Bazar under the Anti-Terrorism Act when his supporters launched the assault. The attackers reportedly beat the officers and took away the detainee. Five police members were injured in the incident and are receiving treatment at Charbhadrasan Health Complex.

A case regarding the attack is being processed at Charbhadrasan Police Station. Police said Kabir Khan, a resident of Paschim Charshalepur village, faces multiple cases and allegations, including land grabbing, assault, and involvement in terrorist activities. Officers stated that he was arrested from a remote area of the Padma River when his armed group attacked and rescued him.

Authorities have not yet been able to contact Kabir Khan for comment, as he did not respond to phone calls following the incident.

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has announced that both its Appellate and High Court Divisions will conduct court sessions virtually every Wednesday and Thursday each week. The decision was conveyed through a notice signed by Registrar General Muhammad Habibur Rahman Siddiqui under the directive of the Chief Justice. The new arrangement will take effect on April 22, 2026, and remain in force until further notice.

According to the notice, the move considers the current global energy situation and will be implemented under the Information Technology Use Act 2020 and the Supreme Court’s existing practice directions. On other working days, court proceedings will continue in person. Daily cause lists and virtual meeting IDs for cases eligible for virtual hearings will be published on the Supreme Court’s official website and can also be obtained from the respective benches.

The directive aims to ensure judicial continuity while adapting to energy and technological considerations, marking a structured integration of virtual proceedings into the court’s weekly operations.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen on Tuesday at the minister’s office in Dhaka. The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries. Both sides described the discussions as productive and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding mutual economic engagement.

Ambassador Christensen praised the effective functioning of Bangladesh’s parliamentary activities under the leadership of Prime Minister and Parliamentary Leader Tarique Rahman, calling it a positive example of democratic practice. He emphasized that expanding bilateral trade would benefit both nations. The ambassador also announced that Brendan Lynch, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, would soon visit Bangladesh as part of efforts to strengthen trade dialogue and expressed interest in the country’s new import policy order.

Minister Muktadir stated that the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant ministries are working on the new Import Policy Order 2026, which will soon be shared with the business community for feedback.

A total of 150 students from educational institutions in Dhaka will be allowed to attend the 13th National Parliament session under six specific conditions. The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education announced the decision on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. According to the notice, 100 students will be selected from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, 25 from the Directorate of Technical Education, and 25 from the Directorate of Madrasa Education. Seats have been allocated in the visitor galleries, including 50 in the children’s gallery and 100 in the Shiuli/Shimul galleries.

The initiative follows a request from the Minister of Education and the Minister of Primary and Mass Education, Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan, to facilitate student participation in parliamentary proceedings. The conditions include prior application through institutional channels, submission of identification documents, mandatory security checks, and restrictions on carrying electronic devices or food. Students must wear modest attire or uniforms and follow all instructions from on-duty officials.

Authorities retain the right to revoke permission without explanation, ensuring strict adherence to the rules during the parliamentary visit.

Mahmuda Alam Mitu, joint chief organizer for the southern region of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has maintained its political commitment within the 11-party alliance. She made the remark on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka, after submitting nomination papers for reserved women’s seats on behalf of the alliance.

Mitu expressed gratitude to both the NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami, noting that she was nominated as a qualified candidate by her party and that Jamaat had honored the alliance’s commitments. She contrasted Jamaat’s approach with other larger parties that, despite having more seats, failed to respect coalition candidates. She also highlighted the inclusion of a martyr’s mother, representing the family of Shaheed Jabir, as a significant gesture within the alliance.

Mitu pledged to work alongside other women leaders to promote social protection, safety, and health for women and children, and to contribute to welfare-oriented legislation in the parliament.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan conducted a surprise inspection of SSC examination centers in Singair upazila of Manikganj on Tuesday afternoon. During his visit to Joymontop High School and Shahrail High School centers, he issued strict instructions to all concerned not to show negligence in their examination duties.

The minister inspected several examination rooms, reviewed the overall environment, discipline, and measures to prevent cheating. He also spoke with center secretaries, teachers, and officials on duty to ensure that examinations were being conducted properly and transparently. Milan emphasized that such surprise inspections would continue to ensure fair, transparent, and cheating-free examinations.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khairunnahar Popy, Officer-in-Charge Md. Mazharul Islam, and other administrative officials were present during the inspection.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) handed over the body of a Bangladeshi youth who died while serving a prison sentence in India for illegal entry. The handover took place on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Nakugaon border in Nalitabari upazila of Sherpur district, in the presence of border guards and police from both countries. The deceased was identified as Shipon Hawlader, 35, son of Sabej Hawlader from Barguna Sadar.

