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.

A massive wildfire has erupted in Colorado, United States, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. The blaze, spreading rapidly southwest of Denver, has been intensified by strong winds in southern Colorado. The Aspen Acres Fire alone expanded by 44 square kilometers overnight, burning a total of 272 square kilometers and destroying more than 160 homes and structures. Authorities have ordered about 2,200 residents of Colorado City to leave, along with people in Beulah, Rye, and San Isabel.

Smoke from the fires has reduced visibility on parts of Interstate 25 to half a mile, complicating travel. Around 50 members of the Colorado National Guard have been deployed to assist with road checkpoints and restrict boat traffic on Pueblo Reservoir, where firefighters are collecting water to combat the flames. The Division of Fire Prevention and Control has issued smoke alerts across the state and canceled many fireworks events due to extreme fire risk.

The National Weather Service has maintained red flag warnings across most of Colorado, citing hot, dry, and windy conditions. Meteorologists said weekend rainfall could reduce fire danger but might trigger flash floods in burned areas.

The government of Bangladesh approved the Padma Barrage Project at an ECNEC meeting on May 13, 2026. The project, to be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board under the Ministry of Water Resources, will begin in July 2026 and is targeted for completion by June 2033. The barrage will be built at Pangsha in Rajbari district, spanning 2.1 kilometers with 78 spillway gates and 18 under-sluice gates. Covering 26 districts across four divisions, it is expected to directly benefit about 70 million people and indirectly the entire country.

The project aims to mitigate the long-standing water scarcity caused by India’s Farakka Barrage, which restricts dry-season water flow into Bangladesh. By storing 2.9 billion cubic meters of water, the Padma Barrage will revive several rivers, expand irrigation to 2.9 million hectares, and increase annual rice and fish production. It will also include a 113-megawatt hydropower plant and improve navigation, agriculture, and environmental conditions.

The estimated total cost is Tk 504.43 billion, with Tk 344.97 billion allocated for the first phase, fully funded by the government.

Nesarabad upazila in Pirojpur has become a growing hub for shipbuilding, with 21 dockyards established along the banks of the Sandhya River and its tributaries. These facilities produce world-class vessels including cargo ships, oil carriers, and steel-bodied launches. Around 25,000 workers are directly or indirectly employed in this sector, contributing to both local livelihoods and national industrial growth.

Shipbuilders and local stakeholders say that with government support, training, and access to affordable loans, the industry could expand significantly. Skilled craftsmen are already producing ships that meet domestic and international standards, and some vessels built here are operating on international routes. The area’s low production costs and efficient construction processes attract business owners from across the country.

Officials note that some dockyards lack complete documentation required for government assistance, but efforts are underway to address this. Observers believe that with proper policy support and modern training, Nesarabad’s shipbuilding industry could become a major source of foreign exchange and national revenue.

In Jamalpur town, a small mobile clothing shop run by 21-year-old Akijul Islam Saurav has drawn attention for its colorful display of T-shirts, shirts, and jerseys. Saurav, a second-year HSC student at Government Ashek Mahmud College, manages the business alongside his studies. With an initial investment of 70,000 taka from his father, he built a mobile sales cart and stocked it with clothes. Each day, after classes, he travels around the city selling garments and stores his cart at a relative’s home at night.

Saurav, from Sharifpur Union’s Byapari Para village, was inspired by his businessman father and motivated by the struggles of educated youths seeking jobs. He aims to become an entrepreneur who can create employment for others. His mobile shop allows him to reach customers directly in busy areas, and the earnings cover his educational expenses while enabling him to save money.

Development worker Jahangir Selim noted that such self-employment initiatives could positively influence the local economy and inspire other young people to pursue entrepreneurship.

In Shibchar upazila of Madaripur, the modern and eco-friendly mulching method is rapidly gaining popularity among vegetable farmers. The technique, which uses plastic sheets to cover soil beds with holes for planting, allows for higher yields at lower cost and in less time. Farmers are increasingly shifting from traditional methods to this technology-based cultivation, opening new opportunities for safe and pesticide-free vegetable production.

Field visits show that crops such as cucumber, bitter gourd, chili, bottle gourd, tomato, okra, and sponge gourd are being grown using mulching. The method helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and reduce pest attacks, cutting down on irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticide use. Although initial setup costs are slightly higher, the same beds can be reused for multiple harvests, and crops reach markets 10 to 15 days earlier, increasing profits.

According to the Shibchar Agriculture Office, around 200 bighas of land are now under mulching cultivation, mainly for chili, bitter gourd, and cucumber. Officials and experts say the expansion of this technology could lower production costs, boost farmers’ income, and positively impact the agricultural economy.

The Rangpur District Postal Employees Union has warned of an indefinite strike to press for two key demands. The announcement came during a meeting held on Friday afternoon at the Rangpur District Collectorate ground, attended by members of the Bangladesh Postal Employees Union, Bangladesh Branch Post Office Employees Association, and Bangladesh Branch Post Office Employees Unity Council. Earlier, the workers had observed a hunger strike in front of the Directorate of Posts and later announced a three-day work stoppage. They stated that if their demands remain unmet, a full strike would be held on the 6th and 7th of the month.

The extra-departmental (ED) employees said they have long been working for a daily wage of only 150 taka. They are demanding a threefold increase in pay and official recognition as departmental employees. Speakers at the meeting, including union leaders and representatives from various upazilas, emphasized that the movement would continue until the demands of about 23,000 workers nationwide are fulfilled.

Union leaders urged the government to consider their demands, stressing that postal workers deliver letters to people’s doorsteps but do not receive fair compensation for their service.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku announced that the government will take all necessary measures to protect the fish resources of the Haor region. Speaking on Friday afternoon at the inauguration of a fish fry release program at Uchipur playground in Madan upazila of Netrakona, he urged local residents to stop catching mother and juvenile fish and to remain patient as development initiatives are implemented.

Tuku stated that 16 tons of fish fry have already been released into the Haor and warned against destroying future resources for short-term profit. He assured that infrastructure development, including roads, will proceed gradually for the benefit of local people. Railways and Road Transport State Minister Habibur Rashid Habib, attending as a special guest, said that large-scale fish fry release will continue and that refraining from fishing for four months could significantly increase production and reduce local hardship.

The event was chaired by Madan Upazila BNP President Nurul Alam Talukdar and attended by officials from the Fisheries Department, the ministry, and local administration.

Consumers across Bangladesh are facing severe electricity shortages despite a record price hike announced on June 4, 2026. Residents in areas such as Dhamrai, Nasirnagar, and Faridpur report power cuts lasting 8 to 18 hours daily, disrupting households, hospitals, and industries. Farmers say crops like onions and potatoes are rotting due to lack of power for storage, while students struggle to prepare for exams amid heat and darkness. Many consumers complain of receiving electricity bills double the previous amounts despite worsening supply.

Officials from the Power Division admit that 66 percent of the country’s power plants remain idle due to fuel shortages, leaving only 13,000–14,000 megawatts available against higher demand. Experts and government sources blame mismanagement, corruption, and past policy failures for the crisis. The current administration acknowledges inherited debts and fuel dependency from the previous government and says it will take time to stabilize the sector.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud stated that new gas exploration tenders have been issued to reduce import dependence, but full recovery may take three to four years.