A high-level meeting between Bangladesh and Pakistan was held to enhance bilateral trade, food supply cooperation, and industrial collaboration. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Industries, where Bangladesh’s Minister for Industries, Commerce, and Textiles Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with a delegation led by Asim Azim Siddiqui, Chairman of the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP). Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider and senior officials from both countries also attended.

Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, fertilizer, edible oil, pulses, chickpeas, sugar, urea, and jute. Muktadir emphasized the importance of stronger trade ties for sustainable economic growth and highlighted ongoing government reforms to promote industrialization and a business-friendly environment. Siddiqui expressed Pakistan’s interest in exporting agricultural products to Bangladesh and noted the demand for Bangladeshi jute products in Pakistan.

Both sides agreed to finalize a memorandum of understanding between the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) and TCP to facilitate food trade, expected to be signed in early July. They also decided to activate the Bangladesh–Pakistan Joint Working Group and exchange business delegations to expand cooperation in agriculture and industry.

A 15-year-old boy in Ramgarh upazila of Khagrachhari has been accused in a mobile phone theft case, raising questions about legal and humanitarian treatment of minors. The boy, tearfully claiming innocence, said he did not steal the phone. His family asserted that he was unaware the phone was stolen and was only accompanying the real suspect to sell it. They demanded an impartial investigation and his release.

According to the boy’s father, Abul Kasem, the police officer in charge, Nazir Alam, ignored the child’s statement and listed him as an accused under sections 380, 411, and 34, showing his age as 16 despite a birth certificate proving he is 15. The family alleged that the boy was handcuffed and taken to court before being transferred to a juvenile detention center in Gazipur due to the lack of such facilities in Khagrachhari.

Local residents and the family have called for a fair investigation, emphasizing the need for special caution in handling cases involving minors. The police officer, however, stated that the boy confessed during interrogation, justifying his inclusion as an accused.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government will implement the Teesta mega project at any cost, emphasizing forward progress rather than dwelling on the past. He made the statement on Monday during the national parliament’s discussion on the proposed budget.

Rahman described the proposed budget as a “life-friendly” plan designed to bring relief to citizens amid economic challenges, corruption, and money laundering concerns. He said the government has succeeded in keeping prices of essential goods stable after the budget announcement by withdrawing duties on 61 daily commodities. The prime minister added that the budget aims to build a just, humane, and inclusive economy, focusing on investment, production, and employment generation.

He further stated that the government intends to strengthen the economic foundation through recovery, transition, and reconstruction phases. The development budget has been increased by 50,000 crore taka, with a commitment to use public funds for public welfare.

The Bangladesh government has decided to withdraw its proposal to impose a fixed-rate or 'package VAT' on small and retail businesses. The decision comes ahead of the passage of the Finance Bill as the Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury instructed the removal of the related provision. However, the requirement for a Business Identification Number (BIN) will remain mandatory for opening current accounts in banks or financial institutions, renewing trade licenses, and opening merchant accounts with mobile financial services such as bKash and Nagad.

Currently, retail businesses with an annual turnover of 5 million taka or more are required to register for VAT, while smaller businesses remain outside its scope. The new budget proposal had aimed to bring all retail businesses under VAT coverage regardless of turnover starting July 1, which triggered concern among small traders. They feared increased operational costs and potential harassment by VAT officials.

Officials cited possible implementation difficulties and the risk of medium-sized businesses exploiting the package VAT system as reasons for reconsidering the proposal.

In Nilphamari’s Kishoreganj Sadar Union, chairman Hossain Shahid Suhrawardy Grenet Babu has been accused of misappropriating government funds. Allegations state that he used money from a government project to build four shops on union council land in 2023, collected a total of 1 million taka in deposits, and has been pocketing monthly rent of 8,000 taka for four years instead of depositing it in the government treasury. Union council members have expressed anger over the alleged misuse of authority and funds.

