The Barishal City Corporation (BCC) has decided to maintain the previously set fares for three-wheelers operating within the city. The decision was made on Monday during a coordination meeting held at the city corporation office, chaired by BCC Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin. Officials from the divisional and district administrations were present. The meeting also resolved to take strict legal action against unlicensed or non-renewed three-wheelers through joint drives.

The move follows widespread protests by students and passengers against excessive fare collection by three-wheeler and yellow auto-rickshaw drivers. Reports indicated that fares had nearly doubled on several city routes, prompting students to detain over a hundred vehicles near BM College. Despite earlier complaints and a memorandum submitted to the BCC, no action had been taken until the protests escalated.

During the emergency meeting, participants emphasized restoring order in the city’s transport sector through coordinated efforts. The BCC pledged to ensure compliance with licensing regulations and maintain passenger welfare by keeping fares unchanged.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed credit for the recent decline in global oil prices, attributing it to the effects of an interim agreement with Iran. In a social media post on Monday, Trump stated that oil prices are now lower than before the start of Iran’s nuclear disarmament process. In another post, he added that fuel prices are falling rapidly. He also asserted that his approval rating has reached its highest level ever.

According to the report, Brent crude futures traded at 73 dollars per barrel on Monday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate stood at 69 dollars. These figures represent about a 15 percent decrease compared to prices before the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. The report cited Al Jazeera as the source of this information.

The statements come amid ongoing attention to global energy markets and geopolitical developments involving Iran, though the report did not specify further economic or political reactions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged to restore discipline in Bangladesh’s economic sector and repatriate laundered money, ending what he termed a fascist regime. Speaking during Monday’s national budget session, he proposed several amendments aimed at easing the tax burden on citizens, withdrawing the controversial provision for legalizing undisclosed income, and promoting domestic industries and private higher education.

The Prime Minister proposed raising the tax-free income threshold to 400,000 taka for 2026–27, gradually increasing it to 500,000 taka by 2030–31. He suggested reducing taxes on private universities from 10% to 5% while urging them to strengthen research, establish language labs, and offer free education to poor and meritorious students. He also recommended tax exemptions for small ethnic groups, tariff cuts on key industrial raw materials, and incentives for local manufacturing, including shrimp farming, LED lamps, and prefabricated buildings.

Rahman announced a 5 billion taka startup fund to support freelancers and entrepreneurs, calling it a historic first. He also proposed lowering VAT on online advertising and jewelry, and simplifying VAT compliance to foster a more business-friendly environment.

The government has decided to abolish Section 18A of the Bank Resolution Act 2026, which allowed former shareholders and directors of troubled banks to regain ownership under certain conditions. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced the decision during Monday’s budget discussion in the National Parliament, stating that the move followed feedback from various stakeholders. He emphasized that those responsible for misappropriating public funds would not be spared and that depositors’ interests would be protected.

Section 18A, added during the law’s passage, had permitted previous owners of weak banks to apply to Bangladesh Bank to reacquire shares, assets, and liabilities after meeting several conditions, including repayment of government or central bank funds. The clause drew criticism from opposition parties, economists, Transparency International Bangladesh, and bankers, who argued it opened the door for controversial business groups to regain control. Media reports also indicated that the World Bank had raised objections.

The Bank Resolution Act enabled the merger of five Islamic banks—EXIM Bank, Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Union Bank, and Global Islami Bank—whose combined defaulted loans reportedly reached about Tk 1.47 trillion. The finance minister’s announcement aims to restore depositor confidence in the banking sector.

The Bangladesh Parliament has passed the Finance Bill 2026 with several significant amendments. The changes include raising the tax-free income limit for individual taxpayers and withdrawing the proposed rule requiring disclosure of investment information. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the bill, which was passed by voice vote under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The amendments followed the Prime Minister’s directives during budget discussions.

Under the revised proposal, the tax-free income limit will rise to 400,000 taka for fiscal years 2026–27 and 2027–28, 450,000 taka for 2028–29 and 2029–30, and 500,000 taka for 2030–31. The government also withdrew proposals that would have made Tax Identification Numbers mandatory for most bank accounts and property registrations. The minister proposed reducing the income tax rate for private universities from 10% to 5% and expanding tax benefits for ethnic minorities.

