A human chain was organized on Friday morning along the bank of the Old Gomti River in Cumilla to mark World Environment Day. The event was arranged by the environmental wing of the social and cultural organization Cumillar Jomin Family under the theme “No more plastic pollution, time to stop it.” Participants included people from various professions, journalists, teachers, environmentally conscious citizens, and representatives of social organizations.

Speakers at the event expressed concern over the country’s deteriorating environmental condition, citing encroachment and pollution of rivers, canals, and open spaces as major threats. They said the Old Gomti River, once vibrant and historically significant, has long suffered from neglect, occupation, and pollution, earning the name “Dead Gomti.”

Referring to the Hatirjheel project in Dhaka, speakers suggested that with proper planning and management, the Old Gomti River could be transformed into a modern urban recreation center, improving the city’s environment and creating new tourism opportunities. They also called on citizens to become more aware of environmental conservation.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is visiting Dhaka, is scheduled to meet with Bangladesh’s opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP on Friday night. The meeting will take place at 8:30 p.m. at the InterContinental Hotel in the capital. Dr. Rahman will lead a six-member delegation for this courtesy and important meeting.

The delegation will include Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr. Syed Abdullah Md. Taher MP, Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan MP, Central Executive Council members Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul MP and Md. Selim Uddin, and Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Jamaat Ameer Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman MP. The information was confirmed to the media by Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and Secretary of the Central Publicity and Media Department, Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair.

The meeting is described as both a courtesy call and a significant discussion, though details of the agenda have not been disclosed in the source.

Masuma Hadi, sister of slain Sharif Osman Hadi, has publicly questioned why Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inkilab Moncho, was made the plaintiff in her brother’s murder case. In a Facebook post on Friday, she alleged that falsehoods and indecent remarks were spreading on social media about the case and described the circumstances surrounding her brother’s shooting and hospitalization at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She also raised concerns about the role of the administration in obtaining Jaber’s signature on case documents while she was present.

Masuma detailed her continuous presence at the hospital after her brother was shot and questioned why officials took Jaber’s signature instead of consulting the family. She explained that her brother Omar Faruk was deeply affected by the incident and personally arranged for medical treatment abroad before the government later took responsibility. She criticized those spreading misinformation about her family and emphasized her brother’s revolutionary legacy.

Her post sought to clarify misunderstandings about the case’s filing process and to defend her family’s integrity amid ongoing social media controversy.

State Minister for Information Yasser Khan Chowdhury said the government will not interfere in journalists’ freedom. Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of the Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists Union office at the Chattogram Press Club on Friday, he stated that the current administration has no intention or mindset to pressure the media. He emphasized that the prime minister has directed that the media should operate independently.

The minister contrasted the current government’s stance with what he described as interference and intimidation under previous authoritarian regimes. He urged journalists to ensure accuracy and avoid misinformation, noting that artificial intelligence has made it easier to manipulate images and videos. He also highlighted the government’s efforts to address journalists’ rights and pending payments, while calling on media owners to pay salaries on time.

Land and Hill Affairs State Minister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, who inaugurated the event, said the government welcomes constructive criticism and cooperation to improve governance. Several senior journalists and union leaders also attended the program.

Bangladesh Television (BTV) has secured the broadcasting rights for all 104 matches of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, ending uncertainty over which channels will air the tournament in Bangladesh. According to the report, BTV purchased the full broadcasting rights from FIFA and has sub-licensed them to two private channels, T-Sports and Somoy TV. This arrangement ensures that Bangladeshi viewers will be able to watch every match live on these three channels.

The report states that BTV acquired the rights for approximately 3.5 million US dollars, equivalent to about 42.7 crore Bangladeshi taka, after extensive discussions and negotiations with FIFA. Initially, FIFA had demanded nearly double that amount. While T-Sports has already received an official partnership letter from BTV, Somoy TV is still working to meet the required technical and encryption standards necessary for international broadcast compliance.

Somoy TV’s broadcast head, Salauddin Selim, said the channel expects to resolve its technical issues within a few days, aiming to be ready before June 11 to join the World Cup telecast.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel reportedly attempted to push 17 people, including women and children, into Bangladesh through the Hapania border in Sapahar upazila of Naogaon on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. near border pillar 238/MP, but the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) patrol team prevented the group from entering Bangladeshi territory.

