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.

Professor Dr. Zahid Raihan, Additional Director General (Administration) of the Directorate General of Health Services, visited the Araihazar Upazila Health Complex in Narayanganj on Monday morning. During the three-hour inspection, he toured various wards, service centers, the labor room, and other departments, expressing high praise for the hospital’s cleanliness, environment, and quality of care. He also announced a cash reward of one thousand taka for a mother who had given birth through normal delivery to encourage such deliveries.

Dr. Raihan stated that among the many hospitals he has visited across the country, few maintain such a high level of cleanliness and order. He noted that every area, from toilets to wards, was well maintained and that patient care conditions were satisfactory.

Hospital sources said that recent initiatives have been taken to improve service quality, cleanliness, and patient-friendly conditions at the Araihazar Health Complex. The senior official’s commendation has reportedly inspired renewed enthusiasm among the hospital’s doctors, nurses, and staff.

The United States has announced a temporary relaxation of sanctions on Iran’s oil sales following progress in recent diplomatic discussions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the decision came after positive outcomes from talks held in Switzerland, where both sides reached an understanding on several issues. Under the new arrangement, the US Treasury issued a 60-day general license allowing Iran to produce, supply, and sell oil without sanctions until 12:01 a.m. on August 21.

According to Washington, Iran agreed to ensure free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors access to its facilities. Analysts believe the move could provide significant relief to Iran’s economy, which has been strained by years of strict sanctions. The decision also aims to stabilize operations in the Strait of Hormuz and reduce potential disruptions in global energy supply.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy transport routes, and any disturbance there could have major effects on international oil markets and energy distribution.

A group of Argentina football supporters organized a colorful rally in the Pakherhat area of Khansama upazila, Dinajpur, on Monday afternoon. The event featured a massive 700-foot-long Argentine flag and drew participation from over a hundred local fans. Participants wore sky-blue and white jerseys and carried flags and banners as they marched through the Pakherhat market area.

Supporter Masud Rana said they arranged the rally out of love for the Argentina team, which he has supported since childhood. Other fans, including Rabbi and Mehedi Hasan, noted that the large flag brought joy to local residents and expressed hope that sports would spread friendship and happiness among young people.

The rally highlighted the strong enthusiasm of local football fans and their collective celebration of team spirit through a peaceful and festive gathering.

Mahmudul Hasan, a private sector official, testified on Monday before International Crimes Tribunal-1 as the fifth witness in a case against 17 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, former IGP Benazir Ahmed, and several current and former army officers. He stated that he was abducted on June 20, 2016, for posting critical comments about the Awami League government on Facebook. Hasan described being detained in isolation and subjected to severe torture, including electric shocks and beatings, while being pressured to confess to militancy.

In his testimony, Hasan said he was kept handcuffed for long periods, denied religious observance during Ramadan, and shown disturbing images to coerce confessions. He recounted being later presented to the media by RAB officers, who claimed he had been arrested from a nearby building, and then charged under multiple laws, including the Arms Act and Anti-Terrorism Act. After 25 months in jail, he was released on bail but was again detained for 16 days by counterterrorism officials before being freed upon signing a bond.

Hasan demanded exemplary punishment for those he alleged were involved, including RAB’s intelligence wing, the Home Ministry, and the then government.

Assistant Secondary Education Officer Md. Shahinur Rahman has been serving in the same position at Taraganj Upazila Secondary Education Office in Rangpur for more than ten years. He joined the office on December 3, 2015, and continues to hold the same post, now also acting as the Upazila Secondary Education Officer. Despite multiple transfers of other officials during this period, no transfer order has been implemented in his case.

According to administrative and education policy, field-level officials are not supposed to remain in one workplace for extended periods to ensure neutrality, transparency, and accountability while preventing the creation of local influence networks. However, Shahinur Rahman’s long tenure has raised questions about the effectiveness of these policies. Several teachers, school management committee members, and local residents, speaking anonymously, alleged that his prolonged stay has led to the formation of a strong influence circle within the education administration.

Local sources also claimed that he was close to former Member of Parliament Ahsanul Haque Chowdhury Duke during the Awami League government. When contacted, Shahinur Rahman declined to comment on the matter.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced plans to hold protest rallies across all districts and metropolitan areas of Bangladesh on Tuesday. The demonstrations aim to demand justice for alleged disappearances, killings, and mass murders said to have been committed by the banned Awami League. The directive was issued Monday through a message signed by Sadia Farzana Dinar, a member of the party’s office cell.

According to the announcement, all district and metropolitan branches of the NCP have been instructed to organize protest gatherings at 5 p.m. Tuesday in their respective areas. The protests coincide with the anniversary of the banned Awami League, for which the government has decided to deploy the army in six districts—Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Faridpur, Gopalganj, and Chattogram—to prevent possible unrest.

