Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the government will safeguard public interests, business opportunities and the national economy regardless of whether Chittagong Port is managed by domestic or foreign operators. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a news briefing after meeting Chittagong port and customs officials. He said the identity of the operator was less important than compliance with state interests and established policies.

The minister said the elected government has focused on stabilising a fragile economy after taking office so it can rapidly “take off.” He said the government aims to turn Bangladesh into a $1 trillion economy by 2034 through greater industrialisation, exports and employment, alongside measures to improve the ease of doing business.

He announced a decision to form a joint port-customs committee for the first time to identify and resolve longstanding importer and exporter problems within set timelines. The minister said this should speed cargo clearance, improve supply systems and ultimately help control prices or inflation. Business representatives called for simpler customs procedures and deregulation to reduce industrial costs, and he promised implementation. He also warned against political patronage and illegal influence over customs clearance.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s traffic division filed 915 cases in July against vehicles emitting black smoke in the capital. The cases were brought during operations in different areas of Dhaka aimed at preventing environmental pollution and stopping excessive black smoke emissions from vehicles using the roads.

Among DMP’s eight traffic divisions, Motijheel recorded the highest number with 354 cases. Wari filed 172 cases, Tejgaon 131, Uttara 128 and Gulshan 56. Mirpur registered 36 cases, Ramna 34 and Lalbagh four, according to DMP traffic division sources.

The traffic division said it conducts such operations regularly as part of efforts to curb pollution caused by black smoke-emitting vehicles. It said the drives and legal action against vehicles responsible for black smoke emissions will continue.

Residents of Shibchar upazila in Madaripur are facing severe load-shedding, with some areas reportedly without electricity for 12 to 14 hours over recent days. Repeated daytime outages and prolonged nighttime disruptions have intensified hardship during hot weather, particularly for children, older people and those who are ill. Consumers have also complained of unusually high electricity bills in June and July despite what they describe as normal or lower usage.

Shibchar Palli Bidyut office said daytime demand is about 28 megawatts while supply is 12 megawatts. At night, demand rises to about 35 megawatts but supply reaches 17 megawatts, requiring rotational outages. Electricity-dependent businesses, including clinics, diagnostic centres, computer and photocopy services, mobile servicing and refrigeration-based operations, have reported disruptions and added generator fuel costs.

Battery-powered van and easy-bike drivers say inadequate overnight charging has reduced their earnings. Residents also report problems charging phones, operating water pumps and preserving food. Junior Engineer Jahirul Haque said supply is less than half of demand and said complaints about higher bills would be investigated, while conditions would improve if power supply increases.

About 650,000 native tree seedlings have been planted on government forest land and other sites in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, under a mega plan to plant 2.5 billion trees. The initiative aims to maintain environmental balance, restore forest areas, conserve biodiversity and address the effects of climate change. Planting took place on forest department land across Rajapalong, Palongkhali, Jaliapalong, Ratnapalong and Haldia Palong unions.

The programme includes nearly 30 species, including garjan, neem, champa, chalta, bahera, arjun, jarul, kadam, shimul, sonalu, palash, teak, mahogany, banyan and sissoo. On Sunday, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam inspected a 150-hectare fast-growing plantation of mixed native species created in the 2025-26 fiscal year under the HELP project at the Thaingkhali Beat of Ukhiya Range.

The state minister expressed satisfaction with seedling growth and maintenance work and planted one neem and one chapalish seedling. Forest officials said regular weeding, maintenance, monitoring and guarding are underway. They expect that if the programme is implemented successfully and seedlings survive, green cover in Ukhiya’s hilly areas will increase over the coming years, while helping curb soil erosion and create habitat for birds and other wildlife.

International oil prices rose on Tuesday after talks between Iran and the United States over reopening the Strait of Hormuz reached an impasse. Efforts to restore traffic through the important waterway were further complicated by a hard-line position from US President Donald Trump, according to the report published on August 11, 2026.

Iran presented its conditions for reopening the strait, while Trump responded by demanding that Iran provide compensation for casualties from past wars, attacks and protests. The opposing demands increased tensions between the two countries and made the prospect of quickly reopening one of the world’s key energy transport routes uncertain.

Brent crude rose to about $88 a barrel on Tuesday, while US West Texas Intermediate crude reached $82.45 a barrel. Both benchmarks were at their highest levels since July 31, following an increase of nearly 5 percent on Monday. The report said a prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could place further pressure on global oil supplies and prices because substantial volumes of energy are transported through the route.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) failed to meet its revenue collection target for the 14th consecutive fiscal year, according to a report published on August 11, 2026. In the latest fiscal year, it collected Tk 415,473 crore against a revised target of Tk 503,000 crore, leaving a shortfall of about Tk 85,000 crore. The target had initially been set at Tk 499,000 crore, raised to Tk 554,000 crore midyear, and later reduced after collections lagged.

