Hilsa production in Bangladesh has fallen to its lowest level in eight years, leading to soaring prices and growing hardship for fishermen. According to official data, production dropped to 500,000 tons in the 2024–25 fiscal year, down from 529,000 tons the previous year. Despite government reports claiming steady growth, fishermen and traders in Chandpur say the actual catch has declined sharply, with many struggling to recover fuel and labor costs. Large hilsa now sells for 3,500–4,000 taka per kilogram, while smaller fish cost 2,000–3,000 taka.

Fishermen blame climate change, reduced river flow, and the rise of sandbars in the Padma and Meghna rivers for disrupting breeding and migration routes. Pollution from industrial waste and illegal fishing nets have further worsened the situation. Local fish traders report that daily hilsa supply at Chandpur’s market has dropped from over 1,000 maunds in 2020 to just 200–300 maunds today.

Experts warn that without effective dredging, pollution control, and enforcement against illegal nets, the national fish could face an even deeper crisis in the coming years.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku announced that the government will ensure unrestricted fishing rights for genuine fishermen in all open water bodies across the country. He made the statement on Friday while speaking to journalists at the Netrakona Circuit House, emphasizing the government’s commitment to protecting the livelihoods of fishermen in the haor regions.

The minister said the government is determined to uphold the fair rights of real fishermen under the principle of “Jal jar, jala tar,” meaning those who own the nets should have access to the waters. He noted that the lease system had allowed influential groups to occupy water bodies and prevent ordinary fishermen from fishing, but the government is taking legal steps to remove such obstacles. He also mentioned ongoing initiatives for dredging rivers and canals to maintain navigability and improve fishery management.

According to the minister, these measures aim to ensure sustainable fishery resources, prevent waterlogging, and make water bodies more suitable for fish cultivation, thereby supporting rural livelihoods.

Five members of parliament have jointly taken an initiative to build a sustainable embankment along the left bank of the Jamuna River, stretching from Bhuyapur in Tangail to Manikganj. The announcement came from Amirul Islam Khan Alim, MP for Sirajganj-5 (Belkuchi-Chauhali), during his visit to the erosion-affected Char Salimabad area of Bagutia Union in Chauhali on Friday, July 3, 2026.

Before the announcement, the MP distributed free saplings under the government’s annual tree plantation program and provided relief to families affected by river erosion, including corrugated iron sheets, cash, and rice. He also inaugurated a geo-bag dumping operation aimed at temporarily controlling the ongoing erosion.

Alim stated that the geo-bag dumping is an emergency measure to curb the immediate damage, while the proposed embankment project seeks permanent protection for the region. He expressed optimism that once approved, the project would free local residents from the recurring threat of river erosion.

The United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that the ongoing El Niño event is expected to strengthen rapidly between July and September 2026. The agency said the phenomenon, which has already begun, could reach the “strong” category—the third-highest level in its classification system. WMO urged countries to prepare for potential impacts, including increased risks of extreme weather events across many regions.

El Niño is a natural climate pattern marked by rising sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, disrupting global wind, pressure, and rainfall patterns. The WMO’s Global Seasonal Climate Update indicated that sea surface temperature anomalies could exceed 2°C in key monitoring areas. The organization noted high confidence in forecasts showing continued warming, with effects expected to intensify through the Northern Hemisphere’s autumn.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the strengthening El Niño could heighten risks of droughts, heavy rainfall, and heatwaves on land and at sea. The agency is expanding early warning support, particularly for climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and health, to help reduce impacts on lives and economies.

Banks in Bangladesh are increasingly relying on loan rescheduling to reduce non-performing loans, but the strategy has not lowered defaults. According to the Bangladesh Bank’s Financial Stability Report 2025, total rescheduled loans stood at Tk 4.46 trillion, with the largest share in industrial term loans. About 39.87 percent of these rescheduled loans have again turned non-performing, highlighting persistent repayment challenges.

The report shows that industrial term loans accounted for 29.56 percent of all rescheduled loans, followed by the ready-made garments and textile sector at 17.56 percent. Private banks held 74.16 percent of the total rescheduled loans, while state-owned banks accounted for 23.27 percent. Experts cited weak loan assessment, political influence, and reduced down payment requirements as key reasons behind repeated defaults. They also noted that energy shortages and high dollar prices have strained manufacturing borrowers.

Economists and bankers emphasized that while rescheduling offers temporary relief, sustainable recovery depends on stronger loan monitoring, business revival, and export growth. They urged that rescheduling benefits be limited to genuinely distressed enterprises to prevent misuse.

