The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has described the proposed national budget of Tk 9.38 trillion for fiscal year 2026–27 as large but achievable. In its immediate post-budget reaction on Saturday, the apex business body emphasized the need for foresight, efficiency, and transparency to ensure effective implementation. It said such a budget is necessary to move Bangladesh toward a one-trillion-dollar economy amid current global geopolitical realities.

FBCCI noted that the revenue target of Tk 6.95 trillion poses a major challenge and called for transparency and reforms in the National Board of Revenue. It warned that excessive domestic borrowing to cover the deficit could restrict private sector financing and slow investment and job creation, urging the government to seek low-interest foreign funding instead. The organization welcomed the Tk 600 billion “Stimulus Package 2026,” tax cuts on essential imports, and incentives for startups and women-led businesses.

FBCCI also praised tax exemptions for ICT equipment and renewable energy but expressed concern over higher VAT on construction materials. It recommended raising the tax-free income limit and lowering the top personal tax rate to ease inflationary pressure on citizens.

Nine years after the devastating landslide that struck Kaptai in Rangamati on June 13, 2017, around 500 families continue to live in hazardous conditions at the base and slopes of hills. The 2017 disaster, triggered by heavy rainfall, killed 18 people and injured over a hundred, destroying homes and farmland across several unions including Chandraghona, Wagga, Raikhali, and Chitmaram.

Local officials report that many residents in Dhakaiya Colony under Kaptai Union, as well as in Wagga and Raikhali unions, remain in danger during the monsoon season. Kaptai Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Latif said that people take shelter in nearby centers during heavy rain but need permanent relocation. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Raihanul Islam stated that authorities are creating a database of at-risk residents to determine land ownership and provide assistance for safer housing.

Former Upazila Chairman Dildar Hossain recalled leading rescue operations in 2017 and urged permanent resettlement for those still living in risky areas, particularly in Dhakaiya Colony.

Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam announced that 300 megawatts of electricity from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will be connected to Bangladesh’s national grid by the end of August 2026. He also said the government expects to complete nuclear fuel loading for the plant’s second unit by April 2027. The minister made the remarks on Friday at a high-level roundtable and seminar titled “Nuclear Power Strategy, Reality and Bangladesh’s Future Roadmap,” held at Swapnodwip Resort in Ishwardi, Pabna.

Anam emphasized that Bangladesh’s investment in nuclear technology aims to advance national development, innovation, and public welfare, while also requiring strong responsibility. He noted that a successful nuclear program demands not only modern technology and infrastructure but also skilled human resources, robust institutions, effective regulation, transparency, accountability, and a culture of safety. The minister highlighted that Bangladesh achieved a historic milestone on April 28 with the start of nuclear fuel loading at Rooppur.

He added that once fully operational, the plant will contribute about 2,400 megawatts to the national grid, strengthening energy security and supporting economic growth. The event was attended by government officials, lawmakers, industry leaders, and representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

A major tender scandal has surfaced inside Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), where senior officials are accused of manipulating the international bidding process to award the Narsingdi Madhabpur–Monohardi substation project to a blacklisted company. Despite a board decision in 2025 banning Energypac Engineering Limited from all PGCB tenders until 2028 for severe negligence and financial irregularities, insiders allegedly helped the firm re-enter under a joint venture with a little-known local company, Rivary Power and Automation Engineering.

The scheme reportedly sidelined several leading Chinese state-owned firms that had submitted bids, prompting concerns of diplomatic strain between Bangladesh and China. A Chinese company, CMC, has formally written to the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, alleging bias and demanding suspension of the tender and an independent investigation. A top security agency has also begun probing the alleged masterminds and hidden financial transactions.

Officials fear the controversy could damage Bangladesh’s credibility with international partners such as the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, both financiers of the project, and jeopardize future foreign investment in the power sector.

A new study has identified a large cooling zone in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Greenland and Iceland, known as the 'cold blob' or 'warming hole'. While global ocean temperatures are rising, this region has cooled by about one degree Celsius since 1900. Researchers now confirm that the phenomenon signals a weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a vital ocean current system that transports warm water northward and cold water southward.

The study, led by Professor Stefan Rahmstorf of Germany’s Potsdam University, combined satellite data, ocean instruments, and climate models to show that the cooling extends deep below the ocean surface, beyond the influence of atmospheric factors. Other studies indicate that AMOC is now at its weakest in a thousand years. Scientists warn that human-driven global warming and melting ice are disrupting the delicate balance of heat and salinity that sustains the current.

