Global gold prices have declined sharply even amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in the Middle East. On January 28, gold reached 5,303 dollars per ounce but dropped to 4,235 dollars by June 12. Analysts attribute the fall to concerns that central banks will not cut interest rates due to persistent inflation, and may even raise them further to control prices.

The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted oil and gas supplies, driving energy prices higher and fueling global inflation. In the United States, inflation has reached a three-year high of 4.2 percent, while a stable labor market has reduced the likelihood of near-term rate cuts. Experts note that gold, which yields no dividends, loses appeal when interest rates and the dollar strengthen.

Reports of a possible US-Iran agreement recently provided slight relief, lifting gold prices marginally. However, analysts caution that even if the war ends, multiple factors will continue to influence gold’s performance in the coming months.

Elon Musk has reportedly become the world’s first trillionaire after SpaceX’s stock market listing pushed his net worth beyond one trillion dollars. According to Fortune magazine, SpaceX’s valuation reached 1.77 trillion dollars following its initial public offering, boosting the combined value of Musk’s holdings in SpaceX and Tesla.

Despite his immense wealth, Musk continues to live a modest life. He resides in a small prefabricated house near SpaceX’s Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. The house, built by housing startup Boxabl, measures only 20 feet by 20 feet and includes a living area, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. Musk previously stated that he rents the home from SpaceX for about 50,000 dollars. After moving from California to Texas in 2020, he sold most of his luxury properties, though some large houses remain under company ownership in Austin’s West Lake Hills area.

Musk’s simple lifestyle has drawn mixed reactions on social media, with some praising his minimalism and others suggesting it may be a public image strategy.

Bangladesh’s proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year has been set at 9.38 trillion taka, a figure described as significant within the country’s economic context. However, a comparison with the personal wealth of Elon Musk, recently reported to have surpassed one trillion US dollars following the stock market listing of SpaceX, reveals a striking disparity.

Based on an exchange rate of 122–125 taka per dollar, Musk’s total assets are valued between 134 and 138 trillion taka. This amount equals roughly 14 times the size of Bangladesh’s entire national budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The report highlights that the sum Bangladesh allocates annually for administration, education, health, infrastructure, defense, and social safety programs is equivalent to only one fourteenth of Musk’s declared wealth.

The comparison underscores the vast global wealth gap, illustrating how the fortune of a single individual can exceed the annual financial capacity of a developing nation.

Many Grameenphone subscribers who purchased the company’s FIFA World Cup Pass were unable to watch the opening ceremony and the first two days of matches, despite paying for access. The issue affected users of the Bioscope streaming platform, where the matches were supposed to be available. The packages, launched on May 11, offered three options: a 24-hour pass for Tk 28, a 7-day pass for Tk 127, and a 45-day pass for Tk 199. Customers reported that the streams stopped shortly after starting, leaving them unable to view the games.

Grameenphone acknowledged a technical glitch behind the disruption. The company’s Head of Communications, Sharafuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, told Amar Desh that an unexpected technical error caused interruptions for some users during the live streaming. He said the technical team prioritized restoring service as quickly as possible and apologized for the temporary inconvenience, thanking customers for their patience.

The report noted that it remains unclear how many of Grameenphone’s 84.9 million subscribers purchased the package, but even a small portion could represent significant financial losses for affected users.

A half-hour spell of heavy rain on Saturday afternoon submerged most major roads in Dhaka, causing severe waterlogging and traffic paralysis across the city. The rainfall, recorded at 35 millimeters within thirty minutes, led to flooding in key areas including Mirpur, Kazipara, Shewrapara, Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, Malibagh, and Motijheel. Even areas near the Prime Minister’s Office and Jahangir Gate were inundated. Although the water gradually receded by evening, residents faced major disruptions, with commuters and students struggling through flooded streets and transport shortages.

According to the Meteorological Department, the day’s rainfall was slightly less than the previous day’s, yet the waterlogging was worse due to poor drainage. Experts attributed the situation to unplanned urbanization and the city’s weak sewage system, citing clogged drains and encroached canals as key reasons for slow water discharge. Despite repeated assurances from Dhaka’s city corporations, the problem persists every monsoon.

