Canada and Mexico on Tuesday called for renewing the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) for another 16 years. Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc made the proposal in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer and Mexican Finance Minister Marcelo Ebrard, emphasizing that the agreement binds the three countries under a unified trade framework. LeBlanc later described a meeting in Washington on the pact’s future as positive and said discussions would continue in the coming days and weeks.

The USMCA is vital for both Canada and Mexico, as the United States is their main trading partner, accounting for roughly 75 and 80 percent of their exports respectively. The countries must inform by July 1 whether they wish to renew the agreement or renegotiate its terms. Although President Donald Trump signed the USMCA during his first term, he has recently questioned its relevance, imposed tariffs on key Canadian sectors, and made controversial remarks about Canada’s economic dependence on the U.S.

U.S. and Mexican officials recently concluded initial talks on possible amendments to the pact. Greer indicated support for retaining parts of the current agreement, while LeBlanc noted that trade among the three nations has grown 32 percent since the USMCA took effect in 2020.

A 45-foot-long baleen whale has drifted near Kuakata in Patuakhali, Bangladesh. Locals spotted the whale around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, about two kilometers from the Zero Point area in the Bay of Bengal. Members of the Coastal Environment Protection Movement (UPORA) confirmed the whale’s presence after reaching the site by speedboat.

UPORA convener K.M. Bachchu stated that the whale’s upper skin had peeled off, suggesting it may have died five to six days earlier. Due to sea currents, it might take some time for the carcass to reach the shore. Mahipur Forest Range Officer Moniruzzaman said the Forest Department is aware of the situation, and field officers have already visited the site.

Authorities are consulting higher officials to determine necessary steps for handling the whale carcass and ensuring environmental safety in the coastal area.

A delegation from Japan’s major trading and investment company Mitsui & Co. met with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division on Wednesday. The meeting focused on exploring and expanding investment opportunities in sectors such as food, agriculture, energy, and ICT.

During the discussion, the Bangladesh government informed the delegation that it is pursuing investment-friendly policies and will provide maximum cooperation to attract and expand foreign investment. The government also highlighted its initiative to bring various agency services under a ‘one-stop service’ system to simplify business operations and approval processes, ensuring faster and smoother investment activities.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, the Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Special Assistant Dr. Shakirul Islam Khan, and Finance Secretary Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder were present. The Mitsui delegation was led by Makato Sato, CEO and Executive Vice President for the Asia-Pacific region.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the upcoming national budget will be designed with every citizen in mind. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Wednesday, June 3, after a meeting with the Prime Minister, he said the government aims to present a good budget despite the current economic challenges. He emphasized that the budget will reflect efforts to include all citizens in the economic process.

Chowdhury stated that the economy is in a difficult state, but the government has taken responsibility to ensure that the benefits of economic activities reach every person in Bangladesh. The minister explained that the budget formulation process has been guided by the goal of ensuring broad participation and equitable distribution of economic gains.

He expressed optimism that, compared to previous governments, this initiative would mark a positive beginning and help the country move forward more effectively.

Customers under the banner of the Conscious Customer Forum held a rally and protest march in Dhaka demanding the removal of Islami Bank’s newly appointed chairman, Khurshid Alam. The demonstration began at 11 a.m. in front of the bank’s head office and concluded at the National Press Club. Protesters alleged that Alam had previously been dismissed from Bangladesh Bank after the July Movement due to involvement in financial irregularities, and they warned that his leadership could endanger the bank’s stability.

Forum president Nurun Nabi Manik stated that Islami Bank is the largest in Southeast Asia and that its collapse could severely impact the national economy. He urged the government to ensure proper management and to appoint those who had contributed to the bank’s earlier success. The group emphasized that their movement was lawful and aimed at protecting customer interests.

The protest followed earlier demonstrations and human chains held on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, the bank’s scheduled board meeting was disrupted by protests and later held virtually under Alam’s chairmanship, where the resignation of Managing Director Omar Faruk Khan was accepted.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that June 2026 will experience higher-than-normal temperatures and lower-than-average rainfall across the country. The long-term forecast, released on Monday, indicates two to three mild to moderate heatwaves may occur this month, with temperatures potentially reaching around 40 degrees Celsius. Despite the onset of the monsoon, rainfall is expected to remain below normal levels, and humid, uncomfortable weather conditions are likely to persist.

