The Trump administration has suspended attacks on Iranian military targets indefinitely after 13 consecutive nights of strikes, seeking to give diplomatic talks a chance to succeed. The pause remained in place for a second day amid fears that the conflict could spread into a wider regional war in the Middle East. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz confirmed the decision on Sunday. President Donald Trump and senior Iranian officials also confirmed that the two sides had agreed to halt attacks.

The United States says Iran attacked at least two to three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz three weeks earlier, violating the terms of a memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries. The reported breach heightened tensions and raised the risk of a major regional conflict. Mediating countries including Pakistan and Qatar expressed concern and urged both Washington and Tehran to step back to avoid a bloody confrontation.

The mediators also called on the United States and Iran to resolve their dispute through direct talks and preserve the ceasefire, described as the core basis of the memorandum signed in mid-June. Their efforts were followed by the agreement to pause attacks. It remains unclear whether the suspended memorandum of understanding will be fully restored through the discussions.

India’s opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded the resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down amid protests over an alleged NEET examination paper leak in Delhi. The report, published on July 27, 2026, says the issue has triggered a fresh political confrontation between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab.

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari asked when AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal would seek Bains’s resignation on moral grounds. The BJP alleged paper leaks in the PSEB Class 12 English board examination, Punjab State Teacher Eligibility Test and Agriculture Development Officer examination. It also raised allegations involving other recruitment examinations and names on an Excise and Taxation Inspection merit list. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring alleged six major paper leaks over the past four years and demanded accountability.

AAP rejected the opposition allegations as false and baseless. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said no paper leak had occurred in the state over the past four and a half years and promised full prevention in future. He said action was taken within 10 minutes after cheating attempts at two locations. AAP leader Baltej Pannu said candidates caught using digital devices faced immediate legal action, but no paper was leaked.

A letter writer at Rajbari Main Post Office, Shihab Mridha, is accused of absconding with savings worth about one crore taka belonging to at least 76 customers. Postal sources said he has been missing since July 13. Many of the affected customers are marginalised people, with women making up a large share, who had saved money from livestock sales, poultry rearing and other earnings.

New postmaster Shamim Ahmed said he became suspicious on his first day after joining on July 6, when a customer brought him a handwritten deposit slip. More customers later made similar complaints. Ahmed said Mridha repaid two lakh taka to one customer after being pressured, then returned 20 lakh taka to 13 customers on July 12 before disappearing as the number of complainants grew.

A four-member investigation committee was formed on July 16 by order of the postmaster general for the Khulna southern region. Committee member Shahidul Islam said letter writers have no authority to receive customers’ money and relevant officials cannot avoid responsibility. Affected customers held a human chain and sit-in, demanding recovery of their money and exemplary punishment for everyone involved.

At a parliamentary committee meeting on 27 July 2026 at the Parliament Building, NCP lawmaker and committee member Hasnat Abdullah proposed announcing monetary policy every three months instead of the current six-month interval. The parliamentary committee on the Finance Ministry discussed the proposal under chair Mushfiqur Rahman. Bangladesh Bank described the suggestion positively and said it could be adopted.

The meeting reviewed Bangladesh Bank’s monetary policy framework and discussed a gradual move from the current interest rate-based policy toward inflation-targeting monetary policy to achieve long-term economic goals. The central bank presented its existing framework, implementation and future priorities, after which committee members exchanged views on monetary policy and the future of the financial sector.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostakur Rahman called the quarterly policy proposal good advice and said he believed it should be taken. Jamaat lawmaker Saiful Alam also raised problems at Islami Bank and urged Bangladesh Bank to demonstrate a zero-tolerance policy. He said Tk 2,400 crore had been withdrawn from the bank in one month. The governor said Islamic banking was being expanded and that work was under way to strengthen Shariah boards.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will travel to New York in the United States on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, according to sources at the Prime Minister’s Office. He is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 24. The trip will be his first visit to New York since taking office as head of government and his first speech at the UN General Assembly as prime minister.

Preparations for the New York visit have already begun. Sources said this year’s General Assembly session is particularly significant for Bangladesh because the newly elected president of the UN General Assembly, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, will preside over the 81st session. Besides his address, the prime minister will attend a reception hosted by US President Donald Trump.

The prime minister is also expected to join an interaction event organised by expatriate Bangladeshis, while meetings with several heads of government may take place on the sidelines. The visit is expected to be brief, with a stay of four to five days in New York. He is expected to leave the city on September 25 or 26. The delegation will be limited to no more than 35 people, sources said.

Bangladesh began initial registration for the 2027 Hajj on July 27, with the process set to continue until September 24. Prospective pilgrims must complete initial registration during this period, after mandatory pre-registration with a payment of Tk30,000. Final registration must be completed by December 10 this year.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs announced the timetable in line with a Hajj operations roadmap declared by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Initial registration is available through government or private channels upon depositing Tk350,000. Those initially registered must pay the remaining package cost and complete final registration by December 10.

