Several days of continuous rainfall in Rampal upazila of Bagerhat have caused harvested paddy left in the fields to sprout prematurely. Farmers are facing severe losses as the unseasonal rain has soaked the crops, making it difficult to dry and store them properly. Many are worried they will not recover their production costs, with some unable to bring their harvest home before it began to germinate.

Local farmers explained that the rain began suddenly at the end of the harvesting season, leaving them no time to collect their crops. In many areas, cut paddy remains submerged under water, and seedlings are emerging from the ears. Some farmers are attempting to dry the wet paddy beside roads, but threshing remains impossible until it fully dries. Labor shortages have further delayed harvesting, worsening the damage.

Rampal’s agriculture officer, Md. Insad Ibne Amin, advised farmers to collect and store their paddy in dry places and said that a list of affected farmers is being prepared for possible assistance. Farmers have urged the government to ensure emergency financial support to overcome the crisis.

President Md. Shahabuddin is scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom on Saturday for a medical check-up. According to the President’s Press Wing, the visit follows medical advice for a follow-up examination after a previous surgery. The health tests will be conducted at a specialized hospital in Cambridge. The President will depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a commercial flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines bound for London.

He will be accompanied by his wife Dr. Rebecca Sultana, family members, his physician, and officials from Bangabhaban. The President is expected to return to Bangladesh on May 18 on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight after completing his medical examinations.

The report also notes that President Shahabuddin underwent cardiac bypass surgery in Singapore on October 18, 2023, which this visit is intended to follow up on.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan stated that education will serve as the bridge between China and Bangladesh. He said the goal is to further strengthen the connection between the two nations, with education as its core element. The minister made these remarks on Friday at a roundtable titled ‘China-Bangladesh Round Table on Governance Experience Exchange,’ organized by the Center for China Studies (CCS) at a hotel in Dhaka.

He highlighted that Bangladesh and China share a long-standing relationship, which was emphasized by late President Ziaur Rahman. According to the minister, this relationship will play a vital role in shaping the future of Bangladesh, particularly in improving the education sector where China can contribute significantly. He added that Bangladesh, being a densely populated country, must transform its population into a skilled human resource.

The minister stressed the importance of focusing on technical education and enhancing joint cooperation with China in education and technical sectors to develop globally competent human resources.

Former Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Tazul Islam, stated that Islamic scholars and Muslims are the true bearers and protectors of Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. He made this remark on Friday while speaking at a discussion organized by Shapla Smriti Sangsad to commemorate and evaluate the May 5 massacre.

During his speech, Tazul Islam argued that the May 5 killings were not intended to suppress the rise of Islam but were instead an attempt by what he called a fascist government to remove faith from the nation’s culture. He said the goal was to create an environment where people would fear expressing their religious identity, such as wearing caps or keeping beards.

He further warned that if Muslims do not take an active role in protecting their beliefs and values, the country may face repeated confrontations similar to the Shapla Chattar incident.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain has emphasized the importance of knowing whether individuals are thalassemia carriers before marriage. Speaking on Friday at a seminar organized by the Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation Hospital in Malibagh, Dhaka, to mark World Thalassemia Day, he said that thalassemia is a congenital blood disorder that only affects children when both parents are carriers.

The minister stated that the government is committed to ensuring healthcare for all under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He noted that one in nine people in Bangladesh carries the thalassemia gene, and around 8,000 children are born with the disease each year. He called for increased awareness through print and electronic media to prevent thalassemia and urged media outlets to create and broadcast educational content on the issue.

Before the seminar, the minister visited various wards of the hospital’s daycare unit, spoke with patients, and inquired about their treatment services.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), said that India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had sought Dhaka’s cooperation to repatriate Bangladeshis staying illegally in India. Speaking at an event at the National Press Club on Friday, Pradhan stated that his party was willing to help India, but first India should send back Sheikh Hasina, whom he described as a fascist responsible for mass killings.

