A longstanding design flaw in Sitakunda, a key industrial area and gateway to Chattogram, is severely hampering emergency response operations. The local Fire Service and Civil Defence station, located beside the Dhaka–Chattogram highway, faces a permanent road divider directly in front of it. The absence of an emergency crossing, pocket gate, or U-turn prevents fire trucks from quickly reaching incidents on the opposite side of the highway, forcing them to take long detours or drive against traffic.

Residents and experts describe the issue as a serious public safety failure rather than a mere design oversight. The opposite side of the highway contains densely populated residential zones, markets, and factories, yet no effective access route exists for emergency vehicles. Fire safety specialists emphasize that the first five to ten minutes after a fire outbreak are critical, but delays caused by this obstruction often allow fires to spread uncontrollably.

Local citizens and business owners are urging authorities to create a controlled emergency pocket gate through coordination among the Roads and Highways Department, Highway Police, Fire Service, and local administration to prevent further risk to lives and property.

A mobile court in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj fined a landowner Tk 50,000 for illegally extracting sand from farmland in the Tatipara Kolagachia area. The operation, conducted on Monday afternoon, was led by Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mostafizur Rahman Imon. The court also removed and destroyed dredger pipes used in the illegal activity.

According to court sources, sand was being extracted by cutting the topsoil of agricultural land using a dredger machine without approval from the district administration. Upon verification of the allegation, the landowner, identified as Mst. Nargis, was penalized under relevant laws.

The executive magistrate stated that the administration will continue operations against illegal soil and sand extraction that damages farmland fertility and will take strict legal action to protect the environment and agricultural land.

A voluntary organization has planted 1,500 saplings along rural roads in Munshiganj to provide shade and relief for residents suffering from the summer heat. The tree-planting program, held on Monday morning under the theme 'Green Afforestation, Shaded Pathway Creation,' was organized by Bikrampur Manab Seba Foundation. The initiative, funded by the organization itself, covered two unpaved roads in Charbeherpara of Shiloi Union in Munshiganj Sadar and Kaikkati area of Dighirpar Union in Tongibari.

According to the report, the roads pass through croplands with little vegetation, forcing villagers to travel under intense sunlight. Member Salauddin Molla said the goal was to make these routes more comfortable by creating shaded pathways. General Secretary Biplob Hasan added that since 2018, the foundation has planted about 10,000 saplings along nine roads under its 'Chhayapath' program and monitors the plants for three to four months after planting.

Several members of the organization, including Jasim Molla, Jubayer Shikder, Rakib Hasan, Manik Sheikh, and Selim Ahmed Fahim, participated in the event.

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited has announced that gas supply pressure will remain low across its service areas for four days starting Monday night, June 22, 2026. The company stated in a notice that the reduction in regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) supply has caused the temporary disruption, which will affect residential, commercial, industrial, and CNG consumers.

According to the announcement, the low-pressure situation will continue until Thursday, June 25, 2026. Titas Gas expressed regret for the inconvenience and assured that gas supply will return to normal once the situation stabilizes. The company did not specify the reason behind the RLNG supply reduction but emphasized that the issue is temporary.

The notice serves as an advisory for all categories of consumers under Titas Gas to expect reduced gas pressure during the specified period.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep sorrow and sympathy over the deaths of 11 people, including three madrasa students, caused by lightning strikes across the country. The statement was issued on Monday by Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, the party’s Assistant Secretary General and Secretary of the Publicity and Media Department. The lightning incidents occurred between Sunday afternoon and night, June 21.

According to the statement, the victims included farmers, laborers, and ordinary citizens, with fatalities reported in Savar, Manikganj, Narsingdi, Netrokona, Jamalpur, and Kishoreganj. Zubair called on the government to provide financial assistance to the affected families and prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased and the recovery of the injured.

He also urged the authorities to strengthen early warning systems and public awareness campaigns during adverse weather, install lightning protection in high-risk workplaces, and advised citizens to remain in safe locations during storms.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, announced in parliament that all quick rental power plants have been retired. He said the decision aims to reduce dependence on short-term rental power and build a sustainable, environmentally friendly energy system. The announcement came during a parliamentary question session on Monday in response to a query from the member for Chattogram-15, Shahajahan Chowdhury.

