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.

Severe flooding in Maharashtra’s Raigad district has destroyed around one million clay Ganesh idols just weeks before the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Thousands of workshops and artisans have suffered major losses as floodwaters swept away finished idols, molds, and raw materials. Many artisans, including Bhaskar Dilip Matre, lost months of work and their primary source of income. Local authorities have begun assessing the damage, with officials promising financial assistance once evaluations are complete.

Raigad is a major hub for Ganesh idol production, hosting about 20,000 workshops that produce up to eight million idols annually, supporting roughly 150,000 seasonal workers and generating business worth 3.5 billion rupees. This year’s floods, caused by over 548 millimeters of rain between July 5 and 7, have disrupted the entire production cycle. Artisans say insurance coverage is insufficient, and many are struggling to meet festival orders.

Some workshop owners are planning to build permanent shelters and raise platforms to protect future production. However, with the festival approaching, artisans are focused on salvaging what remains and fulfilling as many orders as possible.

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.

A rare species of dead marine fish, identified as a unicorn leatherjacket or filefish, washed ashore on Kuakata’s Char Gangamati beach in Patuakhali on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The fish, locally known as 'jacket fish' or 'potka fish', was first spotted by a local resident, Abdul Jalil, who noticed the unusual creature lying on the sand. The discovery quickly drew attention from residents and tourists, who gathered to see the rare specimen.

Local environmentalist K.M. Bachchu described the incident as exceptional, noting that such fish had not been seen in the area before. Experts explained that the filefish, scientifically known as Aluterus monoceros, typically inhabits deep-sea environments and feeds on algae, sponges, jellyfish, shrimp, and other small invertebrates. According to researcher Md. Bakhtiar Rahman from the “Healthy Ocean” project, the fish may have drifted ashore due to environmental changes, stormy weather, or illness, though such occurrences are very rare.

Senior fisheries officer Apu Saha emphasized that when rare marine species appear on the coast, authorities should be informed for preservation and research purposes.

Authorities in Bhangura upazila of Pabna conducted a joint operation on Sunday afternoon, seizing banned Chinese fishing nets worth Tk 260,000. The nets were confiscated from several water bodies in Chakdigar, Satbariya, and Boidyamorich areas and later destroyed by fire. The drive was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Mizanur Rahman, with the participation of the upazila fisheries officer Md. Ali Azam and local police personnel.

According to Executive Magistrate Mizanur Rahman, the Bhangura region, once rich in native fish species due to its proximity to the Chalan Beel wetlands, is now facing a decline in indigenous fish resources. The use of prohibited nets has been identified as a major threat to local fish populations and aquatic biodiversity.

The operation reflects ongoing efforts by local authorities to protect aquatic ecosystems and enforce fishing regulations in the region.

United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) has extended humanitarian support to flood-affected residents of Bandarban. As part of its corporate social responsibility program, the bank distributed food packages to 1,000 families impacted by recent floods. The distribution event took place on Sunday morning at the District Council Rest House premises in Bandarban town, where Professor Thanzama Lushai, Chairman of the Bandarban Hill District Council, attended as the chief guest and handed over the aid packages.

During the event, Thanzama Lushai emphasized that helping disaster victims is a collective social and moral duty, noting that private organizations like UCB complement government relief and rehabilitation efforts. UCB’s Zonal Head and Senior Vice President Mehedi Hasan Chowdhury and Bandarban Branch Head Muha. Hanif Chowdhury were also present.

UCB officials stated that the food assistance was aimed at meeting the immediate needs of flood victims and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to continue such humanitarian initiatives during future natural disasters.

Prime Minister’s Defense Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) A K M Shamsul Islam visited the Bangladesh Meteorological Department in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Sunday. During the visit, he reviewed the department’s ongoing activities in weather observation, forecast preparation, cyclone and heavy rainfall warnings, and dissemination of emergency weather information to the public. Senior officials briefed him on the use of modern technology, data collection methods, and the steps involved in preparing forecasts.

The adviser toured various divisions, including the storm warning center, forecasting, agricultural meteorology, climate, earthquake observatory, and research facilities. He emphasized the need for clear and accessible weather warnings for people in remote areas. Highlighting the growing risks from climate change, he called for transforming the department into a modern, technology-driven, and people-oriented institution. He also instructed officials to explore expanding mobile-based alert services and to strengthen coordination among disaster management agencies, local administrations, media, and telecom operators.

An ISPR press release confirmed that senior officials from the Defense Ministry, SPARRSO, and the Meteorological Department attended the visit.

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.

Facebook users experienced disruptions accessing the platform’s desktop version from Sunday noon due to server or technical issues. Many users reported encountering messages such as ‘account temporarily enabled’ or pages failing to load when attempting to log in. The issue appears to be linked to Meta’s backend updates or server malfunctions, according to the report.

Numerous users took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share their experiences using the hashtag #FacebookDown, posting screenshots of the error messages they received. Despite widespread user reports, Meta, Facebook’s parent company, had not issued any official statement regarding the cause or resolution of the problem at the time of reporting.

The outage has raised concerns among users who rely on Facebook’s desktop version for communication and business activities, though the duration and full extent of the disruption remain unclear.

Continuous heavy rainfall and prolonged tidal flooding have submerged about 25,000 hectares of cropland in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali, damaging Aus paddy, Aman seedbeds, seasonal vegetables, fruits, chili, and betel leaf plantations. According to the local agriculture office, the estimated financial loss may exceed 300 million taka, affecting around 80,000 farmers across the region.

Official data show that 21,520 hectares of Aus paddy, 1,920 hectares of Aman seedbeds, 950 hectares of vegetables, 58 hectares of fruit orchards, 4 hectares of chili, and 10 hectares of betel leaf farms have been damaged. Farmers from several unions, including Char King and Char Ishwar, reported total crop loss. Many, like Kamal Uddin and Hoksab, described losing their entire investment and now face financial hardship.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Bashed Sobuj said field officers are advising affected farmers, and detailed damage reports have been sent to the district agriculture office. He expressed hope that government assistance will soon be allocated to help farmers recover.

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.

At least eight people were killed and six others went missing after heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods in India-administered Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch and Rajouri districts. Rescue operations are underway in the affected areas, with the most severe damage reported in Surankote of Poonch, where a house was buried by a landslide. Two bodies were recovered from the site, while six people remain unaccounted for. Several others died as homes collapsed or they drowned in floodwaters.

In Rajouri town, floodwaters entered residential areas, forcing hundreds of residents to move to safer locations. Numerous vehicles were swept away, causing extensive property damage. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cut short his Delhi visit to return to Jammu and oversee the situation, stating that the administration is prioritizing relief efforts for the victims.

The weather department has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir until July 23, raising concerns about further flooding and landslides in the region.

Astronomers have discovered two of the lightest giant planets ever found, located about 1,100 light-years from Earth in a distant star system. The newly identified gas planets, named TOI-791b and TOI-791c, were first detected by volunteers from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite project. Despite being similar in size to Jupiter, their masses are only 3 to 6 percent of Jupiter’s, making their densities comparable to aerogel, the lightest man-made material.

The research, led by Oxford University astrophysicist George Dransfield, describes these planets as 'super-puffs'—gas giants with extremely small cores that defy conventional planetary formation models. The phenomenon challenges existing theories, as such small cores should not be able to retain vast gaseous atmospheres. The term 'super-puff' was first introduced in 2016 by astrophysicist Eve J. Lee, who suggested that these planets form only under very specific cold and dust-free conditions.

Scientists plan to use the James Webb Space Telescope to study the structure and composition of these planets in greater detail, though a complete understanding of their motion may take nearly a century.