Students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh railway line to show solidarity with job seekers on hunger strike at Dhaka University. Their eight-point demand includes punishment for those involved in the 46th BCS written exam question leak, assurances against cancelling the exam, raising viva-voce slots to 100 in the 45th BCS, and timely announcements of BCS results. They also demanded increasing the number of PSC members and ensuring employment for those who pass the viva exams.

In Agra, members of the extremist Hindu group ‘Gau Raksha Dal’ opened fire on two Muslim brothers, killing one and injuring another while they were closing their family biryani shop. Gulfan Ali died on the spot, while Saif Ali was injured. In a video released the following day, two youths claiming to be members of the group confessed to the murder and threatened to kill 2,600 Muslims in retaliation for earlier incidents. Despite this, Agra police are framing the incident as a case of personal rivalry, although the group is known to have ties to the RSS.

A group of 10–15 outsiders attacked four students of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) for allegedly not inviting the Vice Chancellor to an event, stating, “The VC is your guardian, why didn’t you invite him?” The students—Mohan, Sheikh Mujahid, Galib Rahat, and Md. Obaidullah—suffered cuts and bruises and are now receiving treatment at the KUET Medical Center. Police teams have been deployed to arrest the attackers, according to OC Kabir Hossain.

Santosh Sharma, General Secretary of Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council and Editor of Kalbela, sparked controversy by attending a Jamaat-e-Islami goodwill gathering. Following backlash, Jamaat leader Dr. Muhammad Rezaul Karim issued a Facebook apology but later deleted the post. In his apology, Rezaul mentioned that following Sharma’s appearance, various serious allegations against him surfaced, suggesting that if due action had been taken, Sharma would not have been able to attend the Jamaat event.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser, paid his last respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square, alongside leaders from over 130 countries. During the ceremony, Yunus exchanged greetings with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, EU President Ursula von der Leyen, former U.S. President Joe Biden, and leaders from Finland, Kenya, Montenegro, Ecuador, East Timor, Honduras, Iceland, Portugal, and Belgium, among others.

Amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, former U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that harsher sanctions could be imposed on Russian President Vladimir Putin, including banking restrictions. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met privately at Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, signaling continued U.S. pressure on Russia. Meanwhile, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin for a fourth round of talks in Moscow.

Lamya (17), daughter of July Uprising martyr Jasim Uddin, committed suicide by hanging at her home in Shekhertek on Saturday night. She had recently been a victim of gang rape and was scheduled to travel to her village for university entrance exams preparation. Family members allege that threats and harassment, possibly via phone, led her to take her life. The rapists had reportedly been released on bail.

The Nationalist Citizen’s Party (NCP) has announced a protest rally in Dhaka on May 2, demanding the trial, deregistration, and political ban of the Awami League. The NCP also decided to form a ‘Political Council’ to oversee decision-making and an ‘Executive Council’ to implement its resolutions. A constitution drafting team was also formed, tasked with submitting a draft within a week.

Kashmiri students across India, including Punjab and Uttarakhand, are facing threats, harassment, and eviction from their homes. After an incident on April 22, Kashmiri student Asif Dar recounted being verbally abused and targeted due to his ethnicity. Across India, landlords are expelling Kashmiri tenants, and shopkeepers are refusing to serve them, with right-wing mobs targeting Muslim students.

Following Israel’s example in Gaza, Indian forces in Kashmir have begun demolishing Muslim homes under the pretext of fighting “suspected militants.” Over two days, seven homes were demolished. Since 1947, Indian forces have destroyed 110,498 structures in Kashmir.

A major failure in the national grid caused a blackout across 21 districts in southern Bangladesh, including Khulna and Barisal, starting at 5:48 PM Saturday. Power was gradually restored in Khulna by 8 PM and in other areas soon after. Officials attributed the blackout to a sudden surge in load due to high temperatures, causing a malfunction at the Amin Bazar substation.

After meeting with a delegation from the Chinese Communist Party, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said relations between the two parties are deepening. He noted that while the BNP had longstanding ties with the CCP, these relations had stalled for 15 years due to the ruling regime. Fakhrul said the CCP wishes to see a stable, democratic Bangladesh.

Rashed Khan of Gano Adhikar Parishad warned that if the Awami League returns to power, more massacres will follow. He demanded state reforms and the prosecution of the Awami League and its past crimes before any election. Khan emphasized the need for a clean political environment in a new Bangladesh, free from extortionists, land grabbers, and corrupt politicians. He also called for an immediate announcement of the election roadmap.

BNP leader Aminul Haque emphasized that the upcoming election would be more competitive and challenging than ever before, with a significant portion of voters coming from the youth. He stressed the importance of engaging with their mindset. Haque highlighted that the BNP’s 31-point framework focuses on education, healthcare, and economic reforms, including unemployment benefits for educated youth, correcting distorted history, and ensuring universal healthcare. He urged party members to avoid internal conflicts and prioritize the greater good.

At Central Women’s University convocation, Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul urged young people to work with dedication for the country, not just personal gain. He highlighted how historic movements like the July Revolution led to the fall of oppressive rulers and the birth of new nations. Nazrul encouraged students studying abroad to eventually return and contribute to their homeland’s development.