The Islami Bank Conscious Customers Forum has demanded that a full board of directors be formed for Islami Bank within the next 24 hours, comprising honest, skilled, and professional individuals. The demand was made on Monday during a sit-in in front of Bangladesh Bank’s headquarters in Motijheel, Dhaka. Hundreds of customers gathered earlier in front of Islami Bank Tower and later marched to the central bank gate, where law enforcement maintained a strict stance.

Forum president Nur-un-Nabi Manik stated that restoring customer confidence in Islami Bank requires a competent and credible board. He emphasized that the new board should include individuals with integrity, professional expertise, and sound knowledge of Islamic finance. Speakers at the rally also insisted that those previously involved in irregularities, corruption, or unlawful appointments must not be reinstated, urging Bangladesh Bank to take firm measures to protect depositors’ interests.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said a strong board comprising experienced and professional members will soon be formed to ensure good governance and stability at Islami Bank.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that the government is working to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and simplify licensing procedures to create a more business-friendly environment. Speaking at a debriefing session in Dhaka’s InterContinental Hotel, he said the goal is to shorten the business startup process from nearly one year to just 14 days, allowing companies to open letters of credit for machinery imports by the 15th day. The session was jointly organized by the International Labour Organization and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority.

Muktadir emphasized that the United Nations’ recommendation on Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country category should be treated as an opportunity for planned institutional and economic strengthening. He said the government’s recent budget reflects priorities such as simplifying business processes, reducing licensing complexities, and diversifying markets. The Commerce Ministry has also established a Responsible Business Conduct Cell to coordinate among government bodies, regulators, business groups, and development partners.

He added that a committee has already identified areas to reduce time and procedural overlaps, and a zone announcement on implementation is expected in July.

A research team from Khulna University’s Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology (FMRT) Discipline has achieved success in cultivating giant freshwater prawns and carp fish together using the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) method in low-salinity coastal water. The environmentally friendly IMTA system, based on the principle of 'one’s waste, another’s food,' increased both production and nutritional value of the fish.

The five-month experiment was conducted in twelve 120-square-meter earthen ponds, where lotus, guppy grass, and freshwater mussels were added to improve water quality and nutrient recycling. Results showed higher growth, survival, and production rates for prawns and G3 carp compared to conventional methods. Profit margins rose from 41% in traditional farming to 74% in the most successful IMTA treatment. The fish and prawns produced contained higher levels of essential amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Lead researcher Professor Dr. Md. Lifat Rahi stated that the IMTA system offers a sustainable and profitable solution for small-scale farmers in Bangladesh’s increasingly saline coastal regions, while also providing consumers with safer and more nutritious protein sources.

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Monday that it has imposed export controls on ten United States companies involved in the defense industry and rare mineral extraction. Among the affected firms is Oshkosh Defense, a manufacturer of military vehicles for the US armed forces, according to a report by AFP.

In its statement, the Chinese ministry said that the listed companies are now prohibited from receiving dual-use goods from China. It also specified that no individual or organization from any country or region may transfer or supply Chinese-made dual-use products to these companies.

The move is viewed as a significant development within the ongoing trade and technological competition between China and the United States.

The market for polao rice in Bangladesh has become highly unstable, with prices rising by up to Tk 30 per kilogram and Tk 900 to Tk 2,000 per sack over the past month. Despite adequate supply, consumers have expressed frustration at the sudden spike in prices ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Traders and wholesalers claim that mill owners and corporate groups have artificially created a supply crisis to increase profits, while rising fuel, gas, and electricity costs have also contributed to higher transport and ancillary expenses.

Retailers allege that large corporate groups are syndicating to control supply and exploit seasonal demand during Eid and wedding events. However, corporate representatives deny these accusations, attributing the price hike to reduced production caused by crop disease and increased export activity. Nabil Group’s managing director stated that export restrictions may be necessary to stabilize the domestic market.

Consumer rights advocates, including the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, have described the price surge as abnormal and criticized weak market monitoring, arguing that government tax reductions have not benefited ordinary consumers.

Humanity has reached a remarkable milestone in science and technology with the installation of the world’s largest and most powerful digital camera at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in northern Chile. The 3,200-megapixel camera, built by the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory of Stanford University, officially began operation in 2025 after being installed in late 2023–24. Designed for the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) project, the camera weighs about three tons and features a five-foot-wide lens, the largest of its kind.

