The government has approved construction of the Padma Barrage at Pangsha in Rajbari district, 46 years after the foundation of the Ganga Dam project was laid at Moslempur in Veramara, Kushtia. Residents of Veramara have expressed anger and demanded reconsideration of the decision to exclude their area. According to the Water Resources Ministry, the main barrage will be 2.1 kilometers long with 78 spillway gates, 18 under-sluice gates, and one navigation lock. A railway bridge and a 113-megawatt hydropower facility are also planned. The project is expected to benefit 120 upazilas across 19 districts in four divisions.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman, approved the first phase of the Padma Barrage project at a cost of Tk 34,497 crore. The total master plan involves Tk 50,443 crore in two phases. The original Ganga Dam project, inaugurated in 1980, aimed to provide irrigation, flood control, and environmental benefits to southwestern and northern Bangladesh.

Officials noted that the decision comes as the Ganges water-sharing treaty with India is set to expire in December, making the new barrage strategically significant for Bangladesh.

A three-month-old infant was killed and five members of the same family were injured when lightning struck their home in Sajek Union of Baghaichhari upazila, Rangamati, early Monday around 3:30 a.m. The incident occurred in the Dane Baibachhara area during a sudden storm and heavy rain. The lightning directly hit the house of Pradeep Chakma, causing the death of his infant child, Ujjal Chakma, on the spot.

The injured family members were identified as Pradeep Chakma, 65, Maya Rani, 48, Reshmi Chakma, 28, Jerin Chakma, 15, and Nijhum Chakma, 3. Locals rescued the injured around 7 a.m. and took them to Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital for treatment. The Rangamati Superintendent of Police confirmed the death and injuries caused by the lightning strike.

Authorities have not provided further details on the condition of the injured or any additional damage caused by the incident.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda led a delegation that paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday morning at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon. The meeting was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, which shared details of the official engagement.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister A B M Abdus Sattar were present during the meeting, according to the official statement. The report did not specify the topics discussed or any outcomes from the meeting.

The visit reflects ongoing engagement between Bangladesh’s government and the ADB leadership, though no further details on the agenda or agreements were provided in the source.

Cattle markets across Dhaka have begun to fill up ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with traders bringing cows, goats, and buffaloes from districts including Kushtia, Rajshahi, Jhenaidah, Pabna, and Chuadanga. Field visits show a clear dominance of locally raised cattle this year, while Indian cattle are comparatively scarce. Traders reported low buyer turnout in recent days but expect full-scale trading to begin Monday as government and private offices close for the holiday.

At major markets such as Uttara’s Diabari and Gabtoli, thousands of local cows have arrived. Farmers like Ziaur Rahman from Kushtia and Anwar Molla from Rajshahi expressed optimism that sales will pick up once buyers start visiting. Some traders have already sold a few animals at modest profits, while others await the main rush. Buyers noted slightly higher prices than last year, with most preferred cows priced between one and 2.5 lakh taka.

Large animals such as the Brahma bull “Sultan Bhai,” sold for 8.5 lakh taka, and other giant cattle from Barishal drew crowds. However, late afternoon rain left markets muddy and temporarily empty of buyers.

India has increased petrol and diesel prices again, marking the fourth hike in two weeks. On Monday, petrol prices rose by 2.61 rupees per litre and diesel by 2.71 rupees per litre. Consumers began paying the new rates the same day. The latest adjustment follows a previous increase on Saturday, when petrol went up by 87 paise and diesel by 97 paise.

The repeated fuel price hikes come amid ongoing tensions in West Asia, which have raised concerns about rising costs of essential goods in India. In Delhi, the new prices stand at 102.12 rupees per litre for petrol and 95.20 rupees for diesel. Kolkata recorded the highest rates, with petrol priced at 113.51 rupees and diesel at 99.82 rupees per litre.

The continued upward trend in fuel prices has sparked fears of inflationary pressure on daily commodities, though no official response or policy statement was mentioned in the report.