The weather office warned that monsoon rains are likely to continue over the coming days, raising concerns about further flooding in low-lying areas of the capital.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on every citizen of Bangladesh to plant at least one tree sapling, emphasizing the importance of ensuring a pollution-free environment for future generations. He made the appeal on Saturday after inaugurating a nationwide program to plant 250 million trees at the Dulahazara Malumghat reserved forest. The initiative aims to promote environmental sustainability and cleaner air across the country.

During the event, the Prime Minister recalled his election pledge to launch a large-scale tree planting campaign if elected. He reaffirmed the government’s target of planting five crore trees annually, totaling 25 crore over the next five years. Rahman urged all citizens to participate actively in the campaign to transform Bangladesh’s air into a cleaner and healthier atmosphere.

He also directed district administrators to take initiatives to turn their respective areas into green sanctuaries. The Prime Minister expressed hope that collective efforts would ensure a safe and pollution-free environment where future generations could breathe freely.

Heavy rainfall and upstream hill runoff caused flooding in low-lying areas of Sherpur’s Jhenaigati upazila on Saturday morning, as the Maharshi River overflowed into the Jhenaigati town market and nearby areas. Roads were submerged, and local residents and traders faced severe disruption. The extent of damage could not be immediately confirmed.

Residents complained that the absence of a protective embankment leaves the market and surrounding lowlands vulnerable to flooding every monsoon. Traders reported water entering their shops, forcing them to protect goods and disrupting normal business activities. In Nalitabari upazila, the Chellakhali River at Batkuchi point flowed two centimeters above the danger level, raising concerns of worsening conditions along riverbanks.

Officials from the Water Development Board said rainfall was recorded at 24.50 millimeters in Sherpur, 35 millimeters in Nalitabari, and 180 millimeters in Nakugaon. Local authorities noted that water levels began to recede by midday. The area’s Member of Parliament stated that a proposal for a permanent embankment on the Maharshi River has been raised in the national parliament to reduce future suffering.

A rare species of turtle weighing about 10 kilograms was caught in a fishing net in the Kholpetua River at Gabura Union of Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira. The incident occurred on Friday when a local fisherman found the turtle trapped in his net and later kept it at his home. Following reports of the catch, local youths rescued the turtle on Saturday afternoon and handed it over to the Forest Department through members of the Community Patrolling Group.

The turtle was delivered to the Kolagachia Forest Station under the Satkhira Range of the West Sundarbans. Forest officer Saiful Islam confirmed that the turtle is now in the department’s custody and further action will be taken according to higher authorities’ instructions. He described the turtle as a rare species but said its exact classification could not be immediately confirmed.

Experts will determine the species after further examination, according to the Forest Department.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has announced that donations to BRAC and ten other welfare institutions will qualify for tax exemption starting from July 1, 2026. The decision, published on the NBR website on Saturday, designates these organizations as public welfare institutions under the authority of the Income Tax Act, 2023. The exemption will remain valid until June 30, 2030.

The institutions eligible for this benefit include BRAC, Bangladesh Cancer Aid Trust, ASHIC Foundation for Children Cancer, Al-Markazul Islami, Disabled Child Foundation, Sherpur Diabetic Association, Maona Diabetic Association, Bangladesh Thalassemia Association, Autism Welfare Foundation, Ramakrishna Math and Mission Dhaka, and Chattogram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital. A similar tax exemption was granted last year to nine other organizations, also valid until June 30, 2030.

According to the NBR, taxpayers must collect official receipts from the recipient institutions and submit them with their annual tax returns to claim the deduction. The exemption applies by reducing the taxable income by the donated amount rather than deducting it directly from the payable tax.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md. Abdus Salam inaugurated the National Tree Plantation Program 2026 at Shaheed Matiur Rahman Park in Gulistan. The initiative, launched simultaneously in ten DSCC regions, aims to plant 300,000 trees between 2026 and 2030. On the opening day, 500 trees were planted as part of the program.

During his address, Abdus Salam emphasized that the fight against climate change is now a national priority, urging citizens to plant more trees and ensure their proper care. He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for announcing a nationwide plan to plant 250 million trees and highlighted the importance of greenery in combating rising temperatures and declining groundwater levels in Dhaka. He also encouraged residents to leave open spaces for grass when constructing new buildings.

