National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain told parliament that Bangladesh’s government debt has increased by over one trillion taka within four months of the current administration taking office. He said the total debt rose from about 23 trillion to 24 trillion taka. Hossain made the remarks during Thursday’s budget session chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

He questioned the government’s commitment to implementing the referendum mandate, including forming a constitutional reform council and ensuring judicial independence. Hossain cited the finance minister’s statement acknowledging economic disruption and the need for political reform. He also claimed that the International Monetary Fund withheld loans due to the absence of economic reforms and criticized the government for not addressing banking sector irregularities.

Hossain further alleged that the economy has become fragile, with high inflation and rising defaulted loans. He criticized the government for increasing electricity and fuel prices twice in three months before announcing the budget, arguing that price hikes began even before the budget was presented.

Several recently renovated roads in Ruma upazila of Bandarban have collapsed shortly after completion, raising serious concerns among residents about the quality of government-funded infrastructure projects. Despite large investments aimed at improving connectivity in the hilly region, asphalt has peeled off and cracks have appeared in multiple areas soon after repair work was finished. Locals expressed frustration over the rapid deterioration and questioned the effectiveness of the development spending.

Residents and local representatives alleged that substandard materials, irregularities by contractors, and poor supervision were responsible for the early damage. The projects, implemented under the Local Government Engineering Department’s (LGED) “Rural Road Infrastructure Development in Hill Areas” initiative, include the Ruma–Rowangchhari internal link road to Paindu Headman Para, with a budget of about Tk 27.5 million for 1.3 kilometers. LGED officials acknowledged contractor noncompliance and reported the issue to the district office.

The LGED executive engineer stated that partial damage to new roads is not unusual and that repairs could be made later using future allocations or the contractor’s security deposit.

Bangladesh’s Annual Development Programme (ADP) implementation fell to its lowest level in 16 years during the first 11 months of the 2025–26 fiscal year. According to the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) report released on Thursday, only 48.23 percent of the allocated funds were spent between July and May. Ministries and divisions managed to use just over Tk 1.76 trillion out of a revised ADP allocation of Tk 2.08 trillion for 1,359 projects.

The report shows a sharp decline compared to previous years, with spending dropping by about Tk 10,242 crore from the same period last year. Historically, ADP implementation averaged 65–70 percent during July–May, but this year it fell below 50 percent, even lower than during the pandemic. The internal resources division recorded the lowest implementation rate at 12.23 percent, while the science and technology ministry led with 83.33 percent due to progress in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project.

Officials and economists cited delays in procurement, administrative inefficiencies, and a shortage of skilled project managers as key reasons. They warned that the slow implementation could hinder economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure expansion.

International oil prices dropped by about 2 percent on Friday, even after a cargo ship near Oman’s coast was hit by a missile from an unidentified source. According to Reuters, Brent crude fell by $1.47, or 1.95 percent, to $73.79 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined by $1.44, or 2 percent, to $70.48. Both benchmarks are heading for an 8 percent weekly loss.

LSEG shipping data showed that Saudi Aramco resumed crude loading at its Ras Tanura terminal in the Persian Gulf after nearly four months of suspension. Two very large crude carriers were loading oil, with another waiting nearby. Analysts from Sparta Commodities attributed the price drop to increased oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz and weak demand from China.

The report also noted that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have reached their highest level since the February conflict between Iran, the U.S., and Israel, though still below prewar levels. ING analysts warned that once previously trapped tankers clear the Gulf, supply could tighten again.

Italy is facing a severe heatwave that has claimed five lives and prompted authorities to issue red alerts in 18 cities on Friday. The victims include two farmers from Lodi and Piacenza, a homeless man in Naples, and another person who died near Pavia in Lombardy. The decision to declare the red alert was made during a technical committee meeting chaired by Health Minister Orazio Schillaci.

The alert covers major cities such as Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Turin, Bologna, Bari, and Genoa. Officials warned that the extreme weather poses health risks not only to vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and chronically ill individuals but also to healthy people. The heatwave has disrupted cultural and public services, forcing Florence’s Uffizi Gallery to suspend ticket sales until at least June 28 due to air-conditioning failure.

Tourist sites such as Juliet’s House in Verona have partially closed, and court hearings in Palermo have been postponed. Local media reported a 20 percent rise in emergency admissions across Lombardy. Meteorologists expect temperatures to peak over the weekend.

