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.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) inaugurated a new collection booth of Dhaka Bank at its Region-2 office in Khilgaon on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The initiative aims to make revenue collection more dynamic, simplify trade license fee payments, and ensure easier access to banking services for residents. The booth was inaugurated by DSCC Administrator and freedom fighter Md. Abdus Salam.

In his speech, Abdus Salam said the government is committed to improving service quality through competitive systems. He criticized the previous government for limiting collection operations to a single entity and stated that the current administration believes in open competition, where efficient service providers will advance. He expressed hope that Dhaka Bank would prove its capability and deliver quality services to citizens.

Salam reaffirmed the government’s pledge to simplify civic services and enhance accountability within DSCC. He instructed officials to ensure timely service delivery and emphasized citizen awareness in maintaining drainage systems during the monsoon. He also urged residents and political activists to volunteer in community service initiatives.

Ramganj Municipality in Lakshmipur has announced a budget of Tk 55 crore 58 lakh 22 thousand 941 for the 2026–2027 fiscal year without imposing any new taxes. The total projected income stands at Tk 55 crore 58 lakh 80 thousand 941, while the total expenditure is estimated at Tk 44 crore 64 lakh 80 thousand 994, leaving a surplus of Tk 10 crore 93 lakh 41 thousand 947. The announcement was made on Wednesday morning at the municipal conference room by municipal administrator and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kazi Atikur Rahman.

The budget session was conducted by municipal administrative officer Zakir Hossain Helal and attended by local political leaders, municipal officials, and representatives from various professional and civic groups. Among those present were Ramganj Upazila BNP leaders, municipal officials, and members of the local press club.

The presentation highlighted the municipality’s financial planning for the upcoming fiscal year, emphasizing balanced expenditure and revenue management without additional tax burdens on residents.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced major reforms in the internal audit system of all scheduled banks through a new directive issued on Tuesday. The Internal Control Management System (ICMS) replaces the 2016 guidelines on internal control and compliance. Under the new rules, internal audit, compliance, and risk management functions are separated to ensure greater independence. For the first time, a whistleblower mechanism is made mandatory, allowing internal auditors to confidentially report corruption or serious irregularities by a bank’s board or managing director directly to Bangladesh Bank without prior approval from management.

The directive requires each bank to establish secure channels such as hotlines, email, or sealed written submissions for receiving complaints while ensuring whistleblower anonymity. Bangladesh Bank will take action against any bank that retaliates against whistleblowers. The new system also introduces forensic, concurrent, and virtual audits to strengthen oversight. Banks must adopt technology-based monitoring to detect trade-based money laundering, credit and market risks, cyber threats, and fraud.

All scheduled banks have been instructed to complete necessary organizational changes and implement the new directive by December 31.

The United States and Jordan have signed a new bilateral trade agreement in Washington aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. Under the deal, the United States will cap reciprocal tariffs on Jordanian imports at a maximum of 10 percent. The agreement was signed by Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, Yarub Qudah, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

The accord grants Jordanian apparel and textile industries greater preferential access to the U.S. market, while easing entry for American agricultural and automotive products into Jordan. It builds upon the 2001 U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement and follows nearly a year of negotiations. Jordan will maintain duty-free access for U.S. goods under the earlier framework and expand market access by enforcing environmental laws, protecting labor rights and intellectual property, and modernizing customs procedures.

Recent commercial deals between the two nations include Royal Jordanian Airlines’ purchase of six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners worth $1.4 billion, a $500 million aircraft leasing agreement, Hikma Pharmaceuticals’ $1 billion U.S. investment pledge by 2030, and annual Jordanian purchases of over $300 million in U.S. raw materials.

Six people have died in wildfires sweeping across several provinces of Algeria amid an ongoing heatwave, according to the country's Interior Ministry. The ministry confirmed that fires are still burning in some areas, and emergency teams have been deployed with necessary personnel and equipment to bring the situation under control.

