Popular Bangladeshi actor Mosharraf Karim appeared in a new role as a judge, joined by actor-director Shamim Zaman and film actress Aanchal Akhi at the grand finale of the reality show ‘Miss and Mrs Plus Beauty Season 3’. The event, jointly organized by Star Multimedia and Dance Kingdom, aimed to celebrate the intelligence, confidence, personality, and inner beauty of plus-size women beyond conventional beauty standards. The competition began with 30 participants, from which eight finalists advanced to the final round.

Aanchal expressed her excitement and honor at sharing the judging panel with Mosharraf Karim and Shamim Zaman, describing the experience as a memorable milestone in her acting career. She praised the contestants’ performances and said she was delighted to be part of the event.

In the finale, Wafia Sadiqa was crowned champion after impressing the judges with her ramp walk, personality, quick thinking, and overall performance. Jerin Khan and Dalia Islam Jui were named first and second runners-up respectively. The judges jointly crowned the winner at the closing ceremony.

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has approved the introduction of scrip netting, also known as intraday trading, in the country’s stock market. The decision was made at a commission meeting chaired by BSEC Chairman Masud Khan on Tuesday, according to a statement signed by Executive Director and Spokesperson Abul Kalam. The Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges have been authorized to implement the system once all necessary preparations are complete. The new mechanism will allow investors to buy and sell shares of the same company within a single day and settle only the net position at the end of the trading day.

BSEC earlier indicated that the facility would initially be limited to high-quality companies, possibly around 30, due to concerns about investor maturity and the limited number of strong securities. DSE Brokers Association President Saiful Islam said scrip netting is a globally recognized practice but has not been implemented in Bangladesh due to fears of misuse. He suggested starting with the DS-30 companies as a pilot phase.

Islam added that the Dhaka Stock Exchange is technically ready but may need software upgrades. He also noted that full implementation across all listed companies would require the operational readiness of Central Counter Party Bangladesh Limited (CCBL), which has yet to begin activities since its launch in 2019.

Stakeholders and experts have called for Bangladesh’s blue economy to be treated as a national priority, emphasizing coordinated initiatives to harness its potential. The call came on Tuesday at a policy discussion titled “Consultation of National Stakeholders on Blue Economy Management in Bangladesh,” organized by the Blue Economy Think Tank at the Doyel Seminar Hall of the CEMEC Institute of Technology in Uttara, Dhaka.

Speakers, including academics, government officials, and private sector representatives, highlighted the sea as a major source of opportunity for Bangladesh. They stressed the need for a national framework, legal structure, and effective policies for sustainable management of marine resources. The discussion underscored stronger inter-ministerial coordination, enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, and inclusion of trained officials and researchers in planning and management.

Participants also noted that public-private partnerships could transform the blue economy into a key source of national income. The consultation was supported by the Australian government under the “Australia Awards–Driving Change: Alumni Grants for Innovation” program, aiming to promote knowledge exchange and capacity building in the sector.

The Mohonpur-Taltola connecting road in Debidwar upazila of Cumilla has remained unpaved for seven decades since its construction with soil. The 1.5-kilometer stretch, linking Mohonpur Bazar and Taltola village, becomes muddy and nearly impassable even after light rain, causing daily suffering for thousands of residents from three nearby villages. During the monsoon, the road turns almost unusable, disrupting movement for students, farmers, traders, and general commuters.

Locals report that the poor condition of the road severely hampers access to schools and madrasas, while rickshaws, vans, and goods carriers cannot operate, making it difficult for farmers to market their produce. Transporting patients, pregnant women, and the elderly to hospitals becomes extremely challenging, and accidents from slipping in the mud are frequent. Residents have long demanded the road’s paving, citing its impact on education, healthcare, agriculture, and local economic activities.

According to the Debidwar Upazila Local Government Engineering Department, an estimate for paving the road has been submitted to the project director. Once approved, the tender process will begin to start construction work.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met a three-member delegation from the voluntary organization BD Clean on Tuesday, July 14, at his office in the National Parliament. The meeting focused on BD Clean’s ongoing activities to build a cleaner Bangladesh, protect the environment, and raise public awareness. State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam was also present during the meeting.

The delegation included Champa Akter and Zahirul Islam Robi, both former chief coordinators, and Masudur Rahman, the current chief coordinator. Founded on June 3, 2016, with a single volunteer, BD Clean now operates in 58 districts and 165 upazilas with more than 58,000 members. Over the past decade, the organization has cleaned 18 canals, 7 rivers, and 76 parks while conducting regular cleanliness drives and awareness programs.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister praised BD Clean’s volunteers for their contribution to creating a cleaner and more livable Bangladesh and emphasized expanding such public awareness initiatives. The BD Clean representatives expressed their commitment to working under his leadership to make Dhaka cleaner, more livable, and environmentally friendly.

