Education Adviser Prof. Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar warned that neglecting primary education will result in an incompetent and unproductive population. Addressing field officials, he stressed the importance of improving educational standards, adding, “Our future depends on it.” He directed school inspectors to focus on students’ learning outcomes and hold teachers and assistant education officers accountable for underperforming schools. He also called for disciplinary measures where necessary.

Pakistani diplomat Mohammad Faisal accused India of reneging on its commitment to a plebiscite in Kashmir as mandated by UN resolutions. He said recognizing Kashmir as a disputed territory is essential for peace and called for a resolution through dialogue. Faisal dismissed Indian accusations regarding Pahalgam as baseless and reiterated Pakistan's demand for an impartial international investigation. He added that India currently deploys 900,000 troops in Jammu and Kashmir and maintains a belligerent stance toward Pakistan.

Former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Anwarullah Chowdhury revealed that he received death threats during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure for criticizing fascism. Before August 5, he was warned at home to stop making anti-government speeches or risk being shot by armed student activists. He condemned the establishment of BAKSAL and media censorship, crediting Ziaur Rahman for restoring press freedom. Editor Mahmudur Rahman warned of a return to fascism and growing Indian influence in Bangladesh, urging public vigilance.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan stated that there is strong public interest in learning the Quran, which should be a daily practice. He emphasized the need to use the Quran as a vehicle to influence society positively. Dr. Shamima Tasnim added that if society and the state are not governed according to Quranic principles, meaningful change is impossible. She stressed that accountability must be to Allah and that no institution can succeed without God-consciousness.

Journalists Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi were murdered, not victims of suicide, according to a progress report submitted to the High Court. The taskforce revealed that two individuals were involved, with Sagar killed first, followed by Runi. Both were in bed with their child before the attack. Due to unclear DNA evidence, the killers remain unidentified. No signs of marital discord, theft, or professional rivalry were found. The murder weapons—a knife and a cleaver from the kitchen—were used while the victims were still alive.

Islamic Arabic University is determined to enhance the quality of madrasa education and eliminate session delays, said Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shamsul Alam during a visit to an exam center. He urged cooperation from students, teachers, and guardians to ensure a cheating-free environment during exams. The 2023 Kamil postgraduate exams have already commenced.

Following the Pahalgam attack, cross-border firing was reported near the Tutmar Gali post in India-controlled Kashmir and the Lepa sector in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Though no casualties have been confirmed, local residents—particularly in Karnah, Kupwara—have begun rebuilding underground bunkers at their own expense. The activity reflects renewed fears on both sides of the Line of Control, as memories of past destruction resurface among civilians.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that India has yet to provide credible evidence linking Pakistan to the recent Pahalgam attack. During a meeting with Turkey’s ambassador, Sharif expressed appreciation for President Erdogan’s continued support for Pakistan. Despite India’s “provocative behavior,” he reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to restraint and called once again for an impartial international investigation. He added that Pakistan would welcome Turkish participation in such an initiative. The Turkish envoy reaffirmed support for Pakistan and urged all regional parties to exercise restraint to preserve peace in South Asia.

The ongoing conflict between Myanmar’s military junta and the Arakan Army in Rakhine has triggered a sharp increase in Rohingya entering Bangladesh. With civilians caught in the crossfire, data suggests an average of 6,500 illegal crossings per month. Over the past 18 months, biometric registration has been completed for 115,000 new entrants, but experts estimate an additional 5,000–10,000 remain unregistered in border regions. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel, facing difficult terrain and resource limitations, are unable to contain the inflow effectively. Security experts have also raised concerns over potential cross-border corridors being exploited.

The Express Tribune reports that Indian journalist Archana Tiwari’s investigation highlighted inconsistencies in the official narrative of the Pahalgam incident. Tiwari questioned whether the alleged attack on a newlywed couple and the husband’s reported death were fabricated. A Kashmiri driver confirmed, “Yes, it’s all false. The husband is alive—it was all staged.” She further asked if videos of the widow and a traumatized child were also fake. The driver replied, “Yes, it's all political theater. How could terrorists firing from 10 kilometers away ask about the victims’ religion?”

In mid-February, Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman met with a US trade representative at the White House, who urged increased cotton imports from the US. Following the meeting, he was escorted to another room where he met Elon Musk. Musk discussed ongoing regulatory talks concerning Starlink in Bangladesh. Neither the Bangladeshi nor US side publicly disclosed the visit or meeting, but the details surfaced in a Matbai column.

Adviser Mahfuz Alam stated that all media in Bangladesh, including state outlets like Bangladesh Betar and BTV, now operate free from government interference. “No government official is calling media houses to influence reporting,” he said. He credited government initiatives for the country’s 16-place jump in the World Press Freedom Index. Alam noted that additional reforms, based on the Media Reform Commission's recommendations, will be introduced soon. He expressed optimism that Bangladesh will continue to improve in next year’s rankings while safeguarding media and journalist rights.

The Bangladesh College-University Teachers Association has called for the full nationalization of the education system, opposing the piecemeal government takeover of institutions. Among their 11 demands are allocating 6% of GDP for education (as per UNESCO guidelines), 100% festival, housing, and medical allowances for MPO-listed staff, forming an Education Reform Commission, and raising the retirement age to 65 for all educators, matching university standards.

Ahead of student union elections, Jahangirnagar University has barred the entry of outsiders on campus starting May 3 until further notice. The university administration issued the restriction to maintain security during the elections for the central and hall student unions. All university personnel have been instructed to carry their ID cards at all times.

Khulna University students staged protests late Friday night after Assistant Student Affairs Director Hasan Mahmud Sakir was assaulted by a former student. The injured staff member is being treated at Khulna Medical College Hospital. Protesters condemned the attack, declared the assailant, Noman, persona non grata on campus, and demanded the harshest punishment under university regulations.