The Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) has issued a public warning after discovering a fraudulent group using the name and designation of its Director (Training and Development) to conduct fake training programs and circulate forged documents. In a press release on Tuesday, BCC urged all government offices, educational institutions, and the public to remain alert against such scams.

According to the statement, the group has been spreading false letters and notices under a project titled 'Modernization of Urban and Rural Life through Information Technology.' The forged documents, dated June 28, 2026, falsely claimed that computer application training would be held in 520 secondary schools across 104 upazilas, with financial transactions involving fees and allowances. BCC clarified that all its training and financial dealings are conducted only through official channels and that it never charges trainees any fees.

The council further advised against engaging in any unauthorized financial transactions and stated that it will not bear responsibility for dealings with unapproved individuals or organizations.

Pakistani singer Atif Aslam has confirmed through a video message that he will perform live in Dhaka this Friday. The announcement was shared on the social media pages of the organizing company Main Stage, where Atif expressed excitement about meeting his fans and performing at the Cricketers Academy on 300 Feet Road. The concert, titled “Main Stage Featuring Atif Aslam,” will take place in the capital, with gates opening at 2 p.m. and closing at 6 p.m. The main show will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The event will also feature performances by Bangladeshi bands Meghdol and Level Five. Organizers stated that Atif Aslam will arrive in Bangladesh tomorrow. The concert was originally scheduled for December 13 last year but was postponed due to security clearance issues. Fans who retained their tickets from the postponed event can use them for the new date, while those awaiting refunds may reclaim their tickets by withdrawing refund requests.

The confirmation video has sparked excitement among Dhaka’s music lovers, ending months of speculation about the concert’s rescheduling.

Bangladeshi filmmaker Adnan Al Rajib, whose short film ‘Ali’ won an award at the Cannes Film Festival, is set to make his debut as a feature film director. The film is scheduled for theatrical release next year. Although the cast has not been officially announced, speculation suggests that actor Siam Ahmed may play the lead role. Rajib confirmed that discussions with Siam are ongoing but nothing has been finalized yet.

Rajib, known for his work in short films, advertisements, and television dramas, said he has long been searching for a distinctive romantic story for his first full-length project. He described the story as one that evolved slowly over time, reflecting his personal creative journey. The director is currently focused on finalizing the screenplay, revising multiple drafts, and selecting the cast.

If Siam Ahmed is confirmed, he will appear in a romantic role contrasting his recent action-oriented performances. Filming is expected to begin later this year, with the female lead yet to be chosen and announced officially.

State-owned Rupali Bank PLC has launched a public awareness campaign to promote Bangla QR, the universal QR code-based digital payment system introduced by Bangladesh Bank. The campaign aims to increase awareness among customers and the general public about the benefits of Bangla QR and to expand cashless transactions across the country. The event took place on Tuesday in Moghbazar, Dhaka, with the bank’s Managing Director Kazi Md. Wahidul Islam in attendance.

During the program, leaflets were distributed at several locations including Moghbazar intersection, in front of the TCB building at Karwan Bazar, Nayatola, and Rampura. The initiative informed both the public and business owners about the advantages of using Bangla QR and encouraged them to adopt cashless payment methods. Senior officials of the bank, including Deputy Managing Director Hasan Tanvir and Chief Information Technology Officer Md. Ohidul Islam Sarkar, participated in the event.

The campaign also involved managers and officials from Rupali Bank’s regional and branch offices in Dhaka North, Dhaka South, and other key zones, reflecting a coordinated effort to promote digital financial inclusion.

The Government of Bangladesh has announced new air travel privileges for expatriate cardholders, including discounted air tickets, access to the Balaka Lounge, and priority check-in and boarding. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam revealed the initiative during a briefing at the ministry’s conference room on Tuesday, emphasizing that these benefits will be provided through the expatriate card system.

The meeting was attended by Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, and other senior officials. Afroza Khanam stated that the government is committed to ensuring hassle-free air services for expatriates and has already introduced a shuttle bus service at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Millat added that the ministry is also considering special discounts for expatriates at Bangladesh Tourism Corporation hotels and motels.

The initiative aligns with the government’s election manifesto, aiming to strengthen facilities for Bangladeshi expatriates and improve their travel experience through coordinated efforts between relevant ministries.