Bangladesh Bank has granted a special facility to Shinepukur Ceramics Limited, a company owned by Salman F Rahman, former adviser on private industry and investment to the prime minister. The central bank issued a directive on Tuesday allowing the company to open import letters of credit (LCs) for raw materials with a 100 percent margin through Sonali Bank. This exemption will remain effective until December 31, 2027, and temporarily suspends the application of Section 27 KaKa(3) of the Bank Company Act for the firm.

The directive clarifies that neither the government nor Bangladesh Bank will bear any liability for loans or financing extended under this facility, and lenders cannot seek financial support from them in the future. Shinepukur Ceramics faced legal complications in opening LCs since August 5, 2024, after its parent group, Beximco, was classified as a loan defaulter. Although Shinepukur itself is not a defaulter, it was affected by the group’s classification.

The central bank issued the directive following approval from the Ministry of Finance. A similar exemption had previously been granted to Abdul Monem Sugar Refinery for one year under comparable circumstances.

A national roundtable titled “Meaningful Tourism: Prospectives on Planning and Sustainability” was held on Tuesday, July 14, at Daffodil International University’s International Conference Hall in Birulia, Savar. The event brought together leading stakeholders from Bangladesh’s tourism sector. German tourism expert Professor Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt presented the keynote paper, highlighting strategies for developing the country’s tourism industry through meaningful engagement and sustainability.

The roundtable, moderated by Associate Professor Mahabub Parvez and opened by Dean Professor Dr. Mohammad Rakibul Kabir, aimed to promote the concept of “Meaningful Tourism” as a tool for ensuring both tangible benefits and emotional satisfaction for all stakeholders. Participants included representatives from TOAB, ATAB, PATA Bangladesh, Bangladesh Tourism Corporation, Novoair, InterContinental Dhaka, and The Westin Dhaka.

Speakers noted that climate change, artificial intelligence, and evolving traveler behavior are reshaping global tourism. They emphasized that Bangladesh, despite its rich culture and biodiversity, has yet to realize its full potential, attracting only 650,000 foreign tourists in 2025 who spent 440 million USD. They urged focusing on service quality and regional markets to transform challenges into opportunities.

New erosion has emerged along the Padma River in Louhajang upazila of Munshiganj as rising water levels and strong currents caused parts of a recently built embankment to collapse. The permanent riverbank protection structure, constructed at a cost of Tk 527.5 crore and stretching 9.10 kilometers, has developed cracks and subsidence in several spots near Gaodia. Hundreds of families living along the river are now gripped by fear after sections of the embankment, completed only one and a half months ago, began to sink into the river.

Local residents expressed frustration, saying they had hoped the new embankment would finally protect them from decades of recurring erosion. Witnesses reported that the collapse began suddenly on Sunday afternoon near Gaodia Bazar, prompting families to move belongings to safety. Officials from the Water Development Board and the upazila administration visited the site, assuring that emergency repairs were underway and the situation was being monitored.

Residents have demanded a full investigation into the project’s design, construction quality, and materials, warning that without swift action, Gaodia Bazar and nearby areas could face severe erosion in the coming days.

Continuous rainfall and a sudden flash flood have caused extensive damage to about 432 hectares of agricultural land in Rajasthali upazila of Rangamati district. The incident occurred late Friday night, leaving farmers and jhum cultivators facing financial losses worth several crores of taka, according to local officials.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Mintu Mia stated that the heavy rainfall and flash flood submerged large areas of farmland, severely affecting local crop production. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Yusuf Hasan said the disaster has caused widespread damage to the agricultural sector in Rajasthali. Authorities are currently collecting field-level data and preparing lists of affected farmers across the upazila’s three unions.

Officials expect to have a clearer picture of the total damage within a few days as assessments continue in the affected areas.

A newly renovated road in Kutuba Union’s Ward 2 of Borhanuddin upazila, Bhola, collapsed only a month after completion, sparking anger among residents. The road, stretching from Bablu Majhi’s shop to Manik Hawlader’s shop, was rebuilt at a cost of Tk 12,011,591 and finished on June 10, 2026. Locals said a section of the road gave way after light rainfall, raising serious concerns about construction quality.

Residents alleged that substandard materials, inadequate soil compaction, and poor supervision led to the collapse. They claimed to have informed authorities during construction but saw no corrective action. Local resident Maulana Nurul Karim said the road is a vital route for hundreds of daily commuters, students, and traders, warning that further damage during the monsoon could worsen public suffering.

