International crude oil prices edged lower on July 30 despite renewed military tensions between the United States and Iran, as oil tanker traffic continued normally through the tense Middle East. Reuters data showed Brent crude fell by $1.29, or 1.42%, to $89.45 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude declined by 56 cents, or 0.66%, to trade at $83.90 a barrel.

Oil markets have seen sharp swings this week. On the previous trading day, Brent rose 7.91% and WTI gained 6.56%, among the largest price increases during the five-month conflict. Earlier on Tuesday, crude prices dropped about 5% on news of a temporary pause, before subsequent political and military moves pushed prices higher again.

Military tensions remain elevated. On Wednesday night US time, US Central Command launched major air strikes on military and strategic targets inside Iran. Iran's state media outlet Press TV reported loud explosions in several southern provinces and on several islands after the operation. Despite the tense situation, operating shipping routes have kept oil prices moving lower for now.

A teacher, A T M Yusuf, 45, was killed after a BRTC passenger bus ran over him at Doyal intersection in Naogaon town on Thursday at about 8am. Yusuf was a resident of Jagatsinghpur Hajipara in Naogaon town and taught at Joypurhat Technical School and College.

According to the victim’s family and local sources, Yusuf was travelling by scooter to his workplace at Joypurhat Technical School and College, as he did regularly. At Doyal intersection, his scooter collided with a battery-powered autorickshaw approaching from the opposite direction. He then fell onto the road.

The sources said a speeding BRTC passenger bus travelling from Baludanga bus stand toward Muktir Mor then ran over him, killing him at the scene. Naogaon Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Asaduzzaman said police recovered the body after receiving information about the incident. The body will be handed over to the family after legal procedures are completed.

A drone strike hit a US-owned oil tanker anchored at Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Damietta, triggering a fire that spread to a nearby vessel, Reuters reported on Wednesday. Maritime security firm Ambrey said the attack targeted the US-owned tanker while it was at the port. The incident caused severe fires on two gas tankers, according to port services provider Inchcape.

Three commercial sources said the drone first struck the floating oil tanker Energos Winter, causing an immediate fire. The blaze later spread to another ship nearby, Gaslog Salem. Two separate security sources also confirmed that the explosion was caused by a drone attack.

Ambrey said all crew members and sailors aboard the tanker were quickly evacuated to safety after the explosion. The fire has since been brought under control. No party had claimed responsibility for the attack at the time of the report.

Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited, or Bapex, has formally begun drilling the Sundarpur-4 appraisal-cum-development gas well in Senbagh, Noakhali. Bapex Deputy General Manager for Drilling and drilling in-charge Zakir Hossain Khan said the work started on Tuesday afternoon. The well is located in Bara Charigaon village of Nabipur Union in Senbagh.

Project officials said the well was named Sundarpur-4 because it belongs to the same underground gas field. Sundarpur gas field wells 1, 2 and 3 were previously drilled in the Sirajpur area of Companiganj. Although the new well is about 13 kilometres from the Sundarpur-2 well, it is part of the same reservoir.

The target depth is about 1,600 metres, with a possible gas-bearing layer estimated at around 1,361 metres. Bapex aims to complete drilling within two months, followed by a drill stem test requiring another 15 to 20 days. Based on analysis of nearby wells, Bapex expects the well could produce five to seven million cubic feet of gas per day.

More than 300 applications have been submitted to a search committee for appointments as chairman and commissioners of Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission, known as ACC. The applications are being scrutinized after the call for applications opened on July 2 and closed on July 13. The report says the commission has been effectively stalled for four months because new leaders have not been appointed.

Sources said several retired judges, former secretaries and lawyers met Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, while some others sought meetings with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Applicants include retired justices, former secretaries, retired military and police officers, teachers, lawyers and other professionals. The committee is assessing professional experience, integrity, administrative ability, anti-corruption positions and public-service records.

A five-member search committee headed by Appellate Division Justice Rezaul Haque was formed on June 22. It will send six names to the president, who will appoint three commissioners and select one of them as chairman. Former secretary AKM Abdul Awal Mazumdar said applicants who meet government figures should be considered disqualified.

Saudi Arabia has faced missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, drone attacks by Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite militias and renewed threats from Tehran over the past week. In response, Saudi warplanes joined the United States in pre-dawn airstrikes on multiple militia targets in eastern Iraq on Tuesday. The Saudi Defence Ministry said Riyadh did not seek to complicate the situation or escalate conflict, but would not hesitate to respond appropriately to aggression.

