Dhaka, Sunday, May 31, 2026
News reports frequently condemn the poor quality of subsidised food distributed to Bangladesh's low-income population, infested wheat from the Open Market Sale (OMS), substandard dates from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), calling it a mockery of welfare policy. But viewed through an economic lens, the argument flips entirely: not only is low quality acceptable in subsidised goods, it may be a prerequisite for the system to work at all.Classical economics divides consumer goods into three categories— luxury goods, normal goods, and inferior goods. In Bangladesh, the wealthy buy luxuries, the middle class buys normal goods, and the poor consume inferior goods. When the government provides normal-quality goods through social safety net programmes, a predictable distortion occurs: those goods never reach the intended beneficiaries. The middle class intercepts them.This is not theory. After the fall of the Awami League government, an audit of TCB's one crore family cards revealed that ...
Deaths from mob violence rose to 32 in May from 21 in April, reflecting a growing tendency of people to take the law into their own hands, according to a report of Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF).According to the report released on Sunday, political violence declined slightly during the month, with the number of injured falling from 303 in April to 193 in May, but it still remains high and various political parties and internal conflicts continue to destabilize the situation. “The number of deaths in mob violence in May rose from 21 to 32 and the number of injuries from 49 to 71, a clear reflection of the increasing tendency for the mob to take the law into its own hands,” says the report.The report also highlighted an increase in killings, torture and 'push-ins' in border areas that indicates the deterioration of the regional security and human rights situation.Violence against journalists ...
With the seven-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday ending today, people have started returning to the capital ahead of the reopening of government and private offices from tomorrow.Many holidaymakers have already returned to the capital before the holiday officially ends to avoid the last-minute rush and hassle.Kamalapur Railway Station, different bus stations, including Gabtoli, Kalyanpur, Mohakhali, Sayedabad and Jatrabari, and Sadarghat Launch Terminal saw a moderate rush of people heading towards Dhaka.Nazmul Hossain, a private-sector employee returned to Dhaka by bus from Chandpur with his family on Sunday morning."I returned a little bit earlier to avoid peak rush. There was no traffic gridlock on the Dhaka-Chattogtram highway and the journey was comfortable," he said.Transport owners said long holiday is allowing people to travel with relatively less hassle while returning from villages.Transport operators and travellers said many people have taken additional leave and are still spending time in their hometowns. They will return to ...
A teenage boy was stabbed to death by miscreants at Masuakhali village in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali district on Saturday night.The deceased was identified as Tajul Islam, 16, son of Faruk Hawladar of the village.Officer-in-Charge of Kalapara Police Station Nazrul Islam said Tajul was attending a marriage ceremony at the village on Saturday night.At one stage, some miscreants called him out of the ceremony around 11:00pm house to a beel (water body).When he went there, the miscreants stabbed him indiscriminately, leaving him injured.locals rescued and took him to hospital where doctors declared him dead.On information, police rushed to the spot and detained three people for their suspected involvement in the killing, OC Nazrul Islam said, adding that they were trying to unearth the motive behind the killing.
River ports in some regions have been asked to hoist cautionary signal 1 as a temporary west or northwesterly gusty or squally wind is likely to occur in many parts of the country, according to the special bulletin Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).“Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary West or Northwesterly gusty or Squally wind speed 45-60 kph is likely to occur over the regions of Noakhali, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar wherein river ports shall hoist cautionary signal no 1,” it said.The warning for Inland River ports to remain valid till 6 pm on Sunday according to a bulletin.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday declared that Jungle Salimpur will no longer remain a safe haven for criminal and terrorist groups, saying those behind last week's attack on and demolition of newly established RAB and police camps there have already been identified.“Those who dared to challenge the authority of the state by destroying law enforcement camps have been identified. Jungle Salimpur can no longer remain a safe haven for isolated terrorist groups,” he told reporters after visiting the Alinagar area of Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda upazila of the district in the morning.The visit came a week after armed criminals attacked and bulldozed newly built camps of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police.The minister said the government has already prepared a list of illegal occupiers in the area and assured long-time residents that they will not be evicted, urging them to inform law enforcement agencies if anyone attempts to ...
Cumilla Zila Parishad Administrator Mostak Mia has claimed that National Citizen Party (NCP) Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Chief Organiser (Southern region) Hasnat Abdullah took a total of Tk 25 crore from the Parishad’s revenue fund.According to Mostak Mia, also BNP Cumilla divisional joint organising secretary,Asif Mahmud, a former adviser to the interim government, allegedly received Tk 15 crore for projects in Muradnagar, while Hasnat Abdullah, MP from Cumilla-4, Tk 10 crore for projects in Debidwar.He made the allegations while addressing a prayer and discussion meeting held on Saturday on the district Shilpakala Academy premises.The event was organised, marking the 45th death anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman.Speaking at the programme, Mostak Mia claimed that the funds were taken directly from the Cumilla Zila Parishad’s own revenue account."From the revenue sector of the Cumilla Zila Parishad, Asif Mahmud took Tk 15 crore for Muradnagar and Hasnat ...
