A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday morning, killing at least three people and injuring five others. The quake hit Mindanao Island at 7:40 a.m. local time, according to the United States Geological Survey. At least 37 buildings, mostly commercial structures, were damaged. Following the initial tremor, 138 aftershocks were recorded, ranging in magnitude from 1.3 to 6.7.

Tsunami warnings were issued across the region, including in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported tsunami waves in six areas of Mindanao and confirmed that the tsunami alert remained in effect. Philippine President Marcos urged residents to move to higher ground immediately after the quake, while Japanese Prime Minister Sanade Takachio called on citizens to follow tsunami advisories.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as aftershocks persist and coastal areas remain under alert for potential tsunami impacts.

Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has initiated a plan to bring water from the Bhandaljhuri treatment plant across the Karnaphuli River into the city using the utility duct of the Karnaphuli Tunnel. The project, built during the Awami League government without prior survey, cost nearly Tk 1,994 crore and has a daily production capacity of 60 million liters. However, due to lack of customers, the plant has been operating at only 2.5 million liters per day, leaving 95 percent of its capacity unused.

The Bhandaljhuri project was originally designed to serve residential areas in Boalkhali, Patiya, Anwara, and Karnaphuli, as well as 13 major industrial clients. Most of these clients, except CUFL, did not opt for WASA’s water supply. Under new Managing Director Engineer Selim Mohammad Zane Alam, WASA has sought permission from the Roads, Bridges, and Local Government ministries to install pipelines through the tunnel duct.

If approved, the plan could supply an additional 30 million liters of water daily to Patenga, helping meet the area’s 90 million-liter demand and significantly easing water shortages within a year.

Oil prices in Asian markets increased following retaliatory attacks between Iran and Israel. On Monday morning, Brent crude rose by 2.6 percent to reach 95.50 dollars per barrel, while U.S. crude climbed 2.5 percent to 92.75 dollars per barrel. The escalation has added pressure to global energy markets already facing instability.

Since the ceasefire agreement in April, energy prices have shown significant fluctuations. Over the past week, crude oil has hovered around 95 dollars per barrel, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in supply and demand conditions. Traders and investors are closely monitoring the situation to assess the potential long-term effects of the conflict on global energy supply chains and fuel flows.

Market participants remain cautious as the duration and intensity of the conflict could determine future price movements and supply stability across regions.

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Philippine island of Mindanao at 7:40 a.m. local time on Monday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake occurred at a depth of 35 kilometers, prompting tsunami warnings across multiple Asian nations.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that waves up to 10 feet could hit the Philippine coast, while Indonesia and Malaysia might experience waves exceeding 3 feet. Governments in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan issued tsunami alerts, warning of potentially dangerous large waves along coastal areas.

Philippine President Marcos urged residents to move immediately to higher ground, noting that several coastal regions in Mindanao were already feeling the effects. Japanese Prime Minister Sanade Takachio also called on citizens to follow tsunami warnings and evacuation instructions closely.

OPEC Plus has decided to increase its oil production quota by 188,000 barrels per day for July, amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East and disruptions to crude transport through the Strait of Hormuz. The decision was approved during a virtual meeting attended by energy ministers from Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman, according to an official statement from the group.

OPEC Plus stated that the move aims to maintain stability in the global oil market and accelerate compensatory production adjustments among member states during a period of high oil prices. However, analysts at Rystad Energy, including Jorge Leon, noted that the production increase may have limited real impact due to the continuing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, which restricts actual oil supply.

Experts warned that if instability in the Strait persists, global energy markets could face further pressure, keeping oil prices elevated for an extended period.

Bangladesh’s Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud told Parliament on Sunday that temporary power interruptions during summer and irrigation seasons should not be termed load-shedding. He explained that such outages occur due to fuel shortages, maintenance work, storms, and infrastructure limitations, which occasionally disrupt electricity supply when demand peaks at around 18,000 megawatts. Responding to lawmakers’ questions, he said there is currently no power shortage in the country.

