Cultural advisor Sharmin S. Murshid emphasized the need to revive stage drama to protect children from harmful cultural influences. Speaking at Lok Natyadal’s 44th anniversary at the Shilpakala Academy, she highlighted theater as a vital medium for social responsibility and nurturing children’s creativity. She also called for transforming the Children's Academy into a dedicated government department and urged stronger participation in democratic and cultural movements through theater.

The Election Commission has formally requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate voter registration and issuance of national identity cards for expatriates in eight additional countries, including the United States, Turkey, Egypt, and France. The other countries listed are South Africa, Maldives, Jordan, and Oman. This program is already operational in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Italy, Kuwait, Qatar, Malaysia, Australia, and Canada. So far, around 47,000 applications have been received from overseas voters, with over 20,000 successfully registered. The commission plans to expand the program to more countries by December, with Japan expected to be included soon.

In a significant move to counter China's expanding influence in the South and East China Seas, Japan is preparing to transfer six Abukuma-class warships to the Philippines. The transfer is part of a broader strategy to strengthen defense cooperation among U.S. allies. A Filipino military delegation is set to inspect the vessels this summer. Despite Japan’s constitutional restrictions on arms exports, the deal is being framed as a joint development initiative. Both countries have expressed growing alarm over China’s assertive military posture and have recently signed a reciprocal access agreement and held joint military exercises.

Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called on Islamic NGOs to play a greater role in social business to support development across the Muslim world. Speaking at a high-level meeting with NGO leaders from several Muslim-majority countries in Dhaka, Dr. Yunus highlighted the potential of social enterprises to empower women and improve healthcare, calling them powerful tools for poverty alleviation. NGO leaders praised Yunus’s model as a source of inspiration for initiatives in their own countries.

Police arrested a professional drug dealer named Babul in the Niladri tourist area of Sunamganj’s Tahirpur. During a late-night raid, authorities recovered four bottles of foreign liquor and 103 yaba pills hidden under his bed. Babul admitted to selling drugs, including yaba, liquor, and beer, to tourists visiting Niladri and local addicts. He exploited the abandoned limestone quarry near Tanguar Haor as a drug distribution point. A case was filed against him under the Narcotics Control Act.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel will not accept any ceasefire deal that allows Hamas to retain control in Gaza. Speaking ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Sunday, Netanyahu stated, “We will not let kidnappers and murderers be rewarded. Hamas must be militarily dismantled.” He also revealed that Israel is close to signing peace agreements with countries that "no one ever imagined."

Following the recent aerial clash between India and Pakistan, France has accused China of raising doubts about the effectiveness of the French-made Rafale fighter jets. According to French military and intelligence officials, Chinese embassies around the world are being used to spread disinformation aimed at undermining the aircraft’s credibility, particularly in markets like Indonesia where Rafale is competing for defense contracts. China has dismissed the allegations as baseless.

Titash Gas Authority has announced an 11-hour gas shutdown on Monday from 8 AM to 7 PM in parts of eastern Dhaka due to pipeline relocation work under the DND canal excavation project. The suspension affects nine canals in Dhaka and Narayanganj. Key areas impacted include Demra, Shonir Akhra, Tengra, Amtola, and several others. Residents are advised to prepare accordingly for the temporary disruption in gas supply.

Extensive erosion along nearly 7 kilometers of the Jamuna River’s right bank in Chowhali Upazila, Sirajganj, is causing homes and farmland to vanish rapidly. Residents and local leaders organized a large human chain demanding immediate construction of a protective embankment. Despite threats to schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, no preventive measures have been taken yet. The community urges authorities to act swiftly to build a permanent embankment to stop further damage and protect livelihoods.

The Directorate of Primary Education has confirmed that the interim government is actively reviewing a proposal to upgrade the salary scale of 30,000 government primary school headteachers from the 11th to the 10th grade. Following a High Court verdict, 45 petitioning headteachers have already received the pay upgrade, with the Finance Ministry granting its approval. The same benefit is being considered for the remaining headteachers. The Directorate has also issued a warning against corruption and extortion reportedly linked to the process. The proposal is currently under review by the Finance Ministry; an official circular will be issued once final approval is granted.

Microsoft has introduced an AI-powered diagnostic tool that mimics a virtual team of doctors, working collaboratively to identify complex diseases faster and more accurately. Called the "AI Diagnostic Orchestrator," it uses a debate-based approach among five AI agents and has proven to be nearly four times more effective than humans. It also reduces unnecessary tests, cutting medical costs significantly. Powered by top AI models including GPT-4Bo from OpenAI, the tool will soon be integrated into Microsoft Copilot and Bing Search.

Social Welfare Advisor Sharmin S. Murshid visited the home of Riya Ghosh, a child martyr killed during the July uprising in Narayanganj. She comforted Riya’s mother and confirmed that 11 girls and 135 children died in the uprising. “Their sacrifice was for a safer and more just Bangladesh, and the government is working to build that society,” she said. A stadium has been established in Riya’s name to honor her memory. The advisor later visited the home of another child martyr, Sumaiya, as part of her outreach.

Police have arrested 1,454 individuals across Bangladesh in the last 24 hours during a special nationwide crackdown. Of them, 1,000 were wanted in various criminal cases, while 451 were detained for other offenses. According to a statement from police headquarters, legal proceedings are ongoing and several weapons and rounds of ammunition have been seized in the operation.

Iran has ordered nearly 4 million Afghan refugees and migrants to leave the country within a specified deadline or risk arrest and deportation. This follows a crackdown that began in 2023 targeting undocumented migrants. Over 700,000 Afghans have already left, and thousands continue to be deported daily. Human rights groups warn that this mass expulsion could exacerbate Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis. Anti-Afghan sentiment is rising in Iran, with allegations of Afghan collaboration with Israeli intelligence adding to tensions.

A 1,700-meter road built along Kolkata Canal in Satkhira Sadar in 2023 has partially collapsed within three years, affecting 400 meters. Constructed under the LGED’s Rural Infrastructure Development Project at a cost of 14.6 million taka, the road’s damage has disrupted local businesses and residents. Experts blame a lack of coordination between the Water Development Board and LGED during canal dredging, which increased water flow and caused erosion. Authorities are now planning joint efforts to protect the remaining road.