The proposed 2026–27 national budget of Bangladesh has reset the value-added tax (VAT) on locally produced refrigerators, air conditioners, and compressors to 7.5 percent, restoring the previous rate. The decision has brought relief to the domestic electronics industry, which had faced higher production costs and reduced sales after the VAT was raised to 15 percent in the 2025–26 fiscal year. Industry representatives said the adjustment will help stabilize prices, boost demand for local brands, and positively affect investment, production, employment, exports, and government revenue.

According to the Bangladesh Refrigerator Manufacturers Association, VAT rates on these products have fluctuated over recent years, with the latest reduction expected to make fridges and air conditioners more affordable for middle-class consumers. Stakeholders noted that the previous VAT hike had led to job losses for around 10,000 people due to increased costs and reduced production.

Industry leaders, including association officials and executives from Walton Hi-Tech Industries, welcomed the move as timely and supportive of domestic manufacturing. They believe continued policy support will strengthen the sector, reduce import dependence, and expand export opportunities.

Archaeologists in Thailand’s Phetchaburi province have discovered two gold rings believed to be between 1,900 and 2,100 years old during an excavation at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site. The rings were found alongside ancient human skeletons and other artifacts, according to local media reports. One of the rings bears an inscription in an ancient Indian script, officials from the Fine Arts Department confirmed.

Experts suggest that the inscription is in the ancient Brahmi script and that the ring may have belonged to a member of an Indian merchant community. The Fine Arts Department noted that similar Brahmi-inscribed ornaments and artifacts had previously been unearthed at the Khlong Thom and Khao Sam Kaeo archaeological sites.

The newly recovered rings are now preserved at the Phra Nakhon Khiri Museum. Authorities are accelerating the collection and preservation of bronze relics and human remains at the site due to rising groundwater levels and rainfall posing risks of damage.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast increased rainfall across the country from Sunday due to a low-pressure system over the northwestern Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas. The system has intensified into a well-marked low, prompting expectations of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Sylhet, Chattogram, and coastal regions. The department reported that most parts of the country have been experiencing temperatures between 35°C and 37.6°C, with Rangpur recording the highest at 37.6°C on Saturday.

Meteorologists said the monsoon is moderately active over Bangladesh, and rain is likely to spread to Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions throughout the week. Ports have been advised to hoist cautionary signals, and river ports have been asked to operate carefully due to possible gusty winds and thunderstorms. Farmers expect the rainfall to aid Aman paddy seedbed preparation, which had been hampered by prolonged dry weather.

Authorities warned that excessive rainfall could trigger short-term flooding in low-lying areas of northern, northeastern, and southeastern Bangladesh. While temperatures may drop slightly, humidity is expected to keep the weather uncomfortably humid for several more days.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to expedite the process of reopening unprofitable and closed state-owned factories through domestic and foreign investments. The directive was issued on Saturday during a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office. The meeting discussed the progress of attracting investors and the steps needed to restart operations at the affected industrial units.

According to information presented at the meeting, several private companies have expressed interest in investing in these factories. The feasibility of the proposed industrial ventures will now be assessed. The Prime Minister emphasized that the entire process must be conducted transparently and instructed authorities to avoid unnecessary delays while completing the procedures.

The meeting was attended by the ministers of commerce, industry, and textiles, along with senior officials from relevant ministries, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is set to marry his partner Gauri Spratt on July 5 in a private ceremony at his residence in Bandra, Mumbai. The event will be a modest family gathering rather than a lavish celebration, with attendance limited to close relatives, friends, and a few well-wishers. The announcement has drawn significant attention from fans following the couple’s recent public acknowledgment of their relationship.

A notable aspect of the wedding is the expected presence of Aamir Khan’s two former wives and their children, reflecting the actor’s continued cordial relationship with his previous families. In a recent video message, Aamir emphasized that spending time with family is more meaningful to him than grand festivities, and he sought blessings and good wishes from his fans for this new chapter.

This will be Aamir Khan’s third marriage, while it is Gauri Spratt’s second. Both bring children from their previous marriages, and all four children are expected to be part of the ceremony, symbolizing a blended family beginning.

The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has launched a monthly 'Cleaning Day' program to implement Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s directive for a cleaner city. The initiative, held on the first Saturday of every month, aims to make the weekly cleanliness day more effective by directly involving citizens in urban cleaning activities. The latest event took place on July 4 in the Shantinagar area, covering DSCC regions 1 and 2, with Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md. Abdus Salam attending as chief guest.

