Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur has announced that five private Islamic banks are scheduled to undergo a merger in the near future. Addressing concerns, he clarified that this move is unrelated to the upcoming national elections and will proceed within the next few months, well before the polls.

“There is no reason for bank officials to worry,” Dr. Mansur said, noting that necessary adjustments, including potential relocation of branches, may take place. Banks with a higher concentration of urban branches might be directed to expand into rural areas to ensure balanced coverage.

He also discussed the ongoing efforts to recover assets laundered abroad. “This will be a phased process. No asset can be reclaimed without a final court verdict,” he said. However, he mentioned the existence of a mechanism for out-of-court settlements that could potentially expedite the repatriation of illicit funds.

In response to Iran cutting off internet access following an Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities, Elon Musk has announced the activation of Starlink satellite-based internet in the country. “The beams are on,” Musk wrote, confirming Starlink’s signal is live in Iran. Previously, Iran's Ministry of Communications had admitted to imposing "temporary restrictions" on internet access, limiting citizens' ability to access foreign news during ongoing tensions between Tehran and Jerusalem.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that crude oil production in the U.S. could decline slightly to 13.37 million barrels per day in 2026, down 50,000 barrels from 2025. A sharp drop in active rigs and slower drilling activity are key factors behind this trend. Shale output, especially from the Permian Basin, is expected to decrease, though offshore production may rise slightly. Meanwhile, global oil demand growth is slowing, while rising supply may lead to increased global crude inventories.

The National Consensus Commission is set to hold a meeting with the BNP and 30 other political parties on June 17 at 10:30 AM at the Foreign Service Academy’s Doel Hall. The three-day discussions will run through June 19. Topics on the agenda include Article 70 of the Constitution, nomination of Standing Committee chairpersons, women's representation in politics, a bicameral legislature, and the process of appointing the Chief Justice.

While exchanging Eid greetings, Advisor Farida Akhtar stated that this year's Eid-ul-Adha was notably smoother and more comfortable in terms of travel, sacrificial animal handling, and meat distribution compared to previous years. She highlighted that no livestock was imported from neighboring countries this year, leading to higher sales for local farmers. She added that orphanages and madrasas received sacrificial animal hides, and although the government distributed salt free of charge for hide preservation, lack of expertise caused some preservation issues. Despite not reaching ideal price levels, hide prices were better than in previous years.

A devastating fire broke out at the 67-storey Marina Pinnacle residential tower in Dubai’s Marina area late Friday night. Emergency services worked for six hours to control the blaze, successfully evacuating all 3,820 residents from 764 apartments without any injuries. Authorities provided medical and psychological support, and temporary shelter was arranged for those affected. Although no casualties were reported, officials are reassessing the building’s safety measures and continuing efforts to assist displaced residents with recovery and care.

A British F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing in India late Saturday night after running low on fuel, according to a report by NDTV. The aircraft landed at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in the southern state of Kerala. Officials confirmed that the pilot had requested emergency landing clearance after notifying authorities of critically low fuel levels. The situation was handled swiftly and professionally.

For the second consecutive day, workers under the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Pandemic Preparedness (ERPP) project protested outside the DGHS in Dhaka, demanding permanent jobs and unpaid wages. Recruited during the pandemic, they claim their service is now being disregarded despite the ongoing need due to rising COVID-19 cases. They warned of stricter movements if their demands are unmet. Protesters also accused the authorities of attempting to replace them, despite their contributions to building and running COVID labs and ICUs across the country.

A deadly accident involving five vehicles on the Dhaka-Khulna highway in Gopalganj killed a highway traffic police officer and a bus helper late Saturday night. At least 20 others were injured in the multi-vehicle collision near the Gopinathpur bus stand. The injured include passengers from several districts, some of whom were hospitalized while others received first aid. The accident occurred when a speeding bus lost control and hit a parked truck, triggering a chain-reaction crash involving other vehicles.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin stated that the Election Commission will operate as a neutral referee in the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections. "Whoever wants to play, let them play. Whoever wins, let them win," he said during a post-Eid meeting with election officials. Nasir emphasized the EC’s commitment to ensuring a level playing field and urged staff to remain impartial, act lawfully, and prioritize a free, fair, and credible election for the nation.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that his country has no involvement in the ongoing military conflict between Iran and Israel. Speaking from Seattle on his way to the G7 Summit in Canada, Albanese confirmed that no request for military assistance had been received and that the situation is being closely monitored. Meanwhile, the Australian government is providing consular support to its citizens in the region. The UK has already deployed military aircraft to the Middle East.

Amid escalating Iran-Israel tensions, Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz — a vital route for global LNG and oil transport. Bangladesh, heavily reliant on Qatari LNG via this strait, may face significant gas supply disruptions if the route is blocked. Experts warn of rising energy costs, inflation, and industrial slowdowns. While current LNG imports remain unaffected, any prolonged conflict could severely impact the economy. The government is being urged to monitor the situation closely and consider alternative supply strategies.

Former US President Donald Trump clarified in a social media post that the United States had no role in Israel’s recent military strikes on Iran. This came after Tehran accused Washington of being complicit. Trump warned, “If Iran attacks us in any way, the response will be devastating. The full might of the US Armed Forces will be unleashed in a way Iran has never seen.” However, he also expressed a desire to see peace between Iran and Israel through a negotiated agreement.

Advisor Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan has said that electricity consumption in rural Bangladesh is rapidly increasing due to widespread use of air conditioners and refrigerators. “The consumption pattern has changed, leading to localized disruptions,” he noted. During the Eid holidays, national demand reached 12,000–13,000 MW. He dismissed claims that rural areas were entirely without power and assured that oil-based power plants would be activated if necessary. Khan also warned against the operation of unfit vehicles and praised overall Eid travel conditions.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, en route to the G7 summit in Canada, announced the deployment of additional Royal Air Force (RAF) jets to the Middle East. He said the move is intended to bolster emergency support efforts in the region amidst escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. The deployment will include Typhoon fighter jets and air-to-air refueling aircraft, as part of the UK’s commitment to stabilizing the situation in the region.