The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has again reduced gold prices in the domestic market within 24 hours. In a notice issued on Tuesday morning, BAJUS announced that the price of 22-carat gold, including VAT, has been lowered by Tk 3,324 per bhori to Tk 221,966. The new rates took effect from 10 a.m. the same day. The association said the adjustment followed a decline in the price of pure gold in the local market.

According to the new pricing, 21-carat gold now costs Tk 211,993 per bhori, 18-carat gold Tk 182,075, and traditional gold Tk 148,774. BAJUS stated that these prices will remain effective until further notice, with design-based making charges applicable. VAT is included in the selling price, and customers cannot be charged separately. The association also mentioned that silver prices have been reduced by Tk 175 per bhori, setting 22-carat silver at Tk 4,491.

This marks the 84th gold price adjustment in 2026, with 41 increases, 42 decreases, and one VAT revision so far. Silver prices have been adjusted 51 times this year.

In Lalmonirhat, the Teesta River’s water level, which had risen above the danger mark due to heavy rainfall and upstream flow from India, began to recede on Tuesday morning. Despite the improvement, residents in low-lying and char areas remain stranded, with many taking shelter on roads and embankments along with their livestock and belongings. Although dry food is available, people are facing an acute shortage of safe drinking water.

Officials from the Water Development Board confirmed that at 6 a.m. Tuesday, the Teesta’s water at Dalia Point was flowing 30 centimeters below the danger level. The situation has improved since Sunday evening when the river overflowed, inundating nearby areas and disrupting daily life. Local farmers reported that floodwaters still cover croplands in several char regions.

Authorities have started assessing damages and preparing relief measures. The district administration has allocated 220 metric tons of rice and Tk 550,000 in cash for affected upazilas. Officials expect conditions to gradually improve as water levels continue to fall.

Venezuela has been struck by two powerful earthquakes that killed at least 1,719 people and injured more than 5,000, according to official reports released Monday night. The quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit the northern La Guaira state just 39 seconds apart, destroying around 800 buildings and leaving thousands missing. Rescue teams continue to work tirelessly to locate survivors trapped under the rubble.

Authorities described the disaster as the most catastrophic natural event in the country’s history. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez said over 25,000 emergency workers, police, and soldiers are assisting affected communities. Despite international aid arriving, hopes of finding survivors are fading as critical hours pass. A 21-year-old man was rescued alive after being trapped for more than 100 hours.

Reports indicate limited government presence in some of the hardest-hit areas, where residents are relying on local farmers and volunteers for essential supplies. A mild aftershock of magnitude 4.6 was felt Monday in Caracas and La Guaira, though no new damage was reported.

U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded that petrol stations and other fuel retailers immediately lower prices following a decline in global oil rates. In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned that retailers could face serious consequences if they fail to reduce prices for consumers. He noted that oil prices had dropped to 68 dollars per barrel and were continuing to fall, yet retail fuel prices remained high.

Trump emphasized that retailers must act quickly to adjust prices and avoid overcharging, which he described as illegal. His warning comes after a period of sharp increases in oil prices triggered by the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, during which Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supply.

Oil prices have since declined as Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding and moved toward a potential final agreement, easing market tensions and prompting Trump’s call for lower domestic fuel prices.

Bangladesh is facing a severe disparity in electricity supply between urban and rural areas, with rural residents enduring long hours without power while Dhaka remains largely unaffected. On Sunday, despite a national load shedding record of 3,280 megawatts, the capital experienced no outages. Protests erupted in several districts, where residents blocked roads and attacked power offices over frequent blackouts. In Jamalpur’s Madarganj, hundreds surrounded a local power station, citing disruptions to students’ studies.

According to the Power Division, national electricity demand reached 17,278 megawatts, but only 13,998 megawatts were supplied. While Dhaka’s utilities met full demand, rural areas under the Rural Electrification Board faced significant shortfalls. Officials reported that 65 percent of power plants remain idle, with gas and coal shortages limiting production. The government continues to pay high capacity charges for unused plants.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud stated in parliament that production has improved to 14,500 megawatts against a demand of 14,839 megawatts and assured efforts to stabilize supply. Authorities are considering increasing output from oil-based plants to ease the crisis.

