A report from Amar Desh Online on June 30, 2026, highlighted multiple factors that can lead to reduced memory and cognitive performance. The article noted that fatigue, stress, heavy workloads, post-COVID effects, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and thyroid disorders may temporarily impair brain function. Experts observed that such issues are increasingly common among young professionals.

Nutritionists identified dehydration as a major cause of declining memory and focus. Insufficient water intake can disrupt brain function, slow neural communication, and increase fatigue, making it harder to think or remember information. Prolonged dehydration may also contribute to premature aging and chronic health risks. Other causes include aging, sleep deprivation, vitamin B12 deficiency, head injuries, side effects of certain medications, neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and brain infections or strokes.

The report advised maintaining brain health through adequate hydration, balanced nutrition, regular sleep, stress management, and physical exercise. Persistent or worsening memory problems should be evaluated by a physician.

Former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed was arrested in Dubai on June 12, 2026, under an Interpol red notice, marking a dramatic downfall for a once-powerful figure who allegedly viewed the state machinery as his puppet. The article by Commodore (Retd.) Jasim Uddin Bhuiyan traces how institutional safeguards were ignored, allowing unchecked power and corruption to grow within Bangladesh’s elite force, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). It argues that early warnings and policy proposals to limit officer deputation to two years were disregarded, paving the way for systemic decay.

The piece recounts the origins of RAB in the early 2000s, its intended balance between military and police leadership, and how that equilibrium eroded over time. It details how long-term deputations, political interference, and the dominance of figures like Benazir Ahmed and Zia undermined professional integrity and command structures. The author highlights how these deviations weakened institutional discipline and fostered abuses of power.

The article concludes by urging policymakers, military leaders, and civil administrators to learn from this episode, restore professional ethics, and enforce strict adherence to institutional rules to prevent future crises.

A United States court has sentenced Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui to 30 years in prison for fraud and embezzlement involving billions of dollars. Once considered among China’s wealthiest figures, Guo fled to the US in 2017 after facing corruption allegations in China, which he denied. In New York, Judge Analisa Torres ruled that Guo exploited pro-democracy supporters to amass large sums of money, which he used to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Guo, also known as Miles Guo and Ho Wan Kwok, had presented himself as a critic of the Chinese Communist Party and gained a strong online following among the Chinese diaspora. Between 2018 and 2023, he raised over one billion dollars from supporters, claiming the funds would promote democracy in China. Instead, prosecutors said he spent the money on luxury items including a mansion, a Lamborghini, and a yacht.

Guo denied the charges, insisting the funds were used for political activities. His associate, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, had previously collaborated with him on anti-CCP campaigns before facing separate fraud charges in the US.

Bangladesh Bank has maintained a policy interest rate of 10 percent for over a year and a half, yet inflation has not fallen to its 7 percent target. The central bank’s 2025–26 monetary policy review states that despite various government and central bank measures, inflation remained high through June 2026. Weak market structures, supply chain disruptions, and global energy and commodity price pressures were cited as key reasons. Inflation fell from 10.89 percent in December 2025 to 8.49 percent but rose again to 9.42 percent in May 2026.

The review notes that inflation has persisted for more than three years, driven by global supply disruptions, the Russia-Ukraine war, and energy price shocks. Food, transport, and housing-energy sectors contributed most to rising prices, with transport inflation climbing to 9.86 percent and housing-energy inflation to 9.26 percent. Reduced fuel subsidies and higher gas and oil prices further increased production and transport costs.

Bangladesh Bank expects inflation to ease gradually in fiscal year 2026–27 if monetary tightening continues, supply conditions improve, and global price pressures subside. The new monetary policy, to be announced today, is expected to retain a cautious, contractionary stance with the policy rate unchanged at 10 percent.

A major portion of the approach road to the second Teesta Bridge in Rangpur’s Gangachara upazila has suffered severe collapse following several days of continuous rainfall. Weak drainage and lack of maintenance have caused large potholes and cracks in at least 15 spots near the bridge’s northern end in Mahipur area under Lakshmitari Union. The damaged road now poses serious risks for passengers, pedestrians, and vehicle drivers, especially at night when the holes are hard to see.

Local residents said the road, which connects Rangpur’s second Teesta Bridge to Kakina and extends to Burimari land port, is vital for trade, healthcare, and education in northern Bangladesh. They blamed heavy vehicle pressure, poor drainage, and prolonged neglect for the deterioration. Union Parishad Chairman Abdullah Al Hadi warned that without immediate repair, the region could face communication breakdowns.

