Star Cineplex will release four internationally notable big‑budget films simultaneously in Dhaka starting July 24, offering a diverse cinematic lineup for local audiences. The slate includes the sixth installment of the Evil Dead franchise, the psychological horror Passenger, the animated sci‑fi family adventure Time Hoppers: The Silk Road, and a 3D concert film featuring Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft tour’s Manchester show.

Evil Dead Burn, directed by Sebastian Venichek and produced by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, follows a young woman who seeks solace with relatives after her husband’s sudden death. Passenger, directed by André Øvredal and starring Jacob Sipio, Lu Lobel and Melissa Leo, centres on a young couple whose van‑life road trip turns terrifying after a supernatural presence follows them. Time Hoppers is a Star‑Kinekor animated family film about four students who travel to 9th‑century Baghdad, while the Billie Eilish concert film is produced by James Cameron and Paramount Pictures.

Audiences can expect a genre‑wide offering from horror to family animation and concert cinema when the four films open together on July 24 at Star Cineplex in Dhaka.

A severe gas shortage has gripped Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh since Thursday, July 23, 2026, disrupting household cooking and industrial production. Many CNG filling stations in the capital displayed 'no gas' signs, forcing drivers of CNG-run vehicles to wait for hours in long queues. Even where gas was available, pressure remained too low to meet demand, causing widespread inconvenience.

According to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, a technical fault at one of the country’s floating LNG terminals (FSRU) has reduced national gas supply by about 450 million cubic feet per day. This has lowered gas pressure across industrial zones, power plants, CNG stations, and residential areas. The gas authority noted that Bangladesh already faces a supply deficit, with daily demand exceeding 3,800 million cubic feet while only 2,700 million cubic feet can be supplied.

The disruption has forced many factories to cut production and left households without cooking gas for much of the day. Drivers and CNG station managers reported severe operational difficulties and financial uncertainty due to the ongoing shortage.

Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has achieved record-breaking performance in both revenue collection and water production, according to a report published on July 23, 2026. The agency’s monthly revenue, which had long remained between Tk 18 crore and Tk 20 crore, rose to Tk 26.8 crore from last month’s water bills—an increase of nearly Tk 7 crore. At the same time, daily water production reached an average of 496 million liters, the highest in the organization’s history.

Managing Director Engineer Selim Mohammad Jahan Alam said that after noticing low revenue figures in a news report, he held meetings with revenue officials to identify causes and strengthen collection efforts. The coordinated actions of the revenue department led to the significant rise in monthly revenue. WASA sources stated that the agency typically aims to collect 80–90 percent of billed amounts from residential and commercial customers.

Currently, Chattogram WASA serves 86,309 connections through about 1,200 kilometers of pipelines, with residential users paying Tk 18 and commercial users Tk 37 per 1,000 liters of water.

The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has unanimously passed new regulations to prevent satellite collisions and strengthen space safety as the number of satellites in Earth's orbit continues to rise sharply. The rules require satellite operators to share real-time tracking data, a move aimed at reducing the growing risk of orbital debris. The decision has sparked a jurisdictional dispute in Washington over which agency should oversee space traffic management.

Currently, more than 18,000 active and inactive satellites orbit the Earth, with most located in low-Earth orbit. The FCC’s new role has been questioned by members of Congress, who argue that the agency lacks clear legal authority for space traffic control. Lawmakers from both parties urged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to delay the vote, but the commission proceeded without public response.

Despite the legal debate, the satellite industry has welcomed the FCC’s broader 2,000-page reform package, which simplifies and lowers the cost of satellite licensing. The new performance-based system is expected to benefit startups by removing bureaucratic barriers and reducing financial burdens.

A delegation from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), led by Chief of Mission Laura Tom Bonde, visited flood-affected areas in Katharia Union of Banshkhali upazila, Chattogram, on Wednesday afternoon. The team met with residents impacted by the severe flooding, listened to their experiences, and distributed tarpaulins provided through IOM’s partner organization, the Sustainable Development Organization (IPSA).

During the visit, Laura Tom Bonde said the IOM had been closely monitoring the flood situation caused by heavy rainfall and hill torrents. She expressed sympathy for those who lost homes and shelter, emphasizing that the visit aimed to understand their problems firsthand. Bonde stated that the current assistance was an initial step and that IOM intended to continue working on larger-scale support for flood victims in the future.

