National Tea Company (NTC) Director and PKSF official Saleh Uddin held a meeting with representatives of indigenous communities in Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj on Friday morning. The discussion took place at the NTC bungalow in Chandichhara Tea Garden, chaired by garden manager Selimur Rahman and conducted by Palash Hajong, president of the Indigenous Social Welfare Organization. Local journalists and several labor leaders also attended the session.

During the meeting, community representatives highlighted that indigenous residents of tea gardens remain deprived of basic services such as education, healthcare, fair wages, and housing. They announced plans to organize a large “Bacha-Bara” rally in Chunarughat soon to press for their rights and improve living standards for tea workers and minority groups.

Saleh Uddin stated that he is working to transform the tea sector into an agro-industry and ensure fair prices for tea leaves and fair wages for workers. He also alleged that corruption during the previous Awami League government had pushed the tea industry into crisis, urging the current administration to take steps to overcome it.

The World Bank has approved an emergency loan of $1.1 billion for two projects in Bangladesh to help the country address global fertilizer and energy market volatility, maintain food security, and ensure rapid response measures. The approval was announced on Friday through a statement from the World Bank’s Dhaka office. Jean Pesme, the Bank’s Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said the assistance aims to mitigate the economic impact of rising food, fertilizer, and fuel prices caused by conflicts in the Middle East, which have severely affected small farmers and vulnerable communities.

The funding will be used under the “Emergency Support for Food Security Project” to import 600,000 metric tons of essential fertilizer, half of which will be urea, for the 2026 Aman and 2026–27 Boro rice seasons. This is expected to sustain rice production across 1.4 million hectares of farmland. Another portion, under the “Contingent Emergency Response Project,” will provide cash support to affected families and small businesses, and maintain essential services such as food, medicine, electricity, and water. The funds are scheduled for disbursement by June 30.

World Bank officials said the emergency fund was created by reallocating unused resources from existing projects to ensure quick delivery and avoid bureaucratic delays.

In Sapahar, Naogaon—one of Bangladesh’s largest mango-producing regions—farmers are struggling with low prices despite a busy trading season. At the midpoint of the harvest, markets across the upazila are filled with ripe mangoes, but growers report that production costs have risen sharply while market prices have dropped by Tk 1,000 to 1,500 per maund compared to last year. Many farmers are also forced to sell mangoes in heavier units of 52–55 kilograms per maund instead of the traditional 40 kilograms, deepening their financial losses.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, mangoes have been cultivated on 30,310 hectares across Naogaon this season, with Sapahar targeting 140,000 metric tons of production worth about Tk 2,000 crore. Farmers blame increased costs for fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, labor, and transport, while traders argue that local pricing follows regional norms. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer said the administration is monitoring markets and will act on any complaints.

Agriculture experts warn that without fair pricing, transparent weighing, better cold storage, and stronger market oversight, farmer interest in mango cultivation could decline, affecting Naogaon’s economy.

Two ferries began uninterrupted operations on the Mongla River in Bagerhat, marking the start of a long-awaited transport service. The service was officially inaugurated on Saturday by Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam, MP and State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It aims to ensure safe and comfortable river crossings for workers, employees, and residents of Mongla EPZ, Mongla Port, and nearby industrial areas until the planned hanging bridge over the river is completed.

Local leaders and residents welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely and people-friendly step that will significantly reduce the daily travel difficulties faced by thousands of workers and commuters. They noted that the new ferry service will make travel faster, easier, and more reliable for industrial workers, businesspeople, and students.

Residents also urged authorities to expedite the construction of the long-anticipated hanging bridge, viewing the ferry service as a step toward improved connectivity and economic activity in Mongla’s port and industrial zones.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on European goods if any European country enacts digital service taxes targeting American technology companies. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said several European nations are discussing such taxes, and some are close to implementing them. He warned that the punitive tariffs would be applied soon and could render existing bilateral trade agreements ineffective.

