On June 15, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarek Rahman directed that four major bus terminals in Dhaka—Fulbaria-Gulistan, Gabtoli, Mohakhali, and Sayedabad-Jatrabari—be relocated outside the capital to ease chronic traffic congestion. The government says the move aims to bring all terminals and counters under a unified structure. Urban planners and transport experts have welcomed the decision but identified seven key challenges that could hinder its success.

The challenges include coordination among implementing agencies, infrastructural readiness, passenger connectivity from new terminals to the city, potential traffic shifts to city outskirts, slow progress in bus route rationalization, resistance from transport unions, and ensuring passenger safety. Experts warn that without proper feasibility studies, land acquisition, and modern facilities, the relocation could remain a political promise rather than a practical solution. They also caution that moving terminals without improving route management and intercity transport systems may simply transfer congestion elsewhere.

Specialists emphasize that transparent project execution, stakeholder cooperation, and passenger-oriented planning are essential for the initiative to reduce Dhaka’s severe traffic problems effectively.

France has imposed partial restrictions on alcohol consumption as a precautionary measure during a severe heatwave sweeping across much of Europe. Following an emergency meeting, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that drinking alcohol would be banned at public and open-air events, including the annual 'Fête de la Musique' festival, in 35 of the country's 96 departments under red alert. Temperatures in southwestern France, Paris, and Burgundy are expected to reach 39 to 40 degrees Celsius, with some areas possibly hitting 41 degrees. Paris authorities have ordered parks to remain open around the clock.

Germany has issued heat warnings across most regions, where temperatures are nearing 38 degrees Celsius, and its weather agency has cautioned about possible thunderstorms due to high heat and humidity. In Italy, temperatures are forecast to reach 36 to 37 degrees Celsius, affecting daily life and tourism, while Spain’s football federation has closed a fan zone in Madrid due to extreme heat.

Scientists cited in the report warn that climate change is making European heatwaves more frequent and intense, posing growing health and economic risks.

The government has imposed a one-month ban on fishing during the breeding season in Kishoreganj’s haor region, covering Austagram, Itna, and Mithamain upazilas from May 28 to June 26, 2026. The Department of Fisheries has launched limited awareness campaigns through banners, posters, and loudspeaker announcements to enforce the restriction. However, the absence of alternative livelihoods or government food assistance has left thousands of fishermen and their families in severe hardship.

According to official data, 33,190 fishermen are registered in the area, but local sources estimate the real number to be 45,000 to 50,000 families, including seasonal workers. Many depend solely on daily fish sales for survival. The sudden ban has disrupted their income, children’s education, and access to healthcare. The situation is worsened by recent crop losses in the single-harvest haor region, leaving both farmers and fishermen in crisis.

Local fishermen and officials have urged the government to provide food aid or financial incentives, arguing that without such support, enforcing the ban will be nearly impossible.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam announced that the direct flight between Dhaka and New York will not begin before 2028. She explained that it will take at least five years for new Boeing aircraft to join the Biman Bangladesh Airlines fleet. In the meantime, the government plans to lease aircraft from Airbus to maintain operations. She made these remarks while speaking to journalists after inaugurating a workshop on the National Civil Aviation Master Plan at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat added that Prime Minister Tareq Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 16. He expressed hope that the Japanese contractor will complete the construction before the inauguration date.

The workshop was organized to formulate the country’s first integrated National Civil Aviation Master Plan, with participation from senior officials of the Civil Aviation Ministry, CAAB, the armed forces, and other relevant agencies.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several regions over the next two days due to the active southwest monsoon. According to a bulletin signed by meteorologist A K M Nazmul Haque on Sunday, June 21, rainfall between 44 and 88 millimeters, and in some places exceeding 88 millimeters, is likely in parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions within 48 hours from 9 a.m.

The department also issued a weather warning for inland river ports, stating that until 6 p.m. today, temporary gusty or squally winds at speeds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour may blow over Mymensingh, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Chattogram, and Sylhet districts, accompanied by rain or thundershowers. River ports in these areas have been instructed to hoist cautionary signal number 1.

The forecast indicates continued monsoon activity across northern and northeastern Bangladesh, prompting authorities to alert local ports and residents to possible weather disruptions.