Two liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers have crossed the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz en route to Pakistan and China, according to a Reuters report citing maritime tracking data. The Bahamas-flagged LNG tanker 'Fuwairit' is currently passing through the strait and is scheduled to unload its cargo in Pakistan by Tuesday. The vessel had loaded LNG at Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal in March.

Reuters further reported that another LNG tanker, 'Al Rayyan', also successfully crossed the same maritime route. After loading LNG from Ras Laffan, the ship was last seen in the Persian Gulf on May 22 and is now located beyond the Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran. It is expected to reach China by June 27.

The report, based on data from Kepler and LSEG, highlights the continued flow of Qatari LNG shipments through one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.

The Bangladesh government has announced a large-scale initiative to explore oil, gas, and other mineral resources in the Bay of Bengal. At a press conference on May 25, 2026, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources revealed that international tenders have been invited for exploration in 26 deep and shallow sea blocks. The government plans to begin exploration by 2027, signing 25-year contracts for gas extraction and 20-year contracts for oil production with qualified multinational companies.

Officials explained that the new Model Production Sharing Contract (PSC) 2026 outlines a nine-year exploration period, including geological surveys and drilling phases. Petrobangla will hold a profit share of 40–65 percent in shallow waters and 35–60 percent in deep waters. Foreign investors will receive tax exemptions on imported equipment and may export gas or oil if Petrobangla declines to purchase. The gas price will range between USD 7.5 and 11 per MCF, linked to global oil prices.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud described the initiative as a new era for national energy security, emphasizing reduced import dependence and increased domestic production through foreign investment.

Global oil prices declined sharply after signs emerged that the Iran war might be nearing an end. Brent crude, the key international benchmark, dropped about 5 percent on Sunday. By early Monday, July futures for Brent fell to 98.47 dollars per barrel, nearly 9 percent lower than a month earlier, though still more than one-third higher than before the conflict began.

Japan’s main stock index, the Nikkei 225, rose more than 3 percent in early Monday trading, setting a new record after also closing at a record high on Friday. On Sunday, former U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media that discussions with Tehran were progressing in a disciplined and constructive manner but instructed officials not to rush into any agreement.

According to June Goh, a senior oil market analyst at Singapore-based Sparta, the fundamental situation has not changed significantly, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to block the supply of 10 to 11 million barrels of crude oil per day.

Bangladesh Bank has appointed Md. Khurshid Alam as the new chairman of Islami Bank following the resignation of the bank’s previous chairman, Zubaidur Rahman. The appointment was confirmed through an official letter sent to the bank’s managing director. The decision came shortly after Zubaidur Rahman stepped down from his position on Sunday.

Khurshid Alam previously served as a deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, having been appointed to the post in February 2024 under the then Awami League government for a three-year contractual term. However, after the Awami League lost power in August 2024, he and three other senior central bank officials appointed during that period were forced to resign amid staff protests. His new appointment marks his return to a key position in the country’s banking sector.

The central bank’s move to place a former deputy governor at the helm of Islami Bank indicates a reshuffle in financial leadership following political changes in Bangladesh.

The Sonahat land port in Bhurungamari upazila of Kurigram will remain closed for eight days during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. According to a notice signed by the convener and senior joint convener of the Sonahat Land Customs Station C&F Agents Association, all import and export activities at the port will be suspended from Monday, May 25, to Monday, June 1. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, June 2.

The association stated that the decision was made in its monthly meeting to align with the Eid-ul-Azha holiday schedule. The Assistant Director of Traffic at the Sonahat Land Customs Station, Aminul Haque, confirmed that official administrative activities will resume on June 1 in accordance with the government holiday schedule, while import and export operations will restart on June 2.

The announcement ensures coordination between customs officials and trade representatives to manage the temporary suspension and smooth resumption of cross-border trade following the Eid holidays.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud announced that new oil and gas fields could be discovered in the country’s maritime areas through ongoing exploration efforts. He made the statement at a press conference organized by the ministry on the occasion of launching the Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round 2026. The minister said the government would sign agreements that protect national interests while encouraging foreign investment.

