Authorities in Companiganj upazila of Sylhet have temporarily closed the Sadapathor tourist center following continuous rainfall and mountain runoff from India. The decision was confirmed on Sunday by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Robin Mia. The closure comes after floodwaters submerged nearby shops, creating hazardous conditions across the area.

According to the local administration, the move was taken to ensure the safety of visitors amid the deteriorating weather. Officials stated that tourists are being advised to avoid the site until conditions improve. Once the water flow decreases and the weather stabilizes, the tourist center will reopen.

The administration emphasized that the closure is a precautionary measure to prevent accidents during the current adverse weather. The site will be reopened to visitors as soon as the situation returns to normal.

Iran has resumed loading crude oil from its main export hub, Kharg Island, after a pause of about six weeks. The activity restarted following the withdrawal of a US naval blockade. According to available information, three large oil tankers, each capable of carrying up to two million barrels, are currently anchored at the Sea Island terminal. Satellite images show two of the ships docked while the third is approaching.

European Union satellite data indicated that until Friday, the jetties at the terminal had remained empty, with few large vessels seen since May. Analysts suggest that after a temporary understanding with the United States reduced tensions, Iran quickly reactivated its oil export operations and supply network. Additional reports note that some tankers near Chabahar port have transported around 20 million barrels of oil.

Despite ongoing security uncertainties that have led many international ships to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is gradually reintroducing vessels into the Persian Gulf. Analysts believe that with at least 20 more ships waiting east of the Gulf, Iran’s oil exports may increase further in the coming days.

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has arrived in Switzerland to participate as a mediator in upcoming high-level discussions between Iran and the United States. The talks, held under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding framework, are taking place at the Burgenstock resort. Munir is expected to play a significant role in facilitating the technical dialogue between the two nations.

The meeting is viewed as an important step in advancing ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran. However, no official details have been released regarding the agenda or potential outcomes of the discussions. US Vice President JD Vance also arrived in Switzerland earlier, with his spokesperson confirming the visit to Reuters.

Vance told reporters that he hopes for progress on nuclear issues and a ceasefire in Lebanon, noting signs of reduced tension in the region. He emphasized the need for continued monitoring to ensure stability and security for both Israel and Lebanon.

Bangladesh Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan stated that the Navy continues to work for the protection of maritime boundaries, extraction of marine resources, national security, disaster relief, and enhancing the country's image internationally. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at the Bangladesh Naval Academy in Chattogram while addressing the ‘Summer President Parade’ of Midshipman and Direct Entry Officer Batch 2026. The Navy Chief inspected the parade, received the salute, and distributed medals among outstanding trainees.

Midshipman Md Intisar Islam Inan received the Sword of Honour, Midshipman Sadman Sakib Panth received the Navy Chief’s Gold Medal, Acting Sub-Lieutenant Md Abid Shahriar Anu received the Bir Sreshtho Shaheed Ruhul Amin Gold Medal, and Palestinian Army Midshipman Zahid Salah received the BNA International Gold Medal. Admiral Hassan said the Navy is advancing domestic shipbuilding under the government’s ‘Made in Bangladesh’ defense policy, constructing vessels and acquiring modern platforms from friendly nations.

A total of 61 new officers, including five women and two foreign officers, were commissioned through the event, joining the Navy’s mission to safeguard national interests and maritime security.

A Spanish court has ordered Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to stand trial in a corruption case and imposed a travel ban preventing her from leaving the country. The decision follows a two-year investigation into allegations of embezzlement, influence peddling, business corruption, and misuse of funds. Judge Juan Carlos Peinado instructed Gómez to surrender her passport and appear in court twice a month until the trial begins before a jury. Gómez, 55, has denied all charges.

The case originated from a complaint filed by the far-right-linked group Manos Limpias (Clean Hands). Prime Minister Sánchez has repeatedly dismissed the case as baseless and politically motivated, accusing opponents and parts of the judiciary of targeting his family. Following the court order, the Socialist Party posted on social media that Gómez has been subjected to judicial and political persecution for two years.

The ruling comes amid several ongoing corruption investigations involving Sánchez’s relatives and former allies, posing potential risks to his government’s stability.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) has expressed deep concern over an attack on Sheikh Ibrahim, the imam of the BCMA mosque in Victoria, British Columbia. According to a statement released on Saturday, the incident occurred Thursday evening when an unidentified man forcibly opened the imam’s car door after prayers and assaulted him while shouting anti-Muslim remarks and telling him to “go back to your country.”

NCCM described the attack as Islamophobic and called it completely unacceptable, emphasizing that it reflects a worrying rise in anti-Muslim sentiment in society. The organization said it is coordinating with authorities to ensure the imam’s safety and urged a thorough investigation to hold the perpetrator accountable. NCCM also called on Canada’s political and social leaders to publicly condemn the attack and take effective measures against hate crimes.

The statement further urged law enforcement to conduct a full and impartial investigation to determine whether the incident qualifies as a hate crime. Details about Sheikh Ibrahim’s current condition or any formal charges against the attacker have not yet been released.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said Bangladesh will need two years to recover from its fragile economic situation. He stated that the government aims to reduce reliance on borrowing and is exploring alternative financial strategies. The minister made these remarks on Sunday afternoon while speaking to journalists.