According to the Naogaon Battalion (16 BGB), members of the BSF’s Pannachhara camp were involved in the attempt. Upon receiving information, the Hapania Border Outpost (BOP) patrol team identified the group inside India’s zero line and took preventive measures. Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, commanding officer of 16 BGB, stated that patrols in the area have been increased to prevent illegal entry.

The BGB official added that efforts are underway to ensure the individuals remain within Indian territory and that no unauthorized entry into Bangladesh will be permitted.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance along the Dinajpur and Thakurgaon borders to prevent possible push-in attempts. The move follows reports in Indian media and allegations of illegal citizens being pushed into Bangladesh, which have heightened security concerns in the northwestern frontier. The Dinajpur Battalion (42 BGB) has increased intelligence monitoring, patrols, and established temporary checkpoints at vulnerable points and river routes. Advanced surveillance tools such as night vision goggles, drones, and binoculars are being used to strengthen border vigilance.

BGB has also engaged local communities to enhance border security. Awareness meetings, public announcements, and direct communication campaigns are being conducted to discourage illegal crossings. Night patrol teams are alerting residents with whistles and flashlights, while small local vigilance groups have been formed to share information on suspicious activities. BGB officials emphasized that public participation is crucial for effective prevention of push-ins, illegal infiltration, and border-related crimes.

The Dinajpur Battalion commander stated that BGB remains uncompromising in preventing illegal push-ins and continues to take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty.

The US Embassy in Dhaka has introduced new social media guidelines for specific categories of non-immigrant visa applicants from Bangladesh. According to an official message posted on the embassy’s Facebook page on Friday, applicants under the affected categories must now keep all their social media profiles set to ‘public’. The rule took effect on March 30 and aims to make the process of verifying applicants’ identities and eligibility for entry into the United States more efficient.

The directive does not apply to all non-immigrant visa applicants. It is mandatory for applicants under categories A-3 and C-3 (if the applicant is a domestic worker), G-5, H-3, and H-4 dependents of H-3 visa holders. It also applies to applicants for K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, and R-2 dependent visas, as well as S, T, and U visa categories. The embassy stated that reviewing applicants’ social media information will help simplify the identity verification and eligibility assessment process.

Applicants are advised to consult official embassy sources for detailed instructions and to follow the new rule carefully to maintain transparency and avoid complications in the visa process.

A bus that sank at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila was recovered on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. when the bus fell into the Padma River near the terminal’s No. 7 pontoon. Local administration and fire service teams launched a rescue operation immediately, and the BIWTA salvage vessel ‘Hamza’ arrived at the scene by 10:30 a.m. The bus was successfully recovered by 11:30 a.m.

According to reports, the SB Paribahan bus had no passengers on board at the time of the accident, only the driver, his assistant, and a supervisor. They were rescued and sent to the Goalanda Upazila Health Complex. Officials said that as all passengers had been disembarked before boarding the ferry, a major tragedy was averted.

A similar accident occurred earlier on March 25, when a bus from Kumarkhali, Kushtia, fell into the river at the same terminal’s No. 3 pontoon, resulting in 26 deaths.

A passenger bus from Kushtia to Dhaka fell into the Padma River at Daulatdia ferry ghat on Friday morning, but no casualties occurred due to strict adherence to passenger safety rules. The incident took place around 9:30 a.m. when the SB Paribahan bus lost control while boarding the ferry Kabari at ghat number 7 and broke through the opposite ramp before plunging into the river.

Following the Ministry of Shipping’s directive requiring all passengers to disembark before vehicles board ferries, all passengers had left the bus, preventing any loss of life. Rescue operations began immediately, and both the driver and assistant were rescued alive and are receiving treatment at a hospital.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority’s salvage vessel Hamza recovered the bus with coordinated support from the Ministry of Shipping, BIWTA, BIWTC, naval police, fire service, coast guard, and local administration. The shipping minister and state minister monitored the operation and issued further safety instructions to prevent future ferry terminal accidents.

All varieties of lychees, including the traditional Bedana type, have flooded markets across Dinajpur district, with daily transactions exceeding three crore taka. The district’s agriculture department expects total sales to reach around one thousand crore taka this season. Wholesale and retail markets in Kalitla and Masimpur are witnessing heavy trading of Madrazi, Bedana, Bombay, and China-Three varieties. Farmers are harvesting early due to weather concerns, and hundreds of vehicles are transporting lychees daily to Dhaka and other districts.