The minister stated that Bangladesh’s grid-based generation capacity stands at 28,919 megawatts, with 32 new power plants under construction adding 7,928 megawatts of capacity. Additionally, tenders are ongoing for 15 renewable energy-based plants with a combined capacity of 665 megawatts, expected to be operational by 2030. He emphasized that 100 percent of the population now has access to electricity and that the government aims to ensure uninterrupted, quality power for all by 2030.

Mahmud added that the government has taken coordinated measures to meet projected demand for 2026, ensuring adequate fuel supply and maintenance of gas, coal, and liquid fuel-based plants to avoid load-shedding.

The 86th meeting of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) Board of Directors was held at the agency’s Rajshahi office on Sunday at 11 a.m. The meeting was chaired by BMDA Chairman Agriculturist Hasan Zafir Tuhin and attended by senior officials from the Cabinet Division, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, district administrators, police officials, and BMDA engineers and executives.

Discussions focused on ongoing and proposed development projects, modernization of irrigation systems, increasing agricultural production, and initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of farmers in northern Bangladesh. The board also made several decisions on development-related matters.

Members expressed confidence in the current leadership of BMDA and voiced optimism that under capable and visionary guidance, the authority would continue to play an important role in advancing agriculture, water resource management, and the living standards of farmers in the region.

As Bangladesh’s BNP government prepares to present its first national budget, the country’s aviation and tourism industries are urging the inclusion of a coherent policy framework beyond nominal allocations. Industry representatives argue that such a framework is essential to transform these strategically important sectors into drivers of economic growth.

Aviation leaders are calling for tax exemptions on jet fuel, aircraft leasing, and operations to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness, while tourism entrepreneurs demand implementation of the long-awaited National Tourism Master Plan, stronger institutional backing, and investment incentives. The upcoming 2026–27 budget is viewed as a test of the BNP’s election pledge to make Bangladesh a regional aviation hub and a globally competitive tourism destination by 2034.

Stakeholders emphasize that the budget’s significance lies not in allocation size but in whether it signals long-term policy commitment. Both sectors seek reforms, investment, and coordination to unlock their potential, with the aviation industry focusing on cost reduction and infrastructure readiness, and the tourism sector pressing for incentives, funding, and policy continuity.

An earthquake was felt in Dhaka and several parts of Bangladesh on Sunday, June 7, 2026, around 11:40 p.m. According to initial reports, no casualties or damage were immediately reported following the tremor. The Android Earthquake Alert System indicated that the quake originated near Punakha in Bhutan, approximately five kilometers away, with a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale.

Preliminary information suggested that the earthquake was also felt in parts of Bhutan, India, and China. Authorities in the affected areas are monitoring the situation closely to assess any potential impact or aftershocks.

No further updates on damage or emergency measures were available at the time of reporting.

Bangladesh’s Industry Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir informed the National Parliament that fertilizer factories cannot operate because of a gas shortage. He made the statement on Sunday while responding to a question from Jamalpur-4 lawmaker Faridul Kabir Talukdar regarding the full-capacity operation of the Jamuna Fertilizer Factory. The minister said the factory is production-ready but cannot run without sufficient gas supply.

Muktadir added that the government is considering creating a separate gas network for fertilizer factories to address the issue. In response to another question from Jamalpur-3 lawmaker Mostafizur Rahman Babul, the minister reported that 12 state-owned industrial units are currently closed, and operations at six state-owned sugar mills have been suspended. He also stated that 43 industrial factories in five BSCIC industrial estates in Chattogram have shut down over the past 17 years.

The minister’s remarks highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring adequate gas supply for industrial production, which continues to affect fertilizer and other state-owned manufacturing sectors.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced jet fuel prices again in line with international market trends. For June, the price of jet fuel for domestic flights has been set at 150.21 taka per liter, down from 165.88 taka, marking a decrease of 15.67 taka per liter. The new rates were announced on Sunday, June 7.

