The death toll from a major landslide in Pengshui County, Chongqing municipality in southwestern China, has risen to 41, authorities said Tuesday night. The landslide struck on July 17, burying several residential buildings at the foot of a mountain and along a riverbank. Officials identified 30 additional victims after DNA testing and confirmation of identities from bodies and remains recovered at the site.

The reported death toll had stood at 11 as of last Friday. State media footage showed large amounts of rock and earth covering a residential and commercial road. Hundreds of rescue workers carried out operations at the scene, according to the report.

Rescuers had previously said there were no signs of survivors while searching for 50 people missing under the debris. Two weeks earlier, another landslide in the northwestern province of Gansu buried 33 people, with at least 21 deaths reported in that incident.

Construction on the six-lane upgrade of the Jhenaidah-Jashore highway is moving slowly amid delayed land acquisition and allegations of contractor negligence. The report, published on July 29, says the project’s extended term is due to end in December, but engineer Tuhin Al Mamun, project manager for phases 2 and 3, said completion within this year’s December is not possible. Slow progress has caused severe public inconvenience on the highway.

The project, under Western Economic Corridor, or WeCARE, Phase 1, was approved on November 24, 2020. It planned to acquire about 304 acres across Jashore and Jhenaidah, including 214 acres in Jhenaidah. Land acquisition has been completed for 45 percent in Kaliganj and about 50 percent in Jhenaidah Sadar. Coordination failures among six government departments delayed survey and inspection reports, slowing acquisition.

A revised proposal sent in June 2024 raised the estimated cost from Tk4,187 crore to Tk7,100 crore. Mamun said only 2 percent of work has been completed despite land handovers, and contractors have ignored repeated letters and requests to speed up. World Bank Division Director Jean Pem and Operations Manager Gail Martin expressed strong dissatisfaction during a July 19 site visit. A future World Bank meeting will decide whether the project term is extended.

Pulao rice prices have risen sharply in Bangladesh despite what the report describes as adequate supply. By July 29, 2026, prices had increased by about Tk70 per kilogram over three months and by roughly Tk40 in one week. Packaged pulao rice was selling for as much as Tk230 per kilogram, depending on brand, while a 50-kilogram wholesale sack reached Tk10,200. Price increases were observed in Dhaka’s Babubazar, Nayabazar, Badamtali and Karwan Bazar markets.

Retailers and buyers alleged that mill owners and major corporate firms created an artificial shortage, arguing that higher fuel, gas and electricity costs did not justify the scale of the increase. Aminul Islam Swapan, managing director of Nabil Group, rejected manipulation claims. He cited lower aromatic paddy production, higher fuel costs, exports and increased demand from weddings and social events, and suggested a temporary halt to pulao rice exports.

Complaints of adulteration and counterfeit packaging have also increased. Authorities fined a trader Tk200,000 in Old Dhaka for mixing atap rice into pulao rice, while another trader was fined in Jashore over allegedly selling chinigura rice in fake packaging. Samples have been sent for testing over alleged artificial fragrance use, and the consumer rights directorate said regular drives and legal action are continuing.

At least 13 people were killed after a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto area of Kyushu, Japan’s main southern island, on Tuesday afternoon. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the death toll. More than 36,000 households remained without electricity, while the affected area lies about 900 kilometres southwest of Tokyo.

Takaichi said rescue operations for missing people continued after overnight efforts. Many people were injured and several remained missing, she said. Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency advised more than 260,000 people to move to safer locations, most of them in Kumamoto Prefecture. Evacuation instructions were also issued in neighbouring Nagasaki Prefecture.

According to an AP report, part of a shopping centre collapsed after the earthquake, with a gas leak initially suspected as the cause. Fire department information said several people were trapped when the second floor of Aeon Mall in Kashima city collapsed. A large chimney also fell at Nippon Paper Industries’ Yatsushiro plant, and Kumamoto emergency rescue teams said several people were trapped beneath the debris.

Construction on the six-lane upgrade of the Jhenaidah-Jashore highway is moving slowly amid delayed land acquisition and allegations of contractor negligence. The report, published on July 29, says the project’s extended term is due to end in December, but engineer Tuhin Al Mamun, project manager for phases 2 and 3, said completion within this year’s December is not possible. Slow progress has caused severe public inconvenience on the highway.

The project, under Western Economic Corridor, or WeCARE, Phase 1, was approved on November 24, 2020. It planned to acquire about 304 acres across Jashore and Jhenaidah, including 214 acres in Jhenaidah. Land acquisition has been completed for 45 percent in Kaliganj and about 50 percent in Jhenaidah Sadar. Coordination failures among six government departments delayed survey and inspection reports, slowing acquisition.

