Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has described the International Buddhist Monastery as a powerful symbol of Bangladesh’s communal harmony. Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony for the monastery’s new ‘Harmony Building,’ he emphasized the historic role of Buddhist monasteries as centers of education and culture. Citing the teachings of Buddha, Yunus said that peace and compassion must extend to all beings, without exception. He invited people of all faiths to join in the celebration of the inclusive Pahela Baishakh festival.

Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed has emphasized the urgent need for a separate secretariat for the Supreme Court, citing the dual administrative nature of the current judicial system. He highlighted that a 12-point reform initiative is underway to enhance transparency and eliminate difficulties faced by litigants. Upon completion, the reforms aim to establish a sustainable, efficient judiciary with greater accountability for all stakeholders. The Chief Justice called on the judiciary, legal community, and media to play active roles in this transformation.

A violent clash broke out between residents of two villages in Rajair, Madaripur, following a long-standing dispute. The incident, which occurred in the Beparipara area, left at least 25 people injured, including eight police officers—two of whom are Officers-in-Charge (OC). The conflict escalated after an altercation between youths over fireworks during Eid celebrations. Retaliatory attacks led to a nighttime clash involving homemade weapons, vandalism of shops, and explosions of crude bombs.

To ensure public safety during the Bengali New Year 1432 celebrations, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has deployed extensive security measures across the country. A total of 2,449 RAB personnel, including 346 patrol teams and 413 plainclothes intelligence officers, will remain on duty until the festivities conclude. Key celebration zones such as TSC, Shahbagh, Suhrawardy Udyan, Hatirjheel, Manik Mia Avenue, Shishu Academy, and Ramna Batamul have been equipped with check-posts, observation posts, and patrol units. Bomb disposal squads and canine units will sweep sensitive locations, staying on standby for any potential threats. Special arrangements have also been made to ensure women’s safety, and a cyber monitoring team will work to counter misinformation and rumors.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus unveiled the foundation stone for the “Harmony Center” at the International Buddhist Monastery on Sunday. After visiting the prayer hall, he met with Buddhist community leaders in Merul Badda, where he was welcomed by the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation. Army Chief General Waqar-Uz-Zaman was also present. The monastery plays a vital role in preserving and promoting the cultural and religious heritage of the Buddhist community in Bangladesh.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sajjad Ali has reassigned Additional Commissioner (Detective Branch) Rezaul Karim Mallik to DMP headquarters. This follows criticism over the controversial arrest of model Meghna Alam under the Special Powers Act. Law Advisor Asif Nazrul commented that the arrest process was flawed, sparking further debate over due process and police overreach.

A court has issued arrest warrants against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, former UK MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and Azmina Siddiq in a corruption case related to RAJUK plot allocations. Other accused include several top bureaucrats, former RAJUK officials, and engineers. This follows another arrest warrant issued last week against Hasina and 17 others, including Saima Wazed Putul.

Faculty members at Harvard University have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for its decision to review $9 billion in federal grants and contracts, calling it an attack on academic freedom and free speech. The move comes amid a broader crackdown on alleged “antisemitism” on university campuses. The lawsuit argues the administration is using the review to suppress pro-Palestinian activism. Previously, Trump had pushed for visa cancellations of protesting students and imposed restrictions on universities that supported Palestinian causes.

More than 100 people, including 20 children and 9 aid workers, were killed in two days of attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias on Zamzam and Abu Shorouk refugee camps in El Fasher, North Darfur. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Clementine Nkweta-Salami condemned the attacks, which occurred on Friday and Saturday, and described them as grave violations of international humanitarian law.

At least 45 individuals have been detained after violence erupted in the Export Processing Zone (EPZ). According to industrial police and workers, around 300-400 outsiders stormed two garment factories—Unosco BD Ltd. and Ananta Washing Ltd.—pressuring workers to join an anti-Israel “March for Gaza.” Clashes broke out between factory staff and the intruders, resulting in stone-throwing and vandalism. Police suspect a deeper conspiracy behind the incident.

Sixteen individuals have been sent to jail following an attack on Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel in Sunamganj. According to BGB commander Lt. Col. AKM Zakaria Kadir, on March 17 a group of sand smugglers crossed the Bangladesh-India border and began illegal sand extraction. When BGB seized tractors loaded with minerals worth BDT 4 million, the smugglers launched an attack, severely injuring one BGB member. A case was filed against 25 individuals, naming local ringleader Shipon as the main accused.

National University Vice-Chancellor Dr. A.S.M. Amanullah has said that wealthy students generally avoid attending National University. Speaking about reforms, he emphasized introducing practical training like outsourcing, cooking, and technical courses, as well as promoting cultural activities such as debates and sports through dedicated funding. Dr. Amanullah also raised concerns over political influence in college governing bodies, stating that if the situation persists, the very need for such bodies could be questioned. He expressed frustration over teachers’ salaries and blamed the decline in Dhaka University’s standards on poor governance and political interference. He also called for new strategies to increase student attendance in classrooms.

The Malaysian Immigration Department detained 148 undocumented immigrants—including Bangladeshis—on Saturday in Johor. Immigration Director Nor Faizal stated that the detainees failed to produce valid travel documents or work permits and were found to have misused their social visit passes. Some claimed their passports and permits were held by their employers. During the raid, an immigration officer sustained serious injuries after being struck by a fleeing foreign worker.

Prominent academic Dr. Salimullah Khan has urged the government to allocate a minimum of 6% of the national income to the education sector. He referenced Sri Lanka’s new government, which has pledged 10% for education, noting that while Bangladesh may not reach that figure, 6% is the least that should be done. Dr. Khan criticized economists like Hossain Zillur Rahman, who argue such funding would be wasted on infrastructure. “Allocate a separate budget for buildings if needed,” he said. “But don’t ignore ongoing educational expenses while talking about democracy—it’s contradictory.”

A young man named Hasan has been arrested by RAB on Friday night in Rupganj, Narayanganj, for allegedly attempting to rape a five-year-old girl. According to RAB-11 Deputy Commander Ishtiaq Ahmed, the incident took place in the Ariabo area of Tarabo Municipality, where Hasan reportedly lured the child with chocolate before attempting the assault. Locals rushed to the scene upon hearing the child’s screams, prompting the suspect to flee. The child’s father later filed a formal complaint at Rupganj Police Station.