Trump’s warning specifically targets countries moving toward new digital taxes on US tech firms. The statement did not clarify how the measure would affect the United Kingdom, which has had a similar tax in place since 2020. Trump emphasized that any country imposing such a tax would face immediate 100 percent tariffs on all goods exported to the United States.

The remarks signal potential escalation in trade tensions between the United States and Europe if digital service tax plans proceed.

Bangladesh is experiencing a disrupted monsoon season due to the combined effects of climate change and active El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean. According to the World Meteorological Organization and regional forums, rainfall this season is expected to be below normal while temperatures rise. June recorded 47 percent less rainfall than average, marking the driest June in a decade. Meteorologists report that although the southwest monsoon arrived on time, it has not become fully active across the country.

Experts warn that reduced rainfall and heatwaves are already affecting agriculture, particularly Aman rice cultivation, and could impact the national economy and public health. The South Asian Climate Forum forecasts declining groundwater levels and water shortages, threatening irrigation, power generation, and daily water supply. Health professionals caution about increased risks of heatstroke and waterborne diseases.

Climate scientists urge immediate adaptation measures, including drought-resistant crops, water conservation, and heat safety practices. Environmentalists call for coordinated national planning, while experts highlight declining climate-related health funding despite growing risks. They recommend integrating health adaptation priorities into the national budget and expanding access to domestic climate funds.

Switzerland’s glaciers are facing a severe crisis due to the ongoing European heatwave, with rapid ice loss expected this year, according to Matthias Huss, head of the Swiss glacier monitoring network GLAMOS. He told AFP that the snow and ice accumulated over the winter could melt completely by next Monday, marking the second earliest “Glacier Loss Day” on record. The melt is projected to continue through October, shrinking the glaciers of the Swiss Alps. The last time this date came earlier was in 2022, on June 26.

Experts cited the combination of the current heatwave, unusually warm weather in May, and below-average snowfall last winter as key factors worsening the situation. Huss reported that during a recent visit to the Rhône Glacier, about one meter of ice melted within ten days. He warned that prolonged high temperatures, not just a single heatwave, pose the greatest threat to glaciers.

Data show that between 2000 and 2024, Switzerland’s glacier volume has decreased by 38 percent. If global warming continues at the current rate, only remnants of ice may remain by 2100.

A new earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale struck northern Venezuela on Friday, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The quake’s epicenter was located about 61 kilometers northwest of Maracay. Local reports indicated that tremors were felt in both Maracay and Caracas, though detailed information about damage or casualties from this latest event was not yet available.

The country is still reeling from two powerful earthquakes that hit on Wednesday evening, which have already claimed at least 920 lives, with fears that the death toll could rise further. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that total casualties from Wednesday’s quakes could exceed 10,000, with around 3,360 people reported injured.

Authorities and rescue teams continue to assess the situation as Venezuela faces ongoing aftershocks and widespread devastation across its northern coastal regions.

Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has dismissed as false the U.S. claim that Tehran’s recently released funds will be used to purchase American agricultural products. In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf accused Washington of spreading misinformation and breaking promises, saying the distrust caused by U.S. policies has now turned against it. He also mocked the U.S. export list, saying it is filled with genetically modified soybeans and empty rhetoric.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance had said that under a memorandum of understanding brokered by Pakistan, $500 million worth of U.S. goods would be included in the initial phase, with the funds used to buy corn and wheat for Iran’s food needs. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in Bahrain that Washington seeks a deal aligned with its security and economic interests and those of its regional allies.

Iranian state and semi-official media described the agreement as a strategic success for Iran, not a concession. The Central Bank governor said the released funds could be used beyond essential goods if necessary, while ongoing talks reveal clear differences between the two sides over implementation and interpretation.

Electricity supply will remain suspended for several hours on Saturday, June 27, in parts of Chattogram and Natore due to maintenance and tree trimming work. Separate notices from the Chandanaish Palli Bidyut Office and Natore Palli Bidyut Samiti-2 confirmed the planned outages. In Chandanaish, power will be cut from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., affecting multiple areas including Munshef Bazar, Kerani Bari, Choudhury Market, Chandanaish Municipality, and Noapara. In Natore, power will be off from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., impacting Bonpara Municipality and several unions under Baraigram-1 and Baraigram-3 substations.