The United States military says it struck a commercial cargo vessel trying to force its way through a blockade of Iranian ports, hitting the ship’s engine room with a missile, according to U.S. Central Command.The Gambia-flagged cargo ship ‘Lian Star’reportedly ignored more than 20 warnings from U.S. forces overnight as it attempted to enter an Iranian port, the military said.A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the ship was left drifting in the Gulf of Oman and had not been boarded by U.S. forces.The incident marks the latest in a series of enforcement actions, with the U.S. military saying it has now stopped six ships trying to breach the blockade. One vessel was allowed to pass, while more than 100 others have been redirected.The blockade was launched on April 17 in response to tensions in the region after earlier U.S. and Israeli strikes in late February. A fragile ...
For Noorjahan Begum, age and adversity could not diminish a dream she had cherished for many years.Now frail with old age and completely blind, she arrived with a single wish—to speak to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. A resident of Bikrampur in Munshiganj, Noorjahan Begum lives a lonely life. Her husband and children have all passed away, leaving her with no immediate family by her side.For decades, she had nurtured a heartfelt desire to see Tarique Rahman, the son of the martyred President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and to speak with him in person. Fate, however, had dealt her a cruel blow. By the time her dream could be realised, she had lost her eyesight.Yet today, that long-cherished dream finally came true.Although unable to see him, Noorjahan Begum felt the presence of the Prime Minister as she spoke with him. During their conversation, she offered heartfelt prayers for his ...
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged people to engage in nation-building by embracing the ideals of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.He made the call while addressing gatherings before distributing clothes and dry food items among poor people in the ECB and Kuril areas of the capital as part of programmes marking the 45th death anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman.“The main objective of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s politics was to serve the country and stand by the people. At the same time, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman taught us how to work for the country and how to build the nation,” the Prime Minister said.“As part of that philosophy, we are standing by disadvantaged people today with a helping hand,” he said, referring to the distribution programme.Tarique Rahman said the government had been entrusted with the responsibility of serving the people and rebuilding the country following the February ...
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday directed the authorities concerned to take action within 48 hours against six more officials of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) over failures in waste management, drainage cleaning and dengue prevention measures.State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam on Friday night said he received the directive from the Prime Minister.“The Prime Minister has directed that within the next 48 hours, action must be taken against the chief executive officers, chief waste management officers and chief health officers of both DNCC and DSCC over any failure to ensure garbage clearance, cleaning of drainage and taking necessary measures to prevent dengue,” he said.The state minister said the Prime Minister also ordered the withdrawal and punitive action against the officials concerned in case of failure to implement the directives.“We are already working to quickly begin the process ...
An albino buffalo named “Donald Trump” has become the star attraction at Bangladesh National Zoo in Mirpur, drawing unusually large crowds of curious visitors since its arrival earlier this week.Zoo authorities said the rare white buffalo was brought to the facility on Wednesday night and placed in enclosure L-07. By the following morning, visitor interest around the animal had already begun to surge noticeably.While footfall on Eid day itself was relatively modest, authorities noted a sharp increase from the second day of Eid onwards, with the crowd gathered before the albino buffalo's enclosure visibly outnumbering those at other animal exhibits across the zoo.To help visitors learn about the animal, a bilingual identification tag has been placed at the enclosure, reading “Shada Mohish” in Bengali and “Albino Buffalo” in English. Officials say the creature's rare physical characteristics and striking appearance have sparked heightened curiosity among visitors.Zoo officials further noted that the ...
Industries, Commerce, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir on Thursday said the government is giving the highest priority to ensuring proper management of sacrificial animal hides during the Eid-ul-Azha season.He made the remarks while visiting the leather trading centre at Amin Bazar in Dhaka to inspect the collection, preservation and marketing activities of sacrificial hides.During the inspection, the minister spoke with rawhide buyers, sellers, warehouse owners and traders and enquired about market conditions, prices, preservation facilities and overall management activities.“The government is working with utmost importance to ensure smooth management of sacrificial hides during the Eid season,” the minister said.Describing the leather industry as an important sector of the country’s economy, he urged all stakeholders concerned to perform their responsibilities sincerely.The minister also said the government remains alert to prevent any irregularities, syndicates or wastage of hides and that regular monitoring activities at the field level would continue.Commerce ...
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman offered Eid-ul-Azha prayers at the country’s main congregation at the National Eidgah on Thursday morning.Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek led the prayers around 7:31am.A special munajat was offered after the prayers, seeking Allah’s blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of Bangladesh as well as the welfare of its people and the wider Muslim Ummah.The Chief Justice, Cabinet members, judges of the Supreme Court, lawmakers, senior political leaders, high-ranking civil and military officials, and people from different walks of life also joined the congregation.The Eid prayers were organised by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) with separate arrangements for women at the venue.Eid-ul-Azha, one of the biggest religious festivals for Muslims, is being celebrated across the country.After the prayers, the Prime Minister will visit the graves of his parents — Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum ...