The LSST project, costing approximately 673 million US dollars, took nearly a decade of collaboration among scientists and engineers from multiple countries. The camera’s 201 custom-designed CCD sensors form an ultra-flat focal plane, maintained in a dust-free, -100°C environment. It can capture images so detailed that a golf ball would be visible from 24 kilometers away. Each night, it will collect around 15 terabytes of data, processed using advanced supercomputers and artificial intelligence.

The images will help create the first 3D map of the universe, aiding research into galaxies, asteroids, supernovae, and dark matter, and enhancing understanding of cosmic origins.

Bangladesh’s industrial sector has plunged into a deep crisis due to acute energy shortages, soaring bank interest rates, and a sluggish domestic market. Production costs have surged while technological stagnation has eroded global competitiveness. Many factories are operating below half capacity, and new investments have stalled. Experts warn that shrinking employment and industrial stagnation could push the overall economy toward a prolonged downturn.

Sectoral data show steep declines in textile, jute, cement, and food processing output, while high borrowing costs have discouraged new investment despite rising bank liquidity. The steel and cement industries are struggling with higher electricity prices and reduced demand, while the ready-made garment sector—responsible for over 80% of export earnings—has seen production drop by up to 30% due to power and gas shortages. Leather exports remain weak amid environmental compliance failures and financing constraints.

Export earnings fell 7.07% year-on-year in May 2026, with major markets shifting orders to competitors such as Vietnam and India. Industry leaders urge urgent policy action to stabilize energy supply, reduce interest rates, and restore investor confidence to avert long-term economic damage.

Two farmers were killed by lightning in Kanchannagar area of Jamirta Union under Singair upazila in Manikganj district on Sunday evening, June 21, 2026. The victims were identified as Kabir Hossain, 30, son of Newaz Uddin, and Shahidul Islam, 25, son of Rafi Mistri, both residents of Kanchannagar village. The incident occurred while they were working in the field during sudden bad weather.

According to police and local sources, the two men were engaged in agricultural work when a thunderstorm began. They were struck by lightning and sustained severe injuries. Locals rescued them and took them to Jamal Clinic in Hemayetpur, Savar, where doctors declared them dead upon arrival.

Singair Police Station Officer-in-Charge Majharul Islam confirmed the incident and said police had been sent to the scene. He urged people to remain cautious during storms, warning that staying in open fields during rain is highly dangerous.

Global oil prices increased following the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran. According to a Reuters report, Brent crude reached 81.66 dollars per barrel at 10:06 p.m. GMT on Sunday, up by 1.09 dollars or 1.35 percent. Earlier in the day, prices had climbed as high as 82.30 dollars per barrel.

The report noted that crude prices had fallen slightly the previous week after several oil tankers successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns about supply disruptions. However, renewed geopolitical uncertainty has again pushed prices upward.

Meanwhile, high-level diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran began in Switzerland, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan. The mediators described the discussions as taking place in a positive and constructive atmosphere, suggesting cautious optimism for further progress.

A recently renovated road in Kaliganj municipality of Jhenaidah has collapsed again, rendering it unsafe for public use. The one-kilometer block road, built at a cost of nearly one crore taka from the front of the Kaliganj food warehouse to the hospital, was reconstructed under a World Bank-funded project. Residents report that the road, repaired with concrete blocks, began to deteriorate within months of completion.

According to local accounts, irregularities and substandard materials were used during the renovation. The contractor, Hannan-Mithu Enterprise of Jhenaidah, reportedly carried out the work between August 2023 and February 2024. Locals allege that a student leader with business ties to the Kaliganj mayor influenced the project and used low-quality materials. Despite repeated complaints, the contractor’s team ignored public concerns. The road had previously collapsed during heavy rains in February 2025 and is now deteriorating again.

Residents fear that the ongoing monsoon will worsen the damage, posing serious risks for those traveling to the hospital and nearby educational institutions.

Bangladesh’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Center has warned that four northern districts—Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, and Rangpur—may face flooding within the next 72 hours due to continuous rainfall and water inflow from India. Rising water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers could cross danger marks, temporarily inundating low-lying areas. The center’s Sunday forecast noted that river levels in Rangpur Division have been rising and may continue to do so over the next three days.

