Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan said student participation in cleanliness campaigns and public-service activities can help implement the prime minister’s Clean Dhaka, Green Dhaka initiative. He made the remarks on Tuesday while inaugurating a cleanliness campaign at Bangladesh Navy College in Mirpur, where he attended as chief guest.

Khan said the prize-giving event was arranged to encourage school and college students to participate and to motivate other educational institutions through their involvement. He said the programme would be spread to different places through campaigning to raise public awareness and make city corporation responsibilities and civic services easier.

The administrator praised Navy College students for their talent, songs and dance performances. He said their ideas would be shared among residents in every city ward and neighborhood as part of efforts to create a cleaner city. After the prize distribution, students from Navy College, Dental College and Navy School joined a rally, where they were taught how to use modern dustbins and took part in the cleanliness campaign.

Russia has offered to supply Bangladesh with urea fertiliser at $10 less per metric tonne than the sources from which Bangladesh currently imports it. The Russian side also expressed interest in supplying about 280,000 metric tonnes of urea to the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation through a government-to-government arrangement. The proposal was discussed at a meeting at the Secretariat with Commerce, Industry, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and a Russian delegation led by acting Ambassador Vyacheslav Sentyurin.

The meeting focused on food security, agricultural cooperation, fertiliser supplies and expanding government-to-government trade. Muktadir praised Russia’s support in regularly supplying wheat and muriate of potash fertiliser, describing Russia as a trusted friend and expressing hope for broader future trade and economic cooperation.

Russia also indicated interest in supplying sunflower oil, yellow peas, chickpeas, red lentils and green lentils in line with Bangladesh’s market needs. The discussions covered increasing cooperation under an existing memorandum of understanding between the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh and JSC FEC Prodintorg. Both sides agreed to maintain regular contact to expand bilateral trade, investment and economic partnership.

A United States Department of Agriculture delegation visited a Farmers Mini Cold Storage facility run by Bangladesh’s Department of Agricultural Extension in Savar, near Dhaka, on Tuesday. The visitors praised the technology used to preserve agricultural products and said small-scale modern storage at farm level could reduce waste and support market management. The delegation expressed interest in the potential of such technology and in working with Bangladesh on the issue.

The group included Dr Catherine Fiedler, director of USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services for South Asia; Erin Covert, agricultural attaché at the US Embassy in Dhaka; and USDA agricultural specialist Md Tanvir Ahmed. They inspected mangoes, gourds, papayas, green chilies and other produce stored in plastic crates, asking about storage dates, duration and temperature control. Project officials said most fruits and vegetables can remain fresh for one week to one month.

Project director Talha Zubair Mashrur said the storage system helps farmers avoid losses from rapidly perishable produce and sell at more favorable times. The delegation said it would meet the Agriculture Ministry after the field visit. Funded by the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund, the project has built 147 mini cold storage facilities in districts across the country.

Dirai Municipality in Sunamganj has announced its proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27, estimating total allocations of Tk 15 crore 4 lakh 90 thousand 819 and 37 paisa for overall municipal development. The budget was formally presented at a modest event at the municipal premises at 12 noon on Tuesday by Dirai Assistant Commissioner (Land) and municipal administrator Md Ziaul Hasan Saurav. It gives the highest priority to infrastructure development to strengthen urban transport and physical facilities.

The proposed revenue income for the next fiscal year is Tk 3 crore 66 lakh 40 thousand, against revenue expenditure of Tk 2 crore 58 lakh 60 thousand. This would leave a revenue surplus of Tk 1 crore 7 lakh 80 thousand. Development-sector allocations are estimated at Tk 12 crore 46 lakh 30 thousand 819 and 37 paisa, while expenditure in that sector is set at Tk 12 crore 39 lakh.

After accounting for income and expenditure in both revenue and development sectors, the overall budget surplus is projected at Tk 7 lakh 30 thousand 819 and 37 paisa. The proposal earmarks the largest allocation, Tk 11 crore 18 lakh, for infrastructure construction. Speakers at a post-budget discussion called for improved citizen services, planned drainage to address monsoon waterlogging, reduced traffic congestion and sustainable development.

Global oil prices resumed their decline on Tuesday as tensions in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran eased. Both countries have refrained from launching new attacks, according to the report. Benchmark Brent crude fell 2.2 percent to $84.03 a barrel in international trading.

US crude, West Texas Intermediate, also declined, falling 1.7 percent to trade at $81.20 a barrel. Before the war involving Iran, the United States and Israel began in late February, Brent crude had been priced at about $72 a barrel.