Under the program, residents, institutions, and businesses are encouraged to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings, dispose of waste at designated spots, and remain alert against dengue. The day-long activities included cleaning drives, awareness rallies, leaflet distribution, and calls for stronger social partnerships to ensure sustainable waste management.

Abdus Salam emphasized that building a clean and dengue-free city requires joint efforts from both citizens and the city corporation. He noted that behavioral change among residents is vital, and DSCC will intensify awareness campaigns to make cleanliness a daily habit.

The three-day International B-Beauty Tech Expo 2026 will be held in Dhaka from July 16 to 18 at the Bashundhara International Convention City (ICCB). Organized by WEM Bangladesh Limited, the event aims to boost investment, modern technology adoption, and local production capacity in Bangladesh’s beauty, cosmetics, personal care, wellness, and beauty technology sectors. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity office.

According to the organizers, companies and brands from Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates will participate. The expo will feature over 60 exhibitors and 120 local and international brands, with around 8,000 industry visitors and business representatives expected. The event is positioned as a platform for international business networking, investment, and technology transfer.

Organizers highlighted that Bangladesh’s beauty and personal care market is valued between 10 and 12 billion US dollars, with potential annual growth of 6 to 9 percent. They expect the expo to help reduce import dependency, attract foreign investment, and create up to 800,000 new jobs over the next decade through enhanced local production and technology transfer.

Severe flooding across Ghana this week has killed at least 34 people and displaced 89,736 others, according to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO). Richard Amo Yartey, director of NADMO’s inspection department, confirmed the figures on Friday, noting that 12 of the deaths occurred in the capital, Accra. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams continue to locate missing persons.

Yartey told local media that emergency teams are still working to find those unaccounted for while distributing relief supplies to affected communities. NADMO reported that seven regions have been impacted by the floods, with the Greater Accra Region suffering the most severe damage, displacing 54,712 people. The Central Region followed with 21,882 displaced, while Volta, Western, Ashanti, Western North, and Eastern regions also reported significant impacts.

Officials indicated that ongoing rescue and relief operations remain a priority as authorities assess the full extent of the disaster and continue verifying missing persons’ data.

Prime Minister’s economic and planning affairs adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has said that the decision to implement Bangladesh’s new pay scale will be made considering the country’s economic reality and the government’s election manifesto commitments. In an interview with the BBC, he stated that the new salary structure will be executed in phases, beginning with an increase in the basic pay of government employees. However, he did not specify when the official gazette would be published or disclose details of salary adjustments across grades.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury had earlier announced in the 2026–27 budget speech that the new pay scale would start taking effect from July 1, 2026, after nearly 11 years under the same structure. The move aims to address rising living costs caused by inflation. According to finance ministry sources, the gazette may be issued by mid or late July.

The last national pay scale was introduced in 2015. The 2025 National Pay Commission, led by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, recommended a 100–140 percent salary increase, raising the minimum scale from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000.

A severe heatwave across the United States disrupted the country’s 250th Independence Day celebrations on July 4, forcing cancellations of major events from New Jersey and Pennsylvania to Colorado. One of the largest parades, Philadelphia’s ‘Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade,’ was called off due to dangerous heat conditions. The National Weather Service reported that over 165 million people across the eastern and midwestern regions endured record-breaking temperatures, with several outdoor festivities suspended for public safety.

In Washington, D.C., the ‘Great American State Fair’ was temporarily closed after multiple visitors suffered heat-related illnesses, and at least 11 people were hospitalized. Authorities urged residents and tourists to take precautions as the heat index in cities like Philadelphia and Washington was expected to exceed 110°F. Despite the warnings, President Donald Trump confirmed plans to deliver his Independence Day speech outdoors. Meteorologists warned that the heatwave, already among the most intense in decades, would persist through the weekend.

Forecasters predicted that the extreme heat would spread further south and west from Sunday, reaching the southeastern United States and parts of Canada. Experts linked the prolonged and widespread heatwave to human-induced climate change, which has intensified global temperature extremes.

Bangladesh Bank has dismissed recent social media rumors claiming that customers will face extra charges when using Bangla QR for payments. The misinformation suggested that a Tk 10 fee would be deducted from every Tk 1,000 transaction, causing confusion among users. The central bank clarified that customers will not be charged any fee for making purchases through Bangla QR.