A revised proposal sent in June 2024 raised the estimated cost from Tk4,187 crore to Tk7,100 crore. Mamun said only 2 percent of work has been completed despite land handovers, and contractors have ignored repeated letters and requests to speed up. World Bank Division Director Jean Pem and Operations Manager Gail Martin expressed strong dissatisfaction during a July 19 site visit. A future World Bank meeting will decide whether the project term is extended.

Bangladesh’s government has sought Malaysian technical assistance after a technical fault shut gas supplies from the Maheshkhali floating LNG terminal to the national grid on July 21. The outage has cut about 450 million cubic feet of gas daily, worsening shortages for households, factories, power plants, CNG stations and other users. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit outlined the government’s response at a Secretariat press conference on July 29.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman sent a letter to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and later spoke with him by phone, requesting help to address the energy crisis. Education Adviser Mahdi Amin delivered the letter in Kuala Lumpur. Amit said Anwar had pledged to consult his team and relevant ministries quickly and inform Bangladesh’s prime minister. The government has also discussed possible LNG imports from Malaysia and using Malaysian experience and advice.

The energy division expects daily supplies of 280 to 300 million cubic feet to resume early next week, with the FSRU expected to be fully operational by the end of the following week. Residents of Mohammadpur and Adabor have announced a Friday protest over severe household shortages, low pressure and prolonged service problems.

Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan said student participation in cleanliness campaigns and public-service activities can help implement the prime minister’s Clean Dhaka, Green Dhaka initiative. He made the remarks on Tuesday while inaugurating a cleanliness campaign at Bangladesh Navy College in Mirpur, where he attended as chief guest.

Khan said the prize-giving event was arranged to encourage school and college students to participate and to motivate other educational institutions through their involvement. He said the programme would be spread to different places through campaigning to raise public awareness and make city corporation responsibilities and civic services easier.

The administrator praised Navy College students for their talent, songs and dance performances. He said their ideas would be shared among residents in every city ward and neighborhood as part of efforts to create a cleaner city. After the prize distribution, students from Navy College, Dental College and Navy School joined a rally, where they were taught how to use modern dustbins and took part in the cleanliness campaign.

Russia has offered to supply Bangladesh with urea fertiliser at $10 less per metric tonne than the sources from which Bangladesh currently imports it. The Russian side also expressed interest in supplying about 280,000 metric tonnes of urea to the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation through a government-to-government arrangement. The proposal was discussed at a meeting at the Secretariat with Commerce, Industry, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and a Russian delegation led by acting Ambassador Vyacheslav Sentyurin.

The meeting focused on food security, agricultural cooperation, fertiliser supplies and expanding government-to-government trade. Muktadir praised Russia’s support in regularly supplying wheat and muriate of potash fertiliser, describing Russia as a trusted friend and expressing hope for broader future trade and economic cooperation.

Russia also indicated interest in supplying sunflower oil, yellow peas, chickpeas, red lentils and green lentils in line with Bangladesh’s market needs. The discussions covered increasing cooperation under an existing memorandum of understanding between the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh and JSC FEC Prodintorg. Both sides agreed to maintain regular contact to expand bilateral trade, investment and economic partnership.

A United States Department of Agriculture delegation visited a Farmers Mini Cold Storage facility run by Bangladesh’s Department of Agricultural Extension in Savar, near Dhaka, on Tuesday. The visitors praised the technology used to preserve agricultural products and said small-scale modern storage at farm level could reduce waste and support market management. The delegation expressed interest in the potential of such technology and in working with Bangladesh on the issue.

The group included Dr Catherine Fiedler, director of USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services for South Asia; Erin Covert, agricultural attaché at the US Embassy in Dhaka; and USDA agricultural specialist Md Tanvir Ahmed. They inspected mangoes, gourds, papayas, green chilies and other produce stored in plastic crates, asking about storage dates, duration and temperature control. Project officials said most fruits and vegetables can remain fresh for one week to one month.

Project director Talha Zubair Mashrur said the storage system helps farmers avoid losses from rapidly perishable produce and sell at more favorable times. The delegation said it would meet the Agriculture Ministry after the field visit. Funded by the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund, the project has built 147 mini cold storage facilities in districts across the country.

Dirai Municipality in Sunamganj has announced its proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27, estimating total allocations of Tk 15 crore 4 lakh 90 thousand 819 and 37 paisa for overall municipal development. The budget was formally presented at a modest event at the municipal premises at 12 noon on Tuesday by Dirai Assistant Commissioner (Land) and municipal administrator Md Ziaul Hasan Saurav. It gives the highest priority to infrastructure development to strengthen urban transport and physical facilities.

