At least 37 people have died across Pakistan following flash floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall. The worst-affected areas include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab. The disaster has caused extensive damage to homes, farmland, livestock, roads, and bridges. In Gujranwala and Sialkot, severe rainfall has worsened the situation, while water levels in border rivers rose rapidly after India reportedly released excess water without formal notice.

According to the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority, the Marala and Khanki headworks are facing moderate flood risks, while Qadirabad is under a low-level flood warning. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported 20 deaths from rain-related incidents, and Punjab has recorded 17 fatalities. Landslides in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir have damaged roads, homes, and agricultural land.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department stated that the ongoing rainfall, which began on July 19, may continue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa until July 23, raising concerns about further flooding and damage.

Crude oil prices rose again in the international market amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. On Thursday, Brent crude increased by 1.93 dollars or 2 percent to reach 96 dollars per barrel, marking its highest level since June 8. According to a report by Al Jazeera, the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also gained 1.44 dollars or 1.7 percent, trading at 88.27 dollars per barrel.

Earlier trading sessions had already seen Brent crude rise by more than 3 dollars to 94.07 dollars per barrel, while WTI climbed nearly 3 percent during the same period. Analysts cited renewed US military strikes in Iran and intensified attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on oil tankers in the Red Sea as key drivers of the surge. These developments have heightened strategic instability in the Middle East and disrupted supply confidence.

The report indicates that uncertainty in global oil supply chains continues to fuel price volatility, with markets reacting sharply to geopolitical risks in the region.

Meta has begun rolling out a redesigned version of WhatsApp for Mac, inspired by Apple’s “Liquid Glass” design language. The update aims to make the desktop experience more consistent with that of iPhone and iPad users. According to WABetaInfo, the update is being released gradually through the Mac App Store, with limited users currently having access. It is expected to reach all Mac users within the next few weeks.

The new version does not introduce major messaging or AI-based features but focuses on improving design and usability. Enhancements include a reorganized sidebar, refined chat bar, updated attachment menu, and smoother navigation aligned with Apple’s latest macOS design principles. Locked chats and Communities now have separate sections, with identity verification required before accessing locked conversations, mirroring iPhone privacy features.

Technology analysts view this update as part of Apple’s broader effort to unify user experiences across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Meta continues to invest in improving WhatsApp’s desktop version as its user base on desktop platforms expands.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has expressed solidarity with students participating in the ongoing protests against exam paper leaks in India. In an Instagram post shared on Wednesday, he urged demonstrators to continue their movement peacefully, describing paper leaks as a serious issue that should not be politically hijacked. Khan praised the courage and awareness of the young generation, saying their commitment to education would make India proud.

He emphasized that the problem of paper leaks concerns students and the education system alone, and credited the movement’s success solely to the students. Khan also expressed hope that the government would fully support the students and strengthen the education system for the benefit of all. He concluded by calling for education to become a positive national trend that could attract international students to study in India.

Several other Bollywood figures, including Omi Vaidya, Zeenat Aman, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Abhay Deol, Sonakshi Sinha, and Riteish Deshmukh, have also voiced support for the peaceful protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in New Delhi.

A mobile court in Sylhet fined 11 drivers and vehicle owners a total of 13,500 taka for using banned hydraulic horns and failing to present valid documents. The operation was conducted jointly by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-9 and the Department of Environment in the Shah Paran (R.) police station area on Tuesday, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.

The press release stated that several vehicles were found using horns producing noise levels above the permissible limit set by the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025. Some vehicles were also found violating the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995, by using prohibited hydraulic horns. Additionally, several drivers and owners could not show the required legal documents for their vehicles.

RAB-9 said that such drives will continue in the future to control noise pollution and protect the environment in the public interest.

At least 26 people, including women and children, have died in flash floods triggered by continuous rainfall and cloudbursts across several districts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Doda, Budgam, and Kulgam. Authorities have evacuated hundreds of residents to safer locations and issued renewed warnings to avoid riverbank areas as the situation remains critical.

