Amnesty International has warned that the global human rights situation is deteriorating rapidly, accusing world leaders of pursuing political and economic dominance. In its latest report, the organization described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and U.S. President Donald Trump as 'voracious predators' whose actions have had dramatic effects on the international order.

Amnesty’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard said that the world has reached a stage where brutal violence is increasing and the international human rights framework is weakening. The report noted a rise in authoritarian policies and repressive behavior worldwide, with growing attacks on basic civil liberties in many countries.

The report cited the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as the Iran–Israel conflict, as examples of international law violations that have killed thousands. It also criticized the United Kingdom for its crackdown on pro-Palestinian movements. Amnesty warned that the normalization of civilian killings amid ongoing wars poses a grave threat to the global human rights system.

The new government of Bangladesh has borrowed Tk 445 billion from the banking system within just 52 days of assuming power. According to Bangladesh Bank data, this rapid borrowing has already exceeded the fiscal year’s target of Tk 1.04 trillion, with total government borrowing reaching Tk 1.127 trillion by April 9. Of this, the interim government borrowed Tk 682.29 billion between July and February 16. The report indicates that the government’s net bank borrowing during the first nine months and nine days of the fiscal year rose by 139.6 percent compared to the same period last year.

Sector insiders attribute the surge in borrowing to election-related expenses, new investments, and increased subsidies in the energy sector due to the Iran war’s impact. Revenue collection has fallen short by about Tk 715 billion over the first eight months, forcing the government to rely more heavily on bank loans to meet expenditure.

Bangladesh Bank’s former chief economist Dr. Mustafa K Mujeri noted that low revenue collection has made it difficult to meet budgetary spending targets, pushing the government to exceed its borrowing limit even with three months left in the fiscal year.

A violent clash erupted between two rival groups in Meghna upazila of Cumilla on Monday afternoon, reportedly over political rivalry and longstanding enmity. The confrontation took place in Maisharchar village under Chalivanga Union, where both sides used local weapons, including spears. During the violence, a duplex house belonging to one faction was allegedly set on fire, leaving at least four people injured.

According to police and local sources, the conflict involved the BNP-aligned Salam group and the Awami League–aligned Monowar Member group, who have been engaged in disputes and legal battles over local dominance. The situation escalated following a minor altercation on Saturday, culminating in Monday’s large-scale clash. Police arrived at the scene to bring the situation under control.

Local officials confirmed that the fire caused significant damage and spread panic in the area. Injured individuals were taken to nearby hospitals, though most identities remain unknown. Authorities stated that legal action will follow if formal complaints are filed.

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Homalin area along the India-Myanmar border on Tuesday at 6:29 a.m. local time. The tremor, originating in Myanmar’s Sagaing province at a depth of about 66 kilometers, caused mild shaking that was also felt in parts of Bangladesh, according to the international monitoring agency Earthquake Track.

Because the quake occurred at a relatively deep level, its intensity on the surface remained low. As of now, no reports of damage or casualties have been received from India, Myanmar, or Bangladesh. The event was described as a moderate seismic occurrence with limited impact.

Bangladesh, though not located directly on a major tectonic fault line, occasionally experiences tremors due to its proximity to seismically active regions in northeastern India and Myanmar. Authorities have not issued any warnings or alerts following this incident.

The Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Dakhil, and equivalent examinations for the current year began on Tuesday at 10 a.m. across Bangladesh. A total of 1,857,344 students from 30,666 institutions are participating under nine general, one madrasa, and one technical education board. The exams are being held at 3,885 centers nationwide. The Ministry of Education and relevant boards have taken all necessary preparations to ensure smooth and fair conduct of the examinations.

At a press conference held on Monday at the Secretariat, Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon and ministry officials shared details of the arrangements. The minister said measures were taken to help students reach centers early and to prevent cybercrimes related to question papers. He also warned that any wrongdoing would face legal action. Despite preparations, widespread power outages in several areas have disrupted students’ exam preparations, though the ministry has requested uninterrupted electricity at exam centers.

The minister did not confirm whether SSC and HSC exams would be held in December this year but emphasized that exams would follow course completion schedules. He also reiterated a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption within the ministry.

Police in Araihazar, Narayanganj, have arrested Mamunur Rashid, the former president of the now-banned Chhatra League unit in the upazila and a mayoral candidate for Araihazar Municipality. The arrest took place around 1 a.m. on Monday, April 20, at his residence in the Nagrapara area of Araihazar Municipality.

According to the Officer-in-Charge of Araihazar Police Station, Md. Alauddin, authorities are currently verifying whether any cases are filed against Mamunur Rashid. He stated that legal action will be taken following the review. No further details about the reasons for the arrest or the charges, if any, were provided in the report.