Nike’s new ‘Mind’ shoes, launched in January 2026, have generated worldwide excitement for their claim to influence mental well-being. The sportswear giant describes the product as its first neuroscience-based footwear, designed not for exercise but for pre- and post-activity relaxation. Available in mule and sneaker styles priced at $95 and $145 respectively, the shoes reportedly sold out quickly, with over two million people signing up for restock notifications. On resale platforms like StockX, the ‘Light Smoke Grey’ mule version has become Nike’s top-listed shoe since 2016.

According to Nike’s Sport Research Lab, the shoes feature 22 foam nodes that stimulate foot nerves, increasing electrical activity in the brain’s sensorimotor network while calming the default mode network associated with wandering thoughts. The company claims this creates a state of “relaxed alertness.” However, no peer-reviewed studies have yet verified these findings.

Loughborough University’s Dr. Ishara Dharmasena considers the concept scientifically plausible, comparing it to traditional Ayurvedic foot massage. He cautions that prolonged use might reduce effectiveness as the brain adapts, classifying the product as a “passive neuro-wearable” that promotes calm without tracking data.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Washington plans to use seized Iranian funds to purchase American agricultural products for Iran. Speaking on Thursday, Trump said the initiative aims to buy U.S. wheat, soybeans, and corn for shipment to Iran, which he described as facing a food shortage. He added that the plan would create a new market for American farmers and that the process would begin soon on a large scale.

According to Trump, the move will allow the United States to utilize Iranian assets to address humanitarian needs while benefiting U.S. agriculture. He referred to Iran as a beautiful country and emphasized that the effort would be significant in size. The statement was reported by Anadolu Agency.

The plan, if implemented, could open a new trade channel between the two nations despite existing tensions, though the source did not specify when or how the transactions would be carried out.

Members of Bangladesh’s National Parliament expressed strong dissatisfaction over the abnormal increase in air ticket prices toward the end of the week. The issue was raised on Thursday afternoon by BNP lawmaker Zainul Abdin Faruk from Noakhali-2 during a point of order, and later supported by opposition MP Professor Mujibur Rahman. Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal presided over the session.

Faruk criticized the steep fare hikes, noting that tickets priced at around 2,800 to 3,000 taka on regular days rise to as high as 10,000 taka on Thursdays. He urged the authorities to address what he described as unfair pricing practices affecting travelers. Mujibur Rahman agreed, saying the exploitation in air ticket pricing must stop and that he had previously submitted a notice on the issue without result.

In response, Deputy Speaker Kamal advised the MPs to submit formal notices following parliamentary procedures so that the issues could be discussed in detail in future sessions.

BNP lawmaker Reza Kibria has said that Bangladesh’s banking sector is in a state of collapse because of rampant loan defaults. Speaking in parliament on Thursday evening during the budget discussion, he cited his experience with the International Monetary Fund, noting that while other countries panic at a 6 percent default rate, Bangladesh’s rate stands at 61 percent. He warned that without strict measures, economic progress would be impossible and urged the finance minister to take action to improve banking efficiency.

Kibria criticized the inefficiency of the banking system, saying honest entrepreneurs face high interest rates of 14 to 16 percent while banks collect deposits at only 5 percent. He also said the definition of loan default has been relaxed, now requiring one year of nonpayment instead of 90 days. On inflation, he emphasized the need to keep it low, linking exchange rate depreciation to inflation differentials with trading partners.

He acknowledged that the finance minister prepared the budget under difficult global conditions and stressed maintaining macroeconomic balance to secure Bangladesh’s economic future, cautioning against excessive reliance on commercial foreign loans.

The first-ever Formula Student and Automotive Engineering Summit in Bangladesh was held on Thursday at the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) in Mirpur Cantonment. The event was jointly organized by MIST Blitz, a student Formula team, and the Bangladesh Formula Student Community. It marked the country’s first national-level gathering of students, engineers, automotive industry professionals, and policymakers, drawing over 2,500 guests and visitors.

The summit aimed to strengthen collaboration between academia and the automotive industry, fostering innovation and sustainable partnerships in automotive engineering. Lieutenant General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman attended as the chief guest, while Major General Md Hakimuzzaman served as the chief patron. Brigadier General Muhammad Shariful Islam, head of MIST’s Mechanical Engineering Department, chaired the organizing committee.

Technical sessions on automotive and Formula Student engineering were conducted by experts, alongside discussions on the development of the country’s automotive and OEM sectors. Student-focused competitions included the Formula Future Business Case, IC Engine Masterclass and Quiz, Concept Car Challenge, CAD Design Contest, and Poster Presentation.

