A complete gas supply shutdown from the national grid has disrupted daily life in Netrokona for five consecutive days, affecting about 5,600 residential and commercial customers under Titas Gas. The report, published on July 30, 2026, said household cooking has been severely affected, the district’s only CNG filling station has closed, and transport services have been disrupted. The district সদর hospital, jail and police lines are also facing difficulties in carrying out cooking and daily operations.

Titas Gas said the crisis was caused by a technical fault at an LNG terminal at the national level and described it as temporary. The district has gas connections for one CNG filling station, 24 commercial establishments and 29 government institutions. Gas pressure has effectively fallen to zero for five days, following roughly two weeks of low-pressure problems.

Borhan Kabir, station engineer at the AR Khan Pathan CNG filling station, said inlet pressure had been zero for seven to eight days, preventing fuel supply to vehicles. Drivers said they were using costlier LPG and charging an extra 10 to 20 taka per trip. Titas deputy manager Md Golam Mortuza said domestic engineers and specialist teams from the United States and United Kingdom were working on the fault, and he hoped conditions would improve within five days.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher said the government is committed to planned urbanisation and creating housing opportunities for low-income people. He made the remarks as chief guest at a workshop at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon in the capital on Wednesday.

Taher said green buildings and climate-resilient infrastructure are necessary for Bangladesh, which faces climate-change risks. He said environmentally friendly building materials, energy-saving technologies and low-carbon designs would reduce carbon emissions and strengthen the country’s ability to confront climate-related disasters.

The minister said urban residents will outnumber the rural population by 2037, while more than 56 percent of the country’s people will live in cities by 2050. He cited the HBRI DESH Sustainable Building Labelling Framework as a future guideline for green construction. State Minister Ahmad Sohel Monzur said relevant stakeholders would coordinate to implement needed policies and action plans based on the workshop’s recommendations.

Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited, or Bapex, has formally begun drilling the Sundarpur-4 appraisal-cum-development gas well in Bara Charigaon village of Nabipur union, Senbag upazila, Noakhali. Bapex Deputy General Manager for drilling and drilling in-charge Zakir Hossain Khan confirmed on July 29 that drilling had started on Tuesday afternoon. Initial assessments indicate potential production of 5 to 7 million cubic feet of gas per day.

The well has a target depth of about 1,600 metres, with a potential gas-bearing layer expected at roughly 1,361 metres. Khan said total gas reserves cannot yet be determined, but Bapex expects the projected daily output after analysing information from nearby wells. Land acquisition and infrastructure development were completed before a rig was installed at the site in late April.

The well is named Sundarpur-4 because it belongs to the same underground gas reservoir as the Sundarpur field, despite being about 12 to 13 kilometres from Sundarpur-2. Drilling is targeted for completion within two months, followed by a drill stem test lasting 15 to 20 days. Final results are expected within about two and a half months, and a successful well could contribute new gas supplies to the national grid.

At least 13 people were killed after a powerful earthquake struck Japan’s southwestern Kyushu island on Tuesday, with many others believed trapped beneath rubble. More than 100 aftershocks were recorded through Wednesday. The Japan Meteorological Agency measured the quake at magnitude 7.1, while the US Geological Survey put it at 6.8. Its epicentre was 20 kilometres south of Kumamoto city at a depth of 10 kilometres.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said more than 20 hours after the earthquake, people were still waiting for help and rescuing those trapped was a race against time. More than 4,600 personnel, including military members, have been deployed. At the Aeon Mall in the Kashima area, an explosion about an hour after the quake caused part of the second floor to collapse, killing three people and leaving three workers missing.

Two people were found unconscious at a paper factory in Yatsushiro, where nine more workers were missing. Thousands of homes lost power and thousands of people moved to shelters. With temperatures at 35 degrees Celsius, 300 air-conditioning units were being sent to affected centres in Kumamoto. Authorities warned of stronger aftershocks over the coming week, especially within two to three days.

Heavy rainfall in India’s capital Delhi caused waterlogging across several areas after sustained rain on Monday, with water entering buses operated by the Delhi Transport Corporation. Videos shared on social media showed knee-deep water on bus floors, forcing passengers to move with difficulty. In some buses, the water level was reported to have risen as high as the seats.

The footage spread widely online, prompting users to question Delhi’s transport services and the city’s management during the monsoon season. Social media users criticised the efficiency of the Delhi Transport Corporation and pointed to perceived shortcomings in urban planning for seasonal rainfall.

The report said Delhi faces waterlogging problems every year during monsoon rains. However, water entering the interiors of buses is not commonly seen, and many observers said the incident highlighted a lack of adequate preparedness by transport authorities for the rainy season.

