Chinese garment maker Honda (Bangladesh) Garments Company Limited will invest $41.33 million in the BEPZA Economic Zone in Mirersarai, Chattogram. The agreement signed on July 30 aims to produce 72.1 million pieces of various garments annually, including T-shirts, suits, and children’s wear, generating employment for over 10,000 Bangladeshis. BEPZA assured full support for smooth operations and praised Bangladesh’s skilled workforce. Honda plans to introduce advanced, automated technology and create local teams for global market connections.

The Department of Environment has disconnected electricity and gas connections of nine illegal factories in Gazipur following allegations of river and canal pollution. Many factories lacked proper liquid waste treatment or failed to operate them, directly contaminating water bodies. This operation, directed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, aims to enforce zero tolerance on environmental violations. Authorities, with support from local utility companies, confirmed ongoing efforts to curb pollution and protect natural resources through strict actions.

Some retired, dismissed, and sources from law enforcement units are engaging in crimes under the guise of RAB, DB, and army personnel. Crimes include robbery, kidnapping for ransom, and extortion. Police reports show numerous cases in the capital involving these offenders, with several arrests made. Experts stress the need for stricter monitoring and exemplary punishment. Authorities urge the public to report suspicious activities to ensure accountability and curb this growing trend.

Bangladesh Bank will unveil the Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) for the first half of fiscal year 2025-26 tomorrow. Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur will formally present the MPS at a press conference at the bank’s headquarters. The announcement will cover inflation control, private sector credit growth, and economic development under the current monetary policy. Key officials, including the head of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit and the bank’s chief economist, will attend the event.

A powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake in Russia triggered a tsunami that has hit northern Japan, prompting evacuation efforts for nearly 2 million people from Tokyo and nearby coastal areas. The first tsunami wave struck Hokkaido with a height of about 30 centimeters, but warnings indicate waves could reach up to 3 meters. Transport systems, including Sendai Airport and ferry services, have been disrupted. Authorities are monitoring for aftershocks and assessing damage in both Japan and Russia’s Kamchatka region.

Following the July uprising, over a hundred contractors have gone missing after abandoning around 60 government projects across four key ministries in Bangladesh. These absconders withdrew nearly Tk 1,500 crore, often with help from officials. Major projects like the Teesta Irrigation and Ashuganj-Akhaura highway remain stalled. Despite a year passing since the political shift, the interim government has failed to resume work. Allegations of widespread corruption, political favoritism, and unqualified contractors plague the development sector, with no accountability in sight.

Dhananjay Kumar Das, former Joint Secretary of the Home Ministry and later transferred to the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, has been dismissed from government service. The Ministry of Public Administration issued the order after he remained absent without permission since September 3. Despite being attached to the ministry again, he failed to report back. His actions were deemed as "absconding" under service rules, and a criminal case was filed against him. He did not respond to official notices, leading to his dismissal in the public interest.

After nearly four decades, two Bangladeshi swimmers — Nazmul Haque Himel from Kishoreganj and Mahfizur Rahman Sagar from Pabna — have successfully crossed the English Channel. The duo completed the 12-hour swim on Tuesday after training for ten days in the UK. This marks the first such achievement by Bangladeshis since Mosharraf Hossain in 1987. Prior to that, Brojen Das, the first Asian to cross the channel, did it six times between 1958 and 1961, followed by Abdul Malik in 1965.

Students, teachers, and guardians in Narayanganj protested against a government directive that restricts the primary scholarship exam participation to only government school students. The move excludes private, kindergarten, and MPO-registered school students, causing disappointment and claims of rights violation. Organizers demanded immediate cancellation of the directive to ensure equal opportunity for all primary students. They warned of a stronger movement if their demands are ignored, emphasizing the importance of inclusive education for the future of children.

Four earthquakes, all above magnitude 4, hit near Port Blair in the Andaman region of the Bay of Bengal within 90 minutes on Tuesday night. The first quake measured 5.0 at a depth of 10 km, followed by three others ranging from 4.6 to 5.0 magnitude. No casualties or tsunami warnings have been reported. Meanwhile, a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting tsunami alerts across the Pacific region.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has mandated that individuals with more than 10 SIM cards registered under one national ID must de-register the extra SIMs by October 30. Previously, up to 15 SIMs were allowed, but the limit has been reduced to 10 to align with international standards and enhance national security. Customers can check their registered SIMs by dialing *16001#. Around 2.6 million users will need to deactivate a total of 6.7 million SIMs as part of this new regulation.

A massive 8.7 magnitude earthquake near Russia's eastern coast has triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific. Waves up to 13 feet are expected in parts of French Polynesia, particularly the Marquesas Islands, prompting evacuations to higher ground. Colombia has also issued alerts for its Pacific coast, urging people in Chocó and Nariño to move inland. The tsunami has reached the U.S. West Coast, causing sea level rise in Washington, Oregon, and California, though no damage has been reported. Alerts have eased for Hawaii and Guam.

Md. Khairul Bashar, chairman of Cambrian Education Group and BSB Global Network, was sent to jail after a 10-day remand in a money laundering case. He was arrested by the CID from Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area on July 14. Bashar and his associates are accused of defrauding 448 victims out of over BDT 530 million through fake overseas education schemes. No lawyer represented him during the hearing, and the court ordered his detention. Multiple fraud cases are filed against him at Gulshan Police Station.

The government is forming a seven-member committee to address the longstanding conflict between the Saad and Zubair factions of Tabligh Jamaat. The committee, led by an additional secretary from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, will include two representatives from each group. The decision came after a meeting at the Secretariat involving top government advisers and leaders from both sides. The initiative aims to ensure peaceful relations, especially ahead of the upcoming Bishwa Ijtema. The committee will work on resolving disputes and maintaining harmony within the group.

The Tista River at Dalia Point in Rangpur has surged 5 centimeters above the danger level due to the release of water from India’s Gazaldoba barrage, causing severe flooding and distress to nearby residents. Hundreds of families in multiple unions are submerged, with roads and homes inundated. Farmers face the dual challenges of drought and flood, blaming India’s irregular water management. Local leaders urge a fair, sustainable water-sharing agreement between India and Bangladesh to prevent recurring crises.