Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organizer of the National Citizens Party South Region, joined a grand Eid feast organized by the social group Insaf in Debidwar, Comilla. The event served 4,000 people from various backgrounds at the municipal auditorium. The feast began with prayers led by Maulana Mufti Abdur Ahad and welcomed participants from all communities. The Insaf team, including Ahmed Shuvo and others, managed the event. Hundreds of Hasnat’s classmates also attended, making it a large community gathering.

Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Central Nayeb-e-Ameer, has stated that the Chief Adviser has officially announced the date for the upcoming national election, dispelling confusion about whether an election would take place. “Some thought there would be no election, that the current government would remain in power for five years. That misconception has largely been cleared,” said Taher. He added that following the announcement, he has launched public outreach in Chauddagram, starting from Miabazar-Ujirpur, with plans to cover the entire constituency.

Two Bangladeshis have tragically died in a boat accident at Kawartha Lake, Toronto, Canada, on Sunday afternoon local time. The victims have been identified as former BGMEA Senior Vice President Abdullah Hil Rakib and his friend, Captain Saifuz Zaman Guddu, a Boeing 787 pilot for Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The incident occurred when their boat capsized during a joint family outing on the lake.

On Eid-ul-Azha morning, a sacrificial buffalo owned by Md. Nazim Uddin of Khagrachari crossed into India after running away. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), coordinating with the Indian BSF, launched a joint effort to recover the buffalo. After several attempts, the animal returned to Bangladesh and was safely handed back to its owner. Md. Nazim expressed gratitude for BGB’s support, highlighting the act as a meaningful gesture respecting religious sentiments. The buffalo was sacrificed on Eid day.

Chinese scientists have developed a breakthrough technology to generate electricity on Mars using its atmosphere. The newly invented "Mars Battery" uses carbon dioxide from the Martian air to produce and store energy, eliminating the need for Earth-based fuel transport. Tested under simulated Mars conditions, the battery functions effectively even at sub-zero temperatures. This innovation could support long-term research missions and future human settlements on the Red Planet, marking a major advancement in space exploration and showcasing China's growing technological capabilities.

Global food prices fell by 0.8% in May, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), driven by declines in vegetable oil, cereal, and sugar prices. Despite a slight rise in meat and dairy costs, the overall index dropped to 127.7 points. The FAO forecasts record cereal production in 2025, potentially stabilizing global supply. While food prices remain higher than last year, they are significantly lower than the peak seen in March 2022 during the Ukraine war. Consumers may find some relief in this trend.

Los Angeles has been rocked by three days of intense protests following anti-immigration raids. Demonstrators have set vehicles on fire and blocked major roads. Police are working to control the situation and extinguish fires. President Trump ordered the National Guard and use of tear gas to disperse crowds, but California’s governor and other Democrats criticized the move. Police arrested several people to reopen roads, but some closures resumed due to ongoing unrest and damage to police vehicles, including on the 101 Freeway.

Maruf Kamal Khan, former press secretary to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, said there should be no major problem if the 2026 national election is held in early April. He emphasized that ensuring a fair, impartial, and widely accepted election is more important than the date itself. Referring to past electoral irregularities, he called for a democratic environment and urged unity to avoid conflict. Khan highlighted that new voters since 2008 haven’t voted and stressed the need for responsible governance and opposition.

Former President Abdul Hamid has returned to Bangladesh after medical treatment abroad. Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that no one, including a former president, will be spared if found guilty following proper investigation. He stressed that innocent people will not be punished and called for fair investigations before any legal action. He also expressed satisfaction over Eid security, noting that no major incidents occurred, apart from a few minor accidents and petty thefts.

Ameer Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, BNP Standing Committee member, stated that over 90% of political parties want the national election held by December. He argued there is no valid reason to delay the election beyond December, citing Ramadan, student exams, and cyclone season as upcoming challenges. He rejected the April election proposal and emphasized ongoing reforms and judicial processes. Khasru highlighted BNP’s sacrifices over 15 years and called for clean, tolerant politics focused on reform and public engagement.

A young man named Jalil Mia slipped and fell into the water at the rubber dam on the Sonai River in Bohra Union, Madhabpur, Habiganj, while taking a selfie. Despite rescue efforts by the Madhabpur Fire Service, he remains missing due to strong river currents. The search was suspended at night and will resume Monday. Authorities described the incident as tragic and urged caution near water bodies during festive occasions.

The Prison Department has opened applications for 174 vacancies across 15 categories under its revenue (non-uniform) sector. Positions range from Pharmacists and Teachers to Drivers and Office Assistants, with varying qualifications from SSC to Bachelor’s degree. Candidates must be aged between 18 and 32 as of May 19. Applications started on May 19 and will close on June 12. Interested candidates can apply online at prison.teletalk.com.bd, with application fees varying by position category.

A sudden flood in Sirajganj’s Chalanbil region has submerged large areas of low-lying land, drowning newly planted IRRI-Boro paddy fields. Seasonal laborers had just left before Eid, leaving farmers struggling to harvest. Rising water levels have made manual and machine harvesting nearly impossible. Authorities report about 90% of harvesting was complete, but continuous rainfall and upstream surges worsened flooding. Farmers are resorting to waist-deep wading and sharing harvest profits with laborers to save crops amid ongoing rain and flood threats.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi criticized the plan to hold the national parliamentary election in April, calling it an unwise and irrational decision. He questioned the timing amid extreme heat, SSC exams, and Ramadan, making campaigning difficult. Rizvi accused the caretaker government of opposing democratic reform and alleged that the Awami League has undermined democratic institutions through rigged elections. He urged that December would be the most suitable month for conducting free and fair elections.

From Monday, mango wholesalers in Rajshahi division will begin charging a Tk 3 per kg commission from both buyers and sellers. The decision was announced at a meeting of the Rajshahi Divisional Mango Wholesalers and Traders Association in Rohanpur, Chapainawabganj. Wholesalers demanded a review of an earlier administrative directive that barred commission collection. They warned that if obstructed, all mango trade at wholesale markets will be suspended. Representatives from major mango markets including Shibganj, Kansat, Bholahat, and Sapahar attended the meeting.