Abdur Rahman Khan, the recently retired chairman of Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR), is set to be appointed as the country’s next executive director at the World Bank. He will succeed Sharifa Khan, the former senior secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), who currently holds the position. Once the official government notification is issued, Abdur Rahman Khan will represent Bangladesh on the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors.

According to relevant sources, the Prime Minister’s Office has already approved the file related to his appointment. The executive director represents member countries on the World Bank’s board, participating in key decisions regarding loans, grants, development projects, policy matters, and other financial operations. The alternate executive director performs duties in the absence of the executive director and assists in board activities.

The appointment marks a continuation of Bangladesh’s representation in the World Bank’s decision-making body, ensuring the country’s participation in shaping global development and financial policies.

A free shuttle service has been launched at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka to ensure safe, convenient, and comfortable transport for arriving and departing passengers. The initiative, funded by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), was inaugurated by Group Captain S M Ragib Samad, Executive Director of the airport, at a ceremony held in front of the airport canopy.

The service operates under the guidance of the Minister and State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism and the CAAB Chairman. Initially, the buses will run between the airport and key nearby points including the Airport Bus Stand, Jasimuddin Mor, Airport Railway Station, and Kawla. The service aims to provide free, fast, and secure travel between major connection points for passengers, particularly benefiting senior citizens, women, children, physically challenged travelers, and those carrying heavy luggage.

According to CAAB, the initiative is expected to reduce dependence on private vehicles, ease traffic congestion around the airport, and promote an environmentally friendly transport system while improving overall passenger service quality.

Global oil prices rose sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire with Iran was over. The declaration came following overnight retaliatory attacks between the United States and Iran, triggering volatility in energy markets. On Wednesday, international benchmark Brent crude increased by 6 percent to reach 78 dollars per barrel, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 5.95 percent to 74.60 dollars per barrel. In contrast, European share prices fell by 1.6 percent.

Earlier, oil prices had already climbed more than 2 percent on Wednesday following renewed U.S. strikes and the reinstatement of trade sanctions against Iran. On Tuesday, prices had risen by nearly 3 percent. The developments reflect heightened geopolitical tensions affecting global energy markets.

Speaking at the NATO summit alongside Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said the memorandum of understanding with Iran was “over” and described it as a waste of time, signaling a further deterioration in U.S.-Iran relations.

On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, nearly 99 percent of the global population will experience daylight at the same time due to the Earth's tilt and the ongoing summer in the Northern Hemisphere. For about one minute, most of the planet’s densely populated regions will be illuminated by the sun, leaving only a small fraction of people in darkness. Around 5:10 p.m. Bangladesh time (11:10 a.m. GMT), approximately 8.2 billion people will be under daylight or twilight.

Daylight will cover most parts of North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, where the majority of the world’s population resides. Nighttime will prevail only in Australia, New Zealand, parts of Southeast Asia, Antarctica, and nearby oceanic areas.

This phenomenon is not unique to this year. Between May 18 and July 17 each year, there is a brief daily period when about 99 percent of people on Earth experience daylight or twilight simultaneously, coinciding with the Northern Hemisphere’s longest days in June before the sun gradually shifts southward.

A landslide in the Khajurtala area of Jungle Salimpur, Sitakunda, Chattogram, killed a 10-month-old child and injured his mother on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. when a portion of a nearby hill collapsed onto the house of local resident Mohin Uddin, destroying the dwelling and burying the family under debris. The deceased child was identified as Ashraful Islam Tanvir, son of Mohin Uddin. The injured mother received initial medical treatment following the accident.

Local sources reported that the landslide struck suddenly, leaving little time for the family to react. In response to the incident, authorities have urged residents living in vulnerable hillside areas to relocate to safer locations to prevent further casualties. Attempts to contact the in-charge of the Faujdarhat police outpost, Md. Rubel, for additional information were unsuccessful.

The event highlights ongoing risks faced by communities residing near unstable slopes in the region, prompting renewed calls for precautionary measures and relocation efforts.

Six fishermen from Patuakhali’s Galachipa upazila remain missing three days after their fishing trawler capsized in the Bay of Bengal. The incident occurred on the night of July 5, about 60 kilometers south of Maudubi in Rangabali upazila, when the vessel was struck by a sudden storm. Five crew members were rescued alive, two of whom are receiving treatment at Galachipa Upazila Health Complex. The Coast Guard and local fishermen have continued search operations, but no trace of the missing men has been found as of Wednesday afternoon.

