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.

A meeting between the chairman of the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), Engineer Belayet Hossain, and a Chinese delegation was held on Sunday. Following the meeting, Hossain said Chinese businesses have shown interest in investing in Chattogram’s housing sector. He invited them to invest, noting that population pressure on the city’s core areas is increasing. He added that Chinese investors are experienced in developing large-scale mega residential projects and smart townships, which could support CDA’s master plan to build modern housing and satellite cities in Hathazari, Boalkhali, Anwara, and Karnaphuli.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with the chairmen of nine development authorities at his office, directing them to coordinate with service agencies to reduce public suffering and to make cities greener, sustainable, and livable. During that meeting, Hossain presented CDA’s current activities and proposed developing suburban areas to ease pressure on the main city. He also urged the Prime Minister to improve transport for Sandwip residents through a modern sea-truck and upgraded ferry terminals, to which the Prime Minister gave a positive response.

Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his final appearance in the tournament. During an interview held amid the ongoing World Cup, Ronaldo said he was enjoying the event and its atmosphere but had already decided that this would be his last World Cup. His statement marks the beginning of the end for a career that has spanned more than two decades at the top level of world football.

Ronaldo first played in the World Cup in 2006 and has since represented Portugal in five consecutive editions. The 2026 tournament marks his sixth and final participation. Known for his humor, Ronaldo also shared a lighthearted story about meeting an Argentine flight attendant, joking about the football rivalry between their nations. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner holds numerous records for both club and country, including the highest number of international goals.

His announcement signals the closing of a golden era in world football and the conclusion of one of the sport’s most celebrated rivalries, leaving fans around the globe with a deep sense of nostalgia.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of Bangladesh held a courtesy meeting with Peter Holland, Chief Executive Officer of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), on Monday at 11:30 a.m. in the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat. The meeting focused on the overall development of eye health services in Bangladesh, prevention of blindness, and reduction of visual impairment.

During the discussion, both sides explored ways to strengthen mutual cooperation in the field of eye health. State Minister for Health Dr. M A Muhith was also present at the meeting. Following the courtesy call, a press briefing was held at the Secretariat where Dr. Muhith and Peter Holland highlighted key aspects of the meeting to the media.

The meeting underscored Bangladesh’s ongoing engagement with international organizations to enhance national eye care services and promote blindness prevention initiatives.

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, early Saturday, killing at least ten people and injuring 46, according to Ukrainian authorities. Another person was reported dead and ten injured in surrounding areas. The Ukrainian military said Russia fired 68 missiles and 351 drones during the night. Explosions were heard from 1:40 a.m. to 3:15 a.m., prompting thousands of residents to take shelter in underground bunkers.

At least 15 buildings were damaged in Kyiv, including four in the historic Podilskyi district. Rescue operations were still underway, and city military chief Timur Tkachenko warned that the death toll could rise. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a Sunday night address, cautioned that Russia might launch further large-scale attacks before the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where he is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.

The report noted that a similar Russian strike last week killed 31 people in Kyiv, marking the deadliest attack on the city this year.

A stone-laden dump truck overturned onto a tin-roofed house in Naldi Khalpara area of Lohagara, Narail, around 12:30 a.m. on Monday night, killing a 13-year-old girl and seriously injuring her 16-year-old sister. The victims, Mitu Khanom and Shamima Akter Setu, were daughters of Hafizar Molla and were asleep inside the house when the accident occurred.

According to local and police sources, the speeding truck lost control and toppled over beside the road, crushing the house. Locals rescued the two sisters and took them to Narail Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared Mitu dead. The truck driver and his assistant fled the scene immediately after the incident.

Lohagara Police Station’s officer-in-charge said police visited the site and that legal procedures would be completed before handing over the body to the family.

A rare black croaker fish weighing nearly eight kilograms was sold for fifty thousand taka at an auction in Alipur Fish Port, Kuakata, Patuakhali, on Sunday morning. The fish was caught by fisherman Abdur Rahim Majhi late Saturday night in the Bay of Bengal, following the end of a 58-day fishing ban. PM Musa, owner of Kuakata Fresh Fish, purchased the fish at a rate of 6,250 taka per kilogram.

Fisherman Abdur Rahim expressed joy over the high price, saying such fish are rarely caught. Buyer PM Musa explained that the fish’s swim bladder is highly valuable in international markets, and his company exports such fish to Dhaka and abroad. Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Apu Saha noted that the species, locally known as black croaker or lombu croaker, can weigh between 4 and 40 kilograms and is often called the “black gold of the sea.”

Officials described the catch as a positive sign for fishermen resuming work after the seasonal fishing ban.