According to the investigation, the shops were built beside the Rangpur–Nilphamari road using project funds. Officials said the construction and financial transactions were not recorded in the union’s registry, and no approval from higher authorities was obtained. Administrative officer Harunur Rashid confirmed that the council has no record of the deposits or rent and that he has informed higher authorities. Several members and a tenant also stated that the chairman personally collected the money.

Kishoreganj Upazila Executive Officer Arifur Rahman said he is aware of the issue and will take necessary action after further inquiry.

According to the 2026–27 fiscal year budget, Bangladesh has proposed reducing the corporate tax rate for private universities, medical, dental, engineering, and information technology-based educational institutions. The proposed change would lower the current 10 percent rate to 5 percent. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) stated that the initiative aims to improve education quality, expand infrastructure, and support the private education sector.

The new proposal also includes easing previous conditions for tax reduction, making it simpler for eligible institutions to benefit. Universities and colleges approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) will be covered under this tax relief plan. The move follows long-standing demands from associations representing private universities for tax cuts or exemptions.

If implemented, the reduced tax rate is expected to provide financial relief to private educational institutions, potentially enabling further investment in academic and infrastructural development.

Bangladesh’s proposed 2026–27 national budget has reduced the capital gains tax on personal gold sales to 5 percent, down from the previous 15 percent. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) announced that individuals selling gold or gold jewelry will now pay tax only on the profit portion, calculated by subtracting the purchase price from the current sale price. The new rate is expected to ease the tax burden on gold transactions.

In addition to personal sales, the NBR has also revised the tax structure for gold traders. The source tax on gold and gold jewelry supply has been lowered from 5 percent to 0.5 percent. According to the NBR, the changes aim to simplify the tax system, enhance transparency in legalizing undeclared assets, and reduce the tendency to overreport gold holdings in tax files.

Officials and stakeholders believe that once implemented, the new rates will bring greater transparency to both personal and business-level gold transactions.

The article traces the historical evolution of the Tazia procession, a ritual of mourning rooted in the remembrance of Imam Hussain’s martyrdom at Karbala in 61 Hijri. Originating as small gatherings of grief and prayer, the practice gradually developed into elaborate public ceremonies under dynasties such as the Buyids and Safavids. Over time, diverse cultural expressions of Ashura emerged across Muslim regions, from Iraq’s mass pilgrimages to Iran’s theatrical performances and Pakistan’s grand wooden replicas.

In Bangladesh, the Tazia procession centers on Dhaka’s historic Hosaini Dalan, built in 1642 during Mughal rule. The city’s main procession features silver-covered Tazias, symbolic horses, flags, drums, and martial displays, culminating at a symbolic Karbala ground. Despite its deep cultural roots, Islamic scholars remain divided over its religious legitimacy, with some viewing the rituals as inconsistent with orthodox Islamic principles.

The article concludes that while the Tazia procession’s intensity has softened over time, it endures as a living link to centuries of Islamic history and South Asian cultural synthesis.

The government of Bangladesh has finalized a decision to raise the tax-free income limit for individual taxpayers from Tk 375,000 to Tk 400,000. The move aims to provide relief to ordinary citizens facing prolonged inflationary pressure. As a result, individuals earning less than Tk 600,000 annually, including one-third tax-free salary benefits, will not be required to pay income tax.

According to sources, the Ministry of Finance and the National Board of Revenue are introducing several last-minute amendments before the passage of the Finance Bill 2026 in the National Parliament on Tuesday. These include reconsidering the mandatory submission of Taxpayer Identification Numbers for opening bank accounts, canceling the rule requiring the declaration of actual property values, and maintaining a 20 percent tax rate on dividend income to protect stock market investors. The government has also decided to postpone the plan to impose a uniform VAT rate on retail businesses.

The interim government had earlier raised the tax-free threshold to Tk 375,000 in the 2025–26 budget. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has now approved an additional Tk 25,000 increase, bringing the total rise in one year to Tk 50,000.

