Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves declined following the settlement of Asian Clearing Union (ACU) import bills for the May–June period. According to Bangladesh Bank data, the country’s total reserves stood at 36.17 billion dollars on Tuesday, down from 37.84 billion dollars the previous day. Under the IMF’s BPM-6 calculation method, reserves dropped to 31.72 billion dollars from 33.19 billion dollars, while net reserves were recorded at 27.29 billion dollars.

The ACU payment for May–June amounted to about 1.67 billion dollars. Earlier, Bangladesh paid 1.51 billion dollars for March–April, 1.37 billion dollars for January–February, 1.53 billion dollars for November–December, and 1.61 billion dollars for September–October. The ACU is a regional settlement system among nine Asian central banks, including Bangladesh, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bhutan, and the Maldives.

The ACU mechanism allows participating countries to settle import and export payments every two months, unlike other international transactions that are settled immediately.

Malaysia has reopened its labor market for Bangladeshi workers, according to Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury. Speaking to journalists at Sylhet Circuit House on Tuesday, he said worker deployment could begin within one to two months under a new system. Bangladesh will now select recruiting agencies to ensure transparency in the hiring process.

The announcement comes less than two weeks after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official visit to Malaysia, during which he discussed labor recruitment, regularization of irregular workers, and a free trade agreement with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Malaysia had previously suspended worker recruitment from Bangladesh in March 2024 after irregularities resurfaced, following earlier closures and reopenings since 2018.

The minister also indicated that positive developments may soon follow regarding labor markets in the Middle East, Japan, and Mauritius. Authorities emphasized coordinated efforts between the government and recruiting agencies to prevent syndicates and corruption in the new recruitment framework.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced jet fuel prices for the third consecutive month, providing relief to the country’s aviation sector. According to a notification issued on Tuesday, the new July rates lower domestic jet fuel prices by 19.22 taka per liter, from 150.21 to 130.99 taka. For international routes, the price has been reduced from 0.9808 to 0.8556 US dollars per liter.

This marks a total reduction of 96.09 taka per liter over three months, following sharp price hikes in March and April when domestic rates rose by about 80 percent. The recent cuts follow a decline in global crude oil prices, prompting local adjustments in May and June. Industry stakeholders say the lower fuel costs will reduce operating expenses for both domestic and international flights, though ticket prices are unlikely to drop immediately.

Energy experts note that if global oil markets remain stable, further price adjustments may be possible in the coming months. However, geopolitical instability or supply disruptions could reverse the trend.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new pilot package visa program aimed at simplifying travel procedures for foreign tourists. The initiative, announced on Tuesday, allows visitors to obtain a comprehensive travel package that includes a tourist visa, flight tickets, accommodation, and other essential travel services through approved travel and tourism providers.

According to the country’s state news agency, the program will initially be implemented through authorized agencies with digital platforms, technical capacity, and 24-hour customer service. Travelers will be able to book round-trip flights, licensed hotel stays, and apply for electronic tourist visas in one process, with options to add events and tourism activities. The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to boost the tourism sector, jointly managed by the ministries of tourism, foreign affairs, interior, and the insurance authority.

Officials expect the program to enhance the travel experience, strengthen tourism partnerships, and increase visitor spending and engagement in the country.

Continuous heavy rainfall in Bandarban has sharply increased the risk of hill and landslides, prompting the Youth Red Crescent to launch awareness campaigns urging residents in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations. Under the supervision of unit officer Mohammad Asadul Haidar Chowdhury, trained volunteers used loudspeakers to alert people living at the foothills and along riverbanks.

During the campaign, volunteers visited highly risky neighborhoods such as Godar Para, Barishal Para, and Ujani Para, speaking directly with residents about the potential dangers of landslides. They urged locals to remain prepared for emergencies and to relocate promptly to nearby government shelters if necessary.

The Youth Red Crescent Bandarban unit stated that its awareness and humanitarian assistance efforts will continue until the disaster situation improves, emphasizing the importance of staying calm, avoiding rumors, and following official instructions from local authorities and disaster management committees.