The minister explained that under the government’s renewable energy policy, the target is to meet 20 percent of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030 and 30 percent by 2040. A goal has also been set to achieve a capacity of 10,000 megawatts of solar power generation. He added that the government has undertaken extensive programs to expand renewable energy sources to ensure long-term energy security.

The move marks a significant policy shift from temporary rental-based electricity generation toward sustainable energy development, aligning with Bangladesh’s broader goals for cleaner and more reliable power supply.

The government has decided to keep all state-owned fertilizer factories in Bangladesh operational throughout the year, ensuring uninterrupted gas supply to maintain continuous production. This decision was announced during a visit by Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Moktadir to the Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Limited (CUFL) plant in Rangadia, Anwara, on June 22, 2026. The minister stated that the initiative follows directives from Prime Minister Tareque Rahman to identify and resolve operational issues in fertilizer factories.

During the inspection, the minister noted that CUFL’s machinery is outdated, leading to lower-than-expected production compared to gas consumption. He brought technical experts to assess the situation and planned discussions with CUFL and Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) officials to improve production efficiency and continuity. CUFL Managing Director Mizanur Rahman highlighted the poor condition of the ammonia plant’s boilers, originally imported from Japan, which are now barely functional.

After visiting CUFL, the minister also inspected the country’s only Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer factory. Senior officials from the ministry, BCIC, and local administration accompanied him during the visits.

State-run broadcaster Bangladesh Television (BTV) has reported expenses 32 times higher than its income, according to Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan. Responding to a parliamentary question from MP Fazle Huda, the minister said BTV earned Tk 8.05 crore including taxes in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, while spending Tk 254.18 crore. The statement was presented during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister also detailed BTV’s income and expenditure from fiscal years 2020–21 to 2024–25, showing consistent deficits each year. He further informed parliament about ongoing initiatives to counter misinformation through the ‘BanglaFact’ program, which has identified over 300 Facebook accounts and 199 X accounts spreading false or misleading content. Additionally, the ministry is working to amend the Press Council Act 1974 to set educational qualifications and registration requirements for journalists.

Swapan added that Bangladesh currently has 55 private television channels, of which 39 are broadcasting, and 1,436 daily newspapers nationwide. There are also 474 registered online news portals across various categories.

A rare white buffalo known as 'Donald Trump' has been transferred from Bangladesh’s National Zoo to the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) in Savar. The zoo’s director, Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Talukder, confirmed on Monday that the relocation followed an administrative decision. The move aims to enhance the animal’s conservation, research, and breeding programs, and the entire process was carried out under official supervision.

The white buffalo gained public attention for its unusual name and distinctive appearance, which made it a major attraction at the National Zoo. Previously, the animal had been kept at a farm in Narayanganj and became widely discussed on social media after being named 'Donald Trump' due to its hair resembling that of the U.S. president. The government later decided to preserve the animal instead of using it for sacrifice and moved it to the National Zoo on May 27. Following the latest administrative order, it has now been relocated to BLRI for further care and research.

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam said that environmental pollution is mainly caused by human self-interest. He made the remarks on Monday while attending the 2026 Environment Debate Competition organized by the Narayanganj Sadar Upazila administration at the Narayanganj District Shilpakala Academy. The minister urged students to make their parents aware of pollution and emphasized that everyone must work to protect life and nature.

He praised the organizers for arranging the event and said that children are the future leaders of the country, stressing that becoming good human beings is more important than any profession. Referring to his experience abroad, he noted that awareness and discipline are key to environmental protection, citing examples from Japan and Singapore. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to keep schools clean and encouraged children to avoid mobile and drug addiction while engaging more in debates, cultural activities, and sports.

The minister reiterated that building the nation is a collective responsibility and that citizens must fulfill their duties responsibly.