The missing fishermen are residents of Gazalia, Panpatti, and Sadar unions, while the rescued include trawler owner Imadul Sikder and four others. According to Sikder, the trawler overturned suddenly, trapping three men inside the cabin. The survivors clung to floating debris and buoys for hours before being rescued by another fishing boat early Monday. A general diary has been filed with Galachipa Police Station regarding the incident.

Local authorities have sought assistance from the Navy to support the ongoing rescue efforts.

A landslide in Renchang village of Dangchang County, located in China's northwestern Gansu province, has killed 21 people. The incident occurred at 6:56 a.m. on Tuesday, when 33 people were buried under debris. Rescue teams quickly arrived at the site and launched an operation, which has now concluded, according to China's state news agency Xinhua.

Following the disaster, the Chinese government allocated 30 million yuan for reconstruction in the affected area. On the same day, severe storms and heavy rainfall in southern and central China killed about 17 people and injured hundreds. In Guangxi, flooding occurred in around 40 rivers and waterways, and a reservoir dam collapsed under water pressure, forcing thousands to evacuate.

President Xi Jinping has instructed authorities to make maximum efforts in rescue and relief operations, as multiple regions continue to face extreme weather conditions.

A 22-kilometer-long traffic jam has formed on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway, stretching from the World Road roundabout in Sarail, Brahmanbaria, to Budhanti in Bijoynagar upazila. The congestion began on Tuesday evening and worsened by Wednesday morning after two cargo trucks broke down near Shahbazpur Bridge and Islamabad areas, causing severe suffering for thousands of passengers and transport workers.

According to police and local sources, the gridlock started when a lorry and a covered van collided head-on in heavy rain at Baishamura in Sarail upazila. Although highway police and fire service personnel removed the damaged vehicles after about an hour, the traffic backlog had already built up. Continuous rain overnight left potholes filled with water, further worsening road conditions.

Only one lane toward Sylhet remains open at the World Road intersection, as development work has closed two other lanes. Highway police are working continuously to ease the situation and restore normal traffic flow as soon as possible.

Chattogram experienced its highest rainfall in 43 years, with 394 millimeters recorded in 24 hours on Tuesday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. The previous record was 407 millimeters on July 5, 1983. The heavy and continuous downpour submerged large parts of the city, including major roads and low-lying areas, causing severe disruption for residents. Authorities have warned people living near hills to move to safer places due to landslide risks.

Other regions also saw significant rainfall, including Bandarban with 176 millimeters, Sitakunda 170, Hatiya 143, Khepupara 106, and Teknaf 94. Even Dhaka experienced waterlogging after 46 millimeters of rain. The weather office stated that rainfall above 88 millimeters in 24 hours is considered very heavy. A warning signed by meteorologist A.K.M. Nazmul Haque said heavy to very heavy rain may continue in several divisions over the next 48 hours.

The Bangladesh Weather Observatory Team reported that a strong monsoon belt has entered the country and may remain active until July 13, with risks of flash floods and landslides in Sylhet and the Chattogram Hill Tracts.

Train operations between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar were disrupted as four scheduled services were canceled due to waterlogging on the railway line. Two trains, the Prabal Express from Chattogram and the Saikat Express from Cox’s Bazar, had their entire journeys canceled. The remaining two, Cox’s Bazar Express and Parjotok Express, suspended only the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar leg, with alternative arrangements made to transport passengers to their destinations. Ticket refunds began Wednesday morning for affected passengers.

According to railway officials, the cancellations were caused by flooding that submerged about two feet of track between Soloshahar and Janalihut in Chattogram city. The Cox’s Bazar Express could not depart for Cox’s Bazar but was rescheduled to leave for Dhaka at 4 p.m. Passengers holding tickets for the canceled route who wished to travel to Dhaka were allowed to use the same tickets for the rescheduled train.

Railway authorities stated that refunds were being processed at ticket counters and that operations would resume once water levels recede.

The Sahati River in Jhenaigati upazila of Sherpur is facing a severe existential crisis due to encroachment and pollution. Local residents report that influential individuals have occupied large portions of the riverbanks, planting trees and converting the land for private use. They are demanding immediate government intervention to reclaim the occupied areas, dredge the river, and construct embankments on both sides to prevent further damage.