Upazila engineer Shah Md. Obaidur Rahman confirmed that the damaged sections have been identified and repair preparations are underway. Locals, however, demanded sustainable reconstruction to prevent recurring damage during future monsoon seasons.

Fortune Group has officially closed its Anan Shoes factory in Gazipur’s Sripur area, citing continuous financial losses and production disruptions. The company announced the shutdown after facing severe economic challenges linked to import-export complications. Over 300 employees were affected, with some reassigned to other Fortune Group units in Barishal and Dhaka. The company began operations in 2012 with 472 workers and expanded into a group of multiple shoe factories across Bangladesh.

Unnamed sources alleged that despite earning large profits, many employees had not received salaries for months, and the company’s chairman, Mizanur Rahman, allegedly laundered significant sums abroad while residing in Canada. However, a company official denied the money laundering claim, attributing the crisis to liquidity problems at Islami Bank that disrupted trade operations. Mizanur Rahman, who also holds political positions, declined to comment when contacted.

The closure has left many employees struggling financially, with several months of unpaid wages. The company has expressed hope that the situation will improve once financial constraints ease.

DC Comics’ new superhero film ‘Supergirl’, released worldwide on June 26, 2026, has failed to meet expectations at the box office. Despite pre-release anticipation, the film received largely negative reviews from critics, who praised lead actress Milly Alcock but criticized the screenplay and direction. Outlets including Variety identified these as the film’s weakest aspects.

The criticism has affected its commercial performance. In its first three days, ‘Supergirl’ earned 66 million US dollars globally, including 38 million from North America. With a production cost of about 170 million dollars, producers and distributors are reportedly concerned about recovering expenses. The film’s performance contrasts sharply with last year’s DC release ‘Superman’, which grossed 618 million dollars worldwide.

Meanwhile, Disney and Pixar’s animated film ‘Toy Story 5’ has maintained strong momentum at the international box office. In its second weekend, it earned 89.1 million dollars, bringing its 12-day global total to 585 million. Analysts suggest it may soon surpass ‘Toy Story 4’s 1.07 billion-dollar record to become the franchise’s highest-grossing film.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced that its citizens are now permitted to travel to Lebanon again. The travel ban, imposed two months earlier due to security concerns arising from the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, has been officially lifted. According to the announcement, Emirati citizens must register with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs before traveling to Lebanon.

On April 30, the UAE had restricted travel to Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq, urging all Emiratis in those countries to return home immediately. While the Lebanon ban has now been removed, restrictions on travel to Iran and Iraq remain in place. The decision marks a partial easing of the UAE’s regional travel limitations.

The report also notes that, for the first time since the conflict began, air travel between Tehran and Dubai resumed on Monday, signaling a cautious normalization of regional connectivity.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has again reduced gold prices in the domestic market within 24 hours. In a notice issued on Tuesday morning, BAJUS announced that the price of 22-carat gold, including VAT, has been lowered by Tk 3,324 per bhori to Tk 221,966. The new rates took effect from 10 a.m. the same day. The association said the adjustment followed a decline in the price of pure gold in the local market.

According to the new pricing, 21-carat gold now costs Tk 211,993 per bhori, 18-carat gold Tk 182,075, and traditional gold Tk 148,774. BAJUS stated that these prices will remain effective until further notice, with design-based making charges applicable. VAT is included in the selling price, and customers cannot be charged separately. The association also mentioned that silver prices have been reduced by Tk 175 per bhori, setting 22-carat silver at Tk 4,491.

This marks the 84th gold price adjustment in 2026, with 41 increases, 42 decreases, and one VAT revision so far. Silver prices have been adjusted 51 times this year.

In Lalmonirhat, the Teesta River’s water level, which had risen above the danger mark due to heavy rainfall and upstream flow from India, began to recede on Tuesday morning. Despite the improvement, residents in low-lying and char areas remain stranded, with many taking shelter on roads and embankments along with their livestock and belongings. Although dry food is available, people are facing an acute shortage of safe drinking water.

Officials from the Water Development Board confirmed that at 6 a.m. Tuesday, the Teesta’s water at Dalia Point was flowing 30 centimeters below the danger level. The situation has improved since Sunday evening when the river overflowed, inundating nearby areas and disrupting daily life. Local farmers reported that floodwaters still cover croplands in several char regions.

