The Ministry of Finance announced on Thursday that the monthly car maintenance allowance for government officials, from deputy secretaries to top-level officers, will remain at Tk 50,000. A previous initiative to reduce the allowance by half, to Tk 25,000, has been withdrawn. The decision was confirmed through an official circular issued by the ministry.

The allowance applies not only to civil government officials but also to officers in the judiciary, the Election Commission, and the armed forces. Over the past week, the finance division and the Ministry of Public Administration exchanged letters regarding the proposed reduction, which reportedly caused dissatisfaction among many officials.

The finance division sent a letter to the Ministry of Public Administration on Thursday afternoon instructing that no further action be taken on the earlier proposal made on July 9. As a result, the existing monthly car maintenance allowance of Tk 50,000 remains unchanged.

A new low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal has prompted forecasts of widespread heavy rainfall across Bangladesh from July 20 to 25, according to the national meteorological department. Although the system may not intensify into a strong depression, it has already made the sea rough, leading authorities to issue local cautionary signals for maritime and river ports. Coastal areas including Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been advised to hoist signal number three.

Meteorologists said the low pressure has developed into a well-marked system over the northwest Bay and adjoining Odisha–West Bengal coasts, which could bring gusty winds and thunderstorms to southern and southwestern regions. Experts noted that monsoon activity will strengthen after July 20, causing heavy to very heavy rainfall across the country, particularly in Rangpur, Barishal, Chattogram, Mymensingh, and Sylhet.

Private weather observers warned that continuous rainfall could raise river levels above danger marks and trigger landslides in hilly areas of Sylhet and Chattogram. Authorities have been advised to take precautionary measures in advance.

In Cumilla’s Titas upazila, a canal re-excavation project under the Prime Minister’s Special Priority Program and the Employment Generation Program for the Poorest (EGPP) failed to meet its completion deadline. The upazila administration returned Tk 4,556,703 of unused funds to the government treasury to ensure transparency and accountability in public spending. The project, inaugurated by the local Member of Parliament, aimed to restore water flow, improve drainage, and boost agricultural productivity across a three-kilometer stretch from Darigaon Kathalia River to Gangaprasad.

According to the Project Implementation Office, only 1.067 kilometers of the canal were re-excavated before the June 30 deadline, with Tk 3,172,000 spent on wages, equipment, and transport. Local farmers said the incomplete work left persistent problems of waterlogging during monsoon and irrigation shortages in the dry season. Project Implementation Officer Saidul Islam stated that the remaining funds were returned as per government rules.

Officials said future projects will emphasize stronger planning and supervision to ensure timely completion and full benefits for local residents.

Renowned Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila will perform at a special solo concert and felicitation event on July 24 at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka. The program, organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, aims to honor her lifelong contribution to music and raise support for flood victims. Originally scheduled for July 18, the event was postponed to July 24 due to the ongoing flood situation.

The event will feature Runa Laila performing some of her most popular songs. Minister of Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury MP will attend as the chief guest, with State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam MP and Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, Adviser (Minister of State rank) for Policy and Strategy at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, as special guests. The session will be chaired by Kaniz Mowla, Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

The concert is expected to celebrate Runa Laila’s artistic legacy while contributing to humanitarian relief for those affected by the floods.

Acclaimed Hollywood filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s new film 'The Odyssey' is set for a global release on July 17, 2026. Bangladeshi audiences will be able to watch it the same day at Star Cineplex, marking a simultaneous premiere with the rest of the world. The film has already generated significant discussion worldwide for its scale and subject matter.

' The Odyssey' is based on the ancient Greek epic by poet Homer, depicting the perilous homeward journey of the hero Odysseus after the Trojan War. The story follows his decade-long struggle to return home after being separated from his companions by fate. The film features Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as his son Telemachus, and Anne Hathaway as his wife Penelope, alongside Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, and Jon Bernthal.

The simultaneous release in Bangladesh highlights the country’s growing inclusion in global film distribution networks, offering local audiences early access to major Hollywood releases.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is preparing to begin online income tax return submissions for individual taxpayers by the last week of July 2026. Although the fiscal year has already started, the filing process has not yet opened. NBR sources said preparations are nearly complete, and the system will launch soon to facilitate early submissions under a new incentive scheme. The initiative follows last year’s policy that made online filing mandatory for most individual taxpayers, excluding five specific categories.

