Bangladesh is in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for an emergency financial assistance package to address economic disruptions caused by the United States and Israel’s attacks on Iran. According to AFP, the request follows rising global oil prices linked to the conflict. In March, Dhaka officials said the country was seeking about 2 billion US dollars from global lenders to manage risks stemming from the Iran war.

IMF representative Ivo Krznar stated that discussions are underway regarding Bangladesh’s reform agenda and policy priorities. The requested support would come through the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), a mechanism that provides quick, low-conditionality funding to member states facing crises such as wars, pandemics, or commodity price shocks. Bangladesh previously received 732 million dollars from the IMF during the COVID-19 pandemic, including 244 million under the RFI.

Bangladesh’s ongoing 5.5 billion dollar IMF loan program began in January 2023 and was expanded in June 2025. The country has so far received 3.64 billion dollars in five tranches, with the sixth installment of 1.3 billion still pending.

Jamaat-backed mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation, Mohammad Selim Uddin, announced the formation of a special team to ensure the quick removal of sacrificial animal waste during Eid. He made the announcement on Tuesday, May 26, while inaugurating a special service booth at the Tejgaon cattle market in the capital.

Selim Uddin urged city residents to dispose of animal waste only in designated areas, emphasizing that maintaining cleanliness is a shared civic responsibility, not just the duty of government authorities. He highlighted that cleanliness is an integral part of faith, alongside the religious practice of sacrifice, and called on everyone to play an active role in keeping the city clean during the festival.

During the event, special waste bags were distributed among visitors to raise awareness about proper waste disposal. Selim Uddin also mentioned that similar service booths have been set up at other cattle markets across Dhaka, including Aftabnagar and Gabtoli.

A mild earthquake was felt across several parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka, on Tuesday at 11:41 a.m., originating near Bhaluka in Mymensingh. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported a magnitude of 3.4 on the Richter scale, describing it as a low-intensity tremor. The director of the Earthquake Observation and Research Center said such minor quakes occur frequently worldwide and are not a cause for concern.

However, leading seismologists disagreed, warning that frequent minor tremors may signal an impending major earthquake. A recent study by Jahangirnagar University researchers also indicated that Bangladesh faces a high risk of a severe quake. BUET professor Dr. Mehedi Ahmed Ansari cautioned that the country has not experienced a major quake in 100–150 years, urging the government to take immediate preventive measures, including structural assessments and retrofitting of buildings.

Experts noted that Bangladesh lies at the junction of three tectonic plates, with significant underground pressure accumulating. They warned that Dhaka’s dense, poorly planned infrastructure could turn the city into a disaster zone if a major quake strikes.

Garment workers from Chaiti Garments in Tipordi area of Sonargaon, Narayanganj, blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway on Tuesday afternoon demanding payment of due wages and Eid bonuses. The protest caused severe traffic congestion stretching about 17 kilometers from Tipordi to Meghna Toll Plaza. Police intervened to disperse the demonstrators, leading to clashes in which tear gas and rubber bullets were used to regain control of the situation.

According to police officials, the workers began the blockade after the factory management reportedly expressed inability to pay full salaries. The workers insisted that their April arrears and May salaries be cleared before Eid. Officers from Kanchpur Highway Police and Sonargaon Police Station confirmed that several rounds of tear gas were fired but no live ammunition was used. The situation was later brought under control and the road reopened to traffic.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the garment sector over timely wage payments, particularly ahead of major religious holidays when financial pressures on workers increase.

Garment workers from Chaiti Garments in Tipordi area of Sonargaon, Narayanganj, blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway on Tuesday afternoon demanding payment of wages and bonuses. The protest led to severe traffic congestion stretching about 17 kilometers from Tipordi to Meghna Toll Plaza. Police attempted to disperse the demonstrators, resulting in clashes where tear gas and rubber bullets were used to bring the situation under control.

According to reports, the workers began their protest after the factory management expressed inability to pay full wages, including arrears for April and salaries for May before Eid. Police officials stated that the workers were later persuaded to leave the highway, and the situation was brought under control after several rounds of tear gas were fired.

The incident disrupted traffic on one of the country’s busiest highways and highlighted ongoing tensions over wage payments in the garment sector ahead of major holidays.

