The government has declared a public holiday on April 13 for the Chittagong Hill Tracts—Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban—in celebration of Chaitra Sankranti. Residents will enjoy a four-day holiday in total, including the preceding Friday and Saturday (weekend) and April 14 (Pahela Baishakh). All scheduled banks in these three districts will remain closed on April 13, according to a notice from Bangladesh Bank.

The government will ensure that the Bengali New Year and Chaitra Sankranti festivities are celebrated with equal enthusiasm in both the hill tracts and the plains, according to the Cultural Adviser. Key highlights include:
• April 4–19: Local New Year festivals and fairs across indigenous communities including Biju, Bisu, Sangrai, Bihu, Baha, and Wangala.
• April 12: Twelve regional Sadhumela fairs across the country, and the Fagua festival with tea workers in Sreemangal.
• April 13–14: Two-day cultural event by Nabopran Andolon at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
• April 13 (3 PM): Band show at Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka.
• April 14 (6:15 AM): Traditional New Year event by Chhayanaut at Ramna Batamul.
• April 14 (6 AM): Cultural performances at Rabindra Sarobar by Surer Dhara with diverse ethnic groups.
• April 14 (9 AM): Grand parade by Dhaka University involving 28 ethnic communities.
• April 14 (Evening): Drone show and cultural program at the National Parliament’s South Plaza featuring a Chinese technical team and local bands.

In Patuakhali, Jubo Dal leader Humayun Kabir Sohag has been accused of corruption in a lucrative construction contract, allegedly in collaboration with a Jubo League leader. The project, involving primary school construction, required 799 foundation piles, but fewer than 600 were used, sparking serious safety and corruption concerns. Upon being contacted, Sohag not only admitted to landing the deal after 17 years but also verbally abused the journalist and issued threats. The contractor of record was later revealed to be Jubo League leader Monibur Rahman, who reportedly swapped the deal with Sohag through a mutual agreement on August 5.

The prosecution at the war crimes tribunal has requested Interpol to issue red notices against 10 individuals, including former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Others named include former ministers Obaidul Quader, A.K.M. Mozammel Haque, Hasan Mahmud, and several high-profile Awami League leaders and ex-officials such as Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, Nasrul Hamid Bipu, Mohammad Ali Arafat, and Tarek Anam Siddiqui.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that no country wishes well for Bangladesh more than India does. Expressing concern, he highlighted the deep-rooted, people-centric relationship between the two nations. “The key takeaway from our BIMSTEC meeting is that due to historical reasons, India’s relationship with Bangladesh is very unique—it’s fundamentally a people-to-people connection, more than with any other country,” Jaishankar said. He also voiced concerns over rising fundamentalist trends in Bangladesh, stating, “As a country rooted in democratic traditions, elections are vital for democracy. We hope Bangladesh will stay on that path.”

Dr. Mumtazur Rahman Daud, CEO of Bangla US LLC, announced at an investment summit that the company is investing $1.6 billion (approximately Tk 2000 crore) to build an international-standard hospital in Bangladesh by 2026. The project also includes plans for a nursing university and industrial facilities, aiming to significantly enhance the country’s healthcare and industrial sectors.

Education Adviser Dr. C. R. Abrar has confirmed that SSC and equivalent exam results will be published within 60 days as per tradition. He assured that all sources of question paper leaks have been sealed. This year, over 1.92 million students are sitting for exams at 2,291 centers across the country. The exams began at 10 AM and will continue until May 13, with practicals scheduled from May 15 to 22.

In a controversial move, Tamanna Sharmin, wife of accused terrorist Sajjad, was granted anticipatory bail despite being 463rd on the hearing list. Journalist Zulkarnaine Sayer alleged that she bypassed over 300 applicants by bribing court officials. The bail was granted by a High Court bench led by Justices Mahbub-ul-Alam and Hamidur Rahman, who have also faced allegations of fast-tracking bail for ruling party members.

In a corruption case involving illegal RAJUK plot allocations, a court has issued arrest warrants against 18 individuals, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul. Other accused include top officials from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, former RAJUK members, and high-ranking bureaucrats.

Amir of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, stressed the importance of logical electoral reforms ahead of the upcoming national elections. He stated that justice and equality can only be ensured through Islamic principles. Welcoming the announcement of upcoming local government elections, he urged political parties to unite for an Islamic electoral front. He also condemned recent looting under the guise of pro-Palestine protests and warned against indecency during Pahela Baishakh celebrations.

A joint force comprising the military, police, RAB, and city authorities carried out a two-day anti-middleman operation at the National Orthopedic Hospital and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital. Ten individuals involved in extortion, admission scams, and illegal patient referrals were arrested, and over 100 illegal structures were removed. Several were fined and sentenced through mobile courts.

Two individuals were killed and one injured in a mob beating incident in Dhaka’s Kamrangirchar area. The deceased, Nadim (35) and Masud (29), were reportedly criminals with multiple cases filed against them. Police say they had come to intimidate a plaintiff in an ongoing case when locals apprehended and beat them. All three were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where two were declared dead.

Eight people have been arrested in connection with attacks on businesses during recent anti-Israel protests in Chattogram. Police filed four cases in Kotwali, Khulshi, Chawkbazar, and Panchlaish police stations. According to CMP Additional Commissioner Mahmudah Begum, protests turned violent, resulting in damage to restaurants, clothing stores, and other establishments. CCTV and video footage are being used to identify additional suspects.

After serving sentences in India for illegal entry, 14 Bangladeshi nationals were repatriated via the West Garo Hills district’s Tura prison. Upon completion of legal formalities, Indian immigration authorities handed them over to Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) in the presence of the Border Security Force (BSF).

A joint task force arrested nine individuals, including BNP leader Farid Khan and Jubo Dal activist Kazi Pavel, during a raid on a brick kiln in Magura’s Parla area. The raid yielded one Chinese pistol, two one-shooter guns, one airgun, and various local weapons and ammunition. Others arrested include Nuhudarul Huda, Abdul Jalil Jewel, Shahin Sheikh, Ainul Hossain, Elias Khan, and Syed Khairul Alam Shawon.