Traffic on the Chattogram-Kaptai road came to a halt on Tuesday morning following a landslide in the Baluchara area of Wagga Union under Kaptai upazila in Rangamati district. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m., temporarily suspending movement of vehicles and pedestrians. According to Kaptai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Mahmudul Hasan Rubel, a team led by Senior Station Officer Delwar Hossain from the Kaptai Fire Service began clearing trees and debris with help from locals. No casualties have been reported.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Raihanul Islam visited the site along with police and local officials to assess the situation and inspect vulnerable areas. Following instructions from the district administration, 18 shelters have been opened across five unions in the upazila to accommodate residents if needed. The administration has arranged food and safety measures for those taking refuge.

Authorities continue cleanup operations to restore normal traffic movement and ensure safety in the affected region.

Sheltech Group, one of Bangladesh’s leading industrial conglomerates, has announced a new investment plan worth Tk 1,504 crore across agriculture processing, real estate, textiles, manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors. The company stated that the initiative could create around 45,000 new jobs, largely through contract farming. The announcement was made on July 7, 2026.

Founded in 1988, Sheltech Group operates in real estate, construction, tiles, electrical poles, agriculture, garments, textiles, and hospitality. The group said the new investments will support industrialization, export growth, employment, and sustainable economic development. Funding will come from internal resources, joint ventures, bank loans, and foreign financing. Managing Director Tanvir Ahmed said the expansion responds to growing global demand for Bangladeshi products.

The plan includes Tk 400 crore already invested in a Spain-Bangladesh agro joint venture in Parbatipur, Tk 575 crore for a 17-story green shopping complex in Banasree, Tk 85 crore in abrasive paper production in Sylhet, and Tk 179 crore to expand blended yarn capacity. Sheltech also plans to install 10 MW of solar power. The group expects annual turnover to rise from Tk 6,700 crore to Tk 9,200 crore by 2030.

Flight operations at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram were disrupted on Tuesday due to severe weather conditions. From the morning, three flights were unable to land and were diverted to Dhaka, while other flights experienced delays ranging from 30 minutes to one hour. The information was confirmed by the airport’s public relations officer, Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil.

According to the official, US-Bangla Airlines flight BS350 from Abu Dhabi to Chattogram and Air Arabia flight G9-526 from Sharjah to Chattogram were diverted to Dhaka. Additionally, Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG121 from Dhaka to Chattogram returned to Dhaka after failing to land. Heavy rainfall and strong winds with speeds of 80–90 kilometers per hour were reported in the airport area, creating unsafe conditions for flight operations.

The adverse weather caused widespread disruption throughout the day, though no reports of flooding at the airport were mentioned in the source.

Sixty-nine tourists have been stranded at Nafakhum waterfall in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban after several days of rainfall caused the Sangu River to swell, cutting off access to the upazila headquarters. The affected areas include Padma Jhiri, Raja Patar, Amiya Khum, Nafakhum, and Remakri. Local guides and five engine-powered boats have been dispatched to bring the tourists back safely, according to Clement Tripura, general secretary of the Tourist Guide Welfare Association.

In response to the situation, the Thanchi upazila administration has issued an emergency notice banning travel to all tourist centers, hill trails, river routes, remote areas, and risky locations. A tourist from Dhaka, Ashraf, said their group was unable to return the previous day due to strong currents but managed to come back today. Another guide, Gorbel Tripura, reported that some tourists remain in Nafakhum and other nearby spots, while his group has safely returned.

Authorities are monitoring the situation as rescue efforts continue amid rising water levels and travel restrictions in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Walmart reduced product prices at his administration’s request. In a social media post, Trump said the retail giant agreed to lower prices, including a 15 percent cut on ground beef, to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. However, Walmart’s official statement made no mention of any government involvement, saying the decision was aimed at giving customers and Sam’s Club members better value during the summer season.

The announcement comes as Trump faces criticism over rising inflation during his tenure, which increased from 3 percent to 4.2 percent over the past year. The president has blamed Democrats for high prices and mocked them as “communists” ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Walmart, which benefited from higher consumer traffic amid inflation, said it would also reduce prices on corn, cherries, ice cream, potato chips, and soft drinks.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation remains elevated, though a temporary truce with Iran has eased oil prices slightly, potentially reducing pressure on consumers.

