Qatar, one of the world’s richest nations, is facing a severe economic crisis as the ongoing Iran war has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, blocking its liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports for over two months. The closure has paralyzed the country’s main energy hub at Ras Laffan and halted operations at Hamad Port, cutting off both exports and essential imports. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that Qatar’s economy could contract by 8.6 percent this year, while tourism and business confidence have sharply declined amid regional instability.

Qatar’s prosperity has long depended on natural gas, which accounts for more than 60 percent of its revenue. Since the 1990s, the country transformed itself through massive LNG exports, funding modern infrastructure and global investments worth $600 billion. However, missile and drone attacks on Ras Laffan have reduced production capacity by 17 percent, and analysts say recovery could take years even if the strait reopens.

Authorities are using subsidies to limit inflation and maintain stability, while S&P Global Ratings notes that Qatar’s large reserves can sustain essential services. Yet, the duration of the Hormuz closure remains the key uncertainty for the nation’s economic future.

A prolonged and intense heatwave has swept across Pakistan and India, leaving millions struggling with extreme temperatures. In Pakistan’s southern Sindh province, daytime temperatures have frequently exceeded 44 to 46 degrees Celsius, forcing residents indoors and severely affecting daily wage earners, transport workers, and farmers. Similar conditions have been reported in India’s Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and northern and central regions, where authorities have issued heat alerts due to health risks, power shortages, and disruptions to daily life.

In Karachi, temperatures have repeatedly surpassed 40 degrees Celsius, reaching a recent high of 44.1 degrees, the city’s highest since 2018. Coastal communities such as Ibrahim Hyderi are facing worsening conditions due to power outages and water shortages. Local hospitals have reported a sharp rise in child patients suffering from dehydration and infections linked to unsafe water. Climate experts attribute the recurring heatwaves to human-induced climate change and rapid urbanization, warning that summers are becoming longer, harsher, and less predictable.

Experts urge immediate government action, including establishing cooling centers, ensuring safe drinking water, strengthening emergency healthcare, and expanding urban tree cover to mitigate future heat impacts.

A major loan fraud has been uncovered in five merged Islamic banks in Bangladesh, where 75 percent of loans were issued without collateral. The banks—Exim, Social Islami, First Security Islami, Union, and Global Islami—distributed loans without meeting minimum requirements, leading to massive defaults and failure to repay depositors. The government merged the banks into a new entity, Sammilit Islami Bank, after depositors faced losses. Around Tk 4,000 crore has already been paid to customers from the deposit insurance fund.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, as of December, the five banks had total loans of Tk 1.95 trillion, with collateral covering only 24.56 percent. Defaulted loans reached Tk 1.705 trillion, or 87.43 percent of total loans. The S. Alam Group alone took Tk 1.016 trillion, more than half of total loans, mostly without collateral. Former BAB chairman Nazrul Islam Majumder’s firms borrowed Tk 17.96 billion. Officials said bank insiders aided the process by overvaluing collateral.

The interim government formed Sammilit Islami Bank with Tk 35,000 crore paid-up capital, including Tk 20,000 crore from the state. However, uncertainty over the return of previous owners and lack of clear government communication have renewed depositor anxiety.

In West Bengal, India, new cattle slaughter restrictions imposed by the recently formed BJP-led state government have triggered widespread unrest ahead of Eid al-Adha. The directive enforces strict certification requirements under the 1950 West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act and a 2018 High Court order, allowing slaughter only for animals over 14 years old or permanently unfit for work or breeding. Public slaughter is banned, and violations carry fines or jail terms. As a result, cattle markets have emptied, with traders and buyers avoiding legal risks.

The crisis has hit Hindu cattle farmers hardest, many of whom raise cattle year-round on loans expecting Eid sales. With markets frozen, they face mounting debt and losses, some publicly threatening suicide and demanding the government or Prime Minister Narendra Modi buy their unsold cattle. Opposition figures and local legislators have criticized the age-verification rule as impractical, questioning how authorities can determine a cow’s age without birth records.

Critics also highlight a policy contradiction: while small farmers face restrictions, India remains one of the world’s top beef exporters, earning billions annually from corporate meat exports, raising questions about fairness in livestock policy.

Experts at a seminar in Dhaka on Sunday warned that Bangladesh’s power sector is under severe financial pressure due to overcapacity, import dependence, capacity charges, and subsidies. They called for integrated policy reforms, realistic planning, and greater focus on renewable energy to address the long-term energy crisis. The event, titled “Economic Burden of Bangladesh’s Power Sector: Policy Recommendations for Crisis Management,” was organized by the Mechanical Engineering Division of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB).

