Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Amin-ur-Rashid announced that modern technology will be ensured for safe food production and agricultural enrichment. He made the statement on Saturday, May 30, during a virtual address at a seminar in Muradnagar, Cumilla, focused on agricultural modernization, safe food production, and integrating farmers into technology-based systems. A total of 120 agricultural entrepreneurs participated in the event.

The minister emphasized that agriculture today is not limited to food production but is a key driver of the economy, employment, and sustainable development. He said the government is prioritizing the use of modern technology, expanding research, and providing training to farmers to make agriculture more profitable and contemporary.

He added that the Bangladesh government and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have introduced new ideas and plans for agricultural development, calling for joint efforts from both public and private sectors to implement them. He highlighted that smart farming, improved seeds, balanced fertilizer management, and eco-friendly production methods will play vital roles in boosting productivity.

At the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore, Qatar rejected a proposal to impose a permanent transit fee on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, said such a measure would ultimately place additional economic pressure on global consumers. He emphasized that Qatar and its Gulf partners oppose any long-term toll or fee system for maritime traffic in the strait.

However, Sheikh Saud indicated that discussions could be possible regarding temporary fees under specific circumstances. He noted that limited-time charges could be considered if they were linked to activities such as mine clearance or special security operations.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy and trade routes. Ongoing talks between Iran and Oman about potential control mechanisms in the area have drawn attention to Qatar’s stance, which analysts view as significant for international trade and energy markets. Any new fees or restrictions in this passage could affect global energy supply and commodity prices.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Dr. Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikrom said he would urge the Prime Minister to control her Members of Parliament, warning that failure to do so could put her in danger. He emphasized that MPs are meant to legislate, not interfere with administrative officials. He made these remarks in an interview with Public Investigation.

Colonel Oli recounted that in 1996, 183 MPs from the Awami League and BNP had attempted a parliamentary coup and proposed making him Prime Minister. He initially agreed but later refused, saying he could not betray Begum Zia. He also mentioned that President Ziaur Rahman had once intended to appoint him as Home Minister but did not due to influence from other ministers.

Oli Ahmed further stated that MPs should not involve deputy commissioners and superintendents of police in political meetings and that the administration must remain independent. He urged the Prime Minister to act against abusive or extortionist MPs, suggesting that jailing a few would not harm the BNP.

Newly released satellite images have revealed a vast military installation under construction in China’s Xinjiang desert, sparking renewed international concern. The octagonal complex, located near a long-range missile center, includes hundreds of bunkers, missile launch pads, and other military structures. Analysts suggest the facility is part of Beijing’s plan to strengthen its strategic nuclear capabilities and ensure retaliatory capacity in the event of a conflict with the United States.

The imagery, analyzed by Reuters, shows the development of command centers, barracks, transport routes, and an airbase, indicating that the site is evolving into a full-scale military complex rather than a simple weapons depot. According to experts, China already possesses long-range missiles capable of striking multiple U.S. cities, and the new underground infrastructure aims to protect and sustain these weapons after potential attacks.

The construction comes amid heightened U.S.-China tensions over Taiwan. A recent Pentagon report noted China’s goal to amass 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030, adding further speculation about the purpose and scale of the Xinjiang facilities.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central leader Anwarul Islam announced that the party will play an active role both in parliament and on the streets to ensure full implementation of the July Charter. He made the statement on Saturday, May 30, during an Eid reunion organized by the Nawabganj Upazila unit of Jamaat in Dinajpur. He emphasized the need to strengthen the organization through unity and to earn public trust through ideological politics and welfare activities.

Dinajpur district secretary Dr. Enamul Haque said that before the election, there had been widespread public support and a positive wave in favor of Jamaat across the country. However, he claimed that due to certain engineered processes by those responsible for the election, the people’s expectations were not fully reflected. Despite challenges, he affirmed that Jamaat remains committed to standing by the people and continuing its movement for good governance, justice, and equality.

The event was presided over by Upazila Ameer Professor Maulana Abul Kasem and attended by several district and local leaders.