Currency markets also showed movement on Tuesday. The Japanese yen weakened against the US dollar at the start of the day, with the dollar rising to 163.82 yen, while the euro also weakened somewhat. Regional Middle East officials said on Monday that mediators had made major progress and were seeking to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table after attacks had been suspended for several days.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought assistance from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to address the country’s ongoing gas crisis. The two leaders spoke by telephone at 2pm Bangladesh time on Tuesday, according to State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, who briefed reporters at the Secretariat.

Amit said Bangladesh is unable to supply gas in line with demand and that the request for Malaysian support aims to narrow the gap between demand and supply. He said the government was working intensively to resolve the problem because of its responsibility to the public, even though the floating LNG terminal used to regasify imported LNG is a privately managed facility.

The prime minister had written to Anwar Ibrahim on Monday about the issue, and Education Adviser Mahdi Amin, who is visiting Malaysia, handed over the letter in Kuala Lumpur. Anwar said he would quickly consult his team and relevant ministries on possible assistance and inform Rahman. Amit said the energy ministry, Petrobangla and RPGCL were working around the clock, while Rahman remained in contact over developments.

Japan issued a tsunami warning after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the southwestern island of Kyushu on Tuesday. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake hit at 4:27 p.m. local time and reached a maximum intensity of 7 on Japan’s Shindo seismic scale. About 45,000 households and facilities in the Kumamoto area lost electricity, according to local utility Kyushu Electric Power.

The meteorological agency said tsunami waves could reach up to one metre. Public broadcaster NHK reported that waves of that height may already have struck. About half an hour after the earthquake, an NHK local reporter said shaking was still continuing and was so strong in the newsroom that it was difficult to remain standing.

Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said no immediate abnormalities had been detected at nuclear power plants. Kyushu Electric Power said three operating nuclear reactors in the region were functioning normally during the quake. The NHK reporter urged people to remain alert for possible further tremors after describing the initial shaking as too intense to stand through.

Turkey’s leading textile company Sanko has expressed interest in investing about $300 million in Bangladesh’s textile and jute sectors through an integrated textile production facility in the Mirsarai industrial zone. The company disclosed the plan at a Tuesday meeting at the Secretariat with Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, minister in charge of the commerce, industries, and textiles and jute ministries. State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam also attended.

Sanko said the proposed project would produce fabrics, process fabric, and manufacture value-added textile goods. It cited Bangladesh’s promising market, skilled workforce, export capacity, existing business ties and demand from international buyers as reasons for seeking to expand local production. The company currently supplies textile products from Turkey. Its representatives said a local facility could bring new international buyers to Bangladesh and help existing textile factories through technology, skills and market expansion.

The company said it has selected possible sites and discussed the project with partners. It sought support for energy facilities, gas connections, electricity and faster government approvals, while emphasizing coal-free, environmentally friendly energy and sustainable production. If approvals and infrastructure are secured, Sanko plans to begin subsequent work within months and target operations 12 to 18 months after construction begins. The minister pledged necessary support.

Veteran singer Runa Laila thanked fans in a video message after recently performing a solo concert at the main auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The report, published on July 28, 2026, said she was moved by the audience’s love, respect and messages following the event. She said she felt truly honoured by their response.

Laila said she was proud to live in Bangladesh and to be a singer of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. She credited the prayers and affection of her many admirers and fans for helping her come this far. Comments and messages sent after the recent concert had touched her heart, she said, adding that she wanted to continue singing for those who love her and her music.

The concert was her first solo singing event at Shilpakala Academy in a 62-year professional music career. Because the auditorium had limited seating, more than 750 audience members could not be accommodated. Laila expressed hope of holding a larger concert in the future so that many more people could attend, and said she hoped to have another opportunity to sing for her fans.

Iran’s domestically developed transport and cargo aircraft, Simorgh, is in the final stage of obtaining an operational certificate. Authorities hope to begin commercial operations in the next Iranian year, 1406, around 2027, after required standards and licensing procedures are completed. The report was published on July 28, 2026.

Shokri, secretary of the aerospace, transport and urban development headquarters at Iran’s Vice Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, told Mehr News that the government continued full support for the project last year. He said coordination is progressing well among the implementing company, Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company, and the Civil Aviation Organization. He also expressed hope that the project would advance through obtaining an STC or TC certificate quickly.

Built on the Iran-140 platform, Simorgh is intended to develop domestic cargo transport capacity and strengthen Iran’s aircraft design, testing, quality-control and production capabilities. The project is viewed as strategic amid international sanctions and restrictions on parts supplies. Shokri said some unexpected disruptions last year could cause a slight delay, while the implementing company and Civil Aviation Organization will set the specific certification and commercial-operation timetable.

The government borrowed a net Tk9,209 crore from the banking sector in the first 13 days of the current fiscal year, as expenditure exceeded revenue income, according to a report published on July 28. The government’s outstanding borrowing from banks now stands at Tk6,94,684 crore.