India has opened all gates of the Gajoldoba Barrage, causing a rapid rise in the Teesta River’s water level. At the Teesta Barrage point in Hatibandha, Lalmonirhat, the river is flowing just below the danger mark and may cross it at any time. According to the Water Development Board, heavy rainfall in India over recent days has led to increased water flow toward Bangladesh, raising fears of severe flooding in the district.

Officials reported that at 6 a.m. on Saturday, the water at Dalia point was five centimeters below the danger level. The flow, which had decreased earlier, began rising again from Saturday morning. Thousands of families living along the riverbanks in five upazilas of Lalmonirhat are at risk of being marooned as low-lying areas may soon be inundated.

Authorities have urged residents in riverbank areas to remain alert. The Teesta Barrage’s 44 gates have been kept open to manage the rising water, and the Water Development Board continues to monitor the situation closely.

Bangladesh Bank’s Financial Stability Report 2025 reveals that due to High Court stay orders, banks cannot classify Tk 182,419 crore in loans as defaults. These stays stem from 845 writ petitions filed by 1,379 borrowers, allowing them to appear as regular clients and access new loans and rescheduling facilities. The report shows that the volume of loans under court protection rose by nearly 80 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year.

The central bank notes that this legal tactic hides the true scale of non-performing loans and strains liquidity across the banking sector. Some borrowers have used these stays to qualify for national elections despite outstanding debts. Former Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H. Mansur criticized the widespread issuance of such stays, calling them harmful to financial stability. The central bank has directed banks to strengthen their legal teams to expedite loan recovery cases.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, total non-performing loans, including those under litigation, now amount to Tk 771,123 crore, with the sector posting a combined net loss of Tk 136,666 crore last year.

Beximco Pharmaceuticals, the only Bangladeshi company listed on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) since 2005, is facing a major risk of delisting. The company failed to publish its audited financial statements for the 2024–25 fiscal year within the required six months, leading to suspension of its Global Depository Receipt (GDR) trading since January 2, 2026. Under AIM rules, if GDR trading remains suspended for six months, the company may be delisted by early July.

Six institutional investors in London have written to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) seeking a resolution to avoid delisting. BSEC confirmed it is treating the matter seriously to protect investor interests and Bangladesh’s image. The company’s shares continue normal trading on the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges, but only GDRs are traded in London.

The delay stems from a legal dispute over BSEC’s appointment of independent directors to Beximco Group companies, which halted board meetings needed to approve the financial report. BSEC officials said trading can resume only after court resolution and board approval of the pending audit.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has assured full cooperation to investors interested in reviving closed and loss-making state-owned factories. Speaking at a roadshow for domestic and foreign investors at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Saturday, he urged business leaders to move forward with confidence, promising all possible assistance from the government. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Industries, the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).

Rahman emphasized that the government’s main responsibility is to remove obstacles and create pathways to overcome challenges, but acknowledged that this cannot be achieved by the government alone. He called for collective effort, noting that gradual and planned action can solve existing problems. During the three-hour discussion, detailed information on 44 factories was presented, including their locations, infrastructure, investment incentives, and expansion potential.

Business representatives participated in an open discussion, raising around 50 questions that were addressed by relevant authorities. Senior ministers, advisers, and top officials attended the event, along with representatives from major Bangladeshi industrial groups and several Japanese corporations and organizations.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has confirmed that the ancient 'Major Oak' tree in England’s Sherwood Forest, famously associated with the legend of Robin Hood, has died. The oak, estimated to be around 1,200 years old, had a trunk circumference of about 36 feet and was a major tourist attraction. Experts noticed its declining health over recent years, and the absence of new leaves this spring confirmed its death.

RSPB’s Sherwood Forest senior site manager Holly Drake described the loss as heartbreaking for those who cared for the tree and for visitors worldwide. The exact cause of death remains uncertain, though experts cited poor soil quality, root decay, and long-term use of metal supports as possible factors. Climate change, heatwaves, and droughts may also have contributed to its decline.

Although no longer alive, the Major Oak will remain standing as a symbol of natural heritage and a habitat for wildlife. RSPB noted that new saplings grown from its acorns and branches have been planted globally to preserve its legacy.

The United Arab Emirates has significantly reduced the approval time for tourist visas to make travel easier for visitors. According to the report, 30- and 60-day single-entry tourist visas are now being issued within a maximum of 48 hours after submission of required documents. Alongside the faster visa process, the UAE has announced special summer discounts at hotels, entertainment venues, and popular attractions across Dubai.

