On the second day of Eid-ul-Azha, large numbers of people continued leaving Dhaka for their hometowns. Since Friday morning, major bus terminals and counters have seen heavy crowds as many who could not travel earlier or secure tickets set out to join loved ones. Passengers were also seen boarding buses from various roadside points beyond designated terminals, while the capital appeared quieter and less congested amid the holiday atmosphere. Some travelers said they spent the first day of Eid in Dhaka with family and were now heading to villages to meet relatives and enjoy the remaining holidays. Meanwhile, the city’s air quality showed signs of improvement as the day progressed. According to data from Switzerland-based monitoring organization IQAir, Dhaka’s air was initially rated unhealthy for sensitive groups early in the morning but improved later in the day. The quieter streets and better air quality offered a brief respite for residents who remained in the capital during the holiday period.

Thirty-six Bangladeshi youths returned home on Thursday evening after serving 17 months in an Indian jail. They were handed over by Indian authorities through the Petrapole checkpoint under the repatriation law. The returnees are from various districts including Bogura, Khulna, Natore, Chattogram, Dhaka, and Cumilla. They were received by Bangladeshi police and the human rights organization Justice and Care for further legal assistance. According to the returnees, they were taken to India by traffickers with false promises of garment jobs and were later arrested for illegal entry. Following court proceedings, they were imprisoned in Chennai Central Jail before being repatriated through legal channels. Some of them alleged that money had been taken from them at different times with false assurances of early release. Justice and Care’s field officer Shariful Islam said the youths were victims of fraud and have now returned home on their own responsibility. Police at Benapole Port Station confirmed that necessary legal support was provided to all 36 returnees.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government has received a pledge from Russia to supply advanced air defense systems and other military assistance, according to a source cited by the BBC. The agreement was reportedly signed in Moscow, with Russian National Security Adviser Sergei Shoigu and Taliban Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid present. The deal includes air defense equipment, ground military hardware, and training for Taliban forces, though it remains unclear whether offensive systems such as drones are part of the package. The source indicated that discussions between Moscow and the Taliban had taken place earlier, and the agreement formalizes their defense cooperation. Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have maintained cordial relations with Russia, which kept its embassy open in Kabul and signed an economic deal in 2022 to supply oil, gas, and wheat. Mujahid emphasized the importance of expanding ties with Russia during his Moscow visit. The agreement follows recent tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan that exposed Kabul’s air defense weaknesses. This marks the first formal military and technical cooperation deal signed by the Taliban defense minister with a regional power.

Residents of Raipur in Lakshmipur blocked the Raipur-Chandpur highway on Thursday demanding uninterrupted electricity supply. The protest took place in the Gachirhat area of Charpata Union, halting traffic for about an hour. Locals said several areas of the upazila have been facing severe load shedding for days, with electricity available only four to six hours a day. Many residents reported food spoilage due to prolonged power cuts, even during Eid-ul-Azha. During the protest, local Member of Parliament Abul Khayer Bhuiyan was stuck on the highway and later spoke with the demonstrators. After he assured them of a quick resolution, the blockade was lifted. Later that night, an emergency meeting was held at the upazila executive officer’s office, where officials instructed relevant departments to take immediate steps to restore normal power supply. Officials said the disruption followed a recent storm that damaged multiple power lines, poles, and transformers, leaving rural areas still without full electricity restoration.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has strongly condemned the ongoing war by the United States and Israel against Iran, calling for an immediate end to the conflict. In a post on social media platform X on May 29, 2026, Mamdani said the war must stop, highlighting its devastating impact on American civilians abroad and working families at home. Mamdani noted that the war began three months ago without public consent, emphasizing that those paying the price had no voice in the decision. He stated that thousands of civilians have been killed and 13 U.S. soldiers will never return to their families. He also pointed out that rising fuel and grocery prices, along with budgetary strain, have resulted from a conflict initiated without a single congressional vote. The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore growing criticism of the war’s human and economic toll, as concerns mount over its continuation without legislative approval.

Global crude oil prices fell slightly as optimism grew over a possible extension of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The decline was limited, with market movements slowing after comments from US Vice President JD Vance, who said that while both countries were close to an understanding, no final agreement had yet been reached. On Friday, Brent crude for July delivery dropped by 35 cents, or 0.37 percent, to 93.36 dollars per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell by 63 cents, or 0.71 percent, to 88.27 dollars per barrel. Brent crude for August delivery also decreased by 46 cents, or 0.50 percent, to 92.24 dollars per barrel. The modest price decline reflects cautious market sentiment as traders await confirmation of any formal ceasefire deal between Washington and Tehran, which could influence future oil supply expectations.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced on Thursday that 3,324 people have been killed since Israeli attacks began on April 17. The Israeli military claimed that about 2,500 Hezbollah fighters have been eliminated since March, including 800 after the ceasefire was declared. An Israeli officer said around 400 explosive drones have targeted Israeli positions since the truce. The ceasefire, intended to take effect on April 17, has never been observed, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc urged Lebanese authorities to withdraw from direct talks with Israel, alleging that Israel is using the discussions to impose security coordination favorable to its aggression. The group also claimed responsibility for about 20 attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon on Thursday. The United Nations expressed concern and called on both sides to respect the ceasefire, while UNIFIL reported 670 rockets and shells fired on Wednesday, the highest since April 17. The renewed violence comes as preparations continue for U.S.-mediated talks next week, marking the fourth round since the conflict began following Hezbollah’s rocket attacks after the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in a U.S.-Israeli strike.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent stated that any potential agreement between the United States and Iran depends entirely on President Donald Trump’s decision. Speaking at a White House press conference on Thursday, Besent emphasized that Trump would not agree to any deal that harms the American people. The two countries have reportedly reached a memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire by 60 days and begin talks aimed at a permanent end to the ongoing conflict. Besent declined to provide further details about the memorandum but stressed that any final deal must meet several of Trump’s conditions. These include Iran handing over its highly enriched uranium, committing not to develop nuclear weapons, and allowing free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. He also suggested that the United States might lift sanctions on Iran as part of a final agreement. Besent noted that progress would likely be slow, describing the process as multifaceted and dependent on Iran’s compliance with key conditions before substantive negotiations can proceed.

