World Bank warns of slowest global growth since pandemic, revises 2026 forecast to 2.5%
via Business News2 min read
The World Bank has lowered its global economic growth forecast for 2026 to 2.5%, down from 2.9% in 2025. This would mark the slowest growth rate since the COVID-19 pandemic, excluding periods of global recession. In its global economic outlook report published on Thursday, June 11, 2026, the international institution cautioned against increasing risks to economic activity, citing geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties. The World Bank noted that it has reduced growth forecasts for nearly two-thirds of the world's economies compared to estimates released last January. This revision reflects a more complex international environment characterized by a slowdown in global trade, more cautious investments, and weakened economic confidence. According to the institution, economic prospects are deteriorating in both developed countries and several emerging economies, although the latter are expected to continue to show relatively higher growth rates. A key risk factor identified by the World Bank is the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The institution believes that continued or worsening conflict could significantly impact global markets, particularly through rising energy prices and disruptions to supply chains. These developments could exacerbate inflationary pressures and further hinder economic recovery in several regions worldwide. The report also highlights a slowdown in private investment, penalized by persistent uncertainty. Businesses remain cautious due to ge
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Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin, 76, announced his resignation on Friday, July 24, 2026, citing health reasons. Shahabuddin, who was elected by Parliament in 2023, stated in a letter to the Speaker of the lower house that illness was affecting his physical and mental capabilities, making it impossible to properly fulfill his responsibilities. His role was primarily ceremonial. Shahabuddin had announced the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, following weeks of anti-government riots. Hasina then fled to neighboring India. Shahabuddin's political opponents had regularly called for his departure. After an interim period led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP won the legislative elections in February, leading to its leader, Tarique Rahman, becoming the head of the country.
Tunisian champion Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi secured a gold medal at the Portugal Open G1 taekwondo tournament in the -68 kg category on Sunday, July 26, 2026. The Olympic medalist and world champion won the final after his Norwegian opponent forfeited. Jendoubi demonstrated a strong performance throughout the competition, defeating Portugal's Francisco Sousa in the round of 16 and Spain's Joan Jorquera 2-1 in a closely contested quarter-final match. This latest victory further solidifies Jendoubi's standing as a top international competitor in his weight class.
Mohamed Ali Nafti, Tunisia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, spoke by phone with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad, on Sunday, July 26, 2026. The two ministers reaffirmed the unique nature of Tunisian-Egyptian relations and highlighted the strong historical and fraternal ties between the two countries. They welcomed the positive evolution of bilateral cooperation across several sectors and expressed a shared desire to further strengthen these relations to higher levels, serving the interests of both peoples. They also praised the outcomes of the 18th session of the Tunisian-Egyptian Joint High Commission, held in Cairo in September 2025, emphasizing the importance of regular follow-up on its conclusions. The stated objective is to give new impetus to the partnership between Tunis and Cairo, particularly in economic, commercial, and investment fields, while exploring new cooperation opportunities. Regional developments, especially the situation in Libya, were also a significant part of their discussions. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the results of the meeting of the tripartite mechanism of Libya's neighboring countries, organized in Cairo on May 21, 2026. Nafti reiterated Tunisia's consistent position in favor of preserving Libya's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as respecting its national institutions. The Tunisian minister stress