If AMOC collapses, researchers caution it could trigger severe global consequences, including rising sea levels along the U.S. East Coast, extreme cold in Europe, and prolonged droughts in Africa.

Transport owners and workers have announced a strike in five districts under Khulna and Barishal divisions, starting Sunday, June 14. The decision was confirmed by Fakir Shahidul Islam, general secretary of the Bagerhat Inter-District Bus, Minibus, Coach and Microbus Owners’ Association. The strike will cover Bagerhat, Khulna, Pirojpur, Jhalokathi and Barishal districts, halting all types of vehicle movement. The groups said their three-point demand, including a ban on illegal three-wheelers on highways, remains unmet despite several meetings with local authorities.

The demands include stopping unauthorized BRTC and leased vehicles, removing illegal counters, ending local passenger pickups by long-distance buses, and banning unlicensed three-wheelers on regional highways. According to the association, repeated assurances from the administration have not led to any resolution, prompting the joint decision by owners and unions.

Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Mohammad Baten stated that the administration is aware of the three-point demand and discussions are ongoing to prevent an indefinite strike on highways.

The Forest Department has arrested eleven honey collectors with 1,000 kilograms of honey for allegedly collecting it illegally in the Sundarbans. The arrests took place on Friday morning in the Pinmari canal area under the Tengra Khali forest patrol station of the Satkhira range in the western Sundarbans. Two boats used by the group were also seized, and cases were filed under forest laws before sending them to court.

All detainees are residents of Sora village in Gabura Union of Shyamnagar upazila, Satkhira. Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Mashiur Rahman stated that the group entered the forest during a restriction period and were caught while returning with honey. However, the arrested individuals claimed they had entered the forest after making a financial agreement with a person they identified as a broker linked to the Forest Department. The ACF said the allegation would be investigated.

The Forest Department has imposed a three-month ban from June 1 on all entry and resource collection in the Sundarbans to protect its biodiversity and wildlife.

A mobile court in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj fined a Union Parishad member Tk 300,000 for illegally cutting a hill and selling soil. The penalty was imposed on Friday evening in the Madhupur hilly area. The convicted official, Shamim Ahmed, a member of the Satkapon Union Parishad, was also sentenced to six months of simple imprisonment in case of non-payment.

According to the upazila administration, the fine followed proof that soil was being sold after cutting a hill in the Madhupur area. The operation was led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Ujjal Roy, who stated that the action was taken based on allegations of environmental damage and destruction of natural land structure caused by the illegal activity.

The case highlights the local administration’s enforcement efforts against environmental violations in hilly regions of Habiganj.

Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam announced that 300 megawatts of electricity from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will be connected to Bangladesh’s national grid by the end of August 2026. He also stated that the government expects to complete nuclear fuel loading for the plant’s second unit by April 2027. The minister made these remarks on June 12 at a high-level roundtable and seminar in Ishwardi, Pabna, focused on nuclear energy strategy and Bangladesh’s future direction.

Anam emphasized that Bangladesh’s investment in nuclear technology is aimed at national development, innovation, and public welfare, while also requiring strong institutional capacity, skilled human resources, and a robust safety culture. He noted that the country achieved a historic milestone on April 28 with the first nuclear fuel loading at Rooppur, marking Bangladesh’s entry into the group of technologically advanced nations using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

According to the minister, the Rooppur project will eventually supply about 2,400 megawatts to the national grid, strengthening energy security and supporting economic growth. The event was attended by lawmakers, officials, and representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved the Bashkhali-Anwara-Chakaria regional highway widening and modernization project in Chattogram at an estimated cost of Tk 1,188.48 crore. The 58.20-kilometer road will be expanded to 70 feet in width. Officials believe the project will significantly improve connectivity across South Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar, making travel faster and safer through the Karnaphuli Tunnel.

Bashkhali’s Jamaat-e-Islami Member of Parliament, Maulana Zahirul Islam, expressed gratitude to all involved, stating that the project would open a new chapter in regional communication and contribute to national economic progress. Local lawyer and road movement activist Advocate Dilip Das also welcomed the approval, calling it a long-awaited demand of the people of South Chattogram and urging speedy implementation.

