European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers are under renewed pressure as fresh conflict in the Middle East pushes oil prices upward. The escalation has raised concerns about inflation in the eurozone, prompting debate over whether to raise interest rates again this week. The ECB had increased rates in June for the first time since 2023 after inflation surged, but most analysts now expect the main rate to remain unchanged at 2.25 percent.

Economists cited in the report said the recent rise in oil prices has not yet had a broad impact on eurozone inflation. Felix Schmidt of Berenberg Bank and Carsten Brzeski of ING both suggested that the ECB is likely to hold rates steady, though a small chance of a hike remains. The renewed conflict, including Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has intensified debate between policy “hawks” favoring tighter measures and “doves” preferring flexibility.

Investors are expected to watch ECB President Christine Lagarde’s post-meeting remarks for clues about future policy direction. Some analysts believe another rate increase could come in September, though the outlook remains uncertain.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded on Sunday night with the final match between Spain and Argentina, but the excitement surrounding the tournament has reportedly caused significant economic losses in the United States. According to a report by HR software provider UKG, reduced workplace productivity during the event may have cost the U.S. economy at least $117 billion, while global productivity losses could reach $170 billion. Many employees reportedly left work early, arrived late, or skipped work entirely to watch matches.

Data from workplace management platform Envoy showed that office attendance in the U.S. dropped by 26 percent on July 7, the day after the national team’s elimination by Belgium, a decline nearly ten times greater than the post–Super Bowl drop. External visits such as client meetings and vendor appointments also fell by 32 percent, about three times the usual post–Super Bowl rate. Envoy labeled the day “Knockout Tuesday.”

Some companies, including S&P, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Goldman Sachs, advised employees in host cities to work remotely on match days to avoid traffic and maintain operations.

After six months of uncertainty, the second revision proposal for the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project is set to be presented at the upcoming Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman, will be held on Wednesday at the Bangladesh Secretariat. The Planning Division has completed preparations to present this proposal along with eight other development projects.

According to the Planning Commission, the revised plan includes three new connections: the Baipail Interchange, access to and from the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, and integration with the under-construction MRT Line-1. These additions are expected to enhance connectivity between the expressway and Dhaka’s broader road network. The proposed revision also seeks to increase the project cost from the previously approved Tk 17,553 crore to Tk 26,581 crore, citing currency depreciation, tax changes, customs duties, utility relocation, and additional land acquisition.

The 24-kilometer expressway, financed under a government-to-government arrangement with China, is now proposed to extend its completion deadline to June 2030 due to delays. As of June 2025, financial progress stood at 66.86 percent, with physical progress exceeding 58 percent.

Global crude oil prices rose sharply on Monday as military tensions between the United States and Iran intensified. According to Al Jazeera, crude prices climbed more than 3 percent after disruptions in energy transport through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The escalation followed US airstrikes on Iranian targets for the ninth consecutive night after two American soldiers were killed in an Iranian attack. In response, Tehran suspended its interim peace agreement commitments and effectively halted shipping through the strait.

Brent crude rose by $2.75, or 3.12 percent, to $90.85 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by $2.56, or 3.10 percent, to $85.50 per barrel. Around 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and the disruption has raised fears of a major supply shortage.

Analysts cited uncertainty in energy supply and rising maritime insurance costs as factors that could sustain volatility in the oil market in the coming days.

According to a Wall Street Journal report cited by Amar Desh Online, Iran exported crude oil worth about $6 billion to China within 20 days after the United States temporarily lifted its export sanctions. The sanctions were lifted on June 17, 2026, following an agreement signed in Islamabad, but were reimposed on July 7 amid renewed tensions. During this brief window, Iran shipped nearly 70 million barrels of crude oil to China using around 20 tankers routed through Malaysia’s eastern coast.

The report stated that Iran took full advantage of the short sanction-free period to boost its oil exports. China remains Iran’s largest oil buyer, purchasing about 90 percent of its total exports. Even during previous sanction periods, Iranian tankers reportedly transferred oil to Chinese vessels in the Eastern Outer Port Limits area of the South China Sea.

After sanctions were reinstated on July 7, the United States also imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, preventing Iranian ships from leaving and foreign vessels from entering.

After India resumed visa services for Bangladeshi citizens following a long suspension, Kolkata’s major commercial areas such as New Market and Marquis Street have remained unusually quiet. Local traders and hotel owners had expected a revival of business once visas reopened, but the anticipated influx of Bangladeshi tourists has not materialized. Many attribute this reluctance to political tensions, safety concerns, and the growing appeal of alternative destinations.

