Following Bangladesh’s “March for Gaza,” thousands took to the streets of Karachi on Sunday in a massive show of support for Palestinians under siege. Organizers said over 100,000 people participated. Protesters carried images of slain Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar and placed rows of white shrouded mannequins representing children killed in Gaza, stirring strong emotions. The protest included thousands of women, many in burqas, and parents with children. Members of Christian and Hindu communities also joined the march, emphasizing solidarity across faiths.

Myanmar has returned 20 Bangladeshi nationals who were detained for attempting to travel illegally to Malaysia by sea. Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Myanmar, Dr. Md. Monwar Hossain, oversaw the repatriation and reiterated the embassy’s commitment to verifying and facilitating the return of all detained Bangladeshis. Over the past two years, 352 citizens have been repatriated, including 85 last September.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck south of the Fiji Islands on Monday morning at 8:03 AM. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the quake originated at a depth of 174 kilometers. No casualties or tsunami warnings were reported. The quake follows a series of tremors that shook India, Myanmar, and Tajikistan on Sunday.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a directive requiring foreigners staying longer than 30 days to register with the authorities. Failure to do so could result in fines or imprisonment. Citing former President Donald Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, the department said, “Our message to illegal immigrants is clear—leave the U.S. and return home voluntarily.” Voluntary departure is considered safer, allowing individuals to book their own flights and retain their earnings. The department also noted that voluntary returnees may later reenter the U.S. legally. In cases of financial hardship, the U.S. government may subsidize airfare. Those who defy deportation orders may face a fine of $998 per day for each day they remain.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced in Riyadh that a preliminary agreement is in place between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia on civilian nuclear cooperation. The partnership aims to develop Saudi Arabia’s commercial nuclear power sector, with significant progress expected this year. Wright also hailed Saudi investments in the U.S. and praised the hospitality of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz.

The draft protocol for seamless passenger and cargo movement among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) has been finalized, a decade after the original agreement was signed. This is South Asia’s first such initiative aimed at strengthening cross-border trade and connectivity. However, observers worry that India’s recent revocation of transshipment benefits to Bangladesh may hinder the agreement’s implementation.

Six Myanmar nationals were arrested with 40,770 yaba pills in a joint operation by the Coast Guard and RAB near Shahpari Island in Teknaf on Saturday afternoon. The arrestees—Amir Sultan (52), Robi Alam (42), Dil Mohammad (38), Nurunnabi (28), Iman Hossain (32), and Zayed Hossain (18)—were apprehended near the sea area close to the “Jor Tower.” Legal action against them is currently underway.

A court has issued arrest warrants against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, former UK MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and Azmina Siddiq in a corruption case related to RAJUK plot allocations. Other accused include several top bureaucrats, former RAJUK officials, and engineers. This follows another arrest warrant issued last week against Hasina and 17 others, including Saima Wazed Putul.

The Malaysian Immigration Department detained 148 undocumented immigrants—including Bangladeshis—on Saturday in Johor. Immigration Director Nor Faizal stated that the detainees failed to produce valid travel documents or work permits and were found to have misused their social visit passes. Some claimed their passports and permits were held by their employers. During the raid, an immigration officer sustained serious injuries after being struck by a fleeing foreign worker.

A power unit at the Adani Group’s plant in Godda, Jharkhand, India, has been shut down, reportedly due to technical issues, which may lead to increased load shedding in Bangladesh. While the first unit, which was also shut earlier on April 8, has resumed production and is supplying electricity, the second unit was taken offline around 1 AM on April 11. This has resulted in a shortfall in power supply. The plant previously delivered up to 1,400 MW of electricity, and even after April 8, it continued to supply over 750 MW. Now, with the second unit offline, power shortages are expected to worsen. Disputes over coal pricing and unpaid dues have strained relations between Adani and Bangladesh’s Power Development Board (PDB). Critics have long argued that the controversial power import deal—signed under the previous Awami League government—has heavily disadvantaged Bangladesh.

Shaykh Ahmadullah, founder of As-Sunnah Foundation, stated that people from all political, ideological, and religious backgrounds in Bangladesh stand united in support of the Palestinian people. Speaking at the “March for Gaza,” he said, “Today we stand shoulder to shoulder to show the world that despite our differences in thoughts and beliefs, we are united in demanding justice, freedom, and land rights for the oppressed people of Palestine. Every Bangladeshi—regardless of religion, race, or ideology—stands in solidarity with Palestine.” Earlier, a declaration was read out at the event, demanding an end to the genocide in Gaza and calling on world leaders to sever all ties and agreements with Israel.

The ‘March for Gaza’ concluded with a tearful mass prayer, as millions raised their hands in unison for the freedom and peace of Palestine. Mufti Abdul Malek, Khatib of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, led the heartfelt monajat.
He prayed, “The brutality inflicted by Israel upon Palestine is a grave wound to humanity. O Allah, protect the oppressed Muslims and bless Palestine with freedom.”
The prayer sought an end to the Israeli assault on Gaza, rescue for those trapped under rubble, healing for the injured, protection for children and civilians, and a global awakening of conscience. The gathering called on world leaders to take decisive action and demanded justice for the ongoing aggression against unarmed Palestinians.

Standing on the main stage of the ‘March for Gaza’ event at Suhrawardy Udyan, Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman read out a formal declaration in solidarity with Palestine. The declaration urged leaders of the Muslim world to sever all ties with Israel and take immediate action to halt the Israeli aggression in Gaza. People from all walks of life joined the rally, calling on the global Muslim community to unite against Israel’s brutalities. A special prayer was held for the oppressed people of Palestine, led by Baitul Mukarram National Mosque’s Khatib, Maulana Abdul Malek. Leaders from various political parties demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other perpetrators be brought to trial under the International Criminal Court. The crowd chanted, “Free, Free Palestine!”

Legal Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul acknowledged current judicial shortages and logistical problems but assured they are being addressed. “We’ve just started. It takes time to recruit judges, but the crisis will be resolved while we are in government,” he said. The government is also considering referring family court cases to arbitration to reduce court burden. The Bandarban chapter of the Judicial Service Employees Association called for a separate secretariat under the Supreme Court and parity in pay with the Judicial Service scale.

Just hours before U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman, Donald Trump declared, “I want Iran to be a great, happy nation, but they can’t have nuclear weapons.” Saudi Arabia expressed hope for a new deal between the U.S. and Iran, potentially stricter than previous ones, aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.