At least 23 people were killed in a drone strike on the strategic Sudanese city of El-Obeid, according to a human rights group on Thursday. The attack, one of the deadliest since the war began in 2023, struck residential areas, a funeral gathering, and a food supply truck from Wednesday evening through Thursday in South Kordofan region. The group Emergency Lawyers, which documents wartime human rights violations, blamed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the assault, adding that at least 19 others were injured. The claim could not be independently verified, and the RSF has not commented.

El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, has been under partial siege by the RSF for months. Witnesses described widespread destruction, collapsed homes, and bodies being taken to hospitals. A medical official said two children and their mother were among the dead. The United Nations reports that between January and April this year, at least 880 civilians have been killed in drone strikes nationwide.

The conflict between Sudan’s army and the RSF has displaced over 11 million people and killed tens of thousands, creating what the UN calls the world’s largest displacement and hunger crisis.

Bangladesh has been named the theme country at the 10th China–South Asia Expo and 30th China Kunming Import and Export Fair 2026, inaugurated at the Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center in Kunming, Yunnan Province. Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said the participation reflects the growing strategic and economic partnership between Bangladesh and China. The event, running until June 16, features around 2,300 exhibitors from 68 countries.

Bangladesh’s pavilion, inaugurated by Minister Muktadir and Yunnan Governor Wang Yubo, showcases key export sectors including ready-made garments, textiles, pharmaceuticals, jute goods, leather, plastics, and handicrafts. A record 101 Bangladeshi companies with 175 representatives are participating under the Export Promotion Bureau’s management and the Bangladesh Consulate in Kunming’s support.

On the sidelines, China’s Vice Minister of Commerce Yan Dong met with Bangladesh’s commerce minister to discuss trade and investment expansion. The Expo will also host a “Bangladesh Day” on June 12 to highlight the country’s economic progress and export potential.

Bangladesh’s proposed national budget for fiscal year 2026–27 includes significant tax reductions to promote electric vehicles (EVs) and reduce reliance on petrol and diesel cars. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the proposal in parliament, suggesting that total taxes on imported EVs priced up to USD 25,000 be reduced from 93% to 64%, and for those up to USD 50,000 to 80%. Import duties on EV chargers and charging stations would drop from 39.75% to zero. Conversely, taxes on petrol and diesel vehicles would rise from 132.36% to 155.88% to discourage their use.

The proposal also includes lower duties for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and full tax exemptions for electric buses used by educational institutions until 2030. Local EV assembly and parts manufacturing would receive extensive duty waivers, with varying rates based on value addition. Additionally, the government plans to exempt raw materials for lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery production from all duties and taxes through 2030.

These measures aim to encourage domestic EV production, reduce environmental pollution, and strengthen energy security while maintaining incentives for shipbuilding and dredger industries until 2030.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has proposed doubling the one-time financial assistance for patients suffering from cancer and six other critical diseases to Tk 100,000 in the proposed 2026–27 national budget. The announcement was made in parliament on Thursday during the budget presentation. Currently, under the social safety net program, patients with cancer, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, stroke-induced paralysis, congenital heart disease, and thalassemia receive Tk 50,000 as one-time support.

The financial aid is distributed through the Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare, specifically via the Hospital Social Services Program. The budget proposal notes that many patients with these complex diseases cannot afford necessary treatment due to financial constraints, causing severe hardship for both patients and their families. The program, aimed at supporting poor and vulnerable patients, has received appreciation at various levels.

The finance minister also stated that under the Mother and Child Support Program, 1.895 million mothers and children will receive Tk 850 per month.

The Bangladesh government has announced a new pay scale for public officials and employees, marking the first revision in 11 years. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury made the announcement while presenting the 2026–27 national budget in parliament on Thursday. The new salary structure will come into effect on July 1 and will be implemented in phases. According to the minister, allocations for this sector will increase by about 96 percent to support the new structure.

In his budget speech, the finance minister noted that government employees have been receiving salaries under the same structure for over a decade, during which inflation and living costs have risen significantly. The new pay scale aims to improve the living standards of government workers and enhance administrative efficiency.

The government also stated that the initiative is part of broader efforts to reduce economic, social, and infrastructural disparities across regions and ensure equitable development nationwide.

