All levels of educational institutions across Bangladesh will go on an extended holiday from May 24, 2026, marking Eid-ul-Azha and the summer vacation. According to the official holiday schedule and academic calendar, government primary schools, government and private secondary schools, colleges, technical institutes, and madrasas will begin their break simultaneously. Students will effectively attend their last classes on May 21, as May 22 and 23 fall on the weekend.

The vacation for primary, secondary, and technical institutions will continue until June 4, with classes resuming on June 7 after the weekend of June 5–6. This gives students a total of 16 consecutive days off, including weekends. Madrasa students, however, will enjoy a longer break, from May 24 to June 11, reopening on June 14 after the weekend, totaling 23 days of vacation.

Separately, the government has declared a seven-day national holiday for Eid-ul-Azha from May 25 to May 31, with offices remaining open on May 23 and 24 before the official break begins.

The Dhaka district administration has demolished illegal structures built by Haji Selim’s Madina Group on government land in the capital’s Lalbagh area. The eviction drive took place on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, under the leadership of Dhaka Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Farida Khanom. According to district sources, the group had occupied land listed under Lalbagh Mouza’s No. 1 khas khatian for over two decades. Following a legal process, the High Court’s previous stay order was lifted by the Chamber Judge Court on May 12, paving the way for the eviction.

During the operation, heavy machinery was used to demolish the illegal structures and reclaim the government property. Law enforcement personnel, executive magistrates, and relevant officials were present at the site. Farida Khanom stated that the administration would continue such drives to protect public property and ensure no one occupies government land illegally.

Local residents welcomed the initiative, describing it as bold and timely. They expressed relief that the long-occupied government land was finally recovered and hoped continued enforcement would reduce illegal land grabbing.

German coach Bernd Storck has become the frontrunner to take charge of the Bangladesh national football team, surpassing Brazil’s Rosario Mikel and former Wales coach Chris Coleman. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is leaning toward Storck due to his lower salary demand and extensive coaching experience. Storck, 63, has previously coached Hungary to the Euro 2016 knockout stage and managed Kazakhstan’s national team for nearly two years, along with club stints in Belgium and Slovakia.

BFF’s National Teams Committee interviewed Storck last Tuesday, discussing salary and benefits. While Mikel and Coleman demanded $30,000 and $26,000 respectively, Storck’s expected pay is closer to that of outgoing coach Javier Cabrera. The federation is expected to announce the new coach by Friday. BFF President Tabith Awal will make the final decision, which may depend on whether government financial support is secured to afford a higher-profile coach.

The coaching position became vacant after Cabrera’s contract expired in April. A record 300 local and foreign coaches applied, later narrowed down to six finalists based on experience, salary expectations, and professional licenses.

Bangladesh Bank has imposed new restrictions on its officials and employees regarding participation in training, seminars, and workshops both at home and abroad. According to an office order issued on Wednesday, officials are now prohibited from attending any such events funded by government or private banks, financial institutions, or any organization that receives services from or supplies goods and services to the central bank. The directive takes immediate effect.

The order further states that Bangladesh Bank officials cannot act as trainers or examiners in programs financed by banks or financial institutions. Participation as speakers or trainers in domestic seminars is allowed only with prior approval from the Human Resources Department-2, and no honorarium may be accepted from the organizing institution. The central bank said the move aims to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain neutrality in its operations.

The decision follows reports that some officials had traveled abroad at the invitation of supplier companies, with allegations that certain departments provided undue advantages to those firms in procurement processes.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Parliamentary Party Secretary and Satkania-Lohagara MP Shahjahan Chowdhury declared that the era of embezzlement under the guise of development is over. He made the statement on Wednesday morning while inaugurating the development work of the Mojider Para road in Lohagara upazila, built at a cost of about Tk 12.1 million. He said public tax money will no longer go into corrupt pockets and that genuine development will now take place to improve people's lives.

The MP noted that although he was elected only three months ago, extensive development activities have already begun in Satkania and Lohagara. Projects have been initiated to improve neglected roads, education, and communication systems. He emphasized that development should not remain on paper but benefit ordinary citizens, pledging to bring modern facilities to every village in his constituency.