According to the department’s analysis, May recorded 7.4 percent more rainfall than usual, though some southern divisions saw less precipitation. Average temperatures in May were lower than normal. Meteorologist Dr. Md. Omar Faruk stated that the ongoing heatwave is part of the June forecast, with daytime and nighttime temperatures expected to stay above normal. On Tuesday, heatwaves affected 41 districts, causing widespread discomfort, worsened by power outages.

The department expects rainfall to increase gradually from June 4, with the southwest monsoon becoming active after June 5, which may bring some relief from the heat.

Bangladesh has been named among the winners of the 13th edition of the Beamline for Schools competition, alongside teams from India, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The competition, organized for secondary school students worldwide, invites participants to submit proposals for physics experiments to be conducted at CERN or its partner institutions. Five teams were selected based on the scientific merit of their proposals.

The Bangladeshi winning team, named POLARIS, includes students from Chowmuhani Government Saleh Ahmed College in Noakhali, Birshreshtha Noor Mohammad Public College, and Collectorate School and College Rangpur (CSCR). They will travel to Bonn University to carry out their proposed experiments. Teams from India and Turkey will perform their experiments at CERN in August 2026, while the UK and US teams will conduct theirs at a DESY beamline.

Since its launch in 2014, the Beamline for Schools program has seen growing participation. In 2026, a record 712 teams from 89 countries submitted experimental proposals.

An unrefined oil dumping point has been set up next to Bakhra Government Girls Primary School in Kahalu upazila of Bogura district, putting more than 300 students at health risk. The site contains chemically mixed waste, and the school grounds are reportedly covered with oily water and garbage. Locals said thousands of white sacks filled with chemical residues have been dumped into a nearby pond, producing a foul smell and causing respiratory problems among residents.

Parents and community members expressed concern that the unhygienic environment could discourage them from sending their children to school. One parent reported that his daughter fell ill after contact with the contaminated water. Locals alleged that some ruling party members are involved in the dumping activities and demanded immediate relocation of the site to protect public health and the environment.

The school’s head teacher stated that he had filed a written complaint to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) after verbal requests failed. The district primary education officer confirmed that instructions had been issued for necessary action, while the newly appointed UNO pledged to investigate the matter seriously and take appropriate measures.

World Bicycle Day is being celebrated worldwide on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, including in Bangladesh. Various cycling organizations across the country have arranged awareness programs and bicycle rallies to mark the occasion. The day aims to raise public awareness about the importance of this environmentally friendly mode of transport.

The initiative for World Bicycle Day was led by U.S. professor Leszek Sibilski, who launched an international campaign to highlight the benefits of cycling and sought recognition from the United Nations. Starting as an academic project in 2015, the movement gradually gained global momentum. On April 12, 2018, the UN General Assembly unanimously declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day, with Turkmenistan playing a key supporting role and about 56 countries joining as co-sponsors.

Experts emphasize that bicycles are an effective, affordable, and sustainable means of urban transport. The observance symbolizes a global commitment to environmental protection and healthy living.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has initiated steps to relocate its headquarters from Chattogram to Dhaka, with plans to purchase three floors of the 20-storey Jamuna Oil Company building in Karwan Bazar. The process has advanced significantly, receiving approval from Jamuna’s board and a positive response from the government. A committee has been formed to determine the fair value of the floors, and BPC intends to finalize the purchase after Eid. However, the transfer appears to breach company law, which requires approval from the annual general meeting (AGM) for asset transfers.

Jamuna Oil, a listed company with BPC holding 60 percent of its shares, built the Dhaka building to generate rental income. Critics say the transfer decision bypassed shareholder approval and was driven by top-level pressure. BPC’s move comes even as it recently completed a new headquarters building in Chattogram’s Joypahar area, where 90 percent of its operations are based.

Energy sector experts and transparency advocates warn that relocating the headquarters could undermine administrative decentralization, create bureaucratic delays, and contradict the government’s policy of moving institutions outside Dhaka.

