Global oil prices increased again as tensions escalated between the United States and Iran, following attacks targeting Kuwait and Bahrain. In Wednesday morning trading, crude oil prices rose by more than 1 percent, reflecting market concerns over regional instability.

According to the report, the United States carried out an attack on Iran’s Qeshm Island, prompting Iran to respond with missile and drone strikes on Kuwait and Bahrain. Meanwhile, peace talks between the United States and Iran have shown no progress, further fueling uncertainty in the energy market. The heightened conflict has directly influenced oil trading trends.

Brent crude futures rose by 1.05 dollars, or 1.09 percent, to settle at 97.05 dollars per barrel. Similarly, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased by 1.01 dollars, or 1.08 percent, reaching 94.77 dollars per barrel.

Residents of Dhunot upazila in Bogura formed a human chain on Tuesday morning demanding the construction of a sustainable and permanent embankment to prevent erosion of the Jamuna River. The event took place at Bhandarbari area near the riverbank, organized by displaced families and local residents living along the river. Hundreds of men and women from various professions joined the demonstration.

Speakers at the event included former Bhandarbari Union BNP president and ex-chairman Atikul Karim Apel, BNP organizational secretary Jahangir Alam, social worker Zahidul Islam, playwright Zahid Hasan Sagor, and Shafiqul Islam. Other local political and social leaders were also present. Participants criticized the ineffective placement of sand-filled geo-bags, claiming they were dumped in the middle of the char instead of along the riverbank.

The demonstrators urged the Water Development Board to take immediate steps to build a permanent embankment along the Jamuna River to protect their homes and farmland from further erosion.

In Barishal, the expected abundance of Hilsa fish during the peak season has not materialized. Despite strong river currents and the onset of the monsoon, fishermen report catching very few fish even after casting nets all day. At Barishal’s Port Road fish market, only 50–60 maunds of Hilsa arrived on Tuesday morning, compared to several hundred maunds in previous years. Prices have soared, with one-kilogram Hilsa selling for Tk 2,500–3,000 and larger fish reaching up to Tk 4,500 per kilogram.

Local traders and fishermen expressed frustration, noting that Hilsa production has been declining for years. They said government conservation efforts have not yet yielded visible results, leaving both sellers and buyers in difficulty. Fishermen on the Meghna River reported severe hardship, with little to no income for a month due to the lack of fish.

Officials from the Department of Fisheries, however, remain optimistic. They stated that the main Hilsa season will begin in July and that sufficient rainfall could bring larger fish from the sea into rivers, improving supply later in the season.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to withdraw its earlier plan to impose advance income tax on motorcycles from the next fiscal year. According to National Board of Revenue (NBR) sources, all types of motorcycles will now be exempt from such tax. The initial proposal had suggested an annual advance tax ranging from two thousand to ten thousand taka depending on engine capacity. The decision follows protests by hundreds of bikers who demonstrated in front of the NBR headquarters in Agargaon and submitted a memorandum opposing the tax.

Bikers argued that motorcycles are no longer luxury items but essential for employment in ride-sharing and delivery services, as well as for daily commuting. They also pointed out that motorcycle prices in Bangladesh are already higher than in neighboring countries, and the proposed tax would further burden ordinary citizens. NBR had initially justified the tax by citing the growing commercial use of motorcycles and the possibility of adjusting the advance payment during annual tax returns.

An NBR official confirmed that the government’s higher authorities instructed not to impose any advance income tax on motorcycles, ensuring that only existing registration fees and road taxes will continue to apply.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest report shows that default loans in the country’s banking sector rose by Tk 31,487 crore in the first quarter of 2026, despite multiple policy supports and special rescheduling opportunities. At the end of March, total default loans reached Tk 5,88,704 crore, or 32.26% of total loans, up from Tk 5,57,217 crore three months earlier. The increase has renewed pressure on the banking system, reversing the temporary relief seen at the end of 2025.

Officials and bankers attributed the rise to slow economic growth, accumulating interest, and reclassification of previously understated loans after central bank inspections. Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said defaults were expected to fall under the special rescheduling policy, but accrued interest and grace periods prevented recovery. ABB Chairman Masrur Arefin cited sluggish production and limited borrower capacity to meet down payments as key factors.

