Liberation War Affairs Minister Azam Khan announced that memorabilia of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and key Liberation War collections at the historic Zia Memorial Museum in Chattogram will be properly preserved. He said additional items related to Zia’s legacy would also be displayed. The minister made the remarks on Thursday after visiting the museum, accompanied by State Minister Israk Hossain, MP Ershadullah, the district commissioner, and senior ministry officials.

Azam Khan emphasized that the century-old building housing the museum is an important part of the nation’s heritage and will be conserved as a heritage site. Following damage from a recent earthquake, restoration work has begun to strengthen the structure using modern technology while keeping its original design intact. He added that necessary renovation and preservation measures are being implemented to prevent deterioration of the artifacts.

The minister also mentioned that the previous Awami League government had renamed the Zia Complex as the “Independence Complex.” He said the matter is under review and efforts may be taken to restore its original name.

Twenty-eight individuals remain stranded in no-man’s-land along the Bangabari border in Gomastapur upazila of Chapainawabganj after being pushed by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) confirmed that the group, consisting of 12 men, 10 women, and 6 children, has been stuck since early Thursday. They are currently about 50 yards inside the Indian side of the zero line. Despite a flag meeting between BGB and BSF commanders, the BSF has not yet taken them back or communicated any decision.

Local residents reported that the BSF attempted to force the group into Bangladesh at night, but BGB resisted. The stranded people are enduring severe hardship under open skies, facing heat and rain without food or shelter. Locals condemned the BSF’s actions as inhumane and expressed solidarity with BGB’s stance. BGB’s Rajshahi Sector Commander Colonel Kamal Hossain visited the area and stated that the force remains on high alert to prevent any push-in attempts.

The situation remains unresolved as the 28 people continue to suffer in no-man’s-land, awaiting a decision from Indian authorities.

Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) thwarted an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push 33 people into Bangladesh through three separate points along the Lalmonirhat border on Friday morning. The incidents occurred under the jurisdiction of BGB’s 15th and 61st battalions, which confirmed the events. According to BGB’s media cell, 11 people were stopped near the Borkhata Border Outpost (BOP) and 10 near the Poyshottibari BOP, while another 12 were detected near border pillars 925 and 927/7S under the Durgapur and Digholtari BOPs.

BGB patrol teams quickly reached the locations and took preventive measures, stopping the individuals from entering Bangladesh. The people involved remained inside Indian territory, and BGB increased patrols and surveillance in the affected areas. Communication with the counterpart BSF battalion continues to verify the identities of those involved.

Local sources reported a recent rise in attempted push-ins along various border areas. In response, BGB has strengthened patrols and maintained regular contact with BSF to prevent illegal crossings.

Retired Commodore Jasim Uddin Bhuiyan has sharply criticized Bangladesh’s higher education system, calling it a national disaster marked by poor quality universities, political interference, and rampant commercialization. Writing on June 5, 2026, he cited a UNESCO survey claiming Bangladesh leads South Asia in postgraduate degree rates, but contrasted it with 2025 global rankings that excluded any Bangladeshi universities from the top 800. He argued that the country’s universities have become certificate factories producing unemployable graduates.

Bhuiyan blamed unregulated private universities, corrupt trustee boards, and politically appointed vice-chancellors for eroding academic standards. He noted that 27.8 percent of higher-educated youth remain unemployed, describing this as a “living grave of talent.” He also linked the decay to partisan student politics and administrative corruption that have replaced research and merit with loyalty and profit motives.

As a solution, Bhuiyan urged the government to halt indiscriminate university admissions and redirect national budgets toward vocational and technical education. Citing China’s selective higher education model and his own experience establishing the Bangladesh Navy Dockyard Technical Institute, he argued that hands-on training could transform youth into a productive workforce and rescue the nation’s future.

A passenger bus of SB Paribahan fell into the Padma River at Daulatdia’s No. 7 ferry terminal in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila on Friday morning. The accident occurred around 9:30 a.m. when the bus, arriving from Kushtia, lost control after its brakes failed while boarding the ferry. The vehicle broke through the ferry railing and plunged into the river. Fortunately, there were no passengers on board at the time. The driver and helper swam ashore and were later admitted to Goalanda Upazila Health Complex for treatment.

According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation’s Daulatdia branch, details about casualties were not immediately available. Local residents alleged that frequent accidents occur in the area due to poor discipline and inadequate safety measures in vehicle movement at the ferry terminal. They urged the authorities to strengthen monitoring and improve safety arrangements to prevent further incidents.

