Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said Cox’s Bazar International Airport will be formally inaugurated in October this year. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will open the airport. The minister made the announcement on Monday, 24 August, during a courtesy meeting with members of the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh at the Secretariat.

Millat said work to transform Cox’s Bazar Airport into an international airport is progressing. Bangladesh Biman Airlines and various international carriers are expected to operate flights from the airport after its inauguration. He said several foreign airlines have already expressed interest in operating flights from Cox’s Bazar.

The ministry has initiated efforts to launch direct international flights from Cox’s Bazar through communication and coordination with international airlines. Required agreements and memorandums of understanding are being processed. Separately, Millat said preparations are underway to open the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in December, with a contract with a Japanese consortium expected to be signed in September.

A court in Moulvibazar sentenced Sharif Ali to death for killing his three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Runa Begum, in Kamalganj. Additional District and Sessions Judge Second Court Judge Md Anwarul Haque delivered the verdict on Monday afternoon, finding him guilty of deliberately cutting the sleeping child’s throat.

Court sources said the killing took place on February 10, 2014, in Purba Bhanubil village of the upazila. Sharif Ali allegedly killed his daughter in an attempt to frame his cousin, Salek Mia. The child’s mother, Nekjan Bibi, filed a murder case against her husband as the sole accused at Kamalganj police station.

Sharif Ali later gave a confession before the court, according to the report. Along with the death sentence, the court imposed a fine of Tk 50,000. After the verdict was announced, the accused was sent to prison through the court. Public Prosecutor Advocate Tofayel Ahmad expressed satisfaction with the ruling.

US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy sharply criticized Washington’s newly announced “D-Day” sanctions on Iran, describing them as a desperate and performative attempt by the Trump administration to conceal what he called America’s severe failure in the military conflict with Tehran. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Murphy said Iran was winning the war while Trump was losing, with ordinary Americans paying the price.

Murphy said Iran did not have complete control of the Strait of Hormuz before the war, but now holds full control over the strategically important waterway. He also said Tehran had kept 30 of 33 missile bases near the strait intact, while the United States had used up nearly all of its weapons stockpile.

According to Murphy, Iran now holds the main bargaining advantage on the battlefield, meaning the new sanctions would not alter Tehran’s policy position. He questioned the scope for further US restrictions, saying Washington had already sanctioned virtually everything possible in Iran. Murphy said the conflict was largely nearing its end and characterized current US policy as a show intended to hide failure.

Bangladesh faced severe nationwide gas and electricity shortages on Monday, with supply disruptions affecting households, transport and industry. The report attributes pressure on liquefied natural gas imports to the US-Iran war, which it says has nearly doubled global LNG prices and made suppliers difficult to secure. Petrobangla data showed gas supply of 2,400 to 2,600 million cubic feet against demand of 4,000 million cubic feet, leaving a shortfall of up to 1,500 million cubic feet.

The gas deficit curtailed electricity generation, industrial output and CNG sales. Gas-based factories reportedly had 70 percent of their production capacity unused, while garment-sector output fell by 30 to 35 percent. Power supply reached 14,300 megawatts against peak demand of about 16,200 to 16,500 megawatts, requiring 2,000 to 2,200 megawatts of load shedding. Rural areas in some cases received only 40 to 50 percent of required power.

The government approved purchases of two LNG cargoes for September from South Korea and the United Kingdom at more than $24 per MMBtu. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said resolving the gas and power crisis would take another two years.

Haji Md. Siddiqur Rahman High School in Matlab North, Chandpur, held a parents’ assembly and distributed saplings among students. The programme was organised to ensure regular school attendance, improve educational standards and build environmental awareness. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahmuda Kulsum Moni attended as chief guest, while Upazila Academic Supervisor Md. Saiful Islam was the special guest. Mia Manjur Amin Swapan, president of the school’s ad hoc committee, chaired the event.

Speakers said a school’s success depends on regular student attendance, quality teaching and shared responsibility among teachers, parents and students. They stressed that families and schools must work together to encourage students to attend classes regularly and take interest in learning. Mahmuda Kulsum Moni urged students to attend school regularly and study attentively, and called on parents to monitor their children’s education and moral and social development.

Former student engineer Md. Julhas pledged support for improving education, increasing attendance and expanding technology-based learning. Participants also received guidance on preventing dropouts, increasing parental involvement and developing the institution as modern and student-friendly. Speakers said students should care for the distributed saplings to strengthen environmental awareness and responsibility.