Shahjahan Chowdhury further warned that irregularities, substandard work, and commission trading in development projects will no longer be tolerated. Local residents expressed satisfaction with the rapid completion of the new road and welcomed the ongoing development initiatives.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP), claimed that Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani’s historic party symbol, the ‘paddy sheaf,’ has been stolen. He made the remark on Wednesday at a seminar held at the NCP’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, titled ‘Farmers’ distress amid government conditions and untimely heavy rain: crisis and solutions,’ organized by the party’s agriculture cell. Patwari said Bhasani had chosen the symbol to represent Bangladesh’s agrarian roots, but now the emblem and its spirit have been lost.

Expressing concern over the agricultural situation, Patwari alleged that the rice market is now controlled by business syndicates rather than farmers, with profits shifting from rural producers to urban traders. He also criticized government projects such as smart cards and farmer cards, saying the NCP would respond with its own ‘red card’ if these initiatives fail. Other speakers, including agricultural economist Dr. Jahangir Alam and NCP leaders Golam Mortuza Selim, Dr. Atik Mujahid, and Sarowar Tushar, discussed production losses from floods and irrigation shortages, syndicate control in rice procurement, and the government’s lack of early weather warnings.

Speakers warned that disruptions in rice production could threaten food security, economic stability, and national sovereignty if not addressed promptly.

The body of expatriate worker Robiul Hasan Robin, who was killed in Malaysia, returned to his home village in Kalai Gobindapur, Titas upazila of Cumilla, eight days after his death. The coffin arrived on Wednesday afternoon, creating a heart-wrenching scene as relatives and neighbors mourned. His body, found disfigured, was buried later that day at the local cemetery after funeral prayers.

According to family and local sources, Robin went missing on May 4 while working at a Chinese construction company in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. Police recovered his body the next day from a garbage container inside the construction site. Robin had moved to Malaysia in 2023 and was responsible for managing the payroll of 2,000 workers. His family alleged that two fellow Bangladeshis, jealous of his success, were behind the murder.

Robin’s body arrived at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Wednesday morning and was handed over to his family after legal formalities. His relatives expressed deep sorrow and concern for his three young children’s future.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has directed officials to adopt welfare-oriented and sustainable projects. The instruction came on Tuesday during a review meeting at the Secretariat on the implementation progress of Annual Development Programme (ADP) projects for the 2025–26 fiscal year under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). The information was shared through the BNP Media Cell’s Facebook page.

The meeting discussed project implementation progress, quality of work, expenditure management, and timely completion. Emphasizing faster execution, the minister said that development projects must be completed within the stipulated time to meet public expectations. He also stressed proper and transparent management of public funds to ensure that projects directly benefit ordinary citizens.

The meeting was chaired by Local Government Division Secretary Md. Shahidul Hasan and attended by senior ministry officials, LGED Chief Engineer Belal Hossain, and project directors both in person and virtually.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman has directed officials to take effective measures to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and ensure essential services for them. He emphasized the importance of inclusive infrastructure, education, and healthcare facilities to build an inclusive society. The directives were issued during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday, which focused on identifying actions to safeguard disability rights and improve services.

During the meeting, ministers highlighted challenges faced by persons with disabilities, including limited access and inadequate facilities. The Prime Minister instructed that all public and private buildings, including hospitals and restaurants, must ensure accessibility features such as suitable toilets and doorways for wheelchair users. He also ordered that planned electric buses for women include facilities for persons with disabilities and called on the Information Ministry to promote awareness programs and inclusive media content.

The meeting decided to launch the “Shishu Swarg” project in 10 upazilas across 10 districts to provide health and rehabilitation services for children with special needs. The Prime Minister also directed authorities to review the operations of disability schools and include special-needs children in the “Notun Kuri Sports” competition.

Bashir Ahmed, a teacher at Khulna Agricultural University’s Fish Health Management Department, is being promoted from lecturer to assistant professor. He previously gained attention for calling Tarique Rahman the godfather of terrorism and demanding his trial and execution. Bashir received a letter on Thursday, May 14, inviting him to participate in an evaluation organized by the university’s selection committee.

Campus sources reported anger among teachers, students, and staff following news of the promotion. Critics claim Bashir was initially appointed under the Chhatra League quota and that his recruitment and departmental transfer violated university policy. They allege he joined a non-technical department despite holding a master’s degree in a technical subject, later transferring to his current department with administrative help to legitimize the appointment.

