Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Maulana Zahirul Islam, elected from Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali), emphasized the importance of using modern technology in agriculture to make farmers more aware and skilled. He made the remarks on Saturday morning while addressing the 'Partner Field School Congress' as the chief guest at the Upazila Parishad auditorium in Banshkhali.

The congress was organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension under the 'Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Bangladesh (PARTNER)' project for the fiscal year 2025–26. The event featured presentations on the project's activities, achievements, and future plans by Upazila Agriculture Officer Shyamal Chandra Sarkar. Special guest Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, a member of Chattogram South District BNP and former chairman, also spoke at the event.

Presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Ruhul Amin, the congress was attended by agricultural officials, farmers, field school members, and local dignitaries. Speakers highlighted the need to expand technology use in farming to boost productivity and ensure sustainable agriculture.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Water Development Board has warned of short-term flooding in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, and Rangpur as river levels continue to rise due to heavy rainfall. The situation may persist for up to five days, according to officials. Additional alerts have been issued for Kamalganj in Netrokona, Kanaighat and Fenchuganj in Sylhet, and Mongla in Bagerhat, where localized flooding could also occur.

The centre reported that water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers have increased over the past 24 hours and may continue to rise for the next three days, potentially crossing danger levels in parts of the four northern districts. Although most major rivers remain below danger levels, ongoing rainfall in Bangladesh and upstream regions of India, including Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, and Meghalaya, is contributing to the rise.

The forecast also indicates that the Surma and Kushiyara rivers may reach warning levels within three days, posing temporary inundation risks in low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj.

The government has initiated a Tk 1,800 crore mega project under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to modernize rural and municipal infrastructure in Pabna district. The proposed 'Pabna District Rural Infrastructure Development Project' is currently under process at the Ministry of Local Government. It includes construction and repair of rural roads, bridges, culverts, modern markets, ghats, rail crossings, and tree plantation programs for environmental balance.

A separate project is also being prepared to address waterlogging and improve road connectivity in Pabna municipality. Local leaders and officials said the initiative, driven by the efforts of Pabna-5 MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, is nearing final approval. Stakeholders including the district citizen committee and press club leaders expressed optimism that the project will boost local trade, ease transportation of agricultural goods, and improve civic amenities.

According to LGED officials, field-level feasibility studies have been completed, and the development project proposal for drainage and road modernization is progressing rapidly. Implementation will begin once ministerial approval is granted.

The Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA) has called for the withdrawal of additional tax imposed on mid-range fossil fuel-powered reconditioned cars in the proposed 2026–27 national budget. The demand was made at a press conference held at Dhaka Club, where BARVIDA President Abdul Haque warned that the increased tax would raise car prices beyond middle-class affordability and put business investments at risk.

BARVIDA stated that the new budget introduces revised engine capacity slabs, raising the overall tax burden on popular fuel-efficient cars from 132.36% to 159.80%. This could increase the price of a reconditioned Toyota Premio by about Tk 300,000 and a Toyota Axio by Tk 250,000. The association also noted that while the government promotes electric vehicles with duty benefits, the lack of charging infrastructure limits their accessibility. BARVIDA urged equal duty benefits for both new and reconditioned plug-in hybrid cars and policy support for fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles.

The association highlighted that the reconditioned vehicle sector represents around Tk 20,000 crore in local investment, generates Tk 6,000 crore in annual revenue, and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across related industries.

Water levels in the Teesta River have risen sharply after India opened all gates of the Gajoldoba Barrage, causing concern in Lalmonirhat’s Hatibandha area. As of 6 a.m. Saturday, June 20, 2026, the river at the Dalia point of the Teesta Barrage was flowing just five centimeters below the danger level. Authorities warned that the river could cross the danger mark at any time, potentially triggering severe flooding in nearby low-lying areas.

According to the Water Development Board and local residents, heavy rainfall in India over recent days has increased upstream flow, pushing more water into Bangladesh. Although water levels had briefly decreased earlier in the week, they began rising again on Saturday morning. The Teesta River runs through five upazilas of Lalmonirhat, meaning even a small rise can inundate riverside areas across the district.

Officials have urged residents in low-lying regions to remain alert as continuous monitoring of the situation is underway. The Water Development Board has kept 44 barrage gates open to manage the flow.