According to Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan, the applicable charge will be borne by merchants, not customers. As per policy, a maximum charge of Tk 10 plus 15 percent VAT—totaling Tk 11.50—may apply per Tk 1,000 transaction, which sellers must pay. Experts noted that this structure is similar to how credit card transaction fees are handled by businesses.

The bank advised customers not to believe unverified information about digital payments. It also urged users to report any merchant demanding extra charges to their respective banks, mobile financial service providers, or the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.

Severe heat disrupted Independence Day celebrations across the United States on July 4, 2026, leading to the cancellation of numerous events from New Jersey to Colorado. In Washington D.C., the Great American State Fair was temporarily closed for safety reasons before reopening later in the day. The National Weather Service reported that more than 165 million people across the East Coast and Midwest endured record-breaking temperatures, with Washington D.C. reaching 103°F and Philadelphia 104°F.

Organizers cited public safety as their top priority, while emergency services treated several visitors for heat-related illnesses. In Philadelphia, the major 'Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade' was canceled, and D.C.’s 'A Capitol Fourth' concert delayed public entry due to the extreme conditions. President Donald Trump continued with plans for an outdoor speech marking the nation’s 250th anniversary despite the heat warnings.

Meteorologists forecast that the heatwave would persist through the weekend, potentially followed by severe thunderstorms in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. Experts linked the intensity and frequency of such heatwaves to human-induced climate change, warning that global temperatures will continue to rise without significant emission reductions.

Former officials of HSBC Bangladesh have accused the bank of violating labor laws, misleading regulators, and denying fair compensation following the closure of its retail banking operations. The allegations were made at a press conference held at the Economic Reporters Forum auditorium in Dhaka’s Paltan area on Saturday morning. The affected employees demanded that relevant government agencies investigate the matter and take necessary action.

According to a written statement presented by representative Alamgir Kabir, 257 officials lost their jobs on March 31 as part of the retail banking shutdown, but the bank allegedly failed to follow legal retrenchment procedures. The employees claimed that while HSBC informed Bangladesh Bank that they were retrenched, they were actually given termination letters, depriving them of lawful severance benefits. Additional complaints included improper implementation of central bank directives, provident fund deductions, loan adjustment issues, discrimination in reemployment, increased home loan interest rates, and withheld release letters.

The affected officials urged authorities including Bangladesh Bank and the Ministry of Labour to ensure legal accountability, fair severance payments, and refund of deducted funds with interest and penalties.

Health authorities in France, Belgium and the Netherlands have reported at least 3,700 deaths linked to a recent severe heatwave that swept across Europe. Officials cautioned that the figure is preliminary and could increase as more data becomes available. The heatwave, which lasted from June 20 to 28, disrupted power generation, damaged infrastructure and placed heavy pressure on hospitals.

In France, about 2,025 excess deaths were recorded, with a sharp rise among people over 45, according to Health Minister Stéphanie Rist. Between June 22 and 28, home deaths rose by 91 percent compared with the previous week, and fatalities also increased in nursing homes and healthcare centers. The French public health agency warned that the actual toll may exceed initial estimates.

Belgium reported around 1,200 excess deaths between June 18 and 29, including 530 people aged 85 or older and 180 under 65. Authorities described the situation as unprecedented. In the Netherlands, officials said roughly 480 additional deaths occurred, mostly among those over 80. Scientists noted that climate change has almost certainly intensified the extreme heat.

The opening of the Padma Bridge has revolutionized transportation in Bangladesh’s southwest, connecting 21 districts with Dhaka through faster and more efficient travel. The Padma Bridge Expressway has become a vital national route, carrying thousands of vehicles daily and facilitating the quick transport of agricultural and fishery products. However, despite these improvements, the anticipated industrial and commercial development around Shibchar in Madaripur district, located at the bridge’s southern end, has not yet materialized.

Local residents and business owners report that while travel has become easier, large-scale industries and manufacturing plants have not been established. Small businesses continue to operate on a limited scale, and job creation remains stagnant. Community leaders and analysts stress that sustainable development requires long-term planning, industrial zones, and investment-friendly policies. They urge both government and private investors to develop industrial parks, special economic zones, and accessible financing for entrepreneurs.

Officials note that the Padma Bridge should serve not only as a symbol of connectivity but also as a foundation for industrialization and improved livelihoods in the southern region.