The Venezuelan government announced on Monday that the death toll from last month’s twin earthquakes has risen to 5,278. The quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck the northern region of the country on June 24, severely affecting La Guaira state and areas around the capital, Caracas. The updated figures were released in the government’s latest report.

According to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, at least 16,740 people were injured and are receiving treatment. Official data indicate that more than 850 buildings were damaged, with 190 completely destroyed. Authorities have not yet provided a confirmed number of missing persons.

More than 23,500 displaced residents have been given shelter in temporary camps set up in stadiums and public squares, where volunteers are assisting with relief distribution and basic services.

Owners of CNG filling stations in Bangladesh have announced an indefinite strike starting August 23, 2026, demanding an increase in their sales commission. The announcement came at a press conference held in Bijoynagar, Dhaka, on Tuesday, organized by the Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association. As a preliminary step, the owners plan a symbolic one-day strike on July 30 from 6 a.m. to midnight if their demands are not met.

According to the association, the current commission rate of Tk 8 per cubic meter has remained unchanged for about 11 years, despite rising inflation, higher minimum wages, increased dollar value, and growing operational costs. The owners argue that continuing operations under the existing rate has become financially unsustainable.

The association presented four demands to the government: raising the commission to at least Tk 13.96 per cubic meter, introducing an automatic adjustment mechanism for future fuel price changes, abolishing the practice of collecting additional deposits from old customers, and reducing various government license and renewal fees to reasonable levels.

A new project worth Tk 685.86 crore to protect Bhola Sadar and Daulatkhan upazilas from severe erosion of the Meghna River is set to be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Wednesday. The project, fully funded by the government, aims to reduce risks of erosion, tidal surges, and waterlogging through riverbank protection, coastal embankment rehabilitation, slope protection, and drainage infrastructure construction.

Before submission to ECNEC, the Planning Commission’s Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) raised objections, particularly over the high cost of Tk 505 crore for only four kilometers of riverbank protection, calling for a cost review. After minor adjustments, the cost was reduced to Tk 503.77 crore, and a revised proposal was resubmitted. The project, to be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board under the Water Resources Ministry, is scheduled from March 2026 to June 2030.

The feasibility study by the Institute of Water Modelling found the project economically viable, with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.56 and an internal rate of return of 17.85 percent. The Planning Commission recommended approval, noting it would protect key infrastructure and strengthen coastal resilience.

Portugal’s parliament has approved a new law mandating that all ride-sharing drivers must know the Portuguese language, creating uncertainty for thousands of Bangladeshi migrants working in the sector. The legislation, passed on July 17 with support from the Social Democratic Party and the right-wing Chega party, is expected to affect drivers in Lisbon and Porto who rely on Uber and Bolt for their main source of income.

Under the new rules, drivers must complete at least 50 hours of driving training and score a minimum of 27 out of 30 on the final licensing exam. Passengers will also be able to select Portuguese-speaking drivers through the app, which could disadvantage those lacking language proficiency. The law further introduces permanent digital stickers for ride-sharing vehicles to prevent fraud and mandates video-only recording for passenger safety.

The changes are likely to disrupt the livelihoods of many Bangladeshi expatriates who entered the ride-sharing industry seeking better earnings in Portugal.

The Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA) of Bangladesh has come under scrutiny after its new chair, Mir Nadia Nivin, initiated steps to reduce insurance company registration fees from 2.5 taka to 1 taka per thousand taka premium. The move follows pressure from the Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA) and other industry groups, which had earlier opposed the fee increase introduced by former chairman Dr. M. Aslam Alam. Financial analysts warn that the reduction could significantly weaken IDRA’s institutional capacity and reduce government revenue by over 270 million taka.

Economist Dr. Mahmud Osman Imam stated that registration fees are a vital revenue source for IDRA, which lacks other major income streams. He argued that lowering the fee without stakeholder consultation raises transparency concerns and will not solve the sector’s structural problems. According to him, 42 of the country’s 82 insurance companies are financially weak, requiring deeper reforms rather than fee cuts.