Upazila road engineer Maidul Islam explained that road design near water bodies must consider soil strength, slope stability, and erosion risks, with retaining or guide walls added as needed. Locals have demanded an impartial investigation, accountability for those responsible, and durable reconstruction of the damaged road.

US-Bangla Airlines has proposed to transport Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims in 2027 at a fare of Tk 98,000 per person, significantly lower than the Tk 154,830 charged in 2026. The airline submitted a formal letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Tuesday, expressing readiness to operate Hajj flights upon government approval.

The ministry confirmed receipt of the proposal, with Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad describing it as a positive factor in ongoing discussions to reduce airfare for pilgrims. US-Bangla stated in its letter that it aims to help Bangladeshi Muslims perform Hajj at a lower cost while complying with all flight conditions. Currently, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia, and Flynas handle Hajj flights from Bangladesh.

The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh welcomed the proposal and said it would be discussed in an upcoming meeting. Officials from relevant ministries and agencies were scheduled to meet Tuesday to finalize the 2027 Hajj package, with the Religious Affairs Minister expected to announce the package later in the day.

A special event titled “Youth, Startups and the Prospects of Bangladesh” was held on Tuesday at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of the University of Dhaka. Organized by the ICT Division in collaboration with the university, the event was attended by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as chief guest. The program featured discussions, startup grant distributions, and the inauguration of the National Startup and Entrepreneur Platform, designed to provide entrepreneurs with access to government support, training, mentoring, and investment opportunities through a unified digital system.

In his address, Prime Minister Rahman emphasized that young entrepreneurs are the driving force behind Bangladesh’s future development. He urged them to overcome challenges with perseverance and confidence, assuring that the government will continue to support their innovation and growth. University Vice-Chancellor Professor A.B.M. Obaidul Islam highlighted the importance of technology-driven entrepreneurship and the need for universities to become centers of innovation in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Speakers noted that a dedicated startup fund of Tk 500 crore has been established to promote innovation-based economic growth and youth employment across the country.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said that most of the 54 people who died in floods across eight districts were killed in landslides. He made the statement on Tuesday after an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat, speaking to reporters at the Press Information Department’s conference center.

The minister said that his ministry had allocated Tk 17.5 million for emergency relief operations, along with 3,250 metric tons of rice and dry food. Additionally, each affected district received Tk 2 million from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. Cooked and dry food are being supplied to shelters, while the army, Border Guard Bangladesh, and Coast Guard have been deployed for rescue operations. Speedboats and rubber boats have also been sent for immediate use.

Dulu added that the government has taken key decisions for rehabilitation of affected families and repair of damaged roads. The Roads and Highways Department and local government bodies will handle repairs, while earthen roads will be restored under the Kabikha and Kabita programs. The food ministry will continue emergency food assistance in affected areas.

In Sandwip upazila of Chattogram, continuous heavy rainfall for a week has flooded about 80 percent of the area, leaving nearly 60 percent of residents still stranded. Although official figures cite 60,000 affected people, local estimates suggest more than 100,000 are waterlogged. The government has allocated only 150,000 taka in emergency relief, amounting to less than two taka per person.

Despite the limited allocation and adverse weather, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Amjad Hossain has been distributing dry food and essentials across 14 unions, including the isolated Uriarchar union. Residents expressed frustration, saying the relief is insufficient even for a single meal. In some areas, such as Ward 3 of Musapur, homes remain submerged in waist-deep water.

The UNO acknowledged that Sandwip received significantly less funding than other upazilas but said local union council funds are being used temporarily for relief distribution, which will later be adjusted with government expenses.

An inter-ministerial meeting was held on Tuesday at the Cabinet Division in Dhaka to strengthen coordination in tackling the ongoing flood situation caused by heavy rainfall and hill torrents across various regions of Bangladesh. The meeting was chaired by Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who called on all ministries, departments, and agencies to work in unison to reduce public suffering and deliver timely assistance to affected communities.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized transparency and accountability in relief distribution, ensuring aid reaches genuine victims without corruption. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury highlighted the need for an accurate database of flood victims to make relief operations more efficient and stressed maintaining supply chains and transport infrastructure. The meeting also decided to implement departmental action plans for post-flood rehabilitation, assess damage after water recedes, and provide food aid and new seeds to affected farmers.

Authorities resolved to repair damaged roads under LGED and restore major highways swiftly. Government sources confirmed that coordinated rescue, relief, health, and rehabilitation operations will continue until the situation normalizes.