Bangladesh has achieved a new milestone in its sports history as the national women's hockey team qualified for the Asian Games for the first time. The team secured its place through the Asian Hockey Federation’s qualifying tournament held in Jakarta, where it advanced to the semifinals from Group A. Bangladesh earned seven points in three matches, finishing among the top two teams in the group to confirm its spot in the main event.

In the qualifiers, Bangladesh drew 5-5 with Chinese Taipei in their opening match, defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 in the second, and overcame Hong Kong 2-1 in the final group game after initially falling behind. The team, composed mainly of players from BKSP, demonstrated strong performance and resilience throughout the tournament.

This qualification marks the first time a Bangladeshi women’s hockey team will compete in the Asian Games, opening a new chapter for women’s sports in the country and signaling growing potential in international hockey participation.

Journalists from Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) formed a human chain on Sunday afternoon in front of the university’s main gate to protest an attack on Dhaka University reporters allegedly carried out by leaders and activists of the student wing Chhatra Dal. The event was organized by the HSTU Journalists’ Association (Habiprobisass) and joined by members, associate members, and journalists from national and local print and electronic media. Participants demanded an environment that ensures freedom of journalism.

Speakers at the protest said that attacks on journalists are not only assaults on a professional group but also direct threats to free media, freedom of expression, and democratic values. They called for immediate identification and exemplary punishment of those involved in the attack. Representatives urged the government to stand by journalists who have faced similar incidents and ensure justice.

Habiprobisass leaders also appealed to the student organization to take prompt action against the accused and emphasized the need for a safe campus environment and stronger protection for journalists.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said it will take several months for the global oil market to return to normal even after the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He made the remarks in an interview with Russia’s VGTRK broadcaster, according to Anadolu, noting that the Middle East crisis has caused a severe shortage of energy resources worldwide.

Novak explained that a large volume of oil has not reached the market and many ships remain stranded in the Hormuz Strait, making it difficult to restore balance quickly. He estimated that normal conditions could take months to reestablish.

The report recalled that Tehran took full control of the Strait of Hormuz on February 28 after a U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, disrupting global energy supplies across Asia. Although the conflict is currently suspended, efforts continue to achieve a lasting resolution.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is becoming meaningless due to Hezbollah’s actions. Speaking at his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu claimed that Hezbollah’s violations of the agreement’s terms are effectively nullifying the truce.

The ceasefire, extended last Thursday for another three weeks, was intended to ease hostilities between the two sides. However, reports indicate that renewed tension and reciprocal attacks have followed the extension. Hezbollah has rejected Israel’s accusations as baseless, instead accusing Israeli forces of breaching the ceasefire by continuing attacks and maintaining positions inside Lebanese territory.

Hezbollah stated that its operations are defensive responses to Israeli violations. The exchange of accusations underscores the fragility of the extended ceasefire and the persistent volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border.

A newly married couple, Mahfuz (20) and Monika Begum (18), died by suicide after consuming poison in Mirzapur village of Rafinagar Union, Dirai upazila, Sunamganj. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Sunday, five months after their marriage. Mahfuz’s father, Azizur Rahman, discovered the couple unconscious in the kitchen after returning from work and took them to the local health complex, where Monika was declared dead. Mahfuz was later transferred to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, where he also died while undergoing treatment.

According to local sources, Mahfuz worked in the garment sector and had married Monika out of love, with both families later accepting the union. Dirai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Enamul Haque Chowdhury confirmed the incident and said the cause of the poisoning remains unknown. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the motive behind the suicide.

Police stated that the actual reason for the couple’s decision will be confirmed after the investigation concludes.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard detained six alleged smugglers along with 550 sacks of cement intended for smuggling into Myanmar. The operation was conducted on Saturday near Noachiri, off the coast of Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar, by the Coast Guard’s Matarbari station. Two boats used in the smuggling attempt were also seized during the operation.

