Bus operations between Rajshahi and the rest of Bangladesh have been suspended indefinitely following a dispute over the formation of the Rajshahi District Motor Workers’ Union committee. Workers announced the shutdown on Monday afternoon after the deputy commissioner’s mediation failed to resolve the issue. The suspension has caused severe travel disruptions for passengers on routes including Dhaka.

According to reports, the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation announced a 21-member committee for the Rajshahi union on May 12, appointing Rafiqul Islam Pakhi as president and Mominul Islam Momin as general secretary. The committee was formed without an election, prompting protests from a faction of workers who demanded a vote. Clashes, chases, and even explosions occurred during the unrest, after which the district administration temporarily took charge of the organization.

Talks held at the district commissioner’s office on Tuesday failed to produce a resolution or election schedule. Workers declared that the strike would continue until an ad hoc committee is formed and elections are held.

A powerful pair of earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has left at least 4,561 people dead, according to a report by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency on Tuesday. Jorge Rodríguez, president of the country’s National Assembly, said 16,740 people were injured. Authorities have assisted 128,324 families and set up 107 temporary shelters for 20,231 people, where 17,907 are currently staying. A total of 856 buildings were damaged, including 190 that collapsed.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, with epicenters along Venezuela’s northern coast, an area that hosts several oil refineries. CNN reported that many buildings in Caracas and other cities collapsed as a result of the tremors. The USGS noted that most structures in Venezuela were not built using earthquake-resistant technology, raising concerns that the death toll could exceed 10,000.

Authorities continue relief efforts as the country faces widespread destruction and displacement following the June 24 disaster.

Water levels in the Teesta River have started to recede but remain 7 centimeters above the danger mark at the Dalia point in Lalmonirhat as of Tuesday morning, July 14, 2026. The river had earlier risen 3, 10, and 15 centimeters above the danger level on Monday night. Authorities warn that if the water does not fall below the danger level soon, short-term flooding may occur in low-lying areas, where residents are already anxious.

According to the Water Development Board, heavy rainfall and upstream flow have caused the river’s rise. The Dalia Water Development Board’s executive engineer confirmed that the water was flowing 7 centimeters above the danger level at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Local residents report that several houses in the char areas have already been inundated, and roads and croplands are submerged, disrupting movement. Boats and rafts are now the only means of transport in some areas.

Field teams from the Lalmonirhat Water Development Board are monitoring the situation continuously as the region faces the second flood threat of the season.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government will work on developing new startup ideas and provide financial assistance to promising ventures, even if they initially fail. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning at a special event titled “Youth, Startups and the Potential of Bangladesh” held at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of Dhaka University.

Rahman said that due to a lack of job opportunities in the country, skilled individuals are moving abroad, and the government aims to support new entrepreneurs. The ICT Division will provide funds ranging from 500,000 to 50 million taka for innovative projects. He emphasized that developing young and female entrepreneurs is now a national priority to integrate their creativity into the mainstream of economic progress.

As part of this initiative, the government’s 2026 election manifesto has given special priority to startup and entrepreneurship development. A startup fund of 5 billion taka has already been established to finance and promote innovative ventures, contributing to growth, employment generation, and technological transformation.

Floodwaters in Pekua upazila of Cox’s Bazar have started to recede, exposing the full extent of the disaster. Many homes remain buried in mud, roads have collapsed, and thousands of families face uncertainty after losing crops, fish enclosures, and household goods. Heavy rainfall and hill runoff had submerged large parts of the upazila, including several unions and the municipality, for several days.

Although water levels have dropped in most areas, low-lying regions remain waterlogged, delaying a return to normal life. Locals allege that obstructions and nets placed at sluice gates slowed water drainage, worsening the flooding. Residents report that once the gates were opened, water levels fell more quickly. The agricultural and fisheries sectors have suffered major losses, with farmers and fishers facing financial hardship.

Authorities are now collecting data on damaged homes and properties to prepare a list for government assistance. Local residents are demanding quick road repairs, proper rehabilitation, and stricter monitoring of water management systems to prevent future flooding.

Bangladesh’s position in the global apparel trade has come under renewed pressure as its export growth lags behind global trends. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), global apparel exports grew by 4.46 percent this year, while Bangladesh’s growth was only 0.89 percent. The country’s market share fell from 7 percent in 2024 to 6.76 percent, reversing earlier gains. In contrast, Vietnam’s export value reached 37.51 billion dollars in 2025, just 1.31 billion dollars below Bangladesh’s 38.82 billion, sharply narrowing the gap from previous years.