A massive dead baleen whale, about 56 feet long and 16 feet wide, washed ashore on Kuakata beach in Patuakhali on Monday, June 29, 2026. The whale was first spotted around noon near Kauar Char Basudha Island by a local tour guide, who alerted volunteers and the Forest Department. Officials later arrived at the site and confirmed the discovery.

Preliminary observations suggest the whale may have died about a week earlier, though the exact cause remains unknown. According to the Kuakata Dolphin Conservation Committee, similar incidents occurred in 2018, 2022, and earlier in June 2026, raising concern over repeated strandings of whales, dolphins, and turtles. Experts from Patuakhali Science and Technology University identified the species as a baleen whale and noted that environmental changes, food scarcity, disease, ship collisions, or ocean currents could be factors.

Forest officials buried the decomposing carcass to prevent odor and public health hazards. Local authorities emphasized the need for scientific research and preservation of the skeleton for future study.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a special exit facility allowing defaulting borrowers to settle their dues in one payment with relaxed conditions for interest waivers. The circular, issued on Monday to all scheduled banks, aims to reduce non-performing loans and enhance banks’ capacity to issue new credit. The central bank stated that borrowers facing financial difficulties but still capable of operating their businesses and willing to repay will be eligible for this one-time exit option.

According to the circular, loans classified as substandard or bad up to June 30 of the current year will qualify for the facility, subject to board approval based on banker–customer relationships. The requirement for banks to recover their cost of funds before waiving interest has been eased, and both state-owned and private banks may now offer interest waivers. The policy also prioritizes short-term agricultural loans and CMSME sector loans.

The directive, issued under the Bank Company Act 1991, will remain effective until December 31. Bangladesh Bank expects the measure to help reduce bad loans and support production, investment, and employment growth.

Australia has strengthened its law prohibiting social media use by children under 16, doubling the maximum fine for violating platforms to 99 million Australian dollars. The revised legislation empowers the independent eSafety Commissioner to demand proof from social media companies on compliance measures and to conduct more effective investigations and enforcement actions. The government acknowledged that many minors continue to access restricted platforms despite the ban, which took effect on December 10 of the previous year.

Investigations have begun against major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube for alleged non-compliance. A report by the eSafety Commission found that seven out of ten under-16 users with pre-ban accounts still manage to access these platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells criticized major technology companies for failing to take sufficient steps to enforce the law.

Australia’s initiative has influenced other countries, with the United Kingdom announcing plans for a similar ban by spring 2027. The UK proposal also considers nighttime restrictions for users under 18 and measures to limit infinite scrolling.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have risen above $37 billion for the first time in 45 months. As of Monday, the gross reserve stood at $37.05 billion, up from $36 billion last Wednesday. The last time reserves were above this level was in mid-September 2022, before declining steadily to $25.92 billion by August 2024, when the Awami League government fell.

According to the IMF’s BPM6 calculation method, reserves reached $32.48 billion, compared to $31.55 billion last Wednesday. The reserve crossed $31 billion after the Asian Development Bank disbursed a $1 billion loan on June 14. Bangladesh Bank began publishing reserves under the BPM6 system in June 2023, when the figure was $24.75 billion. The country’s highest reserve level was $48 billion in August 2021, before falling due to increased capital flight and a sharp depreciation of the taka from 84 to 120 per dollar.

Since August 2024, remittance inflows through banking channels have remained strong, totaling $35.34 billion by June 28 of the current fiscal year, up 17.62 percent from the same period last year, helping stabilize the foreign exchange market.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that rainfall has eased the recent heatwave across most regions, bringing temporary relief to citizens. On Monday, Dhaka’s temperature dropped by about 4°C compared to the previous day, while heavy rainfall was recorded in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Barishal divisions. The highest rainfall was 147 millimeters in Syedpur, Nilphamari. Despite the cooling effect, experts warned that the comfortable weather may not last long.

Meteorologists attributed the ongoing weather fluctuations to global climate change and the influence of La Niña. They noted that high humidity after rainfall and incomplete activation of the monsoon are causing sticky, uncomfortable conditions. The monsoon pattern has changed, with intermittent rain and intense sunlight replacing continuous cool showers.

According to forecasts, a low-pressure system may form over the sea around July 4–5, potentially increasing rainfall. However, experts expect humid and hot conditions to persist throughout the monsoon season, with reduced rainfall likely to raise both temperature and humidity levels again.