Acting registrar Rezaul Islam said his role was limited to administrative duties and that the selection committee is responsible for assessing candidate qualifications. Attempts to contact Bashir Ahmed for comment were unsuccessful.

A driver was killed when a Nasimon overturned in Dadpur Union of Boalmari upazila, Faridpur, on Wednesday afternoon. The accident occurred in front of Kundardia Madhyapara Jame Mosque. The deceased was identified as Sohag Molya, 17, son of Kamal Molya from Amritnagar village in Gunbaha Union. One passenger was also injured in the incident.

According to local sources, Sohag was transporting biscuits and juice from Sadhan Kumar Saha’s Messrs Saha Store dealer point in Boalmari municipal market to supply to various shops. As the vehicle reached near the mosque, it lost control and overturned, leaving Sohag critically injured. He died on the way to the hospital. Police visited the scene after receiving information, and legal procedures are underway.

Authorities have not yet provided further details about the condition of the injured passenger or the cause of the loss of control.

At least 50 to 60 students of Muladuli High School in Ishwardi upazila, Pabna, fell ill on Wednesday afternoon after a suspected toxic gas or chemical exposure in a classroom. The incident occurred during class hours in the girls’ section, prompting teachers to rush the affected students to Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex. Doctors confirmed that all students are now out of danger and receiving treatment.

According to school sources, the incident began when a sixth-grade student entered the classroom with a small container that later broke on the floor, releasing a strong odor. Soon after, many students experienced headaches, breathing difficulties, weakness, vomiting, and convulsions. Fire service officials suggested that a pungent or toxic gas might have caused the reaction, though investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause.

Local administration, health officials, and fire service teams are jointly investigating the incident. Lawmaker Professor Abu Taleb Mondal visited the hospital and instructed authorities to prioritize the students’ recovery and uncover the cause of the poisoning.

Severe flooding has hit Haluaghat upazila in Mymensingh following heavy rainfall and flash floods from the Indian Garo Hills. Rising water levels in local rivers have inundated several unions, leaving thousands of residents trapped and causing extensive damage to homes and farmland. The situation worsened after continuous overnight rain caused the Menongchari River in India to overflow into Bangladesh’s Boraghat River, breaching embankments and flooding nearby villages.

At least six villages in Gazirvita Union are reported to be underwater, with crops such as boro paddy, peanuts, maize, and other seasonal produce submerged. Farmers fear severe losses if the water does not recede soon. Residents said the water rose rapidly overnight, forcing many to move belongings to higher ground as homes were flooded and daily life disrupted.

Flood pressure is reportedly highest in Kaliyani Kanda and Boalmara areas, where roads are submerged and communication severely hampered. Attempts to reach the Haluaghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer for comment were unsuccessful.

The Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) has warned that around two million Bangladeshi expatriates in the United Arab Emirates could face serious livelihood risks if the ongoing war in the Middle East continues. The warning was issued at a press conference held at the National Press Club on Wednesday, where RMMRU presented a report titled “The Ongoing War Situation in Iran and the Gulf Region: Impacts and Actions for Bangladeshi Migrant Workers.”

According to the report, the conflict has already disrupted business activities across the Gulf region, causing uncertainty in the labor market. Declining investor confidence, rising costs, and infrastructure damage could halt projects and eliminate expected employment opportunities. The report also noted that disruptions in mobility have created a secondary crisis in the recruitment process, leading to disputes between agents and prospective workers over recruitment costs.

RMMRU highlighted the absence of a crisis response fund or real-time monitoring system to address job losses, forced returns, or stranded migrants. Dr. Tasneem Siddiqui, RMMRU’s founding chair, emphasized the need for new labor markets, skill development, language training, and modernization of the education system to adapt to long-term global labor market changes.

A farmer was killed by lightning in Maheshpur village of Chatmohar upazila, Pabna, on Wednesday afternoon. The victim, identified as Robban Ali, aged 60, was a resident of Sahapur village under Mulgram Union. The incident occurred while he was working in a jute field during a storm.

According to local Union Parishad member Anwar Hossain, Robban Ali had gone to the field to clear weeds when a nor’wester accompanied by lightning began. As he attempted to return home amid the storm, he was struck by lightning and died on the spot. The death was later confirmed by the upazila social services officer and the union administrator, Sohel Rana.

Authorities have verified the incident, and local sources confirmed that the death occurred in the field area during the storm.