The disaster began on Saturday night when torrential rain caused rivers and streams in the Pir Panjal mountain region to overflow. In Rajouri, the Darhali River breached protective embankments, flooding residential areas and causing severe damage. Landslides and infrastructure losses were also reported in remote areas such as Thana Mandi, Darhal, and Manjakote. In Budgam’s Beerwah, a shopping complex collapsed, but prior evacuation prevented major casualties.

Heavy rainfall has also forced the closure of the main highway linking Kashmir with mainland India. Local authorities have extended summer vacations in all educational institutions by one week, while the meteorological department has maintained forecasts of heavy rain and flooding for the next three days, keeping the region on high alert.

At a press conference organized by the Energy Division on Wednesday, government officials attributed Bangladesh’s ongoing gas crisis to corruption, mismanagement, and policy failures of the former Awami League administration. They said that while a technical fault at a floating LNG terminal (FSRU) triggered the immediate disruption, long-term dependence on imported LNG had intensified the impact. The fault has temporarily halted gas supply from one terminal, reducing national grid supply by about 450 million cubic feet per day.

Officials explained that the supply shortfall has affected industries, power plants, and CNG stations across several regions, causing reduced gas pressure and temporary public inconvenience. Technical teams are prioritizing repairs to restore normal supply, while authorities are managing limited gas to maintain supply to critical sectors.

The government announced plans to reduce import reliance by expanding domestic exploration and production. A project worth 7.29 billion taka to drill three wells in Begumganj and Sunamganj has been approved, alongside ongoing efforts to attract local and foreign investment in onshore and offshore gas exploration.

In a special operation on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the fisheries department in Uzirpur upazila of Barishal seized and destroyed a large quantity of illegal fishing nets valued at approximately Tk 5 million. The operation took place at Harta Bazar, where the confiscated nets were burned in the presence of local administration officials. The drive was led by Upazila Fisheries Officer Prasen Majumdar with the support of Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Ali Suza and local police.

According to the fisheries department, the raid was conducted based on secret information and resulted in the seizure of 192 banned China duari nets, 110,000 meters of current nets, and 89 boda nets. Local sources reported that illegal net trading had been ongoing in Harta Bazar and nearby areas for a long time, threatening native fish breeding and aquatic biodiversity. Following public complaints and media reports, the department intensified its enforcement actions.

Officials stated that the zero-tolerance policy against illegal nets will continue, and regular mobile court operations will be conducted to protect local fish resources and biodiversity.

Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez announced that the death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck the country last month has risen to 5,346. In a post on social media platform X on Tuesday, Rodríguez said a total of 16,740 people were injured in the disasters. The quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit the South American nation on June 24.

According to Rodríguez, authorities have provided assistance to 128,324 affected families and established 107 temporary camps to shelter displaced residents. Currently, 17,907 people are living in these camps. He added that 856 buildings were damaged, including 190 that completely collapsed.

The updated figures highlight the extensive human and structural toll of the twin earthquakes, as emergency support and recovery operations continue across the affected regions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized that Bangladesh’s housing industry is a key driver of the national economy and essential for overall economic growth. During a meeting with representatives of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) at the Secretariat on Wednesday, July 22, he said the government is working to create a transparent, accountable, and investment-friendly environment to ensure planned, sustainable, and corruption-free development in the housing sector.

The meeting discussed the current state of the housing industry, challenges of planned urbanization, practical issues arising from Detailed Area Plan (DAP) implementation, and long-term development strategies. The REHAB delegation requested a rational reduction in land, plot, and flat registration fees and stressed the need for full digitalization of government services related to housing. They also highlighted the importance of vertical urbanization to optimize limited land use in the capital.

The Prime Minister stated that reforms have already been introduced to prevent irregularities in the sector and that further effective measures are underway. He also underscored the need for balanced urban development beyond Dhaka while protecting agricultural land.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a landslide warning for hilly areas in the Chattogram Division following forecasts of heavy to very heavy rainfall. The alert, announced on July 22, 2026, identifies Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban as moderately vulnerable to landslides. The forecast predicts rainfall between 150 and 300 millimeters over the next 48 hours in many districts of the Chattogram and Barishal divisions.

