Telecommunication, Information Technology, and Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam announced that the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant will be connected to Bangladesh’s national grid by the end of August. He shared the update on Tuesday morning during a discussion with ICT and telecom journalists at the ICT Tower in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The minister explained that the government is closely monitoring ongoing projects to prevent wasteful spending and ensure timely completion. As part of this effort, uranium has already been loaded into the nuclear reactor. If all processes proceed as planned, the plant will begin supplying electricity to the national grid by late August.

He also mentioned that, following the Prime Minister’s directive, work will soon begin on creating a “One ID” system that will store all information about a citizen from birth to death.

South Korea is set to launch its fourth medium-sized Earth observation satellite on Tuesday from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in the United States, using a Falcon 9 rocket operated by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX. According to South Korean media reports, the satellite weighs about 500 kilograms and has completed all functional tests and fueling over the past month. It is now fully prepared for launch.

The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) stated that the satellite will separate from the rocket approximately two hours and 22 minutes after liftoff. About 31 minutes later, it is expected to make its first contact with the ground control center via the Svalbard ground station. The satellite carries several domestically developed instruments, including a camera capable of capturing images of the entire Korean Peninsula every three days.

The satellite will support applications in agriculture and forest management, monitoring of forest changes, disaster response, climate change analysis, and public safety enhancement.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that in the modern world, security is no longer confined to border defense or traditional systems. Speaking on July 1, 2026, at the launch of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party’s media cell ‘Prantik Konthoswor’, he said that digital leadership, cyber security, and technology-based skills are now the foundation of future security frameworks.

The minister described ‘Prantik Konthoswor’ as an integral part of the government’s broader plan for digital transformation and information management. He urged the Ansar and Village Defence Force to engage its large workforce in modern technology and digital communication for national development. Citing the Bangladesh Bank reserve theft, he emphasized that protecting digital infrastructure from cyberattacks is now more critical than physical security.

Swapan highlighted that technology evolves continuously and called for a shift from analog to digital thinking. He urged the new platform to maintain ongoing innovation and capacity building. State Minister Habibur Rashid and Ansar Director General Major General A.M. Sajjad Mahmud also spoke at the event, where the importance of combating misinformation was underscored.

Australia has strengthened its law prohibiting social media use by children under 16, doubling the maximum fine for violating platforms to 99 million Australian dollars. The revised legislation empowers the independent eSafety Commissioner to demand proof from social media companies on compliance measures and to conduct more effective investigations and enforcement actions. The government acknowledged that many minors continue to access restricted platforms despite the ban, which took effect on December 10 of the previous year.

Investigations have begun against major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube for alleged non-compliance. A report by the eSafety Commission found that seven out of ten under-16 users with pre-ban accounts still manage to access these platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells criticized major technology companies for failing to take sufficient steps to enforce the law.

Australia’s initiative has influenced other countries, with the United Kingdom announcing plans for a similar ban by spring 2027. The UK proposal also considers nighttime restrictions for users under 18 and measures to limit infinite scrolling.

Grameen Communications and Japan’s Wic Co. Ltd. have jointly initiated the launch of a digital social business platform named Spark, aimed at empowering Bangladeshis worldwide through technology, skill development, employment, and financial inclusion. A memorandum of understanding was signed on the sidelines of the second day of Social Business Day, according to a press release from Yunus Centre issued on Monday.

The agreement was signed by Yoshikane Nakamichi, Representative Director of Wic Co. Ltd., and Firoz Mahmud, Managing Director of Grameen Communications. The signing ceremony was attended by Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chairman of Yunus Centre; Ashraful Hasan, Chairman of Grameen Group; Nazneen Sultana, Executive Vice Chairman of Grameen Communications; Lamiya Morshed, Executive Director of Yunus Centre; and Dr. Asir Ahmed, Associate Professor at Kyushu University, Japan.

According to the release, the Spark platform will connect Bangladeshis across the globe in a unified digital ecosystem, enabling skill-based income, freelancing, and employment opportunities. It will also promote financial inclusion, micro-investment, and asset building to enhance long-term economic resilience.

Veon Chairman Augie Fabela paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the National Parliament Building on Monday morning, June 29, 2026. The meeting was attended by Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam, the Prime Minister’s adviser on related affairs Rehan Asif Asad, Veon board member Michelle Sweeting, and Banglalink CEO Joahan Hendrik Martinas Busse.

Discussions focused on making digital services more accessible across Bangladesh. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged Banglalink to take initiatives to deliver smartphones to consumers at more affordable prices so that people from all walks of life can access smart devices. He also called for consideration of further reducing internet costs to enhance connectivity and inclusion.

The meeting underscored the government’s emphasis on expanding digital access and affordability, aligning with broader national goals for digital transformation and inclusive technology growth.

Iranian cyberattacks against Israel have sharply increased since the start of joint US-Israel operations against Iran earlier this year, according to a senior Israeli security official cited by Reuters on Monday. Yossi Karadi, Director General of Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, told Germany’s Die Welt newspaper that during Israel’s military campaign against Iran in June 2025, authorities recorded about 1,600 hostile cyber incidents. By June 2026, that number had surged to nearly 4,800.

