A severe heatwave has gripped the central United States, breaking multiple long-standing temperature records across several cities. According to preliminary data from the National Weather Service, Salt Lake City in Utah and Billings in Montana both reached 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) on Sunday, marking the highest temperatures recorded in more than 150 years of recordkeeping. The extreme heat has disrupted daily life across the northern plains and Rocky Mountain regions.

The intense conditions have also hampered efforts to control ongoing wildfires in Colorado and Utah. Meteorologists warned that the high temperatures are expected to persist through Tuesday. Just a week earlier, the U.S. East Coast experienced another heatwave, with New York and Philadelphia reaching around 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Experts cited climate change as a key driver behind the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves worldwide. They attributed the trend to the continued use of coal, oil, and gas, and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions. The World Health Organization reported that June was the hottest on record in Western Europe, where more than 1,300 people died due to extreme heat.

More than 10,000 people died across Europe during an eight-day heatwave from June 20 to 28, according to a report released Sunday by EuroMOMO, a monitoring organization jointly operated by the European Union and the World Health Organization. The report stated that most of the deaths occurred among people aged 65 and older, primarily due to heatstroke and heat-induced cardiac or respiratory failure.

EuroMOMO official and Danish Statens Serum Institute chief physician Lasse Vestergaard told Reuters that the deaths were directly caused by extreme heat, calling the number unusually high for such a short period. The report did not specify country-by-country figures but noted that a large share of the deaths occurred in France and Belgium. Official data indicate that EU countries have been recording an average of 500 heat-related deaths per week for the past eight weeks.

European scientists attributed the June heatwave to human-induced climate change and warned that similar extreme heat events are likely to recur in the coming years.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has questioned why Bangladesh has not taken steps to close or restructure banks with extremely high default loan ratios, some exceeding 80 percent. The issue was raised during a series of meetings held on Sunday between IMF representatives and officials from various departments of Bangladesh Bank. The IMF delegation, led by mission chief Ivo Krznar, is in Dhaka for a five-day visit to begin preliminary discussions on a new loan program.

Discussions covered banking sector reforms, non-performing loan (NPL) reduction, bank resolution strategies, Islamic banking, foreign exchange management, and a new 600 billion taka stimulus package. The IMF sought explanations on why state-owned banks were excluded from asset quality reviews and why weak banks had not yet entered resolution processes. Bangladesh Bank officials said guidelines for NPL resolution are being prepared for release by December, and IFRS-9 implementation instructions have already been issued to banks.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that any new IMF loan program will prioritize national interests. The government expects to secure $4–4.5 billion over three years to support macroeconomic stability and external financing needs.

An elderly woman named Rowshon Ara Begum, aged 70, died on Sunday afternoon when the wall of her earthen house collapsed due to continuous heavy rainfall in Dhukundi village of Amlab Union, Belabo upazila, Narsingdi. She was the wife of the late Abdul Aziz and had been living with her daughter in their homestead. The wall reportedly softened after days of rain and suddenly fell on her, causing fatal injuries before locals could rescue her.

Police from Belabo station visited the site following the incident. The victim’s family said they are living in extreme hardship, as their house has nearly collapsed, leaving them without shelter. The same day, another earthen house in Pahar Ujilabo village also collapsed due to heavy rain, though no casualties occurred.

Local residents urged authorities to relocate families living in vulnerable earthen houses to safer places and take steps for rehabilitation of those affected by the continuous rainfall.

A 65-year-old man named Niranjan Das died after being swept away by floodwaters in Kacchopia Union of Ramu upazila, Cox’s Bazar. The incident occurred on Sunday evening when he was returning from his workplace in Naikhongchhari. He slipped while crossing a submerged section of the Gorjonia Bazar–Naikhongchhari connecting road near a culvert in Fakrikata village and was carried away by the strong current.

Niranjan Das was a resident of Dochhari Purbo Dashpara in Kacchopia Union and the elder brother of local Union Parishad member Bimal Das. Locals and fire service personnel later recovered his body after a search operation and transported it to his home by boat.

The incident has cast a shadow of grief over the local community, according to the report.