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury said the energy sector is in a “minus position” due to financial constraints and past international agreements that limit new projects. He emphasized the need to expand solar and other renewable sources to reduce import dependence and economic strain. IEB President Mohammad Riazul Islam noted that years of mismanagement and waste have severely affected the gas sector, while Professor M. Rezwan Khan highlighted that excess generation capacity and costly imported fuels have created heavy fiscal burdens.

Speakers agreed that better project evaluation, domestic energy use, and renewable expansion are essential to reduce subsidies and strengthen the sector’s sustainability.

Karina Kaiser, a content creator and actress who passed away in India, was laid to rest in Abdullahpur village of Gazaria upazila, Munshiganj, on Monday morning. Her final funeral prayer took place at 7 a.m. behind Bhoberchar bus stand, followed by burial in the garden of her grandmother’s house. She was the daughter of former national footballer Kaiser Hamid and Lopa Kaiser.

According to family sources, after public tributes and funeral prayers in Dhaka, her body was brought to Gazaria late Sunday night. Although her maternal home is in Puran Bausia, the burial was arranged at her grandmother Dr. Zohra Khanam Parul’s residence in Abdullahpur. Local announcements invited residents to bid farewell to the beloved local figure.

The family kept the funeral private, restricting media and mobile access at the site. Karina’s brother Sadat Hamid told reporters that the decision aimed to avoid publicity and large gatherings. Karina had died last Friday in a Chennai hospital following prolonged liver complications, and her body arrived in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon before being taken to Gazaria.

Bangladesh Bank has repaid around Tk 4,000 crore to depositors of five weak banks that were merged to form the new Sammilit Islami Bank. The repayment, made through the central bank’s Deposit Insurance Trust Fund, began in January and has so far reached about 822,000 depositors. The merged institutions include EXIM Bank, Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Union Bank, and Global Islami Bank.

According to the report, the banks previously operated under the control of two influential business figures and suffered from large-scale loan irregularities, including unsecured lending that led to severe financial distress. The interim government merged the five Shariah-based banks last year to stabilize the sector. The new bank’s paid-up capital has been set at Tk 35,000 crore, with Tk 20,000 crore provided by the government and Tk 15,000 crore in shares allocated to depositors.

Officials said the repayments initially helped restore confidence, but a recent amendment to the Bank Resolution Act allowing former owners to return has renewed withdrawal pressure and deepened trust concerns. The report suggests the government should issue a clear statement to ease the situation.

Authorities in Babuganj upazila of Barishal demolished the chimney of an illegal brick kiln during an operation on Sunday afternoon. The mobile court, led by the local administration, dismantled two drum chimneys of the Care Brick Kiln and imposed a fine of Tk 150,000 on the owner, Md. Mehedi Hasan. Additionally, raw bricks were soaked in water and destroyed during the raid.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Kamrun Nahar Tamanna confirmed the incident and stated that illegal brick kilns using drum chimneys cause severe environmental damage. She emphasized that such operations against unauthorized and environmentally harmful brick kilns will continue in the area.

The action reflects the administration’s ongoing efforts to curb illegal industrial activities that violate environmental regulations in Barishal district.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam announced that visible improvements in Dhaka’s lake and canal management will be achieved within six months. Speaking at a meeting held at the Secretariat on Sunday, he said that cleanliness drives and awareness campaigns have been intensified ahead of the upcoming dengue season. The meeting focused on resolving waterlogging, ensuring water flow, and enhancing the city’s aesthetics, with participation from senior officials of RAJUK, WASA, city corporations, and residential societies.

The minister said a high-level committee has been formed under his leadership to keep the lakes in areas such as Gulshan and Banani clean and flowing, following the Prime Minister’s directive. Short-, medium-, and long-term plans have been adopted for lake beautification and maintenance. He also highlighted government initiatives to make infrastructure accessible for persons with disabilities, including mandatory ramps and separate toilets in restaurants and hotels.

The meeting also discussed implementing septic tanks and sewage treatment plants in buildings, introducing water bus services, and constructing walkways to improve connectivity and reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka.

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad visited flood- and erosion-affected areas in Manikganj district on Sunday, May 17, 2026. During his visit, he met local residents and observed the damage caused by river erosion, which has threatened homes, farmland, and infrastructure in the region. He announced that emergency measures, including the dumping of geo-bags and concrete blocks, would begin very soon to prevent further erosion.

The minister criticized previous administrations for failing to take effective steps to control river erosion in the area. Acting under the directive of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he instructed officials from the Water Resources Ministry to start the geo-bag dumping immediately. He also directed the Bangladesh Water Development Board to conduct feasibility studies during the dry season to design and implement sustainable, long-term projects for erosion control.