The report also highlights that state-owned banks hold the highest default ratio at 45.85%, while private banks account for 30.11%. The interim government’s disclosure of previously hidden defaults has further exposed the sector’s vulnerabilities, underscoring persistent structural weaknesses in loan management.

Egypt has inaugurated the East Nile route of the Cairo Monorail, Africa’s first fully driverless monorail system, on May 6, 2026. The 56.5-kilometer line connects Cairo’s Nasr City International Stadium area with the new administrative capital being built in the desert to ease congestion in the capital. A second 43.8-kilometer West Nile route is under construction to link 6th of October City with Giza. Once both routes are operational, the network will exceed 100 kilometers, surpassing China’s Chongqing Monorail as the world’s longest.

The Cairo Monorail project, valued at about 2.3 billion pounds, was launched in 2019 to expand the city’s transport capacity beyond its three metro lines, which already carry around 500 million passengers annually. The system, built and operated by a consortium led by French rail manufacturer Alstom, includes 68 trains made up of 272 coaches built in Derby, England. Each train can carry up to 45,000 passengers per hour in each direction at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour.

Alstom describes the monorail as environmentally friendly, with low noise levels and the ability to recover up to 99 percent of braking energy, reducing fuel use. The Egyptian government expects the new capital to eventually house 6.5 million people and create 2 million jobs.

Four boats sank at Ramna Banderghat in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram after a sudden storm and unusually high waves struck the Brahmaputra River on Tuesday afternoon. Several other boats and a speedboat were also damaged. Witnesses said the sky suddenly darkened before light rain and gusty winds began, creating unexpectedly large waves that battered the moored boats against the riverbank’s block pitching.

Two boats from the Roumari and Kodalkati routes and two from Chilmari were reported sunk, with their hulls ruptured by the impact. Around 50 sacks of urea fertilizer and passengers’ belongings were lost to the river. Boat owners described the event as abrupt and unlike anything they had seen before, noting that wind intensity was moderate but the waves were abnormally strong.

No casualties were reported. Owners of the damaged boats are attempting to recover their vessels and goods, while local administration and relevant authorities are monitoring the situation.

Dhaka University’s International Center for Ocean Governance and China’s First Institute of Oceanography jointly inaugurated a modern ocean observation and environmental modeling initiative in Bangladesh’s coastal waters. The daylong seminar marking the launch was held on June 2, 2026, at Dhaka University, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam as chief guest. Participants included academics, researchers, students, and representatives from national institutions such as the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the Bangladesh Navy, and SPARRSO, alongside Chinese scientists.

Speakers emphasized the importance of international collaboration in marine science, coastal monitoring, and climate resilience. The Vice-Chancellor noted that the partnership between Bangladesh and China opens new opportunities for sustainable resource management and coastal risk mitigation. He highlighted that Bangladesh’s economy, coastal livelihoods, and biodiversity depend on sustainable ocean resource management.

The initiative will enhance researchers’ capacity in real-time buoy data analysis, oceanographic modeling, and environmental monitoring. It will also support scientific assessment of microplastic, heavy metal, and oil pollution, creating a platform for data-driven environmental decision-making.

A mobile court in Lakhai upazila of Habiganj fined two brick kilns a total of six lakh taka for operating without valid licenses. The operation took place around 3 p.m. on Tuesday at Morakuri Uttar Madanpur area, targeting Messrs Titas Bricks Field and CMC Brick Kiln. The drive was led by Lakhai Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Syed Murad Islam.

According to the report, the fines were imposed under the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kiln Establishment (Control) Act, 2013, as both kilns had failed to renew their licenses. Each owner was fined three lakh taka. The upazila executive officer stated that the penalties were imposed in the public interest due to the absence of valid licenses.

He further mentioned that similar monitoring and enforcement drives would continue across the upazila to ensure environmental protection and compliance with government regulations.

A human chain was organized in Daudkandi, Cumilla, by customers, investors, and businesspeople of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited. The event took place on Tuesday in front of the bank’s branch office at Ahmadia Plaza in Daudkandi municipal market, drawing significant participation from local traders and clients.

Participants expressed unity in protecting business interests, maintaining the bank’s stability, and fulfilling various demands. They emphasized Islami Bank’s vital role in the national economy and called for ensuring customer trust, business interests, transparency, and accountability. Speakers urged that mutual trust between the bank and its clients must remain strong and that the institution should be kept free from irregularities, corruption, and vested interests.

