Cristiano Ronaldo faced widespread criticism after a lackluster performance in Portugal’s opening World Cup match against DR Congo. The Portuguese captain missed several easy chances and left the field without shaking hands with opponents, drawing ridicule from fans. However, former England striker Michael Owen and Portugal defender Ruben Dias have publicly backed Ronaldo amid the backlash.

In an article published in the Daily Mail, Owen expressed full support for Ronaldo, comparing the situation to Lionel Messi’s recent hat-trick. He stated that Ronaldo’s failure to score does not warrant criticism and predicted that the forward could silence critics with a hat-trick in the next match against Uzbekistan. Ruben Dias also dismissed any doubts within the Portugal camp, praising Ronaldo’s mental strength and confidence in his ability to bounce back.

Portugal’s next match against Uzbekistan will test whether Ronaldo can overcome the criticism and return to form, a moment eagerly awaited by football fans.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has condemned the alleged killing of a farmer in Bhangura, Pabna, reportedly beaten to death by a BNP leader. In a statement issued to the media on Monday, the party’s Assistant Secretary General and Secretary of the Publicity and Media Department, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, denounced the incident and demanded the immediate arrest and trial of the accused.

According to the statement, the victim, 50-year-old Jamil Hossain from Harina village in Rajshahi’s Bagha upazila, had gone to Pabna for work and was allegedly tortured to death on June 20. Jamaat claimed the killing violated fundamental human rights and reflected a breakdown of the rule of law, accusing ruling party-linked criminals of acting with impunity.

The party urged law enforcement to arrest the fugitive BNP leader, Yusuf Ali, son of Abdul Quddus Mondol of Charbhangura village, and called on the government to provide financial and overall support to the victim’s family. Jamaat also expressed condolences and prayed for the deceased.

Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 in a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 match, with both goals scored by captain Lionel Messi. The match, which began at 11 p.m. on Monday, was screened live on a large screen at Rangpur Town Hall field, organized by Rangpur City Corporation and the Argentina Fans Club. Thousands of supporters in sky-blue and white jerseys filled the venue well before kickoff, waving flags and blowing whistles as they cheered for their team.

Messi missed an early penalty but later scored in the 38th minute and again near the end of the match, sealing Argentina’s victory. Fans in Rangpur erupted in joy, celebrating the win with chants and songs. Local fan leaders expressed pride in Messi’s performance and optimism about Argentina’s chances in the tournament. Even rival supporters acknowledged Messi’s brilliance, praising his decisive goals. Similar scenes of excitement were reported at Begum Rokeya University, where crowds gathered to watch the match.

The celebrations underscored Rangpur’s strong football culture and the passionate following for Argentina among local fans.

In Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium, Egypt achieved its first-ever World Cup victory, ending nearly a century of frustration. The team defeated their opponent 3–1, with Mohamed Salah playing a decisive role by scoring one goal and assisting another. The win brought Egypt to the brink of qualifying for the knockout stage, marking a historic moment for the nation’s football journey.

Egypt’s World Cup history has long been marked by disappointment. They first appeared in 1934 as the first African and Arab nation to play in the tournament but lost their only match. After returning in 1990, they again failed to win any of their three games. In 2018, despite Salah’s two goals, Egypt exited after three losses. Following a demanding club season, Salah returned to lead his country once more, turning past heartbreak into triumph.

Ahead of their final group match against Iran on Saturday, Egypt’s players now face the next challenge with renewed confidence, having finally lifted the burden of generations of missed opportunities.

A man was injured when bricks were thrown at a victory rally of Argentina football supporters in the Bagghona Mor area under Khulshi Police Station in Chattogram. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Monday night when the rally was passing through the area. Witnesses said water was first poured from a four-storey building, followed by bricks being thrown at the crowd.

An Argentina supporter named Md. Rony told Amader Desh that the rally was organized after Argentina’s match, and one person was injured when a brick fragment hit them. Another supporter, Md. Hridoy, said he narrowly escaped serious injury when a brick nearly struck his head. Police Sub-Inspector Md. Alamgir confirmed that the brick was thrown from a four-storey building and said an investigation is underway.

