Bangladesh Railway has introduced special train coaches exclusively for women passengers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. The service was inaugurated on Monday at Kamalapur Railway Station when the Joyentika Express departed with the new coach. The event was attended by Director General Md. Afzal Hossain, Additional Director General (Operations) Md. Nazmul Hasan, and other senior railway officials, who exchanged greetings with passengers and conveyed Eid wishes.

Women passengers expressed satisfaction with the dedicated coaches and thanked the government for this initiative. The Railway Ministry Secretary Md. Fahimul Islam is scheduled to welcome women passengers arriving in Dhaka on the Sonar Bangla Express from Chattogram later today.

According to the announcement, the special coaches will operate on the Dhaka–Sylhet–Dhaka Joyentika Express and the Dhaka–Chattogram–Dhaka non-stop Sonar Bangla Express routes. The service will continue for three days before Eid, from Monday, May 25, to Wednesday, May 27.

A bus traveling toward Paturia caught fire after colliding with a liquefied gas tanker in the Bhartbaur area of Manikganj Sadar upazila on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m., but no injuries or fatalities were reported. The bus was completely burned in the fire.

Police stated that gas leaked from the tanker following the collision, spreading across the area before the bus ignited. The fire caused panic among locals, and traffic on the Dhaka–Aricha highway was halted for about half an hour. Once the situation was brought under control, normal traffic resumed.

According to the officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, police and fire service personnel quickly arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the fire. Authorities confirmed that all passengers were unharmed and that highway movement has since returned to normal.

More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for this year’s Hajj despite ongoing war in the Middle East, regional tensions, and severe desert heat. According to Saudi authorities, the number of international pilgrims has already surpassed last year’s total, even as air travel disruptions and higher costs followed the Iran-Israel conflict that began in late February. Hajj rituals officially begin Monday, and the total number of pilgrims is expected to rise further.

Extreme temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius have made conditions difficult, with forecasts warning of highs up to 47 degrees. Many pilgrims are struggling to perform prayers outdoors during the day. Saudi authorities have deployed extensive cooling measures at the Grand Mosque, including advanced air-conditioning, mist sprayers, and chilled flooring, while distributing free cold water. Over 50,000 health workers and 3,000 ambulances are on standby, and 144 heatstroke cases have already been treated.

Pilgrims began gathering in Mina on Monday before proceeding to Arafat on Tuesday for the main Hajj rituals, maintaining a spirit of devotion despite the heat and regional instability.

Police in Rampal upazila of Bagerhat district arrested eight individuals during a special operation targeting drug offenders and those with outstanding warrants. The arrests were made under the direction of Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Rajib Al Rashid, and the detainees were sent to court on Monday. Among those arrested were one drug case suspect, one convicted individual, and six others with active warrants. Police also recovered seven yaba tablets during the operation.

According to Rampal police, cases have been filed under the Narcotics Control Act and related legal provisions. The operation was based on confidential information to capture long-term fugitives. Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Rajib Al Rashid stated that the police are maintaining a zero-tolerance policy against drugs, extortion, and crime, and that such operations will continue to ensure public safety.

Local residents welcomed the police action, saying regular drives are necessary to curb drug abuse and criminal activity. The operation was part of a broader anti-crime initiative recently intensified by Bagerhat district police.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei stated that Tehran currently has no plans for an official visit to Pakistan or for Pakistani mediators to travel to Tehran. He emphasized that Iran does not pay attention to any threats. Baghaei noted that recent developments were influenced by mediation efforts from Pakistan and other countries.

He warned that Israel might attempt to obstruct ongoing negotiations, saying Zionist forces are making maximum efforts to prevent an agreement. Baghaei added that countries advocating war and conflict, including Zionist powers, could influence U.S. officials. He also mentioned that once a memorandum of understanding is finalized, discussions on nuclear issues will follow.

According to Baghaei, while many aspects of a potential memorandum with the United States have been agreed upon, this does not mean that both sides are close to signing a deal. If finalized, talks on nuclear and other matters would take place within 60 days.