Karadi said the attacks targeted Israel’s critical infrastructure, central agencies, small and medium-sized businesses, and public systems. Among smaller firms, law and accounting offices were particularly affected. He noted that Israel had so far managed to repel cyberattacks on key infrastructure sectors but warned that cyberspace, unlike traditional battlefields, has no ceasefire.

Iran typically denies conducting hacking or cyber operations against other countries and often reports being targeted by cyberattacks itself, according to the report.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman paid an unannounced visit to the Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Agargaon, Dhaka, on Sunday morning. Arriving at 9:15 a.m., he toured the offices of the defense ministry–affiliated institution, meeting with officials and employees for spontaneous discussions. The visit was not part of his scheduled program.

During the inspection, SPARRSO Chairman Md. Rashidul Islam briefed the Prime Minister on the organization’s activities and overall operations. Departmental officials also presented details of their innovations, research, and ongoing projects. The Prime Minister instructed relevant authorities to develop SPARRSO into a modern, self-reliant, and nationally significant space research institution capable of contributing effectively to national security and development.

Senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Defense, and SPARRSO were present during the visit, underscoring the government’s focus on strengthening the country’s space research and remote sensing capabilities.

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.

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.

A stakeholder meeting was held on June 24 at the Bridge Division conference room to review a high-level committee report on establishing a unified and interoperable electronic toll collection (ETC) network across Bangladesh. The meeting, chaired by Bridge Division Secretary and Bangladesh Bridge Authority Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf, brought together representatives from government agencies, private stakeholders, technology experts, and journalists.

Participants discussed a proposed architecture for a single, self-contained platform that would integrate existing RFID-based ETC systems through APIs, enabling low-cost and rapid implementation. The plan recommends execution under the ICT Division or one of its affiliated agencies. A policy decision was made to use a single RFID tag issued by BRTA instead of multiple agency-specific tags, and to develop a unified mobile app for registration, toll information, digital payments, and traffic alerts. Attendees praised the proposal and emphasized the need for secure transactions and simplified user registration.

The initiative aims to reduce travel time, fuel waste, and public inconvenience while advancing the government’s goal of a cashless society and fully automated toll management nationwide.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone using wireless devices or walkie-talkies without a valid license. In a press release issued on Thursday, the commission said joint operations with law enforcement agencies are ongoing in Dhaka and other regions to identify and seize illegal telecommunication equipment. During these drives, unlicensed walkie-talkies have been confiscated from various organizations, and related cases have been filed at local police stations.

According to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation Act, 2001 (Amendment-2026), obtaining frequency allocation and a license from BTRC is mandatory for the use, storage, import, marketing, or operation of any wireless communication device. The commission emphasized that using such devices without authorization is a punishable offense under the law.

BTRC has urged all businesses, security service providers, hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls to ensure compliance with licensing requirements. It also confirmed that enforcement operations against illegal wireless devices will continue nationwide.

Thousands of residents in Sitakunda, Chattogram, have faced severe difficulties after a central server failure disrupted the prepaid electricity system for two consecutive days. The outage has affected around 40,000 customers from Kumira to Darogahat, leaving many unable to recharge their meters through mobile banking services. Although money is being deducted from users’ accounts, the amounts are not being added to their meters, and no recharge tokens are being issued.

Local reports indicate that many customers have repeatedly tried to recharge without success, forcing some to rely on emergency loan features to maintain temporary power supply. Families with children, elderly, students, and sick members are reportedly suffering the most as daily activities, education, and healthcare face disruption. Residents have criticized the lack of an effective backup system for such a vital digital public service.

Officials from the Barabkunda residential electricity office confirmed the issue, while the Bangladesh Power Development Board’s regional chief engineer said efforts are underway to restore the server soon. Observers have called for stronger backup and risk management systems to prevent similar crises in the future.

Munshiganj District Jail has become the first prison in Bangladesh to introduce a fully cashless management system. Starting Sunday, all financial transactions for inmates are now conducted digitally without the use of physical cash. The initiative was confirmed by the Department of Prisons’ AIG (Development and Media), Jannat-ul-Farhad.

According to prison authorities, the modern and secure digital system maximizes the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. This allows real-time tracking of inmates’ locations and ensures accurate counting and enhanced security within prison wards. Under the new system, relatives can deposit money virtually into an inmate’s designated account, which inmates can then use via RFID cards to purchase food or other items from the prison canteen.

Officials stated that the cashless system is expected to reduce corruption and irregularities, increase transparency and accountability, and ensure complete financial security for inmates.

The government of Bangladesh has planned to install underground fiber lines to deliver dynamic internet services to 87,000 villages and enhance digital access for marginalized communities. The initiative, originally launched as the ‘Tiger Project’ in 2022 and later renamed ‘D-Star’ or ‘Digital Star,’ received an initial allocation of 300 million US dollars. The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission began groundwork to implement the project aimed at strengthening rural connectivity.

Progress has stalled due to disputes between mobile operators and fiber network businesses. Mobile operators have urged the government to expand spectrum coverage instead of direct fiber connections, while fiber providers argue that underground fiber connectivity at the union level would ensure better quality and resilience. The project remains pending at the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council as both sides lobby for control.

Telecom experts have supported the underground approach, citing reduced risk of cable damage during natural disasters and less infrastructure clutter. The government has reportedly decided in principle to route fiber lines underground to improve reliability and minimize corruption risks.