Mohammad Selim Uddin, the Dhaka North city chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, has alleged severe mismanagement in the removal of sacrificial animal waste in the capital. Speaking at a press conference in Moghbazar on Saturday, May 30, he claimed that despite assurances of preparation by the city corporation, the actual waste removal process was poorly executed. He warned that the situation could lead to the spread of diseases in the city.

Selim Uddin also accused authorities of allowing extortion under the guise of token collection at cattle markets, saying the government had taken no visible steps to control it. During the same event, he expressed concern over the recent law and order situation and criticized the government for fatalities in road accidents during the Eid travel period.

He further stated that rejecting July would mean accepting fascism and called for unity among anti-fascist forces against those who take such a stance. Other party leaders and activists were also present at the press conference.

The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has reached 72,938, with 172,919 others injured, according to the latest update from Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry reported that in the past 24 hours, hospitals received seven bodies, including six killed in recent strikes and one who died from earlier injuries. Another 25 wounded individuals were admitted for treatment.

The ministry stated that Israeli assaults have continued even after a declared ceasefire that took effect on October 11. Since then, at least 929 Palestinians have been killed and 2,811 injured. Rescue teams are still searching through rubble and previously inaccessible areas, recovering 781 bodies so far.

Health authorities warned that the actual number of casualties could be higher, as many people are believed to remain trapped under debris. The report underscores the scale of destruction and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) played a covert military role in the recent war against Iran, coordinating with the United States and Israel to carry out dozens of strikes inside Iranian territory. The report, published on Friday, cited individuals familiar with the matter who said the UAE began attacks near the start of the conflict and continued operations until the day after a ceasefire was declared. The strikes reportedly targeted sites including Qeshm and Abu Musa islands, Bandar Abbas, Lavan Island’s oil refinery, and the Asaluyeh petrochemical complex.

According to the report, some UAE strikes were retaliatory responses to Iranian attacks on Emirati oil and gas infrastructure, which faced more than 2,800 missile and drone strikes during the conflict. The Journal said Abu Dhabi’s involvement was deeper than previously understood, contrasting with Saudi Arabia’s more cautious diplomatic stance. Riyadh reportedly complained to Washington that UAE attacks were heightening risks to regional energy facilities and urged diplomatic restraint.

The UAE Foreign Ministry responded that Iran bore full responsibility for the conflict and its consequences, while earlier incidents had already drawn international attention to Emirati strikes inside Iran.

A unique fishing festival was held in Chandara area of Manikganj Sadar upazila to enhance the joy of Eid. Organized by the Chandara Jubo Sangha, the event drew more than two hundred amateur fishers from different parts of the district. From Saturday morning, crowds of participants and spectators gathered at the venue, and at the sound of a whistle, all participants entered the pond together to fish using traditional tools such as polo and kheya nets. The festival created a lively atmosphere, turning the area into a vibrant gathering for people of all ages.

Local dignitaries including Jamaat’s central executive member Muhammad Zahidur Rahman, Manikganj Press Club vice president Abul Bashar Abbasi, and social worker Kamrul Islam attended the event. Guests and community members praised the initiative as a positive effort to preserve rural culture and strengthen social harmony. Organizers said the festival aimed to share Eid joy and revive traditional village heritage among the younger generation.

They also expressed plans to organize similar events on a larger scale in the future, reflecting growing enthusiasm for cultural preservation in rural Bangladesh.

An allegation has surfaced that Arshad Adnan, son of Bangladesh President Md. Shahabuddin Chuppu, threatened July activist Mabrur Rashid Bannah. The claim was made in a Facebook post by online activist Kamal Uddin Khan, who questioned how the president’s son could issue such a threat for Bannah’s involvement in the July movement. The post also criticized the ruling Awami League and its affiliates for their attitude toward opposition figures.

The statement came on the anniversary of former president Ziaur Rahman’s death, a day observed by various political parties in Bangladesh. Kamal Uddin Khan’s post accused the Awami League of using state resources for personal benefit and alleged that the president’s son was compiling lists of July movement supporters. He warned that the opposition BNP’s tolerance of such actions could ultimately harm the party itself.

