As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, Bangladesh witnesses widespread cruelty in the transport and slaughter of sacrificial animals despite having clear animal welfare laws. Cattle, buffalo, and goats are often packed tightly into trucks, deprived of food and water, and subjected to harsh handling during long journeys to urban markets. The 2019 Animal Welfare Act and the 2021 Meat Quality Control Regulations mandate humane transport conditions, including adequate space, rest, and prohibition of mixed-species transport, but enforcement remains weak.

Experts note that violations of these laws are rampant, with overloading, tied limbs, and neglect of animal health common across highways and markets. Such practices not only breach legal and religious obligations but also pose risks to public health and food safety. The law prescribes up to six months’ imprisonment or fines for cruelty, yet field-level implementation is minimal.

Veterinary experts and academics urge stronger monitoring, mobile courts, and public awareness campaigns through media, schools, and mosques to promote humane treatment. They emphasize that compassion toward animals is both a legal and moral duty, essential for public health and social ethics.

A new study led by Professor Chengshan Wang of the China University of Geosciences has found that rivers originating from the Himalayas are rapidly altering their courses as a result of glacier melt and global warming. The research, published on May 14 in the journal Science, analyzed satellite images from 1980 to 2020 and conducted field observations across several river basins. The findings indicate that warming and glacial retreat are significantly affecting the flow patterns of major Himalayan rivers.

The study examined 1,582 kilometers of river channels and 1,079 river bends, revealing that between 1980 and 2020, the courses of Himalayan rivers changed 33 percent more than before, with unconfined bends showing up to 97 percent change. Researchers observed both cut-offs and avulsions, where rivers abandoned old paths for shorter or entirely new routes. The analysis also found that the rate of temperature increase in the Himalayas was double the global average, intensifying glacier melt and weakening frozen ground along riverbanks.

According to the study, these shifts could heighten the risks of flooding and erosion across the region, affecting millions who depend on these rivers for sustenance and livelihoods.

Archaeologists have rediscovered the long-lost Egyptian port city of Heracleion beneath the waters of Abu Qir Bay, about 32 kilometers from Alexandria. The discovery was made in 2000 by a team from the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology, led by renowned archaeologist Franck Goddio, while searching for a sunken warship of Napoleon. Instead, they uncovered the remains of Heracleion, buried under sand for 1,200 years. The find included a fragment of a six-ton statue of the god Hapi, which first signaled the presence of the ancient city.

Over the next 13 years, the team excavated numerous artifacts from the site, including temple ruins dedicated to Egyptian gods Amun and Khonsu, more than 64 shipwrecks, 700 anchors, gold coins, copper weights, and golden vessels. They also recovered a statue of Cleopatra III modeled after the goddess Isis, as well as stone inscriptions in Greek and Egyptian and animal mummies offered to Amun. Despite centuries underwater, many relics remained remarkably intact.

Heracleion, also known by its Egyptian name Thonis, was once a major Mediterranean port before an earthquake caused it to sink into the sea.

Sri Lanka has introduced a free tourist Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme for citizens of 40 countries, effective from May 25, 2026. According to the country’s Department of Immigration and Emigration, eligible travelers can apply online for a 30-day tourist visa without paying any fee. The list includes countries such as Australia, India, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom. However, all foreign visitors, including those from Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore, must still obtain an ETA before entering Sri Lanka.

The department clarified that travelers who paid ETA fees before May 25, 2026, will not receive refunds. Under the current rules, tourists can stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days, with Maldivian citizens allowed up to 90 days. The visa also permits double entry within its validity period, and extensions are available for a fee.

Sri Lanka’s government stated that the initiative aims to strengthen the tourism sector and attract more foreign visitors, signaling a renewed focus on economic recovery through tourism.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid stated that no illegally imported Indian cattle were seen in this year’s sacrificial animal markets. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon while inspecting the Neura cattle market in Comilla city. The minister said the government has taken all necessary measures to ensure safe trading for both farmers and buyers, and no irregularities have been reported so far.