After Eid-ul-Azha, bottle gourd prices have sharply fallen in Durgapur upazila of Rajshahi, with each gourd selling for only five taka at local roadside markets. Farmers report that before Eid, they sold each gourd for 35 to 40 taka, but within a few days the price dropped so low that production costs can no longer be recovered. Meanwhile, traders are buying directly from farmers at these low prices and reselling the gourds in other districts at nearly ten times the cost.

Field visits across several villages in Durgapur revealed abundant harvests, with traders loading gourds onto trucks bound for Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, and Chattogram. Farmers blame the post-Eid market slump and transport shortages, while traders cite driver holidays and increased delivery costs. The Rajshahi Department of Agricultural Extension confirmed that bottle gourd cultivation reached a record 666 hectares this season, up from 521 hectares last year.

Officials acknowledged that large price gaps between rural and urban markets often result from syndicate control, and they have reported the issue to the government for review.

Bangladesh is preparing to announce a record budget of about Tk 9.38 trillion for the 2026–27 fiscal year amid mounting economic pressures. The government plans to present the budget in parliament on June 11, marking a nearly 19 percent increase from the current year’s Tk 7.9 trillion. Economists identify growing foreign debt repayments and persistent inflation as the biggest challenges to implementing the new government’s first budget.

According to the Economic Relations Division, Bangladesh paid USD 3.802 billion in foreign loan installments and interest during July–April of the current fiscal year, up 8.41 percent from the same period last year. Meanwhile, new loan commitments and disbursements have declined sharply. The government expects to spend around Tk 460 billion on foreign debt servicing next year, which could strain allocations for development and social protection.

Inflation remains another major concern, with April’s rate rising to 9.04 percent from 8.71 percent in March. Analysts warn that without effective control measures, higher living costs could undermine welfare initiatives and increase pressure on low- and middle-income households.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Bangladesh has issued a revised notification for the 2023 National Film Awards following controversy over the previously announced list. The new circular, released on June 2, 2026, introduces changes in the Lifetime Achievement and Best Screenplay categories after a review process.

The initial January announcement had named filmmaker Tareque Masud and cinematographer-director Abdul Latif Bachchu for lifetime honors, which sparked debate as both were deceased, contrary to the policy that prioritizes living recipients. Allegations also surfaced that jury recommendations were ignored in several categories, prompting the ministry to initiate a review in March with input from jury board members.

According to the updated notification, Tareque Masud and Abdul Latif Bachchu will now receive posthumous honors for their special contributions, while actress Shabnam and film editor Fazle Haque will jointly receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Best Screenplay award has been reassigned to Tasnimul Hasan, replacing Niamul Mukta, after it was found that Mukta did not write the screenplay for the film “Roktojoba.”

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced another increase in electricity prices across the country. On Wednesday, the commission raised wholesale electricity rates by 19.85 percent and retail rates by 15 to 19.94 percent. Transmission charges were also increased by 23.96 percent. The decision follows applications submitted between May 3 and 6 by electricity producers, transmitters, and distributors seeking higher tariffs.

During public hearings held on May 20 and 21, political leaders, consumer rights activists, business representatives, and industrialists opposed the proposed price hikes. They argued that long-standing corruption, mismanagement, poor planning, and waste were being unfairly passed on to consumers. The last electricity price adjustment occurred in February 2024, when the average wholesale rate rose from Tk 6.70 to Tk 7.04 per unit by executive order.

The electricity price revision comes shortly after the government adjusted fuel prices effective June 1, increasing octane, petrol, and kerosene by Tk 5 per liter while keeping diesel unchanged at Tk 115 per liter.

The United States has proposed new tariffs on imports from 60 countries, including Bangladesh, citing failures to prevent the use of forced labor. According to official documents, the proposed tariffs range from 10 percent to 12.5 percent on goods imported from these countries. The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) stated that 54 of the affected countries have failed to effectively ban or enforce restrictions on goods produced through forced labor.

This proposal follows investigations launched by Washington against major trade partners such as China, the European Union, and Japan. The move comes as the Trump administration seeks to restructure its emergency tariff framework, which was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February.

USTR specified that imports from countries including Canada, Ecuador, the EU, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom would face an additional 10 percent tariff, while the remaining 45 countries would face a 12.5 percent tariff.