Separately, an 11-party alliance has also called for a protest in the capital, citing slow progress in trials related to the July Movement killings, deteriorating law and order, and attacks on its activists.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organizations held a protest march in Madan upazila of Netrakona on Monday afternoon. The demonstration, organized by the upazila and municipal BNP units, began at the party’s local office, passed through the old bus stand, and concluded at Madan Bazar. Leaders and activists from various BNP wings, including the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Krishak Dal, and Mohila Dal, participated in the event.

According to Upazila BNP General Secretary Rafiqul Islam Akand, the protest was organized in response to what he described as attempts by the Awami League and its associates to destabilize law and order across the country. He stated that the BNP remains prepared to resist any acts of sabotage allegedly carried out by the ruling party.

The event reflected ongoing political tension between the BNP and the Awami League, with the opposition party framing its protest as a defense of national stability.

A major political upheaval has emerged in West Bengal as a rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress, calling itself the 'Real Trinamool', announced the removal of Mamata Banerjee from the post of party chairperson. The group also declared the temporary suspension of senior leader Abhishek Banerjee. The decision was made at a meeting held at a hotel in New Town, Kolkata, reportedly attended by 60 legislators and 70 municipal councillors. Arup Roy, an MLA from Howrah, was named the new chairperson.

The rebellion followed the expulsion of Ritabrata Banerjee by Mamata’s leadership for alleged anti-party activities. Ritabrata’s supporters responded by forming a new committee, arguing that the party’s constitution requires reconstitution of the national executive every three years, which they claim was overdue since February 2022. Rebel leaders said the move was necessary to preserve organizational legitimacy and continuity.

Reports indicate the Trinamool Congress is now split into three factions. Rebel MPs plan to approach India’s Supreme Court to claim control over the party’s election symbol, while uncertainty looms over the management of about 1,100 crore rupees in party funds.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed ruled in parliament that the term 'mobocracy' is a common expression and not unparliamentary, rejecting an opposition demand to expunge it from the record. The issue arose during Monday’s general discussion on the national budget when a ruling party MP used the word while criticizing opposition protests against the budget. The Speaker said the term was not obscene or inappropriate and could be used by any member.

The controversy began after BNP’s reserved seat MP Beethika Bintee Hossain described opposition demonstrations rejecting the budget as 'mobocracy'. Jamaat-e-Islami MP Rashedul Islam objected and requested the word be removed, which the Speaker denied. Opposition leader Shafiqul Rahman also argued that the term carried a negative meaning and should be expunged, but the Speaker reiterated his stance that it was a common political term.

The debate followed recent street protests in Dhaka after Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the budget on June 11, with both ruling and opposition parties holding separate rallies in support or protest.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep sorrow and sympathy over the deaths of 11 people, including three madrasa students, caused by lightning strikes across the country. The statement was issued on Monday by Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, the party’s Assistant Secretary General and Secretary of the Publicity and Media Department. The lightning incidents occurred between Sunday afternoon and night, June 21.

According to the statement, the victims included farmers, laborers, and ordinary citizens, with fatalities reported in Savar, Manikganj, Narsingdi, Netrokona, Jamalpur, and Kishoreganj. Zubair called on the government to provide financial assistance to the affected families and prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased and the recovery of the injured.

He also urged the authorities to strengthen early warning systems and public awareness campaigns during adverse weather, install lightning protection in high-risk workplaces, and advised citizens to remain in safe locations during storms.

Israeli historian Ilan Pappé has stated that the Zionist ideology is now in a critical phase of existential crisis and stands at its final stage before collapse. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he said that various political and international realities indicate Zionism is becoming increasingly weak. He cited the political situation in the United States under Donald Trump, Israel’s growing isolation in the international arena, and shifting global public opinion as factors raising questions about the future of Zionism.

According to Pappé, international criticism of Israeli policies has risen significantly in recent years. He added that the growing pro-Palestinian movements and solidarity across different countries have reduced the acceptance of the Zionist project compared to before. These developments, he argued, have challenged the long-term sustainability of Zionism.

Pappé concluded that these changes have brought the ideology to a stage that could ultimately lead to its downfall.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has detained six individuals and seized a large consignment of illegal fishing nets worth approximately Tk 32 crore from the western sea area of Saint Martin Island. The operation took place around 11 p.m. on Saturday when a Coast Guard team chased and intercepted a boat suspected of smuggling goods from Myanmar. Upon searching the vessel, officers discovered about 21.5 lakh meters of foreign-made current nets.

Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon confirmed the seizure on Monday morning, stating that the nets were smuggled from Myanmar. He emphasized that the Coast Guard will continue such operations to prevent smuggling and protect the country’s marine resources.

The incident highlights ongoing efforts by Bangladeshi authorities to curb illegal fishing equipment imports that threaten local fisheries and marine biodiversity.