He added that veterinary teams, anti-counterfeit money units, and law enforcement personnel have been deployed across markets to prevent extortion and ensure order. According to the minister, around 10 million animals are expected to be sacrificed nationwide this year, contributing significantly to the country’s economic circulation.

During the visit, the minister made public announcements encouraging people to seek help from veterinary booths if needed and interacted with traders and buyers. He also visited a camel named Sultan priced at 3.2 million taka at the market.

Launch operations from the Sadarghat terminal in Dhaka have been temporarily suspended due to adverse weather conditions. The Ministry of Shipping confirmed the suspension in a message to the media on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The decision follows reports of strong winds and heavy rainfall affecting river transport in the region.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) had also halted ferry and launch services on the Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat routes because of the same weather conditions. The authorities took these measures to ensure passenger safety and prevent accidents during the ongoing rough weather.

The suspension is expected to remain in place until weather conditions improve, though no specific timeline for resumption has been announced.

Continuous heavy rainfall on Tuesday morning caused severe waterlogging in the Mirpur 10 intersection area of Dhaka. The downpour began around 11:30 a.m., submerging parts of the road and creating major traffic disruptions. Commuters faced significant difficulties as vehicles struggled to move through knee-deep water.

The flooding slowed down buses, CNG auto-rickshaws, and motorcycles, while several vehicles were seen stranded in the water. The situation led to widespread inconvenience for residents and travelers in the area. The report highlights the immediate impact of the rainfall on transportation and public movement in one of the capital’s busiest zones.

The incident underscores Dhaka’s recurring problem of waterlogging during heavy rains, which continues to affect urban mobility and daily activities whenever intense rainfall occurs.

The Power Division has instructed all senior officials under its departments and agencies to closely monitor electricity supply conditions at their respective workplaces or locations during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. Officials have been directed to conduct on-site inspections of local power situations during the Eid holidays and provide necessary guidance. They must also submit inspection reports to the Power Division Secretary.

To minimize customer dissatisfaction during maintenance or unexpected outages, local power centers have been told to inform consumers through loudspeakers and social media. Imams and muezzins of local mosques will also help disseminate information. The names and contact details of these mosque representatives are to be sent to the Power Division and uploaded to the websites of distribution companies.

According to the directive, shops and shopping malls may remain open until 10 p.m. during Eid, but after the festival, they must close by 7 p.m. to conserve electricity. The Power Division expects that coordinated efforts will help maintain stable power supply across the country during the holiday period.

Just two days before Eid-ul-Azha, joy is missing in the haor regions of Sunamganj as widespread crop losses have left farmers struggling financially. Many who had planned to sacrifice cattle for the festival are unable to do so due to lack of money. Farmers in areas such as Shalla, Shantiganj, and Sadar upazilas described their despair after their paddy fields were submerged by heavy rains and flooding.

Local farmers, including Konok Chowdhury and Ali Nur, said they could not harvest or dry their paddy because of continuous rain. Union Parishad member Fayzur Rahman noted that the government had promised humanitarian aid for affected farmers before Eid, but the assistance had not arrived, deepening their frustration. The farmers said the haor region remains in distress, with no festive spirit this year.

Many farmers reported losing all their crops and having no cash in hand, leaving them unable to participate in Eid traditions. The emotional toll of the disaster has overshadowed the usual joy of the festival across Sunamganj’s haor areas.

During the second day of the Eid-ul-Azha holiday, a large number of homebound travelers crossed the Padma Bridge via the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway without facing traffic congestion or major delays. In the past 24 hours, 44,008 vehicles used the bridge, generating Tk 48 million in toll revenue, according to information released on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

To ensure safe and smooth travel for passengers heading to southern Bangladesh, six monitoring teams were deployed along the route. Four fixed checkpoints and two mobile teams were active around the clock to maintain order and safety. Toll collection continued uninterrupted at eight booths, while two additional lanes were designated specifically for motorcycles to facilitate faster crossings.

The efficient traffic management and continuous toll operations contributed to a congestion-free experience for travelers during one of the busiest holiday periods of the year.

