Unlike last year’s soaring prices, most essential commodities remain within reach this Ramadan, with only a few exceptions. Broiler chicken prices have dropped by 20 BDT per kg, now selling at 180-190 BDT per kg. Sonali chicken has seen a 30 BDT per kg decrease, now priced at 260-280 BDT per kg. Deshi chicken is selling for 650-680 BDT per kg, while white and red layer chickens are priced at 270 BDT and 280-300 BDT per kg, respectively. Ducks are being sold for 600-650 BDT per piece.

Beef prices range between 750-850 BDT per kg, while goat meat is priced at 1,250 BDT per kg. Red eggs cost 120-125 BDT per dozen, whereas white eggs are slightly cheaper at 110-115 BDT per dozen. Eggplant is priced between 60-120 BDT per kg, while cucumber and ridge gourd are selling at 30-40 BDT per kg. A bundle of four lemons is priced at 60-80 BDT.

The Cox’s Bazar District Prison Hospital has allegedly turned into a luxury rest house for yaba drug dealers, while critically ill prisoners are deprived of medical care. Reports suggest that securing a hospital bed requires an upfront payment of BDT 20,000, followed by a monthly fee of BDT 15,000-20,000 to prison officials. Currently, 40-45 yaba traders are reportedly enjoying a comfortable stay at the facility in exchange for bribes. The same applies to political leaders, where top figures must pay BDT 50,000, and lower-level leaders BDT 20,000-30,000, to secure hospital beds. Those forced to stay on the floor must pay BDT 10,000 monthly. The corruption is allegedly being overseen by prison chief Abu Musa, who also faces accusations of torture.

The U.S. has faced another obstacle in its plan to detain migrants at Guantanamo Bay. Forty migrants previously held at the naval base have been transferred back to the U.S., with no future deportation flights currently scheduled. This move effectively leaves the detention center empty. Among those relocated were 23 high-risk individuals and 17 others from the immigration processing center. On Tuesday, they were transferred to Louisiana detention facilities via a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aircraft. Previously, on February 20, the U.S. had deported 177 Venezuelan migrants from Guantanamo back to their home country.

During discussions with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Donald Trump stressed the strategic importance of U.S. control over Greenland for global security. He emphasized the need to strengthen America's presence in the Arctic. Trump stated, "We have many key players roaming the coastlines, and we must remain vigilant." Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Múte Egede has repeatedly rejected such proposals, but Trump remains firm in his stance that acquiring Greenland is essential.

After a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the Oval Office, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated, "I have a great relationship with Kim Jong Un. Let's see what happens, but he is a nuclear power." Discussing nuclear disarmament, Trump emphasized the need to reduce global nuclear stockpiles, particularly in Russia and China. A White House official mentioned that Trump remains committed to North Korea’s complete denuclearization, a goal he pursued during his first term.

Former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.A.M.S. Arefin Siddique’s funeral will not be held on the university campus, following a decision made by his family. Current DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan confirmed this while attending the first funeral prayer. He stated, "The family has decided to hold two funeral prayers and has also discussed the burial site with us. We respect their decision." The university will hold a special prayer at the central mosque in his honor.

Garment factory workers in Gazipur blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway on Friday morning at 9:30 AM, demanding Eid bonuses and the resignation of their factory's General Manager. The protest took place near the Smag Sweater Limited factory in Telipara, where tensions had been escalating between workers and management. While the factory initially offered a 25% basic salary as a bonus, the workers demanded 50%. Industrial and local police are in talks with the workers to resolve the situation.

Advance train ticket sales for Eid travel began at 8:00 AM, and within just nine minutes, most tickets for western routes were sold out. Only a few tickets remained available online for select trains. Between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM, the ticketing website recorded a staggering 20 million hits. Tickets for trains heading to Rangpur, Gaibandha, and Kurigram were entirely booked, while a few remained available for Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Parbatipur, and Rajshahi. By 11:00 AM, nearly all train tickets for Eid travel were sold out.

The monthly food aid for Rohingya refugees is set to be reduced by more than half, dropping from $12.50 to $6 per person starting next month. This drastic cut has led many Rohingyas to express their desire to return to Myanmar. Azizul Haque, a young Rohingya refugee, shared his concerns, saying, "We have heard that rations will be cut next month. I have stocked up on eggs, lentils, and sugar, but if the aid decreases, survival will be extremely difficult." Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mizanur Rahman stated that the UN Secretary-General's visit could help restore confidence among the Rohingya community and encourage their voluntary return, reinforcing the global commitment to their welfare.

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh regions at midnight. The tremor, with its epicenter in Kargil, occurred around 3:00 AM local time on Friday. According to India's National Center for Seismology, the earthquake originated at a depth of 15 kilometers. Authorities have reported no casualties or significant damage so far.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has reported that approximately 9,000 civilians, mostly women and children, have sought refuge at Russia’s Hmeimim Airbase in Syria to escape escalating violence. Sectarian clashes have intensified between interim security forces and the Alawite community. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has confirmed hundreds of Alawite civilian casualties. Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has condemned the violence, calling the killings a “threat to Syria’s unity.” Russia claims to be actively engaging with Arab states, Turkey, and Iran to ensure long-term stability in the region.

In New York, activists from the group “Jewish Voice for Peace” staged a sit-in at Trump Tower, demanding the release of Palestinian worker Mahmoud Khalil. Protesters chanted slogans like “Free Mahmoud, Free Everyone!” and “Fight Nazis, Not Students!” They wore red shirts bearing the messages “Not in Our Name” and “Stop Arming Israel.” Khalil was arrested on March 8 from his university residence, a move activists claim was politically motivated.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. A.A.M.S. Arefin Siddique, will be laid to rest following a funeral prayer at Dhanmondi Eidgah ground after Jumu’ah prayers on Friday. He will be buried at Azimpur Cemetery beside his parents’ graves. Professor Siddique passed away at 10:45 PM while undergoing treatment for a brain stroke and hemorrhage at Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital.

Ten workers at a garment factory in Trishal suddenly lost consciousness while on duty. They were immediately rushed to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for treatment.

A special investigation committee has been formed to probe the incident, with a directive to submit a report within three working days. Dr. Emdad Ullah Khan, an associate professor of the medicine department, stated that the affected workers reported dizziness and disorientation before collapsing. Based on medical evaluations, the incident appears to be a case of “Mass Psychological Illness.”

Students and activists at Dhaka University organized a torchlight procession demanding justice for Asiya Khatun, the young girl who was raped and murdered in Magura. The march started from Raju Memorial Sculpture, passing through Nilkhet, Victory ‘71 Hall, and finally heading toward the Shaheed Minar. Earlier, Asiya succumbed to her injuries at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.