Members of Parliament S A Jinnah Kabir from Manikganj-1 and Moinul Islam Khan from Manikganj-2 accompanied the minister during the inspection.

KY Steel, a subsidiary of KDS Group, has taken multiple social and worker welfare initiatives in Sitakunda, Chattogram. The company prioritizes hiring local residents, supports underprivileged people, and has built a modern foot overbridge on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway to ensure safe crossing for students of the nearby Kumira Residential Girls’ School and College. The bridge, built at a cost of about one crore taka, has reduced road accidents and eased parental concerns.

Workers at KY Steel reported that all employees are covered by insurance, receive regular health checkups, safety training, and personal protective equipment. The company also ensures quick medical response in emergencies and provides benefits through welfare and insurance funds. Regular technical training has improved worker skills and productivity, setting a positive example in the Sitakunda industrial area.

Company officials said that nearly half of the employees at the Joar-Amtal branch are local residents. They emphasized that local recruitment and social development are part of KY Steel’s core values, aiming to ensure that the benefits of industrial growth reach the surrounding community.

Farmers in Madhupur, Tangail, one of Bangladesh’s leading pineapple-producing regions, are not receiving fair prices for their produce due to the absence of modern processing centers. Known as the “capital of pineapples,” the area’s favorable soil and climate yield large harvests each year, yet the sector has not reached its full potential. Local farmers and officials say that establishing a processing industry could enable production of juice, jelly, and biscuits for export, boosting foreign exchange earnings and local employment.

Farmers such as Suruzzaman and retired sergeant Masud Rana emphasized that a government-backed factory and gas connections could reduce transport costs, prevent waste, and protect growers from market syndicates. Madhupur’s Upazila Executive Officer Md. Jubayer Hossain and Agriculture Officer Rokib Al-Rana both supported the need for a processing center, noting that 6,479 hectares are under pineapple cultivation this season, with potential trade worth about Tk 500 crore.

Officials and growers agree that modern marketing systems and processing facilities are essential to fully realize Madhupur’s pineapple industry potential.

New Zealand has expressed its intention to maintain duty-free and preferential market access for Bangladesh even after the country graduates from least developed country (LDC) status. The commitment was conveyed by New Zealand’s non-resident High Commissioner David Pine during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Textiles Khandaker Abdul Muktadir at the Secretariat on Sunday. Both sides also discussed strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties and explored the possibility of a comprehensive free trade agreement.

Minister Muktadir emphasized that accelerating investment and job creation is essential for Bangladesh’s successful transition from LDC status. He noted that the country’s export sector is heavily dependent on ready-made garments, making it crucial to sustain competitiveness and ensure preferential market access. He also highlighted Bangladesh’s efforts to improve business facilitation and invited New Zealand investors to explore promising sectors.

David Pine underscored the importance of trade diversification for both exports and imports and reaffirmed New Zealand’s focus on ensuring uninterrupted market benefits for Bangladesh post-graduation. He added that New Zealand seeks a stable, long-term trade framework with Bangladesh.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said the government is prioritizing the enhancement of export capacity and encouraging meat exports to foreign markets. He made the remarks on Sunday while speaking to journalists after visiting the Bengal Meat processing plant in Pabna.

The minister stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working to make marginal communities and farmers economically self-reliant. The government is emphasizing the export of domestically produced goods and farm-based products to earn foreign currency while meeting local demand. Tuku noted that Bangladesh has abundant resources and that the government aims to strengthen the economy by utilizing them, particularly to benefit farmers and increase employment opportunities.

During the visit, Tuku inspected the plant’s production activities, hygienic meat processing, quality control, and storage systems. He also visited the Milk Vita dairy factory at Baghabari Ghat to review milk collection, processing, production, and marketing operations, accompanied by senior officials from the ministry and related agencies.

The government has launched free Wi-Fi service at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, enabling around 37,000 passengers to access high-speed internet simultaneously. The service was inaugurated on Sunday by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, with other senior officials from the telecommunications and ICT ministries present. According to the ministry, the network covers approximately 94,000 square meters, including Terminals 1, 2, domestic, VIP, VVIP, and parking areas.

The ministry stated that the system operates with a maximum bandwidth capacity of 40 Gbps, supported by 250 access points, 48 kilometers of optical fiber and Ethernet cables, and 37 access switches. Each access point can serve up to 150 users at once, ensuring stable and fast connectivity throughout the airport. Since the trial phase began on April 26, about 20,000 passengers have used the service, consuming roughly 2.3 terabytes of data.

Officials said the initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to providing fast and reliable internet for all citizens, enhancing digital access and communication for both domestic and international travelers.