A global survey by the human resources and workforce management AI platform UKG has warned that the upcoming football World Cup, starting on June 11, could cause a productivity loss of about $170 billion worldwide. The study found that employers across multiple countries are concerned about keeping employees focused and present during the tournament. The projected loss equals roughly 20.8 trillion Bangladeshi taka. The United States is expected to face the highest loss at around $117 billion, followed by Germany with an estimated $13.4 billion.

According to the survey, 37 percent of employees plan to adjust their work schedules to match match timings, while 27 percent admitted they might arrive late, leave early, or skip work entirely. About 14 percent said they would secretly stream matches or highlights at their desks, and 11 percent planned to work under the influence after watching late-night games. Even managers are not exempt, with 42 percent planning to take leave and 45 percent intending to modify their work hours.

The UKG study covered eight major countries—Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States—based on responses from around 8,000 employees.

A widespread heatwave has gripped Bangladesh, with mild to moderate intensity recorded across 48 districts on Wednesday. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the highest temperature was 38.5°C in Dinajpur, while Dhaka reached 36.8°C. Reduced rainfall and increased humidity have intensified the discomfort, disrupting daily life nationwide. The heatwave, which began earlier this month, has expanded from 41 districts the previous day.

Meteorologist Shahinul Islam stated that the current heatwave may continue for a few more days, with scattered rainfall likely from June 5 or 6 and increased precipitation expected around June 8 or 9, which could ease the heat. The department also forecast that June and July will see higher-than-normal temperatures and below-average rainfall, with two to three mild to moderate heatwaves likely during the month.

The combination of high humidity and frequent power outages has worsened public suffering, as people across the country struggle with oppressive heat and limited relief from rain.

A meeting on the Dhaka-Narayanganj-Demra (DND) embankment was held on Wednesday at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. According to Deputy Press Secretary Md. Sujauddoulla, the discussion focused on the long-standing waterlogging problems in the DND area and possible solutions.

After the meeting, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee stated that although a project launched in 2016 and completed in 2024 aimed to address the issue, residents have yet to experience significant benefits. He added that the completed project will be handed over to the city corporation within two weeks.

Anee further mentioned that new plans are being developed to improve the drainage system, including upgrading 30 kilometers of drainage infrastructure. He expressed optimism that under city corporation management and with collective efforts, the desired results will be achieved. Several ministers and officials, including the LGRD State Minister and the RAJUK Chairman, attended the meeting.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced another increase in electricity prices, prompting strong criticism from Khelafat Majlis. According to a statement issued by the party’s Amir Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader, BERC raised wholesale electricity rates by 19.85 percent and retail rates by 15 to 19.94 percent. The transmission charge was also increased by 23.96 percent.

Khelafat Majlis said the new price hike would make public life more difficult and lead to another round of commodity price increases. The party accused the government of shifting the burden of corruption, mismanagement, poor planning, and waste within the power sector onto ordinary consumers. It strongly protested the decision and demanded an immediate reduction in electricity and fuel prices, as well as measures to bring essential goods within consumers’ purchasing power.

The statement reflects growing political opposition to recent energy price adjustments and calls for urgent government action to ease public hardship.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) reported that the metro rail transported an average of 151,877 passengers per day between May 25 and May 31, excluding Eid day. The company released this information in a statement on Wednesday, noting that 140 scheduled trips were operated daily during the period.

To manage the increased passenger demand around Eid, DMTCL kept 10 additional trains on standby for possible deployment. The metro rail played a significant role in facilitating travel for people leaving Dhaka for their hometowns before Eid and returning to their workplaces afterward.

According to DMTCL, officials and employees worked during public holidays to maintain operations. Cleaning activities were also carried out at metro stations and surrounding areas. The company expressed gratitude to passengers and stakeholders for their cooperation in ensuring smooth, safe, and uninterrupted metro services during the Eid holidays.

Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, has strongly criticized the government’s decision to raise electricity prices again ahead of the national budget. In a statement to the media on Wednesday, he said ordinary citizens should not be punished for theft, corruption, waste, and mismanagement in the power sector. He warned that the new price hike would worsen the suffering of low-income people already struggling with rising living costs.