The proposed revenue income for the next fiscal year is Tk 3 crore 66 lakh 40 thousand, against revenue expenditure of Tk 2 crore 58 lakh 60 thousand. This would leave a revenue surplus of Tk 1 crore 7 lakh 80 thousand. Development-sector allocations are estimated at Tk 12 crore 46 lakh 30 thousand 819 and 37 paisa, while expenditure in that sector is set at Tk 12 crore 39 lakh.

After accounting for income and expenditure in both revenue and development sectors, the overall budget surplus is projected at Tk 7 lakh 30 thousand 819 and 37 paisa. The proposal earmarks the largest allocation, Tk 11 crore 18 lakh, for infrastructure construction. Speakers at a post-budget discussion called for improved citizen services, planned drainage to address monsoon waterlogging, reduced traffic congestion and sustainable development.

Global oil prices resumed their decline on Tuesday as tensions in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran eased. Both countries have refrained from launching new attacks, according to the report. Benchmark Brent crude fell 2.2 percent to $84.03 a barrel in international trading.

US crude, West Texas Intermediate, also declined, falling 1.7 percent to trade at $81.20 a barrel. Before the war involving Iran, the United States and Israel began in late February, Brent crude had been priced at about $72 a barrel.

Currency markets also showed movement on Tuesday. The Japanese yen weakened against the US dollar at the start of the day, with the dollar rising to 163.82 yen, while the euro also weakened somewhat. Regional Middle East officials said on Monday that mediators had made major progress and were seeking to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table after attacks had been suspended for several days.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought assistance from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to address the country’s ongoing gas crisis. The two leaders spoke by telephone at 2pm Bangladesh time on Tuesday, according to State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, who briefed reporters at the Secretariat.

Amit said Bangladesh is unable to supply gas in line with demand and that the request for Malaysian support aims to narrow the gap between demand and supply. He said the government was working intensively to resolve the problem because of its responsibility to the public, even though the floating LNG terminal used to regasify imported LNG is a privately managed facility.

The prime minister had written to Anwar Ibrahim on Monday about the issue, and Education Adviser Mahdi Amin, who is visiting Malaysia, handed over the letter in Kuala Lumpur. Anwar said he would quickly consult his team and relevant ministries on possible assistance and inform Rahman. Amit said the energy ministry, Petrobangla and RPGCL were working around the clock, while Rahman remained in contact over developments.

Japan issued a tsunami warning after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the southwestern island of Kyushu on Tuesday. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake hit at 4:27 p.m. local time and reached a maximum intensity of 7 on Japan’s Shindo seismic scale. About 45,000 households and facilities in the Kumamoto area lost electricity, according to local utility Kyushu Electric Power.

The meteorological agency said tsunami waves could reach up to one metre. Public broadcaster NHK reported that waves of that height may already have struck. About half an hour after the earthquake, an NHK local reporter said shaking was still continuing and was so strong in the newsroom that it was difficult to remain standing.

Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said no immediate abnormalities had been detected at nuclear power plants. Kyushu Electric Power said three operating nuclear reactors in the region were functioning normally during the quake. The NHK reporter urged people to remain alert for possible further tremors after describing the initial shaking as too intense to stand through.

Turkey’s leading textile company Sanko has expressed interest in investing about $300 million in Bangladesh’s textile and jute sectors through an integrated textile production facility in the Mirsarai industrial zone. The company disclosed the plan at a Tuesday meeting at the Secretariat with Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, minister in charge of the commerce, industries, and textiles and jute ministries. State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam also attended.

Sanko said the proposed project would produce fabrics, process fabric, and manufacture value-added textile goods. It cited Bangladesh’s promising market, skilled workforce, export capacity, existing business ties and demand from international buyers as reasons for seeking to expand local production. The company currently supplies textile products from Turkey. Its representatives said a local facility could bring new international buyers to Bangladesh and help existing textile factories through technology, skills and market expansion.

The company said it has selected possible sites and discussed the project with partners. It sought support for energy facilities, gas connections, electricity and faster government approvals, while emphasizing coal-free, environmentally friendly energy and sustainable production. If approvals and infrastructure are secured, Sanko plans to begin subsequent work within months and target operations 12 to 18 months after construction begins. The minister pledged necessary support.

Veteran singer Runa Laila thanked fans in a video message after recently performing a solo concert at the main auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The report, published on July 28, 2026, said she was moved by the audience’s love, respect and messages following the event. She said she felt truly honoured by their response.

Laila said she was proud to live in Bangladesh and to be a singer of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. She credited the prayers and affection of her many admirers and fans for helping her come this far. Comments and messages sent after the recent concert had touched her heart, she said, adding that she wanted to continue singing for those who love her and her music.

The concert was her first solo singing event at Shilpakala Academy in a 62-year professional music career. Because the auditorium had limited seating, more than 750 audience members could not be accommodated. Laila expressed hope of holding a larger concert in the future so that many more people could attend, and said she hoped to have another opportunity to sing for her fans.