The incident has renewed concerns among passengers and transport workers about safety at one of the country’s busiest ferry crossings.

A passenger bus lost control and plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia Ferry Terminal No. 7 in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m., according to officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC). No casualties have been reported so far, and it appeared that passengers were in the process of disembarking when the accident took place.

Assistant General Manager of the BIWTC Daulatdia office, Mohammad Salahuddin, confirmed the incident, stating that the SB Paribahan bus was traveling from Kushtia to Dhaka when it fell from the pontoon into the river. Rajbari Deputy Commissioner Afroza Parvin said she had received reports of the accident and was heading to the site.

A similar accident occurred on March 25 at the same ferry terminal, where a bus from Kushtia’s Kumarkhali to Dhaka fell into the river from Pontoon No. 3, resulting in 26 deaths.

Bangladesh’s economy is undergoing significant challenges as private investment continues to stagnate despite modest growth in public sector spending. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Statistics, private investment now stands at 22.3 percent of GDP, the lowest in a decade. The GDP for fiscal year 2024–25 was valued at 55.15 trillion taka, with total investment reaching 15.74 trillion taka, of which 12.15 trillion came from the private sector. The slowdown in investment has hindered job creation and weakened overall economic momentum.

The financial sector is under pressure, with several banks requiring government liquidity support to remain operational. Inflation has exceeded 9 percent, eroding purchasing power and disproportionately affecting low-income groups. Reduced revenue collection has limited the government’s ability to stimulate the economy, while export performance remains weak despite higher remittance inflows. Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East are adding further risks to trade and remittance flows.

Experts emphasize that Bangladesh must attract new investment to boost employment, productivity, and infrastructure while addressing inflation, energy shortages, and weaknesses in the banking system to restore investor confidence.

Bangladesh has seen consecutive increases in fuel and electricity prices, with fuel costs rising by up to 25 taka per liter and electricity tariffs raised by 15–20 percent. The government’s decision has triggered widespread concern as transport fares, LPG cylinder prices, and essential goods costs have surged, severely affecting low- and middle-income households. Economists warn that inflation, already at 9.04 percent in April, could rise further, undermining the government’s target of reducing it to 7.5 percent.

Experts and consumer advocates attribute the crisis to corruption and inefficiency in the power sector, alleging massive financial mismanagement and misuse of capacity charges. They argue that the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) favored vested interests instead of protecting consumers. Business leaders from the garment, steel, and CNG sectors warn that higher energy costs will raise production expenses, reduce competitiveness, and threaten employment.

With the upcoming national budget approaching, economists caution that controlling inflation, managing debt, and restoring economic momentum will be major challenges. The combined impact of energy price hikes and global market instability is expected to intensify pressure on ordinary citizens and industries alike.

At least 30 people, including eight police officers, were injured in a violent clash in Bhairab, Kishoreganj, on Thursday evening following an argument over a football game. The confrontation spread to the Bhairab Railway Junction Station, where extensive vandalism occurred, forcing authorities to suspend train operations on the Dhaka–Chattogram, Dhaka–Sylhet, and Dhaka–Kishoreganj routes for about five hours. Train services resumed around 1:50 a.m. after the situation was brought under control with army assistance.

Local sources said the conflict began between youths from Panchabati and Jagannathpur Madhyapara areas and escalated into a large-scale clash involving residents armed with sticks and bricks. Several shops and government offices at the station were damaged, and railway staff were trapped for hours. Multiple trains, including the Parabat Express and Egarsindhur Godhuli, were stranded at nearby stations.

Authorities have reinforced security around the station and are identifying those involved for legal action. The local administration confirmed that the situation is now under control, with additional police deployed in the area.

In Narayanganj, Islamist political parties are preparing to contest the upcoming local government elections separately, signaling a shift from their earlier unity during the 13th national election. While they had previously campaigned together under the slogan “Islamic vote in one box,” the parties are now fielding their own candidates for union parishad, upazila, and city corporation polls. This move raises concerns that the Islamist vote could become divided among multiple contenders.

The Narayanganj unit of Jamaat-e-Islami has already published a list of potential councilor candidates and is finalizing names for other local positions. Maulana Jabbar, the city Jamaat chief, is being discussed as a possible mayoral candidate. Meanwhile, the Khelafat Majlis has announced two rounds of potential candidates, with joint secretary general Sirajul Mamun emerging as a likely mayoral contender. Islami Andolan Bangladesh is also preparing to test its organizational strength independently.