Residents of Chapajhora village say the river is a key drainage route for hill runoff in northern Jhenaigati, but water flow has deteriorated drastically. The absence of embankments causes annual flooding, damaging homes and farmland. Over the past two years, about 40–50 feet of land along the northern bank has turned into sand, threatening 100–150 acres of cropland.

Officials from the Sherpur Water Development Board stated that a proposal has been sent to higher authorities for excavation and drainage improvement. They emphasized the river’s importance to local agriculture and pledged to expedite necessary work.

The state-owned National Jute Mill in Sirajganj, one of northern Bangladesh’s largest industrial units, has remained closed for two years, leaving thousands of workers unemployed. Machinery has rusted due to prolonged inactivity, while the government continues to spend around Tk 6.5 to 7 million monthly on salaries for 189 officials and employees, as well as electricity bills. Despite generating no income, the mill continues to drain public funds.

The mill, originally built in 1960 as Qaumi Jute Mill, was once a major source of employment for about 5,000 people. It faced repeated closures due to corruption and bureaucratic complications, first in 2007, then again in 2020. A private group briefly leased and operated it in 2022 but shut down in 2024, leaving unpaid wages and bonuses. Workers and local leaders have demanded the mill’s reopening to restore livelihoods and prevent further waste of public money.

The mill’s general manager said efforts are underway through the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation to lease the facility again, expressing hope that operations could resume soon.

Continuous heavy rainfall has caused severe waterlogging across low-lying areas of Chattogram, disrupting daily life and transport. Streets have gone underwater, slowing vehicle movement and forcing residents to wade through water to reach destinations. The city recorded 237.5 millimeters of rain in 24 hours until Wednesday morning, following 412 millimeters the previous day. Despite city corporation claims of improved drainage, incidents such as a wall collapse in East Nasirabad killing one person and road damage near Patenga have highlighted the impact.

Transport and port operations have been severely affected. Train services on the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar route remain suspended, and several flights failed to land at Shah Amanat International Airport due to adverse weather. The district administration has issued warning signal number three, citing increased landslide risks. Evacuation drives are underway in 26 risky hill areas, with schools and mosques prepared as temporary shelters.

Meteorologists attribute the heavy rain to active monsoon winds and moisture from the Bay of Bengal. Forecasts warn of continued heavy rainfall and potential flash floods in Chattogram and nearby districts over the next 48 to 72 hours, with gradual improvement expected after July 11.

Global oil prices climbed again after the United States launched airstrikes on Iran and reinstated trade sanctions. According to a Reuters report, oil prices rose more than 2 percent on Wednesday, with Brent crude increasing by 1.92 dollars to 76.08 dollars per barrel and West Texas Intermediate rising by 1.82 dollars to 72.26 dollars per barrel. The renewed sanctions on Iranian oil sales and the breakdown of a temporary truce between the two countries have fueled market instability.

Analysts noted that while the decision may not cause major structural changes in the oil market, investor anxiety has increased. The United States said its strikes followed Iranian attacks that damaged three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Experts warned that the incident underscores ongoing risks to shipping in the region, and prolonged tensions could reduce global oil supply if vessel traffic falls below half of normal levels.

Oil prices had previously declined after a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran last month, which had raised expectations of increased Middle Eastern oil supply.

A recent report by India’s government think tank NITI Aayog has revealed that despite producing about 20 percent of the world’s generic medicines, India remains heavily dependent on China for key raw materials. The report highlights that over 65 percent of key starting materials and active pharmaceutical ingredients used in Indian drug manufacturing come from China, with dependency exceeding 85 percent for critical drugs such as antibiotics and fever medicines. This structural reliance poses a major risk to India’s pharmaceutical supply chain, which could be disrupted by geopolitical tensions or trade restrictions.

The report contrasts India’s global reputation as the “pharmacy of the world” with its limited financial returns and fragile industrial base. It notes that while India supplies around 60 percent of global vaccines, its share in the vaccine market’s total value is only 0.6 percent. NITI Aayog attributes this imbalance to low research and development investment, bureaucratic hurdles, and restrictive environmental regulations that have driven manufacturers to import cheaper Chinese materials.

The analysis warns that without sustained R&D investment, streamlined patent processes, and practical environmental policies, India’s “Made in India” initiative will remain dependent on “Made in China.”