Light to very heavy rain is also expected across most districts in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions under the influence of the monsoon. The weather office further noted that rainfall is likely to persist across much of the country for the next five days.

The advisory comes alongside warnings of gusty winds and thunderstorms in several regions, with river ports instructed to hoist cautionary signal number one. The extended rainfall period raises concerns about potential flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.

Bangladesh’s largest retail chain, Shwapno, has received international recognition for promoting equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The company was named winner in the category of ‘SDG Brand Champion in Sustainable Partnerships and Institutions – Employment for Differently-Abled Individuals’ at the fourth SDG Brand Champion Awards. The announcement was made on Tuesday through a company press release highlighting Shwapno’s long-term efforts to ensure inclusive and equitable workplaces.

According to Shwapno, the award reflects its commitment to inclusive employment, diversity, and social responsibility. The company stated that it will continue expanding job opportunities for persons with disabilities while ensuring a safe, respectful, and discrimination-free work environment. Organizers said this year’s awards aligned with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, receiving 472 nominations across 19 categories. A seven-member grand jury panel of 27 experts selected 34 winners and 25 honorable mentions.

Shwapno also received an honorable mention in the ‘Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – Farm-to-Shelf’ category, recognizing its role in improving agricultural supply chains and innovation. The company reaffirmed its goal to contribute to social and economic development through responsible business practices and sustainable initiatives.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku announced that the government plans to hand over Bangladesh’s electricity distribution system to the private sector. Speaking at a policy conclave on energy security and transition in Dhaka, he said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina agreed with the proposal and urged all stakeholders to prepare for the transition. The minister argued that private management would enhance transparency, improve service quality, and lessen the government’s operational responsibilities, while electricity generation would remain under state control.

Tuku criticized the previous Awami League government, accusing it of corruption and mismanagement that left the energy sector without proper planning or gas exploration. He cited recent disruptions in LNG supply following a fire at an FSRU facility, which caused gas shortages in several regions. The minister emphasized the need to boost domestic gas exploration and strengthen LNG infrastructure to ensure long-term energy security.

He also highlighted new renewable energy policies, including incentives for rooftop solar installations and plans to reach 10,000 megawatts of solar power with international cooperation.

Heavy rainfall and mountain runoff from India have caused the Teesta River to swell, flooding large parts of Rangpur’s Gangachara upazila. Although the river is now flowing six centimeters below the danger level, many low-lying areas remain waterlogged. Students are forced to wade through knee-deep water to reach schools, disrupting education and raising health concerns. Roads remain submerged, and farmers fear crop losses as agricultural lands stay underwater.

In Noheli Union, severe river erosion has already swallowed at least eight houses and hundreds of bighas of farmland. The erosion has also damaged about 200 meters of the embankment protecting the Gangachara-Mahipur Second Teesta Bridge, threatening road connectivity between Rangpur and Lalmonirhat. Around 50,000 residents are living in fear as the river continues to erode its banks.

Local officials said the situation is alarming. The union chairman reported the losses to authorities, while the upazila administration and Water Development Board are preparing damage lists and planning urgent measures to prevent further erosion and assist affected families.

The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has announced three private Hajj packages for 2027, with the lowest-priced package set at Tk 513,545. The announcement was made in Dhaka by HAAB President Syed Golam Sarwar, accompanied by Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumdar. The special package (Package-1) will cost Tk 791,060, the general package (Package-2) Tk 595,580, and the affordable package (Package-3) Tk 513,545. Agencies may also offer an additional special package based on pilgrim demand. Package prices were calculated at an exchange rate of Tk 33.20 per Saudi Riyal and will be adjusted if the rate changes.

Compared to the current year, the 2027 packages show slight increases in cost. The 2026 special package cost Tk 750,000, the general package Tk 550,000, and the affordable package Tk 510,000. HAAB stated that the new packages were prepared based on estimated expenses, as final Saudi-side costs are yet to be confirmed. The packages include meals and mandatory Qurbani payments through the Nusuk platform.

A three-day Hajj and Umrah fair will be held from July 30 at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Center to facilitate direct bookings. The 2027 Hajj is expected to take place on May 15, subject to moon sighting, with around 127,198 pilgrims participating.