India’s $1.2 trillion electronics industry faces new risks after China introduced export restrictions under State Council decrees 834 and 835. These measures, limiting shipments of key machinery and components, have alarmed Indian electronics and automobile manufacturers who fear delays in investment and production. Executives have begun discussions with Chinese suppliers to assess the impact, while the domestic industry has alerted India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

The challenge comes as India pushes to become a global manufacturing hub, with exports rising from $8.6 billion in 2015 to $470 billion in 2025. The government aims to reach $1.2 trillion by the end of 2026. However, China’s control over essential equipment and rare-earth materials exposes India’s dependence on Chinese supply chains. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the government is developing sector-specific investment plans to reduce reliance on certain regions and will launch 50 industrial parks under a new initiative.

Industry leaders view the situation as both a warning and an opportunity. Some urge stronger domestic supplier networks and balanced policies to build resilience, while others see a turning point for India to deepen local manufacturing and technology capabilities.

A mild earthquake was felt across several regions of Bangladesh, including Dhaka, on Tuesday at 11:41 a.m. The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) confirmed the tremor, reporting a magnitude of 3.6 on the Richter scale and a depth of 10 kilometers. The Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation and Research Center also recorded the event, noting a slightly lower magnitude of 3.4 and describing it as a minor quake with no cause for concern.

Experts cited in the report explained that Bangladesh lies in a seismically active zone near the junction of three tectonic plates, making occasional earthquakes a normal occurrence. However, they noted a recent increase in seismic activity across the country, particularly in the southwestern region, which was previously considered a low-risk area.

Authorities did not report any damage or casualties, and officials reassured the public that the tremor posed no immediate threat.

A strong earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Chile on Monday, according to the National Seismological Center of the University of Chile. The quake occurred at 5:52 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located 12 kilometers south of Calama city. Initial reports indicated that there were no casualties or major damage following the tremor.

Chile frequently experiences seismic activity due to its position along the Pacific Ring of Fire. The ongoing collision between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates is the main cause of the country’s regular earthquakes of varying intensities. Historical data show that since 1570, Chile has experienced nearly 100 major earthquakes, about 30 of which had magnitudes of 8 or higher.

According to the national emergency and disaster risk management department, Chile faces at least one earthquake of magnitude 8 or greater every decade on average, underscoring the country’s high seismic vulnerability.

A new study reported by the BBC reveals that Earth's days are gradually becoming longer as climate change causes polar ice and glaciers to melt, redistributing mass toward the equator and slowing the planet’s rotation. The change is extremely small—measured in fractions of milliseconds—but scientists describe the underlying force as immense and unmatched in millions of years. Researchers from the University of Vienna and ETH Zurich analyzed geological records to determine whether such rapid changes had occurred before.

The team examined fossilized shells of benthic foraminifera from the ocean floor, which preserve ancient sea-level data, and used a custom machine learning algorithm to refine records dating back 3.6 million years. They found that the current rate of lengthening, about 1.33 milliseconds per century, is unique in the geological record. The study attributes this to roughly 1,000 gigatons of mass shifting from polar regions to the oceans.

Scientists warn that if greenhouse gas emissions remain high, climate change could become the dominant factor affecting Earth's day length by the end of this century.

Customers of Islami Bank Bangladesh have warned that they will not accept former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Khurshid Alam as the bank’s chairman. They declared that if Khurshid Alam is appointed, the current Bangladesh Bank governor must resign. The warning came during a human chain protest held on Monday afternoon in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, organized by the Islami Bank Conscious Customers Forum.

Speakers at the event, including forum leaders, shareholders, and business figures, alleged that appointing Khurshid Alam would serve the interests of political and business groups they accused of conspiring against Islami Bank. They claimed that customers would defend their deposits and hold the central bank governor responsible for any untoward incidents. The protest also demanded that Islami Bank’s current managing director, Omar Faruq, remain in his position to ensure the bank’s progress.

Participants urged the government to prevent what they described as attempts to hand over the bank to corrupt individuals and reaffirmed that the institution’s ownership must remain with its genuine shareholders and depositors.