Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that default loans in Bangladesh have reached Tk 6.44 trillion, with the default rate climbing to 35.73 percent in the first quarter of the 2025–26 fiscal year. He made the disclosure on Thursday while presenting the national budget.

According to the minister, the default loan rate was 13.16 percent in 2005. He also stated that the overall capital adequacy in the banking sector, which stood at 7.30 percent in December 2005, has fallen to a negative 2.64 percent by the end of 2025. Additionally, private sector credit growth has declined from 18.30 percent in the 2005–06 fiscal year to 6.50 percent in 2024–25.

The figures presented highlight a significant deterioration in the banking sector’s financial health, reflecting rising loan defaults and weakening capital positions across banks.

The Bangladesh government has extended the operating hours for shops and shopping malls in response to traders’ demands. According to a statement confirmed by the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association, businesses can now remain open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The decision was communicated by the Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, during a phone conversation with the association’s president, Md. Helal Uddin. The association expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the minister for the decision.

Earlier, amid a global energy crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict, the government had shortened office hours and ordered shops and malls to close by 6 p.m. from April 2. That restriction was later eased slightly following requests from business groups. Before Eid-ul-Azha, the government temporarily relaxed the schedule, but after the festival, closing time was again set at 7 p.m. Traders had since urged for longer operating hours, proposing a 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. schedule.

The new timing, effective immediately, aims to balance energy-saving measures with business interests as the country continues to manage the impact of the global fuel shortage.

The BNP-led government has proposed a national budget of Tk 9.38 trillion for the 2026–27 fiscal year, presented in parliament by Finance Minister Amir Khosru on Thursday. To address a deficit of Tk 2.43 trillion, the government plans to increase borrowing from both domestic and foreign sources.

According to the proposal, Tk 1.16 trillion will be borrowed from foreign sources and Tk 1.27 trillion from domestic sources. Of the domestic borrowing, Tk 1.12 trillion will come from the banking system, while Tk 150 billion will be raised through savings certificates and other instruments. In the current 2025–26 fiscal year, the government had targeted Tk 1.04 trillion in bank borrowing but has already borrowed Tk 1.09568 trillion by May 10, exceeding the target.

The proposed budget also includes allocations for various sectors, such as Tk 188.4 billion for aviation and tourism, with Tk 30 billion specifically for ecotourism development.

Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has proposed a new tax-free income threshold of Tk 375,000 for individuals in the upcoming fiscal year. The announcement came during his budget speech in the National Parliament, where he also introduced a five-year plan for personal income tax adjustments. Under the new structure, individuals earning up to Tk 375,000 will not be required to pay income tax, while women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and freedom fighters will enjoy additional exemptions.

According to the proposed roadmap, the tax-free limit will remain unchanged for the 2027–28 fiscal year, rise to Tk 400,000 in 2028–29 and 2029–30, and reach Tk 450,000 in 2030–31. The minister said the plan aims to create a fair, technology-driven, and predictable revenue framework. The new tax slabs will range from 10% to 30% depending on income levels, with specific reliefs for senior citizens over 65, third-gender taxpayers, and guardians of persons with disabilities.

The proposal marks the first time Bangladesh has introduced a multi-year personal tax exemption plan, intended to help taxpayers anticipate future obligations and support a progressive tax system.

Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has proposed a Tk 49,400 crore increase in education spending for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, raising the total allocation to Tk 1,36,606 crore, equivalent to 2 percent of GDP. The announcement came during his budget speech, where he emphasized rebuilding the education system as a national priority after years of institutional decline. The previous fiscal year’s allocation was Tk 87,206 crore, or 1.39 percent of GDP.

The minister said the government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, aims to transform the curriculum to foster moral values, social responsibility, leadership, and human character among students. Plans include expanding technical and vocational education from grade six, introducing a mandatory third language, and providing loans up to Tk 10 lakh for students pursuing higher education abroad. Free education for girls up to the undergraduate level will continue.

The budget also prioritizes technology and AI-based learning through initiatives such as “One Teacher, One Tab,” multimedia classrooms, and free Wi-Fi expansion. The government targets raising education investment to 5 percent of GDP in the coming years.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku has directed that the ongoing pilot project for the expansion of purebred Black Bengal goats and native sheep be extended to all districts of Bangladesh. He made the announcement while addressing an orientation meeting of the Department of Livestock Services at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council seminar hall on Thursday.