For international flights, the price has also been lowered from 1.0823 US dollars to 0.9808 US dollars per liter. BERC stated that the adjustment was made considering global market prices, exchange rates, and transportation costs. The commission had previously reduced the price on May 23, from 205.45 taka to 165.88 taka per liter.

According to BERC, jet fuel prices are reviewed and adjusted monthly based on international market conditions and related expenses.

Bangladesh’s overall inflation increased again in May 2026, reaching 9.42 percent on a point-to-point basis, up from 9.04 percent in April, according to data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) on Friday. The latest figure marks a return to an upward trend after a brief slowdown in March, when inflation had fallen below 9 percent.

BBS data show that food inflation rose to 9.06 percent in May from 8.39 percent in April, driven by higher prices of edible oil, vegetables, eggs, and poultry. Non-food inflation also edged up to 9.71 percent from 9.57 percent, influenced by increased costs of fuel, gas, electricity, and transportation. Both rural and urban areas experienced higher inflation, with rural inflation at 9.48 percent and urban inflation at 9.25 percent.

The continued rise in both food and non-food prices indicates sustained pressure on low- and middle-income households, as essential commodities and utility costs remain elevated across the country.

A public hearing was held on Sunday at the Russian Cultural Center in Dhanmondi under the jurisdiction of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Region-1 to make civic services and development activities more dynamic, transparent, accountable, and participatory. The event was attended by citizens, civil society representatives, businesspeople, journalists, and officials from Dhanmondi, New Market, Kalabagan, and Shahbagh areas.

Road Transport, Railways, and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam, MP, attended as chief guest, while DSCC Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md. Abdus Salam presided over the session. Citizens raised issues related to waste management, infrastructure, waterlogging, cleanliness, trade licenses, holding tax, and public health. The minister said the government aims to establish a participatory and accountable system for ensuring civic services, citing the hearing as an example.

The DSCC administrator assured that citizens’ complaints and suggestions would be prioritized for improving urban services. He added that maintaining cleanliness requires both city authority initiatives and citizen cooperation. Similar hearings will be held across all ten DSCC regions.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon announced that reforms in Bangladesh’s banking sector will be brought under a commission framework. He made the statement on Sunday at a seminar titled “Good Governance in the Banking Sector and the Role of the Media,” held at the Economic Reporters Forum office in Dhaka. Swapon emphasized that banking sector governance is linked to the broader political and administrative governance of the state, and without systemic reform, discipline cannot be ensured.

During the event, speakers highlighted that the banking sector remains central to the country’s financing system, as the capital market and bond market have failed to meet demand. United Commercial Bank Managing Director Mamdudur Rashid noted that the sector has faced continuous pressure since 2020 due to the pandemic, foreign exchange volatility, and political changes. He identified lack of governance, transparency, and ethics as key causes of the current crisis, with non-performing loans rising from 11 percent in 2023 to 35 percent in 2025.

The seminar underscored that at least 14 banks and 20 financial institutions are struggling to return deposits on time, warning that further deterioration could trigger economic instability.

An article published on June 7, 2026, highlights growing tension over transboundary river water sharing between Bangladesh and India. The report cites remarks by Indian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Nishikant Dubey, who claimed that Indian farmers suffer losses because water from shared rivers flows into Bangladesh. His comments, made on social media, were interpreted as reflecting a dismissive attitude toward Bangladesh’s legitimate downstream water rights.

The article notes that India has built more than 30 dams and barrages on international rivers flowing into Bangladesh, disrupting natural water flow and violating the principles of international river law. Bangladesh, with 54 transboundary rivers, faces severe ecological and agricultural damage due to reduced water flow, including increased salinity, declining navigable waterways, and falling groundwater levels. The 1996 Ganges Water Treaty, the only formal agreement between the two countries, is set to expire this year.

The piece argues that India’s reluctance to sign new water-sharing agreements undermines regional cooperation. It urges Bangladesh’s new government to pursue equitable treaties under international norms to protect national interests and environmental sustainability.