The event was organized to welcome new members from various political and social organizations joining JAGPA. During his speech, Pradhan referred to Indian leader Suvendu Adhikari’s remarks about Hasina being the legitimate prime minister of Bangladesh and said she should be sent to Dhaka to face justice. He added that families of those killed in the July uprising and the general public were waiting to see her trial.

Pradhan also criticized the current BNP leadership, alleging that it was acting under Indian influence and warned that the government would face a mass movement if the July referendum mandate was not implemented.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a money laundering case against Mohammad Noor Ali, chairman of Unique Group, and his construction company Borak Real Estate Private Limited. The case, lodged at Banani Police Station under the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012, concerns alleged irregularities, fraud, and illegal fund transfers linked to the 'Banani Super Market cum Housing' project built on government land controlled by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).

CID’s preliminary investigation found that Borak Real Estate violated its contract by constructing a 28-storey building instead of the approved 14-storey structure, later housing a five-star hotel named Sheraton. The company allegedly failed to hand over DNCC’s due share and repeatedly influenced contract revisions. Investigators also discovered that necessary clearances from RAJUK and the Civil Aviation Authority were not obtained, creating flight safety risks due to excessive building height.

According to the case, the accused earned Tk 115.58 crore illegally through hotel operations in the unapproved building and laundered the funds through transfer and conversion. CID’s Financial Crime Division continues to investigate and pursue the suspects.

About 300 leaders and activists from different political parties and organizations have joined the National Citizens Party (NCP) Dhaka North unit. The announcement was made on Friday afternoon at a press conference held at the party’s temporary office in Banglamotor, Dhaka. NCP Senior Joint Convener and Dhaka North Convener Ariful Islam Adib welcomed the new members with flowers.

The event was attended by NCP Joint Member Secretary Shahreen Ira, Joint Chief Coordinator Rafid M Bhuiya, and Central Organizer Abdullah Al Monsur. Rafid M Bhuiya stated that around 100 garment workers from Uttara are also expected to join soon and will work with the party’s labor wing, Jatiya Sramik Shakti. Ariful Islam Adib said that the names of 35 key leaders among the new members would be announced as part of the party’s ongoing membership drive.

The newly joined 35 leaders include representatives from several political and social organizations, such as Dr. Ashiqur Rahman Shuvo of the July Revolutionary Alliance and Nakibur Rahman, former secretary of Up Bangladesh Dhaka North.

Residents of Panchagarh’s border area Tetulia have revived their decades-old demand to reopen the Shalbahan oil field, which was abruptly shut down nearly 37 years ago. The field, discovered in 1987 and inaugurated in 1988 by then-President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, had shown promising signs of oil reserves. A French company was assigned to drill up to 8,000 feet, but operations ceased within eight months without explanation, leaving the site abandoned and the reasons undisclosed.

Local citizens and organizations are now urging the government to investigate the mystery and restart exploration, arguing that the field could significantly contribute to Bangladesh’s energy sector. The district administration has confirmed that a letter has been sent to the relevant ministry for evaluation. Activists and community leaders believe reopening the field could transform the region’s economy and reduce national fuel shortages.

The site, once bustling with foreign experts and heavy machinery, now hosts residential homes, though the cement-sealed wellhead remains as a relic. Visitors continue to arrive, drawn by curiosity about the long-silent oil field.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh has urged Bangladeshi pilgrims to obtain Hajj permits through official and approved channels. The call follows a directive from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which emphasized that only those with valid Hajj visas and permits obtained through authorized procedures will be allowed to perform Hajj. The Saudi ministry stated that the process aims to ensure smooth services for pilgrims and compliance with all Hajj regulations.

According to the Saudi ministry, adherence to the official permit system will help maintain order, manage crowds, and enhance safety at the holy sites. It also warned against unauthorized or fraudulent means of obtaining Hajj permits or visas, noting that such actions could disrupt religious observances or lead to legal consequences. The ministry highlighted that official permits guarantee access to integrated services and a secure, well-organized pilgrimage experience.