Party leaders argue that local elections emphasize personal credibility and community engagement rather than national alliances. Observers note that if multiple Islamist candidates run, the vote could fragment, reshaping the political balance in Narayanganj’s local contests.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) held a protest rally and assembly in Dhaka on Thursday night demanding an immediate reduction in electricity and fuel prices. The demonstration, organized by NCP Dhaka North, began at Banglamotor and ended at the Intercontinental intersection. Party leaders criticized the government for raising prices despite earlier assurances that rates would not increase for two years.

Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary accused the government of inconsistency and said international lenders’ pressure might be driving the price hikes. He warned that further economic strain on citizens could trigger a broader movement. Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adib said the government’s actions contradict its pre-election promises and alleged that controversial appointments in key institutions show disregard for public interest.

Speakers, including youth leaders, said rising energy costs are worsening living expenses for ordinary people. They urged the government to ensure good governance and accountability instead of imposing additional financial burdens on citizens.

The Cabinet has approved a policy framework for a direct foreign investment (FDI) incentive scheme aimed at encouraging all Bangladeshi citizens, including expatriates, to contribute to attracting FDI. The approval was given during the Cabinet’s ninth meeting held on Thursday at the Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The Cabinet Division confirmed the decision in an official press release.

According to the release, the government formulated the FDI incentive scheme to promote participation of Bangladeshis in bringing foreign investment into the country. In the same meeting, the Cabinet also granted policy approval to the draft of the Bangladesh Medical University (Amendment) Act, 2026, initiated by the Ministry of Health Education and Family Welfare. The amendment aims to expand the scope of medical services, education, and research under the university.

The proposed amendment would allow the university to form profit-based or non-profit companies or organizations and acquire shares to enhance its operational and research capacity, requiring changes to the existing Bangladesh Medical University Act of 1998.

The Bangladesh Navy has officially received a 70-ton capacity floating crane named ‘BNFC Boliyan’, built by Dockyard and Engineering Works Limited (DEW) to enhance its logistics, repair, and maintenance capabilities. The handover ceremony took place on Thursday with Admiral M Nazmul Hasan attending as the chief guest, alongside senior officials from the Navy Headquarters and DEW Limited.

Construction of the crane began with a keel-laying ceremony on June 30. The vessel measures 45 meters in length, 15 meters in width, and 3 meters in depth, and can travel at a maximum speed of 10.5 miles per hour. The floating crane is designed to support the repair and maintenance of naval ships both at jetties and at sea.

According to the source, the BNFC Boliyan will also play a crucial role in lifting, transferring, and replacing heavy machinery, mechanical equipment, and various naval components with improved efficiency and safety.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a Tk 20,000 crore pre-financing scheme aimed at reopening closed industrial and service establishments. The central bank issued a circular on Thursday outlining that defaulters, money launderers, and entities involved in fraud or misuse of previous loans will not be eligible for this facility. The scheme, valid for three years, will be operated using surplus liquidity from scheduled banks, which must sign separate agreements with Bangladesh Bank to participate.

According to the circular, the initiative seeks to boost industrial production, employment, exports, and overall economic activity. Priority will be given to export-oriented and high-potential enterprises, as well as entrepreneurs reopening closed factories through acquisition or lease. Each borrower may receive up to Tk 200 crore for a maximum term of one year, with interest rates capped at 7 percent. The funds must be used for operational expenses such as wages, utilities, and raw materials, not for repaying existing loans.

Banks will bear all credit risks and must ensure proper loan utilization through regular reporting and inspections. Misuse of funds will trigger penalties, including recovery from the bank’s account and possible legal action against involved parties.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan said that the recent increase in electricity prices will directly raise production costs, affecting sectors from agriculture to industry. He made the remarks on Thursday at a seminar organized by Jatiya Juboshokti at the organization’s central office in Banglamotor.

Asif Mahmud noted that ordinary citizens in Bangladesh are already burdened with various taxes, including those on personal vehicles and motorcycles, yet improvements in public services remain limited. He criticized the lack of effective planning to address road infrastructure and traffic congestion, despite tax revenues being collected for such development.

Discussing the electricity price adjustment, he pointed out that while the government promotes a reduction in monthly charges for prepaid meters, it has simultaneously raised electricity tariffs. He warned that this move could increase commodity prices and urged the government to take necessary measures to minimize the negative impact on the general population.