Police have arrested Shamim Dewan in Tongibari, Munshiganj, for allegedly raping a seventh-grade student on her way home from private tuition. The arrest was made Monday at his residence in Outshahi village. According to police, the incident occurred on Saturday when the victim was forcibly taken to an abandoned building and assaulted. Locals rushed to the scene after hearing her screams, prompting Shamim to flee. He is now in custody.

Police have arrested Md. Javed Hossain, a senior officer at Janata Bank’s Suchipara branch in Shahrasti, Chandpur, on charges of embezzling Tk 8.4 million. He was sent to court on Monday. The bank had earlier filed a complaint alleging illegal transfers between multiple accounts. Javed Hossain is a resident of Kumedpur village in Laxmipur Sadar upazila. Authorities confirmed that the case will soon be handed over to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for further investigation.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir has accused the interim government of being fearful of democratic political leadership. “Some elements within the government are actively working to depoliticize the nation, and student leaders like the martyred Wasim Akram stand in their way,” he said. Nasir criticized the government’s selective remembrance of the July uprising, saying, “While Shaheed Abu Saeed and Mir Mughda are remembered, Wasim Akram, who died at the same time, is ignored.” He added, “Wasim Akram’s sacrifice is an integral part of our fight to restore democracy. As long as the spirit of democracy lives in people’s hearts, Wasim Akram will remain immortal.”

Two Deputy Assistant Secretaries from the U.S. State Department are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka early Wednesday for a three-day official visit. This marks the first visit of a Trump-era U.S. delegation to Bangladesh and will cover a wide range of issues including democratic reforms, the Rohingya crisis, U.S. tariffs, and regional geopolitics involving Myanmar. Nicole Chulick, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, is expected to meet top officials of the interim government to discuss U.S. support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition. She may also meet with leaders from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, other political parties, and civil society representatives. The evolving situation in Myanmar is seen as a significant factor in Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, making this visit particularly important.

Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) has temporarily suspended 37 students following a review of incidents on February 18–19. A special syndicate meeting held on February 19 had formed a probe committee. Details of the disciplinary action and dormitory reopening were outlined in a university press release. Dormitories will reopen on May 2.

TikTok personality Toha Hossain has been arrested in Mirpur for allegedly promoting online gambling platforms. Police are also searching for his wife, Hur-e-Jannat. A cybercrime case was filed on Monday at Mirpur Model Police Station under the Cyber Security Act. According to the complaint, Toha lured youth into gambling with promises of high profits from small investments, leading many to financial ruin and criminal behavior.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam shared a delightful anecdote on Facebook, writing: “While recording Chief Adviser Yunus’s New Year address on a shaded lawn by the Jamuna, a cuckoo flew in and began singing from a nearby tree. Sir smiled and said, ‘Looks like we won’t need any background music!’ The cuckoo kept singing throughout the 3.5-minute speech.” In his address, the Chief Adviser extended New Year wishes to the nation and called for renewed energy to move forward.

Upon returning from a week-long medical trip to Singapore, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reiterated his party’s commitment to national unity. “We have always believed in building a new Bangladesh through dialogue and unity,” he said. He expressed hope that the Bengali year 1432 would open a new horizon for the nation and bring joy and opportunity to every citizen. Speaking on upcoming elections in December, he added, “This issue too will be resolved.”

At 7 p.m. Monday, Bangladesh’s largest drone show lit up the Dhaka sky with stunning images, thanks to technical support from the Chinese Embassy and collaboration with the Shilpakala Academy. Themed “New Year, New Bangladesh,” the show at Manik Mia Avenue featured aerial displays of iconic figures like Abu Sayeed, symbolic protestor Mughdho, the 2024 heroes, broken cages, and prayers for Palestine. The symbolic imagery highlighted the recent student-led protests and calls for regime change. The drone show followed a cultural performance.

Hundreds of illegal Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Monday, coinciding with the second day of the Jewish festival Passover. Backed by Israeli police, 765 settlers entered the compound through the Al-Mughrabi Gate and launched coordinated attacks inside the mosque. The previous day, nearly 500 settlers had also entered and attacked the mosque. Passover is one of the most significant Jewish religious festivals, commemorating the exodus of Israelites from Egypt under Prophet Moses.

BNP central leader and convener Aminul Haque led a Boishakhi procession in Mirpur’s Pallabi and Rupnagar areas, joined by party activists and locals. He said, “The joy of the Bengali New Year has found expression in this public celebration. For the first time in a tyranny-free Bangladesh, people are celebrating their cultural heritage freely.” He conveyed New Year greetings on behalf of Tarique Rahman and called for a united, prosperous, and humane Bangladesh free from violence and political revenge.

Rabindra University in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj showcased powerful imagery at its Boishakhi fair—depicting both the 2024 mass uprising and the brutalities in Palestine under Israeli occupation. Alongside food stalls, students organized displays highlighting these issues. VC Prof. Dr. S.M. Hasan Talukder stated, “Pohela Boishakh reminds us of the richness of Bengali culture which inspires harmony across ethnic and religious lines.” He condemned global acts of imperialism, saying, “We denounce genocidal powers across the world from the new Bangladesh,” and expressed hope for a more humane and secure world in the new year.

For the first time, Bangladesh has synchronized its fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal with neighboring India to protect marine breeding. The 58-day ban begins at midnight on April 15 and runs until June 11. While welcoming the coordinated ban, fishermen in Barguna expressed frustration over the lack of promised rice aid. Since 2015, Bangladesh has enforced a 65-day annual fishing ban from May 20 to July 23. In contrast, India’s ban runs from April 15 to June 14. Fishermen claim that in previous years, Indian vessels exploited the ban period to fish in Bangladeshi waters. The new coordination is expected to stop this. Local fishermen thanked the Chief Adviser for the move, while the administration promised to distribute food aid promptly.

AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju said the recent mass uprising has renewed national unity. Speaking at a New Year celebration, he emphasized, “We must move forward together as a nation by embracing all cultural identities.” Criticizing past attempts to divide society on religious and cultural grounds, he said, “For too long, the New Year celebration was bogged down by ideological divisions. But now, all children of this soil—regardless of race or religion—must unite under our shared culture.” He also called for an end to confusion over elections and for the resolution of political uncertainty in the new year.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Niaz Ahmed Khan extended Bengali New Year greetings to the nation and remarked that despite various obstacles and attempts to create disruption, the celebration was a success thanks to united efforts. He praised the team for organizing such a major event within just 8 days. Highlighting the goals behind the UN’s international recognition of the celebration, he emphasized showcasing Bangladesh’s diverse ethnic and cultural identity. “This year’s procession was the most vibrant and diverse ever,” he added, urging people not to lose the promise ignited by the mass uprising of 2024.