The United States Department of State has released details of newly targeted sanctions under previously announced comprehensive measures against Iran. The restrictions aim to curb Tehran’s military capabilities, drone and missile programs, cyberattacks, and illicit oil trade. Iranian military officials and several entities have been included in the new sanctions list.

The measures target people linked to weapons procurement and directing attacks on US forces, as well as institutions accused of gathering intelligence to target the United States and its regional allies. A procurement network supplying equipment for Iran’s military and missile programs was also blacklisted.

The sanctions additionally cover a large cargo shipping company and intermediary network involved in transporting and trading Iranian energy products through the United Arab Emirates, China, Singapore and Europe. The FBI recently charged eight Iranian nationals over cyberattacks on critical US infrastructure. The State Department reiterated a reward of up to $10 million for information on five leading cyberattack suspects and called on the international community to work with Washington to hold those responsible accountable.

International crude oil prices remained largely stable on Tuesday morning as traders assessed the possible effects of tougher US sanctions on Iran. Brent crude futures fell by 9 cents, or 0.1%, to $92.16 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose by 1 cent to $85.02 a barrel.

The relative stability followed a sharp decline in global oil prices on Monday. After two consecutive weeks of gains in the oil market, investors took profits, pushing US crude to its lowest level in a week.

The market is now showing signs of recovering from Monday’s setback. Trading activity remains focused on evaluating how potential US measures against Iran could affect the international crude oil market.

Mohammad Nazrul Islam, the chief executive officer of Sitakunda Municipality in Chattogram, has been transferred to Shibpur Municipality in Narsingdi after serving at his current workplace for more than a decade. He has been directed to join the new posting by September 1. If he does not join by that date, he will be considered stand released from Sitakunda Municipality from September 2.

The Local Government Division’s Municipal-1 branch issued the office order on August 20, signed by Joint Secretary Mohammad Sagir Hossain. The order said the transfer was being implemented immediately in the public interest. Municipal Executive Engineer Mohammad Nurunnabi said Nazrul Islam had served in Sitakunda for over a decade, a duration that had prompted local discussion and criticism.

Nurunnabi said rules limit the tenure at one workplace, though extended service can occur with approval from the relevant authority and administrative decisions. The ministry also instructed authorities to arrange the transfer of his outstanding salary and allowances, provident fund and gratuity fund dues to the new workplace under the rules. Upazila Nirbahi Officer and municipal administrator Fakhrul Islam said the ministry order would be implemented according to regulations.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said Bangladesh is working to raise tourism’s contribution to national GDP from the current 2–3 percent to 7–8 percent. He made the remarks on Monday as chief guest at an inter-ministerial meeting at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs conference room on tourism development linked to historical sites and archaeological remains.

Millat described tourism as an inclusive industry closely connected with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman wants to take the country’s tourism sector to a new level. The meeting, chaired by Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, also included State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam and Cultural Affairs Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman.

The two ministries decided in principle to sign a memorandum of understanding for joint work. After signing, they will begin drafting a common policy and form a Joint Task Force for Cultural Tourism. Roy Chowdhury said Bangladesh has 554 archaeological institutions, which ministry task forces will inspect gradually before development decisions are made.

Saidul Islam, also known as Bol Said, a 55-year-old former general secretary of the Jhenaidah District Bus-Minibus Workers’ Union, died after a road accident in Jhenaidah town on Monday evening. The incident occurred in the Chuadanga bus stand area. He was a resident of Paglakana area in Jhenaidah town.

Police said Saidul Islam was crossing the road at about 7:30pm when a speeding easy-bike struck him forcefully, leaving him seriously injured. Local people rescued him and admitted him to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, doctors advised that he be referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

He died in Magura while being taken to Dhaka, according to the report. Jhenaidah Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge Md Asaduzzaman said the body would be handed over to the family after completion of legal procedures.

India’s capital Delhi was hit by persistent heavy rain beginning early Monday, prompting the weather department to issue a red alert over concerns that conditions could worsen. Waterlogging was reported in several areas, while 15 flights unable to land at Delhi airport were diverted to alternative airports.

More than 250 flights could not land in Delhi on schedule because water had accumulated on the runway, and several departures were also delayed, increasing difficulties for passengers. Severe traffic congestion developed on roads across the capital, including MB Road near Sangam Vihar, airport-bound roads and roads around Saket Court.