According to Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Suman Al Mukit, the raid was carried out based on a tip-off. The cement, valued at approximately 275,000 taka, was being transferred illegally from a cargo boat to a fishing boat when intercepted. The seized goods, boats, and detained individuals are currently under legal processing.

Lieutenant Commander Mukit stated that such anti-smuggling operations will continue in the future to curb illegal trade along the coastal areas.

Twelve people were killed in lightning strikes across several districts of Bangladesh on Sunday during storms and heavy rain. The highest number of casualties occurred in Gaibandha, where five people, including two teenagers, died and one person was injured. The incidents took place in Sundarganj’s Dakshin Dhopadanga village and Saghata upazila. Witnesses said the lightning struck around 4:30 p.m. while the victims were standing near a road during the storm. The injured person was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

In addition to the deaths in Gaibandha, two people died in Sirajganj, two in Jamalpur, one in Bogura, one in Singra of Natore, and one in Panchagarh. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that by Sunday night, a nor’wester with wind speeds of 60 to 80 kilometers per hour could sweep across 11 regions, including Dhaka, accompanied by rain or thunderstorms. River ports in affected areas were advised to hoist cautionary signal number two.

Authorities warned of further storms and advised caution for residents and river transport operators as unstable weather conditions persisted.

A new federal report shows that electricity service in the United States was disconnected 13.4 million times and gas service 1.7 million times in 2024. The data, collected under a 2023 congressional law, reveal the scale of financial distress among households unable to pay utility bills. Researchers say the figures are far higher than previously estimated, raising concerns about energy insecurity across the country.

The report highlights that southern states recorded the highest disconnection rates, with Oklahoma leading where nearly three in ten customers lost service. Other states with high rates include Texas, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Experts attribute the surge to high poverty levels, rising energy prices, long hot seasons, and weak consumer protections. The Trump administration has again proposed eliminating the $4 billion LIHEAP program that helps low-income Americans pay energy bills, though Congress has previously rejected such moves.

Analysts warn that the situation may worsen, as electricity prices rose by more than 11 percent nationwide in 2025. Consumer groups are calling for stricter limits on utility profits and stronger rules to prevent service disconnections.

A 35-year-old man named Suman died after being struck by lightning in Gabtali upazila of Bogura on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred in Muchikhali village under Sonarai Union when Suman went to bring his goats from a nearby field amid stormy weather. Shortly after he reached the field, a loud thunderbolt struck, leaving him severely burned and dead on the spot.

Police confirmed the incident, stating that a team visited the scene soon after receiving the report. Gabtali Police Station’s investigation officer Md. Abu Musa said the body was handed over to the family after a preliminary examination. The victim was identified as the son of Md. Abdul Karim of the same village.

The report highlights the tragic consequences of venturing outdoors during thunderstorms, which remain a recurring hazard in rural areas during the rainy season.

Mali’s Defense Minister General Sadio Camara was killed in coordinated attacks targeting several military installations across the country, according to Al Jazeera citing its sources. The assault occurred near the Kati military base, close to the capital Bamako, where Camara’s residence was struck by a suicide car bomb. The attack followed a joint offensive by an al-Qaeda-linked group and Tuareg rebels a day earlier.

Camara was a key figure in Mali’s ruling military leadership, having played a central role in the 2020 and 2021 coups that brought the current government to power. He was considered highly influential within the armed forces and viewed as a potential future leader. Al Jazeera’s reporter Nicolas Haque described his death as a major blow to Mali’s military establishment.

The al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Tuareg rebel group Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. Interim President Assimi Goïta, whose residence is also located in Kati, was reported safe after being moved to a secure location.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has called on public and private universities, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and related stakeholders to take coordinated measures to enhance research excellence and protect intellectual property. Speaking as chief guest at a workshop marking World Intellectual Property Day 2026 at the UGC in Dhaka on Sunday morning, he advised organizing competitions across universities to raise awareness about innovation and intellectual property protection.