Mir Nadia Nivin defended her decision, saying it was based on legal opinion and that the 1 taka rate would apply only for 2026, with the 2.5 taka rate effective from 2027. She denied allegations of favoritism and said all decisions were made in line with government policy and existing regulations.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 50 percent tariff on a range of Canadian imports, including wine, hockey sticks, and cement. The White House stated that the measure will take effect within 30 days. Key Canadian exports such as energy, potash, critical minerals, and fish are exempt from the new tariffs. Trump justified the move by accusing Canada of unfair treatment toward U.S. automobiles, dairy, and alcohol products.

The decision applies to all listed goods regardless of their status under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), marking a new escalation in trade tensions between the two neighboring countries. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded that Canada is ready to intensify trade talks with the U.S. in the coming weeks. He criticized the tariffs as a continuation of unilateral actions that violate the USMCA and threaten Canada’s sovereignty.

The two countries were already engaged in trade disputes over steel, aluminum, copper, and softwood products. The new tariffs are expected to further strain economic relations across North America.

Bangladesh Bank extended a record Tk 4.10 trillion in liquidity support to commercial banks in June 2026, according to its ‘Money Market Dynamics’ report. The central bank provided the funds through repo, Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF), and Special Liquidity Facility mechanisms, marking the highest single-month assistance on record. The move came as the banking sector faced mounting liquidity pressure.

Sector insiders said weaker banks have long depended on central bank support, but the situation worsened in June following instability linked to the appointment of a new chairman at Islami Bank, which triggered heavy deposit withdrawals. As a result, Bangladesh Bank had to extend additional liquidity assistance to stabilize the bank and the broader sector.

The report showed Tk 1.79 trillion was lent via repo, Tk 1.49 trillion under SLF, and Tk 804.73 billion through the Special Liquidity Facility. Officials noted that stronger banks typically use repo borrowing, while weaker or irregular banks rely more on special facilities. Most of these short-term loans are repaid within their maturity periods, keeping net exposure relatively low.

International oil prices fell slightly on Tuesday as reports emerged of mediation efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran. Brent crude dropped by 35 cents, or 0.4 percent, to 88.87 dollars per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for September delivery remained nearly unchanged at 82.47 dollars. The decline followed a recent surge that had pushed prices above 90 dollars per barrel earlier in the month.

The price movement came amid heightened geopolitical developments. Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about disruptions to oil supplies from one of the world’s leading exporters. A senior Iranian official said Tehran had received a 10-day ceasefire proposal from mediators aimed at building on a June 17 interim agreement. However, hostilities continued as the US launched new strikes on Iranian cities, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on American military sites in the Middle East.

Analysts noted that while the ceasefire discussions have temporarily eased price pressures, uncertainty remains over whether the negotiations will yield lasting results.

An illegal chemical factory in Keshabpur, Jashore, has been accused of severely polluting the local environment with acid and chemical waste, endangering crops, livestock, birds, plants, and public health. Residents report that the soil and water have turned reddish, and many people are suffering from skin and respiratory diseases. Sixty families from two villages have submitted a petition to the Keshabpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer demanding the closure of the factory and legal action against its owner, Ruhul Amin.

According to the complaint, Ruhul Amin established the factory three years ago in Khatiakhali village without environmental clearance, using acids and imported chemicals to color iron products. The factory lacks a waste treatment system, releasing thousands of liters of chemical-laden water into nearby fields and homes. Teachers and residents say the contamination is destroying crops and trees, while monsoon rains worsen the pollution, flooding about 20 acres of farmland.

The Upazila Nirbahi Officer confirmed receiving the complaint and stated that an investigation is underway to take legal measures against the illegal operation.

The construction of the Anandabazar Bridge on the Garaduara–Mekhal Sarang Road in Hathazari, Chattogram, remains incomplete even two years after work began. Despite an extension beyond the original deadline, the contractor has not finished the project, leaving thousands of residents, including students, facing serious travel difficulties. Local authorities have stated that efforts are underway to complete the remaining work as soon as possible.

On-site observations show that the bridge pillars are finished, and iron structures for one span have been installed, but progress is slow. Recent rainfall has raised water levels in the river, further complicating construction. To maintain connectivity, the contractor has built a temporary bamboo footbridge, which residents and students use at personal risk.

