Imdadul Haque Molla, founder director of Ontimex Communication Ltd and former president of the Internet Service Provider Association, testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that the nationwide internet shutdown on July 18, 2024, occurred due to a government decision. He said that after a fire broke out at the Mohakhali Disaster Management Building that afternoon, internet services began to fail in some areas and were completely cut off across the country by around 9 p.m.

Molla explained that internet providers operate at the final distribution level, while bandwidth is supplied through International Internet Gateways (IIGs), the state-owned Submarine Cable Company, and International Terrestrial Companies (ITCs). When contacted, IIGs informed them that bandwidth supply from ITCs had been stopped, leading them to conclude that the shutdown was government-directed.

He added that on July 23, 2024, then-ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak visited the site and said the outage was due to a data center fire, which Molla described as a political statement since the fire had not affected the data center itself. The tribunal, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, set April 16 for the next hearing.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has instructed party leaders and activists to cooperate with security forces to maintain law and order across the country. He gave the directive on Sunday at the National Parliament Secretariat following the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected members of parliament from Bogura-6 (Sadar) and Sherpur-3 constituencies, according to his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

The Prime Minister emphasized that party members should work with the administration and law enforcement agencies to ensure peace in their respective areas. He urged them to report any activities that could disrupt local harmony and warned against taking the law into their own hands. He further stressed that development and peace in every area must be preserved at any cost.

The directive comes as part of the government’s broader effort to ensure stability and development at the local level, reinforcing the importance of coordination between political activists and law enforcement authorities.

Chief Whip of the National Parliament Md. Nurul Islam stated that democracy is a matter of mutual trust between the government and the opposition. He made the remarks on Sunday at the National Parliament complex while briefing journalists after the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected MPs Md. Rezaul Karim Badsha and Md. Mahmudul Haque Rubel. During the event, the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged members to seek administrative help or inform him if problems arise, emphasizing that no one should take the law into their own hands.

Addressing the energy crisis, the Chief Whip said the Prime Minister allocated an additional subsidy of 360 billion taka to resolve the issue, stressing that national resources should serve public welfare rather than be siphoned abroad. He also mentioned that a special parliamentary committee reviewed 133 ordinances, recommending amendments to 16 and passing 117 within five days, marking a record in Bangladesh’s legislative history.

The Chief Whip expressed disappointment over the opposition’s walkout over minor amendments but acknowledged it as part of democratic practice. He also discussed plans to enrich the July Museum by integrating historical movements from 1971 to 2024.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday sentenced former Youth League leader M H Babu Patwari to two months of rigorous imprisonment for contempt of court. The verdict was delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumdar. Patwari, a former central vice-president of the banned Chhatra League, had posted a Facebook statement alleging large-scale corruption involving tribunal officials and others over a death sentence in a July massacre case.

Before the verdict, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam made an unusual appeal to the tribunal to reduce the sentence, despite representing the state. The tribunal initially decided on a one-year term, later reducing it to three months, and finally to two months following repeated requests from the chief prosecutor. The move surprised observers and raised questions about the prosecutor’s impartiality.

During the hearing, Patwari and his wife both sought unconditional apologies. Investigators testified that his Facebook account was still active and linked him to a group accused of spreading false propaganda online. The tribunal found his claim of reposting the content untrue before announcing the sentence.

U.S. President Donald Trump has again taken a firm stance on Iran’s nuclear program, declaring that Iran will never possess nuclear weapons. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iran remains unwilling to abandon its nuclear ambitions. He acknowledged some progress in discussions but suggested that continued military readiness could serve as an alternative to diplomacy.

Trump emphasized that his main concern is the potential for an unstable and unpredictable nation to gain nuclear capability. His remarks come at a time when diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran continue, yet both sides remain far apart on key nuclear issues.

The statement underscores persistent tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Trump reaffirming his uncompromising approach to Iran’s nuclear aspirations despite ongoing negotiations.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Shafiqur Rahman, has questioned how the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) can claim ownership of the 1971 Liberation War when the party did not exist at that time. He raised the issue during a meeting with families of July martyrs and freedom fighters, criticizing BNP’s assertion that both 1971 and later political milestones belong to them.

Rahman acknowledged that former president Ziaur Rahman made a declaration during the war and fought in it, but argued that giving all credit to one individual undermines the contributions of other fighters. He said that while Zia’s role deserves respect, the collective effort of all freedom fighters must also be recognized.

Criticizing the Awami League, Rahman said the ruling party also tried to monopolize the Liberation War narrative in the past, labeling Ziaur Rahman in derogatory terms. He called for an end to such divisive politics surrounding the war’s legacy.

Bangladesh Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque has said that the country cannot return to an era of medieval brutality in the name of defending religion. In a statement to the media on Sunday, he strongly condemned and protested the killing of Pir Abdur Rahman, also known as Shamim Reza, on April 11 in Philipnagar of Daulatpur upazila, Kushtia district.

Haque stated that a group of assailants carried out a planned attack with rods and sticks, vandalized the shrine, dragged Pir Abdur Rahman from the second floor, and beat him to death before leaving the scene. He said the incident demonstrated the alarming rise of mob violence reminiscent of the previous interim government period and held the current government responsible for failing to prevent such acts. He also cited earlier incidents of shrine vandalism and desecration that went unpunished.

He urged the government to immediately arrest and prosecute those involved in the killing and to ensure justice for all shrine-related violence. Haque also called on all devout citizens to speak out against such killings.

