Commerce Minister Khandaker Abul Muktadir stated that ship recycling in Bangladesh is now being conducted using scientific methods that comply with international and environmental standards. He made the remarks on Monday morning after visiting the PHP Ship Breaking and Recycling Yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram. The minister said the government aims to bring all ship recycling yards under green certification to enhance Bangladesh’s global market acceptance.

During a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association, the minister discussed industry challenges, prospects, and development plans. He noted that the sector once faced international criticism for pollution, unsafe working conditions, and poor hygiene, but significant improvements have been made through modern technology and better safety measures. Several yards have already received international recognition.

Muktadir added that Bangladesh previously dismantled about 45 percent of ships sold for recycling worldwide, but its position weakened due to global competition and policy challenges. The government is now working to restore its leading status while reviewing national policies on the Hong Kong and Basel Conventions to balance international compliance with national interests.

In Saidpur of Nilphamari, hundreds of battery-run auto-rickshaw, easy-bike, van, and mishuk drivers staged a protest and besieged the municipality office on Monday, demanding a reduction of the annual parking charge from Tk 2,000 to Tk 1,000. The demonstration was organized by the Saidpur Upazila branch of the Autobike Workers Welfare Society, which also submitted a memorandum to the municipal authorities. The workers warned of tougher programs within 72 hours if their demand is not met.

During the rally, labor leaders argued that the current charge is double that of other municipalities in Nilphamari district, where the annual fee is Tk 1,000. They said the increased rate has become a financial burden for low-income drivers and called for equal treatment across municipalities. The workers emphasized that their demand is fair and aimed at removing discrimination.

Municipal Executive Engineer Ayub Ali stated that the parking charge has not been increased recently and that the existing rate was set in 2019. He added that the submitted memorandum will be reviewed seriously and discussed in the next municipal meeting for a possible decision.

A meeting between the chairman of the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), Engineer Belayet Hossain, and a Chinese delegation was held on Sunday. Following the meeting, Hossain said Chinese businesses have shown interest in investing in Chattogram’s housing sector. He invited them to invest, noting that population pressure on the city’s core areas is increasing. He added that Chinese investors are experienced in developing large-scale mega residential projects and smart townships, which could support CDA’s master plan to build modern housing and satellite cities in Hathazari, Boalkhali, Anwara, and Karnaphuli.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with the chairmen of nine development authorities at his office, directing them to coordinate with service agencies to reduce public suffering and to make cities greener, sustainable, and livable. During that meeting, Hossain presented CDA’s current activities and proposed developing suburban areas to ease pressure on the main city. He also urged the Prime Minister to improve transport for Sandwip residents through a modern sea-truck and upgraded ferry terminals, to which the Prime Minister gave a positive response.

A rare black croaker fish weighing nearly eight kilograms was sold for fifty thousand taka at an auction in Alipur Fish Port, Kuakata, Patuakhali, on Sunday morning. The fish was caught by fisherman Abdur Rahim Majhi late Saturday night in the Bay of Bengal, following the end of a 58-day fishing ban. PM Musa, owner of Kuakata Fresh Fish, purchased the fish at a rate of 6,250 taka per kilogram.

Fisherman Abdur Rahim expressed joy over the high price, saying such fish are rarely caught. Buyer PM Musa explained that the fish’s swim bladder is highly valuable in international markets, and his company exports such fish to Dhaka and abroad. Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Apu Saha noted that the species, locally known as black croaker or lombu croaker, can weigh between 4 and 40 kilograms and is often called the “black gold of the sea.”

Officials described the catch as a positive sign for fishermen resuming work after the seasonal fishing ban.

A powerful pair of earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has left at least 3,342 people dead and about 16,700 injured, according to a Reuters report published on July 6, 2026. Thousands remain missing following the twin quakes, which caused extensive damage across several regions, with La Guaira suffering the most destruction. The Venezuelan Information Ministry confirmed that 6,462 people have been rescued so far, while 856 buildings were damaged and 190 structures collapsed.

Authorities said 86,794 families have received assistance, and 17,345 residents remain homeless. The government has deployed 29,567 workers and 27,482 volunteers for relief operations, supported by 4,088 international rescuers. Relief efforts have included the distribution of 9,585 tons of food, 669,008 liters of water, and medical treatment for 23,820 patients. Seventy-nine temporary shelters have been established in affected areas.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the two quakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck within 39 seconds of each other. The ministry also noted that 995 aftershocks have occurred since the initial disaster.

