International

An Internet observatory confirms the virtual blackout that leaves Bangladesh isolated in the midst of violent protests

The independent cyber security observatory NetBlocks confirmed this Friday the blackout of telephony and internet services in much of Bangladesh, in the midst of student protests and widespread violence that have left dozens of deaths.

“Live network data shows that Bangladesh is in the middle of an almost total national blackout of the Internet (…), this measure follows previous efforts to restrict social networks and mobile data services,” the Internet surveillance agency published in X in the early hours of this Friday.

The metrics showed that the country had been isolated from the rest of the world for more than six hours, with cuts that prevent communication on social networks and that caused the fall of local online media.

The blackout was recorded at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday (15.00 GMT), however the authorities have not confirmed whether it corresponds to an official measure.

The Bangladeshi Government announced yesterday the temporary suspension of mobile Internet services as a security measure in the face of protests, hours before there was a global failure in Microsoft’s system that is triggering problems in numerous companies in the air, financial, and media sectors around the world.

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Student protests began peacefully two weeks ago to demand a reform of public sector allocation quotas, but they became violent last Monday with the repression of the security forces.

At least three people have died this Friday during the fifth consecutive day of widespread violence around student protests in Bangladesh, while fixed communication and Internet services remain suspended and authorities prohibit mass gatherings.

So far there are reports of 39 deaths in the last two days.

International

Trump signs order to end federal funding for NPR and PBS

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to halt federal funding for two public media outlets, PBS television and NPR radio, accusing them of being biased.

NPR and PBS are partially funded by American taxpayers but rely heavily on private donations.

Trump has long maintained a hostile relationship with most media outlets, which he has referred to as the “enemy of the people.”

An exception is the conservative Fox News channel, some of whose hosts have played important roles in the administration of the Republican magnate.

“National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) receive taxpayer funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB),” Trump said.

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“Therefore, I direct the CPB board and all executive departments and agencies to cease federal funding for NPR and PBS,” he added.

The Republican leader argued that “neither of these entities provides a fair, accurate, or impartial portrayal of current events to the taxpayer citizens.”

At the end of March, Donald Trump called on Congress to end public funding for these two “horrible and completely biased networks.”

International

Man arrested after deliberately driving into seven children in Osaka

Japanese police arrested a man on Thursday after he rammed his car into a group of seven schoolchildren in an apparent deliberate attack in the city of Osaka.

The children, who were on their way home from school, sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. All seven remained conscious, according to local authorities.

An Osaka police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the suspect is a 28-year-old man from Tokyo. The officer shared statements the man made after his arrest: “I was fed up with everything, so I decided to kill people by driving into several elementary school children,” the suspect reportedly said.

The man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The injured children, aged between seven and eight, included a seven-year-old girl who suffered a fractured jaw. The six other children—all boys—suffered minor injuries such as bruises and scratches and were undergoing medical evaluation.

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Witnesses described the car as “zigzagging” before hitting the children. One witness told Nippon TV that a girl was “covered in blood” and the others appeared to have scratches.

Another witness said the driver, who was wearing a face mask, looked to be in shock when school staff pulled him from the vehicle.

Violent crimes are rare in Japan, though serious incidents do occur from time to time. In 2008, Tomohiro Kato drove a two-ton truck into pedestrians in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, then fatally stabbed several victims. Seven people were killed in that attack.

Internacionales

Clashes erupt during may day protests across France amid calls for better wages

May Day protests in France were marked by a heavy police presence and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement in several cities.

In Paris, Lyon, and Nantes, thousands took to the streets to demand better wages, fairer working conditions, and to voice their dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron’s government.

While the majority of the demonstrations remained peaceful, isolated confrontations broke out in some areas. Protesters threw objects at the police, prompting the use of tear gas and resulting in several arrests.

Videos showing police crackdowns circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from labor unions and human rights advocates, who denounced the authorities’ response to the protests.