A three-member team from the University Grants Commission (UGC) has begun investigating ongoing unrest at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET). The probe began Wednesday morning following a brief visit and discussion with protesting students by Education Ministry adviser Dr. C. R. Abrar. Despite appeals, students have refused to end their hunger strike. The UGC team is now speaking directly with students and faculty.

After 34 hours of hunger strike, nine students of Chittagong University (CU) called off their protest in the early hours of Tuesday. The decision followed a Syndicate meeting that approved the relocation of the university’s Fine Arts Institute to the main campus. The students had begun their strike in front of the administrative building on Monday afternoon. Two students required medical attention due to exhaustion.

The High Court has suspended for three months a directive from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) that required prior approval from higher authorities before making arrests in cases related to recent mass uprisings. The suspension follows a petition by Supreme Court lawyer Md. Jasim Uddin challenging the legality of the directive, which was issued on April 9 in connection with anti-discrimination protests.

A Dhaka court has issued an arrest warrant against renowned actress and filmmaker Meher Afroz Shaon following allegations of physical abuse against her father and stepmother, Nishi Islam. The case, filed by Nishi Islam, names 12 individuals including former DB chief Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid. Two police officers from Badda Police Station admitted in court to detaining and torturing the complainant under directives from their then-officer-in-charge. Allegedly, Shaon had her mentally ill father confined to a psychiatric facility while Nishi Islam was imprisoned for six months. “We want justice,” said Nishi Islam.

As part of its ongoing crackdown on dissent, the United Arab Emirates has designated 11 political dissidents and their relatives as “terrorists.” Human Rights Watch reports that none of the individuals received prior notice or an opportunity to defend themselves. Among them, at least nine are known government critics or closely related to dissidents. Only two of the eleven face charges or convictions related to terrorism. Since 2014, the UAE has declared 83 organizations as terrorist entities, leaving little room for political opposition or protest.

In a controversial peace proposal, the United States has reportedly suggested informal recognition of nearly all Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia since the 2022 invasion. According to Axios, the plan includes lifting post-2014 sanctions on Russia, returning a small part of Kharkiv to Ukraine, and designating the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant as Ukrainian territory—though it would be operated by the U.S. and supply electricity to both Russia and Ukraine. While seen as a diplomatic win for Russia, the proposal could be a severe blow to Ukraine’s government and its people.

Following a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 tourists and an intelligence officer, former U.S. President Donald Trump phoned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer condolences and condemn the violence. Trump reaffirmed U.S. support for India’s fight against terrorism, stating, “Deeply saddened by the news from Kashmir. The U.S. stands strongly with India.” World leaders including Vladimir Putin, and governments of Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy, and the UAE also condemned the attack.

Dr. C. R. Abrar, Education Adviser, visited KUET to check on students protesting with a hunger strike demanding VC Masood’s resignation. Arriving around 9:45 AM, he spoke with the students and expressed concern for their health. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a three-member committee to resolve the crisis and will visit the campus today. Dr. Abrar also urged students to consider ending their hunger strike for health reasons.

Student protesters at Dhaka’s Shahbagh have called for a nationwide class boycott, demanding the resignation of KUET Vice Chancellor Professor Mohammad Masood. Over 300 students from institutions including BUET, Jagannath University, CUET, KUET, and Dhaka College gathered under the “Shahbagh Blockade” banner. Solidarity protests, including symbolic hunger strikes and sit-ins, will be held across campuses. A protest rally will also take place at the Raju Memorial Sculpture at 3 PM.

The Supreme Court’s Appellate Division has nullified corruption charges against Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, filed under the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act. The bench, led by the Chief Justice, ruled that the ACC’s hasty legal actions following Yunus’s appointment were procedurally flawed. The case was initially filed during the Awami League’s tenure against Dr. Yunus and senior officials of Grameen Telecom. Notably, the ACC had withdrawn its petition without informing the appellants, violating legal norms.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has urged international investors to consider Bangladesh, calling it a land of immense economic potential. He emphasized the opportunity for Bangladesh to serve as a gateway to the sea for neighboring landlocked regions like Nepal, Bhutan, and seven Indian states. With a young, tech-savvy population and strategic geographic location, Yunus believes Bangladesh could emerge as a powerful economic hub. He also criticized government reforms and what he termed as destructive actions by Prime Minister Hasina’s administration.

The Detective Branch (DB) of police has arrested 10 more activists affiliated with the Awami League and its associated organizations in Dhaka, including members of the now-banned Chhatra League, for their involvement in flash protests. All are reportedly accused in various criminal cases. Meanwhile, a nationwide special operation led to the arrest of 1,610 individuals, according to the Police Headquarters. Law enforcement officials also recovered a homemade pipe gun, a single-barrel shotgun, one empty cartridge shell, and two defective rounds of ammunition. The special operation will continue.

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) has voiced strong protest against what it calls unwarranted interference by the Ministry, demanding the restoration of its autonomy. According to the Commission, the erosion of its independence has led to severe disruptions, including obstacles in higher education and training for scientists, salary disparities, demotions, and a decline in motivation among young scientists.

It also claimed that the Commission’s role in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project is being undermined, with attempts to impose systems without proper feasibility assessments. Due to the lack of newly created positions, promotions are stalled, affecting nearly 600 scientists and 2,500 staff members whose salaries and benefits have been delayed.

The Commission alleges that the absence of a full board, coupled with authoritarian behavior and ministerial overreach, has deprived its members of benefits guaranteed under the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Act 2017 and the BAEC Service Rules 1985.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced that the terms of a trade agreement between India and the United States have been finalized following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “We want partners who are committed to producing things together with America—not just facilitating imports and exports,” Vance emphasized. He added that while U.S. partners may not need to replicate everything the U.S. does, they should share core objectives.

Rokonuzzaman Tipu, a local correspondent for Daily Kaler Kantho, has been sentenced to 10 days in jail by a mobile court in Tala. Tipu had visited the Tala Upazila Complex construction site to investigate alleged corruption. When Sub-Assistant Engineer MM Mamun Alam refused to provide information, an argument broke out, during which the engineer reportedly asked, “Who are you to ask?” leading to a physical altercation. Both parties reported the incident to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), who later visited the site, took statements from workers and locals, and issued the sentence. Tipu claims the engineer initiated the altercation.