According to the Hathazari Upazila LGED office, the project began on October 10, 2023, under contractor Majed Enterprise, with a budget of Tk 31.67 million and a completion target of October 14, 2024. Officials cited heavy rainfall as a key reason for the delay and confirmed that instructions have been issued to expedite completion.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a major relaxation in the renewal process for domestic workers’ residency permits, known as Iqama. From now on, employers can issue or renew Iqamas for as short as three months, instead of paying fees for one or two years at once. The initiative was jointly launched by the Ministry of Interior, the General Directorate of Passports, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and the recruitment platform Musaned.

According to local media Okaz, the new system allows employers to pay only for the selected duration, such as three months or its multiples, easing the financial burden on households. The service is available online through the government’s Absher digital platform.

Authorities said the decision aims to accommodate the diverse needs of domestic work, align with employers’ financial capacities, and modernize residency services as part of expanding digital government operations.

Heavy rainfall and upstream hill torrents have caused erosion at the Karatoa River embankment in Chak Rahimapur village under Sapmara Union of Gobindaganj upazila, Gaibandha. To prevent further damage, a geo bag dumping project worth 2.9 million taka has been launched, involving the placement of 8,000 geo bags. The initiative was inaugurated on Sunday afternoon by Zulfiqar Ali, Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Water Development Board, Gaibandha, under the direction of Member of Parliament Shamim Kaiser Lincoln.

The inauguration event was attended by officials from the Water Development Board, the project contractor Hasanur Rahman Chowdhury Duke, local government representatives, and residents from nearby villages. According to Engineer Zulfiqar Ali, 500 sand-filled geo bags have already been checked, marked, and prepared for placement, while the remaining bags will be dumped urgently at the erosion site to control the river’s strong current.

The project aims to stabilize the embankment and protect nearby communities from potential flooding and further erosion caused by the rising water flow.

Continuous rainfall has severely damaged the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Sonargaon, turning several sections into dangerous death traps. Thousands of vehicles are forced to travel through pothole-ridden stretches daily, facing high risks of accidents and increased fears of robbery, especially at night. The damaged areas extend roughly 14 kilometers from the eastern side of Kanchpur Bridge through Madanpur, Langalbandh, Mograpara intersection, and Meghna toll plaza.

Drivers report that potholes filled with rainwater make it difficult to judge their depth, leading to frequent accidents and vehicle breakdowns. Many complain that poor-quality repair work has worsened the situation. Taxi and bus drivers say nighttime driving has become particularly hazardous due to hidden holes and mechanical failures.

According to the Roads and Highways Department’s executive engineer Abdur Rahim, continuous rain and poor drainage have caused new potholes. He said repair work has already begun and, weather permitting, the road could be made safe for travel within a week.

Continuous heavy rainfall and mountain runoff have caused severe flooding in Lohagara upazila of Chattogram, damaging homes, roads, and public infrastructure. According to the upazila administration’s preliminary report, losses across 13 sectors—including housing, agriculture, fisheries, education, health, and power—amount to Tk 43.35 crore. The floods affected 23,750 families in nine unions, leaving many people stranded and homeless as water from the Tonkaboti, Dolu, and Hangor rivers inundated large areas.

The administration reported partial damage to 83 kilometers of roads, four bridges, 20 culverts, 184 hectares of cropland, and 15 kilometers of electrical lines. Relief efforts have included distribution of 1,005 packets of dry food and 50 tons of rice, while additional requests for 15 tons of rice and 1,200 bundles of tin have been made to higher authorities. Local social groups and donors have also joined the relief work.

Officials said floodwaters have started receding as rainfall subsides, and a detailed damage report has been sent to higher authorities for further action.

Continuous rainfall and upstream hill floods have caused a steady rise in the Jamuna River’s water level in Sirajganj, leading to severe erosion along riverbanks. Hundreds of residents in Shahjadpur, Kazipur, and Chowhali upazilas have lost homes and farmland as the river devours new areas daily. Low-lying and char regions are now inundated, and several educational institutions and flood centers face imminent risk.

According to the Sirajganj Water Development Board, the river has been rising since July 13, with water levels increasing by three centimeters in the last 24 hours at both the Sirajganj town protection embankment and Kazipur’s Meghaighat point. The Civil Surgeon’s Office has identified 32 of the district’s 83 unions as vulnerable and has taken health preparedness measures to address potential post-flood risks.

Local residents blame illegal sand extraction during the dry season for worsening erosion during the monsoon. Authorities are currently using sandbags to slow down the damage, but many families remain displaced and without shelter.