The government of Bangladesh is considering exempting two categories of electricity consumers—lifeline (marginal) and first-step users—from the recently announced price increase. The Power Development Board (PDB) has already applied to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to keep electricity rates unchanged for these groups. BERC sources confirmed that a revised decision on this matter could be issued soon.

On Wednesday, BERC had announced a record hike in electricity prices across all consumer categories. The wholesale rate was raised by an average of 19.85 percent, transmission charges by 23.96 percent, and retail consumer rates by 16.68 percent. Under the new rates, lifeline users consuming 0–50 units were to pay Tk 5.32 per unit, while first-step users consuming 0–75 units were to pay Tk 6.18 per unit, effective from June.

If approved, the exemption would maintain previous rates for these two consumer groups, providing relief to lower-income households affected by the recent price adjustments.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Sultan Salauddin Tuku, announced that a total of 9,367,418 animals were sacrificed across the country during Eid-ul-Azha. The data, presented at a press briefing at the ministry’s conference room on Thursday, showed that Dhaka division recorded the highest number of sacrifices, followed by Rajshahi and Chattogram. Compared to last year, the number of sacrificial animals increased by 231,418.

According to the ministry’s preliminary statistics, the total included 4,864,158 cattle and buffalo, 4,502,233 goats and sheep, and 1,027 other animals. The national demand for sacrificial animals this year was 10,106,334, while availability stood at 12,333,840, leaving a surplus of 2,966,422 animals. The minister stated that Bangladesh is now self-sufficient in livestock production and that the government aims to export surplus animals and meat after meeting domestic demand.

He credited timely government policies, farmers’ dedication, and private investment for achieving self-sufficiency in the livestock sector, which he said contributes to strengthening the rural economy and sustainable development.

Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX is preparing for what could become the largest initial public offering in history, targeting a market valuation of about $177 trillion. According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, SpaceX plans to sell 556 million shares at $135 each, aiming to raise roughly $75 billion. Trading is expected to begin on June 12 on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in New York.

The IPO would make SpaceX the world’s seventh-largest company by market capitalization, surpassing Tesla and Meta, and ranking just behind Taiwan’s TSMC. The listing is also set to break Saudi Aramco’s 2019 IPO record. Despite going public, Musk will retain effective control of SpaceX through a dual-class share structure granting him over 82% of voting rights. The company’s decision to set a fixed share price before launch is considered unusual compared to standard IPO practices.

Founded in 2002, SpaceX designs and launches rockets and spacecraft for NASA and private clients, and also operates its Starlink and xAI divisions. The IPO will test investor confidence in Musk’s long-term vision, as SpaceX reported heavy losses in 2025 and early 2026.

The chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), Khondkar Rashed Maksud, along with four commissioners, resigned on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The commissioners who stepped down are M. Mohsin Chowdhury, Md. Ali Akbar, Farzana Lalarukh, and Md. Saifuddin. They submitted their resignation letters to the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance in the morning. Maksud had been appointed chairman on August 18, 2024, for a four-year term, while the commissioners were appointed between June 2024 and July 2025.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the BSEC, the country’s capital market regulator, will be reconstituted within the next two weeks. The resignations came a day after the officials cleared their personal belongings from their offices. A planned Eid reunion event at the BSEC headquarters, scheduled for Thursday morning, was canceled earlier that day, and invitees were informed via text message.

The ministry’s announcement indicates that a new leadership team for the BSEC will be formed soon to ensure continuity in regulatory oversight of the capital market.

Concrete brick and block manufacturers across Bangladesh are facing a severe crisis due to inadequate government support and limited use of eco-friendly materials in public and private construction projects. Despite a 2019 government plan to phase out traditional clay bricks and fully adopt concrete blocks in public works by the 2024–25 fiscal year, production and use of clay bricks continue nationwide, harming both the environment and investors in sustainable industries.

Entrepreneurs and environmental officials say that concrete blocks, produced with modern technology using stone chips, Sylhet sand, and high-quality cement, are durable, heat- and sound-resistant, and environmentally safer. However, many factories are struggling or closing due to lack of policy enforcement, awareness, and incentives. Local engineers and business owners note that using hollow and uni blocks reduces construction costs, time, and maintenance expenses while improving durability.

