In a video message, Adviser Asif Mahmud revealed that the Army Chief had strongly opposed the appointment of Dr. Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser.

“The primary veto came from the Army Chief, who questioned: ‘Why Yunus? Why not anyone else?’ He pointed out that Dr. Yunus has pending cases and is a convicted person. How can a convicted individual be the Chief Adviser of a country?”

He further added that the Army Chief also raised concerns about the Awami League, noting that despite the controversies, 30-40% of Bangladesh’s population still supports the party. “Should we ignore their opinion and appoint someone who is outright opposed to them?” he asked.

Ahmed Ali Qasemi, the Naib-e-Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam, has warned that if any attempt is made to rehabilitate the Awami League, students and the public will resist, just as they did during the July uprising.

He also condemned an attack on Gaza, where 400 people were reportedly killed during suhoor preparations. Additionally, he criticized India for attempting to provoke Muslims by interfering with the tomb of Aurangzeb. Addressing the BJP, he said, “You are meddling in Bangladesh’s affairs and sheltering its criminals. By doing so, you have betrayed the patriotic people of this country.”

At least 20 people were injured in a violent clash in Purapara Bazar, Jhenaidah, over a dispute related to a broken toilet slab. Reports indicate that two days ago, a locally operated Nasimon (engine-driven transport) hit and damaged the toilet slab of a man named Anichur Rahman from Bhatpara village.

In retaliation, the Nasimon driver, Raju, was beaten up. When locals intervened to rescue him, they too were attacked by Anichur and his associates. To resolve the dispute, a community arbitration was scheduled at Purapara Bazar on Thursday evening. However, before the arbitration could take place, one of the groups launched a surprise attack, leading to injuries on both sides.

A massive fire broke out at the residence of a Delhi High Court judge while the Chief Justice was away in Delhi. Firefighters took nearly an hour to control the blaze. However, while inspecting the site for any lingering fire pockets, they were shocked to discover a staggering amount of cash inside the judge’s home.

Following the incident, Supreme Court Justice Sanjiv Khanna immediately convened a collegium meeting. It was decided that Justice Yashwant Verma would be transferred to the Allahabad High Court with immediate effect. Discussions are also underway regarding his possible impeachment. Several collegium members believe that merely transferring him is too lenient for such a serious offense, arguing that it could damage the judiciary’s reputation. Many are calling for his immediate resignation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the country’s internal intelligence chief for failing to prevent Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. The outgoing official, Bar, will step down on April 10. The decision has sparked public outrage, leading to anti-government protests in Tel Aviv, while thousands of Israelis joined demonstrations in Jerusalem against renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

Tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated under Donald Trump’s administration. A report by The New York Times claimed that Elon Musk was scheduled to brief the Pentagon on potential military conflict with China. However, Trump dismissed the claim, stating that the meeting had no connection to China. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X, clarifying that the agenda focused on “innovation, efficiency, and smart manufacturing.”

Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has warned that the attempt to restore Awami League’s rule so soon after the genocide is dangerous. In a social media post, he questioned, “Since when have we become more inclusive and democratic than Germany or Italy?” Meanwhile, political commentator Hasnat Abdullah alleged on Facebook that India is conspiring to introduce a “refined Awami League” under leaders like Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Shirin Sharmin, and Taposh.

Ajaz Bin Alam, alias Fahim (34), a suspected top criminal, died in police custody while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He had been arrested by joint forces on March 10 and was later granted bail. However, he was re-arrested and hospitalized under a pseudonym before dying in custody. Police officials have denied responsibility, but reports indicate he suffered from long-term kidney disease.

A young man was beaten to death, and two others were critically injured by a mob in Old Dhaka’s Swarighat area on suspicion of robbery. According to police reports, early this morning, four individuals attempted to rob a man at the ferry terminal. Locals chased them, causing one to flee while the remaining three jumped into the river. They swam to Champatali Ghat in Chawkbazar, where an enraged crowd captured and attacked them. Police later rescued the victims, but one succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Authorities have seized 128 bags of government-provided Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) rice, each weighing 30 kg, from the house of Union Parishad (UP) member Rokon Uddin in Itna, Kishoreganj. Acting on a tip-off, a joint task force raided his house and found the illegally stored rice. The accused UP member is currently on the run, and similar allegations have been made against UP Chairman Adiluzzaman Bhuiyan.

Sajib Sardar, a 28-year-old from Madaripur’s Shibchar, died in a Libyan detention facility after being tortured by human traffickers. He had planned to migrate to Italy through a local agent, Borhan Bepari, under a contract worth Tk 1.5 million ($15,000). However, he and his cousin Rakib were sold multiple times by traffickers. His family had already paid Tk 4.6 million ($46,000) in ransom, yet he was killed. Sajib’s last conversation with his family took place on Wednesday night, and by Thursday, news of his death had reached home.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at shutting down the Department of Education and transferring educational responsibilities back to state and local governments. The department, which currently employs around 4,400 staff members and operates with an annual budget of approximately $79 billion, serves over 50 million students nationwide. Educators and teachers’ unions have opposed the decision, arguing that the federal government has historically played a crucial role in American education.

The Ministry of Culture has announced that this year’s Bangla New Year will not just be a festival for Bengalis but will be celebrated nationally with participation from all ethnic groups, including Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Manipuri, and Garo communities. To mark the occasion, the government has declared a public holiday for the day. Additionally, for the first time, a special cultural program will be held at the Shilpakala Academy on the eve of the New Year. These initiatives reflect the government’s move towards a more inclusive approach in Bangladesh.

Adviser Farida Akhter emphasized the need for collective efforts to make tourism a tobacco-free sector. While smoking has been banned on airplanes, hotels have yet to implement a smoking-free policy. She mentioned that amendments to tobacco control laws will be made soon to address this issue. Akhter further noted that the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock is deeply connected with both tourism and aviation. Without dairy products, eggs, fish, and meat, tourism and aviation cannot function. She also highlighted the significant contribution of rural women in this sector, stressing that their involvement in areas such as eggs, mutton, and milk is indispensable.

Bangladeshi police have arrested an Indian national for allegedly attempting to sexually assault a nine-year-old child in Daudkandi, Cumilla. The suspect, 50-year-old Tajindar Singh, had been renting a room in Singula village for an extended period. On Thursday morning, he lured the child into his room with the promise of chocolates and then attempted to touch her inappropriately. Another child witnessed the incident and informed the victim’s mother. Her cries for help alerted locals, who apprehended Singh and handed him over to the police after a beating. A case has been filed against him.