Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud announced that new oil and gas fields could be discovered in the country’s maritime areas through ongoing exploration efforts. He made the statement at a press conference organized by the ministry on the occasion of launching the Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round 2026. The minister said the government would sign agreements that protect national interests while encouraging foreign investment.

He recalled that the first successful bidding round was held in 1993 under Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, leading to major discoveries such as the Bibiyana and Sangu gas fields. The current government aims to build on that legacy by strengthening the capacity of state-owned Bapex and inviting foreign companies to explore offshore resources. The new Offshore Model PSC 2026 includes international-standard, investor-friendly provisions such as third-party gas sales, export options, and tariff arrangements for pipeline investments.

Under the 2026 bidding round, 26 offshore blocks—11 shallow sea and 15 deep sea—are open for bids. Officials expressed hope that the new incentives will attract strong international participation and enhance Bangladesh’s energy security.

Coastal erosion driven by climate change and rising sea levels is steadily consuming homes, roads and railways across the United Kingdom. Experts warn that thousands of properties and key infrastructure could be lost within decades, yet no comprehensive national strategy has been developed to address the crisis. In South Devon, part of the Slapton Line road collapsed during winter storms, cutting off a vital link between Kingsbridge and Dartmouth. Local businesses report severe losses, while officials estimate reconstruction could cost £18 million.

Government data suggest at least 10,000 properties may be at risk over the next 80 years, with some estimates doubling that figure. Around six kilometres of railway and 114 miles of roads are also threatened. Authorities have adopted varying coastal management approaches—holding the line, managed realignment, or no active intervention—depending on location. Experimental projects worth £36 million, later expanded by £18 million, aim to help communities adapt, though compensation and insurance options remain limited.

Environmental officers note that some areas, such as parts of Yorkshire, are losing up to 4.5 metres of land annually, while others face growing “disaster tourism” as social media amplifies personal losses.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha 2026, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority has implemented special traffic management and infrastructure improvements on the Elenga to Jamuna Bridge East Circle section under the SASEC Road Connectivity Project-2. The measures aim to ensure safe, smooth, and congestion-free travel for homebound passengers. The highway now effectively operates with four lanes by combining two newly built service lanes with the existing two main lanes, allowing vehicles to move without artificial congestion.

Bridge Division Secretary and Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf stated that this section had previously been a major challenge for northern-bound travelers during Eid seasons. This year, coordinated improvements, including lane expansion, bus bays, and drainage systems, have been completed to prevent traffic jams. Reflective markers, concrete dividers, and round-the-clock monitoring teams have been deployed to enhance safety and traffic discipline.

Additional measures include trained toll collectors, nonstop ETC lanes, surveillance cameras, and emergency response teams at both Jamuna and Padma Bridge areas. Authorities expect that these initiatives will eliminate traffic bottlenecks and ensure uninterrupted vehicle movement during the Eid travel rush.

Professor Dr. Zubaidur Rahman has resigned as chairman of Islami Bank. On Sunday, he submitted his resignation to the bank’s board of directors and later to the governor of Bangladesh Bank, according to information from both the central bank and Islami Bank sources.

Following the fall of the Awami League government after a student and public uprising, Bangladesh Bank dissolved the Islami Bank board. The central bank then appointed Obaid Ullah Al Masud as an independent director, who later became chairman. After Masud’s resignation in July last year, Zubaidur Rahman joined the board as an independent director and took over as chairman. He has now stepped down after ten months in the role.

Zubaidur Rahman began his career in 1975 as a lecturer in finance at the University of Dhaka and later earned a PhD in finance from the University of Manchester. He has held academic and advisory positions in several international institutions and is the founding vice chancellor of ZNRF University of Management Sciences in Dhaka.

Severe rainfall and flash floods in southwest China have left one person dead and 17 others missing, according to state media reports on Sunday. The incident occurred in Yongchuan District, where continuous heavy rain fell from late Saturday night to Sunday morning, causing widespread waterlogging and flooding. Rescue teams are conducting search operations to locate the missing individuals.

Local authorities reported that a road area recorded 296.6 millimeters of rainfall within just two hours, one of the highest recent measurements. The downpour disrupted road transport and caused damage in several areas. Emergency rescue operations have been intensified, and alerts remain in effect across affected regions.

