A 27-year-old Brazil football supporter named Jewel Rana died in a road accident in Banshkhali, Chattogram, about an hour after posting a Facebook status. The accident occurred around noon on Monday in front of the Banshkhali Daroga Bazar Fire Service Station. Jewel Rana was the son of Shamsul Alam from the Uttar Chambal Sikdar Dokan area. According to police, preparations were underway to send the body for autopsy. The officer-in-charge of Banshkhali Police Station, Md. Robiul Haque, stated that legal action would be taken if the family filed a case. The report mentioned that Jewel Rana had posted a Facebook status expressing his feelings about Brazil’s football performance roughly an hour before the accident. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the cause of the accident or whether other vehicles were involved.

Bangladesh’s new government is pursuing large-scale Chinese investment to revive its economy while attempting to maintain balanced relations with neighboring India. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first foreign visits to Malaysia and China last month signaled a new direction in Dhaka’s foreign policy. During his Beijing trip, several bilateral agreements were signed, including on Teesta River management and a special economic zone near Mongla port, drawing close attention from both India and China. Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi cooled after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August 2024 and her subsequent refuge in India. Although ties have improved since the BNP’s electoral victory in February, lingering tensions remain over border issues and anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh. India’s new high commissioner in Dhaka and partial resumption of cross-border transport indicate cautious normalization. China’s involvement in the Teesta project has raised Indian security concerns due to its proximity to the Siliguri Corridor. Beijing has stated that its cooperation with Bangladesh is not aimed at any third party. Analysts note that while Bangladesh values India as a key neighbor, its growing partnership with China reflects a strategic recalibration in South Asia.

The High Court has overturned the death sentences of four individuals convicted in the murder of fifth-grade student Rima Akter from Jajira, Shariatpur. On Monday morning, a dual bench led by Justice Mohammad Ali delivered the verdict, acquitting Swapna Begum and Selim Chowkidar while sentencing Chunnu Morol and Nuru Morol to life imprisonment. According to the case details, Rima Akter, daughter of Ilias Chowkidar from Ahmad Chowkidar Kandi village in Naodoba Union, went missing on 11 September 2017. Two days later, police recovered her mutilated body from an abandoned homestead in Majid Howladar Kandi village. Her father filed a case on 14 September alleging rape and murder. In 2019, the Shariatpur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal had sentenced four accused to death for the crime. The High Court’s latest ruling modifies the earlier tribunal judgment, reducing the punishment for two and acquitting the other two, thereby concluding a significant legal development in the long-running case.

Three people were killed in a gunfight between two factions of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) in Khagrachhari’s Panchhari upazila on Monday afternoon. The clash occurred at Madhumangalpara along the Panchhari-Logang road, reportedly over establishing local dominance. Police recovered two misfired rounds, 14 used cartridge cases, and four bullets from the scene. The deceased were identified as Padma Chakma and Dhona Chakma of Sajek in Rangamati, and Riel Chakma of Panchhari in Khagrachhari, all aged 18. Witnesses said the confrontation began after an autorickshaw was stopped, leading to close-range gunfire that killed the three on the spot. Initial information suggests one of the deceased was a JSS member who had surrendered to a Border Guard Bangladesh camp on May 19, 2026, and the incident may have stemmed from internal disputes following his defection. Panchhari police said the bodies will be handed over to families after autopsy. The UPDF (Prasit) coordinator in Panchhari denied any involvement in the incident.