Social media discussions among Bangladeshis reveal widespread apprehension about traveling to India, citing reports of hostility toward Muslims and fears of harassment. Some travelers emphasize that personal safety and hospitality are now their top priorities. The political climate and negative rhetoric from Indian political groups have further discouraged potential visitors.

As a result, many Bangladeshis are exploring other destinations such as China, the Maldives, Thailand, Nepal, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. Kolkata’s tourism-dependent economy is suffering, with hotel occupancy and retail sales plummeting. Local business owners warn that unless safety and respect are restored in travelers’ perceptions, the city’s tourism and trade sectors may face a deeper crisis.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a strict ultimatum to 29 banks with high levels of default loans, directing them to reduce their non-performing loan (NPL) ratios within six months. Banks with NPLs above 20 percent must bring them below that threshold, while those already under 20 percent must lower them to below 10 percent. Failure to comply will result in the transfer of default loans to an asset management company. The directive was delivered by Governor Mostakur Rahman during meetings with managing directors of the affected banks held between July 12 and 19, 2026.

The central bank emphasized that no dividends can be distributed from unrealized interest on toxic assets and instructed banks to resolve long-standing classified loans through legal or alternative dispute resolution processes. It also warned against irregularities and urged bank boards to act independently of political pressure. According to Bangladesh Bank data, the country’s overall default loan ratio rose to 32.26 percent by March 2026, the highest in South Asia.

Officials said the move aims to restore stability in the banking sector by enforcing strict monitoring and accountability among weak banks.

US-Bangla Airlines Managing Director Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun said Bangladesh cannot become a developed nation without strengthening its aviation sector. He made the remarks on Sunday at a press event in Cox’s Bazar marking the airline’s tenth anniversary. Mamun emphasized that aviation ensures connectivity and should be a national priority. He criticized high cargo export costs and the lack of government support during crises such as the pandemic and fuel price hikes, describing the sector as operating under a “go-it-alone” policy.

He noted that nine airlines have shut down in recent years due to high landing, parking, and fuel costs, heavy taxes, and policy complications. US-Bangla plans to expand to 30 destinations in 20 countries by 2027, adding 21 new aircraft and developing Chattogram and Sylhet as regional hubs. Mamun urged journalists to promote domestic airlines and report responsibly on technical issues.

He also announced plans to build a healthcare city on 1,000 bighas of land, send students abroad for pilot training, and establish a data center and software park, all funded without bank loans.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines plans to lease 10 aircraft by 2027 to expand its international routes and increase passenger capacity. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said the initiative aims to address the airline’s short-term capacity gap until 14 new Boeing aircraft are added to the fleet from 2031. Initially, three aircraft will be leased, with the number potentially increasing based on operational needs and route expansion strategies.

The government has emphasized transparency in the leasing process and has begun selecting an international consultant to oversee it. Around 40 applications have been received, and one qualified firm will be chosen. The leasing plan is separate from Biman’s $3.7 billion Boeing purchase agreement. As part of the initiative, Biman has invited proposals for a six-year dry lease of three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, expected to join the fleet in early 2027.

The expansion comes amid rapid growth in Bangladesh’s aviation sector, with private airlines like US-Bangla, Air Astra, and Novoair also pursuing fleet and route expansions to capture a larger share of the international passenger market.

A Bangladesh-flagged vessel, MV Jahan Brothers-2, arrived at Pakistan’s Gwadar port on Saturday after sailing from Singapore. The ship is carrying more than 53,000 tons of prime steel billets, which will later be transported to the Al Hamriya port in the United Arab Emirates. The cargo will be temporarily unloaded and stored at Gwadar before being reloaded onto another vessel for onward shipment.

According to Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, the operation is part of a transshipment process linking regional ports. Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor-ul-Haq Baloch stated that despite regional challenges, port and commercial activities continue uninterrupted, and Gwadar is positioning itself as a safe, reliable, and efficient regional trade hub.

The development highlights Gwadar’s growing role in regional logistics and its efforts to attract more transshipment traffic through improved operational reliability.

Forkan Haider Chowdhury, ambassador and adviser of Netherlands-based United Dutch Exporters (Unidex), said that opportunities for Bangladeshi food products in European markets are expanding. He emphasized that ensuring international standards, building long-term business relationships, and maintaining regular market connections could further increase demand for Bangladeshi goods. The current market value of these exports already exceeds hundreds of crores of taka annually.