Super Typhoon Bavi struck the U.S. Pacific territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands on July 6, 2026, with wind speeds reaching 290 kilometers per hour. The storm disrupted normal life across the islands, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. The U.S. National Weather Service warned that the typhoon is extremely dangerous and could cause extensive damage, with waves as high as 35 feet expected.

Authorities reported significant destruction on Rota Island in the Northern Marianas, which lies northeast of Guam and was directly hit by the storm. The island’s mayor urged residents to stay indoors and remain safe. In Saipan, north of Rota, wind gusts exceeding 161 kilometers per hour were recorded at the airport. The weather service said strong winds would persist until Monday afternoon before gradually weakening.

Guam, home to about 170,000 people, opened five shelters with capacity for around 1,700 residents, though one was already full by Sunday afternoon. The U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center officially classified Bavi as a super typhoon.

Bangladesh Bank has made the use of 'Bangla QR' mandatory at all commercial outlets and merchant points from July 1, replacing older QR codes. The move aims to promote digital payments and advance the country toward a cashless economy. Customers can now make payments by scanning a single QR code through any bank or mobile banking app, eliminating the need for multiple QR stands or expensive POS machines.

However, questions have emerged among consumers and small businesses about transaction fees and potential cost increases. The central bank clarified that the merchant discount rate (MDR) is a matter between banks and merchants, not to be charged to customers. Yet, experts fear that merchants may offset these costs by raising product prices. The new directive sets a minimum MDR of 1 percent, replacing earlier lower caps.

Experts believe the system will ultimately benefit small businesses by reducing cash handling risks and helping them build digital financial identities. Bangladesh Bank expects 75 percent of all transactions to become cashless by 2027, though challenges remain regarding internet access, cybersecurity, and merchant confidence.

Questions have emerged over the accuracy of rainfall data collected by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), as several of its rain gauge stations were found to be installed under large trees or in shaded areas, violating international standards. Field inspections revealed discrepancies of 21 to 43 millimeters between BWDB and Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) readings in the same regions, including Sylhet, Kurigram, and Netrokona. Experts warned that such flawed data could undermine climate research, flood forecasting, and disaster management, though BWDB officials claimed the impact was limited.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, rain gauges must be placed at least twice the height of nearby obstacles to ensure accurate readings. Despite spending about 700 million taka under the BWCSRP project to modernize weather stations in 2020–21, many installations failed to meet basic standards. BWDB engineers cited land constraints, tree growth, and security issues as reasons for noncompliance. Meanwhile, experts from BUET emphasized that inaccurate rainfall data could distort infrastructure design and research outcomes.

Specialists urged the government to strengthen data quality control, noting that reliable rainfall information is essential for effective water and climate management.

Eight people, including women and children, were killed in separate landslides at three Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Monday night following heavy rainfall. The incidents occurred at the Jamtoli, Kutupalong, and Balukhali camps when soil from nearby hills collapsed onto residential shelters, burying the victims. Local administration and fire service officials confirmed that the landslides began after intense rain since the previous night.

Rescue teams from the Fire Service and 8 Armed Police Battalion (APBn) recovered all eight bodies from the affected sites. The victims included members of several families, with one person reported seriously injured. Officials said continuous heavy rain caused the landslides and that efforts were underway to relocate residents living at the base of vulnerable hills to safer areas.

Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer Panna Akter confirmed the deaths and said that authorities had been warning residents through loudspeakers to move to safe shelters. She urged all camp residents to follow administrative instructions and evacuate risky zones immediately.

OPEC Plus, the coalition led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, has decided to increase its crude oil production target starting in August. The move comes as global oil prices continue to decline and exports through the Strait of Hormuz return to normal levels. The group said the decision reflects its shared commitment to maintaining stability in the global energy market.

According to an OPEC statement, seven participating countries agreed to implement an additional daily production increase of 188,000 barrels, building on the voluntary adjustments announced in April 2023. Analysts noted that the resumption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz has already boosted supply, contributing to downward pressure on prices.