Continuous heavy rainfall over several days has triggered hill torrents and tidal water intrusion through broken embankments, flooding vast areas of Banshkhali in Chattogram. At least 20,000 people in areas including Chanua, Shekherkhil, Napora, Chambal, Shilkup, Jaldi municipality, Premashia, Kadamrasul, and Pukuria have become waterlogged. Thousands of homes are submerged, leaving residents unable to cook and forcing many into hunger. Fish farms and rural roads have also been inundated, cutting off communication in several villages.

Local social workers and union officials reported that entire neighborhoods such as Madhukhali and Napora are isolated, with key roads and bamboo bridges submerged or damaged. Complaints have surfaced that fishing nets placed in sluice gates are obstructing water flow. Residents have urged immediate government intervention and road repairs to restore access and prevent further damage.

In coastal areas like Khan Khanabad and Baharchhara, tidal water has damaged croplands and homes, raising fears of worsening conditions if embankments are not repaired promptly.

Widespread rainfall continued across Bangladesh on July 7, 2026, as a monsoon low over the Bay of Bengal caused heavy downpours in coastal areas including Chattogram. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) reported that the low pressure remained strong, prompting authorities to maintain local cautionary signal number 3 at all maritime ports. Fishermen and trawlers in the northern Bay were advised to stay near the coast and navigate carefully due to rough sea conditions.

According to the latest BMD forecast signed by meteorologist Khondoker Hafizur Rahman, the monsoon depression had weakened into a well-marked low over eastern Madhya Pradesh after moving northwest from Odisha and Jharkhand. However, pressure variations over the northern Bay continued to generate gusty winds. Over the previous 24 hours, Chattogram recorded 283 millimeters of rain, Kutubdia 195, Sandwip 167, Bandarban 128, and Ambagan 177, while Dhaka saw 14 millimeters.

The BMD warned that heavy to very heavy rainfall may persist for 48 hours in Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, potentially disrupting daily life and flooding low-lying areas. The department said it is monitoring conditions continuously and will issue updates as needed.

A woman named Nasima Akter, aged 27, was killed in a landslide triggered by continuous heavy rainfall in Cox’s Bazar’s Jhilongja Union under Sadar upazila on Tuesday, July 7. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. in the Dorianagar Borochhara area, where her house was buried under a collapsed hillside. Her husband and child were seriously injured and taken to Cox’s Bazar District Hospital, where Nasima was declared dead by doctors.

Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tahmina Akter confirmed the incident and said the administration had earlier warned residents in risky hilly areas to move to safer locations, but many did not comply. Continuous rainfall has caused multiple landslides across the district.

According to official information, a total of 11 people have died in landslides across Cox’s Bazar over the past two days, including eight in Ukhiya’s Rohingya camps, two in Cox’s Bazar town, and one in Pekua upazila.

Telecommunication, Information Technology, and Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam announced that the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant will be connected to Bangladesh’s national grid by the end of August. He shared the update on Tuesday morning during a discussion with ICT and telecom journalists at the ICT Tower in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The minister explained that the government is closely monitoring ongoing projects to prevent wasteful spending and ensure timely completion. As part of this effort, uranium has already been loaded into the nuclear reactor. If all processes proceed as planned, the plant will begin supplying electricity to the national grid by late August.

He also mentioned that, following the Prime Minister’s directive, work will soon begin on creating a “One ID” system that will store all information about a citizen from birth to death.

Boat movement between Teknaf and Saint Martin in Cox’s Bazar has been suspended for six consecutive days due to rough weather, severely disrupting daily life on the country’s only coral island. The suspension has particularly affected Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinees who are struggling to reach examination centers.

Local social worker M. Nur Mohammad said that the halt in boat operations has caused extreme hardship for both students and residents. Acting chairman of Saint Martin Union Parishad, Fayezul Islam, stated that the suspension began last Thursday and warned that if it continues, the island could face a serious food shortage. Upazila Nirbahi Officer S. M. Anik Chowdhury confirmed that the suspension is temporary and that authorities have been informed about the students’ situation.

Officials indicated that the resumption of boat services depends on weather improvement, while residents remain concerned about essential supplies and mobility.