In a statement cited by AFP from Algiers, the ministry said that a comprehensive operation has been launched across all provinces to survey and list damages, ensuring proper compensation for affected residents. The fires have spread widely in northern Algeria, where extreme heat has triggered hundreds of blazes in recent days.

The Interior Ministry’s announcement reflects growing concern over recurring wildfires in the region, which have caused multiple deaths in recent years. Authorities are focusing on damage assessment and relief coordination as firefighting efforts continue.

Bangladesh Bank has simplified foreign currency transaction procedures for freelancers and individual service exporters. According to a circular issued on Wednesday, inward remittances up to 20,000 US dollars will no longer require a formal declaration. Additionally, freelancers can now receive up to 10,000 US dollars per transaction through online payment gateway service providers, provided the earnings are repatriated within the stipulated time.

The initiative aims to support the country’s growing digital service sector. The circular allows freelancers to use platform statements, emails, invoices, or other digital communications as valid proof of income, reducing dependence on traditional export documentation. It also introduces a dual-currency “freelancer card” and expands the use of mobile financial service and payment service providers to make digital transactions more efficient.

Under the new rules, IT freelancers may retain up to 50 percent of their export earnings in foreign currency under the Exporters’ Retention Quota, while other service exporters may retain up to 30 percent. Stakeholders believe the move will encourage more freelancers to bring foreign income through formal channels, increase foreign exchange inflows, and enhance transparency in the digital trade sector.

Individual taxpayers in Bangladesh can now file their income tax returns for the 2026–27 fiscal year through the National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) e-return system. Acting NBR Chairman Ahsan Habib formally inaugurated the program on Wednesday. The board has introduced a new incentive for early filers: those submitting returns between July and September 30 will receive a 5 percent rebate on net payable tax or up to 25,000 taka. Returns filed after the deadline will not qualify for this benefit, and submissions after December will incur penalties.

The NBR first launched the online return system in 2021 and made it mandatory last year. However, senior citizens aged 65 or above, physically challenged taxpayers, Bangladeshis residing abroad, representatives of deceased taxpayers, and foreign nationals working in Bangladesh may still file paper returns. In the 2025–26 fiscal year, a record 4.7 million individuals filed returns through the e-return system.

Taxpayers can pay taxes via bank transfer, cards, or mobile financial services such as bKash, Rocket, and Nagad. The NBR call center offers assistance during office hours on working days.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved eight development projects with a total expenditure of Tk 14,041.21 crore. Of this, Tk 10,494.21 crore will come from government funding and Tk 3,550.44 crore from project loans. The approval was given at an ECNEC meeting held on Wednesday at the Cabinet Room of the Bangladesh Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman. Among the approved projects, three are new and five are revised.

The approved projects include three under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, one under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, one under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, two under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and one under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Additionally, the meeting was informed about 11 smaller projects costing less than Tk 50 crore that had already been approved by the Planning Minister.

These smaller projects cover areas such as regional offices for the National University, road upgrades, mobile network installation at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal, and infrastructure development for power transmission and vocational training centers.

A 22-kilogram Katla fish was caught in the Padma River at Goaland, Rajbari, and sold for Tk 50,600 through a video call. The fish was caught early Wednesday by fisherman Jahurul Haldar of Pangsha upazila at the confluence of the Padma and Jamuna rivers. It was brought to the Daulatdia Ghat market, where it weighed 22 kilograms on a digital scale. In an open auction, fish trader Md. Samrat Shahjahan Sheikh bought it for Tk 46,200 and later sold it to a Rajshahi businessman for Tk 50,600 using online communication.

The trader said large Katla fish from the Padma River are always in high demand, and online platforms now make it easier to find good buyers quickly. Goaland Upazila Fisheries Officer Md. Anwarul Islam Pilot noted that a seasonal ban on Hilsa fishing has increased the catch of other species like Katla, Rui, and Boal. He added that establishing permanent sanctuaries in the river could help sustain larger fish populations.

