The country on Monday recorded 17 deaths from measles and similar symptoms, the highest single-day toll since the outbreak of the highly contagious but preventable disease in March this year.Of the new deaths recorded in the 24 hours till 8:00am on Monday, two were confirmed as measles-related, while the remaining 15 were classified as suspected, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).Of the suspected deaths, highest 10 were recorded in Dhaka district. With this, the total number of confirmed deaths from measles has risen to 52 and suspected deaths to 259 since March 15.

According to DGHS data, a total of 1,302 suspected measles cases were recorded in the past 24 hours. Since March 15, the total number of suspected cases has reached 41,793.During this period, 154 new confirmed measles cases were reported, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 5,467.

Since March 15, a total of 28,832 suspected measles patients have been hospitalised, while 25,151 of them have recovered.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday directed the authorities concerned to simplify the project approval process to attract both local and foreign investment.He also assured necessary support for investors willing to invest in long-closed state-owned factories, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s press wing.The directives came at a two-hour-long meeting beginning at 10:30am at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, where the current condition of closed factories in the textiles and jute sector and the next steps were discussed.The Prime Minister said the government is committed to creating an investment-friendly environment and stressed the need to remove existing complexities in the investment process.According to an official present at the meeting, it often takes a long time to get final approval for projects, which discourages both local and foreign investors.

The need to obtain clearances from multiple agencies also acts as a major obstacle.In this context, the Prime Minister instructed that the approval process be made simpler and more time-efficient.

“Approvals from ministries or agencies that are not essential should be removed from the process,” he said.

He also emphasised easing access to loans to encourage private investment in closed state-owned factories and asked the ministers concerned to take prompt and effective steps in this regard.

Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir Chowdhury, the Prime Minister’s Political and Industry Affairs Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Economic and Planning Adviser Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Ashik Chowdhury, Chairman of Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation Brig Gen SM Zahid Hasan, and Chairman of Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation Kabir Uddin Sikder, among others, were present at the meeting. Officials from the relevant ministries and agencies also attended the meeting.

Aaron Hardie starred with both bat and ball as Peshawar Zalmi secured their first Pakistan Super League (PSL) title since 2017, defeating debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets in the final on Sunday.Hardie took 4 for 27 to help bowl out Hyderabad for 129 in 18 overs, with Saim Ayub fighting hard for 54. He then remained unbeaten on 56 off 39 balls to guide Zalmi to 130 for 5 in 15.2 overs in front of a packed Gaddafi Stadium crowd. Peshawar captain Babar Azam described the triumph as a major achievement for the team and fans.

"It's a very big achievement for me, for Peshawar Zalmi and all the fans," he said. "Throughout the tournament we've performed really well as a team … every player executed the plans they were given in batting, bowling, and fielding. Our plan was to go match by match."

Chasing a small target, Peshawar suffered an early collapse, slipping to 40 for 4 inside five overs, with Babar Azam out for a golden duck, while Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis and Michael Bracewell also fell cheaply.

However, Hardie turned the game around with a crucial 85-run partnership with Abdul Samad, who made 48 before falling just short of his half-century when victory was near.

"It was just a great game of cricket," Hardie said. "Kingsmen came out of the blocks really hard. They've certainly had a lot of momentum from the last couple of games and they carried that in, but I'm really proud of the way the boys were able to fight back."

Earlier, Hyderabad made a strong start, reaching 69 for 2 in the powerplay, but lost momentum after the break and collapsed to 73 for 6 in a dramatic batting slide.

Their innings was derailed by disciplined bowling, including key breakthroughs from Sufyan Moqim and Nahid Rana, while sharp fielding also led to two run-outs.

Hyderabad captain Marnus Labuschagne admitted his side fell short with the bat.

"As a batting group, we probably left a few runs out there," he said. "We showed once again that belief in the side and what we can do… but just not enough runs on the board tonight."

Despite the defeat, Hyderabad had a remarkable tournament run after losing their first four matches, later bouncing back to reach the final by defeating former champions Multan Sultans and Islamabad United in the playoffs.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon today said the government will initiate the process of forming a strong Media Commission aimed at building an independent and responsible media structure in the country.  "A consultative committee comprising media experts and all relevant stakeholders will be formed prior to the establishment of the full commission," he told a discussion marking "World Press Freedom Day 2026" held at the Tathya Bhaban auditorium in the capital this morning, organised by the Ministry.

The minister said, "The media is a large and complex ecosystem. Therefore, the government does not intend to impose any decision unilaterally. We will form a consultative committee involving all stakeholders with a widely accepted media expert at its forefront."

Bangladesh's theme of the day this year is: "Independent and Responsible Media as a Key Partner in Establishing a Culture of Accountability." 

Zahir Uddin Swapon said the proposed Media Commission will be formed based on the committee's recommendations, which he said would ensure full freedom and protection of the media.

Referring to challenges in the era of information overload, he said misinformation has become a major concern in the age of artificial intelligence and algorithms.

"Today, the challenge is not access to information, but the deliberate distortion and manipulation of information to mislead people. We must focus on building global platforms to combat misinformation and ensure 'clean information'," he added.

Reaffirming the government's commitment to journalists' safety, the minister said no journalist will be jailed without due cause.

"Professional safety of journalists will be ensured within the legal framework. Defamation and other legal complexities will be addressed through institutional mechanisms, including the Press Council," he said.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Bangladesh Press Council Justice AKM Abdul Hakim said the council is being strengthened to ensure professional rights and legal protection for journalists.

He stressed that press freedom is essential for democracy and the rule of law, but also emphasised accountability alongside freedom. "Rights and responsibilities are inseparable. In many cases, lack of adherence to jurisdiction and limitations creates disorder in society. Maintaining high standards of ethics and professional discipline is essential for journalists," he said.

President of Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) and Editor of Manab Zamin Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Secretary General of Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) and Chairman of Ekushey Television Abdus Salam, Editor of Bonik Barta and General Secretary of Editors' Council Dewan Hanif Mahmud, President of Jatiya Press Club poet Hasan Hafiz, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury and Independent Television Chief News Editor Mostafa Akmal.

The keynote paper was presented by Professor Dr. S M Shameem Reza of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University. Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md Shah Alam delivered the welcome address.

Chaired by PIB Director General Faruk Wasif, the event was also attended by BSS Managing Director and Chief Editor Md Kamal Uddin Mozumder (Kamal Uddin Sabuj), Principal Information Officer of Press Information Department Syed Abdal Ahmed and Managing Director of the Journalists Welfare Trust Mohammad Abdul Bashir (Basir Jamal), along with journalists from various media outlets and officials of the ministry.