A mild earthquake was felt in Dhaka and several parts of Bangladesh on Monday night at 9:28:54 pm. The Earthquake Observation and Research Center reported a magnitude of 4.0 on the Richter scale, with the epicenter located in Rupganj, Narayanganj, about 16 kilometers east of Agargaon in Dhaka. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured the quake at magnitude 4.4, with a depth of 10 kilometers. No immediate reports of damage were received, though residents in many areas rushed outdoors after feeling the tremor.

Rubaiyat Kabir, director of the Earthquake Observation and Research Center, said the quake felt stronger because its epicenter was close to Dhaka but emphasized that such mild tremors occur frequently worldwide and are not cause for alarm. BUET civil engineering professor Dr. Mehedi Ahmed Ansari noted that similar minor quakes occurred several times last year and warned that Bangladesh remains at risk of a major earthquake due to lack of preparedness. He urged the government to take proactive measures to mitigate potential large-scale damage.

Experts reiterated that while small tremors are common, the absence of major quakes in the region for over a century could signal accumulating seismic pressure, underscoring the need for readiness.

Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC organized a half-day financial literacy workshop titled “Let Financial Literacy Begin Safe Cashless Transactions” at its Uttara branch on Saturday. The event was jointly arranged by the bank’s Risk Management Division and Uttara branch. Managing Director Mosleh Uddin Ahmed attended as the chief guest, while customers and representatives from six branches participated. The program was conducted by Mohammad Abu Chayem, head of the Risk Management Division and Financial Inclusion Unit.

During the workshop, Khandaker Bedoura Mahbub, Head of IT and CTO, and Md. Riad Hossain, Head of Card Division, discussed the use and benefits of cashless transactions. Uttara branch manager Abu Hanif and several other branch managers were also present. The speakers presented detailed visuals explaining how cashless transactions can enhance convenience and reduce risks for customers.

The workshop emphasized that adopting cashless methods can save time and make financial transactions safer, reflecting the bank’s commitment to promoting financial literacy and digital banking practices.

Italian company The Edge Company has expressed interest in installing Bird Control Management Systems (BCMS) at airports across Bangladesh. During a meeting on Monday between Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita and Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro, the proposal was discussed along with plans by another Italian firm, Flyon Aero, to establish a training academy to enhance the skills of Bangladeshi technicians.

According to a press release from the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, both sides emphasized strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Italy. The ambassador expressed gratitude for the contribution of around 250,000 Bangladeshi workers to the Italian economy. The minister also conveyed Bangladesh’s willingness to work jointly with Italy to develop the aviation sector and discussed potential foreign investment in airport expansion under a public-private partnership model.

The meeting also addressed the need to increase flight frequency on the Dhaka–Rome route to facilitate travel for expatriate Bangladeshis. The ambassador assured that appropriate steps would be taken to address this issue.

A school campaign was organized in Dinajpur by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) to raise awareness among students about the harmful effects of single-use plastics. The event took place on Monday morning at the conference hall of Dinajpur Jubilee High School, where participants discussed the environmental and public health risks associated with plastic pollution.

The session was presided over by acting head teacher Akram Hossain, with speeches from assistant teachers Sufia Begum and Jyotirmoyee Sarkar, as well as student representatives Ayesha Siddika and Rittika Pal. BELA network member Konkon Karmakar conducted the program. A total of 51 students attended the campaign.

At the end of the event, participants were urged to become more conscious about environmental protection and to take active roles in building a plastic pollution-free, safe, and sustainable future.

The Singra Upazila administration in Natore conducted a drive on Monday afternoon at Sarkarpara area of Singra municipality, seizing and destroying illegal Chinese fishing nets worth over Tk 2 million. The operation was carried out based on intelligence provided by the National Security Intelligence (NSI) and led by Executive Magistrate and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdullah Al Rifat.

During the mobile court operation, three individuals were penalized for using and selling the illegal nets. Ekabbar Hossain was fined Tk 20,000, Shahidul Sardar received a two-month jail term and a Tk 5,000 fine, and a regular case was filed against Rajib Hossain. The confiscated nets were later burned in the presence of local officials, including the senior fisheries and agriculture officers, police, and NSI members.

According to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, the operation aimed to protect fish resources and biodiversity in the Chalan Beel area, and similar enforcement actions will continue.