The minister said the project aims to make small and marginal farmers economically self-reliant by promoting high-quality local breeds. He emphasized that the initiative will strengthen rural economies and improve living standards. Tuku also highlighted the importance of field-level officers in training and motivating farmers to adopt modern livestock management practices, including proper care, disease control, and responsible antibiotic use.

He further noted that the Black Bengal goat is a valuable indigenous breed with high reproductive capacity and strong market demand, making it a profitable livelihood source for rural communities. The meeting was chaired by Director General Md. Shahjahan Khan and attended by ministry officials, researchers, and farmers.

Chittagong University has launched a pilot phase of the JoBike service to ease student transportation on campus. The service was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan on Thursday morning in front of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (ChakSU) building. Initially, 10 pedal-assist JoBikes will operate across five designated zones for 40 days, with a per-minute fare of 1.5 taka. Students can unlock and lock the bikes using a mobile app by scanning a QR code.

According to university officials, after the trial period, around 100 pedal-assist JoBikes will be introduced permanently, with the fare reduced to 0.8 taka per minute. The Vice-Chancellor said the relaunch marks a new convenience for students and expressed hope for its long-term success through responsible use. ChakSU’s communication and accommodation secretary Ishaq Bhuiyan noted that the service resumed after nearly five years, following student demand and discussions with JoBike CEO Mehedi Reza in 2025.

JoBike founder and CEO Mehedi Reza stated that within the 40-day trial, 50 additional e-bikes will be added, along with 20 parking points and a modern Jo Café for students.

In Nilphamari’s Jaldhaka upazila, unscrupulous fishermen are reportedly using improvised power systems known as ‘IPS’ to catch fish in local rivers, putting native species at risk of extinction. The practice is widespread in the Teesta, Buri Teesta, and Charalkata rivers, where electricity generated from IPS devices is released into the water at night, electrocuting fish and other aquatic life within a radius of several meters.

Residents report that the activity intensifies during the monsoon season when river water levels rise. Locals from Dawabari and Golmunda unions said organized groups operate boats at night, killing mother fish and fry alike, leading to a sharp decline in native fish populations. The demand for local fish remains high in markets, but supply from rivers has drastically fallen.

Jaldhaka Upazila Fisheries Officer Ariful Islam confirmed awareness of the issue and said that public awareness campaigns and legal measures are under consideration to curb the illegal practice.

The proposed national budget for fiscal year 2026–27 in Bangladesh includes significant tax and duty increases on several products. The plan raises the price limits for all cigarette categories and proposes a 300 percent supplementary duty on cigarette filter raw materials and 350 percent on nicotine. Locally produced alcohol would face a value-added tax of 500 taka per liter, while domestically produced liquor would also carry a 500 taka supplementary duty per liter. Import duties on cashew nuts are set to rise from 5 percent to 25 percent, which could raise market prices.

The proposal also increases taxes on luxury petrol, octane, and diesel vehicles, particularly those with 1200–1600 cc engines, and doubles the advance income tax on them. In contrast, the budget suggests lowering overall duties and taxes on imported electric vehicles, reducing the current 93 percent rate to 64 percent for EVs priced up to 25,000 dollars and 80 percent for those between 25,000 and 50,000 dollars. Advance tax on EV registration and fitness renewal may also be reduced.

Additional measures include higher VAT on certain steel products, a 20 percent supplementary duty on imported pangas fish fillets, annual advance income tax on helicopters, and an increase in gambling income tax from 20 to 25 percent.

Ferry and vessel operations on the Daulatdia-Paturia route across the Padma River were suspended on Thursday evening after a sudden storm made navigation unsafe. Authorities halted all types of river transport, including ferries and launches, from 6:15 p.m. as strong winds and high waves created hazardous conditions. The decision was taken to prevent accidents amid the turbulent weather.

According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), the suspension will remain in effect until further notice. The Daulatdia terminal’s commercial assistant manager, Jesanul Islam Tapu, confirmed that all ferry services have been stopped due to the storm. He added that operations will resume once weather conditions improve.

The suspension affects a key river crossing between Rajbari’s Daulatdia and Manikganj’s Paturia, an important route for vehicles and passengers. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and will restore services when it is deemed safe.