Global crude oil prices rose by more than 3 percent as tensions between the United States and Iran intensified, raising concerns over energy supply disruptions. Brent crude climbed by 2.67 dollars, or 3.51 percent, to reach 78.68 dollars per barrel, according to market data released on July 13, 2026.

Analysts attributed the price increase primarily to fears of transport disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route for global energy shipments. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicated that before the conflict began, nearly one-fifth of the world’s petroleum supply passed through this strait.

Market observers warned that if the conflict escalates further, oil transportation through the Strait of Hormuz could be severely affected, potentially triggering greater instability in the global energy market.

In Durgapur of Rajshahi, farmers are discarding bitter gourds in local markets after failing to get fair prices. Despite abundant harvests, growers are being forced to sell at only 2.5 to 5 taka per kilogram, far below production costs. Some farmers have even destroyed their crops in frustration, as wholesale buyers are refusing to offer reasonable rates. At Hatkanpara market, one farmer was seen trampling his unsold bitter gourds after being offered just 120 taka per maund.

Farmers report spending 25,000 to 30,000 taka per bigha on cultivation, but recovering less than a quarter of that investment. The Durgapur Upazila Agriculture Office confirmed that 178 hectares were planted with bitter gourd this season. While early yields fetched 80 to 100 taka per kilogram, prices have since plummeted. Many farmers now face severe financial strain and loss of capital.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Sahana Parvin Laboni urged farmers not to destroy their crops and assured that efforts are underway with the agricultural marketing department to stabilize prices soon.

The Kansat mango market in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj is witnessing daily transactions worth around Tk 15 to 18 crore, with an average of 4,500 to 5,000 tonnes of mangoes traded each day. Farmers from Shibganj and nearby districts bring their produce to the market early in the morning, where wholesalers and traders from across the country, including Dhaka, gather to purchase mangoes. The market, considered the second largest mango hub in Asia, remains vibrant throughout the peak harvesting season.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension and local traders, about 400 to 450 trucks of mangoes are loaded daily from the Kansat market for distribution across Bangladesh. The market attracts around 15,000 to 16,000 people every day, creating significant employment opportunities for the local population. The mango trading season typically runs from late May to the end of July.

This year, mangoes have been cultivated on 37,487 hectares of land in Chapainawabganj, with a production target of 457,900 tonnes. Officials expect the target to be met if no natural disasters occur.

US-Bangla Airlines has announced a major expansion plan in Bangladesh’s private aviation sector, committing around 1.11 billion US dollars to add 21 brand-new Boeing 737-8 aircraft to its fleet in 2027. The airline disclosed the plan in a letter to the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) chairman, stating that the aircraft will be procured through five leading global leasing companies. A formal announcement will be made jointly by Boeing and US-Bangla on July 29 at Sheraton Dhaka, attended by senior officials from Boeing, the US Embassy, and the aviation industry.

US-Bangla aims to transform Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet into regional aviation hubs, connecting South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Aviation experts described the move as the largest fleet expansion by any Bangladeshi airline, predicting positive effects on the economy, tourism, exports, and employment. The addition of 21 aircraft will require a large number of pilots, engineers, and technical staff, creating thousands of new jobs.

Experts also noted that increased domestic airline capacity could reduce Bangladesh’s reliance on foreign carriers and retain more foreign currency within the country.

Typhoon Bavi struck China’s Zhejiang province on Saturday, causing severe weather across the southern and eastern regions and disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers. According to Global Times, more than 2,800 domestic and international flights were canceled on Sunday, with hundreds more delayed or suspended in major cities including Nanjing, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Shenyang, Dalian, and Chengdu.

Heavy rainfall in northern China led to widespread flight delays at Beijing Capital and Beijing Daxing international airports. Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao airports reported that about 30 percent of their flights could be canceled due to adverse weather. Thunderstorm warnings were issued at 45 airports, including those in Hangzhou and Changzhou in Jiangsu province.

Rail services were also affected, with several high-speed train routes temporarily suspended for passenger safety. Airports in Fujian, Zhejiang, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces experienced major disruptions. The weather bureau warned that heavy rain and flash floods could persist through Sunday night, potentially worsening transport difficulties across the country.