The WTO data indicates that Vietnam and Cambodia have become key drivers of global apparel trade expansion, benefiting from China’s shrinking market share. Cambodia’s exports grew by 16.88 percent and Vietnam’s by 10.53 percent, while Bangladesh failed to capitalize on shifting orders. Industry analyst Mohiuddin Rubel attributed Vietnam’s advantage to free trade agreements, shorter lead times, better port management, and stable supply chains. He added that Bangladesh’s garment sector remains strong but needs policy support and a business-friendly environment to regain momentum.

Export data from Eurostat and Otexa show sharp declines in Bangladesh’s shipments to the EU and US. The Export Promotion Bureau has recommended a 58 billion dollar export target for 2026–27, urging diversification beyond garments.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast heavier rainfall across the country from Thursday, warning that the ongoing flood situation could persist or worsen. The monsoon trough currently extends over the northern Bay of Bengal and is expected to strengthen, bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall across coastal and inland regions. Three districts are already flooded, and six more may face flooding within 48 hours. Over one million people have been affected so far, with 51 deaths and 39 injuries reported.

Officials said the rainfall pattern is shifting from the southeast toward central and northwestern regions, with Sylhet and Chattogram seeing some relief while Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Khulna brace for more rain. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre reported that several rivers in Sylhet, Sunamganj, and Netrokona are flowing above danger levels, and short-term flooding may develop in northern and northeastern low-lying areas.

The government has opened 1,131 shelters and allocated funds and food aid to affected districts. Health authorities have launched emergency medical operations in 11 high-risk districts, ensuring medicine supplies and deploying senior doctors to monitor the situation.

Continuous rainfall has once again brought Jamalpur city to a standstill, with two-thirds of the area submerged under knee- to waist-deep water. Roads, markets, schools, and residential zones have been inundated, severely disrupting daily life and business activities. Residents report that transport has nearly halted, with rickshaws and auto-rickshaws operating on a limited scale. Despite recurring monsoon flooding, no lasting solution has been implemented.

Local residents blame the crisis on years of canal encroachment, unplanned urbanization, and a failing drainage system. Many canals have been filled or built over, blocking natural water flow. Drainage projects worth millions have failed to deliver results, as many drains are undersized, disconnected, or clogged with waste. Environmental activists and engineers argue that restoring canals, improving drainage design, and adopting coordinated urban planning are essential for a permanent fix.

Municipal officials said multiple teams are working to remove stagnant water and that long-term planning is underway to prevent future flooding.

Dhaka is facing severe waterlogging as nearly half of its 41 sluice gates remain inactive, according to the engineering division of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Only 19 gates are fully functional, while six are completely inoperative and 15 partially work but fail to drain water effectively. The city’s drainage system is further strained by a lack of manpower, malfunctioning pumps, and clogged canals. One of the three major pumps at the Kamalapur T&T Para station has been out of order for about a year and a half, limiting the city’s capacity to remove rainwater efficiently.

Officials said a new pump is planned to be installed next week to replace the broken one. Experts from the Bangladesh Institute of Planners emphasized that Dhaka’s current outlets and sluice gates are insufficient and called for immediate repairs and long-term urban planning. DSCC and DNCC officials stated that modernization of drainage, repair of nonfunctional sluice gates, and enhanced cleaning operations are underway to reduce flooding.

The authorities are monitoring the situation closely, but the city’s drainage infrastructure remains under heavy pressure during the monsoon season.

A week of continuous heavy rainfall and rough seas has severely disrupted import and export operations at Chattogram Port. Container handling at jetties and delivery from yards have slowed sharply, while more than 60 mother vessels remain idle offshore due to turbulent seas. The suspension of lighter vessel movement has also halted inland cargo transport, raising concerns about shortages of essential goods and industrial raw materials across Bangladesh.

Port sources report that daily container handling has dropped by nearly half, and deliveries have fallen from around 4,500 to 2,500 containers per day. Operators say general cargo unloading has decreased by 30–35 percent, while over 500 lighter vessels remain anchored at the Karnaphuli River and coastal areas. Importers are incurring significant demurrage costs, and garment factories are facing production slowdowns due to waterlogging, damaged containers, and reduced worker attendance.

Industry representatives have highlighted weaknesses in the port’s drainage and management systems. The port authority maintains that operations remain active and expects conditions to normalize once the weather improves.