At least 22 people were killed in road accidents across 12 districts of Bangladesh on Eid day, according to local reports. The highest number of casualties occurred in Gopalganj, where six people, including three members of the same family, died after a bus overturned following a collision with a motorcycle. Fatal incidents were also reported in Natore, Chattogram, Dinajpur, Patuakhali, Faridpur, Tangail, Gaibandha, Narayanganj, Narail, and Madaripur. In Gopalganj, witnesses blamed reckless driving and excessive speed for the crash, which prompted rescue operations by the fire service, police, and residents. Local authorities, including the district commissioner and police superintendent, visited the site and assured financial assistance to the victims’ families. Other districts reported multiple accidents involving buses, motorcycles, and autorickshaws, many occurring amid heavy traffic during the Eid holiday. The incidents highlight ongoing road safety concerns during major holidays, as thousands travel across the country. Authorities have not yet released a consolidated national report on the total number of accidents or injuries.

Oman has assured the United States that it will not impose any toll in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besent said on Thursday that he had spoken with the Omani ambassador, who confirmed there were no plans to introduce tolls in the vital maritime passage. The assurance came during a White House briefing, where Besent emphasized the long-standing 200-year relationship between the two nations. Besent noted that Oman did not wish to risk sanctions on its individuals or financial institutions. Earlier, he had warned that any Omani support for Iran’s toll initiative in the strait could trigger U.S. action. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump had also cautioned Oman against interfering in the key oil shipping route, stressing that the country must act like others or face severe consequences. Besent later clarified that the president’s remarks were intended to highlight the U.S. commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat against Oman, calling it “dangerous” and an act of “bullying.” In a statement, ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that threatening a United Nations member state that has long played a constructive and responsible role in regional peace and diplomacy violates the basic principle prohibiting the use of force. He described the threat as a sign of growing lawlessness in international relations. The criticism followed Trump’s warning that if Oman entered into any agreement with Iran to manage shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, he would “blow up” the country. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Basent also said Washington would impose aggressive sanctions if Oman helped Iran establish a tolling system in the strait. Baghaei denounced these threats as attempts to blackmail an independent state and evidence of moral bankruptcy in U.S. politics. He further urged the international community to respond to what he called the normalization of illegal actions and violations of international legal norms.

U.S. President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during which they discussed regional developments and the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The discussion was confirmed in a statement issued by the Emir’s office, which highlighted the focus on the Iran war and broader Middle Eastern issues. According to the statement, Sheikh Tamim emphasized the importance of prioritizing diplomacy and dialogue among all parties to prevent further escalation in the region. The statement also noted that Trump praised Qatar’s support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran, as well as Doha’s role in easing regional tensions and resolving disagreements. The conversation reflects continuing diplomatic engagement between the United States and Qatar amid heightened regional instability, with both sides signaling interest in de-escalation and mediation efforts.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused Israel of fueling instability in the Middle East, according to remarks published by Iran’s state news agency ISNA. He stated that Iran does not seek to develop nuclear weapons and hinted at ongoing diplomatic discussions with the United States, emphasizing that Iran will not engage in diplomacy that diminishes its dignity. Pezeshkian added that standing against the world’s most powerful forces requires accepting adversity and that war cannot be expected to return processes to normal. Meanwhile, the United States and Iran have reportedly reached a preliminary memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire by another 60 days and begin talks aimed at a permanent end to the ongoing conflict. U.S. sources told Al Jazeera that the framework awaits final approval from President Donald Trump. If confirmed, it would mark a significant step forward after weeks of stalled diplomacy, though details of the agreement remain unclear.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an immediate halt to Israel’s ongoing attacks in southern Lebanon, describing the situation as intolerable and unacceptable. Speaking at a joint press conference in Paris with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Macron condemned the strikes as indiscriminate and urged for peace restoration, renewed dialogue, and a lasting solution to the conflict. Both leaders discussed the Lebanon conflict and reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty. France and Indonesia have troops deployed under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), where both nations have lost soldiers while serving. Macron emphasized that their UNIFIL contingents continue coordinated operations to support peace efforts. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed at least 3,324 people, with 55 more deaths after a ceasefire extension on May 17. Macron highlighted the humanitarian crisis, noting over one million displaced people, and urged stronger international efforts to stabilize Lebanon amid continued Israeli military operations despite the ceasefire.

US Treasury Secretary Besent stated that sanctions on Iran will remain until the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and Tehran agrees to transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. He emphasized that no discussions will proceed until normal maritime traffic resumes and Iran commits to handing over the enriched material. Meanwhile, the United States and Iran have reached a preliminary memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire by another 60 days and begin talks aimed at a permanent end to ongoing hostilities. According to US sources cited by Al Jazeera, the framework awaits final approval from President Donald Trump. If approved, the agreement would mark a significant breakthrough after weeks of stalled diplomacy, though details of the deal remain unclear.