On May 26, 2026, cattle markets across Dhaka saw brisk trading despite continuous rain and severe waterlogging ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. From morning showers to afternoon downpours, buyers and sellers continued flocking to major markets including Gabtoli, Shahjahanpur, Diabari, Aftabnagar, Meradia, and Rahmatganj. Many areas were submerged, with knee-deep mud and standing water making movement difficult, yet trading persisted late into the night.

The previous day’s 57 millimeters of rainfall had already caused major traffic disruptions and flooding in key city areas. Persistent rain over two days worsened conditions for both commuters and traders. Buyers reported higher cattle prices and discomfort due to muddy grounds, while sellers noted that feed costs had pushed prices up compared to last year. Authorities said measures were being taken to manage the situation, with the state minister for local government visiting Gabtoli market to ensure a safer environment.

Traders expect sales to peak on the eve of Eid, though concerns remain that continued rain or the arrival of Indian cattle could affect final prices and profits.

Adverse weather conditions caused major flight disruptions at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. From early morning, several international and domestic flights were cancelled, diverted, or delayed for hours, leaving passengers facing significant inconvenience. The airport’s public relations officer, Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, confirmed the disruptions in an official press release.

According to airport sources, Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-138 from Madinah was diverted to Dhaka instead of landing in Chattogram at 9:40 a.m. It later returned to Chattogram at 2:01 p.m. and departed again for Dhaka at 3:20 p.m. US-Bangla Airlines flight BS-342 from Dubai to Dhaka via Chattogram departed for Dhaka at 3:09 p.m. after a four-and-a-half-hour delay, while its BS-105 flight on the Dhaka–Chattogram–Dhaka route was cancelled. Flydubai’s FDB-564 flight from Chattogram to Dubai also departed nearly three hours late at 12:16 p.m.

Airport authorities stated that poor runway visibility and safety concerns prompted the schedule changes and cancellations, and they are monitoring the situation continuously.

Heavy rain has turned Dhaka’s cattle markets into muddy, waterlogged grounds, causing severe hardship for both buyers and sellers ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha sacrifice. On Tuesday, at the Diabari market in Uttara, traders and farmers were seen struggling as cattle stood in knee-deep water and mud. Many animals appeared exhausted or ill from prolonged exposure to rain, while traders expressed frustration over the lack of drainage and poor preparation by market authorities.

Traders from Kushtia, Jamalpur, Faridpur, and Natore voiced anger at the market’s mismanagement, saying the leaseholders failed to ensure proper water removal despite collecting high fees. Some reported financial losses due to sick cattle and reduced buyer turnout. Buyers, however, continued to visit the markets under umbrellas, noting that prices were lower than usual as sellers were forced to compromise. Despite the discomfort, some customers expressed satisfaction after securing cattle within their budgets.

Repeated attempts to contact the Diabari market leaseholder, SF Corporation owner Sheikh Farid Hossain, went unanswered, leaving questions about accountability for the poor conditions.

Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid stated that no major complaints of extortion, insecurity, or mismanagement have been received so far. He said the administration remains on high alert. To prevent counterfeit currency risks during Eid-ul-Azha, counterfeit detection systems have been installed at various cattle markets to ensure safe transactions for both buyers and sellers. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday after inspecting the Neura cattle market in Cumilla Sadar Dakshin upazila.

He highlighted that the Eid-ul-Azha season provides one of the largest income opportunities for marginal farmers and livestock breeders. Through rearing and selling sacrificial animals, millions of families benefit financially, and the sector is gradually evolving into an industry-based economic activity. The government is implementing various support and training programs to enhance farmers’ capacity and expand livestock production.

The minister added that coordinated monitoring is underway across markets involving the administration, law enforcement, and the livestock department. Veterinary teams are deployed to ensure animal health services, while cleanliness and safety measures are being maintained. Field-level supervision will continue until Eid to ensure smooth trading.

Bus fares on the Dhaka-Tangail highway have reportedly doubled at the Chandra Trimor area of Kaliakoir upazila in Gazipur, prompting many homebound passengers to travel in open trucks instead. Local sources said vehicles operate from the Chandra bus stand to 27 northern routes, but a fare hike allegedly driven by a local syndicate has forced passengers to seek cheaper alternatives.

A passenger bound for Birganj said his regular fare of Tk 700 had risen to Tk 1,600, leading him to choose truck transport. A supervisor from Badsha Paribahan claimed higher operational costs at the stand made fare increases unavoidable. However, Dewan Jasim Uddin, joint general secretary of the Gazipur District Road Transport Workers Union, denied the existence of any syndicate and said they were monitoring to prevent passengers from boarding trucks, though some still managed to do so.