NBR annual report data show that the agency met its original target only five times over the past two and a half decades. It has met a revised target only seven times, and has not achieved either an original or revised target since fiscal year 2015-16. Revenue collection nevertheless grew by more than 12 percent in the latest fiscal year. The exception was fiscal year 2019-20, when collections declined 1.96 percent amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Policy Exchange of Bangladesh chairman Masrur Reaz cited flawed target setting, structural economic constraints, weak tax compliance culture and limited institutional capacity at NBR. He said 65 percent of institutions remain outside VAT registration. NBR officials said targets are set without its role or adequate analysis, while its capacity is not expanded. The BNP government formed separate task forces for customs, VAT and income tax, but the target was still missed.

The death toll from a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia has risen to 132, with more than 480 people injured, according to the report published on August 11, 2026. The quake struck Chocó province at 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, at a depth of about 107 kilometres near San José del Palmar. Authorities fear more people may remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings, raising the prospect of further casualties.

Tremors were felt across Colombia and in neighbouring Venezuela and Ecuador, though no tsunami warning was issued. Risaralda province, known for coffee production, was among the worst-hit areas. In Pereira and nearby districts, at least 40 people died and 65 buildings collapsed. People were feared trapped in the rubble of 15 of those structures, while a curfew was imposed in parts of Pereira until 5 a.m. Tuesday.

President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national disaster situation, enabling special government powers and possible budget reallocations. More than 1,500 homes were damaged nationwide, he said. Several regional airports were affected, while Bogotá reported cracks in some buildings but no major infrastructure damage.

Severe riverbank erosion has emerged in Kazipur, Sirajganj, as water levels in the Jamuna River rise following upstream hill runoff and heavy rainfall. Published on August 11, the report says erosion has become particularly intense in the Chargiris area, placing Chargiris Government Primary School, homes, trees and other structures at risk. Low-lying areas in Kazipur, সদর, Belkuchi, Shahjadpur and Chauhali upazilas are also being inundated.

Chargiris resident Abdur Razzaq said erosion had eased for several days but intensified over the past two days. Roads, cropland and trees are being washed into the river, while homes are collapsing so quickly that residents have no time to move them, he said. He alleged that no measures are being taken to stop the erosion. Water levels have also risen in Sirajganj’s Gumani, Gohala, Bara Pangasi, Ichamati, Fuljor, Bangali, Baral and Hurasagar rivers.

Water Development Board Sub-Divisional Engineer Zakir Hossain said the Jamuna has risen for seven consecutive days. In the past 24 hours, water rose six centimetres at the Sirajganj town protection embankment hard point and three centimetres at Meghai Ghat, remaining 60 centimetres and 106 centimetres below danger levels respectively. Executive Engineer Mokhlesur Rahman said water may continue rising for three to four days, but flooding or crossing danger levels is not expected.

At least 47 people were killed after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia’s Choco region on Monday, according to reports cited by Al Jazeera. The US Geological Survey and Colombia’s Geological Service said the quake hit near the municipality of San Jose del Palmar, about 400 kilometres west of Bogota. Building collapses and extensive damage were reported in several areas.

USGS data placed the earthquake’s origin about 107 kilometres below the surface. Colombia initially reported the magnitude as 6.6. The US tsunami warning system said no tsunami warning had been issued. Residents in Choco and other areas were being moved to safer locations, while rescue and emergency personnel assessed damage and responded to the disaster.

Local officials reported at least 18 deaths in Pereira, two in Manizales and at least 27 in the Valle del Cauca region. Choco Governor Nubia Cordoba said strong shaking was felt across the province and raised concern about possible aftershocks. Casualties and damaged buildings were also reported in Quibdo. People were evacuated from several buildings in Bogota, and authorities said a preliminary official damage report would be released soon.

Bangladesh Bank has removed the maximum two-year term limit for boards of directors it appoints at various banks. The central bank issued a circular on Monday under Section 121 of the Bank Company Act, 1991, allowing such appointed boards to remain in office beyond two years if necessary.

The circular said the provisions of Section 47(2), concerning the duration of orders dissolving boards of directors, would generally not apply to bank companies. Previously, Bangladesh Bank could extend the duration of an order dissolving a board from time to time, but the total term, including extensions, could not exceed two years.

As a result, newly appointed boards installed by Bangladesh Bank after a previous board is dissolved will no longer face a maximum two-year service limit. After the fall of the Awami League government, the central bank dissolved and reconstituted the boards of 14 banks. Their two-year terms were approaching expiry, and Bangladesh Bank was under pressure over their tenure, according to the report.