Bangladesh and China have signed an implementation agreement to construct the 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, aimed at improving road connectivity and regional economic activity in the southern region. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday at the conference room of the Road Transport and Highways Division. Dr. Md. Mokhsed Ali, Joint Secretary of the division, signed on behalf of Bangladesh, while Mr. Song Yang, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, signed for China. Senior officials from both governments attended the event.

The proposed bridge will be built over the Lohalia River near Boga Ferry Ghat in Patuakhali district, along the Lebukhali–Bauphal–Galachipa–Amragachia highway. The total project length is about 2.62 kilometers, including a 1.348-kilometer main bridge and a 1.272-kilometer approach road. China will provide grant funding for the bridge and approach road construction, while Bangladesh will cover land acquisition and utility relocation costs.

Following the agreement, a Chinese-designated institution will prepare the detailed design and finalize the development project proposal. Once completed, the bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel time and costs, enhance trade and transport, and contribute to the socio-economic growth of southern Bangladesh.

US President Donald Trump said he 'likes inflation' as the country experiences its fastest price rise in three years. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index rose 4.2 percent in May compared to a year earlier, up from 3.8 percent in April. The increase was mainly driven by higher energy costs linked to the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran. Speaking at the White House, Trump said he liked the numbers and promised that prices would fall sharply once the war with Iran ends.

On the same day, Trump announced that US forces had seized millions of barrels of oil from Iran in overnight operations, which slightly reduced oil prices. Later, he told the New York Post that his remarks were taken out of context and that he meant inflation was lower than expected despite the war. Inflation has now risen for three consecutive months, with energy bills up nearly 25 percent from a year earlier. Opposition leaders, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, sharply criticized Trump’s comments.

Economists warned that even if the war ends soon, supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz could persist until 2027. The Federal Reserve faces pressure ahead of its rate-setting meeting next week, though analysts expect rates to remain between 3.5 and 3.75 percent.

The Cabinet has approved the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year in a special meeting held at the National Parliament on Thursday morning. The session, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, began around 10:15 a.m. and endorsed the budget proposal. Following Cabinet approval, President Md. Shahabuddin is expected to sign the authorization schedule before Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presents the budget at 3 p.m.

This marks the first budget under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s administration and also the first for Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. The proposed budget size is estimated at Tk 9.38 trillion, with a revenue target of Tk 6.95 trillion and a deficit of Tk 2.43 trillion. The GDP growth target is set at 6.5 percent, while inflation is projected at 7.5 percent.

The proposal includes raising monthly allowances for persons with disabilities to Tk 1,000, requiring tax return certificates for opening bank accounts and purchasing motorcycles, and increasing stipends for families of decorated freedom fighters by Tk 5,000.

Heavy rainfall and hill runoff have caused the Teesta River’s water level to rise rapidly in Lalmonirhat, putting nearby low-lying areas at risk of flooding. To manage the situation, the Water Development Board has opened all sluice gates of the local barrage. At the Dalia point, the river was reported to be flowing 35 centimeters below the danger level, with 44 gates kept open to control the flow.

Residents of riverbank and char areas in Hatibandha, Patgram, Aditmari, and Sadar upazilas are living in fear of possible flooding, especially if India releases water from the Gajoldoba Barrage upstream. Locals expressed frustration over recurring flood threats and the lack of visible progress in the long-discussed Teesta Master Plan, urging its quick implementation.

Officials confirmed that while the water level remains below the danger mark, continuous rainfall and upstream inflow could worsen the situation, prompting authorities and residents to remain on alert.

Researchers have discovered the oldest, deepest, and most extensive whale graveyard ever found, located in the Indian Ocean. The site contains fossils more than five million years old and extends over hundreds of miles, reaching depths beyond seven kilometers. The international research team from China, Italy, and New Zealand used a submersible to explore the Diamantina Fracture Zone, where they identified 485 fossil sites and five modern whale fall locations.

Dr. Giovanni Bianucci of the University of Pisa said the discovery shows that extreme and unexplored environments can host unknown species and ecosystems, revealing how life adapts and evolves under high pressure and low light. Stephen J. Godfrey of the Calvert Marine Museum described the find as unique, suggesting it could lead to further discoveries.

The study, published in the journal Nature, also reported the discovery of a five‑meter Antarctic minke whale skeleton and a fossilized skull of an extinct beaked whale species estimated to be 5.3 million years old. Professor Jon Copley of the University of Southampton noted that finding around 800 skeletons per square kilometer is astonishing.