A 12-year-old girl from a poor family in Shibpur, Narsingdi, was reportedly raped by two young men named Arif and Alamgir while returning home from a madrasa. The incident occurred several days before it was disclosed, as the victim was threatened with death if she spoke out. After revealing the assault to her family, a case was filed at Shibpur Police Station against the two accused.

Following the report, allegations emerged that Alamgir’s elder brother, local BNP leader Milon, had repeatedly threatened the victim’s family. The accused and their families have since fled the area. Medical examination at Shibpur Upazila Health Complex confirmed evidence of rape. Police have yet to arrest the suspects but stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.

The incident has caused widespread outrage in the area, with residents demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson and former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan alleged that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), not the interim government, signed a trade agreement with the United States. He claimed the deal was arranged through current Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman before the election and later blamed on the interim administration. Bhuiyan made these remarks at a press conference held at the NCP’s temporary central office in Rupayan Trade Center, Banglamotor, Dhaka.

Referring to a previous interview, Bhuiyan noted that former interim foreign affairs adviser M Touhid Hossain had said he was unaware of any such deal, suggesting the agreement was executed without the interim government’s knowledge. Bhuiyan asserted that the deal was finalized three days before the February 9 election and that the NCP had not been informed or consulted. He urged a review or cancellation of any parts of the agreement harmful to Bangladesh’s interests.

At the same event, NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari alleged that police joined BNP-affiliated groups in attacking him in Jhenaidah, adding to tensions between the parties.

Police have filed a case against 242 individuals following an armed attack that destroyed a joint forces camp in Jungle Salimpur, Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram. The case names 42 people, including alleged local gang leader Md Yasin, as accused, while another 200 unidentified individuals are also implicated. The case was lodged on Monday by Inspector Sohel Rana of the Faujdarhat police outpost, confirmed by Sitakunda Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Mahinul Islam.

According to police, the charges include armed assault on law enforcement, obstruction of government duty, damage to state property, and violations under the Explosives Act. The attack occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday night, when armed assailants opened fire on the camp and later demolished its walls and structures using bulldozers. To delay reinforcements, attackers reportedly cut roads at four points before fleeing as joint forces launched a counter-operation.

Earlier on March 9, authorities had conducted a major operation in Jungle Salimpur to arrest armed groups and seize weapons, establishing joint force camps afterward to maintain control of the area.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, stated that the previous Hasina government left Tk 56,000 crore in unpaid electricity bills. Speaking on Tuesday afternoon at a preparatory meeting in Kamarkhand, Sirajganj, he said the current administration has been in power for three months and is still reviewing financial accounts. According to him, the Hasina government left a per capita debt of Tk 150 crore for Bangladesh’s 200 million citizens.

The minister made these remarks while addressing a meeting organized by the local BNP and its affiliated organizations to mark the 45th martyrdom anniversary of former President Ziaur Rahman. During his speech, he also discussed the upcoming local government elections, noting that the BNP would nominate candidates based on merit and capability rather than personal connections.

He urged party members to prioritize collective interests over personal gains and to select candidates who can effectively serve the people. Several BNP leaders and activists from different affiliated bodies attended the event.

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) has secured the 15th position among Bangladeshi institutions in the globally recognized Nature Index, achieving a share score of 0.20. The index, published by Nature Portfolio since 2014, evaluates research output and institutional contributions to high-quality scientific publications worldwide. The latest ranking covers research papers published between February 1 of the previous year and January 31 of the current year in 145 leading pure science and medical journals.

According to the Nature Index, contributions to multi-institutional research are divided fractionally, forming the basis of each institution’s share score. RUET’s inclusion reflects its growing research capacity and consistent academic performance. The university’s Director of Student Welfare, Professor Dr. Robiul Islam Sarkar, described the achievement as a matter of pride, highlighting it as recognition of the collective efforts of faculty and students.

Researchers believe that with enhanced funding, modern laboratories, and international collaboration, RUET could further strengthen its position in future global rankings. The recognition has created a celebratory atmosphere on campus and is expected to motivate greater engagement in research activities.

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.

A 20-member youth delegation from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to visit China from June 4 to 14, 2026, at the invitation of the Chinese government. The list, published by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and signed by Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, includes student leaders from various universities and organizations but excludes any elected representatives from the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU). The omission has drawn attention and debate on social media.

