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.

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.

To facilitate hassle-free travel for the public during Eid-ul-Fitr, an executive order has declared April 3, 2025, a public holiday. This decision was made in a meeting of the Advisory Council today.

The announcement was shared from the verified Facebook page of the Chief Adviser. Previously, the Eid holidays were scheduled until April 2, with April 4 being a Friday. With this new holiday, people will now enjoy an extended Eid vacation.

Authorities have decided to cancel the annual Urs at the shrine of Hazrat Shah Arefin (RA), a close companion of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA), due to religious sensitivities. The event, scheduled from March 26-28 at the zero point of the Laurgarh border in Shahidabad, coincides with Ramadan and the holy night of Shab-e-Qadr on March 27. Local religious leaders and administration officials agreed that proceeding with the Urs could disrupt the sanctity of these occasions.

Employees of Rangpur City Corporation locked the main gate and besieged the offices of the Chief Executive and Accounts Department, demanding their March salaries and Eid bonuses. They alleged that despite government orders, the administrator delayed payments. Public services, including vaccination programs, were disrupted. After nearly three hours of protest, the administrator signed the payment files, leading the employees to withdraw the blockade. Protesters expressed frustration over the delay, emphasizing the hardship of celebrating Eid without salaries. Payments are set to begin on Sunday.

A joint operation involving army infantry divisions, independent brigades, and law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of 249 individuals across various regions. Conducted between March 13 and 19, 2025, the operation targeted listed criminals, extortionists, fugitives, gang members, kidnappers, human traffickers, food adulterators, juvenile gang members, and drug dealers. The arrested individuals were caught red-handed during the raids.