Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked group, has claimed responsibility for attacks on two military bases in northern Benin, reportedly killing 70 soldiers. This marks one of the deadliest assaults in the region in recent years. Jihadist violence in the Sahel began after a Tuareg uprising in Mali in 2012 and has since spread to Burkina Faso, Niger, and more recently, coastal nations like Benin, leading to thousands of deaths and mass displacement.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Moin said the institution must also be held accountable. “If we engage in corruption, you should expose it, and we will work to correct ourselves,” he stated during a public hearing in Nilphamari. He emphasized the need for society to strongly condemn corrupt individuals and highlighted that the focus should shift toward preventing future corruption rather than only addressing past incidents. Of 81 complaints presented at the hearing, two are in court, several were deemed irrelevant, and 57 were resolved.

During a meeting on Sunday with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam called for an increased deployment of Bangladeshi police and armed forces personnel in peacekeeping missions. Lacroix praised Bangladeshi contingents for their talent, professionalism, and significant contributions to global peace. He acknowledged efforts to place more Bangladeshi officers in leadership roles. The Adviser also requested the deployment of Bangladesh’s Formed Police Units in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs has announced that victims of politically motivated cases filed between January 6, 2009, and August 5, 2024, can now apply directly to the Solicitor at the Law and Justice Division for case withdrawal. This new provision is aimed at providing relief to those persecuted for political reasons.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has expressed shock over the Women’s Reform Commission’s report, saying that some recommendations clearly violate the Qur’an and Hadith. He stated that instead of reinforcing moral and religious values to address growing social and familial problems, the recommendations introduce harmful elements that could destabilize society. He warned that these suggestions would destroy the moral fabric of all religions and that the people of Bangladesh would overwhelmingly reject them.

The Appellate Division has stayed a High Court verdict that ordered the promotion of Craft Instructors to Junior Instructor posts. The stay came in response to an appeal filed by the Director General of the Technical Education Directorate. A full hearing is scheduled for May 18. The original High Court ruling had instructed that positions be created or reserved for Craft Instructors in upper-level posts and allowed promotions based on qualifications if no posts were available.

A video has circulated online alleging that Dr. Muhammad Yunus donated Tk 1,000 crore to Israel, based on a statement by preacher Mufti Alauddin Jihadi. The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing has categorically denied the claim, calling it false and part of a broader smear campaign against Dr. Yunus and the interim government. Fact-checker Rumor Scanner had earlier debunked the video, and Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that no such donation had been acknowledged.

Adviser Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, after a coordination meeting with the Chief Adviser at Jamuna, assured that the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha will see minimal power outages and no traffic congestion. He praised officials for staying on duty during the previous Eid, ensuring smooth celebrations. He also noted that major issues at Sayedabad Bus Terminal had been resolved with the Environment Ministry’s help. The adviser termed the success a result of coordinated efforts.

Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam has claimed that evidence has been found linking deposed leader Sheikh Hasina and former military officer Ziaul Ahsan to nearly 200 cases of enforced disappearance. He said the investigation is in its final stages and includes data suggesting the accused used state power to commit violence against civilians. The probe has gathered victim testimonies, video footage, and drone surveillance as evidence of crimes against humanity.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 14 major projects worth Tk 24,247 crore, including infrastructure development for the Bay Terminal in Chattogram. Chief Adviser chaired the meeting, and Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud briefed the press, stating that since Chattogram Port is a river port, the country needs a proper seaport to boost economic growth. The Bay Terminal will be a mega project with four terminals, one of which will be implemented through a PPP model. Other approved projects include a multi-sector Rohingya crisis response plan, urban sewage development in Chattogram, and technical support for a green railway system.

A court has ordered the seizure of three apartments, one flat, and three Land Cruiser vehicles owned by former State Minister Nasrul Hamid, based on a request by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Additionally, 70 bank accounts have been frozen. Earlier on January 27, a court ordered the seizure of a flat and 17 bank accounts in the name of his son, Zarif Hamid, and also imposed a travel ban on him.

Jamshedul Islam Tutul, former Secretary of the Awami Swechasebak League in Hatiya’s Horoni Union, has now been appointed President of the local Zia Mancha. Tutul claims he was appointed to the Awami League role without consent and had formally rejected it. “I was the founding president of Horoni Union Chhatra Dal and was forced to work for the MP,” he stated. However, local BNP members allege that he had previously oppressed them using political influence.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has called for a grand rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on May 3. Leader Maulana Mamunul Haque demanded the withdrawal of false cases against their activists during the past authoritarian regime, particularly those related to the 2013 Shapla Chattar crackdown. They also called for the cancellation of the Women Reform Commission’s recommendations and proposed changes to Islamic inheritance and family laws. He warned of larger protests if demands are not met. In addition, Hefazat will hold nationwide demonstrations on April 25 after Friday prayers, protesting India’s Waqf laws and Israel’s ongoing aggression in Palestine.

Former diplomat Mohammad Sufiur Rahman has been appointed as Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, with the rank equivalent to a State Minister. Prior to his retirement, Sufiur served as Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN office in Geneva. According to a report by Kalbela, he had previously harassed current adviser Adilur Rahman at the UN, when Adilur was allegedly there to speak against the Awami League government.

Students from various polytechnic institutes have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government to fulfill their six-point demand. Failing that, they plan to march towards Dhaka. Earlier, the students held a mass rally in front of Dhaka Women Polytechnic, protesting the annulment of the High Court’s ruling on promoting Craft Instructors to Junior Instructor posts, renaming of designations, and the permanent dismissal of all employees involved in legal disputes. The rally also condemned recent attacks on students in Comilla.