Severe river erosion by the Teesta has caused extensive damage in Kachharipara village of Noheli Union under Gangachara upazila in Rangpur. Over the past few days, at least eight houses have been swallowed by the river, and hundreds of bighas of cultivable land have been lost. As the water level began to recede, the erosion intensified, leaving hundreds of riverside families in fear and distress.

During a field visit on Tuesday, it was observed that the riverbank soil was collapsing rapidly under the strong current. Many families have already lost their yards, while others are dismantling their homes to save materials. Several families are now living under the open sky with minimal belongings. Local residents described losing their homes and livelihoods within moments, expressing uncertainty about where to take shelter.

Union Parishad Chairman Ashraf Ali said the situation is alarming and has been reported to the upazila administration and the Water Development Board. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jesmin Akter stated that a list of affected families is being prepared, and coordinated measures with the Water Development Board are underway to ensure government assistance.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard seized around 30 kilograms of illegal deer meat and detained a meat trader during a special operation in the Nalian area of the Sundarbans. The operation was conducted on Monday, July 20, near Nalian Closure Para in Dacope upazila, Khulna, based on secret information. The seized meat is estimated to be worth about 66,000 taka. The information was confirmed in a press release issued on Tuesday, July 21, by Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon.

According to the Coast Guard, the confiscated deer meat and the detained individual were handed over to the Nalian Forest Patrol Station for further legal action. The press release also stated that the Coast Guard will continue its operations to protect the biodiversity and wildlife of the Sundarbans. Regular drives will be carried out to prevent wildlife killing, hunting, and trafficking.

The operation underscores the Coast Guard’s ongoing commitment to curbing illegal wildlife trade and preserving the ecological balance of the Sundarbans region.

Sitakunda in Chattogram is rapidly developing into one of Bangladesh’s most promising nature-based tourism destinations, combining hills, sea, waterfalls, and cultural heritage. Key attractions include Chandranath Hill with its temple at 1,200 feet, Guliakhali Beach surrounded by mangroves, and several waterfalls such as Khoiyachhara and Napittachhara. Tourist arrivals have increased year-round, boosting local businesses and employment.

The tourism boom has brought visible economic benefits through new hotels, restaurants, transport services, and small enterprises. Authorities have installed digital information boards with QR codes and strengthened monitoring by tourist police and the forest department. However, inadequate transport links, limited quality accommodation, and poor waste management remain major challenges. Most intercity trains do not stop at Sitakunda, forcing visitors to rely on road travel.

Local officials and tourism stakeholders emphasize the need for a coordinated master plan, improved connectivity, and eco-friendly infrastructure. They believe that with planned investment and sustainable management, Sitakunda could become a leading nature-based tourism destination in South Asia.

At least nine workers were killed and fifteen others remained trapped after a tunnel under construction for a hydropower project collapsed in Sikkim, northeastern India. The incident occurred on Monday near the Teesta River, according to officials who briefed reporters on Tuesday. Rajib Roka, director of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, said that between 25 and 27 people were initially trapped, and nine bodies have been recovered so far.

Preliminary reports suggest that an explosion deep inside the tunnel may have triggered the collapse, though the exact cause remains uncertain. The region has experienced continuous heavy monsoon rains in recent days, which may have contributed to the disaster. Toxic methane gas released from underground rock layers has complicated rescue efforts, allowing only teams equipped with oxygen gear to enter the tunnel.

Authorities have flown in a specialized rescue team trained for mining accidents to assist in the operation. Environmental experts have warned that rapid infrastructure development in the fragile Himalayan region increases the risk of such disasters.

The Venezuelan government announced on Monday that the death toll from last month’s twin earthquakes has risen to 5,278. The quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck the northern region of the country on June 24, severely affecting La Guaira state and areas around the capital, Caracas. The updated figures were released in the government’s latest report.

According to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, at least 16,740 people were injured and are receiving treatment. Official data indicate that more than 850 buildings were damaged, with 190 completely destroyed. Authorities have not yet provided a confirmed number of missing persons.

More than 23,500 displaced residents have been given shelter in temporary camps set up in stadiums and public squares, where volunteers are assisting with relief distribution and basic services.