According to NBR officials, corporate entities will also be brought under the online filing system for the first time, though that process may take two to three more months. The software provider Synosis IT is upgrading the system to align with recent tax law changes and plans to hand it over to NBR by July 20 for review. NBR is also working with Bangladesh Bank and commercial banks to enable automatic inclusion of banking data in tax returns, though this will remain optional.

Officials believe automated data integration with banks and other agencies could reduce tax evasion and increase government revenue collection.

Cumilla City Corporation conducted a demolition drive on July 15 to remove illegal shops built along the western bank of Dhoromsagar, a historic pond in Cumilla city. The action followed a June 6 report in the newspaper 'Amar Desh' highlighting the occupation of the area by unauthorized vendors. The operation was led by Executive Magistrate Nazia Hossain, who stated that the eviction aimed to preserve the beauty and accessibility of the site.

According to city officials, more than fifty vendors had been running unauthorized businesses by cutting through the protective railing around the pond. Allegations surfaced that a powerful syndicate had facilitated these setups and collected daily extortion payments from the shopkeepers. Visitors and local residents welcomed the eviction, saying the illegal shops had disrupted the environment and public movement.

City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu said the drive was part of a broader effort to beautify Cumilla and warned that all illegal roadside structures across the city would be removed. Local civic leaders urged continuous monitoring to prevent future encroachments.

The United Kingdom government has announced a nighttime social media curfew for 16- to 17-year-olds, restricting access to platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube from midnight to 6 a.m. Users will still be able to disable the restriction through account settings. The government also plans to deactivate features like auto-play and infinite scroll, which it says contribute to addiction. The proposal is expected to be introduced in Parliament by the end of 2026 and take effect next spring.

Officials argue that the curfew and related measures will help improve teenagers’ attention, sleep quality, and family life. The move follows a June decision to ban social media use entirely for those under 16. However, child protection advocates and experts have criticized the plan as insufficient, noting that teens can easily bypass the settings. Some politicians and academics have also questioned its practicality and potential unintended consequences.

Government ministers maintain that the policy will strengthen the UK’s global leadership in regulating technology companies and promote healthier digital habits among young people.

Global gold prices dropped sharply on Thursday, July 16, 2026, as escalating conflict in the Middle East heightened investor anxiety over inflation and potential interest rate hikes. At 9:49 a.m. Bangladesh time, spot gold fell 0.6 percent to 4,034.42 dollars per ounce, while U.S. August futures declined 0.3 percent to 4,039.90 dollars. Analysts linked the decline to rising oil prices and renewed geopolitical tensions.

According to IndusInd Securities senior research analyst Jigar Trivedi, continued attacks between the United States and Iran have driven oil prices higher, reviving inflation fears and pressuring the gold market. The U.S. carried out two strikes on Iranian coastal defenses and missile bases and reimposed naval blockades, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran on U.S. military sites in neighboring countries. Tehran described the confrontation as an “existential struggle.”

Although U.S. inflation eased slightly in June due to lower energy costs, markets remain uncertain about the Federal Reserve’s next moves. CME FedWatch data indicated a 73 percent probability of a rate hike in December. Fed officials reaffirmed their commitment to controlling inflation, while prices of silver, platinum, and palladium also fell alongside gold.

The government of Bangladesh has yet to finalize the long-awaited ninth national pay scale for public servants. A meeting of the National Pay Commission-2025 recommendation committee, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, was expected to approve the new structure but instead decided to conduct further reviews on key financial and administrative issues. The final recommendations will be sent to the Cabinet after several more meetings.

According to officials, the new pay structure will apply to civil servants, judicial officers, and members of the armed forces. The government is proceeding cautiously due to the financial impact and implementation schedule. The commission had proposed raising basic salaries by 100–140 percent, with the lowest grade increasing from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the highest from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000. IMF’s warnings on expenditure control were also discussed, but policymakers emphasized domestic economic realities, including inflation and reduced purchasing power.

Economists believe the new pay scale could boost consumption but also raise government spending. The Cabinet’s decision and subsequent finance ministry notification will determine when the new structure takes effect.