Additional proposals include lowering import duties on raw materials, reducing VAT on digital advertising to 5%, and cutting taxes on locally produced vehicles and jewelry. These measures aim to support domestic industries, improve tax compliance, and ease public concerns.

Depositors under the banner of the ‘Combined Five Islamic Bank Depositors Association’ held a protest rally and submitted a memorandum in Chattogram on Monday, June 29, 2026. The demonstration began at New Market intersection and concluded at the Bangladesh Bank’s Chattogram regional office. A six-member delegation from the association handed over a three-point memorandum to the regional head of Bangladesh Bank.

Their demands included withdrawal of the decision to impose a ‘haircut’ or deduction on customer funds, restoration of normal banking operations, and full protection of deposits. The Bangladesh Bank representative assured that the memorandum would be forwarded to the governor for positive consideration.

Following the submission, a brief rally was held at New Market intersection where association leaders, including President Md. Abul Kalam Azad and General Secretary Jahangir Hossain, urged swift action to safeguard depositors’ interests and warned of tougher programs if their demands were not met.

Bhangoora Municipality in Pabna has announced a budget of Tk 18.24 crore for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. The announcement was made on Monday at 11 a.m. in the municipal conference room by Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Municipal Administrator Mizanur Rahman. The projected revenue income is Tk 5.74 crore, while development and project income is estimated at Tk 12.50 crore, totaling Tk 18.24 crore in expected income.

On the expenditure side, Tk 5.38 crore 15 thousand has been allocated for revenue expenses and Tk 12.50 crore for development and project expenses, bringing total projected expenditure to Tk 17.88 crore 15 thousand. The budget leaves a surplus of Tk 35 lakh 85 thousand. The announcement event was attended by the municipal secretary, executive engineer, accounts officer, tax collector, and other officials and journalists.

According to the municipal administrator, the budget prioritizes improving civic services, including cleanliness, road and drainage development, waste management, city lighting, and safe water supply, while reducing unnecessary expenses to ensure a citizen-friendly and practical budget.

Bangladesh’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud told Parliament on Monday that despite improvements in electricity generation, some areas will continue to experience load-shedding. He reported that the country’s electricity demand stood at 14,839 megawatts while production reached 14,500 megawatts, leaving a shortfall of 339 megawatts. The minister said efforts were underway to reduce this gap and ensure uninterrupted supply.

In his statement under Rule 300, Mahmud explained that two power plants had gone offline due to technical faults, causing about 3,000 megawatts to drop from the national grid and leading to widespread load-shedding, including in Dhaka. He confirmed that both plants had resumed production as of Monday, improving the overall situation compared to the previous day.

The minister emphasized that the government was working to minimize remaining shortages and stabilize power distribution across the country.

Saudi Arabia has issued an urgent directive regarding the renewal of expatriate work permits. The country’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, through its Qiwa platform, announced that only two days remain before the renewal deadline. Employers have until June 30 to renew or transfer work permits for their employees.

According to the Qiwa platform, starting July 1, any worker whose permit has been expired for more than three months will be automatically removed from their employer’s records. Employers who allow employees to work without a valid permit will be responsible for all financial liabilities accrued up to the last day of work. The ministry urged employers to complete all necessary renewal procedures before the deadline to avoid penalties.

The directive aims to ensure compliance with labor regulations and maintain updated employment records across Saudi Arabia’s workforce management system.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that the country will recover six billion dollars in previously frozen assets following a recent ceasefire agreement. He said the funds, held in Qatar, are part of a total of twelve billion dollars belonging to Iran. The release of the remaining portion is under ongoing negotiation. Pezeshkian described the lifting of oil and petrochemical sanctions as a major victory for the Iranian people.

During a visit to Qom, Pezeshkian met with Grand Ayatollah Shobeiri Zanjani and praised the resilience of the Iranian nation during the war. He noted that despite the loss of leaders, ministers, commanders, elites, and students, the people, armed forces, and government stood united to defend the country. According to him, the Iranian people thwarted all attempts by the United States and Israel to destabilize Iran.

Pezeshkian added that the United States ultimately compelled Israel to accept the ceasefire agreement, marking a diplomatic success for Iran.

In the Bangladesh Parliament on June 29, 2026, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam reported that the monthly operating and maintenance expenses of the Karnaphuli Tunnel in Chattogram are double its income. The tunnel earns an average of Tk 3.36 crore per month from tolls, while expenses reach Tk 6.95 crore. The higher costs are attributed to continuous electricity supply, lighting, ventilation, fire safety, CCTV, and traffic management. The minister said daily expenses were reduced from Tk 37 lakh to about Tk 22–23 lakh through cost-cutting measures, and the government is taking steps to make the tunnel profitable.