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Baqer Galibaf stated that Tehran will not recognize Israel. He made the remarks during a meeting with Hamas leader Mohammad Darwish, who visited Iran to attend the funeral of Supreme Leader Khamenei. Galibaf acknowledged that while a memorandum of understanding exists, deep disagreements remain between Iran and the United States. He emphasized that implementing the memorandum is difficult but not impossible. Galibaf reiterated that Iran has no peaceful relations with the United States and will continue to support Muslim nations and allied groups in line with the Supreme Leader’s directives. He stressed that discussions should lead to tangible results rather than dialogue for its own sake. According to Galibaf, Muslim countries now realize that cooperation with the United States and Israel does not guarantee security. His comments reflect Tehran’s continued resistance to normalization with Israel and its commitment to regional alliances.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) Cyber and Special Crime (South) Division has arrested five members of a gang accused of blackmailing a man after luring him into a romantic trap. The arrests were made during raids between Friday night and Saturday morning in Sabujbagh, Badda, and Khilgaon areas of the capital. The detainees are identified as Md. Anwar Hossain, Badiuzzaman Shahin, Morium, Shahadat Hossain, and Urmi Begum. Police recovered nine mobile phones, a walkie-talkie, and cash during the operation. According to DB sources, the victim, a loan officer at a private financial institution, was deceived by a woman posing as a borrower. After gaining his trust, the gang took him to a flat in Khilgaon, assaulted him, and recorded an objectionable video. They then extorted Tk 1.1 lakh from his bank account and demanded Tk 3 lakh more, threatening to release the video online. The victim filed a case at Khilgaon Police Station on June 22. Preliminary investigation revealed evidence of similar crimes involving multiple victims. Police said the suspects are in remand, and efforts continue to identify other members and victims of the gang.

Fifty Bangladeshi nationals, including 44 men and 6 women, returned home from India on Sunday night after completing their prison sentences. They were handed over by India’s Petrapole Immigration Police to Benapole Immigration Police around 10 p.m. The returnees are residents of several districts including Jessore, Narail, Jhenaidah, Satkhira, Brahmanbaria, Dhaka, Tangail, Chandpur, and Madaripur. According to one of the returnees, they had crossed into Tamil Nadu, India, in 2018 through brokers seeking better livelihoods and worked in garment factories, households, and brickfields before being detained by Indian police. They were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to seven years for illegal entry. After completing their sentences, a human rights organization in India sheltered them until their repatriation was arranged through coordination between the Bangladeshi and Indian embassies and with special travel permits issued by the Indian government. Benapole Immigration Police completed formalities before transferring the group to Benapole Port Police Station. Human rights groups Justice and Care and Rights Jessore received 25 returnees each and will assist them before reuniting them with their families.

A mobile court in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur fined seven pharmacies a total of Tk 80,000 for various irregularities. The operation took place on Sunday afternoon in the Gargaria Masterbari area and different parts of Sreepur town. The drive was led by Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Nahid Niaz Shishir. According to court sources, fines were imposed on Zainal Medical Hall (Tk 5,000), Ma-Baba Medical Corner (Tk 15,000), Tawhid Drug House (Tk 15,000), Jonoseba Aushadhaloy (Tk 20,000), Protyasha Medical Hall (Tk 10,000), Nur Pharmacy (Tk 10,000), and Tarek Medical Hall (Tk 5,000). The magistrate stated that the operation was part of regular market monitoring to protect public interest and ensure compliance with drug sales laws. The official emphasized that any violation of pharmaceutical regulations or practices posing risks to public health would not be tolerated, signaling continued oversight in the area.

A delegation from the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, led by its chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju, paid floral tribute to the coffin of eminent academic, writer, and researcher Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq at Dhaka University on Monday morning. The delegation also prayed for the forgiveness of his departed soul. Following the tribute, Mojibur Rahman Monju described Professor Huq as a true guide of moderation who envisioned a Bangladesh rooted in the spirit of the red and green flag, national identity, and human values. He said the late professor was a rare personality who remained impartial and principled during national crises, symbolizing conscience and wisdom. Monju added that Huq’s death marked an irreparable loss for the nation and that his thoughts and ideals would continue to guide future generations. Other AB Party leaders present included Abdul Halim Khokon, Selim Khan, Ripon Mahmud, Abu Bakkar Siddiq, Moshiur Rahman Milu, and Abdur Kader Munshi.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has threatened to eliminate any Iranian leaders who move forward with plans to destroy Israel. Katz made the remarks in response to the funeral procession of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claiming that Khamenei had been killed because he was leading efforts to annihilate Israel. Katz also stated that Israel is ready at any time to defend itself against any threat. Earlier, Katz had said that Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba, had been ‘marked for assassination,’ a statement that sparked strong protests in Tehran. In reaction, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any threat against Iran’s people or leadership would be met with a swift and powerful response. The exchange of threats underscores the heightened tension between Israel and Iran following Khamenei’s death and the political uncertainty surrounding his succession.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the government is firmly committed to advancing rural development across Bangladesh. Speaking on Monday at the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) auditorium in Dhaka, he emphasized that true prosperity cannot be achieved if villages lag behind cities. The event marked CIRDAP’s 47th founding anniversary and the second World Rural Development Day, attended for the first time by ambassadors and high commissioners from Asia-Pacific countries. The minister highlighted that rural communities are facing new challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, food security, and youth unemployment. He said CIRDAP is leading efforts in climate-resilient agriculture and rural entrepreneurship, while expanding its regional activities by including 40 Asia-Pacific countries and partnering with the Pacific Islands Development Forum. He added that since taking office in February 2026, the government has prioritized rural welfare, introducing programs such as agricultural loan waivers for small farmers, canal re-excavation projects, and financial support through Family and Farmer Cards. Mirza Fakhrul noted that the government aims to strengthen rural administration and infrastructure, and under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, is determined to bring qualitative improvements to rural life.

