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.

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.