In response to other parliamentary questions, the minister said the government plans to launch the country’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Gazipur’s Shib Bari to ease traffic congestion. He also detailed actions to remove unfit vehicles, install GPS in public transport to ensure discipline, and regulate battery-powered rickshaws through mandatory registration and licensing.

Rail Minister added that a pilot project is underway to install automatic barriers at three level crossings in Dhaka with BUET’s assistance, with future plans for smart gate systems.

Speakers at a seminar in Dhaka have called for allocating at least 10 percent of Bangladesh’s national budget to agriculture research, expansion, and development. The event, titled “Budget 2026–27: Framework for Agricultural Development and Implementation Challenges,” was organized by the Agriculturists’ Association of Bangladesh (AAB) at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh. The discussion emphasized sustainable agricultural growth and long-term food security, urging the government to prioritize the sector in the 2026–27 budget.

The keynote paper, presented by a professor from Bangladesh Agricultural University, praised several positive initiatives in the new budget, including the introduction of a farmer card, interest waivers on small loans, low-interest credit for pulse, oilseed, and maize cultivation, solar-powered irrigation pumps, and cold storage construction in the Barind region. However, it noted that agriculture’s share in the national budget has declined to about 3.8 percent despite a total allocation of Tk 33,849 crore for agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and environment.

Speakers identified key challenges such as revenue shortfalls, weak oversight, rising input costs, and poor coordination among ministries. They recommended expanding agricultural insurance, investing in climate-resilient technologies, and strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration to ensure effective implementation.

The Directorate of Technical Education has issued a recruitment circular on June 28, 2026, to fill 251 positions across 20 categories under its revenue sector. The posts are distributed among the Directorate itself, Technical Teachers Training College, polytechnic and monotechnic institutes, and regional director offices. Online applications will open on July 1 at 10 a.m. and close on July 21 at 5 p.m.

The available positions range from pharmacist, accountant, and librarian to office assistant and skilled worker, covering grades 11 to 20. Salaries vary from 8,250 to 30,230 taka depending on the grade. Application fees are set at 168 taka for grade 11 posts, 112 taka for grades 13 to 16, and 56 taka for grades 18 to 20, payable via Teletalk prepaid numbers within 72 hours of form submission.

Interested candidates must apply online within the specified period. Further details on eligibility and application procedures are available through the official link provided in the circular.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced a proposal to raise the personal income tax-free limit to 400,000 taka as part of the 2026–27 national budget. Speaking in parliament on Monday, he said the government aims to make the tax system more transparent and modern. The proposal includes gradual increases in the exemption threshold over several fiscal years, reaching 450,000 taka in 2028–29 and 2029–30, and 500,000 taka in 2030–31.

The prime minister noted that the government intends to ease the tax burden on individual taxpayers and provide some relief. He also mentioned that while such demands usually come from the opposition, he expressed a willingness to engage with them in spirit. The proposal was presented as part of broader budgetary measures, including a reduction in value-added tax (VAT) on certain items.

The announcement reflects the government’s stated goal of reforming the tax system to enhance fairness and efficiency, with the finance minister expected to consider the proposed adjustments in the upcoming fiscal framework.

A high-level meeting between Bangladesh and Pakistan was held to enhance bilateral trade, food supply cooperation, and industrial collaboration. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Industries, where Bangladesh’s Minister for Industries, Commerce, and Textiles Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with a delegation led by Asim Azim Siddiqui, Chairman of the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP). Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider and senior officials from both countries also attended.

Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, fertilizer, edible oil, pulses, chickpeas, sugar, urea, and jute. Muktadir emphasized the importance of stronger trade ties for sustainable economic growth and highlighted ongoing government reforms to promote industrialization and a business-friendly environment. Siddiqui expressed Pakistan’s interest in exporting agricultural products to Bangladesh and noted the demand for Bangladeshi jute products in Pakistan.

Both sides agreed to finalize a memorandum of understanding between the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) and TCP to facilitate food trade, expected to be signed in early July. They also decided to activate the Bangladesh–Pakistan Joint Working Group and exchange business delegations to expand cooperation in agriculture and industry.