Bangladesh Bank has reinstated a maximum 4 percent spread between deposit and lending interest rates, aiming to reduce borrowing costs and support productive sectors. The directive, issued through a circular on Monday, excludes credit card and consumer loans. Currently, the average spread in the banking sector stands at 5.72 percent, with some banks maintaining spreads as high as 7 to 9 percent.

According to the central bank, many banks have sharply increased lending rates compared to deposit rates, widening the spread and negatively affecting business and industrial financing. The move seeks to bring lending rates to a reasonable level and ease financial pressure on borrowers. A bank collecting deposits at 8 percent interest will now be allowed to lend at a maximum of 12 percent.

The 4 percent cap had been lifted in November 2023 under an IMF-backed market-based interest rate system but has now been reinstated following recommendations from the central bank’s monetary policy committee, which cited high non-performing loans and excessive spreads as key concerns.

Hundreds of aftershocks have been recorded across Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 that struck the country on Wednesday. The continuing tremors have made rescue and rehabilitation operations in affected areas increasingly hazardous, according to local reports.

The Foundation for Seismological Research in Venezuela has been regularly releasing data on new aftershocks, noting that most have magnitudes below 3 and are not felt by the general population. However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded a 4.6 magnitude quake near the coast of Caracas on Thursday afternoon, which was widely felt but caused no new damage.

Experts explained that aftershocks are smaller tremors occurring after a main earthquake due to changes in stress along tectonic plates. The USGS added that shallow earthquakes are more likely to produce aftershocks, posing additional risks to ongoing rescue efforts.

Jagannath University has approved a Tk 330 crore budget for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, showing a deficit of Tk 143.39 crore. The approval came during the university syndicate’s 112th special meeting held on June 29 under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Raiqul Uddin. The syndicate also approved the revised budget of Tk 230.32 crore for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

According to the approved figures, the 2026–2027 budget includes Tk 159.10 crore from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Tk 27.50 crore from the university’s own income. Allocations include Tk 8 crore for research, Tk 60 crore for student scholarships, Tk 30 crore for temporary dormitory construction, and Tk 129.80 crore for salaries and allowances. The UGC has withheld allocations for research and vehicle purchases, while several other sectors received about 50 percent less than requested.

The syndicate recommended that the government, through the UGC, provide additional funding to cover the Tk 143.39 crore deficit. The university’s ongoing development project for a second campus has an estimated cost of Tk 1,746.06 crore, with Tk 201.21 crore allocated for 2026–2027.

Ekushey Padak-winning artist, painter, and cultural icon Mustafa Monwar passed away on June 29, 2026, while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka. He was 91. Monwar, a former Director General of the National Institute of Mass Communication, was a leading figure in Bangladesh’s art, culture, and media sectors. He was the son of poet Golam Mostafa and had been active in the arts since childhood, contributing significantly to the development of post-independence cultural media.

He was one of the architects of the red sun at the Central Shaheed Minar and a pioneer of puppetry in Bangladesh. Monwar created the beloved children’s character “Parul” and produced acclaimed television programs such as “Natun Kuri” and “Moner Kotha,” which inspired generations of young viewers. Following his death, social media users shared old clips of his shows, recalling childhood memories and expressing condolences.

Monwar also collaborated with UNICEF’s child-focused “Meena” initiative and organized puppet shows for refugee children during the Liberation War. His creative legacy and humanitarian vision remain deeply respected in Bangladesh’s cultural and media landscape.

Dhaka University has announced a proposed budget of Tk 1,033.21 crore for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, presented at the annual Senate session held on June 29, 2026, at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban. The budget, presented by Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and presided over by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam, falls short by about Tk 390 crore compared to the university’s total demand. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has allocated no direct funds for research, creating an anticipated financial deficit of Tk 83.85 crore.

According to the treasurer, 66.73 percent of the university’s total financial requirement has been met, with Tk 949 crore from UGC grants and Tk 85 crore from internal income. The largest allocations are for salaries and allowances, consuming about 53 percent of the total budget. The administration warned that the lack of research funding and limited resources for libraries, laboratories, and student welfare will strain normal academic and research operations.

The UGC plans to change its policy by managing research funds directly instead of transferring them to universities, a move that may affect Dhaka University’s ability to ensure adequate research investment.