Bangladesh’s State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. M A Muhit, announced that the government will introduce an ‘e-health card’ system to digitally connect all levels of healthcare, from primary centers to specialized hospitals. The initiative aims to create a national referral network where each citizen will have a unique health ID. When patients visit hospitals, their medical records will automatically appear in the system, ensuring continuity of care and improved coordination across facilities.

Dr. Muhit explained that the e-health card will allow patients to access their complete medical history and prescriptions electronically. It will also help reduce unnecessary medication by maintaining transparent electronic records. The system is part of the government’s broader plan to digitalize the healthcare sector, improve efficiency, and ensure timely treatment through a structured referral process.

According to the minister, the e-health card will modernize patient management, enhance transparency, and strengthen Bangladesh’s overall health infrastructure by integrating digital tools into everyday medical services.

Iran is experiencing an acute water crisis as prolonged drought, reduced rainfall, and unsustainable water use have depleted reservoirs, rivers, and groundwater. The situation has worsened following Israeli attacks that damaged desalination plants, pipelines, and other civilian water infrastructure. The World Resources Institute has classified Iran as a country under 'extremely high' water stress, using over 80 percent of its renewable water resources annually.

Lake Urmia in northwestern Iran, once spanning about 6,000 square kilometers in the 1990s, has shrunk to just 581 square kilometers. Drought, excessive irrigation, river diversion, and groundwater extraction have turned much of the lakebed into salt flats. More than 60 dams on feeder rivers have further reduced water flow, while inefficient irrigation systems waste large amounts of water.

In 2025, Iran’s population of 92 million used around 100 billion cubic meters of water—13 billion more than renewable supply. Agriculture consumes about 91 percent of total water use, while desalination provides only 3 percent, mostly limited to southern coastal cities.

Global oil prices increased again following new US military strikes on Iran. According to the report, international crude prices rose by about 1 percent on June 10, 2026. Brent crude climbed 0.9 percent to reach 92.29 dollars per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 0.8 percent to 88.97 dollars per barrel.

Al Jazeera reported that crude oil prices rebounded from a seven-week low after the US attacks on Iran and data showing a significant decline in US crude inventories. The combination of geopolitical tension and reduced supply contributed to the upward movement in prices.

The report indicates that the market reaction reflects renewed concern over supply disruptions in the Middle East and tightening US stock levels, which could influence short-term global energy costs.

Nepal has imposed a ban on the import of Indian mangoes after detecting excessive levels of chemical pesticides in imported consignments. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in Kathmandu, following a similar move by Japan in May. The ministry stated that the measure aims to ensure food safety and protect consumers.

Officials from Nepal’s Madhesh Province said the ban would help expand the market for locally grown fruits. Ministry spokesperson Manish Kumar Pal told The Rising Nepal that the decision would encourage domestic fruit production and allow citizens access to healthier and safer produce.

However, mango traders in Nepal expressed concern that the ban could lead to shortages, price increases, and financial losses. Although Nepal produces and exports mangoes, domestic production is insufficient to meet local demand, and the mango season lasts only two months each year.

Gold prices in Bangladesh have dropped significantly following a decline in the global market. The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announced a reduction of Tk 6,591 per bhori, setting the new price for 22-carat gold at Tk 222,782 per bhori. The revised rates took effect from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, according to a BAJUS notice.

The association stated that the price of pure gold in the local market had decreased, prompting the adjustment. Under the new pricing, 21-carat gold now costs Tk 212,635 per bhori, 18-carat gold Tk 182,250, and traditional gold Tk 148,424 per bhori. The last adjustment was made on June 6, when BAJUS reduced the price by Tk 5,482 per bhori.

So far this year, BAJUS has adjusted gold prices 72 times, with 37 increases and 35 decreases, reflecting ongoing volatility in both local and international markets.

As Bangladesh’s BNP government prepares to present its first national budget, the country’s aviation and tourism industries are urging the government to move beyond nominal allocations and introduce a coherent policy framework they say has been missing for decades. Industry leaders argue that such a framework could transform these strategically important sectors into key drivers of economic growth.