More than a week of heavy rainfall has severely disrupted life across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, where several neighborhoods such as Mirpur, Dhanmondi, and Banani remain waterlogged. According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 51 people have died and 39 others were injured in landslides and flash floods in Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, and Chattogram. Cox’s Bazar alone reported 28 deaths, while Bandarban and Chattogram recorded seven and thirteen fatalities respectively.

The ministry reported that over one million people have been affected in seven districts—Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj. Around 267,000 families remain stranded, and 44,457 people have taken shelter in 1,131 relief centers. The Chattogram Education Board has postponed HSC and equivalent exams scheduled for July 13, 15, and 16, while several Dhaka schools have delayed midterm exams due to adverse weather.

Rail services between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar remain suspended as tracks at Shamsherpara are still submerged. The Meteorological Department warned that heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue for the next five days, with short-term flooding likely in several northern and northeastern districts.

Bangladesh’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre reported on July 12, 2026, that water levels in four rivers across four districts were flowing above the danger mark at five points. While flood conditions in Chattogram and the hill districts were slowly improving, the agency warned of a short-term flood risk in the country’s northeastern region due to continued heavy rainfall. The forecast indicated that heavy to very heavy rain could occur in six divisions and adjoining upstream areas of India over the next 24 to 48 hours, potentially inundating new areas.

According to the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry, seven districts—Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj—have been severely affected by recent floods, impacting over one million people and leaving 51 dead and 39 injured. More than 1,100 shelters have been opened, housing over 44,000 displaced residents. Relief efforts, including food, cash, and materials, are ongoing with support from government and non-government organizations.

Officials expect gradual improvement in the northeastern flood situation within 72 hours if rainfall decreases, though continuous monsoon activity may prolong risks in low-lying areas.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has called on private universities to use funds saved from tax exemptions to enhance education quality and research. Speaking as chief guest at a discussion organized by the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh at The Westin Dhaka, he emphasized self-regulation over government control and announced plans to bring all sectors and marginalized groups under GDP coverage by 2034.

He justified the tax waiver by describing education as a non-profit sector and said the 5% tax savings should be directed toward achieving international benchmarks and improving university ratings. Despite economic challenges, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to private sector–driven growth and policy continuity for five years to support long-term planning. He also urged universities to engage with the capital market and prioritize local ICT graduates and companies to reduce foreign dependence.

The event, chaired by APUB Chairman Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, was attended by UGC Chairman Prof. Mamun Ahmed and representatives from academia and industry, who praised the government’s supportive stance toward private higher education and research.

Dhaka experienced its heaviest July rainfall in 17 years as 175 millimeters of rain fell within 24 hours on Sunday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. The intense monsoon activity caused severe waterlogging across the capital, disrupting daily life. Meteorologists AKM Nazmul Haque and Khondaker Hafizur Rahman attributed the heavy rainfall to an active monsoon system.

Other regions also recorded significant rainfall, including 160 millimeters in Chattogram, 152 in Patuakhali, and 113 in Cox’s Bazar. The department warned that heavy to very heavy rainfall might continue for two more days across Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Experts linked the abnormal weather pattern to global warming and the El Niño effect, noting that climate change is intensifying rainfall patterns.

Senior meteorologist Bazlur Rahman said the monsoon’s traditional gentle rhythm has been replaced by short, intense bursts of rain. The report highlighted growing public distress over Dhaka’s inadequate drainage and called for urgent modernization to protect urban life from worsening climate impacts.

A Dhaka court has issued a summons against actress Tanjin Tisha in a fraud and breach of trust case. The order was given on Sunday, July 12, by Magistrate Md. Jewel Rana of the 10th Court of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate. Tisha has been instructed to appear before the court on August 13 for the next hearing, confirmed by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Advocate Salimullah Sarkar.

According to the case statement, Tanjin Tisha allegedly took a sari worth 28,800 taka from an online fashion page named ‘Aponia’ for promotional purposes but neither paid for it nor maintained contact afterward. The plaintiff claims that conversations through Instagram, WhatsApp, and voice messages support the allegations. Tisha, however, stated in a Facebook post that the sari had been given to her as a gift.

The plaintiff’s lawyer said the investigation report found preliminary evidence supporting the complaint, and the matter will now proceed in court.