A unique initiative in Chattogram has linked vocational training directly to employment for school dropouts. After completing a six-month course under the ‘Special Program—Functional Literacy and Practical Skills Training (Pre-vocational Level)’, 46 young men and women received both certificates and job appointment letters at a ceremony held at the Chattogram Deputy Commissioner’s office. The program was jointly organized by the Chattogram District Administration and the Bureau of Non-Formal Education.

The training, conducted in Hathazari’s Katirhat High School and Parbati Model Government High School, covered tailoring and dressmaking, mobile phone servicing, computer and graphic design, and refrigeration and air conditioning. Of 77 participants, 73 passed the final evaluation. The district administration coordinated with local employers to ensure job placements. Tailoring trainees joined boutiques with starting salaries of 5,000 taka plus allowances, while others were placed as apprentices or technicians in various local firms.

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam said the goal is to make training synonymous with employment, turning dropout youths into skilled human resources. He emphasized fair treatment and safe workplaces for young workers, highlighting skill development as key to national progress.

The Government of Bangladesh has signed a $404 million loan and grant agreement with the World Bank to support the country’s Health, Nutrition and Population Sector Development Program. The signing took place on June 10, 2026, at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. ERD Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiqui signed on behalf of Bangladesh, while Jean Pesme, Division Director of the World Bank’s Dhaka office, signed for the organization.

Under the agreement, the World Bank will provide 284.70 million Special Drawing Rights, equivalent to about $379 million, as a loan, and an additional $25 million grant from the Global Financing Facility. The funds will finance two projects under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029. The first project, implemented by the Directorate General of Health Services, aims to improve the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of health and nutrition services, particularly in Chattogram and Sylhet divisions. The second project, led by the Directorate General of Family Planning, will focus on climate-resilient reproductive health and population services.

The World Bank loan carries a 30-year repayment term, including a five-year grace period, with an annual interest rate of 1.25% and a 0.75% service charge. The commitment fee of 0.50% on undisbursed funds has been waived for the current fiscal year and beyond.

Bangladesh’s per capita income rose to 3,020 US dollars in the 2025–26 fiscal year, according to provisional GDP data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) on June 10, 2026. The figure, equivalent to 368,873 taka at an exchange rate of 122.15 per dollar, marks an increase of 251 dollars from the previous year’s 2,769 dollars. The data show a consistent annual rise in income over recent years.

The BBS report also stated that the country’s gross domestic product expanded by 45 billion dollars to reach 501 billion dollars, or 61.2 trillion taka, compared with 456 billion dollars in 2024–25. Economic growth for 2025–26 was provisionally estimated at 4.14 percent, up from 3.49 percent in the prior year, though investment and savings showed a downward trend.

Sectoral data indicated continued positive performance in agriculture, which grew by 2.78 percent compared with 2.42 percent in the previous fiscal year, reflecting a modest improvement in the sector’s contribution to overall growth.

Celebrated filmmaker Steven Spielberg’s latest movie, 'Disclosure Day', is set for a global release on June 12, including screenings at Star Cineplex in Bangladesh. The film marks Spielberg’s return to the genre that blends mystery, technology, and the unknown, themes that have defined some of his most acclaimed works.

While the full plot remains undisclosed, the story reportedly revolves around extraterrestrial beings, their arrival on Earth, and a massive government conspiracy to conceal the truth. The cast includes Emily Blunt as a weather reporter who experiences mysterious contact with aliens, Josh O’Connor as a man holding proof of interworld communication, and Colin Firth as a powerful official determined to keep the secret hidden. The screenplay is written by David Koepp, who previously collaborated with Spielberg on 'Jurassic Park'.

Spielberg’s recent projects, such as 'The Fabelmans' and 'West Side Story', explored personal and musical narratives, but 'Disclosure Day' signals his return to large-scale science fiction storytelling.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and Labour and Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, has called for expanded cooperation from the International Labour Organization (ILO) to enhance entrepreneurship, skills development, employment generation, and the growth of small and medium enterprises among marginalized communities. The call was made during a meeting with ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo in Geneva on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to democracy, human rights, and labor rights. He informed the ILO chief about ongoing efforts to align national laws and policies with international labor standards. Bangladesh has so far ratified 39 ILO conventions and has become the first country in Asia to ratify all fundamental ILO conventions.