Bangladesh’s proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year, presented by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, includes significant tax changes aimed at promoting electric vehicles (EVs). The proposal raises total taxes on petrol and diesel cars from 132.36 percent to 155.88 percent, while reducing duties on EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles. For EVs priced up to USD 25,000, total tax would drop from 93 percent to 64 percent, and for those up to USD 50,000, to 80 percent. Import duties on EV chargers and charging stations would be reduced from 39.75 percent to zero.

The budget also proposes full tax exemptions for electric buses used by educational institutions and extends these benefits until 2030. Local manufacturers of electric buses, trucks, and e-bikes would receive duty waivers on raw materials and components. Additionally, the government aims to encourage domestic production of lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries by offering tax exemptions on imported materials until 2030.

The overall revenue target for the 2026–27 fiscal year is set at Tk 6.95 trillion, up from Tk 5.54 trillion in the current year.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education and Primary and Mass Education Mahdi Amin described the proposed 2026–27 national budget as a democratic, humane and inclusive step for Bangladesh’s economy. In a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon, he thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for presenting what he termed a people-oriented and visionary budget based on the BNP’s election manifesto. Amin said the budget reflects the aspirations of people from all walks of life, regardless of class, profession, religion or ethnicity.

According to Amin, the budget prioritizes 12 key sectors including education, health, employment, ICT, creative economy, agriculture, social security, women and child welfare, infrastructure, energy and environment. He noted that taxes on essential goods such as rice, lentils, fish, meat, sugar, salt, oil and spices have been reduced to control prices and ease public hardship. The budget also emphasizes investment growth, business expansion, youth and women empowerment, and corruption-free financial governance.

Amin added that the budget aims to reduce administrative costs, increase development spending and expand the tax base to build a sustainable, inclusive and investment-driven economy benefiting all citizens.

The government of Bangladesh has set a target to borrow Tk 1.12 trillion from the banking sector in the 2026–27 fiscal year to finance the national budget deficit. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced the plan while presenting the budget in the National Parliament on Thursday. The borrowing target from banks is Tk 60 billion lower than the current fiscal year’s target.

According to the minister, the total budget deficit for 2026–27 is projected at Tk 2.43 trillion, equivalent to 3.6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). To meet this shortfall, the government plans to raise Tk 1.27 trillion from domestic sources and Tk 1.16 trillion from foreign sources. The banking system will provide the largest portion of domestic borrowing.

The reduction in bank borrowing compared to the previous year indicates a modest adjustment in the government’s financing strategy while maintaining reliance on both domestic and external loans to manage fiscal needs.

The proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year allocates Tk 880 crore to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, marking a reduction of Tk 51 crore from the previous year. According to the budget structure, Tk 463 crore is designated for operating expenses and Tk 417 crore for development expenditures.

In presenting the budget, the finance minister emphasized the government’s priority on expanding overseas employment and ensuring the welfare and protection of Bangladeshi expatriate workers. A special expatriate card will be introduced to integrate welfare services, insurance, banking facilities, and emergency assistance for migrant workers.

In the 2025–26 fiscal year, the ministry had received an allocation of Tk 931 crore, including Tk 434 crore for operating costs and Tk 497 crore for development spending. The new proposal reflects a shift in expenditure priorities while maintaining focus on expatriate welfare initiatives.

In the proposed Bangladesh national budget for fiscal year 2026–27, the government has slightly increased the price of low-tier cigarettes while keeping taxes and prices on bidi, gul, and jarda unchanged. According to a joint statement from research and advocacy group PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA), this minimal adjustment will make tobacco products cheaper in real terms when inflation and income growth are considered. The organizations warned that the proposal, if passed, could increase tobacco use, related illnesses, and deaths, while depriving the government of potential revenue gains.

The statement detailed that the price of a 10-stick pack of low-tier cigarettes would rise by only 2 taka to 62 taka, a 3.33 percent increase compared to a 10.27 percent rise in per capita income. Prices for mid-, high-, and premium-tier cigarettes would also rise modestly. PROGGA and ATMA argued that the lack of tax structure reform would allow tobacco companies to retain higher profits and expand their business, posing a threat to public health.