Bangladesh has formed a 22-member National Task Force on Deregulation and Ease of Doing Business to simplify the business and investment environment. Chaired by the finance and planning minister, the body was established through a Cabinet Division notification issued on August 9. The government says the initiative aims to identify and reform unnecessary rules, approvals and administrative complexities affecting businesses and investors.

The task force will approve sector-based reform road maps and review implementation progress. It will identify excessive licences, approvals, clearances and administrative steps in areas including taxes, duties, banking, capital markets, construction, environmental services and local services, and direct measures to reduce them. It will also provide policy guidance on introducing a single window, service level agreements, deemed or automatic approvals and online tracking systems.

The panel includes ministers, advisers, the Bangladesh Bank governor, the executive chairman of BIDA and senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies. Presidents of major business bodies, including FBCCI, FICCI, DCCI, MCCI, BGMEA and BKMEA, are also members. A dedicated website is planned through the Invest Bangladesh Authority to monitor complaints, irregularities and service delays. The task force will review reform progress every three months.

Fire Service and Civil Defence’s Dhaka Division held a preparatory meeting with stakeholders for post-earthquake firefighting and coordinated rescue operations. The meeting took place at 11am on August 10 at the Fire Service EOC Centre conference room in Mirpur. Owners and representatives of public and private institutions with cranes, excavators and other heavy rescue equipment from six districts attended.

The meeting covered Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Munshiganj and Narsingdi, as Dhaka was described as among the country’s most earthquake-vulnerable areas. Director of Operations and Maintenance Lt Col Md Mahmudul Hasan instructed zone commanders and district officials in the six districts to strengthen coordination and communication with stakeholders. He also offered views on planning firefighting and rescue operations and arranging training.

Participants in the open discussion expressed commitment to support rescue operations during national disasters. Heavy Equipment Association Bangladesh President Md Afzal Hossain said the association would work jointly with the Fire Service and proposed forming an “Emergency Equipment Support Team.” Dhaka Division Deputy Director Md Saleh Uddin called for greater coordination, training and drills after presenting images of the Rana Plaza collapse and recent earthquakes in Turkey and Myanmar. About 70 owners and representatives attended.

A powerful earthquake struck several parts of Colombia at about 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, August 10. The US Geological Survey initially measured the quake at magnitude 7.4. Its epicenter was about five kilometres east of San José del Palmar in Chocó department, with a depth of about 107 kilometres below the surface.

The US tsunami warning system listed the earthquake at magnitude 7.1, but no tsunami warning was issued. Initial reports said the tremor was felt across areas of Colombia as well as in regions near the Venezuelan border. Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi said several people were injured in the departmental capital, Quibdó, where several permanent structures were also damaged.

Authorities are working to determine the full extent of the damage, the governor said. Residents have also been urged to remain alert for possible further tremors or aftershocks. Colombia is considered vulnerable to earthquakes because of its location near multiple tectonic plate boundaries and active fault lines. The Colombian Geological Service records more than 100 major destructive earthquakes in the country.

Oil from a damaged tanker has spread across about 390 square kilometres in Oman’s coastal waters, authorities said. Oman’s government said the sanctioned vessel, Caroline Bezengi, was carrying Russian crude oil. The environmental authority is working to contain the spill near the Hallaniyat Islands in Dhofar Governorate, according to information published on August 10.

The authority said the oil slick had moved northeast from the islands toward the mainland. Its closest point to the coast was estimated at about seven kilometres offshore. The spill is within Omani waters near the southern Hallaniyat Islands, where officials said containment work was under way.

Two maritime security sources told Reuters that the ship’s crew first reported problems near Yemen’s Mukalla port on June 8. An initial assessment had suggested an explosion inside the vessel, but the cause of the damage remains unclear and Omani authorities have provided no explanation. Shipping data showed the tanker had loaded Russian crude before its voyage and last transmitted a public AIS tracking signal near Yemen’s coast on June 11.

Bangladesh Bank has removed inter-institution fees on all Bangla QR transactions to promote digital payments, meaning customers will face no fee or service charge. The central bank also introduced incentives for small-value transactions under a circular issued Monday. Both measures will take effect on October 1.

For each Bangla QR payment of up to Tk2,000 at small merchants and service providers, a total incentive of 0.3 percent will be available. The bank or mobile financial service app used by the customer will receive 0.2 percent, while the bank or payment institution providing the QR code through which the merchant receives payment will receive 0.1 percent.

Transactions cannot be split into multiple smaller payments, or conducted through other artificial means, to obtain incentives. Failed, cancelled, refunded, chargeback, disputed, or subsequently cancelled payments will not qualify. Bangladesh Bank may inspect transaction records, merchant information and supporting documents, recover wrongly paid incentives, or adjust them against future incentives. Acquiring institutions must monitor unusual merchant transactions and take action where artificial splitting, cash-out activity, or other irregularities are found.