South Korea has unveiled a major investment initiative in artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor industries. On Monday, President Lee Jae-myung announced plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars over the next few years to strengthen the country’s leadership in these sectors. The televised announcement was attended by top executives from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, the world’s two largest memory chip producers.

President Lee said the initiative aligns his political commitments with national goals for AI and chip development. He emphasized the need for South Korea to secure control over key AI components faster than any other country, identifying semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers as the three main pillars of advancement. The plan also aims to revitalize economies outside the Seoul metropolitan area and reduce regional disparities.

According to local reports, the southwestern cities of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province will invest 520 trillion won (about 336.7 billion USD) in the projects, with total planned investments potentially exceeding 1,000 trillion won (651.4 billion USD) in the coming years.

The government of Bangladesh is planning to raise the tax-free income threshold for individuals to Tk 400,000 for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 fiscal years, aiming to ease the tax burden on low-income earners. At the same time, it may withdraw the proposal to make Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) mandatory for opening bank accounts, following criticism that such a rule could hinder financial inclusion.

According to official sources, the tax-free income limit could further increase to Tk 450,000 in 2028–29 and 2029–30, and to Tk 500,000 in 2030–31. These revisions may be included before the passage of the Finance Bill 2026 in the National Parliament. The current tax-free limit is Tk 350,000, while the finance minister had earlier proposed Tk 375,000 for 2026–27.

Other considerations include reducing the capital gains tax on gold sales from 15% to 5%, maintaining a 0.2% advance income tax on business-to-business transactions, and lowering the corporate tax rate for private universities and ICT-based institutions from 10% to 5%.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told the national parliament on Monday that Bangladesh has entered a democratic phase and urged all to look ahead rather than dwell on the past. Speaking during the discussion on the proposed national budget, he said foreign currency reserves had declined due to money laundering but emphasized that the government is working to stabilize the economy.

Rahman described the proposed budget as 'life-friendly,' noting that for the first time after a budget announcement, prices of essential goods had not increased. He said the government aimed to provide relief to citizens amid economic challenges, corruption, and money laundering concerns. The budget, he added, seeks to build a just, humane, and inclusive economy while easing the burden on low-income groups.

The prime minister highlighted that duties on 61 essential items had been withdrawn to keep prices stable. He said the budget’s main goal is to restore economic discipline and create a foundation for sustainable growth.

Brazil will face Japan today in the World Cup knockout stage at Houston’s NRG Stadium, with major attention on whether Neymar will start. Coach Carlo Ancelotti and media reports suggest the forward, returning from a calf injury, is unlikely to be in the starting lineup. Instead, Ancelotti plans to retain almost the same eleven that defeated Scotland 3–0 in the group stage.

Neymar missed Brazil’s opening matches against Morocco and Haiti due to injury but played the final 15 minutes against Scotland as a substitute. Ancelotti said Neymar’s condition has improved and he could play longer against Japan, though he gave no assurance of a starting role. Local and European analysts believe the coach will avoid risks, keeping Neymar on the bench until he is fully match-fit.

Brazil are expected to play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with young forward Rayan likely replacing the still-injured Raphinha. Ancelotti emphasized that Japan cannot be underestimated, recalling a 3–2 loss to them in a friendly last year, and said his team is ready for extra time or penalties if needed.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has said that U.S. President Donald Trump failed to achieve the stated goals of the Iran war. She urged the Trump administration to explain what the United States had actually gained from the conflict. Sherrill criticized the administration’s shifting objectives and rising costs, saying that the public deserves a clear account of the war’s outcomes.

The Democratic governor noted that Trump had offered multiple justifications for the conflict, including eliminating Iran’s missile program, halting its nuclear ambitions, changing the regime, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. According to her, none of these goals have been achieved so far. She also pointed out that commercial shipping through the waterway had continued even before the war began.

Her remarks, shared on social media, reflect growing scrutiny of the war’s rationale and its impact on U.S. security and expenditure.

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.