The minister also highlighted progress in labor sector reforms, the formation of a Labor Rights Reform Commission, the restructuring of tripartite institutions, and the amendment of labor laws through the National Tripartite Consultative Council. He expressed hope for a positive and amicable resolution of the Article 26 case filed against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Bank has appointed an observer to Islami Bank in response to ongoing instability within the institution. The central bank announced that Executive Director Mohammad Ashraful Alam will serve as the observer under the authority of the Bank Company Act, 1991. His role will include attending board meetings, monitoring operations, and reporting findings to Bangladesh Bank to safeguard the bank’s and depositors’ interests.

The central bank stated that the move aims to strengthen governance, transparency, and accountability in the banking sector. Recent internal disputes over the appointment of a new chairman and board have triggered protests among some customers, leading to widespread concern and deposit withdrawals.

Between June 1 and 7, depositors withdrew approximately Tk 4,240 crore from Islami Bank, causing it to fall short of its required cash reserve ratio. The bank has since sought Tk 10,000 crore in loans from Bangladesh Bank to stabilize liquidity.

Thousands of residents in Ramganj upazila of Lakshmipur are suffering severe hardship due to long-delayed road repair works left incomplete for months. Locals allege that negligence by contractors and the road department has turned several key roads into dangerous traps. The renovation of the 7-kilometer Sonapur–Paniyala–Uttar Bhatra road and the 3-kilometer stretch from Jor Kobor to Sonapur Bridge remains unfinished, forcing daily commuters to travel under risky conditions.

Residents report that the roads, dug up about six months ago, have since deteriorated further, with potholes expanding and rainwater accumulating to knee depth. Frequent accidents have been reported, affecting students, pedestrians, and transport users. The roads serve as vital links to educational institutions, markets, hospitals, and other key facilities in the area.

Local engineers have stated that repair work will resume soon, but no specific timeline has been provided. This uncertainty has intensified public frustration, with residents demanding urgent government intervention to complete the repairs and restore safe road communication.

Authorities in the Rajshahi region have decided to end the long-standing 'Dholon' system in mango trading and introduce per-kilogram pricing. The decision was made on Tuesday at a meeting held at the office of the Divisional Commissioner, chaired by Dr. A. N. M. Bazlur Rashid. The new system aims to ensure fair prices for mango growers. Under the revised rule, wholesalers will receive a commission of three taka per kilogram.

Officials explained that under the previous system, traders often took 44 to 54 kilograms of mangoes while paying for only 40 kilograms, causing financial losses for farmers. The meeting was attended by administrative officials from Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore, and Chapainawabganj, along with mango growers, traders, and representatives from relevant departments.

Participants expressed hope that implementing the new system would fulfill a long-standing demand of mango farmers and bring greater transparency to the regional mango trade.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher announced that necessary measures are being taken to enable people to start building houses in the Jhilmil Project area within one year. He made the statement while visiting the Rajuk-implemented Jhilmil Residential Project in Keraniganj, Dhaka. The minister noted that the project had not progressed as expected for many years but is now moving forward with several ongoing developments.

According to the minister, construction of a police station, school, hospital, and effluent treatment plant (ETP) center is underway within the project area. He added that work on apartment complexes will begin soon, while street lights and CCTV cameras are being installed to ensure lighting and security. During the visit, he inspected the under-construction facilities and was accompanied by the state minister for housing, ministry officials, and Rajuk representatives.

At the project site office, Project Director Md. Aminur Rahman presented the project’s progress, and representatives from the Jhilmil Society also spoke on behalf of residents and stakeholders.

The Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB) has expressed deep concern over the ongoing instability surrounding Islami Bank. Following a meeting with the Bangladesh Bank governor on Wednesday, ABB Chairman and City Bank Managing Director Masrur Arefin said the situation at Islami Bank is affecting the entire banking sector. The governor reportedly views the issue as not only a banking matter but also a political one and is seeking a resolution through dialogue among stakeholders.

During the meeting, the governor emphasized strict adherence to good governance and urged bank executives not to yield to political pressure. He also directed banks to ensure accurate reporting to the Credit Information Bureau (CIB). Discussions included plans to boost credit growth through a new government and central bank package worth Tk 60,000 crore, aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises under a refinance scheme.

The governor further noted frequent errors and delays in trade data submissions, particularly in import pricing, and advised verifying prices through global platforms before opening letters of credit to prevent financial losses.