Authorities have not yet identified the individuals responsible for the attack, and police are continuing to investigate the motive behind the incident.

The Argentine Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marcelo Carlos Cesa, visited Dhaka University on Monday night to watch the Argentina vs Austria match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The event created a festive atmosphere across the campus, particularly at Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall field, where hundreds of Argentina supporters gathered wearing team jerseys and waving flags. The ambassador was accompanied by Ruli, known as a close associate of Lionel Messi, and several teammates, drawing enthusiastic responses from students and spectators.

Ambassador Cesa expressed his admiration for the passion of Bangladeshi fans, saying he felt as if he were in Argentina. Argentine influencer Ruli also shared his affection for Bangladesh. The Mohsin Hall student group organized cultural and musical performances to mark the occasion, attended by student leaders including Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas and Nahiduzzaman Shipon. Several Argentine creative professionals and travel writers, including Dan Lande and Manuel Javier Esquera Ramon, were also present.

The gathering highlighted the strong emotional connection between Bangladeshi football fans and Argentina during the global tournament.

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited has announced that gas supply pressure will remain low across its service areas for four days starting Monday night, June 22, 2026. The company stated in a notice that the reduction in regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) supply has caused the temporary disruption, which will affect residential, commercial, industrial, and CNG consumers.

According to the announcement, the low-pressure situation will continue until Thursday, June 25, 2026. Titas Gas expressed regret for the inconvenience and assured that gas supply will return to normal once the situation stabilizes. The company did not specify the reason behind the RLNG supply reduction but emphasized that the issue is temporary.

The notice serves as an advisory for all categories of consumers under Titas Gas to expect reduced gas pressure during the specified period.

During the ongoing budget session of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament, Dhaka-12 Member of Parliament Saiful Alam Khan Milon expressed strong dissatisfaction over the absence of key government ministers in the House. Speaking on a point of order on the 12th day of the session, he particularly noted that the seats of the health and home ministers were empty and urged the Speaker to ensure ministerial attendance during proceedings.

In response, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni defended the situation, stating that the finance minister would ultimately address all budget-related matters. The exchange highlighted tensions within the session regarding ministerial participation and accountability during the country’s first budget session of the current parliament.

The issue underscores ongoing concerns among lawmakers about ministerial engagement in parliamentary discussions, especially during critical budget deliberations.

Several deprived leaders of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal have alleged widespread irregularities and post trading in the organization’s newly announced central executive committee. On Monday morning, they submitted a written memorandum to Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Senior Joint Secretary General of the BNP and adviser to the Prime Minister, at his official residence in Dhanmondi. The leaders expressed anger that dedicated and active activists were overlooked while inactive and unqualified individuals were given key posts, demanding a fair investigation and inclusion of experienced leaders who had faced imprisonment and political persecution.

A large number of former Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal leaders were present during the submission, including several former vice presidents and secretaries of the student and youth wings. They expressed hope that the BNP high command would take effective steps to resolve the crisis and properly recognize the sacrifices of genuine activists. The controversy follows the June 4 announcement of a 151-member Jubo Dal central committee led by Abdul Monayem Munna as president and Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan as general secretary.

Following the committee’s announcement, deprived leaders have held multiple protest programs in Dhaka, including sit-ins on June 13 and June 17, vowing to continue their movement until fair evaluation is ensured.

Ten leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations, including Madarganj Upazila Awami League president Jibon Krishna Saha, were sent to jail after a Jamalpur court rejected their bail petitions. They surrendered before the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court on Monday and sought bail, which Magistrate Romana Akter denied after a hearing.

According to court sources, two separate cases were filed in 2024 under the Explosives Act and for sabotage during a period of political unrest. The cases were lodged by local BNP leaders Mizanur Rahman Ratan and Abdullah Al Mamun, naming several Awami League and allied organization members as accused. After remaining fugitive for a long time, the ten accused appeared in court to surrender.

The Assistant Public Prosecutor of the court, Mahbubur Rahman Sohel, confirmed that the cases are still under trial and further legal proceedings are ongoing. The court will decide on the next hearing date based on case progress.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday addressed the controversy surrounding the temporary police custody of Khairul Islam Sajib, son of BNP lawmaker Azharul Islam from Narayanganj-3. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he said Sajib was taken into custody for questioning based on multiple complaints received by the police. After verifying information and conducting necessary interrogation, police decided to release him upon taking a written undertaking.