Bangladesh’s Road Transport, Shipping and Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the introduction of separate train coaches for women during Eid travel. The minister said the directive came through a phone call from the Prime Minister on Sunday night. He made the statement on Monday afternoon at an event in Dhaka’s Farmgate area, where special metro rail cards offering a 25 percent discount for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those with special needs were launched.

According to the minister, from today women will be able to travel separately in two coaches on the Chattogram and Sylhet routes. After Eid, the government plans to allocate separate coaches for women on every intercity train. He also mentioned that more than 15 million people are expected to leave Dhaka over two days during Eid-ul-Azha and discouraged waiting for vehicles after purchasing tickets due to limited availability of fit vehicles. The minister added that unfit vehicles will gradually be removed from operation.

The announcement reflects the government’s effort to improve safety and comfort for women travelers and ensure better transport management during the busy Eid season.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam has urged everyone to work together to build a peaceful and harmonious society inspired by the ideals of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. He made the remarks on Monday while presiding over a commemorative meeting marking the poet’s 127th birth anniversary.

The Vice-Chancellor said Nazrul’s life and literature teach resistance against injustice and inspire the creation of a non-communal society. He described Nazrul as a poet of equality, rebellion, love, and peace, emphasizing the need to keep his philosophy alive through research and practice. He expressed hope that Nazrul’s multidimensional spirit would continue to inspire social transformation.

The event was attended by the university’s pro-vice chancellors, treasurer, and faculty members. Professor Dr. Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy, delivered a keynote lecture titled “Nazrul: Poet of Rebellion and Life.” Teachers and students from the Department of Music performed Nazrul songs, while participants paid tribute at the poet’s grave earlier in the day.

A woman named Amina Bewa, aged 42, died on Monday morning in Joybhoga Dighapara village of Gabtali upazila, Bogura, when a tree branch fell on her during a storm. She had gone out to collect mangoes amid a Baishakhi storm when a large branch from a mango tree broke and struck her, killing her on the spot. Local residents recovered her body and took it home after the incident.

According to the officer-in-charge of Gabtali Model Police Station, Rakib Hasan, the woman’s death occurred when the branch broke during the storm. The same storm also caused significant damage to educational institutions and trees in the area, including the tin roofs and fences of Gabtali Women’s College.

The incident highlights the destructive impact of seasonal storms in rural Bangladesh, which often cause casualties and property damage during the mango season.

Police in Dumki, Patuakhali have arrested a named suspect in a robbery case involving an Islami Bank agent banking officer. The arrest took place on Sunday evening near the Thana Bridge area. The case was filed after a robbery incident on May 11, when four assailants stopped a motorcycle carrying the bank’s field officer and the agent banking outlet in-charge, assaulted them, and took 18,300 taka before fleeing.

According to police sources, the robbery occurred while the bank officials were conducting field activities in the Rajakhali Farmgate area. The attackers also damaged the motorcycle during the incident. The case was officially registered at Dumki Police Station on May 20.

Officer-in-Charge Md. Selim Uddin confirmed that the arrested suspect, Rabiul Islam Rony, also known as “Kasai Rony,” was one of the named accused in the case. Police operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects, and the arrested individual will be presented before the court.

The Bangladesh Labour Party has protested the appointment of former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Khorshed Alam as chairman of Islami Bank. In a statement issued on Monday, party chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran alleged that the government is working deliberately to rehabilitate the S. Alam syndicate, which he described as linked to bank looting and money laundering. He claimed the appointment is part of a broader plan to restore influence to that group.

Dr. Iran further accused the home minister of supporting the S. Alam group and facilitating its business interests, including placing his son in the group’s office. He said the government has ignored public demands expressed during the August 5 uprising against corruption and authoritarianism, instead reviving the same networks accused of financial misconduct.

The Labour Party demanded the immediate cancellation of Khorshed Alam’s appointment, depoliticization of Islami Bank, prosecution of those involved in bank sector corruption, and an impartial investigation into the alleged illegal activities of the S. Alam syndicate.