Aviation operators are calling for tax relief on jet fuel, aircraft leasing, and airline operations to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness. They also seek budgetary support for operational readiness of the new terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Tourism entrepreneurs, meanwhile, want the long-delayed National Tourism Master Plan implemented, along with investment incentives, institutional backing, and an electronic visa system to attract foreign visitors.

Stakeholders view the 2026–27 budget as a test of the BNP’s election pledge to make Bangladesh a regional aviation hub and a globally competitive tourism destination by 2034. They emphasize that the budget’s true measure will be whether it signals long-term policy commitment rather than just allocation size.

Islami Bank Bangladesh has failed to maintain its required cash reserve ratio (CRR) with Bangladesh Bank amid a liquidity crisis following the appointment of new chairman Khurshid Alam. Over the past week, depositors withdrew Tk 4,240 crore, and total deposits fell further in the last two days. The bank has sought Tk 10,000 crore in special liquidity support from the central bank, which is closely monitoring the situation but has not yet decided on the request.

According to bank sources, deposits dropped from Tk 1,84,382 crore on May 31 to Tk 1,80,141 crore on June 7, while the bank’s current account balance with the central bank fell from Tk 7,015 crore to Tk 2,600 crore. The central bank confirmed that Islami Bank’s CRR requirement of about Tk 5,000 crore could not be met due to excessive withdrawals. The unrest began after former deputy governor Khurshid Alam was appointed chairman on May 24, prompting protests from depositors and shareholders.

Protesters have continued demonstrations for nine consecutive days, demanding Alam’s removal and expressing concern over the safety of their deposits. The central bank has stated it is prepared for any situation as it monitors developments.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that oil-producing countries in the Middle East have reduced production by more than 11 million barrels per day due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The agency released the data on June 10, 2026, noting a significant disruption in regional oil output.

According to the EIA, global oil demand this year has also declined compared to earlier forecasts. The new figures show a decrease of about 1.1 million barrels per day from last year, reversing the agency’s previous projection of slight growth. The report further indicates that oil inventories among OECD member countries may fall to their lowest level since 2003, when average reserves stood between 2.5 and 2.6 billion barrels.

The findings, sourced from Al Jazeera, highlight tightening global supply conditions and potential pressure on energy markets if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

A recent report has challenged long-held assumptions that North Korea’s economy remains stagnant under international sanctions and isolation. Observations suggest signs of partial stability and limited progress, particularly through defense cooperation with Russia and cross-border trade with China. These channels reportedly bring in foreign currency and essential goods, helping sustain certain state and sectoral activities.

Experts cited in the report note that strategic exports, including weapons and industrial products, continue to generate revenue despite sanctions. Informal and formal trade with China is said to have maintained some economic steadiness. In Pyongyang, new urban economic activities such as digital services, mobile technology expansion, and consumer market trends indicate a growing urban middle class with increased spending capacity.

However, analysts caution that these developments may not reflect nationwide improvement. Growth appears concentrated in specific urban and state-linked sectors, potentially widening income inequality. Despite emerging signs of vitality, structural constraints and international pressure continue to pose major risks to North Korea’s long-term economic stability.

NASA has announced the names of four astronauts for its highly anticipated Artemis 3 mission, scheduled for late 2027. The crew includes Randy Bresnik, Andre Douglas, Frank Rubio, and Luca Parmitano, with test pilot Bob Hines serving as backup. The two-week mission will focus on scientific research in space and docking exercises to prepare for future lunar landings.

The mission will be conducted through a public-private partnership involving three rocket launches. The astronauts will travel aboard the Orion spacecraft, which will dock with lander models developed by Blue Origin and SpaceX. Concerns arose after a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded during a test on May 28, damaging the Cape Canaveral launch site, but NASA officials expressed confidence in meeting the 2027 schedule.

Artemis 3 aims to maintain U.S. leadership in space exploration amid competition with China, which plans to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030. NASA has revised the mission plan to remain in low Earth orbit rather than land on the Moon, reducing risks and paving the way for future lunar bases before 2030.