Prices of sacrificial cattle at Dhaka's makeshift markets have plummeted by more than 50 percent in the final hours before Eid-ul-Azha, with traders reporting heavy losses while buyers welcomed the sharp decline, though poor weather and soaring transport costs are dampening the overall festive mood.Visits to several cattle markets across the capital on Wednesday revealed a dramatic single-day price drop for medium and large cattle, while smaller animals remained largely steady in price.At the Notunbazar 100-Feet cattle market, trader Aynal, who brought 19 cattle from Chuadanga, said buyers are now offering Tk 1.20 lakh to Tk 1.50 lakh for animals he had priced at Tk 2.50 lakh.“If I sell at these prices, I will face massive losses,” he said, adding that he managed to sell only seven animals.Another trader, Shahin, who travelled from Jamalpur with seven cattle, sold only three. He said a cow he had refused to part with ...
Bus operators across Bangladesh overcharged approximately 234,000 Eid travellers a combined Tk 5 crore 61 lakh 93 thousand on 26 out of 27 monitored long-distance routes, the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (passenger welfare association) said Wednesday, exposing what it called a systemic breakdown of fare discipline during the festive travel season.The finding covers only 27 of the roughly 850 long-haul routes operating nationwide during the Eid-ul-Azha holiday period, suggesting the actual scale of overcharging could be significantly higher.In a statement, the organisation said the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners' Association had publicly pledged not to charge extra fares this Eid, a promise it described as having been flouted almost universally. “The anarchy of excess fare collection is continuing on city services and long-distance buses across the country.”Monitoring data revealed sharp disparities between official and charged fares on major corridors. On the Dhaka-Khulna route, passengers in 51-seat buses paid Tk 1,000 against ...
Dhaka witnessed another spell of heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms on Wednesday morning, disrupting Eid-ul-Azha preparations and causing waterlogging in several parts of the capital.The downpour which began early in the morning inundated roads in low-lying areas and added to the misery of commuters already grappling with persistent rain over the past three days.Dark clouds continued to hover over the city, raising fears of further rainfall in the coming days.The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) earlier forecast rain and thunderstorms during the Eid holidays, warning that the wet weather could persist across different parts of the country.The continuous rainfall has intensified difficulties for thousands of people travelling home to celebrate Eid with their families.Congestion on highways and key exit routes from the capital has been compounded by poor visibility, slippery roads and intermittent showers.Cattle traders said the adverse weather has also affected the transportation of sacrificial animals and operations at temporary ...
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said Eid-ul-Azha promotes equality, generosity and mutual harmony, urging people to extend support to the poor and helpless during the festival.In a message marking Eid-ul-Azha, he also extended greetings to Muslims in Bangladesh and elsewhere across the world. “I wish all continuous happiness, peace and prosperity.”Fakhrul, also the local government, rural development and co-operatives minister, said Eid-ul-Azha, one of the two biggest religious festivals of Muslims, is known as the festival of sacrifice and it teaches devotion and obedience to Almighty Allah.He said the significance of Eid-ul-Azha lies in attaining closeness to Allah through sacrifice.The ministers said Muslims across the world unite in the celebration of Eid-ul-Azha, while the sacrifice of animals symbolises the spirit of removing evil from the mind and leading a simple and modest life to attain the pleasure of Almighty Allah.“The noble lesson of sacrifice should inspire ...
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for the destruction of 10 buildings in Beirut for every explosive drone launched by Hezbollah, saying Israel must “put an end to the threat of Hezbollah’s explosive drones.”Smotrich noted that a special budget of around 2 billion shekels (about $692 million) was approved earlier this week for developing technological solutions to counter the drone threat.Lapid calls emerging US-Iran deal ‘bad for region’Referring to the killing of an Israeli soldier in a Hezbollah drone strike in southern Lebanon, the Religious Zionist Party leader said, “For every explosive drone, 10 buildings must fall in Beirut. The response to a significant threat must be significant.”He further said, “You don’t counter a strategic threat with shielding alone, but by changing the rules and the equation. We cannot shield ourselves forever. Only exacting a deterrent and disproportionate price from the enemy will reshape the equation against our ...
A young man was allegedly stabbed to death by his friend over a dispute involving Tk 450 in Rajshahi's Damkura area on Monday morning.Police arrested the accused, Faisal Ali Joy, within hours of the incident.According to police, the deceased Ashikur Rahman and the accused were close friends.Police recover unidentified body from Mahananda River in ChapainawabganjPolice said Ashikur had borrowed Tk 450 from Joy on May 21. On Monday morning, Joy went to Ashikur's house to demand repayment of the money, which led to an argument between them. Joy later left the house.Joy allegedly stabbed Ashikur in the left side of his ribs and fled the scene.Locals rushed Ashikur to the emergency department of Rajshahi Medical Collage Hospital in critical condition, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police's Kashiadanga Zone said police launched a drive immediately after the incident and Arrested Faisal Ali Joy from the ...