After humid and uncomfortable weather on Sunday, rain began across Delhi from early Monday. Between 18 and 28 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in different parts of the capital by 11:30am, with Chhatarpur receiving the highest rainfall. The forecast said moderate to heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds could continue through Monday. Orange alerts were also issued for neighbouring Gurugram and Faridabad.

Thirty-nine of 41 government Chandina Vita plots beside the Water Development Board in Shashiganj Bazar, Tajumuddin, remain registered in the names of Awami League leaders and affiliated individuals, according to a review of the allocation list. The plots were intended for genuine traders, but the report says some occupants have retained control and rented them out. The rules prohibit renting out the plots and constructing buildings, yet some have reportedly built two-storey structures and leased them.

The Tajumuddin উপজেলা land office says the 41 plots were last allocated for one year in 2014 and no new allocations have been made since. Earlier recipients’ allocations have continued through annual renewals. The office said it could not provide information about allegations of renting or building construction. The list includes former and current political figures, teachers and government employees described as Awami League-linked.

Market traders have demanded that the plots be reallocated to genuine businesses. They allege traders previously allocated plots were evicted in 2007, while affected applicants were bypassed in the 2014 allocation process. Traders applied to the উপজেলা নির্বাহী অফিসার on April 2 for reallocation and voiced concern over a lack of visible investigation progress. Executive Officer Boni Amin said the assistant commissioner for land and a union surveyor were instructed to investigate and submit a report.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department has sought a seven-day remand for actor Ashraful Haque Don, an arrested accused in the murder case over the death of film actor Chowdhury Mohammad Shahriar Imon, known as Salman Shah. CID inspector Md. Mujibur Rahman submitted the application on August 20, and Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana set August 27 for the hearing. CID prosecution sub-inspector Shah Alam confirmed the application on Monday.

Don was detained by immigration police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on August 9 while preparing to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. He was handed over to CID because of a travel ban and was sent to jail by a court later that day. A court rejected his bail petition on August 12.

CID said custodial questioning is needed to uncover the case’s facts, identify and arrest alleged accomplices, and determine who assisted Don’s alleged attempt to leave the country despite the travel restriction. Salman Shah died on September 6, 1996. Following a court order last October, the case was registered as a murder case at Ramna Police Station under Penal Code sections 302/34.

A sabotage case filed at Bishwanath Police Station in Sylhet has named BNP, Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir activists alongside members of the banned Awami League. The complaint, filed on Friday by Alankari Union BNP vice-president Md Irun Mia, names 92 people and lists another 60 to 70 unidentified accused.

The case alleges that on the evening of August 16, the accused set fire to vehicle tyres on the Bishwanath-Lamakazi paved road in Rampasha Union, obstructed traffic and chanted anti-state slogans. It also alleges arson and vandalism at important government offices, causing damage and creating an unstable environment. Named defendants include BNP ward publicity secretary Ekhlas Mia, Shibir ward president Roni Mia and Jamaat worker Renu Mia.

Ekhlas said his inclusion was retaliatory and linked to a land dispute with a neighbour. Jamaat’s Bishwanath chief Nizam Uddin Siddiqui called the inclusion of his party workers planned, while police chief Gazi Md Mahbubur Rahman said the case is under investigation. BNP’s local president Mohammad Gauch Ali said the party was examining the matter and that the issue could stem from a misunderstanding.

Police recovered four foreign pistols, three magazines and 12 rounds of ammunition from a flat in the Swamibagh Karatitola area of Gendaria in the capital and detained six people. The information was disclosed by Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner for Crime Md Faruk Hossain at a press conference at the DMP Media Centre on Monday.

According to police, Jatrabari police set up a checkpoint near the Mukti Petrol Pump at the Matuail U-turn after receiving information that illegal drugs were being brought to Dhaka from Chattogram in a private car. Officers stopped a white private car, registered Dhaka Metro-G-31-3646, and detained five occupants, but found no drugs during searches of the vehicle and the individuals.

Questioning later led police to the Gendaria flat, where the weapons were found in a plastic bag under a bed, police said. A private car and six smartphones were also seized. Police identified detainee Sajib as the younger brother of Sajal, also known as Auto Sajal, whom police described as a leading criminal and arms-and-drug dealer in the Wari division. Police cited earlier weapons and drug cases involving Sajal.