Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on Chinese businesses to increase investment in Bangladesh. He made the appeal on Thursday morning at the 'Bangladesh Investment Forum' held at the Diaoyutai Hotel in Beijing. The event, organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), featured a presentation by BIDA Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury on investment opportunities in Bangladesh. A total of 125 Chinese business representatives attended the forum.

In his address, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh is open for business, ready for the future, and eager to build deeper industrial partnerships with China. He urged Chinese companies to expand their value chains in Bangladesh. Rahman also announced that the government is implementing a 180-day plan to reform international capital procedures, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, digitize public services, ensure policy continuity, and foster an investment-friendly environment.

He further stated that a Chinese economic and industrial zone is being developed in Anwara, with a second zone planned in Mongla. Bangladesh will soon open its first investment office in China to provide more effective services to Chinese investors.

Three powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, Japan, and the United States on June 25, 2026, causing widespread damage and triggering emergency responses. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), Venezuela experienced two major quakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude near San Felipe and Yumar, west of Caracas. The tremors caused severe destruction across several states, with buildings collapsing in multiple areas. The USGS estimated a 44 percent chance of 10,000 deaths and a 30 percent chance of fatalities exceeding 100,000. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency, closing Simón Bolívar International Airport, suspending schools, metro, and rail services, and halting nonessential activities.

In Japan, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck northeast of Kuji, but no tsunami warning was issued. Authorities reported no immediate casualties or major damage. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ordered an urgent assessment of losses, while Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed no abnormalities at nuclear facilities. East Japan Railway Company suspended bullet train services between Shin-Aomori and Tokyo.

In northern California, a 5.6 magnitude quake hit near Redwood Valley, cutting power to about 7,400 homes and businesses. The USGS’s ShakeAlert system successfully warned residents through the MyShake app.

The Bangladesh government has initiated plans to reopen several unused domestic airports without conducting feasibility studies, raising questions about the economic viability of the move. Aviation experts cautioned that while a few airports such as Ishwardi might turn profitable due to local demand, most others could face heavy losses. The government has already approved the construction of an international-standard airport in Bogura and intensified efforts to revive Thakurgaon Airport, despite concerns over infrastructure and passenger demand.

According to officials, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has proposed reopening seven abandoned airports in phases, including Lalmonirhat, Ishwardi, Shamshernagar, Khan Jahan Ali, and Patuakhali. The Bogura airport project, covering 2,050 acres, is expected to feature modern facilities such as dual runways, a four-story terminal, and advanced navigation systems, with a tentative launch in March 2028. The estimated cost may exceed Tk 3,000 crore.

Experts warned that without sustainable planning and proper demand assessment, the projects could become financially risky. However, the government maintains that reopening the airports will enhance regional connectivity, boost trade, and create employment opportunities.

Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude struck Venezuela, causing widespread devastation across several regions. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the death toll could surpass 10,000 due to the poor earthquake resistance of most buildings. The first quake hit near San Felipe, about 284 kilometers west of Caracas, followed 39 seconds later by a stronger tremor near Yumar, roughly 293 kilometers west of the capital. A tsunami warning was initially issued but later withdrawn.

Severe damage has been reported in Trujillo, Carabobo, Miranda, and La Guaira states, where numerous buildings collapsed. A resident of La Guaira said the airport sustained major damage, though it was not completely destroyed, and roads cracked, disrupting transportation. Miranda’s Chacao mayor feared heavy casualties but did not specify numbers. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed extensive destruction nationwide and said authorities were still assessing the full extent of the damage.

The government has prioritized rescue operations as assessments continue to determine the total human and infrastructural losses.

Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain inaugurated canal and stream re-excavation works in the city’s South Pahartali area on Wednesday as part of an ongoing initiative to reduce waterlogging, improve the environment, and restore natural water flow. The mayor visited Dhulunia Dhala, Khagria, and Khoshal Shah canals during the launch and urged those occupying canal areas illegally to remove their structures voluntarily, warning that legal measures would follow if they failed to comply.

He noted that slabs and structures built over canals obstruct cleaning operations and said the city authority is identifying such problems to make the canal system clean and functional. Work is being carried out ward by ward to identify causes of waterlogging and implement planned solutions. The mayor added that development plans for 40 canals are being prepared, including deepening, constructing retaining walls, removing illegal encroachments, and building modern walkways.