The Houthis recently struck two Saudi oil facilities on the Red Sea coast, causing extensive damage at a site near Jazan, according to the report. They also attacked two tankers in an effort to obstruct Saudi shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. With the Strait of Hormuz disrupted after the Iran conflict, Saudi Arabia has been forced to increase oil exports through Red Sea ports such as Yanbu, leaving 75 percent of its exports exposed to Houthi attacks.

The PMF militia alliance claimed that at least 20 people were killed and many wounded in the joint strikes. US Central Command said the operation responded to more than 30 drone attacks launched from IRGC-controlled areas against US forces deployed in Saudi Arabia. Analysts warned that a wider conflict would be costly and risky for Riyadh, which is facing its largest budget deficit since 2018 in the first three quarters of this year.

Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said the military is fully prepared to continue operations on any front. He made the remarks to military officers while visiting areas occupied by Israel in southern Lebanon on July 30, 2026. Zamir said conflicts or military operations across different fronts have not yet ended and troops must remain ready to continue fighting in all circumstances.

He said the forces are prepared to address any changes and possible scenarios. Zamir also said Israeli forces would move deeper into Lebanon and reach new areas if necessary along the Lebanese border. His comments came during a visit to areas in southern Lebanon that Israel occupies.

Despite a ceasefire between the two sides, Israeli forces continue to maintain control over many points in southern Lebanon. Discussions are ongoing on Hezbollah disarmament and a full Israeli troop withdrawal. Meanwhile, Israel has continued carrying out periodic attacks in southern Lebanon.

The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out coordinated pre-dawn strikes on multiple bases of Iraq's Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces on July 30, the source said. PMF said attacks hit bases in Baghdad, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala, Diyala and Wasit, killing at least 20 fighters and injuring 32 others, with the death toll possibly rising. At about the same time, Iran said it fired ballistic missiles at US military facilities in Jordan.

Washington said the Iraq operation responded to recent drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory against Saudi oil facilities. Iraqi President Nizar Amedi condemned the strikes as unacceptable and a clear violation of Iraq's sovereignty, while Iran's Foreign Ministry said the United States and its allies were destabilising the situation. US Central Command and Jordan's military said air defences shot down all five Iranian missiles.

President Donald Trump threatened Iran with a high price and said the Iraq attack was coordinated with the Iraqi government. The IRGC also claimed attacks on three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran rejected an Omani proposal for joint management of the strait, while Pakistan, the European Union and Gulf countries called for de-escalation and a return to talks.

Mobarok Hossain, also known as David Iman, described as a prominent criminal figure in Chattogram, was brought to Chattogram on Wednesday night after his arrest in Jashore. Three associates arrested with him—Alis Tamal, Shafayat and Shamim—were transferred at the same time and are now in Chattogram district police custody. Multiple district police teams transported them in separate vehicles from Jashore under security.

Jashore Superintendent of Police Syed Rafiqul Islam said David Iman was arrested during an operation in the Jhumjhumpur area under Kotwali police station on Tuesday night. Police said the Jashore Detective Branch set up a checkpoint around 3 a.m. following secret information, with Chattogram district police personnel also taking part. The four were handed over to Chattogram district police at about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Police said efforts to arrest Iman intensified after an allegation that he called a Chattogram city businessman to demand extortion money. Investigators allege he was a close associate of fugitive Sajjad Ali Khan, known as Boro Sajjad, and served as the group’s second-in-command. Police allege cases involving murder, extortion and arms laws against Iman, though those allegations have not been judicially resolved. His detention location was not disclosed for security reasons.

Six people were injured when two local BNP groups clashed over the upcoming union council election in Mahmudp ur Union of Melandaha, Jamalpur. The clash occurred at Chargobindi Bazar on Wednesday afternoon. The injured were initially taken to Melandaha উপজেলা Health Complex, while several were later referred to Jamalpur General Hospital after their conditions worsened. Police said the situation is currently under control.

Those injured included ward BNP organizational secretary Shahidullah, BNP worker Jakir Hossain, former union Jubo Dal president Altafur Rahman, Md Belal, Jubo Dal member secretary Md Solaiman and ward BNP member Haji Abdus Sattar. Tensions had reportedly persisted for several days between supporters of Mahmudp ur Union BNP president Tayebur Rahman Master and BNP leader Runu Talukdar.

Tayebur alleged provocation by the opposing side and said he had instructed party activists to remain calm. Union BNP general secretary Mahbubur Rashid Babul also alleged provocative remarks by rival supporters, while Runu rejected the allegations and said the other side initiated the violence. Melandaha police chief ATM Mahmudul Haque said the dispute began Tuesday night and escalated into violence Wednesday; legal action will follow if a written complaint is filed.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) removed Hafiz Matabbar, assistant information and communications affairs secretary of its Haimchar upazila unit in Chandpur, from all party posts. The action followed specific allegations that he promoted leaders of the banned Awami League as political authorities on Facebook and violated party discipline. The order was issued in a press release signed Wednesday by Chandpur district BNP office secretary Md Hazrat Ali Dhali.