Bangladesh banned plastic bags in 2002 to curb urban flooding and pollution, but two decades later the ban remains largely ineffective. Despite the law, plastic production and use continue across the country due to weak enforcement, lack of affordable alternatives, and the dominance of plastic in daily life. The problem becomes most visible during the monsoon when clogged drains cause severe waterlogging in cities like Dhaka.

The article explains that plastic manufacturing has become a major industry because it is cheap and widely available, making eco-friendly alternatives less competitive. Local producers and entrepreneurs face challenges such as limited raw materials, higher costs, and insufficient market support. The persistence of plastic use reflects both economic and behavioral barriers.

The author calls for stronger international cooperation, binding global agreements to reduce plastic production, and financial and technological support for developing countries. The piece concludes that combating plastic pollution requires collective action from governments and individuals alike, emphasizing that sustainable change depends on both policy and personal behavior.

Foreign investors are increasingly showing interest in operating existing container terminals at Chittagong Port, such as NCT, CCT, and JCB, instead of investing in new greenfield projects like Matarbari, Bay Terminal, and Laldia. Global operators including DP World and A.P. Moller-Maersk have submitted proposals to manage these ready terminals, creating a complex situation for the port authority and the ministry.

The shift in investor focus has slowed progress on major new port projects, delaying around six billion dollars in potential foreign investment. The Bay Terminal project, initiated in 2017, has seen little progress beyond design work, while Matarbari Deep Sea Port and other projects are advancing slowly despite secured funding. Meanwhile, Saudi firm Red Sea Gateway, which operates the Patenga Container Terminal, has also proposed to manage NCT despite underperforming at its current terminal.

Experts note that investors prefer ready terminals for quicker returns, while port officials maintain that each project will proceed on separate timelines. The Chittagong Port Authority has pledged to protect national interests in any future agreements.

The BNP-led government has initiated a major plan to make Bangladesh’s agricultural irrigation fully solar-powered. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, a policy decision is being prepared to convert all diesel and electricity-driven irrigation pumps to solar energy. The Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) has been instructed to implement the plan, which includes a proposed five-year project from July 2025 to June 2030 to install 50,900 solar irrigation units across the country at a cost of about Tk 6,996 crore.

Field-level farmers have welcomed the initiative but raised concerns about technical challenges. Some reported that earlier solar pumps failed to provide sufficient water during cloudy weather or at night, forcing them to rely on deep tube wells. Experts and economists have supported the solar transition, noting potential savings in fuel imports, reduced carbon emissions, and long-term cost benefits for farmers.

If implemented effectively, the project could save hundreds of crores of taka in diesel costs annually and add around 150 megawatts of electricity to the national grid through net metering, easing pressure on Bangladesh’s energy supply.

Iran and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding that reopened the Hormuz Strait after months of closure. Despite this development, analysts warn that the global oil crisis is far from over. Data from analytics firm Kpler show that about 1.15 billion barrels of oil have been lost from global supply during the conflict, leaving the market fragile and near collapse.

The International Energy Agency reports that global oil reserves are now at their lowest since 1990, while U.S. emergency reserves have hit a 43-year low. At the G7 summit in Versailles, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that American reserves could run out within four weeks if the strait had remained closed. Although oil prices have dropped below 80 dollars per barrel from a wartime high of 126.41 dollars, experts caution that prices may rise again as supply recovery will be slow.

According to the IEA, even with an additional daily output of five million barrels, it could take nearly a year to restore lost supply. Some analysts, however, believe OPEC Plus members are eager to boost production, suggesting the crisis may ease within weeks.

The government of Bangladesh has announced plans to expand Sylhet Airport to attract more foreign tourists, according to Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita. She made the statement on Friday, June 19, during the inauguration of a festival at the Phulchhara Tea Garden field in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar. The minister said the initiative aligns with efforts under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership to advance the country’s tourism sector.

Rita added that the government is formulating plans to create employment opportunities and promote ethnic tourism. She also pledged to work on establishing an Ethnic Cultural Academy in response to local demands. The expansion of Sylhet Airport is part of a broader strategy to present Sylhet as a global tourism destination.