An unusual hybrid hog plum tree in Baro Kaibartakhali village of Rajapur, Jhalakathi, has become a local sensation after producing hundreds of fruits in each cluster. The small tree, planted three years ago by local driver Masud, began bearing fruit this year, astonishing villagers with its dense clusters that some estimate contain over a thousand fruits. The tree, grown without chemical fertilizers, has drawn large crowds after videos of it went viral on social media.

Masud said he used only cow dung as fertilizer and is now seeking advice from the Rajapur Upazila Agriculture Office to prevent branches from breaking under the heavy fruit load. Visitors from distant areas have been arriving daily to witness the phenomenon, taking photos and videos in disbelief.

According to Upazila Agriculture Officer Shahida Sharmin Afroze, the extraordinary yield may be due to proper care and balanced hormone distribution. The tree, now dubbed the “Hazari Amra,” is inspiring local farmers and youth to explore commercial cultivation, signaling new potential for the rural economy.

The government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of 10,000 metric tons of lentils from the local market through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) to sell at subsidized prices to low-income families. The decision, involving a total cost of about Tk 82.54 crore, was approved at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. Rajshahi-based Nabil Naba Foods Ltd was selected through open tender to supply the lentils at Tk 82.54 per kilogram.

According to official sources, the initiative aims to maintain TCB’s regular subsidized sales program for cardholding low-income families. The lentils will be delivered in 50-kilogram bags to facilitate storage and distribution. Under TCB’s annual procurement plan for fiscal year 2025–26, the total target is 230,000 metric tons, of which 139,272 tons have already been collected. The agency estimates a monthly requirement of about 20,000 tons.

Officials noted that local procurement is more cost-effective than imports, as imported lentils from Australia or India would cost significantly more per kilogram. The new purchase will help ensure uninterrupted distribution through July.

The government of Bangladesh has approved the import of fuel worth approximately Tk 17,033 crore to meet national demand for the June–August 2026 period. The decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, will handle the imports through international open tenders.

According to the approved proposals, Unipek Singapore Private Limited will supply gas oil (0.005% sulfur) and Jet A-1 fuel under package PG-01, valued at about Tk 7,672.66 crore. Vitol Asia Private Limited, also based in Singapore, will deliver similar fuels under package PG-02 for Tk 6,711.75 crore and gasoline-95 unleaded under package PG-04 for Tk 748.96 crore. Another Singaporean firm, Trafigura Private Limited, will supply furnace oil (180 CST) under package PG-03 for Tk 1,900.05 crore.

The largest order goes to Unipek Singapore, while Vitol Asia secures two packages totaling around Tk 7,461 crore. These imports are intended to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply during the three-month period.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, vice president of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) and a noted cardiologist, inaugurated a month-long tree plantation program and the 'Future Scientist Search Science Fair 2026' in Dhaka on Wednesday. The events were organized to commemorate the 45th martyrdom anniversary of late President Ziaur Rahman. The inauguration took place at Curzon Hall of Dhaka University, where she planted a neem sapling, followed by the opening of the science fair at the Department of Botany’s Central Gallery. Similar tree plantation activities were also launched at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University and Sylhet Agricultural University on the same day.

In her speech, Zubaida Rahman emphasized the importance of tree planting for environmental protection and sustainable living. She urged teachers and students to contribute to scientific innovation addressing national challenges and proposed initiatives such as green volunteerism, climate youth fellowships, and environment-based startup funds. She also called for integrating environmental awareness into school curricula to inspire future scientists.

The event was presided over by Professor Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan and attended by university officials, faculty members, and students, reflecting broad institutional participation in the foundation’s commemorative programs.

The construction of the Trishal Upazila Parishad complex in Mymensingh has remained suspended for two years, despite a budget of Tk 6.82 crore. The project, launched on 10 October 2022 under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), was awarded to Khulna-based contractor M/S MI Trading and Co. The work was scheduled for completion by June 2024, but progress stopped at 40 percent after multiple deadline extensions. Construction materials, including rods and sand, are deteriorating at the site.

During construction, the contractor reportedly used 16-millimeter rods instead of the specified 20-millimeter ones, leading to the demolition of 12 RCC pillars for noncompliance. The contractor allegedly left the site in 2024 without paying workers. LGED later canceled the work order after failed attempts to contact the contractor. Site inspections revealed rusting and stolen rods from the unfinished structure.

Upazila Engineer Zobayet Hossain said the work order was recently canceled and that three notices were issued for joint measurement with the contractor. If no cooperation is received, LGED plans to conduct the measurement with an executive magistrate and proceed with a new tender.