According to the letter, Matabbar used his verified Facebook page, “Hafijur Rahman,” to publicize Awami League leaders while holding an important party responsibility. The district BNP said the activity seriously damaged the party’s image. It also alleged that misleading campaigning against the party had created strong anger among activists and dissatisfaction among the public.

The press release further said Matabbar had remained inactive and absent from organizational activities for a long time. His conduct was deemed contrary to the party’s policies, ideals and discipline, and the removal took immediate effect. Copies of the order were sent to the BNP’s Cumilla division organizational secretary, Chandpur district president, assistant organizational secretary and general secretary.

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti held a protest march and brief rally at the University of Dhaka on Wednesday night over an alleged attack on a convoy carrying leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Habiganj. The group also protested the imposition of Section 144 on a centrally announced programme and alleged police obstruction. The march began at the Raju Sculpture at about 9pm, circled the VC Chattar, and ended at the Raju Sculpture.

Central and University of Dhaka branch leaders attended the rally. Branch president Tahmid Al Mudassir Chowdhury alleged that the current government was following the previous government's approach to suppress dissent. He also raised concerns about electricity and gas shortages, alleging a major gap between the government's development promises and the situation on the ground.

Central parliament general secretary Abu Bakar Majumdar alleged that the BNP was moving toward a one-party system after the national election. He also accused the government of using Chhatra Dal to create violence on campuses and said repression of free expression could increase public dissatisfaction. Speakers demanded the swift arrest and trial of those involved in the Habiganj attack.

Bangladesh Army and the United States Pacific Army Command concluded the joint Tiger Lightning 2026 exercise at Jalalabad Cantonment in Sylhet on Wednesday. Brigadier General Md Humayun Kabir, director of the Bangladesh Army’s Military Training Directorate, attended the closing ceremony as chief guest. The Inter Services Public Relations Directorate announced the details in a press release.

The exercise began on July 19 with participation from the Bangladesh Army’s Para Commando Brigade, US Army Pacific and the Oregon National Guard. It involved 88 personnel from US Army Pacific and the Oregon National Guard, alongside 92 members from the Bangladesh Army’s Para Commando Brigade and subject-matter experts from different formations.

The drill was conducted to expand mutual cooperation, improve strategic joint operational capability and strengthen preparedness. The chief guest awarded certificates to each participant in recognition of completing the exercise and presented insignia as mementos. Senior military officials from both countries, along with invited guests, instructors and trainees, attended the closing event. ISPR said the exercise would contribute to participants’ professional skills and further strengthen ties between the Bangladesh and US armies.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami sent a delegation to a reception at the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday evening marking the 99th founding anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. The event was organised at the invitation of Senior Defence Attaché Colonel Du Xinsheng.

The five-member Jamaat delegation was led by Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar. Its members included Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen MP, Colonel (Retd.) Abdul Baten MP, Dr Mosleh Uddin Farid MP, and Ali Ahmad Mabroor, a member of the opposition leader’s foreign affairs advisory committee. Ambassadors, high commissioners, diplomats, political figures, retired military officers, senior government officials and civil society representatives also attended.

On behalf of Jamaat Amir and opposition leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman MP, Porwar conveyed greetings and congratulations to Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen. The delegation wished continued stability for the Chinese government and peace, prosperity and progress for China’s government and people. It also expressed hope that bilateral trade and diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China would become stronger and more meaningful.

Policymakers, economists and business leaders called for energy security, banking-sector reform, a business-friendly environment and policy continuity to make Bangladesh’s transition from least developed country status sustainable and effective. The views emerged at a strategic dialogue organised by the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh at its Ruhul Quddus Auditorium in Nilkhet, Dhaka, on Wednesday night.

Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said Bangladesh had qualified for LDC graduation, but the central challenge was ensuring a sustainable transition. He said the end of LDC benefits would create new realities for exports, pharmaceuticals and international trade, making structural reforms necessary before proceeding. The government is working to increase energy supplies, expand LNG infrastructure, restore balance in banking and streamline online business services, he said.

Speakers also stressed governance, infrastructure, political stability, skilled human resources and an investment-friendly climate. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan highlighted value addition, retention, improved energy conditions and low-interest financing. CPD Distinguished Fellow Professor Dr Mustafizur Rahman emphasised productivity gains, export diversification and policy reforms while discussing post-graduation competition and reduced tariff preferences.