Iran continues to face major obstacles in recovering billions of dollars in assets frozen across multiple countries, a long-standing issue in its strained relations with the West. The matter remains central even in the recent memorandum signed between the United States and Iran aimed at ending hostilities. Tehran has sought access to these funds for years, but sanctions and banking restrictions have kept much of the money beyond its reach.

Estimates suggest Iran’s frozen assets range from about 27 billion to over 100 billion US dollars, including oil revenues, export earnings, and foreign reserves held in overseas banks. Large sums are blocked in China, Iraq, India, South Korea, and other countries, while only a smaller portion lies under US jurisdiction. Experts note that even partial access could significantly ease Iran’s inflation, currency depreciation, and economic isolation, but warn that legal and political complexities will delay any real transfer.

The assets remain dispersed and entangled in decades-old disputes, with Washington’s approval seen as crucial for any release, leaving Tehran’s economic relief uncertain.

Amid widespread speculation about their possible wedding at Madison Square Garden in New York this weekend, American pop star Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce have donated 26 million dollars to various charities. Their representative confirmed the donation to The Guardian, noting that the funds were distributed among 20 organizations connected to meaningful places in their lives, including Nashville, Kansas City, and New York City.

The donation list includes City Harvest, Food Bank for NYC, Harvesters in Kansas, and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, as well as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Feeding America, ASPCA, and Education Through Music. Although the announcement did not mention any wedding, preparations in New York suggest a major event. City officials confirmed a special permit for a pre-event celebration at Madison Square Garden, with the main ceremony expected to run from Friday evening to early Saturday morning.

Reports indicate that the city has issued permits costing up to 66,000 dollars per day for street closures around the venue, further fueling speculation about the couple’s anticipated celebration.

The Bangladesh government borrowed about Tk 330 billion more than its target from the banking system during the 2025–26 fiscal year to cover a widening budget deficit. According to updated data from Bangladesh Bank, the government’s net bank borrowing reached over Tk 1.37 trillion by June 23, exceeding the original budget target of Tk 1.04 trillion. The revised budget had raised the borrowing goal to Tk 1.18 trillion.

Officials attributed the higher borrowing to a significant shortfall in revenue collection, slower-than-expected foreign loan inflows, and increased public expenditure. The National Board of Revenue reportedly fell short of its revenue target by about Tk 880 billion. Bangladesh Bank data showed that net government borrowing from banks rose by Tk 297.46 billion, or 27.71 percent, compared with the same period a year earlier.

At the end of the fiscal year, total government debt from the banking sector stood at Tk 6.88 trillion, up from Tk 5.51 trillion a year earlier. For the new 2026–27 fiscal year, the government has set a bank borrowing target of Tk 1.12 trillion.

Bangladesh’s Power Division has directed all electricity distribution companies to promptly resolve customer complaints regarding excessive electricity bills for June. The directive was issued during a review meeting held on July 2, chaired by Power Division Secretary Mirana Mahroukh via Zoom, with senior ministry officials, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and distribution company representatives in attendance. Customers have been urged to contact their respective distribution companies or designated hotlines to report billing issues.

The meeting followed widespread reports in media and social networks that many consumers across the country received inflated bills. While deputy commissioners said they had not received significant complaints, the Power Division emphasized immediate correction of any clerical or technical errors. It also warned that any proven misconduct by officials or employees would result in strict legal action.

The meeting also reviewed load-shedding conditions and progress of rooftop solar power programs at the district level. Distribution companies were instructed to enhance customer service and ensure quick resolution of verified complaints.

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Masud Khan announced that the initial public offering (IPO) process will be simplified to attract more companies to the capital market. Speaking at a Dhaka Brokers Association event on July 2, 2026, he said BSEC will meet with the Dhaka Stock Exchange, ICMAB, and merchant banks within two weeks to discuss reforms. Khan noted that IPO approvals currently lack transparency and tracking, discouraging firms from seeking market funding.

He emphasized reducing regulatory bottlenecks and empowering stock exchanges to perform their responsibilities independently. The chairman also announced plans to replace full quarterly financial reports with condensed versions following international standards, and to transition BSEC operations from paper-based to fully digital systems using XBRL and XML-based reporting. He urged lower listing fees and stronger digital trading mechanisms to prevent signature misuse.

Khan further highlighted the need for investor education, simplification of capital gains tax procedures, and effective enforcement through specialized tribunals. Market participants at the event supported deregulation and faster IPO approvals to revive market activity.

Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, General Secretary of the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), has warned that the conflicting stance between the government’s expansionary national budget and Bangladesh Bank’s contractionary monetary policy could push the economy into a deeper crisis. He made the remarks in a statement issued on Thursday in response to the central bank’s newly announced monetary policy.

Fuad said the simultaneous adoption of a debt-dependent budget and a strict monetary policy aimed at controlling inflation reflects serious policy incoherence within the government. He argued that this contradiction would harm ordinary citizens, entrepreneurs, and investors. According to him, the government has failed to address fundamental issues such as reducing production costs, breaking market syndicates, curbing corruption, and strengthening supply chains, which are essential to controlling inflation.

He further stated that inflation in Bangladesh is primarily driven by rising costs and supply shortages, which cannot be solved merely by raising interest rates. Fuad urged the government to acknowledge the real economic situation, ensure easier financing for genuine entrepreneurs, and adopt a coordinated, long-term economic plan to stabilize inflation, boost investment, and reduce living costs.

Bangladeshi-made cosmetics are now being used in Thailand’s beauty market, marking a shift from the past dominance of Thai products in Bangladesh. Improved production capacity and quality have enabled Bangladeshi brands to enter Thailand’s retail and e-commerce platforms such as Lazada Thailand and local pharmacies. Distributors report growing Thai consumer interest in natural, high-quality, and competitively priced skincare and cosmetic products from Bangladesh.

Industry sources note that Bangladesh’s cosmetics sector has transformed over the past decade through modern production technologies, international-grade raw materials, research and development, and advanced packaging. Companies like Remark HB Limited, which exports brands such as Neor, Ciodil, and Lily, are now reaching multiple international markets including Thailand, the United States, India, and the UAE. Sector leaders view this as recognition of Bangladesh’s global manufacturing capability.

Experts believe that continued adherence to international standards could expand exports further. However, they warn that domestic policy disparities in VAT and taxation are slowing the industry’s growth, urging government reforms to ensure sustainable development.

Bangladesh’s export earnings rose by 25.91 percent in June 2026 compared with the same month a year earlier, according to a provisional report released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Thursday. The country earned 4.20 billion US dollars from merchandise exports in June, up from 3.33 billion dollars in June 2025. The strong monthly growth was driven mainly by the ready-made garment sector, which earned 3.38 billion dollars, marking a 21.52 percent increase year-on-year.

Within the apparel segment, knitwear exports rose 19.49 percent to 1.84 billion dollars, while woven garments grew 24.2 percent to 1.55 billion dollars. Other sectors also performed strongly: home textiles rose 59.95 percent to 75.1 million dollars, leather and leather goods increased 47.68 percent to 128.8 million dollars, and agricultural products climbed 46.77 percent to 89.6 million dollars.

Despite June’s robust performance, total export earnings for the 2025–26 fiscal year fell 0.58 percent from the previous year to 48.00 billion dollars. EPB data suggest that while the June surge offers optimism for the new fiscal year, exporters face ongoing challenges from global demand uncertainty, geopolitical instability, and rising competition.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced a new reduction in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices for consumers across the country. The price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder has been lowered by 357 taka to 1,528 taka, effective from Tuesday evening. The commission also reduced the price of autogas from 86.93 taka to 70.40 taka per liter.

This latest adjustment follows an earlier price cut on June 2, when BERC reduced the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder from 1,940 taka to 1,885 taka and autogas from 89.50 taka to 86.93 taka per liter. The commission periodically revises LPG and autogas prices to reflect changes in market conditions.

The new rates are expected to provide some relief to consumers and transport operators as energy costs continue to fluctuate in the domestic market.

The Turkish mega-series 'Kudus Fatihi Selahaddin Ayyubi', based on the life and struggles of Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi, will now be broadcast in Bangla. The show, depicting the legendary Muslim leader and conqueror of Jerusalem, will air from August 2 through a joint initiative of Nagorik TV and the OTT platform Bongo. Viewers can watch it on Nagorik TV every Sunday to Thursday at 8 p.m. and on Bongo at 9 p.m.

The series centers on the liberation of Jerusalem from Crusader control and portrays the political and military efforts to unite the Muslim world. It highlights Ayyubi’s pursuit of justice and his heroic leadership. The production features large-scale sets, striking cinematography, and dynamic performances that recreate the 12th-century historical setting.

At the launch event, senior officials from Nagorik TV and Bongo, along with journalists from leading media outlets, attended the unveiling of the Bangla trailer and poster. The event concluded with a raffle draw awarding prizes including an air conditioner, television, and smartphone.