Several JAKSU leaders expressed disappointment over their exclusion, noting that Jagannath University performed strongly in recent student elections. They voiced hope that future delegations would include their representatives. Some leaders emphasized that the selection was based on the party’s internal planning rather than election results, while others criticized the decision as undermining their institution’s contributions.

BNP’s Jagannath University student leaders reiterated their commitment to the party’s ideals and expressed confidence that future opportunities would reflect fair representation across institutions.

Law Minister Md. Anisul Huq stated that the judiciary in Bangladesh operates independently and that NCP leaders received bail because judges act freely. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning after visiting the Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex in Jhenaidah. The minister also assured that the state would provide all necessary support to expedite the trial of the Ramisa rape and murder case, though he acknowledged delays due to shortages of judges and lawyers across the country.

Responding to NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah’s claim that the Law Ministry controls the courts, the minister said such comments amount to contempt of court. He emphasized that judges in Bangladesh are more independent than in many other countries. The minister described the statements by Hasnat Abdullah and Nasiruddin Patwari as politically motivated and aimed at creating confusion.

He further noted that recent incidents involving NCP activists in Jhenaidah were handled responsibly by the police and that the judiciary functioned independently in those matters.

Bangladesh’s 2026 FIFA World Cup broadcast rights have taken a new turn after Singapore-based Springbok Private Limited withdrew from its agreement with FIFA. The company had initially secured the Bangladesh media rights for about 7.211 million US dollars but failed to make scheduled payments, leading FIFA to cancel the deal. With the World Cup set to begin on June 12 and end on July 20, Bangladeshi broadcasters now have a chance to negotiate directly with FIFA at lower rates.

Springbok had demanded around 12.3 million dollars from Bangladesh Television (BTV) for the rights, including TV, radio, mobile, and internet coverage, but BTV declined due to the high cost. Following the cancellation, T Sports, Star News, and a Dubai-based firm are now competing to buy the rights directly from FIFA. Government requests for free broadcast access were rejected by FIFA, which cited its funding commitments to national football federations.

Experts say FIFA may now offer the rights for 2–3 million dollars, reflecting regional market adjustments. Calls have also emerged for an independent audit into alleged irregularities during the 2022 World Cup rights deal.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bokul has accused the previous Awami League and caretaker governments of failing to purchase vaccines from foreign donor agencies due to alleged corruption motives. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon at a relief distribution event for the underprivileged in Monohardi Upazila, Narsingdi. The minister claimed that the earlier administrations intended to buy vaccines through private channels but abandoned the plan when their desired arrangements were not met.

According to Bokul, the failure to procure vaccines led to a sudden outbreak of measles across the country, resulting in the deaths of many children. He stated that after the current government took office, it quickly arranged vaccine supplies and launched immunization drives, which have significantly reduced the spread of measles. He expressed hope that the situation would further improve within a week.

The minister also mentioned that initiatives have been taken to combat dengue and that a large budget has been allocated to strengthen the health system, with plans for extensive future work in the sector.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP), announced the closure of his Motijheel office due to security concerns. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, he stated that operations at the temporary office located in the garage of Hotel Parabat in Motijheel have been suspended. All organizational and administrative activities will now be conducted from the 15th floor of Rupayan Tower.

Patwari urged residents of Dhaka-08 and supporters across Bangladesh to contact the new office for party-related matters. He emphasized that the party’s journey would continue with commitments to public trust, political decency, security, and the rights of ordinary citizens.

He also cautioned that anyone visiting the previous office location would be personally responsible for any potential security risks, attacks, or losses, urging everyone to prioritize safety above all else.

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.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has extended his greetings to the people of Bangladesh and Muslims around the world on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. In a verified Facebook post on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, he wished that the holy festival be illuminated by the spirit of sacrifice and that Allah accept the prayers and offerings of all believers, filling their lives with peace and prosperity.

In his message, the Prime Minister highlighted that Eid-ul-Azha returns each year to remind the global Muslim community of the supreme example of sacrifice, devotion, and faith demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim (A). He described the festival as not only a celebration but also a timeless message of dedication and submission to the Creator.

He further prayed for peace, security, and stability for Bangladesh, the Muslim world, and all humanity, expressing hope that the blessings of Eid would inspire harmony and compassion across nations.

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.