The authorities stated that the outages are necessary to remove risky tree branches near transmission lines and to conduct line maintenance. They apologized for the temporary inconvenience and noted that the duration of the power cuts may vary depending on work progress.

The maintenance work aims to ensure safer and more reliable electricity distribution in the affected regions once completed.

Four months after the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran, the involved parties have begun talks in Switzerland aimed at ending the conflict. Observers expect that a lasting agreement could ease the global economic strain caused by the war, which has disrupted trade and driven up energy prices.

Since the conflict began, international energy markets have faced volatility, with oil prices surging and global commerce suffering setbacks. Businesses and consumers worldwide have borne higher costs as a result. Yet, amid the turmoil, certain sectors have profited significantly. Defense equipment manufacturers, oil and gas producers, and investment banks have recorded notable gains due to increased demand for arms, rising energy prices, and a shift toward safer investments.

Analysts suggest that if the Swiss negotiations succeed, both Middle Eastern security and global economic stability could improve, offering relief to businesses and consumers affected by wartime pressures.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread devastation in Caracas and surrounding areas. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed on Friday that the death toll had risen to 589, with 2,980 people injured. Rescue teams and local residents have recovered bodies and rescued several survivors from the rubble, while hundreds of buildings have collapsed.

An opposition-run website collecting information on missing persons reported that relatives had listed more than 50,000 people as missing by Friday morning. Rescue operations continue using heavy machinery, but efforts are hampered by severe infrastructure damage, communication breakdowns, and the scale of destruction.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s damage assessment models, the number of fatalities could exceed several thousand, with a strong possibility of surpassing 10,000 if conditions worsen.

Beijing has proposed establishing an economic corridor connecting Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China to expand regional connectivity and trade. The proposal was presented during a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarek Rahman at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday morning. According to Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Mahdi Amin, the discussion focused on enhancing connectivity and developing a multimodal transportation network to strengthen Bangladesh’s economic reach and transaction capacity.

China also expressed interest in modernizing Chattogram Port to transform it into a regional hub serving not only Bangladesh but also other countries. Additionally, Beijing showed willingness to upgrade Mongla Port to make it more progressive and service-oriented. Both sides discussed these infrastructure initiatives as part of broader efforts to deepen economic cooperation and regional integration.

Further details on the implementation timeline or specific investment commitments were not disclosed in the briefing.

Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco has resumed crude oil loading operations at Ras Tanura, the Gulf region’s largest export terminal, after nearly four months of suspension. According to a Reuters report, two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) operated by Bahri, a Saudi shipping company, are currently loading crude at the terminal, while another vessel is waiting nearby. Each VLCC can carry about two million barrels of oil, signaling a restart of exports from one of Saudi Arabia’s key oil hubs.

The move comes as Middle Eastern oil and gas producers have recently increased production and exports amid hopes of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia’s decision to resume exports from within the Gulf aligns with this broader regional trend.

The resumption of operations at Ras Tanura indicates a potential stabilization in regional oil trade routes following months of disruption.

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Japan on Friday, shaking parts of the eastern region. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the quake occurred at 12:46 p.m. local time with its epicenter in Chiba Prefecture at a depth of about 50 kilometers. Kyodo News reported that the maximum intensity reached level 4 on Japan’s seven-point seismic scale.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the same magnitude, locating the epicenter about four kilometers south-southeast of Yokoshiba at a depth of 56 kilometers. No casualties or significant damage have been reported so far. The tremor followed another earthquake recorded the previous day, which the USGS measured at magnitude 6.9 near Kuji, about 35 kilometers northeast at a depth of 51.7 kilometers.

Authorities have not issued any warnings or reported disruptions, and monitoring continues for possible aftershocks in the affected areas.