The groups urged the government to adopt their reform proposal, which they claim could generate an additional 440 billion taka in revenue and prevent about 400,000 premature deaths annually.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has proposed increasing Bangladesh’s social safety net allocation to Tk 1,44,338 crore for the 2026–27 fiscal year, up by Tk 17,607 crore from the revised Tk 1,26,731 crore in 2025–26. Presenting the budget on Thursday, he said the goal is to ensure life-cycle-based protection for all citizens to reduce poverty, lessen inequality, and promote inclusive development.

The proposal includes expanding the Family Card program, under which the female head of a family will receive Tk 2,500 monthly. The program aims to reach 4.1 million women next year with Tk 14,500 crore allocated. The minister also proposed increasing old-age, widow, and disability allowances, as well as stipends for students with disabilities. The Mother and Child Assistance Program will expand to 1.9 million beneficiaries with Tk 1,944.7 crore allocated.

Additional measures include raising one-time aid for six critical illnesses to Tk 1 lakh, fare reductions for senior citizens, and continued benefits for freedom fighters and July uprising families. A Tk 300 crore housing allocation for July uprising families was also proposed.

Three liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers bound for various Asian destinations have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, according to ship-tracking data. The vessels had their transponders turned off during part of their journey. Data reviewed by Reuters from LSEG and Kpler showed that two QatarEnergy-controlled tankers, Lebretha and Rashida, were last seen west of the strait on June 1 and April 30, respectively, after loading LNG at Qatar’s Ras Laffan port. Both reappeared in tracking data on June 10, with Lebretha heading toward Pakistan and Rashida nearing Southeast Asia. A third tanker, Marigold, operated under Abu Dhabi National Oil Company management, also reappeared in tracking data on June 10 and is believed to be heading toward India.

Since the outbreak of conflict in late February, a total of 12 LNG cargoes, including these three, have passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The continued movement of tankers through this critical maritime route has brought some relief to the global energy market, which relies heavily on stable fuel supply routes.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has proposed a significant expansion of Bangladesh’s social safety net in the 2026–27 national budget, raising total allocations for the sector to Tk 1,44,338 crore, an increase of Tk 17,607 crore from the previous year’s revised budget. The proposal includes Tk 14,500 crore for the government’s flagship Family Card program, which will provide monthly allowances of Tk 2,500 to 4.1 million women heads of households. The initiative aims to reduce poverty and inequality through economic empowerment and inclusive development.

The minister said the Family Card program, inaugurated by the Prime Minister within a month of the government’s formation, will gradually expand nationwide by 2030. Other proposed measures include higher allowances and expanded coverage for the elderly, widows, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women. The budget also proposes increased assistance for patients with serious diseases and travel concessions for senior citizens.

The proposals reflect the government’s stated goal of building a welfare-oriented and equitable state through life-cycle-based social protection and empowerment programs.

Israeli authorities have deported French journalist Alice Froussard, known for her critical reporting on Israel’s war on Gaza and its policies in the occupied West Bank. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday that France was supporting Froussard but acknowledged Israel’s legal right to deport her. No official reason was provided for the deportation, though Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli later accused her of supporting Hamas and celebrated her departure from Ben Gurion Airport to Paris.

The Foreign Press Association condemned the deportation, noting that Israel had previously authorised Froussard’s travel. The incident has drawn renewed attention to Israel’s restrictions on international media coverage of its military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Reporters from abroad have been barred from entering Gaza since the conflict began after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, while many local journalists have been killed during the fighting.

Israel has faced repeated criticism for limiting press access and allegedly targeting journalists. The ongoing ban on foreign reporters has left Palestinian journalists to document the conflict and its humanitarian toll largely on their own.

Turkey has called on Iran and the United States to stop their ongoing conflict, warning that continued hostilities could further intensify warfare in the Middle East. The appeal was made by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a press conference in Sofia on Thursday, where he noted that reciprocal attacks over the past two days had raised fears of heightened regional tension.

According to a report from Istanbul by AFP, Fidan advised both parties to cease mutual strikes and return to dialogue. His remarks reflect Ankara’s concern that the situation could spiral into broader instability if not contained through diplomatic engagement.

The Turkish statement underscores the country’s effort to position itself as a mediator in regional disputes, emphasizing the need for restraint and renewed negotiations between Tehran and Washington.