Of the new borrowing, Tk5,414 crore came from Bangladesh Bank and Tk3,795 crore from commercial banks. During the same period of the previous fiscal year, the government’s borrowing position with the central bank was negative Tk4,608 crore, while it had borrowed Tk6,112 crore from commercial banks. Its outstanding borrowing is now Tk99,467 crore at the central bank and Tk5,95,219 crore at commercial banks.

Former Bangladesh Bank chief economist Dr Mustafa K Mujeri said budget expenditure is set against revenue targets, but actual collection often falls well short, requiring additional bank borrowing. In the previous fiscal year, the government borrowed Tk1,34,571 crore from banks, above its revised target of Tk1,18,000 crore. The current fiscal year’s budget sets a Tk1,12,000 crore bank-borrowing target.

In an article published on July 28, 2026, Islamic economist Md. Mukhlesur Rahman argues that Bangladesh should strengthen its role in the expanding global halal economy. The article says halal industries now extend beyond food to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion, tourism, logistics, financial services and digital technology. It estimates the global halal economy at about $5.2 trillion, potentially exceeding $9 trillion by the start of the next decade, while Bangladesh’s annual halal-product exports stand at $850 million.

The author says Bangladesh has capabilities in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, garments, pharmaceuticals, leather and food processing. However, he identifies policy frameworks, international acceptance and institutional capacity as the main weaknesses rather than production. Bangladesh lacks a strong internationally recognized national halal accreditation authority, the article says, forcing some exporters to obtain additional certification from recognized bodies in Malaysia, Singapore, India or Thailand.

The article calls for an internationally accepted national accreditation authority, coordinated work by public agencies and private businesses, modern laboratories, digital traceability and trained auditors. It also proposes halal-focused university education and research, easier certification and subsidies for small and medium enterprises, and inclusion of halal industries in national export, investment and industrial policies.

Bangladesh has brought retail shopkeepers into the tax net for the first time, requiring them to pay a 0.2% advance income tax on goods bought from manufacturers or importers. Under a new Section 127(b) added through an amendment to the Income Tax Act 2023, a retailer would pay two taka in tax for every 1,000 taka of goods purchased. The July 28, 2026 report said the measure is intended to broaden the tax base and raise revenue.

The National Board of Revenue plans to collect the tax through an app that is still at an early stage of development and may take at least three months to build. Company sales representatives or agents would use it to generate an “A” challan against a retailer’s TIN. Retailers would receive tax information through digital copies or SMS, and excess advance tax could be refunded if they file returns.

Officials cited major implementation obstacles, including no reliable database of shopkeepers, some manufacturers lacking TINs, network problems and the need for piloting and training. Earlier VAT collection efforts using ECR and EFD systems did not achieve expected results. Sources estimate annual revenue could reach about Tk5,000 crore, while manufacturers or importers could face penalties if collection fails.

Global crude oil prices fell by more than 10 percent in a day on Monday as prospects for a diplomatic solution between the United States and Iran strengthened. By 12:45 a.m. Bangladesh time, Brent crude was trading at about $88.6 per barrel, down 10.4 percent from $91.68 a day earlier. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude also fell 8 percent to $82.35 per barrel.

Investor concerns over the Middle East eased amid hopes that talks between Washington and Tehran were progressing positively. Last week, fears of disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab raised concern over reduced oil exports from the region, briefly pushing Brent to $100 per barrel. Prices began falling after US President Donald Trump suspended military strikes against Iran last Friday following nearly two weeks of conflict.

Trump said Monday that “good talks” were under way and that an agreement was possible, while warning that attacks could resume if negotiations failed. Iran said it had also suspended retaliatory military operations and was discussing normal maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz with Oman. Crude shipments from the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal on Russia’s Black Sea coast also resumed, improving global supply conditions, though markets remained cautious after Houthi claims of attacks on Saudi Aramco-linked facilities.

Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make his acting and producing debut in the television drama series Day Ones. He is working with British director Matthew Vaughn and actor Damian Lewis on the project, which focuses on the behind-the-scenes lives of football agents in the United Kingdom. Filming has already begun in London, according to a report published on July 28, 2026.

The series was conceived by football agent Darren Dine and features Damian Lewis as central character Stanley Dalton. Ronaldo will also serve as an executive producer rather than limiting his role to acting. French football legend Thierry Henry and British rapper Dave may appear in guest roles, the report said.

Day Ones is the first major formal project from UR Marv Studios, the joint production company established by Ronaldo and Vaughn. The independently financed series aims to open a new avenue in sports-based entertainment content. Ronaldo, 41, currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr and is preparing for a post-football career. No official comment on the project has yet been received from Ronaldo, Vaughn or Lewis.