The post urged the arrest of those allegedly involved in intimidation and called for protection of activists identified with the July movement, framing the issue as a broader struggle between pro-July forces and the ruling establishment.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has described Pakistan as a 'true friend', highlighting the strengthening ties between Washington and Islamabad. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore, Hegseth credited Pakistan’s leadership for playing a key role in peace initiatives aimed at ending the Iran war. His remarks were later published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the event’s organizer.

Hegseth praised Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their constructive contributions to the peace process. He said an unexpected but genuine friendship is emerging between the two nations. According to Hegseth, this growing partnership was also evident when US President Donald Trump successfully mediated to ease military tensions between India and Pakistan last year.

The comments underscore a shift in US-Pakistan relations, with both sides finding common ground in regional stability and conflict resolution efforts.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan has alleged that certain individuals and groups are attempting to mislead the public and damage the reputation of the government and DNCC by circulating AI-generated images of waste. He made the allegation on Saturday, May 30, 2026, during a press conference held at the DNCC Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan-2.

According to Khan, DNCC removed a total of 18,344 tons of waste from the northern city area in the past 72 hours, crediting citizens’ cooperation for enabling timely cleanup. He stated that DNCC continues its efforts to build a clean, green, and livable city. He also confirmed that waste from four cattle markets under DNCC’s jurisdiction has already been completely cleared, and cleanup of the remaining markets will be completed soon.

The administrator’s remarks come amid ongoing waste management operations following Eid-related activities in Dhaka, with DNCC emphasizing transparency and efficiency in its cleanup efforts.

Residents of Chilmari upazila in Kurigram staged a human chain and protest rally on Saturday afternoon at Fakirer Hat Ghat area of Raniganj Union, demanding an end to illegal sand extraction from the Brahmaputra River. Hundreds of men and women joined the demonstration, which concluded with protesters demolishing three toll booths used for sand transport and sales.

The event was presided over by Niharika Sharmin Deepi, a lecturer at Chilmari Mohila Degree College, and attended by Riverine People director and Begum Rokeya University professor Dr. Tuhin Wadud, along with local teachers, traders, and residents. Speakers alleged that illegal dredging was taking place openly under administrative watch, damaging embankments and roads built for riverbank protection. They accused a known group of continuing sand trade unchecked, putting riverside communities at risk of erosion.

Dr. Wadud criticized local authorities for failing to enforce river protection responsibilities and called for immediate action against those involved in illegal sand extraction. Attempts to contact the Chilmari Upazila Nirbahi Officer for comment were unsuccessful.

Several sources have reported that hundreds of alleged Bangladeshis have been gathered near the Hakimpur border area in India’s West Bengal, reportedly for repatriation to Bangladesh. These individuals are said to have entered India illegally at different times and are now being held in temporary centers for identity verification. Local reports suggest that the Border Security Force (BSF) may have already sent some people toward the Bangladesh border, though this has not been officially confirmed.

Bangladesh’s Border Guard (BGB) and local authorities have denied any forced repatriation or formal handover, stating that no such incidents have occurred. Officials in Satkhira and other border districts said the situation on the Bangladeshi side remains normal, with no evidence of mass entry or push-in attempts. BGB has increased surveillance and remains on high alert.

According to BGB officials, any formal repatriation must follow established procedures, and claims of secret mass transfers are unrealistic. They confirmed that previous push-in attempts were prevented, with the last reported case occurring on May 26.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on party leaders and activists to stand beside helpless people. Speaking at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan on Saturday, he made the appeal after distributing clothes and dry food among the needy to mark the 45th martyrdom anniversary of BNP founder President Ziaur Rahman. He urged party members to extend help not only on behalf of the party but also through personal initiatives, describing this as the true lesson of Ziaur Rahman.

The event was attended by senior BNP leaders including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Salahuddin Ahmed, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and others. Earlier, at a brief gathering in Khilgaon, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of cleanliness in Dhaka city, urging citizens to take responsibility alongside city corporations. He noted that a cleaner city would benefit everyone and make the work of sanitation workers easier.

Tarique Rahman also said that with the cooperation of the people and the participation of affluent citizens, the government could bring rapid improvement to the lives of the country’s people.