Dinajpur’s Bedana lychee has received Geographical Indication (GI) recognition and has been exported to countries such as France, Canada, and Australia. The agriculture department reported that more lychees will be exported this year than last year, with several foreign buyers already contacting the department. Local traders noted higher prices compared to last year, with Bedana lychees selling between 500 and 700 taka per hundred pieces in local markets.

Officials said lychee cultivation covers 4,484 hectares this year, targeting production of about 32,000 tons. Stakeholders believe that with government support, this promising fruit market could play a significant role in strengthening the national agricultural economy.

Mango farmers in Kansat market of Shibganj upazila, Chapainawabganj, have voiced dissatisfaction with the current season’s mango prices. Although the market has become busy with varieties such as Khirshapat, Lakhkhanbhog, Guti, and Langra arriving from local orchards, growers say prices are lower than last year. Khirshapat mangoes are selling for Tk 1,300–2,400 per maund compared to Tk 2,500–2,800 last year. Farmers attribute the decline to increased production costs, smaller fruit size due to low rainfall, and fewer wholesale buyers from other regions.

Several farmers said they are facing losses as expenses for pesticides, labor, and orchard maintenance have risen sharply. They hope prices will improve once more traders arrive next week. Market authorities confirmed that production is good but prices remain below expectations. The Department of Agricultural Extension reported that mangoes are selling at around Tk 50 per kilogram, which may prevent major losses, and that 37,000 hectares of land in the district are under mango cultivation this season with a production target of 458,000 tons.

Traders expect demand and prices to rise slightly in the coming days as supply stabilizes across the country.

A report from the technology desk of Amar Desh, published on June 5, 2026, highlights key precautions users should take before selling their old phones. It warns that negligence can expose personal data such as photos, videos, banking details, and documents to others. Users are advised to back up all important data to cloud storage or computers before proceeding.

The article emphasizes logging out of all linked accounts, including Google and Apple IDs, before performing a factory reset. It also instructs users to delete banking and financial apps, remove saved passwords, and take out SIM and memory cards to prevent data leaks. After completing a factory reset, users should restart the phone to verify that no personal information remains.

According to the report, following these simple steps ensures that personal data remains secure even after the device changes hands, making the phone resale process safer and more responsible.

In Kaliganj of Jhenaidah, parts of the Kaliganj-Ganna road are being dug up to replace the existing paved surface with brick soling. The work, covering about 850 meters under the Roads and Highways Department, is estimated to cost 8.8 million taka. Locals have questioned why a mostly intact asphalt road is being excavated instead of repaired, saying minor patchwork could have made it usable.

Residents and road users, including businesspeople and drivers, expressed frustration that a good road is being replaced unnecessarily, calling it a waste of public funds. They noted that the route serves long-distance vehicles and students from nearby areas, who now face travel difficulties. Contractor Golam Hossain of Gama Construction said the work follows tender requirements and should be completed within the week.

An official from the Kaliganj Roads and Highways office stated that the project is part of routine maintenance, claiming parts of the road had become unusable due to monsoon damage. He declined to comment on claims that good sections were being removed, advising inquiries to higher authorities.

Agricultural land in Sitakunda, Chattogram, is under severe threat due to unplanned industrial expansion. Factories are being built on fertile farmland, reducing cultivable areas and damaging soil fertility through toxic waste. As a result, crop yields have declined sharply, and agricultural production in the region has collapsed.

Once known for its lush paddy fields and seasonal crops, Sitakunda’s northern unions—Banshbaria, Barabkunda, Muradpur, Baraidala, and Syedpur—are now dominated by industrial sites, container yards, warehouses, and housing projects. Local residents allege illegal sand extraction, hill cutting, and wetland filling, with powerful industrial groups acquiring vast tracts of land. Many purchased lands remain unused, halting farming activities.

According to Sitakunda’s agriculture officer, about 24,000 acres of farmland remain, but rapid industrialization threatens to eliminate them. Locals have submitted a memorandum to the Upazila Executive Officer demanding farmland protection, while the Assistant Commissioner (Land) stated that filling farmland for factories is not permitted.