Officials stated that emergency response measures are being reinforced to manage the situation and minimize further losses as rainfall continues to affect the region.

Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Maulana Yusuf Ashraf, stated that half of Bangladesh’s development budget is lost to corruption and that effective implementation is possible only if corruption is eliminated. He made the remarks at a press briefing at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, where the party presented its proposals for the 2026–27 national budget.

The written proposal, presented by Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad, described the proposed 9.3 trillion taka budget as one of the largest in the country’s history but warned that without just and effective planning, it would not improve living standards. The proposal identified inflation, unemployment, revenue shortfall, stagnant investment, and rising foreign debt as key economic challenges. It recommended reducing tariffs on essential goods, expanding OMS programs, providing direct subsidies to farmers, and promoting digital supply systems.

The party also called for interest-free financing through Islamic banking, AI-based education support, and the establishment of “Digital Skills Hubs” in each division. It proposed Sukuk bonds, waqf-based social development, and tax relief for zakat payers, alongside recognition and welfare for families of those killed in past movements.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced a 25 percent fare discount on single journey tickets for senior citizens and persons with disabilities or special needs. The discount will take effect from Monday, according to a press release issued on Sunday by Md. Mashiur Rahman, Executive Director (Additional Charge) of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA).

The announcement states that citizens aged 65 years or above will receive the discount upon verification of age through their national identity card. Additionally, individuals with disabilities or special needs who hold a ‘Suborno’ identity card issued under the Ministry of Social Welfare will also be eligible for the same 25 percent discount on single journey tickets.

An official inauguration ceremony for the new fare benefit will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday at Farmgate Metro Station, to be inaugurated by Sheikh Robiul Alam.

Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) has expanded export cargo screening capacity at the country’s airports. The authority confirmed that Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport regained approval to use the Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) method for screening cargo bound for the United Kingdom. This reinstatement, achieved through coordinated diplomatic and technical efforts, aligns Bangladesh’s cargo security system more closely with international standards.

CAAB spokesperson Kawsar Mahmud said the renewed EDD approval will strengthen and streamline security verification for UK-bound goods, reducing delays and costs for exporters. He added that the launch of a second Explosive Detection System (EDS) at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport has significantly increased screening capacity, enabling faster and more efficient cargo processing.

According to CAAB, these developments will enhance direct cargo transport capabilities to the UK and European Union. The improvements are expected to boost exporter confidence, attract new airlines seeking validation, and support Bangladesh’s broader international trade expansion.

The Ministry of Commerce has launched a control room to ensure proper preservation and management of raw hides from sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha 2026. The initiative aims to streamline collection, storage, and care of hides across the country. A special awareness campaign will also be broadcast on government and private television channels to educate the public on proper handling methods.

According to a ministry press release issued on Sunday, an inter-ministerial meeting was held on April 12 to review preparations for raw hide management during the festival. The meeting emphasized correct skinning techniques, adequate use of salt, and timely preservation after collection. It also decided to run awareness programs through various media outlets to inform the public about best practices.

The ministry stated that the control room will supervise hide management activities and provide related services. Citizens can contact the control room at 01617-338067 for information or assistance. Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated in Bangladesh on May 28, and the government has taken early measures to prevent the recurring problem of hide spoilage due to poor preservation.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Textiles Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has urged for sector-specific proposals to expand exports to Saudi Arabia. He made the call during a meeting with a delegation from the Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry at his office on Sunday. The minister said Bangladesh’s exports remain heavily dependent on the ready-made garment sector, but there are significant opportunities in pharmaceuticals, leather goods, jute products, food items, and customized apparel for Saudi consumers.

He emphasized that the government is ready to support initiatives that enhance the country’s image, export capacity, and skilled workforce. Muktadir also highlighted the importance of training and skill development for migrant workers, noting that skilled human resources can become a major national asset. The minister asked the delegation to submit specific and realistic proposals identifying areas where policy or financial support is needed.

The chamber’s president, Ashraful Haque Chowdhury, said Saudi Arabia offers major trade potential for Bangladeshi goods and services. With coordinated government support, he projected that exports to Saudi Arabia could reach one billion US dollars by 2027.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid stated that the government has taken comprehensive measures to prevent counterfeit currency and ensure safety at livestock markets across Bangladesh ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. During a visit to the Diabari cattle market in Dhaka on Sunday, he said special machines have been installed to detect fake notes, and banking services are available at the markets for secure transactions and account openings.