Local officials, including the Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Ruhul Amin, IPSA Director Mohammad Shahjahan, and other representatives from IOM and IPSA, were present during the visit.

Mercantile Bank PLC has inaugurated a new ATM booth at Noakhali Club, Dhaka Limited to provide round-the-clock transaction services. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the bank’s Executive Committee Chairman M A Khan Belal as the chief guest. With this addition, the total number of Mercantile Bank’s ATM booths has reached 200.

The event also featured remarks from Md. Abdul Hai, General Secretary of Noakhali Club, Dhaka Limited, as a special guest. Senior executives and officers of Mercantile Bank, along with directors and members of the club, were present at the ceremony.

According to the bank, this expansion reflects its commitment to enhancing digital banking coverage and delivering modern financial services to customers across the country.

The Bangladesh government is set to finalize a purchase agreement with France’s Airbus for ten aircraft by August 31, 2026, according to officials. The decision reportedly follows pressure from the European Union (EU). State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat confirmed the plan, saying details on pricing and conditions will be disclosed after signing. The move will make Biman Bangladesh Airlines a mixed-fleet carrier for the first time, operating both Boeing and Airbus aircraft.

Civil Aviation Minister Afroza Khanom Rita said the government aims to modernize Biman’s fleet with 14 Boeing and 10 Airbus aircraft, along with five leased planes this year. Ministry sources indicated that the EU raised transparency concerns over the earlier Boeing deal and linked the Airbus purchase to broader trade and diplomatic interests, as nearly half of Bangladesh’s exports go to Europe. The Airbus agreement will follow the same evaluation process used for Boeing, with four A350-900 wide-body jets and six narrow-body aircraft to be added gradually.

Aviation experts cautioned that expanding the fleet without maximizing current capacity could create financial pressure, though the government views the deal as part of its long-term plan to modernize Biman and strengthen ties with the EU.

Bangladesh Railway has issued a final notice to SMEC Bangladesh, the supervising consultancy for the Dohazari–Cox’s Bazar–Ghumdhum rail line project, for failing to submit essential completion documents. Despite repeated reminders, SMEC has not provided performance certificates, final bills, project closure reports, ‘as-built’ drawings, or handover papers. The notice, sent on May 13, 2026, warns that payment suspension and contract termination may follow if the documents are not submitted on time.

Railway officials said the consultancy’s failure has stalled project closure, auditing, and final disbursements. The firm has been accused of cost escalations in multiple projects, including Akhaura–Laksam and the Jamuna Rail Bridge. Questions have also arisen over potential conflicts of interest, as several former senior railway officials, including former project directors, joined SMEC after retirement.

SMEC has been involved in 22 railway and bridge-related projects worth over 35 billion taka in the past decade. The company’s feasibility assessments have also faced criticism for labeling unprofitable routes as viable, raising concerns about oversight and accountability in Bangladesh’s railway consultancy contracts.

Continuous heavy rainfall and mountain runoff have caused severe flooding in Satkania upazila of Chattogram, collapsing large portions of 61 roads under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). About 47 kilometers of roads, six culverts, and one drainage structure have been damaged. LGED’s initial estimate suggests that at least 30 crore taka will be required to rebuild and restore transport connectivity.

Engineers reported that key roads across unions such as Keochia, Eochia, Charati, Chadaha, Bajalia, Kaliaish, Kanchana, Dhemsha, Sonakania, and Nolua were severely damaged by strong flood currents. Road surfaces have eroded, embankments have broken, and large holes have formed, making travel risky. Residents described severe hardship as transport routes became impassable, affecting farmers, students, and patients.

Local officials said detailed damage reports have been sent to higher authorities. Emergency funds will be used to reopen major roads first, followed by permanent reconstruction. The upazila administration and local lawmaker have visited affected areas and assured that repair work will be prioritized to ease public suffering.

At least 37 people have died across Pakistan following flash floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall. The worst-affected areas include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab. The disaster has caused extensive damage to homes, farmland, livestock, roads, and bridges. In Gujranwala and Sialkot, severe rainfall has worsened the situation, while water levels in border rivers rose rapidly after India reportedly released excess water without formal notice.