He recalled that the first successful bidding round was held in 1993 under Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, leading to major discoveries such as the Bibiyana and Sangu gas fields. The current government aims to build on that legacy by strengthening the capacity of state-owned Bapex and inviting foreign companies to explore offshore resources. The new Offshore Model PSC 2026 includes international-standard, investor-friendly provisions such as third-party gas sales, export options, and tariff arrangements for pipeline investments.

Under the 2026 bidding round, 26 offshore blocks—11 shallow sea and 15 deep sea—are open for bids. Officials expressed hope that the new incentives will attract strong international participation and enhance Bangladesh’s energy security.

Coastal erosion driven by climate change and rising sea levels is steadily consuming homes, roads and railways across the United Kingdom. Experts warn that thousands of properties and key infrastructure could be lost within decades, yet no comprehensive national strategy has been developed to address the crisis. In South Devon, part of the Slapton Line road collapsed during winter storms, cutting off a vital link between Kingsbridge and Dartmouth. Local businesses report severe losses, while officials estimate reconstruction could cost £18 million.

Government data suggest at least 10,000 properties may be at risk over the next 80 years, with some estimates doubling that figure. Around six kilometres of railway and 114 miles of roads are also threatened. Authorities have adopted varying coastal management approaches—holding the line, managed realignment, or no active intervention—depending on location. Experimental projects worth £36 million, later expanded by £18 million, aim to help communities adapt, though compensation and insurance options remain limited.

Environmental officers note that some areas, such as parts of Yorkshire, are losing up to 4.5 metres of land annually, while others face growing “disaster tourism” as social media amplifies personal losses.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha 2026, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority has implemented special traffic management and infrastructure improvements on the Elenga to Jamuna Bridge East Circle section under the SASEC Road Connectivity Project-2. The measures aim to ensure safe, smooth, and congestion-free travel for homebound passengers. The highway now effectively operates with four lanes by combining two newly built service lanes with the existing two main lanes, allowing vehicles to move without artificial congestion.

Bridge Division Secretary and Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf stated that this section had previously been a major challenge for northern-bound travelers during Eid seasons. This year, coordinated improvements, including lane expansion, bus bays, and drainage systems, have been completed to prevent traffic jams. Reflective markers, concrete dividers, and round-the-clock monitoring teams have been deployed to enhance safety and traffic discipline.

Additional measures include trained toll collectors, nonstop ETC lanes, surveillance cameras, and emergency response teams at both Jamuna and Padma Bridge areas. Authorities expect that these initiatives will eliminate traffic bottlenecks and ensure uninterrupted vehicle movement during the Eid travel rush.

Professor Dr. Zubaidur Rahman has resigned as chairman of Islami Bank. On Sunday, he submitted his resignation to the bank’s board of directors and later to the governor of Bangladesh Bank, according to information from both the central bank and Islami Bank sources.

Following the fall of the Awami League government after a student and public uprising, Bangladesh Bank dissolved the Islami Bank board. The central bank then appointed Obaid Ullah Al Masud as an independent director, who later became chairman. After Masud’s resignation in July last year, Zubaidur Rahman joined the board as an independent director and took over as chairman. He has now stepped down after ten months in the role.

Zubaidur Rahman began his career in 1975 as a lecturer in finance at the University of Dhaka and later earned a PhD in finance from the University of Manchester. He has held academic and advisory positions in several international institutions and is the founding vice chancellor of ZNRF University of Management Sciences in Dhaka.

Severe rainfall and flash floods in southwest China have left one person dead and 17 others missing, according to state media reports on Sunday. The incident occurred in Yongchuan District, where continuous heavy rain fell from late Saturday night to Sunday morning, causing widespread waterlogging and flooding. Rescue teams are conducting search operations to locate the missing individuals.

Local authorities reported that a road area recorded 296.6 millimeters of rainfall within just two hours, one of the highest recent measurements. The downpour disrupted road transport and caused damage in several areas. Emergency rescue operations have been intensified, and alerts remain in effect across affected regions.

Officials stated that emergency response measures are being reinforced to manage the situation and minimize further losses as rainfall continues to affect the region.