Dr. Hossain emphasized that protecting the Halda River requires ensuring the natural flow of its connected canals and streams. He called for active participation from residents in monitoring the quality of ongoing excavation and renovation work to build a clean, environmentally friendly, and waterlogging-free Chattogram.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale struck northeastern Japan shortly after two strong quakes hit Venezuela, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred 35 kilometers northeast of Kuji at a depth of 51.7 kilometers. No tsunami warning was issued following the tremor.

Authorities reported no immediate major damage or casualties. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed the government to urgently assess the extent of the damage. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed there was no risk of a tsunami and said evaluations of possible damage were ongoing. He also noted that no irregularities had been detected at nuclear facilities.

Following the quake, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) suspended bullet train services between Shin-Aomori and Tokyo as a precautionary measure. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely.

Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread damage and fears of heavy casualties. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the first quake of 7.2 magnitude hit near San Felipe, about 284 kilometers west of Caracas, at 6:04 p.m. local time. Just 39 seconds later, a second 7.5 magnitude quake struck near Yumar, roughly 293 kilometers west of the capital. Several buildings in Caracas collapsed as a result.

The USGS reported that the second quake’s epicenter was 23 kilometers southeast of Yumar at a depth of about 10 kilometers. The agency warned that the disaster likely affected a large area and that strong aftershocks could follow. Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged residents to stay outside their homes and said gas connections in several buildings had been cut off as a precaution. Reuters reported that residents in Caracas rushed outdoors, while AFP images showed a collapsed building believed to be a bank.

Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage as emergency measures continue across affected regions.

A college student and a farmer were killed by lightning strikes in Fulbaria upazila of Mymensingh on Wednesday evening, according to family and hospital sources. The victims were identified as Tuli Rani Sen, 16, daughter of Jhutan Chandra Sen of Debgram in Putijana Union, and Abdul Khalek, 58, of Nijpara village in the same upazila.

Tuli Rani Sen, a first-year student at Fulbaria Government Women’s College, was near her home when lightning struck during light rain, causing her to lose consciousness. She was taken to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared her dead. In a separate incident, Abdul Khalek collapsed after being struck by lightning while walking to Kaladah Bazar after Asr prayers. Locals rushed him to the same health complex, where he was also pronounced dead.

Both deaths occurred within the same evening under similar weather conditions, highlighting the recurring risk of lightning strikes during seasonal storms in the area.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said vannamei shrimp will play a vital role in Bangladesh’s economy in the coming days. He made the remarks on Wednesday night after visiting several hatcheries in Cox’s Bazar, including the Niribili Fish Hatchery, the government-run Crab Hatchery under the Department of Fisheries, and the Niribili Tilapia Hatchery in Ukhiya.

The minister stated that the production process of vannamei shrimp has been reviewed on-site and expressed confidence that the sector will significantly contribute to export earnings, employment generation, and overall economic growth. He described the industry as highly promising for national development and noted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government is providing full support for its expansion. The prime minister is fully informed about the matter and has opened vannamei shrimp farming to local entrepreneurs under his guidance.

Tuku added that new investors in shrimp farming will receive all necessary policy and technical assistance from the government, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to modernizing and diversifying the fisheries sector.

Thousands of residents in Sitakunda, Chattogram, have faced severe difficulties after a central server failure disrupted the prepaid electricity system for two consecutive days. The outage has affected around 40,000 customers from Kumira to Darogahat, leaving many unable to recharge their meters through mobile banking services. Although money is being deducted from users’ accounts, the amounts are not being added to their meters, and no recharge tokens are being issued.

Local reports indicate that many customers have repeatedly tried to recharge without success, forcing some to rely on emergency loan features to maintain temporary power supply. Families with children, elderly, students, and sick members are reportedly suffering the most as daily activities, education, and healthcare face disruption. Residents have criticized the lack of an effective backup system for such a vital digital public service.

Officials from the Barabkunda residential electricity office confirmed the issue, while the Bangladesh Power Development Board’s regional chief engineer said efforts are underway to restore the server soon. Observers have called for stronger backup and risk management systems to prevent similar crises in the future.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the nomination for the managing director of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC has been finalized and the appointment will be made soon. He made the statement in the National Parliament on Wednesday in response to a question from Jamalpur-3 MP Md. Mostafizur Rahman Babul regarding plans to make the newly formed Combined Islami Bank fully functional.