The minister emphasized that the government will provide full support to increase the number of patents and safeguard researchers’ rights. He identified brain drain as a major obstacle to national research and development and urged efforts to address its root causes. UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, who presided over the event, said the commission is working to build an innovation ecosystem and establish Intellectual Property Cells and Technology Transfer Offices in universities to ensure commercialization of research outcomes.

Speakers at the event noted that although thousands of research projects are conducted annually, only a small fraction result in patent applications. They stressed the need for stronger institutional support and policy frameworks to translate academic research into practical innovations benefiting society.

A farmer named Abdul Hamid, aged 48, died after being struck by lightning in Tarash upazila of Sirajganj on Sunday. He was the son of the late Abdul Gafur from Betrasin village under Madhainagar Union. According to local sources, Hamid went to harvest Boro paddy in the eastern field of the village in the morning. Around 4:30 p.m., dark clouds gathered and rain with thunder began. A lightning bolt struck him directly, killing him on the spot.

Local union parishad member Abdul Jalil confirmed the incident, stating that the death occurred while Hamid was working in the field. The sudden death has cast a shadow of grief over the area. Residents have emphasized the need to raise awareness among farmers about avoiding fieldwork during thunderstorms to ensure their safety.

The incident highlights the recurring risk faced by agricultural workers during the storm season and the importance of community-level safety awareness.

Customs officer Bullet Bairagi was found dead near Kotbari area on the Dhaka–Chittagong highway in Comilla after returning from basic training in Chittagong. He had last spoken to his family around 1:25 a.m. while passing Tomchom Bridge, after which contact was lost. Police recovered his body the following morning and filed a case at Sadar Dakshin Police Station. Multiple police teams are now investigating the circumstances of his death.

His wife, Urmi Hira, broke down in tears upon receiving the news, expressing deep grief. The body was later taken to his ancestral home in Tungipara, Gopalganj, for cremation after colleagues at his workplace paid their final respects. The atmosphere at the customs office was described as heavy with sorrow.

The victim’s mother, Nilima Bairagi, alleged that her son’s death was not an accident but a murder, demanding exemplary punishment for those responsible. Customs Commissioner Abdul Mannan Sardar assured full cooperation with the investigation, while Additional Superintendent of Police Istiak Hasan Amin confirmed that several teams are working to uncover the mystery behind the death.

Bangladesh Bank has appointed its director Hasan Tarek Khan as administrator of Aviva Finance, a financially troubled non-bank institution. He will serve as the company’s managing director and chief executive officer. The central bank issued the appointment order on Sunday and sent it to the chairman of Aviva Finance.

Aviva Finance was among six financial institutions recently targeted by the central bank for closure due to severe irregularities. The company, formerly known as Reliance Finance, was linked to former managing director Prashanta Kumar (P K) Halder, during whose tenure the firm suffered major financial losses and a default rate exceeding 80 percent. After Halder fled the country, the institution was renamed Aviva Finance but failed to recover.

Following the interim government’s move to remove S Alam Group from several banks, its chairman Saiful Alam also left Aviva Finance. Bangladesh Bank subsequently dissolved the company’s board and reconstituted it with four independent directors, led by former central bank executive director Md Golam Mostafa as chairman.

A final examination at the Faculty of Agriculture of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) was cancelled midway due to a power outage. The Level-4, Semester-1 final exam, held at Academic Building-2, began at 12:30 p.m. and was scheduled to end at 3:30 p.m. However, repeated power failures caused long interruptions, leaving students waiting in the dark without any backup lighting. The exam was ultimately cancelled at the scheduled end time, with authorities announcing that it would be rescheduled after Eid.

Students expressed frustration over the cancellation, saying they were willing to continue even under poor lighting conditions. Faculty Dean Professor Dr. Moniruzzaman Bahadur stated that the exam was cancelled because teachers and staff were unwilling to remain on duty for an extended period. He added that no alternative arrangements were possible since other classes and exams were ongoing in all available classrooms.

The incident highlighted the lack of contingency planning for power disruptions during examinations, raising concerns among students about academic management and preparedness.