Travel industry representatives noted that the combination of quick visa approvals and seasonal discounts is expected to attract more tourists this summer. Many hotels are offering rooms starting from 139 dirhams, roughly 4,645 Bangladeshi taka, with well-known brands such as Rove Hotels providing limited-time offers. Popular activities like desert safaris, jet skiing, and buggy rides are also being offered at reduced prices, with some operators giving up to 50 percent discounts for advance bookings.

Applicants can apply for visas online through Emirates’ website by submitting a valid passport, recent photo, hotel booking proof, and confirmed flight ticket. Most applications are processed within 48 hours, though some may be approved even faster in special cases.

The Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh has expressed deep concern over the government's decision to retain the existing 10 percent income tax on private universities in the national budget. In a statement signed by the association’s director Belal Ahmed, the organization called on the government to reconsider the tax policy in the interest of students and the higher education sector.

According to the statement, the association had earlier presented the rationale for withdrawing the tax to the Ministry of Education, the University Grants Commission, the National Board of Revenue, and other policymakers, but no positive response was received. It noted that private universities already pay significant amounts in VAT and other taxes for infrastructure, technology, laboratories, and educational services. The additional 10 percent income tax, the association warned, would hinder institutional development and indirectly increase the cost of higher education for students.

The association emphasized that private universities operate as non-profit entities under existing law, and imposing income tax raises a policy question internationally. It urged authorities to view investment in education as a long-term investment in human resource development rather than an expense.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has drawn renewed international attention as talks on easing economic sanctions between the United States and Iran gain momentum. Reports indicate that despite years of Western restrictions, the IRGC has maintained a strong presence across key sectors of Iran’s economy, including energy, construction, ports, shipping, telecommunications, and infrastructure development.

According to a report by The Times of Israel, any potential agreement between Washington and Tehran could boost foreign investment and oil exports in Iran. However, much of this economic activity is expected to flow through existing domestic networks where the IRGC holds significant influence. Analysts suggest that IRGC-linked companies could become essential partners for foreign investors due to Iran’s joint-venture business structure.

Experts warn that while sanctions relief could expand IRGC-affiliated business networks, Western companies may face legal and diplomatic risks because several countries classify the IRGC as a banned or terrorist organization. The potential deal could therefore reshape both Iran’s political relations and its internal economic power balance.

Road Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that direct train operations on the Pabna-Dhaka route will begin in August. He made the statement on Saturday evening at a meeting with government officials and local dignitaries at the Pabna Circuit House. The minister said locomotives for the route are ready, and new coaches are expected to arrive in July. Once the coaches are received, the direct service will start on a priority basis.

He added that two new train routes are planned to launch in August, starting with the Dhaka-Pabna service followed by the Dhaka-Khulna route. The minister also emphasized restoring discipline in the transport sector through coordinated efforts involving owners, workers, and all stakeholders, prioritizing public interest over any specific group.

Regarding the relocation of the Kazirhat ferry terminal, Robiul Alam stated that preliminary work has begun, including completion of the feasibility study and development project proposal. The government is committed to implementing the project promptly, considering its public importance and long-standing local demand.

A new erosion has occurred at the Teesta bridge protection embankment in Mahipur area of Gangachara upazila, Rangpur. The bamboo piling, built last year at a cost of Tk 1.4 million after about 100 meters of the embankment were lost to the river, has reportedly failed to prevent further damage. According to the Water Development Board and local sources, the opening of 44 gates of the Dalia Barrage has caused the Teesta River to flow near the danger level, intensifying currents that damaged the piling. Around 20 meters of the embankment have already collapsed, creating a 40-foot-deep crater.

The collapse has placed the second Teesta Bridge and the Rangpur–Lalmonirhat regional road at serious risk. This key route serves 30,000 to 35,000 commuters daily. Residents fear that continued erosion could completely cut off road connectivity, severely disrupting local transport. Locals, including farmers, have expressed frustration that no permanent solution has been implemented despite repeated losses of farmland.

Local officials said the situation is being reviewed and higher authorities have been informed for urgent action. Residents are demanding a durable embankment to protect the bridge and regional road from further destruction.