Gazipur Agricultural University researchers have developed a technology to produce a mineral-rich food concentrate from jackfruit seeds, an often discarded agricultural by-product. Food scientist Professor Dr. Md. Emdadul Haque and postgraduate researcher Md. Akram Hossain developed the technology after three years of research, completed in November 2025. It has received a Bangladesh government patent, registered as P/BD/2024/000040.

The research found that dried jackfruit seeds contain about 2 percent minerals, while the new process can produce a concentrate containing more than 33 percent minerals. The report says this raises mineral concentration by roughly 16 to 17 times. The Ministry of Education's Grants for Advanced Research and Education project funded the research. The patent was granted by the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks under the Ministry of Industries.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. GKM Mostafizur Rahman described the development as a milestone for agricultural, food and nutrition research. Researchers said the concentrate could be used in processed foods to improve nutritional value. They said commercial use could create opportunities for jackfruit-based industries, higher farmer income and more effective use of agricultural resources.

Mobile financial service provider Nagad paid Bangladesh Post 185.69 million taka as its revenue-sharing portion for fiscal year 2025-26, according to a report published on July 29. Bangladesh Bank-appointed Nagad administrator Md Motasim Billah handed over the cheque to Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam at an event held Wednesday at Dak Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The payment was nearly 50 million taka, or more than 34 percent, higher than in the previous fiscal year. The minister said Nagad was needed to prevent a monopoly in the market and should remain competitive and become more profitable. He urged journalists not to pay attention to rumours surrounding the company. Secretary Bilkis Jahan Rimi said work would be undertaken to expand cooperation between Bangladesh Post and Nagad.

Nagad said it has paid 946 crore taka in taxes to the government and 47 crore taka in revenue to Bangladesh Post since its launch. Operating under an agreement with Bangladesh Post since March 2019, the service allocates 51 percent of earnings to the postal department and 49 percent to Nagad Limited. Its FY2025-26 transaction volume rose 25.50 percent to 427,000 crore taka, while active customers exceeded 30 million.

Postal, Telecommunications and ICT and Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam rejected rumors that Nagad is being sold and urged news outlets to verify information before publishing. He made the remarks on Wednesday at the inauguration of a franchise post office in Agargaon, Dhaka, and a ceremony where Nagad transferred part of its 2025-26 fiscal-year profit to the Directorate of Posts.

Nagad formally handed over Tk 18.57 crore to the Directorate of Posts. The minister said government management of the financial institution would continue to maintain market competition. He said the government aims to make state-owned institutions more efficient, profitable and public-oriented, while digital financial services help deliver safe, simple and affordable services to people.

Anam said franchise post offices, already operated in many countries, would help bring postal services closer to citizens in Bangladesh. He expressed hope that all post offices could eventually operate under the model. The government is also pursuing plans to turn more than 9,000 post offices into modern service centers. Postal and Telecommunications Division Secretary Bilkis Jahan Rimi said the partnership with Nagad has increased public confidence, government revenue and postal department income.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said building a clean and green Dhaka is among the current government’s priorities, calling for visible progress in field-level work. He made the remarks on 29 July at a review meeting in the Local Government Division conference room at the Secretariat, covering tree planting, beautification, waste removal and bin replacement in areas under Dhaka North and Dhaka South city corporations.

Presentations at the meeting outlined the two city corporations’ overall progress, ongoing programmes and future work plans. Officials said non-governmental organisations and volunteer groups were being involved in a coordinated approach to urban cleanliness and greening. The minister said work should be planned so residents can experience the results of each initiative, and directed officials to accelerate ongoing activities.

He said pilot projects should be evaluated before new large projects are undertaken, with successful initiatives expanded gradually. He also ordered updated records of locations for tree planting, beautification, cleaning activities and waste-bin installation, with specific information preserved and submitted to the ministry. The minister stressed regular supervision and effective field monitoring to maintain continuity in the clean-city initiative.

The Jute Mill Protection United Citizens’ Council has urged the government to reverse its decision to hand over 25 state-owned jute mills to the private sector. At a news conference at Khulna Press Club on Wednesday at 11:30am, the group questioned why state-run mills were incurring losses while private jute mills operated profitably. It demanded an investigation into the losses, action against those responsible, and guarantees of fair wages, benefits and rights for workers.

Council member Sutapa Bedoggo read the written statement. Convenor Advocate Kudrat E Khuda, member secretary M A Rashid and joint convenor Janardan Dutta Nantu were among those present. The statement said nearly 90,000 workers became unemployed after production at 25 state-owned jute mills was shut on July 2, 2020, citing losses. It blamed administrative inefficiency, red tape, BJMC corruption and limits on independent local management.