Owners of CNG filling stations in Bangladesh have announced an indefinite strike starting August 23, 2026, demanding an increase in their sales commission. The announcement came at a press conference held in Bijoynagar, Dhaka, on Tuesday, organized by the Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association. As a preliminary step, the owners plan a symbolic one-day strike on July 30 from 6 a.m. to midnight if their demands are not met.

According to the association, the current commission rate of Tk 8 per cubic meter has remained unchanged for about 11 years, despite rising inflation, higher minimum wages, increased dollar value, and growing operational costs. The owners argue that continuing operations under the existing rate has become financially unsustainable.

The association presented four demands to the government: raising the commission to at least Tk 13.96 per cubic meter, introducing an automatic adjustment mechanism for future fuel price changes, abolishing the practice of collecting additional deposits from old customers, and reducing various government license and renewal fees to reasonable levels.

A new project worth Tk 685.86 crore to protect Bhola Sadar and Daulatkhan upazilas from severe erosion of the Meghna River is set to be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Wednesday. The project, fully funded by the government, aims to reduce risks of erosion, tidal surges, and waterlogging through riverbank protection, coastal embankment rehabilitation, slope protection, and drainage infrastructure construction.

Before submission to ECNEC, the Planning Commission’s Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) raised objections, particularly over the high cost of Tk 505 crore for only four kilometers of riverbank protection, calling for a cost review. After minor adjustments, the cost was reduced to Tk 503.77 crore, and a revised proposal was resubmitted. The project, to be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board under the Water Resources Ministry, is scheduled from March 2026 to June 2030.

The feasibility study by the Institute of Water Modelling found the project economically viable, with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.56 and an internal rate of return of 17.85 percent. The Planning Commission recommended approval, noting it would protect key infrastructure and strengthen coastal resilience.

Portugal’s parliament has approved a new law mandating that all ride-sharing drivers must know the Portuguese language, creating uncertainty for thousands of Bangladeshi migrants working in the sector. The legislation, passed on July 17 with support from the Social Democratic Party and the right-wing Chega party, is expected to affect drivers in Lisbon and Porto who rely on Uber and Bolt for their main source of income.

Under the new rules, drivers must complete at least 50 hours of driving training and score a minimum of 27 out of 30 on the final licensing exam. Passengers will also be able to select Portuguese-speaking drivers through the app, which could disadvantage those lacking language proficiency. The law further introduces permanent digital stickers for ride-sharing vehicles to prevent fraud and mandates video-only recording for passenger safety.

The changes are likely to disrupt the livelihoods of many Bangladeshi expatriates who entered the ride-sharing industry seeking better earnings in Portugal.

The Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA) of Bangladesh has come under scrutiny after its new chair, Mir Nadia Nivin, initiated steps to reduce insurance company registration fees from 2.5 taka to 1 taka per thousand taka premium. The move follows pressure from the Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA) and other industry groups, which had earlier opposed the fee increase introduced by former chairman Dr. M. Aslam Alam. Financial analysts warn that the reduction could significantly weaken IDRA’s institutional capacity and reduce government revenue by over 270 million taka.

Economist Dr. Mahmud Osman Imam stated that registration fees are a vital revenue source for IDRA, which lacks other major income streams. He argued that lowering the fee without stakeholder consultation raises transparency concerns and will not solve the sector’s structural problems. According to him, 42 of the country’s 82 insurance companies are financially weak, requiring deeper reforms rather than fee cuts.

Mir Nadia Nivin defended her decision, saying it was based on legal opinion and that the 1 taka rate would apply only for 2026, with the 2.5 taka rate effective from 2027. She denied allegations of favoritism and said all decisions were made in line with government policy and existing regulations.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 50 percent tariff on a range of Canadian imports, including wine, hockey sticks, and cement. The White House stated that the measure will take effect within 30 days. Key Canadian exports such as energy, potash, critical minerals, and fish are exempt from the new tariffs. Trump justified the move by accusing Canada of unfair treatment toward U.S. automobiles, dairy, and alcohol products.

The decision applies to all listed goods regardless of their status under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), marking a new escalation in trade tensions between the two neighboring countries. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded that Canada is ready to intensify trade talks with the U.S. in the coming weeks. He criticized the tariffs as a continuation of unilateral actions that violate the USMCA and threaten Canada’s sovereignty.

The two countries were already engaged in trade disputes over steel, aluminum, copper, and softwood products. The new tariffs are expected to further strain economic relations across North America.