Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called for increased use of bamboo in furniture production to ease pressure on wood resources. Speaking at a post-Eid meeting with Environment Ministry officials, she highlighted bamboo’s environmental benefits, rapid growth, and availability. She directed the Forest Industries Corporation to boost bamboo furniture production and urged technological innovation through the Bamboo Research Centre. She also emphasized export potential by producing modern, sustainable, and stylish bamboo furniture to meet both local and global demand.

Authorities in Gopalganj have demolished 193 illegal structures built on government land by influential figures, including former local government officials and ruling party leaders. The eviction drive targeted areas in Kotalipara Upazila such as Ghaghar Bazar and BAPARD. Despite being given a 14-day notice, the occupiers failed to remove the encroachments. The operation involved police, RAB, army, and local officials, and recovered land worth approximately Tk 25 million. Officials confirmed that similar drives will continue to reclaim illegally occupied public property.

The 200-year-old Pratappur Zamindar Estate in Feni is decaying due to years of neglect and lack of government initiative. Built in 1822, this once-majestic palace complex, still owned by zamindar heirs, attracts daily visitors despite poor maintenance, no electricity, toilets, or security. Local residents and tourists call for urgent restoration to preserve its cultural legacy and develop it into a heritage tourism site. Officials say restoration is stalled as ownership remains private, though renewed talks with heirs are underway.

A fun trip turned tragic when a college student drowned while bathing at Ruposhi Waterfall in Chattogram’s Mirsarai. Asif Uddin (24), a fourth-year student of Finance and Banking, went missing after entering a pool. His friends called emergency services after failing to locate him. Firefighters later recovered his body around 1 p.m. The incident occurred while five friends were enjoying their time at the site. The body was handed over to police and will be returned to the family after legal formalities.

As tensions escalate between Iran and Israel following an Israeli strike on an Iranian nuclear facility, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called an emergency meeting. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday morning in Vienna, Austria, where the IAEA headquarters is located.

The emergency session was convened at the formal request of Russia and Venezuela, who urged the agency to address the growing crisis.

Police in Cox’s Bazar have detained 48 individuals—including 38 men and 10 women—for allegedly engaging in immoral activities during a raid in the city’s 'Cottage Zone' near the Lighthouse Point area.

Officer-in-Charge Elias Khan confirmed the operation, stating it was launched following long-standing complaints of unethical activities in the area. "The raid was conducted based on specific allegations that the Cottage Zone had become a hotspot for indecent behavior," he said.

Local residents have voiced concerns over the growing influence of a powerful syndicate comprising members of the transgender community and sex workers, which they claim has compromised the safety of both locals and tourists in the area.

“The situation has been deteriorating for some time,” one resident said. “People no longer feel safe walking through the area, especially at night.”

Police have said further investigations are underway and legal action will be taken based on the findings.

In the remote char areas of the Brahmaputra River in Gaibandha’s Fulchhari Upazila, residents face severe deprivation due to lack of healthcare, secondary education, and basic infrastructure. With no hospitals, paved roads, or nearby schools, locals rely on boats and natural resilience to survive. Many children drop out of school due to long, difficult commutes. Medical emergencies often turn fatal, especially during monsoon. Despite repeated proposals, development remains stalled. Local leaders urge urgent government attention to secure basic rights for these vulnerable communities.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has issued another summons to British Member of Parliament Tulip Siddiq, in connection with a case involving the alleged illegal acquisition of a flat from Eastern Housing in Dhaka’s Gulshan area.

The ACC initially sent a notice in May, but Siddiq has reportedly claimed she has not received it. In response, the ACC has now sent new notices to five addresses in Dhaka, including two additional locations, in an effort to ensure delivery.

The case revolves around allegations that the flat in question was obtained through unlawful means, a claim the ACC is currently investigating.

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.