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.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman said the government needs cooperation from all sides to reach a reasonable point in its reform agenda. Speaking as chief guest at a Center for Governance Studies discussion at CIRDAP auditorium in the capital on Monday, he said the government views constructive criticism positively and wants to move forward through review, advice and consultation.

He said citizens have the right to criticize the government, which it is constitutionally obliged to protect, and described political parties’ criticism as a normal part of democracy. The minister said efforts are being made to move away from a past culture in which writers, journalists, cartoonists and others faced harassment or arrest for expressing views. He added that laws and policies can be amended when implementation shows a need for change.

On constitutional reform, Asaduzzaman said the government is proceeding with the July Charter in mind while preserving the constitution’s basic structure. He called for consultation with political parties and stakeholders, said opposition and other political representation was sought on the reform committee, and urged constructive participation. He also highlighted judicial independence, accountability in human-rights complaints, a new Anti-Corruption Commission, and transparent state institutions.

Bangladesh and India are working to finalise the timing of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to India, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir said. Speaking to a private television channel on Monday after assuming his office following the distribution of responsibilities at the Foreign Ministry, he said the schedule would be determined through discussions between the two countries.

Kabir said the visit date would be fixed at a time convenient for both Dhaka and Delhi. He described Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s remarks on Bangladesh-India bilateral relations as positive.

The new state minister said one of his key responsibilities would be maintaining balance in diplomacy while protecting Bangladesh’s national interests. He said bilateral relations would be based on equality and fairness. No date, itinerary or further details of the proposed India visit were provided in the remarks.

The US military said Monday that it carried out a strike on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing two people. US Southern Command said the Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere conducted the lethal operation on Sunday against a low-profile vessel travelling along a known drug-trafficking route.

The announcement marked the first reported strike of this kind after a pause of more than two months. Before that break, the US military had destroyed at least 67 vessels and killed at least 221 people since Operation Southern Spear began in September 2025.

Southcom commander General Francis L. Donovan reaffirmed the US military commitment against drug trafficking. He said the United States aims to apply comprehensive pressure on what he called narco-terrorists, disrupt their operations, dismantle their leadership and eliminate cartel terrorism across the region. Donovan described the operation as a demonstration of lethal precision, sustained capability and determination to protect the US homeland.

Bangladesh’s 2027 Secondary School Certificate and equivalent examinations will begin on March 14 instead of January 7 and continue until April 15. Professor Syed Akhtaruzzaman, president of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee and chairman of the Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, confirmed the change to Amar Desh on Monday.

The Education Ministry had previously made an initial decision to begin the examinations on January 7. A preliminary examination schedule had also been published under that plan.

The government later moved away from the earlier decision after considering candidates’ lack of preparation and other factors. Authorities decided to start the examinations about two months later, on March 14. Akhtaruzzaman said the examination timetable would be released on the same day.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said primary scholarship examinations do not discriminate against students of private schools. He made the remarks on Friday after visiting an examination centre at Badshah Faisal Institute in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. He said opportunities were set on a proportional basis for government and private school students.

According to the state minister, one in every eight government school students received the chance to sit the scholarship examination, while one in every five private school students received that opportunity. Directorate of Primary Education data showed that 640,000 students took part this year, including about 550,000 from government schools and 90,000 from private schools.

A total of 82,500 students will receive scholarships, including 66,000 from government schools and 16,500 from private schools. Hajjaj said examinations were being held in an orderly environment nationwide. He said the policy would be updated after discussions with relevant parties, with scholarship amounts and beneficiary numbers also reviewed to ensure maximum equity.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the party has already formed a shadow cabinet and is training its members. He said the names of the shadow cabinet members will be formally announced soon. Rahman disclosed the information on Monday during an exchange with editors at the official residence of the leader of the opposition on Minto Road in the capital.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh and joint convener of the National Editors Council, said journalists had advised the opposition to form a shadow cabinet. He said the opposition leader praised the proposal and confirmed that such a cabinet had already been formed and was undergoing training.

Mahmudur Rahman said a shadow cabinet could ensure that designated people speak on specific subjects, rather than politicians commenting on every issue. He said it could create continuous constructive pressure on the government while helping the opposition prepare for future governance. He also said editors pledged that media outlets would not lean toward any political party and would perform their duties professionally.

Residents in Harirampur, Manikganj, held a broom march and human chain on Monday against upazila Jubo Dal member secretary Molla Shahin, alleging extortion, land grabbing and other irregularities. Hundreds of people began the march from the upazila premises at about 12:30pm and headed toward Harirampur police station.

Protesters alleged that Shahin’s supporters obstructed their procession and that cocktail explosions and gunfire occurred at the time. No immediate information on casualties was available. After returning to the upazila premises, participants in the human chain demanded an investigation into the allegations and swift legal and punitive action.

In a counterprogramme, Shahin’s supporters, led by Shahin and Gala Union Parishad chairman Shafik Biswas, staged a sit-in and protest in front of the police station. Tension persisted around the rival programmes, while law enforcement personnel remained alert. Harirampur police station officer-in-charge Mohammad Afzal Hossain said police went to the scene, brought the situation under control, and that it remained under police control.

Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Monday for a visit focused on discussions over regional peace and stability. He met Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni after reaching the Iranian capital, according to the report. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is accompanying Field Marshal Munir on the trip.

Iran’s Fars news agency reported that Munir is scheduled to hold discussions with senior Iranian officials during the visit. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement issued Monday that the trip is part of Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability.