Dr. Md. Ershad Hossain Rana, Chairman and CEO of Don Group, has been elected president of the France-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFB) for the 2026–2028 term. The announcement was made following the chamber’s annual general meeting and board handover ceremony held on June 25, 2026. Alongside him, M. A. Riaz of Expo Holdings (BD) Ltd. and Md. Jahangir Alam Sarkar of 3i Logistics (Pvt.) Ltd. were elected vice presidents, while Farzana Chowdhury of Abista FS Ltd. was elected treasurer.

The newly elected 17-member board includes representatives from leading Bangladeshi business organizations such as ABN Group, Akhtar Group, Bangladesh Exports Ltd., and Bengal Airlift Ltd. The handover ceremony concluded with a luncheon that fostered networking among participants. During the event, the chamber reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations between France and Bangladesh.

The new leadership is expected to guide CCIFB’s initiatives aimed at enhancing business cooperation and expanding opportunities for members in both countries.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said the government is working tirelessly to make marginalized communities economically prosperous and self-reliant. He made the remarks while visiting the regional center of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) in Naikhongchhari, Bandarban. The minister stated that initiatives have been taken to use the livestock sector more effectively to improve the living standards of low-income people.

He recalled that the Naikhongchhari farm was established under the initiative of late President Ziaur Rahman, focusing on the conservation and production of gayal cattle and their distribution among small and marginalized communities in the hill region. The government has expanded this goal to promote self-sufficiency among these groups. Livestock such as goats and sheep have already been distributed to farmers, and research-based initiatives are underway to enhance support for small-scale farmers.

The minister also noted that the farm’s potential had not been fully utilized due to poor management in the past, but the current government will modernize and develop it. He emphasized that empowering marginal farmers through livestock rearing is central to the government’s vision of building a self-reliant Bangladesh.

Former IMF adviser and Habiganj-1 lawmaker Dr. Reza Kibria has called for ending policies that favor the wealthy and instead channeling direct financial support to low-income citizens. Speaking in the national parliament on Thursday during the general discussion on the proposed budget, he argued that giving extra money to millionaires has no positive effect on the economy, while even a small amount given to the poor immediately circulates through markets and keeps the domestic economy active.

Drawing on his 45 years of international experience, Dr. Kibria expressed frustration over the fragile banking system, rising inequality, and unproductive investments. He emphasized the practical importance of equitable income distribution, noting that wealthy individuals tend to save rather than spend additional funds, whereas poor households spend immediately, stimulating rural and local markets.

He urged policymakers to ensure that financial resources reach marginalized communities directly to maintain economic balance and strengthen internal demand.

A two-day Universal Pension Fair was held in Chuadanga under the theme ‘Participation in the universal pension scheme ensures a secure future life’. The event began on June 24 with a colorful rally from the Deputy Commissioner’s office, followed by an inauguration ceremony at the District Shilpakala Academy, where National Pension Authority Executive Chairman Dr. Md. Suratuzzaman inaugurated the fair. He stated that the state-guaranteed universal pension scheme is a sustainable system ensuring post-retirement financial security and that pension funds are safely invested in Bangladesh Bank treasury bonds.

Dr. Suratuzzaman announced a goal to bring 40 million people under the scheme by 2030 and urged at least one member from each family to enroll. The fair featured participation from banks, financial institutions, and government offices offering information and registration support. Workshops and cultural programs were also organized to raise awareness.

The National Pension Authority said similar fairs, workshops, rallies, and courtyard meetings will be organized across all divisions, districts, and upazilas to expand registration and awareness nationwide.

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh signed separate agreements with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), and the BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) on Thursday to strengthen skills in the country’s ready-made garment industry. The signing ceremony, chaired by EPB Vice-Chairman and CEO Mohammad Hasan Arif, took place at the EPB conference room. The three-year training program, covering fiscal years 2026–27 to 2028–29, aims to train 22,815 workers, employees, and mid-level officials.

Under the program, BGMEA and BKMEA will organize five-day training sessions for workers, while BUFT will conduct six-month postgraduate diploma courses for officials. The initiative will be financed by the Ministry of Commerce’s training fund. The program seeks to improve productivity, promote modern machinery use, ensure compliance with international standards, and raise awareness of EU and other export market requirements. BGMEA and BKMEA representatives emphasized updating training modules to include circular machinery and compliance topics.

EPB’s vice-chairman stressed the need for modernizing training modules, strengthening monitoring, and evaluating how the acquired knowledge benefits the garment sector. The program is expected to enhance modernization and export competitiveness in Bangladesh’s apparel industry.