According to the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority, the Marala and Khanki headworks are facing moderate flood risks, while Qadirabad is under a low-level flood warning. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported 20 deaths from rain-related incidents, and Punjab has recorded 17 fatalities. Landslides in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir have damaged roads, homes, and agricultural land.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department stated that the ongoing rainfall, which began on July 19, may continue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa until July 23, raising concerns about further flooding and damage.

Crude oil prices rose again in the international market amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. On Thursday, Brent crude increased by 1.93 dollars or 2 percent to reach 96 dollars per barrel, marking its highest level since June 8. According to a report by Al Jazeera, the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also gained 1.44 dollars or 1.7 percent, trading at 88.27 dollars per barrel.

Earlier trading sessions had already seen Brent crude rise by more than 3 dollars to 94.07 dollars per barrel, while WTI climbed nearly 3 percent during the same period. Analysts cited renewed US military strikes in Iran and intensified attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on oil tankers in the Red Sea as key drivers of the surge. These developments have heightened strategic instability in the Middle East and disrupted supply confidence.

The report indicates that uncertainty in global oil supply chains continues to fuel price volatility, with markets reacting sharply to geopolitical risks in the region.

Meta has begun rolling out a redesigned version of WhatsApp for Mac, inspired by Apple’s “Liquid Glass” design language. The update aims to make the desktop experience more consistent with that of iPhone and iPad users. According to WABetaInfo, the update is being released gradually through the Mac App Store, with limited users currently having access. It is expected to reach all Mac users within the next few weeks.

The new version does not introduce major messaging or AI-based features but focuses on improving design and usability. Enhancements include a reorganized sidebar, refined chat bar, updated attachment menu, and smoother navigation aligned with Apple’s latest macOS design principles. Locked chats and Communities now have separate sections, with identity verification required before accessing locked conversations, mirroring iPhone privacy features.

Technology analysts view this update as part of Apple’s broader effort to unify user experiences across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Meta continues to invest in improving WhatsApp’s desktop version as its user base on desktop platforms expands.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has expressed solidarity with students participating in the ongoing protests against exam paper leaks in India. In an Instagram post shared on Wednesday, he urged demonstrators to continue their movement peacefully, describing paper leaks as a serious issue that should not be politically hijacked. Khan praised the courage and awareness of the young generation, saying their commitment to education would make India proud.

He emphasized that the problem of paper leaks concerns students and the education system alone, and credited the movement’s success solely to the students. Khan also expressed hope that the government would fully support the students and strengthen the education system for the benefit of all. He concluded by calling for education to become a positive national trend that could attract international students to study in India.

Several other Bollywood figures, including Omi Vaidya, Zeenat Aman, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Abhay Deol, Sonakshi Sinha, and Riteish Deshmukh, have also voiced support for the peaceful protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in New Delhi.

A mobile court in Sylhet fined 11 drivers and vehicle owners a total of 13,500 taka for using banned hydraulic horns and failing to present valid documents. The operation was conducted jointly by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-9 and the Department of Environment in the Shah Paran (R.) police station area on Tuesday, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.

The press release stated that several vehicles were found using horns producing noise levels above the permissible limit set by the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025. Some vehicles were also found violating the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995, by using prohibited hydraulic horns. Additionally, several drivers and owners could not show the required legal documents for their vehicles.

RAB-9 said that such drives will continue in the future to control noise pollution and protect the environment in the public interest.

At least 26 people, including women and children, have died in flash floods triggered by continuous rainfall and cloudbursts across several districts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Doda, Budgam, and Kulgam. Authorities have evacuated hundreds of residents to safer locations and issued renewed warnings to avoid riverbank areas as the situation remains critical.

The disaster began on Saturday night when torrential rain caused rivers and streams in the Pir Panjal mountain region to overflow. In Rajouri, the Darhali River breached protective embankments, flooding residential areas and causing severe damage. Landslides and infrastructure losses were also reported in remote areas such as Thana Mandi, Darhal, and Manjakote. In Budgam’s Beerwah, a shopping complex collapsed, but prior evacuation prevented major casualties.

Heavy rainfall has also forced the closure of the main highway linking Kashmir with mainland India. Local authorities have extended summer vacations in all educational institutions by one week, while the meteorological department has maintained forecasts of heavy rain and flooding for the next three days, keeping the region on high alert.