The group also called plans to transfer 44 industrial establishments, including state-owned sugar mills, through BIDA to private ownership self-destructive. Its 10 demands include reopening closed mills under skilled management, administrative restructuring, diversifying jute products, implementing the Mandatory Packaging Act, paying workers’ arrears and ensuring comparable benefits for private mill workers. Leaders warned unemployed workers could return to street protests if the demands are not met.

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahmad Sohel Monjur visited Gulshan Lake in the capital and the RAJUK URP building area in Mohakhali on Wednesday morning. He reviewed progress on installing a sewage treatment plant, or STP, at the lake. RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam and senior officials from relevant offices were present during the visit.

In the Kalachandpur area, the state minister sought updates on cleaning activities at Gulshan Lake and on the progress of the STP installation. He provided necessary directions and later inspected the lake area adjacent to Road No. 18 in Gulshan-2. He stressed the need for effective measures to keep the lakes free from pollution and environmentally friendly.

Monjur instructed all concerned to work in a coordinated manner. As part of the programme, he also visited the RAJUK URP building in Mohakhali and exchanged views with officials and employees. He directed them to work with responsibility, transparency and a people-friendly attitude, saying improved service quality and accountability are essential to building a planned and sustainable city.

Pubali Bank PLC has launched a two-day cashless campaign in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, under Bangladesh Bank instructions and with the aim of building a cashless Bangladesh. The Siddhirganj branch inaugurated the programme on Wednesday by arranging a rally and an exchange meeting.

The campaign is intended to expand cashless transactions and ensure the easy and secure use of Bangla QR. The opening event was chaired by Siddhirganj branch head Mohammad Khairuzzaman. Regional Office Regional Relationship Manager Md Salahuddin attended as chief guest, while Assistant General Manager Sonia Jahan was the special guest.

Salahuddin said digital financial transactions have no alternative in building Smart Bangladesh. He said Bangla QR would allow customers of different banks and mobile financial services to use a single QR code for fast, easy and secure money transfers. Managers from the Shibu Market, Tanbazar and Fatullah branches also attended, while Siddhirganj branch Operations Manager Gazi Md Shahidul Alam conducted the event.

US-Bangla Airlines announced plans to invest about $1.5 billion to add 21 Boeing aircraft to its fleet, aiming to become an integrated global aviation group. The announcement was made on July 29 at the “Beyond Youth Boeing” event at Sheraton Dhaka in the capital. The airline said it would lease 15 Boeing 737-8 aircraft and six Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with the additions to be phased in by 2027.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said the government is pursuing an aviation master plan and pilot training academy to develop Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub. He said the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport would be able to serve 24 million passengers annually. US Ambassador Brent T Christensen described the investment as important for Bangladesh’s future aviation sector.

US-Bangla plans to send about 200 Bangladeshi pilots to the United States for advanced training. It also intends to increase flights on existing routes and launch services to several destinations in Asia and the Middle East. The company said it plans to station new Boeing aircraft in Chattogram and Sylhet to develop them as international regional hubs, while pursuing aviation training and flight catering facilities in Purbachal.

Shibchar upazila in Madaripur has recorded a bumper jute harvest this season, while satisfactory market prices have brought relief to farmers. Jute is selling for Tk4,000 to Tk5,000 per maund at different local markets, depending on quality. The report was published on July 29, 2026.

Sheikhpur farmer Masum Tayani said yields were much better this year than in recent years and that market demand remains available. He expects a good profit after covering production costs. Local jute traders said wholesalers from different parts of the country are purchasing jute at Shibchar municipal bus stand, Madbar Char, Uttarail, Kutubpur and Chander Char markets.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Alimuzzaman said jute was cultivated on 7,800 hectares in Shibchar this season. He attributed satisfactory production to cultivation following agriculture department advice and said technical support for farmers is continuing. Farmers hope to gain further if current prices remain stable, while stakeholders stressed higher production, better storage and fair prices.

More than 9,000 people were staying in emergency shelters by early Wednesday after a powerful earthquake struck southwestern Japan, the government said. At least 13 people were killed in the quake, according to the report published on July 29.

Government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said authorities had received reports of seven people seriously injured and 29 others with minor injuries. He provided the figures while outlining the situation after the earthquake.

As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, 9,186 people had taken shelter at 506 facilities across five prefectures, including Kumamoto and Fukuoka, Kihara said. The reported shelter figures reflect the scale of displacement following the quake.