The minister explained that under the Bank Resolution Scheme 2025, customers of five banks under resolution are able to withdraw their deposits from the Combined Islami Bank. The government has already appointed a chairman for the bank’s board of directors, who has assumed responsibility, and directors have also been appointed. The process of appointing the managing director is ongoing.

He added that the new board, under close supervision of the relevant division, is working to make the bank fully operational as soon as possible. Preparations include developing organizational structure and service rules, integrating IT and CBS systems, merging staff and branches, and recruiting key officers such as the company secretary, chief finance officer, and chief technology officer.

Pirojpur-1 MP Masud Sayeedi stated that the district had been deprived for 17 years because it was the birthplace of Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi. He confirmed that the government has now approved Pirojpur as an economic zone and initiated plans to extend rail connectivity with Dhaka. The approval came during an Executive Committee of the National Economic Council meeting on June 14, followed by confirmation from the rail minister on June 16. Masud Sayeedi said he had personally met the prime minister to present the district’s development needs and received assurances of support.

According to the report, the establishment of the economic zone is expected to transform the coastal region’s economy by creating large-scale employment and expanding industries in fisheries, agriculture, and marine resource processing. Improved rail connectivity will ease transport of goods and passengers, boost trade, and enhance living standards. Local residents have expressed gratitude to the prime minister and the MP for these initiatives.

Stakeholders believe the projects will end Pirojpur’s long-standing development deprivation and position it as a key economic hub in southern Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have crossed 36 billion dollars, reaching 36.10 billion dollars by the end of Wednesday, the highest level in 43 months. According to the IMF’s BPM-6 calculation method, the reserves stand at 31.55 billion dollars. The information was confirmed by Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan.

Earlier, on June 14, Bangladesh received a 1 billion dollar loan from the Asian Development Bank as budget support, which raised the reserves to 35.63 billion dollars. Under the BPM-6 method, the reserves were then 31.07 billion dollars. The central bank began publishing reserves under BPM-6 in June 2023, when they stood at 24.75 billion dollars. The reserves had first crossed the 30 billion dollar mark under BPM-6 on January 19 of the current year.

Bangladesh’s reserves had reached an all-time high of 48 billion dollars in August 2021 but later declined due to increased money laundering and currency depreciation. At the time of the Awami League government’s fall, reserves under BPM-6 had dropped to 20.48 billion dollars.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has distributed financial aid totaling Tk 14 million among 38 families affected by road accidents in Cox’s Bazar. The checks were handed over at a ceremony held on Wednesday afternoon at the Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner’s conference room. The assistance was provided under government directives to support families who lost members or suffered severe injuries, including permanent disabilities.

The event was organized by the BRTA Trustee Board, with Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan serving as chief guest and presiding over the ceremony. Additional Deputy Magistrate Mamnun Ahmed Anik conducted the program, which was attended by BRTA officials, local journalists, labor leaders, and family members of the victims. According to BRTA sources, the beneficiaries include passengers, pedestrians, drivers, and helpers. Injured individuals received between Tk 100,000 and Tk 300,000, while the families of deceased victims received Tk 500,000 each.

BRTA expressed hope that the financial assistance would help the affected families rebuild their lives and support their rehabilitation efforts.

The water level of the Teesta River at Dalia point in Nilphamari dropped slightly below the danger mark on Wednesday, measuring 52.1 centimeters against the danger level of 52.15 centimeters. According to the Water Development Board, the situation in four northern districts has improved as water levels receded, though some low-lying areas in Sylhet and Sunamganj remain temporarily affected by flooding. The board confirmed that all major rivers in the country are currently flowing below danger levels.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre reported that several rivers, including Teesta, Surma, Kushiyara, and Someshwari, are flowing near the warning level at various monitoring stations. Heavy to very heavy rainfall has been recorded in Sylhet and Chattogram divisions, with moderate to heavy rainfall in Rangpur. Upstream regions in India’s West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Tripura have also experienced heavy rainfall, contributing to rising river levels.

Forecasts indicate that water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganga-Padma river systems may continue to rise over the next five days, potentially causing temporary flooding in some low-lying areas of Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, and Bogura districts.