According to project details, land acquisition will cover 35 feet on each side of the main road, upgrading the route from Anwara through Bashkhali to Chakaria (Eidmoni) to modern standards. Stakeholders expect the project to boost economic, commercial, and tourism opportunities in the region.

The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has welcomed the inclusion of tax reforms and expanded solar power import facilities in the proposed 2026–27 national budget. In a statement issued on Friday, the association thanked the finance minister and the National Board of Revenue for increasing tax benefits in the solar energy sector and moving toward a medium-term policy framework.

BKMEA noted that the long-standing demand for an effective system to adjust or refund advance income tax (AIT) at source remains crucial, as delays in refunds restrict working capital and create liquidity challenges. The group also viewed the expansion of tax benefits for solar systems and related equipment as a positive step to address the energy crisis. It supported duty-free raw material imports for non-bonded export-oriented firms but urged reconsideration of the proposed 5% tax on polyester staple fiber imports, citing limited domestic production.

The association emphasized that gas and electricity shortages and high interest rates continue to challenge the industry. While it assessed the proposed budget positively, BKMEA said its success will depend on effective implementation by relevant institutions.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has described the newly proposed 2026–27 national budget by the BNP government as positive for the country’s capital market. In a press release issued after Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the budget in parliament, DSE Chairman Mominul Islam said the government’s active interest in developing, modernizing, and stabilizing the market is reflected in recent policy and institutional initiatives.

He noted that the appointment of a special assistant on capital market affairs and the finance minister’s emphasis on the sector have generated optimism among market participants. The proposed budget’s measures to strengthen coordination among regulatory bodies were termed timely and constructive, expected to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in market operations. The DSE also welcomed the initiative to simplify NITA account management and highlighted its own move toward T+1 and eventually T+0 settlement systems.

According to the DSE, these steps will help attract domestic and foreign investment, deepen the market, and build a modern, transparent, and sustainable capital market for future generations.

Jamiat Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh has expressed concern over the government's ability to achieve the Tk 6.95 trillion revenue target set in the proposed Tk 9.38 trillion national budget. The organization, in a meeting held at its central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, praised the government's initiatives to reduce taxes on essential goods to ease the cost of living but described the revenue goal as highly challenging.

Jamiat leaders noted that high inflation and rising living costs have already burdened ordinary citizens. They welcomed the plan to cut source taxes on around 60 essential food items, including rice, lentils, edible oil, fish, meat, potatoes, onions, and garlic, but warned that the budget’s heavy reliance on borrowing could increase future debt pressure. They emphasized the need for stronger market monitoring to ensure that tax reductions benefit consumers and called for balanced policies protecting farmers, producers, and consumers.

The organization also urged greater investment in education and health sectors, citing long-standing shortages, and welcomed the proposed allowances for mosque imams, muezzins, and caretakers, stressing fair distribution to eligible recipients nationwide.

Meta-owned social media platform Facebook faced a widespread outage starting Friday evening, leaving users unable to access their accounts or load content properly. Many users reported login failures, slow app and website performance, and news feeds not updating. The issue was reflected on monitoring platforms such as Down Detector, which recorded numerous reports of disruptions.

As of the latest update, Meta had not issued any official statement explaining the cause of the outage. The exact reason behind the disruption remains unclear. The temporary service failure has caused confusion and frustration among users worldwide.

The situation highlights the global reliance on Facebook for communication and information sharing, with users awaiting clarification and restoration of normal service.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, Textiles and Jute, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, announced that the country’s new democratic government is committed to strengthening Bangladesh–China relations based on mutual respect, sovereignty, equality, and shared prosperity. He made the remarks on Friday during the inauguration of ‘Bangladesh Day’ on the second day of the China–South Asia Expo in Kunming, Yunnan Province. The minister highlighted that the government is working sincerely to build sustainable relations that bring tangible benefits to both nations, reflected in the record participation of Bangladeshi companies at the fair.

Muktadir described the celebration of ‘Bangladesh Day’ in Kunming as a symbol of the deep friendship and mutual trust between the two countries. He invited Yunnan’s business community to invest in Bangladesh and increase imports from the country. The event also featured a seminar titled ‘Bangladesh–Sourcing with Quality and Competitiveness,’ attended by officials and business representatives from both nations.

The 10th China–South Asia Expo and 30th China Kunming Import and Export Fair 2026 began on June 11 and will continue until June 16, with 2,300 exhibitors from 68 countries participating.