According to police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Shipon had crossed into India illegally through the Haluaghat border in Mymensingh about 19 months earlier. He was arrested by Indian border guards, handed over to local police, and later sentenced by an Indian court to imprisonment for illegal entry. He was serving his term at Tura jail, which was due to end on April 28.

Shipon reportedly fell ill on April 16 and died while under treatment. After completion of legal formalities between the two countries, his body was returned to his family around 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

At least ten people, including a local leader of the Volunteer Wing, were injured in a shooting by miscreants in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia early Monday night. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. in Majdiar village of Moricha Union, when a group of masked attackers opened fire indiscriminately, spreading panic in the area.

According to police and local sources, the attackers attempted to abduct Robiul Islam, convener of the Moricha Union Volunteer Wing, from a shop near his home at gunpoint. When nearby residents rushed to the scene after hearing his cries for help, the assailants fired shots using guns and shotguns, injuring at least ten men and women. Locals suspect that the attack may have stemmed from a dispute over sand extraction from the Padma River.

The incident has heightened tension in the locality, though further details about the attackers or arrests were not available at the time of reporting.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Asaduzzaman Ahmad stated that Italy is one of Bangladesh’s most important development partners within the European Union. He emphasized that Bangladesh attaches special importance to its relationship with Italy, particularly in areas such as safe migration. The minister made these remarks during a meeting with Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro at his office in the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the ambassador said Italy is keen to expand bilateral relations and highlighted that the Italian government is committed to ensuring safe migration and preventing illegal migration. He announced that Italy’s new migration policy will take effect in June, aiming to facilitate safe migration and expedite the repatriation of undocumented migrants. The ambassador also mentioned that the next meeting of the Bangladesh-Italy Joint Working Group on migration and labor issues will be held in Italy.

The meeting also discussed law and order, security, economic cooperation, and trade expansion. The ambassador delivered a congratulatory letter from Italy’s Interior Minister and invited the Bangladeshi minister to visit Italy later this year.

Three women from Brahmanbaria have been nominated for reserved seats in the national parliament. They are Sanjida Islam Tuli and Nadia Pathan Papon from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and Engineer Mardia Momtaz from Jamaat-e-Islami. The announcement was made on April 21, 2026.

Sanjida Islam Tuli, from Nabinagar’s Laurfatehpur village, is the coordinator of 'Mayer Dak', a platform for families of disappeared persons, and the sister of missing BNP leader Sajedul Islam Suman. She previously contested the 13th national election from Dhaka-14 and is known for her activism on enforced disappearances. Nadia Pathan Papon, from Bijoynagar’s Chandura village, has long been involved in BNP’s student politics and currently serves as a member of the party’s Dhaka South unit.

Engineer Mardia Momtaz, nominated by Jamaat-e-Islami, is the daughter of Engineer Momtazul Karim of Paikpara in Brahmanbaria town. A graduate and postgraduate in civil engineering from BUET, she works as a lecturer at Daffodil International University and is also known as a researcher and writer.

US Vice President JD Vance is expected to arrive in Islamabad on Wednesday, according to sources cited by Al Jazeera. He reportedly departed Washington, D.C., on Tuesday evening and is scheduled to lead the US delegation in a second round of talks with Iran. The discussions are set to take place in Pakistan’s capital, with US President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also likely to attend. The delegation composition will remain similar to the first round of talks.

Several US military aircraft have already landed in Pakistan ahead of the meeting, signaling preparations for the high-level dialogue. However, uncertainty surrounds Iran’s participation. Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran would not engage in talks “under the shadow of threats,” raising doubts about whether the discussions will proceed as planned.

The situation leaves the timing and outcome of the second round of US-Iran negotiations unclear, with Pakistan hosting and China expressing support for its mediating role.

The government of Pakistan has advised US President Donald Trump to avoid harsh or provocative public remarks, according to a report by The Washington Post. The advice comes as Pakistan plays a mediating role to facilitate a potential second round of talks between Iran and the United States.

A Pakistani official told Reuters that Iran has responded positively and that the situation is improving. The official expressed hope that an Iranian delegation might join the discussions within one or two days. Pakistan has maintained close contact with both Tehran and Washington before the current ceasefire period ends to help advance the negotiation process.

The report also noted that Pakistan’s mediation efforts are aimed at ensuring progress in the dialogue, with the country actively engaging both sides to sustain momentum toward de-escalation.