The report added that while most major rivers remain below danger levels, several points in the Teesta, Surma, Kushiyara, and Someshwari rivers are flowing near warning levels. Heavy to very heavy rainfall has been recorded in parts of Chattogram, Rangpur, and Sylhet divisions, as well as in India’s Meghalaya, West Bengal, and Arunachal regions. Local Water Development Board officials in Kurigram confirmed gradual river level increases and warned of short-term flooding in lowlands.

In Sunamganj, continuous rain and upstream water have already flooded several areas, disrupting transport and damaging homes. Authorities have temporarily closed the Sadapathar tourist site in Sylhet’s Companiganj for safety until weather conditions improve.

Water levels in the Teesta River continued to rise on Sunday due to heavy upstream flow from India, causing anxiety among residents along the riverbanks in Lalmonirhat. At noon, the river was flowing 15 centimeters below the danger level at the Teesta Barrage point, and authorities warned that it could cross the threshold at any time. To manage the situation, 44 sluice gates of the barrage have been opened, and officials are monitoring the water flow continuously.

According to the Water Development Board, both the Teesta and Dharla rivers are still below danger levels, but preparations are in place for any emergency. The control room reported that within the next 72 hours, Teesta’s water might flow above the danger mark, potentially causing short-term flooding in low-lying areas. Heavy rainfall in India’s Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts has worsened the situation, even though there has been little rain in Bangladesh’s Teesta basin.

Earlier, the Water Resources Minister had assured that the Teesta Master Plan was progressing toward implementation, but the current water rise has renewed public concern in the region.

The market for polao rice in Bangladesh has become highly unstable, with prices rising sharply over the past month. Despite adequate supply, the price of various types of polao rice has increased by up to Tk 30 per kilogram and Tk 900 to Tk 2,000 per sack. Retailers and consumers have expressed frustration, blaming corporate groups and mill owners for creating an artificial crisis to raise prices. Traders reported that transportation and utility cost hikes have also contributed to the surge.

Corporate company owners have denied the allegations, attributing the price increase to reduced production caused by crop disease and higher fuel and electricity costs. Nabil Group’s managing director said some traders are exporting polao rice, suggesting that exports should be halted to stabilize the domestic market. Market visits in Dhaka revealed that both wholesale and retail prices have risen significantly, with branded rice reaching up to Tk 190 per kilogram.

Consumer rights advocates described the price hike as abnormal and criticized weak market monitoring. They noted that despite government tax reductions on essentials, consumers have not benefited, leaving middle- and lower-income groups under severe pressure.

A short spell of heavy rain measuring 58 millimeters on Sunday evening submerged large parts of Dhaka, causing severe waterlogging and traffic congestion. The rainfall began around 5 p.m. and continued intermittently into the night, disrupting movement across major roads such as Green Road, New Market, Malibagh, Mirpur, and Karwan Bazar. Commuters faced long delays, while vehicles broke down in flooded streets. The downpour, though initially bringing relief from days of sweltering heat, quickly turned into widespread inconvenience for city dwellers.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the rainfall qualifies as heavy precipitation, with the highest recorded in Nilphamari’s Dimla at 87 millimeters. The department attributed the weather to an active southwest monsoon and forecast further heavy to very heavy rainfall in Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions. Dhaka North and South City Corporations deployed rapid response teams to drain water, with over 5,000 workers engaged in cleanup operations.

Meteorologists noted that the rain helped reduce humidity and temperature, offering temporary relief, though more rainfall is expected in the coming days.

Munshiganj District Jail has become the first prison in Bangladesh to introduce a fully cashless management system. Starting Sunday, all financial transactions for inmates are now conducted digitally without the use of physical cash. The initiative was confirmed by the Department of Prisons’ AIG (Development and Media), Jannat-ul-Farhad.

According to prison authorities, the modern and secure digital system maximizes the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. This allows real-time tracking of inmates’ locations and ensures accurate counting and enhanced security within prison wards. Under the new system, relatives can deposit money virtually into an inmate’s designated account, which inmates can then use via RFID cards to purchase food or other items from the prison canteen.

Officials stated that the cashless system is expected to reduce corruption and irregularities, increase transparency and accountability, and ensure complete financial security for inmates.