The rush of homebound people ahead of Eid has triggered severe gridlocks on the Dhaka-Chattagram highway. For the last three days, the Cumilla section of the highway has been witnessing intense traffic congestion, which worsens as the day progresses. Vehicles have come to a near-standstill on a long stretch from Putia in Eliotganj, Daudkandi, to the Meghna-Gomti Bridge. Passengers, drivers, and commuters are facing immense suffering, being stranded for hours in the sweltering heat. Since Thursday morning, a kilometer-long tailback has been visible on the Dhaka-bound lane of the highway.According to local residents and stranded passengers, traffic had already been sluggish in this area over the past few days due to the increasing pressure of homebound holidaymakers. However, the situation deteriorated sharply from Thursday dawn. The influx of long-haul buses, microbuses, private cars, and freight trucks caused the tailback to stretch even further. Many passengers set out early in the morning to avoid the traffic, yet failed to escape it. Women, children, and elderly passengers are the worst sufferers due to being trapped in public transport for hours.Highway police stated that the slow pace of toll collection at the Meghna-Gomti Bridge, combined with an overwhelming volume of vehicles, is the primary cause of the gridlock. Additionally, an accident involving a truck disrupted traffic flow early in the morning, though police managed to clear it quickly. Multiple teams of highway police are working relentlessly to restore order and ease the congestion. According to police officials, despite the heavy pressure of vehicles in the morning, the traffic situation is gradually returning to normal as the day progresses.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said Bangladesh considers UN peacekeeping not merely an obligation, but "a profound moral responsibility to humanity" under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.She made the remarks while addressing the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in a Francophone Environment held in Rabat on Wednesday, said a foreign ministry's press release this morning here. The state minister stressed the importance of the Women, Peace and Security agenda in advancing more effective peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts.Referring to emerging challenges in modern peace operations, she drew attention to misinformation, digital harassment and the need for ethical and responsible use of technology in conflict environments.Calling for stronger and forward-looking reforms in UN peacekeeping operations, Shama Obaed underscored the need for clear and realistic mandates, adequate resources, enhanced consultation with troop- and police-contributing countries and stronger measures to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers.Shama also emphasised robust pre-deployment training through institutions such as Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training and reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to environmentally sustainable peacekeeping practices.Reaffirming Bangladesh's strong commitment to multilateralism, she also highlighted the country's position as one of the largest contributors to United Nations Peacekeeping missions worldwide.Paying tribute to the 174 Bangladeshi peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives in the service of global peace, Shama underscored the country's expanding contribution of women peacekeepers to UN operations.She said Bangladesh's peace-oriented foreign policy legacy, shaped by Ziaur Rahman and strengthened under former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, continues to guide the country's commitment to global peace and stability.Highlighting Bangladesh's ongoing initiatives in social protection, education reform and women's empowerment, she described them as essential pillars for sustainable peace.The conference was jointly organised by the governments of Morocco and France. The inaugural edition of the conference was held in Paris in 2016.Bangladesh Ambassador to Morocco Sadia Faizunnesa accompanied the state minister during the event.Later in the evening, Shama Obaed attended the Global Growth Conference 2026 as keynote speaker at a session titled "Geopolitics of Fragmentation: Power, Escalation & Strategic Reordering" at the Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr.During the session, she shared Bangladesh's perspective on evolving global geopolitics, shifting power dynamics and the strategic implications of growing international fragmentation.

A new name has recently taken over India’s political and social media conversations, the “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP). While the name may sound like a real political organization, it is actually a satirical online movement created in response to controversial remarks made by India’s Chief Justice. Within just a few days, the platform gained millions of followers and became a symbol of digital protest among frustrated young people.The controversy began last Friday during a Supreme Court hearing when India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant compared some unemployed youths to “cockroaches” and “parasites.” According to his remarks, certain young people who fail to secure jobs or establish careers end up attacking the system through social media activism, journalism, or public campaigns.As soon as the comments spread online, outrage erupted across social media platforms. India’s Generation Z, already struggling with unemployment, rising living costs, and social polarization, strongly reacted to the statement. Many believed the comments insulted an entire generation facing economic hardship and uncertainty.Amid the growing criticism, a young man named Abhijeet Dipke made a post on X (formerly Twitter), asking, “What if all the cockroaches united together?” The sarcastic post quickly went viral. Soon afterward, he launched a satirical online platform called the “Cockroach Janta Party,” inspired by the name of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).What initially appeared to be a joke soon transformed into a large online movement. Thousands of young Indians began registering and joining the platform every day. Its Instagram and X accounts rapidly gained millions of followers, turning the movement into one of the country’s most talked-about digital phenomena.The movement’s core message reflects the frustration of unemployed and disillusioned youth. Supporters argue that those in power often dismiss ordinary citizens as worthless, while failing to acknowledge the economic struggles and social pressures young people face daily.Abhijeet Dipke, a graduate in Public Relations from Boston University who currently lives in Chicago, later explained the symbolism behind the movement. In an interview with international media, he stated, “Cockroaches grow in dirty and rotten places. If the youth are being called cockroaches, then society should also look at the condition of the system itself.”Facing backlash, Chief Justice Surya Kant later clarified that his remarks were not aimed at India’s entire youth population. He claimed he was referring only to a small group of individuals involved in fraudulent academic practices. However, by then, the debate had already spread widely across the internet.Analysts believe the “Cockroach Janta Party” represents more than just a viral meme or online joke. It reflects the growing dissatisfaction, anger, and hopelessness felt by many young Indians today. Even without being an official political party, the movement has shown how satire and social media can become powerful tools for protest in the digital age.