Authorities have started assessing damages and preparing relief measures. The district administration has allocated 220 metric tons of rice and Tk 550,000 in cash for affected upazilas. Officials expect conditions to gradually improve as water levels continue to fall.

The Appellate Division of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has cancelled BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury’s candidacy for the Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, citing loan default allegations. The verdict, announced on June 30, 2026, prevents him from taking oath as a Member of Parliament. The four-judge bench, led by the Chief Justice, delivered the ruling following a final hearing on June 15. The case originated after a bank challenged the Election Commission’s earlier decision validating Chowdhury’s nomination.

Supreme Court lawyer Shishir Monir described the verdict as a landmark decision, stating it proves that loan defaulters cannot contest elections. He emphasized that loan defaulters have harmed the banking sector and that the Election Commission must now take necessary steps to enforce the law. Monir also noted that the Commission could declare the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate, who received the second-highest votes, as the winner or act according to the full judgment once it is released.

The Election Commission has yet to publish the final gazette for the constituency, pending the court’s directive.

Smuggling trends at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport have shifted sharply over the past year, with foreign cigarettes now replacing gold bars as the most trafficked item. Customs intelligence reports that traffickers earn over Tk 3,500 profit per carton, paying nearly Tk 17 in duty per stick if imported legally. The high profit and comparatively low legal risk have driven this shift. Airport authorities say most contraband cigarettes now arrive on flights from Dubai, with smaller volumes from other Middle Eastern routes.

Officials confirmed that in the past six months, more than 25,000 cartons of cigarettes and large quantities of banned cosmetics were seized. The same networks previously involved in gold smuggling are now focusing on cigarettes. Customs officers suspect some airport security guards and contractors are linked to the syndicate, which uses complex methods to bypass checks, including switching passengers mid-route between Chattogram and Dhaka.

Airport management has introduced 100% scanning on Dubai flights to curb the trade, though smugglers are adapting tactics. Authorities pledged continued vigilance and coordination among agencies to prevent illegal imports and protect airport integrity.

Iran and Oman have reached a general understanding on toll collection in the Strait of Hormuz following the first meeting of their joint committee. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed the agreement, stating that Oman, as a sovereign coastal state, supports the arrangement and believes fees should be charged for services provided. A technical committee will be formed, and experts are expected to prepare a draft within seven to eight days and hold a special meeting to discuss navigation routes.

The future of the strait has been a major point of contention between Iran and the United States. Tehran, in coordination with Oman, seeks to impose a new service fee, while Washington opposes any form of toll collection. Oman’s position had been unclear, as the two countries recently announced they were reviewing management costs of the strait.

Oman later clarified that it had no plan to impose a transit fee and instead launched a temporary UN-coordinated maritime corridor near its coast. In response, Iran attacked ships using that route and reiterated that only routes along its own coastline are authorized.

A lighter vessel named MV Bay Harbor-2 sank in the Karnaphuli Channel of the Bay of Bengal near Chattogram after colliding with another ship early Monday around 3 a.m. The incident occurred between buoys 2 and 3 of the channel. Following the collision, the Bangladesh Coast Guard launched an immediate rescue operation and successfully saved all 12 sailors on board alive.

According to Coast Guard sources, eight sailors were rescued initially, while four others drifted toward Parki Beach and were later recovered. The vessel remains submerged, and salvage operations are ongoing. Coast Guard media officer Aminul Islam confirmed the rescue details.

Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Nasir Uddin stated that the sunken vessel belongs to Bay Harbor Limited. He added that the accident has not disrupted vessel movement in the port channel, which remains fully operational and safe. The type of cargo carried by the vessel and its destination were not immediately confirmed.

Swapna Khatun, sentenced to death for her role in the murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter, is spending her days in the condemned cell of Kashimpur Women’s Central Jail. In an interview with Amar Desh, she expressed deep regret over marrying her drug-addicted husband, Sohel Rana, who was the main perpetrator of the crime. Swapna, originally from Singra in Natore, has been in prison since May 20 following the tribunal’s verdict.

According to court documents, Sohel raped and murdered Ramisa inside their Mirpur flat, later dismembering the body before fleeing through a window. Swapna was found guilty of aiding the crime by helping her husband escape and concealing evidence. Witnesses and investigators confirmed her involvement, leading the Dhaka Child Violence Prevention Tribunal to sentence both Sohel and Swapna to death.

Swapna reportedly spends most of her time crying in her cell, haunted by memories of her son and mother. The case has drawn attention for its brutality and the couple’s direct participation in the killing.