He explained that the government is reviewing various aspects to make the national budget more accurate and emphasized the importance of bringing more citizens under the tax net, even with small contributions. Chowdhury noted that the current administration inherited a heavy debt burden from the previous government, which he described as fascist, and that the 2026–27 fiscal budget is not yet perfect. However, he assured that efforts are ongoing to stabilize the economy within two years.

The minister also mentioned that many of the 1,300 projects initiated by the previous government were canceled due to inefficiency or lack of utility. He added that borrowing from local banks at 11–13 percent interest is unsustainable for the private sector and burdensome for the government, which plans to move away from such borrowing.

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz declared a nationwide state of emergency on Saturday following weeks of anti-government protests that have paralyzed the country. The government deployed the army and bulldozers to remove roadblocks set up by demonstrators, which had severely disrupted daily life and transportation across major cities, according to AFP.

For more than six weeks, labor unions, indigenous groups, and coca growers have staged protests, blocking roads with stones, logs, and other obstacles. These blockades have caused acute shortages of fuel, food, and medicine, inflicting billions of dollars in economic losses and posing a threat to the country’s first non-socialist government in two decades.

In a televised address early Saturday, President Paz warned that legal action would be taken against protesters and announced the 90-day emergency, restricting the right to assemble and authorizing domestic military deployment. Hours later, AFP journalists reported army and armed police convoys in El Alto, where residents were seen welcoming the security forces as they began clearing the blockades.

Tensions between the United States and Israel intensified this week following an interim agreement between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the Iran war. Israeli media accused President Donald Trump of abandoning Israel to its greatest enemy, sparking widespread outrage and feelings of betrayal among the public and political circles. The memorandum of understanding, signed without Israel’s involvement, calls for an immediate halt to all hostilities, including Israel’s recent attacks in Lebanon, and for both sides to respect Lebanon’s territorial integrity.

Leading Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, owned by Trump donor Miriam Adelson, published a scathing editorial accusing Trump of surrendering to a “terrorist regime.” A Channel 12 poll showed only 11 percent of Israelis believe they have won the war, while 71 percent no longer trust the Trump administration to protect Israel’s interests. Far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir publicly condemned the deal, with Ben Gvir’s incendiary social media post later restricted for policy violations.

US officials expressed irritation at Israel’s reaction. At the G7 summit, Trump said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “too excited” over Lebanon, while Vice President JD Vance defended Trump as Israel’s only sympathetic ally amid global criticism of its Gaza actions.

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.

The Iran war concluded with what has been described as a conditional surrender by the United States, following a preliminary agreement between the Trump administration and Iran. President Donald Trump had earlier insisted that only Iran’s unconditional surrender could end the conflict, but the final deal reversed that stance. Conservative Republicans and war advocates have sharply criticized the agreement, calling it a major foreign policy mistake. Under the deal, Iran will regain access to previously frozen billions of dollars and receive a $300 billion reconstruction fund, along with partial rights to collect fees from commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz within 60 days.

Critics argue that the agreement represents a strategic defeat for the US, while supporters note that continuing the war would have caused further loss of life and economic damage. Trump defended his decision, saying the deal prevented prolonged bombing and economic collapse. Analysts suggest the war weakened the US militarily and financially, costing thousands of lives and nearly $1 trillion.

The new accord leaves Iran’s nuclear capabilities for future negotiation, raising fears that Tehran may pursue nuclear weapons more aggressively. Talks are expected to extend beyond the initial 60-day period.

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.

In Satkhira’s coastal upazilas, traditional rural games such as ha-du-du, gollachut, kanamachi, spinning tops, and kite flying are rapidly disappearing. Once a hallmark of village afternoons, these activities have been replaced by the lure of smartphones, television, YouTube, Facebook, and online games. The fields that once echoed with children’s laughter now remain silent as most spend their free time on screens.

According to recent research cited in the report, about 85.8% of Bangladeshi children under five experience excessive screen time, harming their physical health, social skills, and mental development. Elderly residents recall how these games once fostered friendship, patience, and teamwork, while parents and teachers now express concern over children’s growing isolation from outdoor play.

Educationists and community members emphasize that unregulated screen dependence poses a new challenge to children’s natural growth. They suggest reviving traditional games through school-based sports festivals, local competitions, and fairground events to reconnect the younger generation with Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.

Speculation has intensified in the United Kingdom’s political circles over Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s possible resignation. The Observer reported that Starmer could announce his decision and a potential timeline for stepping down by Monday. However, an internal government source stated that he remains fully focused on his duties as prime minister. The discussions reportedly include consultations with his wife at the official residence, Chequers, as well as with senior Labour figures.

The speculation follows months of internal dissatisfaction within the Labour Party, which escalated after Andy Burnham’s by-election victory positioned him to formally challenge Starmer’s leadership. Despite leading Labour to a major victory in 2024, Starmer’s popularity has since declined due to policy controversies and unmet promises on living standards. Reuters reported that over a hundred Labour MPs have publicly urged him to resign or set a departure date.

Observers suggest that if Starmer resigns, the UK could see its seventh prime minister in a decade, marking another phase of political instability. Burnham and former health minister Wes Streeting are being discussed as potential successors.

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.