Local residents gathered to see the rare large fish, as such big Katla catches are uncommon in the area.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka on Wednesday to discuss the current state, export potential, and challenges of the country’s textile industry. During the meeting, he directed the formation of a high-level committee to review and resolve the existing problems in the sector. The meeting was confirmed by the Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Hasan Shiplu.

BTMA leaders highlighted the textile industry’s significant contribution to the national economy and sought government support for its sustainable development. They also urged policy assistance to enhance competitiveness in international markets. Prime Minister Rahman praised the industry’s role in industrialization, job creation, and export earnings, assuring government cooperation for its advancement.

The newly formed committee is expected to assess ongoing issues and propose timely solutions to strengthen the textile sector’s performance and global competitiveness.

The water level of the Jamuneswari River flowing through Taraganj and Badarganj upazilas of Rangpur suddenly rose above the danger mark on Wednesday morning. Continuous rainfall over several days caused the river to swell unusually, creating erosion fears among residents on both banks. At 9 a.m. at the Barati point in Taraganj, the river was flowing 15 centimeters above the danger level, measuring 34.68 meters where the danger mark is 34.53 meters.

According to the Water Development Board, the Jamuneswari originates in Dimla upazila of Nilphamari and flows through several areas before joining the Karatoa River in Pirganj. Officials said heavy rainfall in upstream areas such as Domar and Dimla caused the rapid rise in water level. Local residents expressed concern, noting that the river rarely crosses the danger level. The Rangpur weather office reported rainfall of 22 millimeters in Dalia, 18 millimeters in Kaunia, and 10 millimeters in Rangpur between Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Water Development Board officials assured that there is no reason for panic and that the water level is expected to recede once the rainfall decreases.

Archaeologists in El Salvador have discovered human remains believed to be around 3,000 years old, according to the country’s Ministry of Culture. The remains were first unearthed on July 2 from a burial site in Antiguo Cuscatlán, a suburb of San Salvador. Officials estimate the remains date back to approximately 850 BCE. A small clay vessel in the Usulután style, shaped like a sea turtle, was also found at the site, along with remnants of cassava branches preserved under layers of volcanic ash.

Researchers reported that the body was found lying face down. To confirm its age, radiocarbon testing will be conducted, and DNA analysis will determine the individual’s gender. The Ministry of Culture noted that the site may contain additional burials similar to those found in the Chalchuapa archaeological area of western El Salvador.

In the 1970s, archaeologists uncovered 33 human remains at Chalchuapa, considered the earliest evidence of human sacrifice in Mesoamerica. Many of those skeletons were found face down, some with bound limbs or signs of decapitation.

Global oil prices continued their upward trend as Brent crude futures rose by one dollar, or 1.1 percent, reaching 92.01 dollars per barrel. The price of US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by 82 cents, or 1 percent, to 85.16 dollars per barrel. According to Reuters, the rise followed recent military actions involving the United States and Iran in the Middle East.

The report stated that US forces carried out attacks in southern and western Iran, while Iran targeted US installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. These developments pushed oil prices to their highest level in five weeks by Tuesday, when Brent futures settled at 91.01 dollars per barrel and WTI at 84.91 dollars.

The continued escalation of regional tensions has reinforced market concerns about potential disruptions to oil supply, sustaining the upward momentum in global crude prices.

France’s parliament has passed a new law prohibiting social media use by individuals under the age of 15. The legislation, introduced by President Emmanuel Macron, aims to protect minors from online bullying, harmful content, sexual predators, and mental health risks. It also bans mobile phone use in high schools and is expected to take effect on September 1.

Under the law, social media platforms must implement age verification systems, though educational digital services are exempt. France becomes the first country in Europe to enact such a measure. Similar initiatives are being considered in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. The European Union may also announce new online safety guidelines for children in September.

Critics argue that enforcing the ban could be difficult and may raise privacy concerns. Social media companies maintain that they already have measures in place to protect minors online.