Dhaka-bound traffic increased sharply on the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway on Saturday morning following the end of the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. In the Shibchar section of Madaripur, long-distance buses from southern districts were seen heading toward the capital, while local buses were overcrowded. At major stops such as Bhanga, Suryanagar, Pachchar, and Naodoba, passengers waited for long periods as most buses were already full.

Many travelers arrived from rural areas by easybikes, vans, Mahindra vehicles, CNG auto-rickshaws, and other three-wheelers to reach the highway’s passenger shelters. Passengers reported difficulty finding seats due to the heavy rush. Alongside buses, the number of microbuses, private cars, and motorcycles also increased on the expressway. Although the Dhaka-bound lane saw the heaviest pressure, traffic toward the southern region was also higher than usual.

Shibchar Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman said traffic pressure had risen significantly since morning and could increase further over the next two to three days. Highway police have been deployed at key points to control speed, maintain smooth traffic flow, and prevent untoward incidents, with additional patrol teams on duty.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman distributed clothing among the poor on the occasion of the 45th death anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. The event took place on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in the premises of Capital High School on Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. The initiative marked the beginning of a nationwide program to distribute clothing and provide free medical services to underprivileged people.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, and former councilor Anwaruzzaman were present at the event. According to the announcement, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to attend similar programs throughout the day at 16 locations across Dhaka North and South.

The program is part of broader commemorative activities held nationwide to honor the legacy of Ziaur Rahman through social welfare initiatives.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for collective efforts to advance the country, emphasizing that the political philosophy of late President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman continues to guide Bangladesh’s progress. He made the remarks on Saturday in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after paying tribute at Ziaur Rahman’s grave on the occasion of his 45th martyrdom anniversary.

Fakhrul said that for many years people could not freely observe the day due to what he described as a period of “fascism,” but now there is comparatively more freedom to commemorate the leader. He stated that Ziaur Rahman had laid the foundation for a modern and well-governed state, and that his development-oriented vision remains relevant for the nation’s advancement.

He added that ongoing reform initiatives in the country align with Ziaur Rahman’s state philosophy, and that the BNP aims to continue following his ideals under the leadership of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. Party leaders and activists also paid their respects and observed various programs marking the anniversary.

Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bokul announced that the full investigation report on the deaths of six newborns at Ad-Din Medical College Hospital in Moghbazar, Dhaka, will be submitted on June 3. He made the statement on Saturday, May 30, during a briefing with journalists at the Directorate General of Health Services in Mohakhali.

The minister explained that the report was initially scheduled to be submitted earlier but has been delayed by three days. The investigation committee was granted additional time because it had not yet collected statements from the mothers who lost their children. Once their testimonies are included, the committee will finalize and submit the complete report.

The incident at Ad-Din Medical College Hospital has drawn official attention, and the ministry’s decision to extend the deadline aims to ensure that all relevant voices are heard before the report is finalized.

More than 150 tourists who were stranded on Char Abdullah in the Meghna River at Ramgati, Lakshmipur, were rescued after five hours. The incident occurred on Friday evening when several engine boats carrying tourists went to the island for sightseeing. Soon after their arrival, a storm with heavy rain began, making the river turbulent and preventing their return. They were rescued around 12:30 a.m. and brought back to Alexander.

According to local administration sources, the rescue operation was carried out by the police and river police after receiving reports of the stranded tourists. Ramgati Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nilufa Yasmin Nipa confirmed the rescue on Saturday morning, stating that all tourists had safely returned home. Ramgati Police Station Officer-in-Charge Liton Dewan said the tourists were brought back once the tide rose at night.

The local administration expressed concern during the incident but confirmed that all individuals were rescued without harm and safely returned to their homes.

The first return flight of Bangladeshi pilgrims from Saudi Arabia arrived in Dhaka on Saturday morning, marking the beginning of the 2026 Hajj return phase. According to the report, 419 pilgrims landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Saudia Airlines flight around 10 a.m. They were welcomed with Zamzam water and flowers upon arrival. The flight departed from Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport at 12:10 a.m. local time.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs stated that the formal Hajj rituals concluded on Friday with the symbolic stoning at the three Jamarat. On the first day of return flights, a total of 5,434 pilgrims are expected to arrive in Bangladesh on 13 flights. The return operations will continue until July 1. This year, 79,164 Bangladeshi pilgrims, including management officials, traveled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

The ministry completed all logistical arrangements, including tent rentals, transportation contracts, housing, and visas, within the Saudi government’s timeframe. As a result, all registered pilgrims reached Saudi Arabia without any schedule disruptions. So far, 35 Bangladeshi pilgrims have died during this year’s Hajj.

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.