The Bangladeshi ministry’s notice reinforces the importance of following institutional procedures to ensure a lawful and safe Hajj journey for all Bangladeshi pilgrims.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman stated that Bangladesh’s media institutions experienced unprecedented attacks during the one and a half years of the interim government. He made the remarks on Friday, May 8, at the opening of the two-day Bangladesh Journalism Conference held at the Radisson Blu Water Garden in Dhaka. He said that since August 2024, several incidents had occurred, including attacks on two established media houses, which he described as rare in global history.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman criticized the interim government for failing to act effectively during the assaults, noting that law enforcement and military personnel were present but did not intervene. He added that some lawyers, activists, and even media professionals appeared to celebrate the attacks, which he found deeply concerning. He emphasized the need to discuss both internal and external challenges facing the media.

Citing global data, he said over 500 journalists had been killed worldwide in the past decade, including 26 in Bangladesh. The conference gathered journalists and experts from ten countries for more than twelve sessions, with 61 journalists receiving fellowships.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, authorities have decided to set up a total of 28 cattle markets in Dhaka, including the permanent one at Gabtoli. Of these, 16 markets will be under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and 12 under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Both city administrations have emphasized strict measures to ensure transparency in the leasing process and to keep it free from political influence.

DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan stated that the leasing process is conducted openly through tenders, allowing all interested parties to participate. He added that ten of the northern city’s markets have already been leased, while the remaining five are expected to be finalized by next Monday. DSCC Administrator Md. Abdus Salam said their 12 temporary markets were also leased through open tenders, asserting that no political pressure was involved.

The DSCC further instructed that no market may operate before the designated time and that boundaries have been clearly marked, warning that any violation will result in action.

Advance ticket sales for long-distance bus travel have begun across Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha festival. Following a pre-set decision by the Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association, ticket sales started on Friday morning through both online platforms and physical counters. Tickets are being sold for journeys scheduled between May 21 and the days leading up to Eid.

According to Shyamoli NR Travels General Manager Jiban Chakraborty, all of their tickets went on sale Friday morning, with strong demand for trips on the nights of May 24, throughout May 25, and the morning of May 26. He noted that most tickets for these dates were sold out by 10 a.m., as the government holiday begins on May 25.

The Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association stated that no operator is allowed to charge fares above the rates set by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). The same fares will apply online, and every counter must display the BRTA-approved fare chart.

Farmers in Bangladesh’s haor region are struggling to preserve their Boro paddy harvest after sudden rainfall and water inflow from India left fields submerged. The harvested paddy remains too wet to store or sell, as continuous rain and lack of sunlight prevent drying. A shortage of drying machines has worsened the situation, leaving much of the crop unsellable. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has deployed drying machines and labor support, but these measures remain insufficient.

The government has begun paddy procurement at Tk 1,440 per maund, but most farmers cannot meet the 14 percent moisture requirement, forcing them to sell at distress prices of Tk 400–600 per maund in open markets. Middlemen are reportedly exploiting the situation by buying cheaply and reselling at higher prices. Agricultural economist Dr. Jahangir Alam suggested that the government could buy wet paddy and dry it elsewhere to stabilize the market.

Preliminary assessments show extensive crop losses across Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Netrokona, and Mymensingh, affecting tens of thousands of farmers. Officials say damage surveys and relief measures are underway, but uncertainty remains over how quickly affected farmers can recover.

Bangladesh’s state-owned Eastern Refinery Limited resumed full operations on Friday morning after remaining closed for 24 days due to a shortage of crude oil. The main plant was officially restarted at 8:25 a.m., and the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) stated that the facility will now refine about 4,000 tons of fuel oil daily.

The refinery had halted production on April 14 when its three main units were shut down because of raw material shortages. A smaller unit had continued limited operations using remaining stock. The disruption followed a ban on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid conflict in the Middle East, which cut off Bangladesh’s usual crude supply routes. To address the crisis, the government arranged alternative sea routes to import crude oil.

On Wednesday, a tanker named MT Ninemiya arrived at Kutubdia Channel near Chattogram carrying 100,000 tons of crude oil from Saudi Arabia via an alternate route. After customs clearance, unloading began that night, and refinery units were gradually restarted. The refinery’s management confirmed that maintenance was completed during the shutdown and that full-scale production has now resumed.