In violation of international law, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) attempted to construct a barbed-wire fence at the Dahagram border in Lalmonirhat’s Patgram upazila. Local sources reported that BSF began constructing the fence near Zero Line at sub-pillar 48 of pillar 42. Upon noticing the activity, locals alerted the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), who intervened and successfully halted the construction.

Two students from Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST) have been temporarily expelled over allegations of blasphemy. Proctor Prof. Dr. Kamruzzaman Khan stated that the accusations emerged on Friday, March 14, after controversial Facebook posts and comments by Bikarna Das Divya and Pronoy Kundu went viral. Following protests by students demanding their expulsion, the university administration issued show-cause notices to the accused. As their responses were deemed unsatisfactory, an emergency meeting on Sunday resulted in their temporary expulsion.

Due to Israel’s blockade, one million children in Gaza are experiencing extreme hunger, according to UNICEF. The organization reported that thousands are deprived of clean water and basic sanitation. “Immediate access to water and electricity is necessary to save children’s lives,” said UNICEF Regional Director Eduardo Beigbeder from Deir al-Balah. He emphasized that water is a fundamental human right and should not be denied. While UNICEF and its partners are striving to provide aid, Beigbeder warned that unless the blockade is lifted or a lasting ceasefire is established, the crisis will continue to worsen.

Adviser Rizwana Hasan has announced that the government has granted policy approval for amendments to the Women and Child Protection Act. The decision was made during a special meeting chaired by the Chief Adviser on Monday. Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul has drafted the amendments, which aim to reduce the investigation period for rape cases from 30 days to 15 and shorten trial durations from 180 days to 90. The revised law will also allow trials to proceed based solely on medical certificates, even without DNA reports, if deemed necessary by the judge.

The AB Party has provided a written response to the National Consensus Commission’s 166 proposed reforms. The party has agreed with 108 proposals, opposed 32, and partially supported 26. Among their key positions, they advocate for the direct election of the President, oppose a bicameral parliament, reject a provincial governance system, and support requiring a two-thirds majority in both houses for constitutional amendments, along with provisions for referendums. Additionally, the party has proposed suspending the current constitution and drafting a new one in alignment with the spirit of the July Revolution.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called upon the police to take a fresh oath, pledging to serve the people without obstruction. “We must not hinder the public; we must ease their path and stand by them. If we do this, there will be no problems in this country,” he stated. He emphasized the need for the police to be seen as protectors rather than enforcers, adding, “Law is our common refuge, and the police should be its guardians. If we can establish this image, people will forget the past grievances. The stains of the last 16 years cannot be erased overnight, but we can start fresh and build a new reputation.”

The Election Commission (EC) has sent a letter expressing disagreement with certain recommendations made by the Reform Commission. The EC’s letter highlights concerns over specific proposals that it believes could impact the integrity of the electoral process. The details of the objections have not been disclosed, but sources suggest that they relate to structural changes in election oversight and procedural transparency.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has questioned the attempts to create a division between the 15-year-long movement for democracy and the July uprising. He argued that the recent uprising was the culmination of the prolonged struggle led by BNP. “In these 15 years, Elias Ali, Chowdhury Alam, and Sumon have disappeared. Why? Because they were vocal about free elections and liberating Bangladesh from fascism,” he said. Rizvi claimed that the ultimate manifestation of this struggle came when young protesters sacrificed their lives in July-August to remove Sheikh Hasina. Addressing Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who now serves as Chief Adviser, Rizvi urged, “People trust you. We hope you will ensure a free and fair election.”

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has expressed gratitude to the BNP and its acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, for standing by the family of a child rape victim whose father was murdered. He revealed that the BNP had reached out to the victim’s family and taken full responsibility for the legal proceedings. “Jamaat will work alongside BNP to ensure exemplary punishment for the perpetrators,” he added. Earlier, on Monday morning, Dr. Rahman visited the victim’s family in Barguna and announced that Jamaat would cover the children’s education and medical expenses, along with the family’s other financial needs.

Dr. Kamal Hossain has stated that Sheikh Hasina is solely responsible for the fate of the Awami League. He accused her of sidelining dedicated and tested party leaders, humiliating them, and establishing a system of nepotism within the party. “In the Awami League, her word was the law. She considered herself a queen and the people as her subjects. She could not tolerate dissent,” Dr. Kamal said. According to him, this intolerance led to her fleeing “like a thief.” Notably, Kamal Hossain and Latif Siddiqui had previously faced Hasina’s wrath.

Shariful Islam Shamim, a local BNP youth leader, has been arrested in Manikganj for allegedly threatening and attempting to assault an on-duty traffic officer. According to police reports, Constable Shaheen was managing traffic in the city when Shamim, identifying himself as the district’s BNP Youth Wing Joint Convener, tried to bypass one-way traffic regulations using a rickshaw. When confronted, he became enraged and threatened to have the officer fired. Constable Shaheen has since filed a legal complaint against Shamim.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has held his first phone conversation with Donald Trump since Trump’s re-election. During the call, the two leaders discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s commitment to achieving a fair and lasting peace and expressed hope that U.S.-Turkey relations would improve under Trump’s leadership. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of lifting sanctions to restore stability and facilitate the establishment of an effective new administration in Syria.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday regarding a possible resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Speaking aboard Air Force One while traveling from Florida to Washington, Trump stated, “We want to see if we can bring an end to this war. Maybe we can, maybe we can’t, but I think we have a very good chance.” He added that discussions were already underway, and last week, he had attempted to secure Putin’s backing for Ukraine’s proposed 30-day ceasefire.

A court has imposed a travel ban on four individuals, including National Parliament Secretariat Deputy Secretary Md. Didarul Alam Chowdhury and former Member of Parliament Md. Abdul Wahed. The other two are Jahid Malek’s son, Rahat Malek (38), and a certain Md. Motahar Hossain. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) sought the ban due to ongoing investigations into allegations of illegally amassed wealth. The court has approved the request, preventing the accused from leaving the country.

Just a day after its formation, the newly announced Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Committee in Itna Upazila has been suspended amid public backlash. The Kishoreganj district branch issued a statement saying that due to strong negative reactions from students and the public, the committee’s activities have been halted. A four-member investigation committee has been formed to review the situation. Notably, the committee’s convener, Tanvir Ahmed Heri, was previously affiliated with the Bangladesh Chhatra League, sparking controversy over the legitimacy of the organization.