The minister confirmed that the country has an adequate supply of locally raised cattle, goats, and buffaloes to meet the sacrificial demand this year. He added that administrative, law enforcement, and volunteer teams are working continuously to prevent theft and recover lost animals. The government has also instructed border and security forces to stop illegal livestock entry from neighboring countries.

Rashid noted that livestock prices are determined by animal quality and market demand, and that a shift toward weight-based pricing could make transactions more transparent in the future. He said the government has deployed sufficient personnel to maintain order and safety at markets until Eid.

At least 16 people have died from heatstroke in southern India as an intense heatwave continues across several regions, officials said on Sunday. The deaths occurred in Telangana state, where temperatures have soared well above 45 degrees Celsius in some cities. Telangana’s Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy has called for a state-wide alert to protect public health, describing the heatwave’s intensity as unprecedented.

The India Meteorological Department recently forecast higher-than-normal temperatures and severe heatwaves in multiple areas, including the capital New Delhi, where temperatures have remained above 40 degrees Celsius throughout the week. The extreme heat has driven electricity consumption to record levels, while high nighttime temperatures have offered little relief.

Health experts warned that excessive heat can cause dehydration and, in severe cases, organ failure. Local authorities in Telangana have advised elderly people, children, and pregnant women to avoid going outdoors during the day. Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in India to climate change, as the country remains heavily dependent on coal for power generation.

China is set to launch the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft on Sunday at 11:08 p.m. from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, using a Long March-2F Y23 rocket. The mission, part of preparations to send humans to the Moon by 2030, will see three astronauts spend one year aboard the Tiangong space station, marking a new record for China’s space program. The crew includes commander Zhu Yangzhu, pilot Zhang Yuanzhi, and payload specialist Li Jiaying, the first astronaut from Hong Kong and a former police officer.

The mission aims to study the physical and psychological effects of long-term space habitation, including radiation exposure, bone density loss, and mental stress. It will also test the feasibility of extended human stays in space, a key step toward China’s lunar ambitions.

The launch comes as the United States targets a 2028 human lunar landing, while China plans its own by 2030 and envisions a joint permanent lunar base with Russia by 2035.

The upcoming 2026–27 national budget of Bangladesh is expected to be presented in parliament on June 11 by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, marking the first budget of the BNP government. Based on published reports, the proposed budget size may reach about Tk 9.32 trillion, the largest since independence. The budget’s main goals include job creation and inflation control, with the government targeting 10 million new jobs within five years. The finance minister has emphasized reopening closed factories, ensuring power and gas supply, and supporting small and medium enterprises through loans and incentives.

The World Bank, IMF, and ADB project GDP growth below 5 percent for the current fiscal year, prompting calls for a stable business environment. Inflation reached 9.04 percent in April, straining household purchasing power. Experts suggest that monetary policy alone is insufficient to curb inflation and recommend supply-side measures. The article also highlights structural weaknesses such as a low tax-to-GDP ratio of 8–9 percent, urging progressive tax reforms, pension incentives for taxpayers, and raising the tax-free income threshold to Tk 500,000–800,000.

The budget is also expected to promote export diversification beyond the garment sector and increase allocations for education, health, and technical training to build skilled human resources and boost remittance income.

The newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal has imposed a complete ban on cow slaughter and sale, joining 19 other Indian states with similar restrictions. The decision, announced just before Eid al-Adha, has sparked widespread unrest across the state. Hindu farming families have taken to the streets in protest, accusing Chief Minister Suvendu of destroying their livelihoods. Many farmers claim they can no longer sustain their families without the income from selling cattle.

According to Indian media reports and expert analyses cited in the article, the ban has triggered a severe chain reaction across India’s rural economy. Farmers, unable to sell aging cows, face mounting debts and reduced income. The dairy sector has slowed as farmers stop raising new cattle, driving milk prices beyond the reach of ordinary consumers. The meat and leather industries have also collapsed due to raw material shortages, leaving millions unemployed. Stray cattle now roam freely, damaging crops and forcing the government to spend heavily on shelters.

Experts warn that the cumulative impact of these policies has placed immense pressure on India’s national budget and worsened rural poverty, creating a broad economic downturn linked to religiously motivated governance decisions.