Hamdard Laboratories (Waqf) Bangladesh has provided relief and medical assistance to flood-affected families in Pekua and Chakaria upazilas of Cox’s Bazar. The initiative, held on 14 July 2026, was part of the company’s social responsibility program. Relief materials, free prescriptions, and essential medicines were distributed in Ujantia Forkaner Dokan, Sonali Bazar, Sikdar Para, and Chiringa Union.

Local families expressed appreciation for Hamdard’s humanitarian support during the disaster, thanking the organization for standing by them in their time of need. Company officials stated that serving humanity is Hamdard’s core philosophy and that the organization is committed to alleviating suffering during national crises.

The program, overseen by Additional Managing Director and Head of Marketing Professor Kamrun Nahar Harun, was conducted under the guidance of Managing Director and Chief Motawalli Dr. Hakim Md. Yusuf Harun Bhuiyan. Hamdard announced plans to continue its health, education, and social welfare initiatives across the country.

Veteran Bangladeshi film actress Bobita has announced her plan to build a mosque at her ancestral home in Bijoynagar, Jashore. The national award-winning actress recently visited the site with her sisters, Suchanda and Champa, and finalized the land for the mosque. She expressed deep satisfaction at taking this step, describing it as a meaningful act of service at this stage of her life.

Bobita stated that constructing a mosque has become her greatest wish as she reflects on her life and legacy. She shared that she intends to design the mosque soon and begin construction gradually. The actress also asked for prayers for the successful completion of this initiative.

Bobita, a three-time National Film Award winner for Best Actress since 1975, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 and the Ekushey Padak in 2026, recognizing her enduring contributions to Bangladeshi cinema.

Speakers at a seminar in Barishal on Wednesday called for upgrading the Bhanga–Kuakata highway to six lanes, citing its narrow condition as a major obstacle to industrialization in Bangladesh’s southern coastal region. The discussion took place at a divisional workshop on industrial survey organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), where participants highlighted the need for improved infrastructure to support investment and regional development.

Barishal Divisional Commissioner Khalil Ahmed said the region has not attracted the expected level of investment and lacks major factories. He noted that large tracts of acquired land in Patuakhali and near Payra Port remain unused. Speakers emphasized that developing industries based on local resources such as hilsa fish, coconut, betel nut, and guava could accelerate economic growth. They also underscored Kuakata’s potential as a tourism hub if infrastructure and services are expanded.

Participants agreed that the poor condition of the Bhanga–Kuakata road discourages investors and hampers transport of raw materials, goods, and tourists. They argued that a six-lane upgrade could open a new era for industrial and tourism development in the southern region.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku announced that a comprehensive list of entrepreneurs in the fisheries and livestock sectors will be prepared to ensure sustainable development. He made the statement on Wednesday during a virtual meeting with divisional directors of fisheries and livestock, held at the ministry’s conference room.

Tuku said that a national database will be created through coordination among divisional, district, and upazila-level officials to collect information on farmers and entrepreneurs. He emphasized that educated youth engaging in commercial and science-based farm management can enhance productivity, create employment, and strengthen food security. The minister noted that planned use of inputs reduces production costs and increases profitability, while unplanned use leads to financial losses.

He added that after the list is prepared, divisional meetings will be held with farmers to gather opinions on challenges and opportunities, helping formulate realistic policies and action plans. The government, he said, is committed to strengthening the sector in line with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s emphasis on entrepreneurship, employment, and production growth.

Bangladeshi film actress Pori Moni expressed her deep affection for Argentina’s football team through a social media post on Facebook. In a post made around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, she wrote that she would get married again if Argentina won the cup final. The post quickly drew attention from her fans, many of whom took it as a humorous remark and responded with various reactions in the comments.

This is not the first time Pori Moni has shared her enthusiasm for Argentina. On July 12, she posted the word “Win” with a love reaction, followed by another post saying “Football is a love,” accompanied by a heart reaction and the Argentine flag emoji. In another post the same day, she mentioned her son’s strong support for Argentina, sharing a video of them spending time together at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden Hotel.

Her recent posts highlight her passionate support for Argentina’s football team, sparking lively discussions among her followers on social media.