Asif Mahmud, a senior adviser, announced that the government has taken initiatives to reduce internet prices, with the public expected to feel the impact within one to two months. “We’ve already reduced costs at the IIG and NTTN levels. Now the focus is on making internet access more affordable and user-friendly.”

He added that while education has benefited greatly from internet access, agriculture and healthcare still lag behind. Mahmud emphasized the need for improvement in these sectors. He also highlighted the challenges of maintaining mobile internet services during natural disasters like floods and storms, and mentioned ongoing efforts to define internet access as a civic right under the draft Cyber Security Ordinance. “This will be a major achievement for our government,” he concluded.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam said any illegal Bangladeshi nationals in India must be returned through formal procedures. He condemned India’s recent push-in attempts, stating that these actions are being addressed through diplomatic channels.

Some of those pushed in included Rohingya refugees and individuals holding UNHCR cards. “The government is taking a firm stance on this issue,” he said. “If the individuals are verified Bangladeshi citizens, we will not accept pushbacks. However, if they are Indian nationals or Rohingya from India, they will be repatriated through official procedures. With cooperation, India will not be able to conduct such push-ins.”

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that India and Pakistan are dangerously close to a nuclear confrontation. “The situation is escalating to a point where nuclear war could break out,” he said, adding, “They’re launching missiles with maximum force.”

Trump emphasized the significance of both nations, calling them “not small powers but major nuclear forces.” He also noted, “We’ve had excellent discussions with Pakistan, and communications are ongoing. Pakistan wants to trade with us—they are smart and doing great work.” Trump stated he had instructed his team to maintain dialogue with both countries.

Aysha Akhtar, mother of 8-year-old rape and murder victim Asiya, broke down in tears while reacting to the court's verdict. “I’m deeply hurt by the acquittal of three of the accused. If they had ensured timely medical help instead of trying to cover it up, my daughter might still be alive. I wanted to see them punished,” she said.

Public Prosecutor Monirul Islam Mukul confirmed that the primary accused, Hitu Sheikh, was found guilty under Section 9(2) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000 (amended 2003) and sentenced to death, along with a fine of BDT 100,000. However, Hitu Sheikh’s wife Zaheda Begum and their two sons, Sajib Sheikh and Ratul Sheikh, were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Nobel Laureate and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called for a dedicated law for microcredit banks. "These banks can collect savings from members but not accept outside deposits—this is a limitation that needs legal remedy," he said. According to him, any licensing process must clearly define operational boundaries. "These should be nonprofit social institutions. Grameen Bank will support them with the necessary tools so that people stop chasing jobs and start enterprises." He added, "Grameen Bank is the only real bank. Others are merely for show. Ours is built on trust—collateral is never required."

Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki announced that an international conference on recognizing the State of Palestine will take place from June 17–20, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France. The event, aligned with a past UN General Assembly resolution, aims to accelerate the two-state solution and explore mechanisms for formally establishing a Palestinian state. Zaki expressed hope that several countries would recognize Palestine during the conference, yielding significant political impact.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam reflected, "During Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian regime, I often wrote in support of opposition leaders who brought hope to the nation. Their families would share my writings with admiration." Now, however, he says many of them have unfriended him. "They see me as arrogant, intolerant of dissent," he writes. "I fear losing many Facebook friends I made during my journalism career." He adds, "My wife warned that once I leave this position, I may find myself alone—but I have no complaints."

Bangladesh Railway has warned against setting up unauthorized cattle markets on or near railway-owned land. Such temporary markets often lack adequate safety measures, posing risks to public safety and causing potential disruptions to Eid train schedules. The government has taken a strict stance against these illegal setups. If a cattle market is deemed necessary, prior approval must be obtained, and secure fencing must be constructed at a safe distance from the tracks. Coordination with local police and railway authorities is mandatory to ensure safety.

In a high-priority investigation involving Sheikh Hasina's family and ten close business groups, assets and investments under six industrial groups have been traced in the UAE. Authorities are now working to repatriate the funds. A mutual legal assistance treaty is being finalized with the UAE, which has responded positively. Bangladesh Bank's governor is currently visiting the UAE to expedite the process.

According to NBC News, following his Middle East tour, Donald Trump’s administration is planning to relocate one million Palestinians from Gaza to war-ravaged Libya. Though no agreement has yet been reached with the Libyan government, negotiations are underway. The US is considering incentives such as housing, scholarships, and financial aid. In return, Libya would receive access to billions in frozen assets. Hamas is reportedly unaware of the plan, but has condemned the idea.

Over 1,500 workers of H.I.S. Apparels Ltd. in Dattapara, Gazipur, have not received their salaries for April. On Saturday morning, the workers entered the factory as usual but walked out around 9 AM and blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway. Inspector Ismail Hossain stated, "The highway is currently blocked by workers demanding overdue wages. Authorities are working to resolve the issue."

A court has sentenced Hitu Sheikh, the main accused in the rape and murder of a child named Asiya, to death. The remaining three accused have been acquitted. The trial concluded within 21 days of proceedings and the verdict was delivered just 72 days after the incident. On March 8, the child’s sister filed a case at Magura Sadar Police Station naming four suspects: her father-in-law Hitu Sheikh, mother-in-law Zaheda Begum, husband Sojib Sheikh, and Sojib’s elder brother Ratul Sheikh. All four accused are currently in police custody.

Ishtiaq Hossain, accused of throwing a bottle at an adviser, stated, "I was picked up from my home by Detective Branch (DB) officials at 4:30 PM on Thursday. My family was only informed at 2 PM the next day. I was kept unaware of my whereabouts the entire time. During my 26-hour detention, I was subjected to mental torture—kept awake with relentless questioning late into the night. At one point, there was even an attempt to place me in custody alongside death row inmates." He added, "I’ve received threats from multiple phone numbers, warning of mob attacks if I leave my home. I'm terrified—and still shaken."

Prominent intellectual Farhad Mazhar criticized the government for stalling in returning power to the people, accusing it of using elite commissions as distractions. He demanded the immediate announcement of the July movement to restore democratic power to the masses. He also accused state agencies of spreading propaganda against students and youth activists, attempting to divide them. Mazhar warned, “If the fascist strongholds of power are not dismantled like the one at 32 Dhanmondi, Bangladesh’s future will be bleak.”

Kader Gani Chowdhury, Secretary-General of the Federal Journalists' Union, has warned that the adverse impact of the Farakka Barrage is devastating the environment and livelihoods of millions in southwestern Bangladesh. He claimed at least 60 million people are suffering due to irrigation shortages, with 2,000 km of river routes rendered unusable and declining rice production in the Khulna region due to salinity. Biodiversity in the Sundarbans is also at risk. He accused India of failing to act as a responsible upper-riparian state and criticized successive governments for supporting the construction of the Tipaimukh Dam. He called for national unity against India’s ongoing “water aggression.”