A tribunal in Khagrachhari has sentenced a man to death for raping a second-grade madrasa student. The verdict was delivered on Monday by Judge Shayela Sharmin of the Child Violence Suppression Tribunal. According to court sources, this is the first verdict since the tribunal’s formation, issued just 11 months and 14 days after the incident. The court reached its decision based on testimony from ten prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses. Public Prosecutor Srijoni Tripura expressed satisfaction with the ruling, calling it a landmark for its speed and for addressing a heinous crime. She said the judgment would help reduce crime and ensure justice for the victim’s family. Defense lawyer Bedarul Islam announced plans to appeal the verdict to a higher court. According to the case file, the victim was a student of Nakapa Islamia Dakhil Madrasa in Ramgarh. The accused, local shopkeeper Md. Shahin, lured the child into his shop with food and later raped her behind the shop. A case was filed under Section 9(1) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000 (amended 2003).

A mobile court in Kaliakair, Gazipur, sentenced six individuals to varying jail terms for drug use. The verdict was delivered on Sunday by Upazila Nirbahi Officer A H M Fakhrul Hossain and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Fahim Shahriar. One of the convicts was also fined twenty thousand taka, with an additional three months of imprisonment in default of payment. The convicts were sent to jail on Monday. According to court and police sources, the six were arrested on Saturday night during anti-drug operations in different areas of Kaliakair. The mobile court, held at the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s office, sentenced four people to seven days, one person to one month, and another to one day of imprisonment without labor. The Kaliakair police confirmed that the convicts were transferred to Gazipur District Jail to serve their sentences. The operation reflects ongoing local enforcement efforts against drug use in the region, as authorities continue to apply mobile court measures to curb narcotics-related offenses.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud has formally invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tareq Rahman to visit Saudi Arabia and expressed his own interest in visiting Bangladesh. The invitation was conveyed on Monday morning at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka, where Saudi Ambassador Dr. Abdullah Zafar H. bin Abia handed over the letter to the Prime Minister during a courtesy meeting. Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister, Humayun Kabir, disclosed the development at an emergency press briefing held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He stated that the schedule for the Prime Minister’s visit would be determined through discussions between the two governments. The exchange of invitations signals a potential strengthening of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, though specific dates and agendas for the visits have not yet been announced.

State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj has announced that special plans are being prepared to reduce the disparity between urban and rural education in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Monday morning after visiting Agargaon Talatala Government Primary School in Dhaka. The minister said the existing education structure would be enriched and a new curriculum formulated to address students’ deficiencies in reading and writing skills. He added that the government is working to improve student attendance, enhance teacher competence, and raise the overall quality of primary education. Effective measures will be taken to reduce absenteeism among students, while special training programs will be arranged to strengthen teachers’ professional skills. Hajjaj also stated that the government will identify problems in primary schools and resolve them gradually. In addition, initiatives will be taken to improve teachers’ living standards and expand their benefits.