The incident marks a notable development in local political affairs, as Mamunur Rashid previously held a leadership role in a banned political student organization and was seeking municipal office.

Bangladesh is experiencing mounting economic pressure as the Iran war sharply increases global oil prices. Since the United States and Israel launched an offensive in Iran on February 28, 2026, oil prices have surged from around 71–81 dollars per barrel to as high as 128 dollars in early April. The disruption of fuel supply through the Hormuz Strait, which carries about 63 percent of Bangladesh’s fuel imports, has forced the government to introduce oil rationing from March 8. Domestic fuel prices have risen by up to 16 percent, and liquefied gas prices have increased twice within 18 days, worsening inflation and living costs.

The conflict has triggered a cost-push inflation across Bangladesh, affecting households, transport, and industries. The government, already under fiscal strain, has sought about 2 billion dollars in emergency loans from development partners while facing pressure from the IMF and World Bank to reduce fuel subsidies. Rising fuel costs are also expected to severely impact agriculture, increasing production costs and threatening food security.

If the war continues, Bangladesh may face further economic instability, including risks to remittance inflows from the Middle East and potential social repercussions from returning migrant workers.

A violent clash broke out at Chittagong Government City College on April 21, 2026, between activists of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir. The confrontation began after a graffiti related to the 'July-August' movement was altered, replacing the word 'student' with 'Gupta'. The incident led to an hour-long chase and counter-chase, prompting the college authorities to suspend internal classes and exams temporarily. However, degree and master’s level exams under the National University continued as scheduled.

According to college and local sources, the graffiti originally read 'student politics and Chhatra League-free campus'. The alteration, allegedly led by Chhatra Dal’s joint convener Abdullah Al Mamun, triggered outrage after a video circulated on social media. Shibir leaders accused Chhatra Dal of launching an unprovoked attack, while Chhatra Dal leaders claimed they were investigating the graffiti issue and emphasized the need for peaceful coexistence on campus.

Police were deployed to restore order, and teachers helped calm the situation. The college principal confirmed that the situation had returned to normal, though internal academic activities remained suspended for the day.

US Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has announced her resignation from the Trump administration. In a message released on Monday, she said that although her tenure in office has ended, she will continue working for American workers and plans to return to the private sector.

Speculation about her departure had circulated for weeks, following recent removals of Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi from the administration. The White House communications director, Steven Cheung, praised Chavez-DeRemer’s service, calling her tenure “outstanding.” However, her time in office was marked by multiple controversies. Reports alleged that she, her aides, and family members sent personal messages to young female staffers and used staff for personal errands during official trips. Her husband and father also faced allegations of inappropriate contact with young female employees, prompting an internal investigation that led to the removal of four officials, including her former chief and deputy chief of staff.

At least three employees reportedly filed civil rights complaints citing a hostile work environment. Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling will serve as acting secretary until a permanent replacement is named.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that Iranian drones attacked a US Navy vessel in the Gulf of Oman after American forces seized an Iranian-flagged container ship named Towska. According to US Central Command, the USS Spruance disabled the ship’s propulsion after repeated warnings went unanswered, and US sailors later boarded it from the USS Tripoli by helicopter. The ship had departed Malaysia’s Port Klang on April 12 and was located about 40 nautical miles from Iran’s Chabahar port. US President Donald Trump said the action followed Iran’s attempt to violate a US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Trump stated that Iranian sailors ignored warnings, prompting US forces to pierce the ship’s engine room and halt it mid-sea. The 290-meter vessel is now under full US Navy control and was already under US Treasury sanctions for previous illegal activities. The incident has reignited global discussion over the use of naval blockades as a strategic tool, a practice historically aimed at weakening adversaries by disrupting trade and supply routes.

Historical examples cited include British blockades during World War I, Allied actions against Japan in World War II, and more recent blockades in Gaza and Yemen, illustrating both their tactical effectiveness and humanitarian consequences.

The Forest Department has filed an eviction case in Cox’s Bazar following a report alleging illegal construction of a multistoried building on reserved forest land in Ukhia’s Rajapalong union. The case, registered on April 16, targets two individuals accused of occupying the land. However, environmental activists have criticized the move as superficial, claiming that construction continues despite the legal action.

Local residents allege that the case has effectively legitimized the building, while some corrupt officials reportedly accepted around 300,000 taka in bribes to allow the project. The building, located in the Swarn Pahar area, has already reached three stories, with work ongoing. Forest officials admit to manpower shortages and say they need administrative and police support to enforce eviction orders.

Environmental groups warn that without swift and effective measures, such encroachments on protected forest areas could increase further, undermining conservation efforts in the region.

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.