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.

BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan has confirmed that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has returned to Dhaka on Monday evening after receiving medical treatment in Singapore. He traveled there with his wife, Rahat Ara Begum, on April 6 for a regular health checkup. Notably, in 2015, while imprisoned, a blockage was discovered in his internal carotid artery, after which he began annual follow-ups in Singapore.

In Netrokona’s Atpara, two leaders of the opposition youth group Jubo Dal assaulted the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) during a Pohela Boishakh event. The accused, Nur Farid Khan (secretary) and Modasser Hossain Kaiyum (joint convenor), reportedly tore down the event’s banner and confronted the UNO, Royal Sangma. Kaiyum later admitted that someone had sent him a banner image featuring Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s name. They stormed the stage to inquire about it, creating a commotion. Officials clarified that the banner did not mention Mujib, after which the accused apologized to the administration.

Reacting to the Russian missile strike in Ukraine’s Sumy city that killed over 30 people, former U.S. President Donald Trump said, “They told me it was a mistake—but it’s terrible. The whole war is terrible.” He criticized the war as a misuse of power and blamed President Biden for its continuation. “If I had been president, this war would never have started. I’m trying to stop it and save lives,” Trump added, while avoiding a direct answer on who admitted the mistake. The victims had gathered to observe Palm Sunday. Ukrainian President Zelensky renewed calls for greater pressure on Russia and international security guarantees.

Police in Assam’s Cachar district baton-charged a protest against recent amendments to the Waqf law. Protesters responded by pelting stones, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). A senior police officer told PTI, “Some 300-400 people blocked roads without permission. When we tried to clear the area, some attacked us with stones. We had to use mild force.” A case has been filed, but no arrests have been made. Protesters claim the amended law discriminates against Muslims and demanded its repeal.