Environmental experts warn that without stronger policy execution and incentives, Bangladesh may fail to meet its sustainability targets and risk discouraging future investment in eco-friendly construction materials.

The chairman and commissioners of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) have resigned unexpectedly, ending weeks of speculation. The resignations were submitted on Thursday morning to the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance. The outgoing chairman, Khondkar Rashed Maksud, and commissioners Md. Mohsin Chowdhury, Md. Ali Akbar, Farzana Lalarukh, and Md. Saifuddin stepped down from their positions.

Two days earlier, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury had announced at an Economic Reporters Forum event that new appointments for the BSEC chairman and commissioners would be made within two weeks. Following this announcement, the resignations came sooner than anticipated. A scheduled Eid reunion event at the BSEC office, organized by the chairman, was also canceled after the resignations.

According to sources connected to the invited guests, the chairman and commissioners were advised to resign. The developments mark a significant leadership change at the country’s capital market regulatory body.

Global oil prices declined following reports that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon had strengthened. Investors interpreted the development as a sign of renewed diplomatic momentum toward resolving the broader conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

As of 12:15 a.m. GMT on Wednesday, Brent crude futures dropped by 67 cents, or 0.69 percent, to trade at 97.14 dollars per barrel. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell by 62 cents, or 0.65 percent, to 95.40 dollars per barrel. The decline reflected market optimism about reduced geopolitical risks in the Middle East.

The ceasefire understanding was reached after talks in Washington mediated by the United States. Both Israel and Lebanon agreed to implement the truce, though they emphasized that Hezbollah must completely halt its attacks for the agreement to hold.

Bangladesh’s leather industry is undergoing a major downturn despite strong global demand. The sector has been hit by poor management, lack of environmental compliance, and absence of international certification such as the Leather Working Group (LWG) standard, which has discouraged major global brands from purchasing Bangladeshi leather. Production and exports have fallen sharply, forcing local businesses to rely on imported leather. Large companies like Bata and Apex have reduced direct leather purchases, while many entrepreneurs cannot export despite having government-allotted plots.

The crisis deepened after tanneries were relocated from Hazaribagh to Savar in 2017, where the central effluent treatment plant (CETP) remains only partially functional. Business leaders and officials acknowledge that mismanagement, substandard equipment, and corruption have crippled the CETP, driving away European and Korean buyers. Export earnings reached USD 1.145 billion in 2024–25, far below the sector’s potential in the USD 440 billion global market.

Industry associations urge urgent modernization of the CETP, enforcement of environmental standards, and acquisition of LWG certification. They also call for action against misuse of government plots and for joint public-private investment to restore competitiveness.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced a record electricity price hike of nearly 20 percent at the consumer level, effective from June 2026 and payable in July. Wholesale rates will rise by 19.85 percent, while retail prices for middle-income households in the fourth usage tier will increase by 19.95 percent. The average increase for low-tension users is 18.21 percent. BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed announced the decision at a press conference, stating that the adjustment was made after reviewing current conditions. The government will still provide Tk 41,000 crore in subsidies to the power sector.

The decision follows public hearings held on May 19 and 20, where consumer groups strongly opposed the proposal. Despite earlier assurances from the energy minister that prices would not rise for two years, the commission approved the increase within four working days of the hearings. Consumers fear the hike will severely affect nearly 49.8 million users, raising living costs and impacting small industries, businesses, and households.

The new rates also affect irrigation, religious institutions, and battery charging, with higher peak-hour tariffs. Critics argue that corruption and inefficiency in the power sector, rather than subsidies, are driving the need for such increases.

A global survey by the human resources and workforce management AI platform UKG has warned that the upcoming football World Cup, starting on June 11, could cause a productivity loss of about $170 billion worldwide. The study found that employers across multiple countries are concerned about keeping employees focused and present during the tournament. The projected loss equals roughly 20.8 trillion Bangladeshi taka. The United States is expected to face the highest loss at around $117 billion, followed by Germany with an estimated $13.4 billion.