Haque described the government’s move as arbitrary and accused the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) of failing to justify the increase at both wholesale and consumer levels. He argued that reducing corruption and inefficiency in the energy and power sectors would eliminate the need for such hikes. He also criticized BERC’s public hearings as a mere formality to legitimize government decisions.

He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the price hike decision and called for amendments to BERC’s existing law so that it can recommend price reductions. Haque further urged the government to include adequate allocations and a comprehensive plan for the energy and power sectors in the upcoming national budget.

Actor Shirthaj Zebin has gained audience attention for her performance as Sumaiya in the Eid drama 'Maya Pakhi', written and directed by Zakaria Shaukhine. The drama portrays the dark side of corporate life through the rivalry between two women, Sumaiya and Maya, competing for their boss’s attention. Despite Sumaiya’s negative traits, Zebin’s portrayal has been widely discussed and appreciated by viewers.

Zebin stated that she is drawn to challenging roles that capture audience interest. She previously debuted under Shaukhine’s direction and has since worked with him on other projects. In 'Maya Pakhi', she expressed gratitude for the audience’s response, noting that the story reflects the hidden struggles within corporate environments. The drama also stars Shahed Sharif Khan, Apurba, and Niha in key roles.

Recently, Zebin completed her BBA from North South University. On her birthday, she chose to spend the day with children at an orphanage in Bashundhara, Dhaka, personally covering the expenses of the meal.

Chuadanga district experienced a sudden return of a moderate heatwave on June 3, 2026, with the temperature reaching 38 degrees Celsius and humidity at 47 percent. The heatwave followed a week of relatively lower temperatures after rainfall had eased conditions since May 18. On June 1 and 2, the district recorded temperatures of 37.8 and 36.5 degrees Celsius respectively.

According to the acting officer of Chuadanga’s first-class weather observatory, the temperature was recorded at 38 degrees Celsius at 3 p.m. on June 3. The official noted that a moderate heatwave is currently sweeping across the district and that the temperature may drop by one degree the following day.

Field observations showed that the intense sunlight caused difficulties for school students, day laborers, and rickshaw pullers working outdoors under the scorching heat.

The government has withdrawn the additional monthly charge on prepaid electricity meters, according to an announcement shared by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) media cell on Wednesday. The BNP stated on its official Facebook page that the decision was part of the party’s first 100 days in government, aimed at reducing public hardship and ensuring financial relief for ordinary citizens.

Earlier, on March 29, the Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, had announced that the monthly rent or meter charge for prepaid electricity meters would be withdrawn. Previously, consumers were paying a monthly demand charge of 42 taka per kilowatt and a single-phase meter rent of 40 taka, along with an additional 5 percent VAT. These charges had caused widespread dissatisfaction among users.

The withdrawal of the extra charges is expected to provide immediate financial relief to electricity consumers who had long expressed frustration over the additional costs associated with prepaid meters.

A two-day film screening event is set to begin in Cox’s Bazar, organized by the Cox’s Bazar Film Society. The announcement was made at a press conference held at Shaheed Daulat Maidan on Wednesday. The screenings will take place on June 5 and 6 at Shaheed Subhash Hall of Cox’s Bazar Public Library, running from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day, with a total of six films scheduled.

The first day will feature Mezbauer Rahman Suman’s ‘Hawa’, Shahin Dil-Riaz’s ‘Rakib Khan: The Projectionist’, and Mohammad Towkir Islam’s ‘Delupi’. The second day will include Dhrubo Hasan’s ‘Fatima’, Fazle Rabbi’s short film ‘Tadatma Onneshon: The Eternal Journey’, and Tanim Noor’s ‘Bonolota Express’. Tickets are priced at 100 taka per day, with a 50 taka concession for students. Registration will be available both online and at the venue.

According to the organizers, all films will include English subtitles to make them accessible to both local and international audiences. The Film Society hopes the event, titled ‘Cox’s Bazar Talkies’, will foster a culture of regular film screenings and creative engagement in the region.