A recent report highlights that the United States tops global meat consumption, with 97 percent of Americans eating meat regularly, followed by Lithuania and Brazil at 96 percent. In contrast, Bangladesh ranks near the bottom, with the second-lowest per capita meat consumption worldwide. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Bangladeshis consume only 0.9 kilograms of beef and 1.36 kilograms of poultry per person annually, most of it during religious festivals.

The report notes that global meat production has increased fivefold since the 1960s, driven by population and income growth. Wealthier nations tend to consume more meat, while poorer countries treat it as a luxury. In Africa, countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania also record low consumption levels. Meanwhile, middle-income countries like China and Brazil have seen sharp increases in meat demand alongside economic growth.

Despite growing awareness campaigns promoting reduced meat intake, data from the United States and Europe show that overall consumption remains steady or slightly rising, though consumers are shifting from red meat to poultry for health and environmental reasons.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the number of suspected Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 900. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared the update on social media on Sunday, noting that intensified surveillance efforts have identified more than 900 suspected patients, with 101 confirmed infections. He did not provide new information on fatalities.

Ebola is a deadly viral disease transmitted through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, often causing severe bleeding and organ failure. The Congolese government declared an Ebola outbreak on May 15, identifying the virus as the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no approved vaccine or effective treatment.

According to the country’s health ministry, as of Saturday, 867 suspected cases had been recorded across three provinces, resulting in 204 deaths. Over the past five decades, Ebola outbreaks across Africa have claimed more than 15,000 lives.

NCP leader Tarek Reza has been granted bail in a case filed in Jhenaidah involving the Chhatra Dal. He was released from the district jail at 11 a.m. on Monday after the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court approved his bail application earlier that morning. His lawyers had submitted the petition before the court, which granted the request following a hearing.

In the same case, the court rejected the bail plea of Ayon Rahman Khan, a central leader of the Jubo Shokti organization. Both Tarek Reza and Ayon Rahman had been arrested on Sunday night and presented before the court by police. After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense, the judge initially ordered their detention before granting bail to Reza the next day.

The case remains ongoing, with one accused released on bail while the other continues to be held in custody pending further legal proceedings.

A risky cattle market has been set up directly on the railway tracks at Hathazari Railway Station in Chattogram. The market, reportedly operating under lease from the Hathazari Municipality, is being held twice a week and additionally for Eid-ul-Azha sacrificial animals. Locals allege that officials have allowed the market in exchange for bribes, despite a standing restriction under Section 144 within 20 feet of the railway line. The setup is said to pose serious risks to train movement.

Buyers and sellers from nearby areas expressed concern about bringing animals so close to the tracks, urging authorities to designate a safer location. Hathazari Upazila Executive Officer and municipal administrator Abdullah Al Mumin stated that the municipality did not officially lease any market on the railway tracks and that he would investigate and take action. Eastern Zone General Manager of Bangladesh Railway Subaktagin confirmed that no market is permitted on railway lines and that necessary measures are being taken.

Authorities are expected to review the situation and enforce safety regulations to prevent further risks to train operations and public safety.

Bangladesh has officially handed over the first consignment of food aid to Kuwait, marking a gesture of diplomatic solidarity and brotherhood. Around 240 tons of emergency food supplies are being sent from Bangladesh to Kuwait on multiple flights. The handover took place on May 24, 2026, when Prime Minister’s Special Envoy and Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, along with State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP, presented the aid to Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as a goodwill gift from the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

During the meeting, Adviser Humayun Kabir conveyed an invitation from the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to visit Bangladesh. He also delivered a goodwill message expressing wishes for peace, security, and prosperity for the people of Kuwait, reaffirming the commitment to strengthen the long-standing friendship between the two nations. Minister Millat emphasized expanding cooperation in civil aviation, trade, investment, and manpower sectors.

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister praised Bangladesh’s humanitarian initiative, describing it as a shining example of the brotherly relations between the two countries.