According to the survey, 37 percent of employees plan to adjust their work schedules to match match timings, while 27 percent admitted they might arrive late, leave early, or skip work entirely. About 14 percent said they would secretly stream matches or highlights at their desks, and 11 percent planned to work under the influence after watching late-night games. Even managers are not exempt, with 42 percent planning to take leave and 45 percent intending to modify their work hours.

The UKG study covered eight major countries—Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States—based on responses from around 8,000 employees.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced another increase in electricity prices, prompting strong criticism from Khelafat Majlis. According to a statement issued by the party’s Amir Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader, BERC raised wholesale electricity rates by 19.85 percent and retail rates by 15 to 19.94 percent. The transmission charge was also increased by 23.96 percent.

Khelafat Majlis said the new price hike would make public life more difficult and lead to another round of commodity price increases. The party accused the government of shifting the burden of corruption, mismanagement, poor planning, and waste within the power sector onto ordinary consumers. It strongly protested the decision and demanded an immediate reduction in electricity and fuel prices, as well as measures to bring essential goods within consumers’ purchasing power.

The statement reflects growing political opposition to recent energy price adjustments and calls for urgent government action to ease public hardship.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) reported that the metro rail transported an average of 151,877 passengers per day between May 25 and May 31, excluding Eid day. The company released this information in a statement on Wednesday, noting that 140 scheduled trips were operated daily during the period.

To manage the increased passenger demand around Eid, DMTCL kept 10 additional trains on standby for possible deployment. The metro rail played a significant role in facilitating travel for people leaving Dhaka for their hometowns before Eid and returning to their workplaces afterward.

According to DMTCL, officials and employees worked during public holidays to maintain operations. Cleaning activities were also carried out at metro stations and surrounding areas. The company expressed gratitude to passengers and stakeholders for their cooperation in ensuring smooth, safe, and uninterrupted metro services during the Eid holidays.

Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, has strongly criticized the government’s decision to raise electricity prices again ahead of the national budget. In a statement to the media on Wednesday, he said ordinary citizens should not be punished for theft, corruption, waste, and mismanagement in the power sector. He warned that the new price hike would worsen the suffering of low-income people already struggling with rising living costs.

Haque described the government’s move as arbitrary and accused the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) of failing to justify the increase at both wholesale and consumer levels. He argued that reducing corruption and inefficiency in the energy and power sectors would eliminate the need for such hikes. He also criticized BERC’s public hearings as a mere formality to legitimize government decisions.

He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the price hike decision and called for amendments to BERC’s existing law so that it can recommend price reductions. Haque further urged the government to include adequate allocations and a comprehensive plan for the energy and power sectors in the upcoming national budget.

The government has withdrawn the additional monthly charge on prepaid electricity meters, according to an announcement shared by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) media cell on Wednesday. The BNP stated on its official Facebook page that the decision was part of the party’s first 100 days in government, aimed at reducing public hardship and ensuring financial relief for ordinary citizens.

Earlier, on March 29, the Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, had announced that the monthly rent or meter charge for prepaid electricity meters would be withdrawn. Previously, consumers were paying a monthly demand charge of 42 taka per kilowatt and a single-phase meter rent of 40 taka, along with an additional 5 percent VAT. These charges had caused widespread dissatisfaction among users.

The withdrawal of the extra charges is expected to provide immediate financial relief to electricity consumers who had long expressed frustration over the additional costs associated with prepaid meters.

Canada and Mexico on Tuesday called for renewing the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) for another 16 years. Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc made the proposal in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer and Mexican Finance Minister Marcelo Ebrard, emphasizing that the agreement binds the three countries under a unified trade framework. LeBlanc later described a meeting in Washington on the pact’s future as positive and said discussions would continue in the coming days and weeks.

The USMCA is vital for both Canada and Mexico, as the United States is their main trading partner, accounting for roughly 75 and 80 percent of their exports respectively. The countries must inform by July 1 whether they wish to renew the agreement or renegotiate its terms. Although President Donald Trump signed the USMCA during his first term, he has recently questioned its relevance, imposed tariffs on key Canadian sectors, and made controversial remarks about Canada’s economic dependence on the U.S.

U.S. and Mexican officials recently concluded initial talks on possible amendments to the pact. Greer indicated support for retaining parts of the current agreement, while LeBlanc noted that trade among the three nations has grown 32 percent since the USMCA took effect in 2020.