This year’s Hajj flight operations will begin on April 17, with Prime Minister Tarek Rahman scheduled to inaugurate the program that night. The announcement was made by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) after a meeting of the National Committee on Hajj Management held at the Secretariat on April 12, which was chaired by the Prime Minister.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister instructed officials on how to serve pilgrims properly, emphasizing that no injustice or misconduct toward Hajj participants would be tolerated. The minister added that the Prime Minister is highly attentive to the welfare of pilgrims and plans to visit the Hajj camp personally within a few days to observe preparations.

Concerns have been raised about potential complications in Hajj flights due to rising fuel prices. When asked about this, the minister expressed confidence that there would be no difficulties, describing the pilgrims as “guests of Allah” and assuring that all necessary arrangements would be made.

Law Minister Md. Anisul Haque stated that the ordinances repealed through parliamentary bills will be reviewed later to ensure their relevance and effectiveness. He emphasized that those claiming the government opposes a strong Human Rights Commission, a Supreme Court Secretariat, or transparency in judicial appointments are mistaken. According to him, the BNP intends to make these laws more transparent, accountable, and contemporary as part of its electoral commitments. He added that any rational public demand receives the highest consideration from the BNP.

The minister made these remarks on Sunday at a press conference held in the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Secretariat. He explained that, under Article 93 of the Constitution, the government was constitutionally obliged to present 133 ordinances issued by the previous interim government before the 13th National Parliament within the stipulated time. The ordinances were then referred to a special parliamentary committee for examination.

The special committee completed its review and submitted its report to Parliament on April 2. Based on that report, the ordinances were recently introduced as bills and discussed in Parliament.

An eleven-party alliance held a protest rally and procession in Natore on Sunday afternoon demanding the implementation of a referendum verdict. The demonstration began in front of the central mosque in the town after the Asr prayer and marched through major streets before returning to the starting point for a rally. Leaders and activists from various political parties participated in the event.

Speakers at the rally included Professor Dr. Mir Nurul Islam, district Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, along with other local political and professional leaders. They called for the immediate implementation of the referendum verdict and warned that a stronger movement would be launched against the government if their demand was not met.

A large number of leaders and activists from the eleven-party alliance attended the gathering, reflecting growing political mobilization around the referendum issue in the district.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced in Pakistan on Saturday evening that no agreement had been reached to end the Iran war. At the same time, President Donald Trump was attending a mixed martial arts (UFC) event, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, several of his children, UFC officials, and other guests. While Vance told reporters that the talks had failed, Trump was seen watching a highlight video of a victorious fighter and giving a thumbs-up.

During his trip to Florida, Trump told journalists that he did not care whether a deal with Iran was reached, asserting that the U.S. had already won militarily. However, the situation at home appeared difficult, with rising inflation and fuel prices affecting Americans, outcomes linked to the war initiated under Trump’s orders. Democrats were reportedly discussing impeachment and questioning his mental fitness, while some longtime supporters protested after his threats to destroy Iran’s civilization.

Ivanka, Tiffany, and Donald Trump Jr. were present at the event, but Jared Kushner remained in Pakistan for the ongoing discussions with Vance and Witkoff.

Former Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury was released from Kashimpur Women’s Central Jail on Sunday evening after receiving bail earlier in the day in an attempted murder case. Jail authorities confirmed that she was freed following the arrival of her bail documents and completion of necessary procedures.

According to the report, Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury had been arrested by the Detective Branch police on April 7 from a relative’s residence in Dhanmondi. She was shown arrested in connection with the Ashraful attempted murder case linked to the July Movement. The report also mentioned that she faces two attempted murder and four murder cases in total.

Her lawyer, ABM Hamidul Mizbah, stated that there were no other detention orders against her, clearing the way for her release from custody.

Former Law Minister and senior Supreme Court lawyer Shafique Ahmed passed away on Sunday at 5:45 p.m. while undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Medical Hospital in Dhaka. He was 90 years old. The news of his death was confirmed by Supreme Court lawyer Aksir M. Chowdhury, who said that Barrister Ahmed had been admitted to the hospital on Saturday night.

Shafique Ahmed served as the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs from 2009 to 2014 under the Awami League government. He also held prominent positions in the legal community, including serving as president of the Supreme Court Bar Association and vice chairman of the Bangladesh Bar Council.

His passing marks the end of a long and distinguished career in Bangladesh’s legal and political spheres, where he played a significant role in both government and professional legal institutions.

Tehran University professor Fouad Izadi has urged the United States to accept the realities surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he argued that Washington’s emphasis on the nuclear issue is a strategic cover for larger goals. Izadi stated that no nuclear expert would claim weapons could be made from uranium enriched to 3.65 percent, and reminded that Iran had allowed extensive inspections under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

He noted that the US withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 under President Donald Trump’s decision. According to Izadi, the best way to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons is to return to a similar agreement. He added that the US administration’s reluctance to pursue another JCPOA-style deal shows that the nuclear issue serves as a pretext for other aims.

Izadi further alleged that Washington’s real objectives include controlling Iran’s oil resources, altering its borders, and seeking regime change.

An eleven-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami organized a protest rally and procession in Dinajpur on Sunday afternoon, demanding that the government accept the referendum verdict and the July charter. The event took place at the Dinajpur Institute ground, where speakers declared that their movement would continue until their demands were met and urged the government to either comply or step down.

The rally was presided over by Dinajpur district Jamaat chief Anisur Rahman and featured speeches from several regional and district leaders, including former district Jamaat chief Aftab Uddin Molla, regional team member Anwarul Islam, and former Islami Chhatra Shibir president Rajibur Rahman Palash. Leaders from other allied parties such as Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, JAGPA, and NCP also addressed the gathering. The event was conducted by district Jamaat secretary Dr. Enamul Haque.

Following the assembly, a large procession marched through the main streets of Dinajpur before returning to the starting point. A significant number of alliance activists participated in the demonstration.