State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, speaking as a special guest, noted that the government’s election manifesto emphasizes balanced regional development and the growth of community, ethnic, and water tourism. The Bangladesh Tourism Board organized the Harmony Festival to revive and sustain the diverse cultures of small ethnic groups.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said the government is implementing infrastructure development projects across various regions as part of the Prime Minister’s announced development program. He stated that efforts are underway to ensure safe water for every citizen in urban and municipal areas. Tuku made these remarks on Friday while inaugurating the construction of a 680-cubic-meter capacity overhead water reservoir near the Eidgah field in Ward No. 6 of Tangail Municipality. The project is being implemented by the Department of Public Health Engineering under the Water Supply System Expansion and Development Project.

The minister said the government is working tirelessly to improve people’s living standards and that such projects will accelerate the pace of development. He added that once the overhead water tanks in Ward No. 6 and the Ashekpur Bypass area are completed, local residents will have access to safe and pure water, which will play a vital role in improving public health.

The event was attended by local officials, political leaders, and residents of the area.

Leaders of the National Labor Power, the labor wing of the National Citizens Party (NCP), have criticized the proposed 2026–2027 national budget as failing to meet the expectations of working people and being contrary to public interest. Speaking at a national seminar titled “Workers’ Expectations and Achievements in the 2026–2027 National Budget” held at the National Press Club on Friday, they said the allocation for the labor and employment sector has been reduced compared to the previous fiscal year, which they described as inconsistent with the development and welfare needs of the country’s large labor force.

Speakers noted that key issues such as workers’ healthcare, safe housing, education, pension systems, and unemployment support have long been neglected, and the budget lacks a clear plan to revive closed industries or restore employment. They urged the government to consult labor organizations before finalizing future budgets to ensure inclusion of worker-focused measures.

The seminar also presented specific demands, including establishing a national fund for skill and technological development, introducing a rationing system for low-income workers, building specialized hospitals and affordable housing in industrial areas, expanding social security and pension schemes, and ensuring fair minimum wage adjustments aligned with inflation.

France’s national meteorological agency, Météo-France, has placed 53 administrative areas under a heatwave alert starting Friday afternoon. The advisory covers a wide region stretching from the southwest to the northeast of the country. On Thursday, 26 areas were under an orange alert, and an additional 27 areas were added a day later.

According to Météo-France, this is the second heatwave of the spring season in France and is expected to be extensive, long-lasting, and intense. The agency forecast maximum temperatures between 34 and 36 degrees Celsius across the Massif Central to the northeastern regions, with temperatures possibly reaching 38 degrees Celsius near the French Riviera and Corsica. In Paris and the Île-de-France region, highs are expected to range from 36 to 37 degrees Celsius.

The alert underscores growing concerns about prolonged heat conditions across France, as residents in Paris and other regions seek relief from the rising temperatures.

Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anny said the government is working to approve the Teesta Master Plan as soon as possible. He stated that the project is in its final stage of evaluation to ensure maximum benefits for people in the Teesta basin. The minister made the remarks on Friday while visiting the Teesta River in Lalmonirhat and exchanging views with local residents. Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad were also present.

Anny emphasized that the government is committed to public welfare and is proceeding with the project to ensure long-term national and local benefits. He noted that the government has already approved the Padma Barrage Project and revived the canal excavation program initiated by late President Ziaur Rahman. Plans are underway to excavate and re-excavate about 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and reservoirs over the next five years.

State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad said local and foreign experts are reviewing the Teesta project, which will be submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval once evaluations are complete.

China has officially started construction of the world’s largest hydroelectric dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, about 50 kilometers from the Arunachal Pradesh border. The 60,000-megawatt Medog Hydropower Project has raised new concerns in India, prompting New Delhi to strengthen its strategic planning to address potential risks. In response, India is advancing the proposed 11,000-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh, which would become the country’s largest hydropower facility once completed.

The SUMP project, led by state-run NHPC, aims to generate around 47 billion units of electricity annually at an estimated cost of 13 billion US dollars. However, while China’s Medog project is already under construction, India’s SUMP remains in the feasibility and preparatory stages. Experts warn that the massive upstream dam could alter the natural flow of the river, threatening agriculture, biodiversity, and local ecosystems, and increasing the risk of sudden floods.

India’s central government told Parliament it is closely monitoring China’s activities in the Brahmaputra basin and taking preventive and corrective measures to protect downstream communities. Efforts are also underway to strengthen flood forecasting, river monitoring, and infrastructure resilience in India’s northeast.