Authorities have removed the crocodile from the pond of Khan Jahan Ali (R.) Shrine in Bagerhat following a fatal incident. On Wednesday afternoon, the animal was taken to the Khulna Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Earlier in the day, forest department and administrative officials were present at the site, and the crocodile was captured around noon using bait before being transported to Khulna.

The decision to relocate the crocodile came after a child was killed in an attack three days earlier. An emergency meeting held Tuesday night at the district administration office determined that the animal should be removed for public safety. Local residents expressed relief after the removal, saying they had been afraid to approach the pond.

Wildlife expert Azad Kabir confirmed that the female crocodile, weighing about 600 kilograms, was safely rescued and will undergo examination at the rescue center before further decisions are made. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer stated that future steps regarding the crocodile will be decided after discussions.

A crocodile from Khan Jahan Ali (R.) Dighi in Bagerhat was removed on Wednesday afternoon and taken to the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Khulna. The operation began in the morning with forest and administrative officials present at the site. The crocodile was captured around noon using food as bait and then transported to Khulna by the Forest Department.

The decision to remove the animal followed the death of a child three days earlier in an attack by the same crocodile. An emergency meeting held Tuesday night at the district administration office approved the relocation. Local residents expressed relief after the removal, saying they had been fearful of the crocodile.

Wildlife expert Azad Kabir confirmed the rescued female crocodile weighs about 600 kilograms and will undergo examination at the Khulna center before further decisions are made. Bagerhat Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Atia Khatun said the removal was carried out for public safety, and future steps will be determined after discussions.

Canada and Mexico on Tuesday called for renewing the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) for another 16 years. Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc made the proposal in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer and Mexican Finance Minister Marcelo Ebrard, emphasizing that the agreement binds the three countries under a unified trade framework. LeBlanc later described a meeting in Washington on the pact’s future as positive and said discussions would continue in the coming days and weeks.

The USMCA is vital for both Canada and Mexico, as the United States is their main trading partner, accounting for roughly 75 and 80 percent of their exports respectively. The countries must inform by July 1 whether they wish to renew the agreement or renegotiate its terms. Although President Donald Trump signed the USMCA during his first term, he has recently questioned its relevance, imposed tariffs on key Canadian sectors, and made controversial remarks about Canada’s economic dependence on the U.S.

U.S. and Mexican officials recently concluded initial talks on possible amendments to the pact. Greer indicated support for retaining parts of the current agreement, while LeBlanc noted that trade among the three nations has grown 32 percent since the USMCA took effect in 2020.

A 45-foot-long baleen whale has drifted near Kuakata in Patuakhali, Bangladesh. Locals spotted the whale around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, about two kilometers from the Zero Point area in the Bay of Bengal. Members of the Coastal Environment Protection Movement (UPORA) confirmed the whale’s presence after reaching the site by speedboat.

UPORA convener K.M. Bachchu stated that the whale’s upper skin had peeled off, suggesting it may have died five to six days earlier. Due to sea currents, it might take some time for the carcass to reach the shore. Mahipur Forest Range Officer Moniruzzaman said the Forest Department is aware of the situation, and field officers have already visited the site.

Authorities are consulting higher officials to determine necessary steps for handling the whale carcass and ensuring environmental safety in the coastal area.

A delegation from Japan’s major trading and investment company Mitsui & Co. met with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division on Wednesday. The meeting focused on exploring and expanding investment opportunities in sectors such as food, agriculture, energy, and ICT.

During the discussion, the Bangladesh government informed the delegation that it is pursuing investment-friendly policies and will provide maximum cooperation to attract and expand foreign investment. The government also highlighted its initiative to bring various agency services under a ‘one-stop service’ system to simplify business operations and approval processes, ensuring faster and smoother investment activities.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, the Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Special Assistant Dr. Shakirul Islam Khan, and Finance Secretary Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder were present. The Mitsui delegation was led by Makato Sato, CEO and Executive Vice President for the Asia-Pacific region.