State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md. Shariful Alam stated that there are no minorities or majorities in Bangladesh, emphasizing unity for national progress. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon at the bi-annual conference of the Upazila Puja Celebration Council in Kuliarchar, Kishoreganj, where he attended as the chief guest.

The event, held at the Upazila Parishad auditorium under the chairmanship of Piyush Kanti Ghosh, was inaugurated by former president of the Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council, Jitendra Lal Bhowmik. The minister noted that the current government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has been in office for three months and ten days and has already begun implementing election pledges. Initiatives include providing allowances for imams, muezzins, and priests, as well as distributing family cards, with benefits expected to reach households nationwide in phases.

Several local leaders and officials also spoke at the event, including former BSS managing editor Manoj Kanti Roy and local BNP representatives.

Concrete debris hidden under sand and seawater at Kuakata beach in Patuakhali has become a major safety concern for tourists. The hazardous remnants, including broken pillars, guide walls, and rusted rods, are mainly concentrated around the Zero Point area, where thousands of visitors bathe daily. Locals report that despite repeated accidents, the beach management committee and relevant authorities have not taken visible measures such as installing warning signs or clearing the debris.

The concrete structures originated from facilities destroyed by cyclones Sidr in 2007 and Aila in 2009, including an LGED bungalow, public toilets, and park installations. These remnants now lie submerged or scattered across the beach, posing hidden dangers during high tide. A fatal accident occurred about a year and a half ago when a tourist was struck by submerged concrete.

Local visitors and business owners have urged immediate safety measures, while Kuakata municipal administrator Md. Yasin Sadek stated that risky areas will be marked and warning signs installed to ensure tourist safety.

President Md. Shahabuddin stated that the simple and selfless life, strong personality, unquestionable honesty, and pragmatic leadership of martyred President Ziaur Rahman will remain forever in the hearts of the people. He made these remarks in a message marking the 45th anniversary of Ziaur Rahman’s martyrdom on May 30, 2026.

The President expressed hope that Ziaur Rahman’s active life, deep patriotism, strict stance against corruption, commitment to justice, and vision for self-reliant development would continue to inspire future generations. He paid deep respect to Zia’s memory, recalling his assassination on May 30, 1981, in Chattogram Circuit House. Shahabuddin highlighted Zia’s roles as a valiant freedom fighter, proclaimer of independence, founder of multi-party democracy, and architect of modern Bangladesh.

He noted Ziaur Rahman’s contributions to establishing political freedom, promoting socio-economic progress, and adopting a balanced foreign policy that expanded Bangladesh’s labor markets abroad. The President said Zia’s 19-point program aimed to build a productive and self-reliant nation, and his leadership remains a shining example of patriotism and foresight.

In Lakshmipur’s Chandraganj upazila, the authorities of Ramnagar Madinatul Ulum Dakhil Madrasa buried around 150 sacrificial animal hides after failing to sell them. The incident occurred following Eid-ul-Azha when the madrasa collected hides from local households but could not find wholesale buyers or fair prices. Due to the lack of preservation facilities and concerns over odor and decay, the madrasa decided to bury the hides to prevent environmental pollution.

Local residents expressed mixed reactions, noting that poor preservation systems and ineffective market management have caused recurring crises in the leather trade. The madrasa’s management committee said they had spent significant funds on labor and transport to collect the hides, but the absence of buyers led to major financial losses.

According to the madrasa’s general secretary, despite waiting two days for buyers, none appeared, forcing them to dispose of the hides for environmental reasons. The institution now faces substantial financial damage as a result of the unsold collection.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has withdrawn his recent remark describing Dhaka University as a 'coaching center'. The comment, made during a podcast, sparked anger among the university’s teachers and students. In response, a group of students announced a protest and human chain to be held Friday evening near the Raju Memorial Sculpture at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC).

Facing widespread criticism, Hajjaj clarified that his statement had been misrepresented and reflected his personal opinion, not the government’s official stance. In a Facebook post at 5:30 p.m. Friday, he emphasized his respect for Dhaka University’s history and contributions, saying his intention was to encourage its transformation into a world-class research institution. He also noted that the podcast discussion was informal and not policy-oriented.

Hajjaj further commented on challenges in higher education over the past 17 years, including insufficient focus on research and questions over politically influenced faculty appointments. He concluded by apologizing for any misunderstanding and fully retracting his earlier comment.