The administrator announced annual awards for rooftop farmers and mentioned plans to discuss tax rebates for them. Under DSCC’s zero-waste initiative, 18,000 trees have already been planted on road medians and traffic islands, and a central nursery is being developed at Osmani Udyan to distribute free saplings to citizens.

India has introduced strict restrictions on the use of all types of fuel, including diesel and petrol, as the country faces a severe economic crisis triggered by soaring global oil prices and rising import costs. According to a Bloomberg report, the government’s move aims to stabilize the situation as both trade and budget deficits have reached record levels.

Bloomberg noted that India, the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer, relies on foreign sources for about 85 percent of its oil needs. Recent geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global energy supply have sharply increased India’s import expenses, prompting the government to impose new domestic fuel usage controls. Economists have warned that these restrictions could negatively affect transportation, industrial production, and agriculture, potentially slowing overall economic growth.

The report added that India’s growing import burden has significantly expanded its current account and fiscal deficits, putting pressure on the rupee. Policymakers are now urgently reassessing fiscal and monetary strategies to contain inflation and revive economic stability.

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines' Mindanao island earlier this week, raising the death toll to 61, according to a report by GMA News on Saturday. Authorities said rescue operations continue in the worst-hit areas, where landslides and collapsed buildings have trapped people under debris. The Office of Civil Defense confirmed that ongoing aftershocks, unstable structures, and damaged roads are hampering rescue efforts.

The Disaster Response and Monitoring Information Center reported that about 553,000 people have been affected across the Mindanao region. Among them, 9,393 people are staying in evacuation centers, while 54,274 have taken temporary shelter with relatives or friends. Preliminary assessments show that 8,865 houses were completely destroyed and 36,691 partially damaged.

General Santos City and Sarangani province are among the most severely affected areas. Authorities have declared a state of calamity in these regions to expedite relief and rehabilitation operations.

SpaceX reached a new peak last Friday with a record-setting debut on the global stock market, marking a major milestone in its two-decade journey. The AFP highlighted five defining moments in the company’s history, from its early struggles to its latest technological breakthroughs.

In 2008, SpaceX achieved its first successful orbital launch after several failures, saving the company from collapse. By 2012, its Dragon spacecraft became the first privately built vehicle to dock with the International Space Station. The 2018 Falcon Heavy test flight famously carried a Tesla car into space, though some promised missions, such as a lunar trip for a Japanese billionaire, never materialized. Between 2020 and 2023, the company focused on developing the Starship megaproject at its Texas facility, enduring multiple explosive tests that founder Elon Musk described as part of the learning process.

In October 2024, SpaceX successfully caught its Super Heavy booster midair using giant mechanical arms, marking a major step toward fully reusable rockets. The company continues to refine Starship technology for future lunar and Mars missions.

A tree planting program organized by the Narsingdi District Council was inaugurated on Saturday afternoon along the Putia Itakhola road in Shibpur upazila. The event was held under the initiative of the district council as part of its local environmental activities.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Abdul Wahab Rashed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Narsingdi District Council. Local Member of Parliament Manjur Elahi and the district council’s administrator, freedom fighter Tofazzal Hossain Master, jointly inaugurated the program. Assistant engineers Nur-e-Ilham and Jannatul Ferdous, along with several others, were present at the event.

The program reflects the district council’s ongoing efforts to promote environmental conservation and community participation in tree planting across Narsingdi.

Turkey and Saudi Arabia are advancing a land trade corridor connecting the Gulf region to Europe through Syria and Jordan, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. The report states that Israel is concerned about this project because it would bypass Israeli territory and compete with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

The proposed route would allow goods to move between Asia and Europe via Syria and Jordan before reaching Turkey, reducing reliance on Israeli infrastructure such as the port of Haifa. Israeli officials reportedly view this initiative as a potential challenge to IMEC, which is supported by Israel and its international partners to link Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

The development highlights growing regional competition over trade connectivity projects that aim to reshape transport and economic routes between Asia and Europe.