Unidex, founded in 1989 by Roland Jansen, has grown from a small operation into one of Europe’s largest ethnic food distribution networks. The company operates in both ethnic and mainstream retail markets, supplying products across Europe from Helsinki to Malta. It sources food items from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Norway, China, and Bangladesh. Under Chowdhury’s initiative, Bangladeshi brands such as Pran, BD Food, Ifad, and Danish have entered European markets through Unidex.

Recently, Unidex merged with the Europe-based Asian Food Group, significantly increasing its purchasing power and distribution capacity. Chowdhury noted that this expansion creates new opportunities for producers from Bangladesh and other countries to access European markets.

The government of Bangladesh is preparing to implement a Tk 6,000 crore project aimed at improving border connectivity roads under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). A Development Project Proposal (DPP) titled 'Border Connectivity Road Rural Infrastructure Development Project' has been prepared, with an estimated cost of Tk 5,991.28 crore and a project duration from July 2026 to June 2031. A letter signed by LGED’s acting chief engineer Belal Hossain was sent to the Local Government Division secretary on July 12, requesting necessary approval.

According to the source, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has not yet been involved or informed about the project. However, a senior BGB officer acknowledged that poor road conditions currently hinder troop movement and welcomed the government’s initiative. Rangpur Range DIG Aminul Islam and Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam both stated that improved border roads would help curb smuggling, illegal entry, and enhance rapid response capabilities.

The project proposal follows a series of reports published by the newspaper highlighting challenges faced by BGB and border residents, prompting LGED to take this development initiative.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has deployed special teams across Bangladesh to strengthen monitoring and verification of tax deduction at source. According to an official statement issued on Sunday by NBR’s Public Relations Officer Al Amin Sheikh, the teams are inspecting various commercial and economic institutions under the authority granted by Section 147 of the Income Tax Act, 2023.

The NBR notice explained that under Section 147, tax officials are empowered to enter business premises, examine financial records, and access digital systems, including cloud servers and encrypted data, to verify the authenticity of tax deductions. They may temporarily seize relevant documents or electronic devices and mark or seal copies of records as needed. The law also provides for penalties in cases of obstruction or non-cooperation during these operations.

The NBR urged taxpayers to deposit deducted taxes into the government treasury through e-challan using the correct legal provisions and economic codes. It also advised taxpayers to contact the Section 147 committee’s member secretary via email for assistance in case of confusion, complexity, or grievances related to the enforcement of the law.

An opinion article published on July 19, 2026, highlights Bangladesh’s persistent struggle to eliminate brokers from the overseas employment process. Despite having formal institutions such as BMET, BOESL, DEMO offices, technical training centers, and digital tools like the OIM-BMET platform and Ami Probashi app, the system remains inaccessible to many rural job seekers. The article notes that in 2023, over 1.1 million workers went abroad, but only 1.3 percent used the state recruiting agency BOESL, reflecting a major gap between policy and field reality.

The author cites findings from the World Bank, CPD, and ITUC showing that weak data integration, limited outreach, and informal recruitment practices allow brokers to dominate the process, often charging excessive fees and exploiting workers. To address this, the article proposes embassy-based Labor Market Development Cells, one-stop support for foreign employers, performance-based incentives for officials, and integrated upazila-level assistance centers combining existing agencies.

It further calls for transparent cost disclosure, verified contracts, expanded training linked to real labor demand, and direct access to low-interest loans. The author argues that investing a small portion of remittance income in these reforms would strengthen worker safety and national economic stability.

US energy company HKN Energy has suspended all operations in Iraq’s Kurdistan region due to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. The decision was reported by Kurdish media outlet Rudaw, citing a company official. It came only days after HKN signed an agreement with Iraq’s oil ministry to develop the Hamrin oil field in Salahuddin province. The deal, signed on July 9, aimed to raise daily oil output to 140,000 barrels and gas production to 40 million cubic feet.

The suspension follows a series of drone attacks in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah provinces that killed nine members of an Iranian Kurdish opposition group. The deteriorating security situation prompted the company to halt its activities. Earlier, UAE-based Dana Gas had also temporarily suspended operations at the Khor Mor gas field near Sulaymaniyah, citing credible threats.

The back-to-back suspensions highlight growing instability in northern Iraq’s energy sector as regional tensions intensify.