The new production increase is expected to play a significant role in addressing supply shortages in the global energy market, according to the report sourced from Al Jazeera.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued warnings for coastal and maritime areas after a well-marked low over the northwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a monsoon depression. The system, located near 21.3°N and 87.3°E, is expected to move northwestward and cross the north Odisha coast within 24 hours. Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra seaports have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal number 3, while inland river ports have been asked to display signal number 1. The department forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall across most regions over the next 72 hours.

According to the latest bulletin, rainfall has already eased the ongoing heatwave, with Cox’s Bazar recording 101 millimeters of rain in the past 24 hours. Heavy rainfall is expected in Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Continuous rain may cause temporary waterlogging in low-lying areas of Dhaka and Chattogram and trigger landslides in hilly parts of Chattogram Division. Authorities have advised residents and local administrations to remain alert.

The Disaster Management and Relief authorities have instructed all relevant agencies to maintain emergency preparedness as the monsoon remains active across the country.

On Saturday, more than 842,000 households across the United States lost electricity due to an intense heatwave and adverse weather conditions coinciding with the country's Independence Day celebrations. According to data from PowerOutage, the Midwest and Northeast states were the most affected regions. The extreme temperatures disrupted several events marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, including the cancellation of a scheduled morning parade in Washington, D.C.

The Great American State Fair in the capital was also temporarily closed after multiple attendees required medical attention for heat-related illnesses. National rail operator Amtrak announced the cancellation of several train services due to excessive heat, listing trains numbered 88, 106, 107, 142, 159, 163, 666, 667, 694, and 695 among those affected.

The U.S. National Weather Service reported that about 165 million people across the East Coast and Midwest were under the influence of record-breaking heat. In cities across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, temperatures reached 39.5 degrees Celsius, surpassing all previous records.

South Korea is set to launch its fourth medium-sized Earth observation satellite on Tuesday from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in the United States, using a Falcon 9 rocket operated by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX. According to South Korean media reports, the satellite weighs about 500 kilograms and has completed all functional tests and fueling over the past month. It is now fully prepared for launch.

The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) stated that the satellite will separate from the rocket approximately two hours and 22 minutes after liftoff. About 31 minutes later, it is expected to make its first contact with the ground control center via the Svalbard ground station. The satellite carries several domestically developed instruments, including a camera capable of capturing images of the entire Korean Peninsula every three days.

The satellite will support applications in agriculture and forest management, monitoring of forest changes, disaster response, climate change analysis, and public safety enhancement.

The Bangladesh government has decided to continue providing cash incentives for 43 export products in the 2026–27 fiscal year, maintaining the same rates as before. A circular issued by Bangladesh Bank on Sunday confirmed that no new sectors were added to the list. The incentives, ranging from 0.30 percent to 10 percent depending on the product, will apply to goods shipped between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, subject to compliance with foreign exchange regulations and documentation requirements.

According to the circular, export-oriented domestic textile industries will receive a 1.50 percent cash incentive as an alternative to duty drawback and bond facilities, while exporters to the Eurozone will get an additional 0.50 percent. Other eligible sectors include handmade products from natural fibers, frozen fish, agricultural goods, halal meat, leather goods, furniture, plastic, paper, pharmaceuticals, software, and IT products, each with specific incentive rates.

The continuation of the same incentive structure as the previous fiscal year indicates the government’s intent to sustain export competitiveness and support diverse manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

After nearly five months of suspension, maritime cargo transport between Iran’s Dayyer port and Qatar’s Al-Ruwais port has resumed. The route had been temporarily halted due to wartime conditions that disrupted regional trade. According to Iran’s commercial attaché in Doha, Abbas Abdolkhani, the resumption followed coordinated efforts between the Iranian embassy in Doha and relevant Qatari authorities.

Both Dayyer and Al-Ruwais ports are key hubs for regional commerce. During the conflict, Dayyer port suffered multiple attacks, severely affecting cargo movement along the route. Al-Ruwais serves as one of the main entry points for Iranian exports to Qatar, making the reopening of this sea route significant for bilateral trade.

The renewed operation is expected to reduce transportation costs and improve the speed and efficiency of goods delivery between the two countries. The report also noted that Qatar continues to play a mediating role between Iran and the United States in efforts to ease recent tensions.