Return flights for Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims are set to begin tonight following the completion of Hajj rituals. The first flight, operated by Saudia Airlines (SV-5806), will depart from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 12:10 a.m. local time. On the first day, a total of 13 flights will carry 5,434 pilgrims back to Bangladesh.

The Hajj flight operations began on April 17 when Prime Minister Tareq Rahman inaugurated the first outbound flight from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The final flight carrying Bangladeshi pilgrims to Saudi Arabia arrived on May 21. The Ministry of Religious Affairs completed all necessary arrangements, including tent rentals, transportation contracts, housing, and visa processing, within the timeframe set by the Saudi government.

Authorities coordinated with airlines to ensure smooth transportation, allowing all registered pilgrims to travel to Saudi Arabia without any schedule disruptions. The return flights are scheduled to continue until July 1.

BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the party will continue to move forward following the ideals of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman. In a statement issued on Friday, May 29, marking Ziaur Rahman’s 45th death anniversary, he reaffirmed the party’s commitment to democracy and citizens’ rights. Fakhrul emphasized that under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, the BNP believes in transparent and accountable governance and will continue working to uphold freedom of expression and democratic values.

He described Ziaur Rahman as a courageous freedom fighter and statesman who earned a permanent place in the hearts of the people. Fakhrul alleged that Zia’s popularity had caused discomfort among both domestic and foreign conspirators and claimed that his assassination on May 30, 1981, deprived the nation of a patriotic leader. He added that great leaders’ ideals cannot be erased by killing them and noted that Khaleda Zia had advanced multiparty democracy following Zia’s path.

Fakhrul criticized the Awami League government for alleged repression and corruption and said that the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, 2024, resulted from a united movement demanding the restoration of democracy. He called for a free and fair election to fulfill the people’s aspirations.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance along the Lalmonirhat frontier to prevent what it describes as illegal and aggressive activities by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The move follows incidents including attempts to install posts violating international border laws, drone crashes, and the killing of two Bangladeshi nationals in recent weeks. BGB units from Lalmonirhat 15, Rangpur 51, and Rangpur 61 battalions have been deployed to tighten security across the Teesta-Two sector.

According to the report, local residents remain fearful after the recent shootings that killed two Bangladeshis—one on April 8 at Patgram and another on May 14 near Hatibandha. Despite India’s earlier assurances to Bangladesh about reducing border deaths, the use of lethal force has reportedly continued. Experts cited in the report attribute the ongoing killings to a lack of accountability and disregard for international law.

BGB has also increased public awareness efforts, broadcasting warnings through loudspeakers to discourage illegal border crossings as tensions persist along the Bangladesh-India boundary.

A large quantity of sacrificial animal hides has spoiled in Chattogram due to alleged manipulation by market syndicates. Seasonal traders, unable to sell their collected hides at fair prices, abandoned thousands of pieces on the streets late into the night. On Friday morning, Chattogram City Corporation sanitation workers began dumping the rotting hides from areas including Aturar Depot, Bahaddarhat, and Chawkbazar.

Seasonal traders said that despite government assurances of market monitoring, no effective steps were taken to prevent syndicate control. Many traders chose to discard their hides in protest rather than sell at extremely low prices. The Raw Hide Traders Association claimed they met their target of collecting 400,000 hides and said only those who held out for higher prices suffered losses. Truck drivers from Fatikchhari and Sitakunda reported being stranded overnight with unsold hides that eventually decayed.

City officials confirmed that large volumes of spoiled hides were dumped but did not provide exact figures. Traders alleged that middlemen’s manipulation caused the crisis, with some hides going unsold even at Tk 50 per piece.

The Dhaka University White Panel, a group of teachers aligned with Bangladeshi nationalism, has strongly condemned remarks made by State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj about Dhaka University. In a statement issued on Friday, the panel described Hajjaj’s comments comparing the university to a coaching center as extremely insulting and irresponsible. The statement, signed by Professor Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan, Professor Dr. Abdus Salam, and Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarkar, warned that teachers and students would be compelled to take strict action if the remarks were not withdrawn immediately.

The White Panel emphasized that Dhaka University holds a leading position in research and publication among public universities in Bangladesh, citing its numerous specialized research centers and international journal contributions. The group also highlighted the university’s historic role in national movements, including the Language Movement, the Liberation War, and various democratic uprisings. They stated that the minister’s comments were deeply hurtful to the university community and the nation.

The panel demanded that Bobby Hajjaj retract his statement without delay, warning of potential protest programs to defend the university’s honor if he fails to do so.

In Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira, large quantities of sacrificial animal hides were discarded along the banks of the Kholpetua River after failing to attract buyers. The incident occurred following Eid when local traders, madrasa authorities, and orphanages struggled to sell raw hides due to a market collapse and lack of buyers. Piles of hides were seen near the Neeldumur ferry ghat area, causing foul odors and raising environmental concerns.

Local sources said that despite collecting hides from various areas since Eid morning, most sellers found no buyers throughout the day. Many were forced to bury or dump the hides to prevent stench. Traders reported that compared to previous years, the market situation was worse, with low purchase offers and high transport and salt costs discouraging collection. Madrasa and orphanage officials said they rely on hide sales to fund student welfare and education, but this year’s losses have severely affected them.

Authorities acknowledged the issue, noting that institutions had been advised to preserve hides before sale. The upazila administration stated that the matter is being addressed seriously.

Rajshahi City Corporation completed waste removal ahead of schedule during Eid-ul-Azha under the leadership of administrator Md. Mahfuzur Rahman Riton. The administrator had earlier announced that the city would be cleaned within six to eight hours, and large-scale cleaning began from noon on Eid day. He personally supervised the operations, resulting in the city being cleared of waste earlier than expected and earning public praise.

According to city sources, 1,270 cleaners worked tirelessly across all wards to remove waste quickly. Secondary Transfer Stations at Bulanpur, RUET, and Rajshahi University were inspected in the afternoon. To prevent odor and health risks, sufficient bleaching powder and disinfectants were sprayed, and vehicles, equipment, and manpower were kept ready throughout the process. Residents expressed satisfaction with the timely cleanup and the distribution of eco-friendly bags and bleaching powder for meat preservation.

Administrator Riton credited the success to citizens’ cooperation and the dedication of cleaning staff, emphasizing the city’s ongoing commitment to quality civic services.

Leather sellers in Dhaka and other districts expressed deep frustration on Friday, May 29, 2026, as sacrificial animal hides were sold at nominal prices during Eid-ul-Azha. Many sellers alleged that buyers were offering far below the government-fixed rates. In several areas, goat and cow hides were seen piled up on roadsides, with sellers unable to find fair buyers despite busy market scenes.

Madrasa representatives, orphanages, and seasonal collectors said the market price did not match the official rate, while traders blamed tannery owners’ unpaid dues and cash shortages for the crisis. In Dhaka’s Posta area, large cowhides fetched as little as 500 taka, dropping to 100–200 taka if damaged. Seasonal traders in Chattogram and Satkhira reported similar conditions, with some abandoning hides on roads or burying them to avoid losses and odor.

In Sirajganj’s Tarash upazila, the market collapsed entirely, with few buyers appearing. Many sellers either left hides behind or donated them to local madrasas and boarding houses, reflecting a recurring crisis in the country’s leather trade.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md. Abdus Salam announced that the city aims to remove 11,776 tons of waste on the second day of Eid. He made the statement while inspecting the temporary cattle market at Shahjahanpur Railway Colony on Friday. During the visit, he observed ongoing waste removal operations and instructed officials and workers to complete the task swiftly.

According to the administrator, uninterrupted waste removal activities are continuing across DSCC areas to clear animal and market waste generated during Eid. He said DSCC’s waste management teams, including cleaners and transport workers, are working round the clock to maintain a clean and healthy environment for residents. On the first day of Eid, a total of 14,814 tons of sacrificial waste were dumped at the Matuail landfill by midnight.

Salam warned that any leaseholders expanding temporary cattle markets beyond designated areas or occupying roads illegally will face strict legal action, including fines and blacklisting. DSCC has deployed additional manpower, vehicles, containers, and cleaning equipment, supported by a special monitoring team overseeing the entire operation.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that nepotism, political influence, or favoritism will not be tolerated in the recruitment of university teachers. He made the remarks on Friday after inaugurating the temporary office of Thakurgaon University. The minister emphasized that only candidates with the highest qualifications and competence will be appointed as teachers based solely on merit.

He described Thakurgaon University as a reflection of the long-cherished dream and expectation of the local people. The institution, he said, should be developed into one of the country’s top world-class universities by maintaining uncompromised educational standards. He also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the government for fulfilling the long-standing demand of Thakurgaon residents for a medical college and a university.

The minister noted that the appointment of a vice-chancellor has already been completed, marking an important step toward advancing the university’s operations. The event was attended by the State Minister for Water Resources, local lawmakers, the vice-chancellor, and senior officials.