The minister emphasized that no one holds special privileges under the law, stating that all citizens are equal before it. He further asserted that the country’s law and order situation has not deteriorated and remains better than before. According to him, the government remains vigilant to maintain stability, and opposition parties’ right to hold rallies is part of democratic practice.

Salahuddin Ahmed also mentioned that law enforcement strength is increased when necessary. He confirmed that the recent army deployment was based on intelligence reports to prevent subversive activities linked to the banned Awami League’s anniversary events.

On June 22, 2026, leaders and activists of the Comilla Metropolitan and South District units of the Chhatra Dal held a protest march across several streets in Comilla city. The demonstration was organized to oppose potential violence and flash processions by the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations ahead of the party’s anniversary on June 23. Participants included local Chhatra Dal leaders such as Nahiduzzaman Rana, Faiyaz Rashid Primo, Ismail Hossain, and Kazi Jubayer Alam Jilani.

Following the march, South District Chhatra Dal president Kazi Jubayer Alam Jilani stated that the Awami League remains a banned organization and that any attempt to disrupt peace in Comilla would be resisted in cooperation with law enforcement. Metropolitan Chhatra Dal general secretary Faiyaz Rashid Primo added that the group would maintain a 24-hour presence across the city to prevent unrest.

Comilla police officials, including the Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station and the Superintendent of Police, confirmed that special operations were underway and that any attempt by the banned organization to stage processions or digital activities would be firmly countered.

For the first time in 707 years, donations at the historic shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) in Sylhet were publicly counted under the supervision of the district administration. Over four and a half days, a total of 1,765,559 taka and seven ana of gold were collected from the shrine’s donation boxes and cauldrons. The counting concluded on Monday afternoon, with officials confirming the figures. A certificate praising District Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam’s initiatives was also found inside one of the cauldrons.

Earlier, on Thursday, the old cauldrons were sealed and nine new donation boxes were installed under administrative oversight. CCTV cameras were also set up to ensure transparency in the donation collection process. The shrine, one of Bangladesh’s most significant religious and tourist sites, uses donations for maintenance, development, and religious activities.

The public counting followed growing discussions about the shrine’s financial management. Authorities said the measures aimed to ensure transparency and accountability. However, on Sunday, the Public Administration Ministry reassigned DC Sarwar Alam without explanation, prompting protests in Sylhet demanding his reinstatement.

A violent attack occurred late Sunday night in Patuakhali’s Mohipur area, where a woman allegedly entered her husband’s home by cutting through the wall and attacked him and his second wife with a sharp machete. Police arrested the accused, identified as Khadija Begum, 23, the first wife of Hasan Sardar, 24. The incident took place around 11:30 p.m. in East Alipur village under Latachapli Union. Both Hasan and his second wife, Mim, 19, sustained serious injuries and were first taken to Kuakata Hospital before being transferred to Patuakhali Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

According to police and local sources, Khadija had been living at her father’s house in Purana Mohipur following marital disputes. During her absence, Hasan married Mim on May 17 and began living with her in Alipur. Upon learning of the second marriage, Khadija became enraged and carried out the attack. Locals rescued the injured couple after hearing their screams.

Police confirmed that legal action has been taken, and the suspect has been sent to court. The incident has caused significant local unrest.

The government has established a four-tier committee system to review and finalize the posting of newly appointed assistant teachers and the transfer of existing teachers in government primary schools. According to a circular issued on Sunday by the School-2 Division of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the committees will operate at national, divisional, district, and upazila or thana levels.

At the national level, the committee will be chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, with the Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education as a member and the Additional Secretary (School) as member secretary. Divisional committees will be led by the Divisional Commissioner, district committees by the Deputy Commissioner, and upazila or thana committees by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer. Each committee will include designated education officials and two respected local members nominated by the chair.

The circular states that all four committees must meet at least once a month to verify and resolve transfer applications. Priority will be given to teachers awaiting placement in schools where replacement-based transfer orders have already been issued.