ISPR said Munir will also focus on advancing efforts for a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Middle East conflict during his visit. The source did not provide details of the talks with Momeni or specify which additional Iranian officials Munir is expected to meet.

Chinese students’ interest in learning Bangla and Bangladeshi culture at the University of Dhaka has increased, with enrollment in a special Bangla course rising from 15 in 2024 to 26 in 2026. The university’s Institute of Modern Languages said the increase represents about 73 percent over three years. On Monday, Chinese students studying Bangla paid a courtesy call on Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam in a meeting room beside his office.

The vice-chancellor said language and cultural exchange could deepen communication, understanding and friendship between Bangladesh and China. He described China as one of Bangladesh’s major development partners and said the university wanted to emphasize Chinese and other third-language education. He also called for expanding opportunities for Chinese students to learn Bangla and Bangladeshi culture at Dhaka University.

In 2024, 15 students from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Yunnan Minzu University joined the course. The number rose to 19 in 2025, when students from Yunnan Minzu University, Yunnan University and Beijing Foreign Studies University participated. This year, 26 students from Yunnan Minzu University, Yunnan University, Communication University and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies are enrolled. Students also raised issues involving food menus, Wi-Fi, housing and other services, and the vice-chancellor pledged to consider action.

Mohamed Salah scored twice as Trabzonspor defeated Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 at home at Papara Park in the Turkish Super Lig. The Egypt forward produced an impressive display in his first match in Trabzonspor’s starting lineup, helping the hosts secure victory.

Salah opened the scoring early by intelligently taking the ball from Basaksehir goalkeeper Muhammed Sengezer. Eldor Shomurodov then levelled for the visitors from a penalty before halftime, leaving the match tied 1-1 at the break.

After the interval, the 34-year-old struck from 10 yards following a well-crafted pass from Ernest Muci to put Trabzonspor ahead. Salah received a late yellow card for an alleged dive and had an injury-time effort from about 45 yards ruled out for offside, denying him a hat-trick. He joined Trabzonspor on a two-year deal this summer as a free transfer, reportedly earning £280,000 a week, and this was his third match for the club.

A viral Facebook audio clip allegedly featuring Satkania Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khondkar Mahmudul Hasan has triggered debate after he was heard making a disparaging remark about journalists. The clip spread on Monday, though its recording date could not be confirmed. Some local journalists described the alleged wording, which compared journalists’ growing numbers to goats, as insulting to their profession.

Journalists working in Satkania said concerns about professional standards, misuse of press identification cards or unqualified people using journalist identities can be discussed and criticised. However, they argued that comparing an entire professional group with an animal undermines the dignity of journalism. Satkania Press Club President Shahidul Islam Babor said an UNO should use more restrained language because cooperation between the administration and media is important for sharing public information.

Efforts were made to obtain Khondkar Mahmudul Hasan’s response, but no comment was available by the time of reporting. He was withdrawn from Satkania and assigned to Dhaka Division under an August 23 public administration ministry notification. He had joined as Satkania UNO on July 29, 2025.

Iran said countries have no reason to fear Tehran unless they allow parties involved in aggression against Iran to use their bases, facilities or equipment. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei made the remarks at a weekly press conference on Monday, responding to reports that European-based US installations could become targets if European countries again joined aggression against Iran.

Baghaei said Iran had also heard reports that several KC-135 tanker aircraft had left Bulgaria. The reports said the aircraft departed amid Tehran’s stern warnings about third-country support for aggression against Iran and local protests. He said Iran had previously made its position on Bulgaria clear.

According to Baghaei, some Bulgarian citizens and politicians had described allowing national facilities to be used for US attacks on Iran as contrary to international law. He said Iran had no dispute with the Bulgarian people, while characterizing participation in actions targeting the Islamic Republic as aggression. He also asserted that Iran has the right to take countermeasures against sources of attacks on its territory and would not show flexibility in defending its territorial integrity and security.

Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has travelled to Iran as discussion grows over whether Iran-Pakistan dialogue could reshape security arrangements around the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian journalist Reza Afzal Samir said Pakistan holds an important place in Iran’s strategic calculations because it has the capacity to take effective action and help create a practical path toward peace.

Samir said Pakistan should use its influence rather than remain silent and inactive. He said progress in Hormuz discussions could accelerate following Munir’s visit, adding that a deadline for a final agreement between Iran and Oman on the strait may be approaching.

Samir said that if Munir succeeds in bringing Iran back to the negotiating table, Iran and Oman could issue a new announcement on the strait soon afterward. Andreas Krieg, an associate professor of defence studies at King’s College London, was more cautious, saying a meaningful outcome would be assurances that Iranian security agencies comply with any Hormuz agreement and restrain escalation through Yemen or Iraq if Qatar can secure reciprocal steps from the United States.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is working mainly from the official residence beside the Prime Minister’s Office, using it as a regular workplace to increase working time and efficiency. She moved into the residence last December and says its location allows her to respond quickly in emergencies without losing time travelling. Built in 1929, the building once served as Japan’s prime ministerial office.

Takaichi said office facilities at the residence have been expanded, allowing in-person and online meetings with officials. She also works there after office hours when necessary and takes documents home to read, describing the residence as another workplace. She spends much of her time there at night and on holidays.

Her long working hours have drawn criticism after she said she sometimes sleeps from zero to three hours a night while managing work pressure and household duties. Critics say this may send a wrong message on work-life balance and gender equality. Her popularity has also fallen amid criticism over a proposed imperial-law change and delayed economic measures despite rising living costs.