Business leaders including Billal Miaji, Rezaul Haque Sarkar, Abu Bakar Siddiq, and Ismail Hossain Talukder addressed the gathering, while Nasir Uddin Ahmed conducted the program. They appealed to authorities to take prompt action to safeguard the bank’s governance and protect depositor confidence.

Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton and Executive Engineer (Electricity) A.B.M. Asaduzzaman Sweet are scheduled to visit France from June 20 to 30, 2026, for an 11-day study tour on street and lighting technology. The visit aims to enhance their knowledge of energy-efficient outdoor lighting systems. RCC’s Chief Executive Officer Rezaul Karim sought approval for the trip from the Local Government Division on May 12, citing an invitation from Signify Bangladesh Limited.

According to the letter sent to the ministry, the officials will visit Signify France’s Outdoor Lighting Application Center to learn about new electricity-saving technologies for streetlights. Signify Bangladesh Limited will cover all expenses of the trip. The company’s manager, Mehedi Hasan, said they import French-made streetlights and sometimes take clients to observe production processes when purchase orders are placed.

However, Hasan could not confirm which dealer supplied streetlights to RCC. Attempts to contact Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton for comment were unsuccessful.

Bangladeshi filmmaker and former cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has spoken out about the cancellation of a film screening in Brahmanbaria. The screening of the movie 'Bonolota Express,' organized by the Brahmanbaria Film Society, was called off after objections from the Qawmi Chhatra Oikya Parishad and lack of administrative approval. The incident sparked widespread debate on social media, with many users expressing protest.

In a Facebook post on June 2, Farooki criticized the intolerance behind the cancellation, saying that while some may personally disapprove of cinema, they should not impose their views on others. He argued that such behavior from religious groups damages both the country's and religion's image. Farooki also noted that many people mistakenly hold the cultural minister responsible, though the ministry does not directly control cinema affairs.

He reiterated his long-standing view that cinema, OTT, and entertainment should be under the cultural ministry rather than the information ministry, urging a change in the government's allocation of business structure.

Social Welfare Minister Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain announced that the upcoming national budget will expand the scope of family cards, farmer cards, and religious sector programs. He said allocations for social safety programs have been increased, and financial grants for treating critical illnesses have been doubled. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday at a meeting with divisional officials at the Department of Social Services office in Agargaon.

Zahid Hossain stated that around 4.02 million people will be brought under the family card program next year. The government is also working to transform orphaned children into skilled human resources. Grants for patients suffering from cancer, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, thalassemia, and congenital heart disease will be raised to 100,000 taka, with total allocations proposed to increase from 3 billion to 6 billion taka. The minister said the program’s third pilot phase is expected to be completed by June.

State Minister Farzana Sharmin noted that despite many institutions under the ministry, coordination remains a challenge. The new work plan emphasizes better coordination to improve service quality.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced a significant reduction in gold prices across the country following a decline in international markets. The price of 22-carat gold has been lowered by Tk 3,266 per bhori, setting the new rate at Tk 234,855. The revised prices took effect from 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, according to a BAJUS press release.

BAJUS stated that the decision was influenced by a sharp fall in global gold prices, which impacted the local market. The last price adjustment occurred on May 25, when the association raised the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 2,158 per bhori to Tk 238,121. Prices for 21-carat, 18-carat, and traditional gold have also been revised accordingly.

So far this year, BAJUS has adjusted gold prices 70 times, increasing them 37 times and reducing them 33 times, reflecting continued volatility in both domestic and international markets.

The High Court has imposed a six-month interim injunction on Swadesh Properties Limited’s land-filling activities for its ‘Swarnali Abashon’ project in Dhaka’s Uttarkhan, Khilkhet, and nearby areas. The order was issued on Sunday by a bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice Md Asif Hasan. The court also issued a rule asking why the actions of the concerned authorities should not be declared illegal.

The writ petition, filed by local resident Md Delwar Hossain Dewan, alleged that Swadesh Properties had occupied the government-owned Boalia canal, built an unauthorized Bailey bridge, and filled agricultural land, wetlands, and flood flow zones with sand in violation of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP 2022–2035). The petitioner claimed that despite complaints, authorities failed to take effective action, prompting the legal move.

The court directed that no sand filling by dredger or any other means be carried out on specific mouzas for the next six months. Twelve individuals, including officials from various government agencies and Swadesh Properties, were made respondents in the case.