Global crude oil prices rose sharply on Monday, climbing more than 9 percent to reach their highest level in a month. The surge followed renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the United States’ announcement to reinstate a naval blockade against Iran starting Tuesday at 4 p.m. Washington time. The blockade had previously been lifted in mid-June.

Analysts from Gelbar & Associates said President Trump’s new restrictions on Iranian maritime movements, retaliatory attacks, and reduced shipping through the Hormuz Strait have heightened short-term concerns over energy supply. Brent crude closed up by $7.29, or 9.59 percent, at $83.30 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose $6.73, or 9.42 percent, to $78.14 per barrel.

Brent recorded its largest single-day dollar gain since April 2 and its highest closing price since June 12. WTI also saw its biggest daily increase since April 29 and reached its highest closing level since June 15, reflecting market anxiety over potential supply disruptions.

A flood control embankment in Saghata, Gaibandha, collapsed shortly after being repaired, causing major disruption for local residents. The embankment, which was renovated by the Water Development Board at a cost of several crores of taka, deteriorated again due to poor maintenance and heavy vehicle movement. The collapse has made the route from the high school area to Bot-tola and Dakbangla Bazar nearly impassable.

Residents said the embankment had long been in disrepair before the recent renovation, but the work failed to bring lasting improvement. Unrestricted movement of heavy tractors carrying soil and sand has caused the structure to sink and break apart, creating deep potholes and making it unsafe for pedestrians and small vehicles. Several sections of the embankment are now considered highly risky.

Locals have demanded an immediate ban on heavy and illegal vehicle movement over the embankment and urgent repairs to the damaged sections. The executive engineer of the Gaibandha Water Development Board stated that there is currently no maintenance budget during the monsoon but an application could be made if necessary.

Heavy rainfall and upstream mountain runoff have caused the Teesta River to swell dangerously in Nilphamari’s Dimla upazila. At the Dalia point, the river’s water level rose 15 centimeters above the danger mark on Monday night, flooding vast areas of Dimla and Jaldhaka upazilas. Around 5,000 families have become waterlogged as floodwaters entered homes, forcing residents to endure sleepless nights and threatening livestock and crops. The Water Development Board (WDB) opened all 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage to manage the situation.

According to the WDB, the water level, which was below the danger mark at 3 p.m., began rising rapidly from 6 p.m. and reached 52.30 meters by 10 p.m., surpassing the danger level of 52.15 meters. Low-lying areas in ten unions, including Purba Chhatnai, Khogakhharibari, Tepakhharibari, Khalisha Chapani, Golmunda, and Dauyabari, have been inundated. The Dalia WDB executive engineer stated that heavy rainfall in India’s upstream regions is driving the rise in water levels. Local authorities and the WDB are monitoring the situation and warning residents in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations.

The European Union has announced plans to introduce new age-based restrictions on children's use of social media across its 27 member states. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the announcement in Brussels on Monday, describing it as potentially the EU’s most significant step yet to protect children from online risks. The proposal, prepared by two experts, recommends a gradual approach to social media access based on age.

According to the proposal, children under 13 would be allowed limited social media use only under the supervision of parents, guardians, or teachers. Restrictions would gradually ease as users grow older. Von der Leyen emphasized the need for age-appropriate rules and said the Commission would present a formal proposal after the summer, possibly detailing it in her upcoming “State of the Union” address in September.

The initiative follows similar actions or considerations in countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, China, India, and the United States. Technology companies have stated that they already have measures and age limits in place to protect younger users.

Bangladesh Bank has relaxed the foreign currency transaction rules for industries operating in the Domestic Processing Areas (DPA) of economic zones. According to a circular issued on Monday, companies can now remit amounts exceeding the previously fixed limits for royalty, technical know-how, and technical assistance payments abroad, provided they obtain prior approval from the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).

Previously, authorized dealer banks could remit funds within a capped limit—up to 6 percent of the imported machinery value for new projects, and up to 6 percent of declared sales revenue from the previous fiscal year for existing industries. Under the new directive, remittances beyond these limits are allowed with BEZA’s prior approval. Additionally, any other legitimate foreign payments by DPA-based industries will also require BEZA’s authorization regardless of the amount.

Business representatives noted that the decision will simplify cross-border financial transactions for DPA-based industries and reduce restrictions on technology-related payments, potentially supporting greater foreign investment inflows.