Naojor Highway Police Station officer-in-charge Saugatul Alam stated that authorities were monitoring to ensure no one charged excessive fares and would take action if complaints were filed.

Iran has insisted that any potential agreement with the United States must include the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, according to a report by the semi-official Tasnim news agency citing a source close to Iran’s negotiating team in Qatar. The source said Tehran’s position is that half of the amount, or $12 billion, should be released at the time of signing a memorandum of understanding, with the remaining funds to be returned within 60 days.

Tasnim reported that Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, traveled to Qatar to reach an agreement on a mechanism for implementing this demand. The report did not specify the broader context of the negotiations or the current status of talks between Tehran and Washington.

The demand underscores Iran’s focus on recovering frozen assets as part of any future deal, though details of the negotiations and potential U.S. responses remain unclear.

Cattle markets across Feni district have become increasingly busy ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, with strong demand for medium-sized cows. Buyers and sellers are active from morning to night, and despite adequate supplies of cows and goats, buyers claim prices are higher than last year. Sellers, however, report better profits so far and hope for good returns by the end of the season. Even after rain on Monday, trading continued at major markets including SIO Office, Madhuai, and Matubhunya.

A trader named Md. Monir brought nine cows from Rangpur, selling four at better prices than last year. Buyers such as Mohammad Saidul Haque complained about high prices but continued purchasing for the festival. Some locals expressed dissatisfaction over markets occupying roads and playgrounds. According to the District Livestock Department, demand for sacrificial animals in six upazilas stands at 82,525, while 90,452 animals have been prepared, exceeding demand by 7,927.

Authorities have deployed 37 veterinary teams and law enforcement for market supervision. Border patrols have been strengthened to prevent illegal cattle entry and smuggling of hides.

Ferry and other vessel operations on the Daulatdia-Paturia river route between Rajbari’s Daulatdia and Manikganj’s Paturia resumed at noon on Tuesday after being suspended for one hour due to stormy weather and strong winds. Authorities halted all river traffic from around 11:15 a.m. as rough currents and large waves made navigation risky. Operations were restored at 12:00 p.m. when weather conditions improved.

According to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) sources, the resumption allowed vehicles that had been waiting to gradually cross the river, bringing relief to passengers. The BIWTC Daulatdia terminal’s assistant manager (commerce), Jesanul Islam Topu, confirmed that ferry services were suspended due to adverse weather and restarted once conditions became favorable.

The temporary suspension caused brief congestion at the terminals, but normal ferry movement resumed shortly after the weather stabilized.

Heavy rainfall hit Dhaka and several other parts of Bangladesh on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, causing major disruptions for people returning home during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. Continuous rain led to waterlogging and muddy conditions at cattle markets, severely affecting both buyers and sellers. Despite the difficulties, livestock trading continued amid the downpour.

According to the weather forecast issued at noon, Dhaka and nearby areas were expected to experience partly cloudy skies with temporary rain or thunderstorms. Winds from the west or northwest could reach speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour. The city recorded 80 millimeters of rainfall in the past 24 hours. Normal wind flow was reported from the south or southeast at 10 to 15 kilometers per hour, with occasional gusts reaching 30 to 40 kilometers per hour.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department stated that daytime temperatures would remain nearly unchanged, with a minimum of 22 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 32.5 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity stood at 96 percent, and sunset was expected at 6:39 p.m.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that certain bank branches will remain open on May 26, 2026, despite the start of a seven-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday. The decision aims to facilitate financial transactions related to the ready-made garment industry and sacrificial cattle markets. Branches near cattle markets in major city corporations, including Dhaka, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Valuka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram, will operate with limited services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with customer transactions allowed until 1 p.m.

The central bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department emphasized the need to ensure smooth financial services for cattle buyers and traders through nearby branches and temporary booths. The Bangladesh Automated Clearing House (BACH) and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) systems will follow revised schedules, while BEFTN sessions will continue as usual. High-value and regular check clearing times have also been adjusted for the day.

Additionally, branches located in port and customs areas will continue operating 24 hours a day throughout the week, excluding Eid day, to support import and export activities. Bank staff on duty during the holidays will receive additional allowances as per regulations.