A major inconsistency has emerged between the information presented by Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed in the National Parliament and Islami Bank’s official financial report regarding the bank’s Rural Development Scheme (RDS). The minister claimed that Tk 22,000 crore had been distributed under the project, with a significant portion unaccounted for. However, Islami Bank’s latest annual report shows that the total outstanding loans under the RDS project are less than one-third of the minister’s figure.

According to the 2025 annual report, the total outstanding RDS loans stood at Tk 6,789 crore at the end of 2025, compared to Tk 6,712 crore in 2024, marking an increase of only Tk 77 crore or 1.14 percent. The report also indicates that most of the loans are being repaid, with only Tk 232 crore classified as non-performing. The recovery rate was 97.50 percent at the end of 2025, slightly down from 98.49 percent in 2024.

Since its inception, the RDS project has provided loans to 1.775 million families across 35,352 villages in Bangladesh, according to the bank’s report.

The 10th China-South Asia Expo and the 30th China Kunming Import and Export Fair 2026 will begin tomorrow in Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan province, and continue until June 16. Bangladesh will participate as the theme country this year, marking its largest-ever representation with 101 companies and 175 delegates supported by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the Consulate General in Kunming. The event will host 2,300 exhibitors from 68 countries at the Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center.

The opening day will feature the inauguration of both the Bangladesh Pavilion and the main fair, while the second day will be celebrated as “Bangladesh Day.” Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir MP will attend as chief guest, alongside the Governor of Yunnan and other international dignitaries. EPB Vice Chairman and CEO Mohammad Hasan Arif will deliver the keynote speech on Bangladesh Day.

Bangladesh’s pavilion will showcase products from textiles, ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, handicrafts, jute goods, and leather sectors. Participating companies expect that business-to-business networking will strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the Chinese market and open new export opportunities.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, a café named Post Modern Times has gained attention for abandoning traditional pricing and allowing customers to pay what they can—or nothing at all. Owner Dylan Alverson, who ran the café under the name Modern Times for 15 years, made the change earlier this year after violent incidents during a federal anti-immigration operation. As a protest against paying sales tax, he declared the restaurant would operate entirely on a free and donation-based model.

Initially a political statement, the move evolved into a social and economic experiment. Alverson reports that 40 to 50 percent of customers now eat without paying, yet business performance has improved. The café maintains its quality with homemade bread and locally sourced ingredients, attracting both supporters of social solidarity and those in need. Some neighbors have expressed concern that free meals could attract crime, but the management emphasizes safety and community support.

The new model has expanded the café’s income sources through merchandise sales and donations, turning Post Modern Times into a symbol of community unity and alternative economic thinking.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has assured that the future of Islami Bank Bangladesh is completely safe under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Speaking on Tuesday afternoon during a general discussion under Rule 68 in the second (budget) session of the National Parliament, he said that previous BNP governments maintained strong macroeconomic stability and that the current administration is working to restore that financial discipline.

The discussion was initiated by Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, who proposed ensuring the return of Islami Bank shares to their legitimate owners and ending undue interference in its management to protect the interests of millions of customers. The finance minister accused certain groups of deliberately destabilizing the bank for political gain, adding that no global precedent exists for depositors withdrawing funds simply because of a change in chairmanship.

He further noted that Bangladesh Bank’s investigation found no wrongdoing by the bank’s chairman and alleged that those withdrawing funds were attempting to create instability to exploit the situation politically.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told the National Parliament that initiatives are underway to strengthen Bangladesh’s capital market through institutional and regulatory reforms. Responding to a supplementary question from a lawmaker during Tuesday’s question-and-answer session, he said the reforms aim to boost domestic capital mobilization and stimulate overall economic activity.

The minister acknowledged that the current state of the capital market remains weak and that several financial products essential for its growth are yet to be fully developed. He said the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has been restructured to enhance market oversight and efficiency, with experienced professionals added to strengthen the regulator’s capacity.

He expressed optimism that a stronger regulatory framework and ongoing reforms will revitalize the capital market, enabling it to play a more effective role in channeling public savings into productive investments and supporting sustainable economic growth.