Government applicants can register through the e-Hajj system, Union Digital Centres, Islamic Foundation offices, model mosques, the Baitul Mukarram office and the Dhaka Hajj Office. Applicants must select a training and vaccination district, Hajj type and package. A passport valid through December 31, 2027 is required. People under 15 and those with specified serious illnesses or active infectious diseases cannot undertake Hajj.

Argentina lost the 2026 FIFA World Cup final 1-0 to Spain on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, according to the report. The article says criticism in international media focused more on Argentina’s conduct than its performance after the defending champions lost the title. Citing an analysis by the Los Angeles Times, it says Argentina lost not only the trophy but also professional standing built in international football.

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for an aggressive foul in stoppage time. After the final whistle, Argentina players reportedly became involved in a confrontation with Spanish players. Leandro Paredes was accused of grabbing Spain defender Eric Garcia by the throat. The report also alleges that Argentina players stood with their backs turned toward Spain during the trophy presentation.

Argentina, led by captain Lionel Messi, reportedly left through a rear stadium exit rather than appearing in FIFA’s required mixed zone for media. Spain’s composed conduct and performance were praised in contrast. The report says Spain conceded only one goal in eight tournament matches. Coach Luis de la Fuente stressed human values and empathy, while Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the team must learn to accept defeat with courage.

Police in Assam, India, arrested three Muslim youths over allegations that they organized a protest meeting and created a WhatsApp group in support of student demonstrations. The detainees were identified as Manjur Rahman, 23, Ashraful Islam, 21, and Abdul Kashem, 23. The report was published from কলকাতা on July 27, 2026.

According to the report, the three opened the group to support protests that had spread across India over alleged irregularities in the education sector and demands for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. They later applied to the local Laluk police station for permission to hold a peaceful gathering, but police did not grant permission.

Manjur and Ashraful are MCom students, while Kashem had completed a degree in pharmaceutical science and was teaching at a private school. Manjur’s father, Mojibur Rahman, said his son had not committed any unconstitutional act by attempting a peaceful protest. Ashraful’s father, Ayub Ali, alleged that the youths were being deliberately targeted because they are Muslim.

Trade through the Petrapole-Benapole border, the main land-port link between India and Bangladesh, has declined, with freight truck movements falling in both directions. The report, published on July 27, 2026, said Indian cargo trucks entering Bangladesh via Petrapole have nearly halved, while Bangladeshi trucks heading to India have also dropped markedly. In normal times, 450 to 500 Indian trucks entered Bangladesh daily; the current figure is 200 to 300. Bangladesh’s daily export truck movements to India have fallen from 250 to 300 to below 100.

During 13 working days from July 1 to 15 this year, 3,038 Indian trucks carrying various goods entered Bangladesh. During the same period, only 753 trucks carrying goods went from Bangladesh to India. Traders attributed the trade crisis mainly to reciprocal restrictions imposed by the two countries after the fall of the Hasina government in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024.

Bangladesh ended facilities for importing Indian yarn through Benapole, Bhomra, Sonamasjid, Banglabandha and Burimari land ports on April 15, 2025. Jashore Chamber president Mizanur Rahman Khan urged government action to restore land-route imports of goods restricted by India. Petrapole representative Kartik Chakraborty said resumed tourist visas and India’s ambassador assuming duties in Dhaka offered hope for normalized relations and stronger trade.

Bangladesh Bank has instructed banks to resolve disciplinary cases against officers and employees within a maximum of two months. The central bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department, or BRPD, issued a circular on Sunday, according to a report published on July 26, 2026. Under the new instruction, any pending disciplinary case against a bank officer or employee must be concluded within two months in line with service rules.

The circular refers to a policy governing the recruitment of officers and employees from one bank to another, established under BRPD Circular Letter No. 6 issued on May 4, 2005. Bangladesh Bank said a provision of that earlier circular had been amended because disciplinary allegations at different banks were taking a long time to resolve.

The amendment was made to ensure consistency with the Bangladesh Labour Rules, 2015, the circular said. All other provisions of the 2005 instruction will remain unchanged, according to Bangladesh Bank.

Bangladesh will need about $421 billion in additional financing from fiscal 2026-27 through 2029-30 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, according to a review of the government’s updated SDG financing strategy. The estimate was presented on Sunday at a national validation workshop on Development Finance Assessment and SDG financing in the capital.

The Economic Relations Division organized the workshop with support from UNDP and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Bangladesh. Participants reviewed findings of the Development Finance Assessment report and the updated financing strategy. ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky said the remaining period for SDG implementation was highly challenging because of a large financing gap, limited time and an uncertain global situation.

Dhaka University economics professor Dr Selim Raihan said most of the required funding would need to come from domestic public and private financing, climate finance and international partnerships. UN Resident Coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak highlighted opportunities to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio and encourage SDG-aligned private investment. The assessment and financing strategy will be finalized using feedback received at the workshop.

Bangladesh’s Law Commission has begun work on the proposed Criminal Offences Sentencing (Principles and Procedures) Act, 2026, aiming to strengthen the rule of law, transparency in criminal justice and rationality in sentencing. Justice Zinat Ara, chairperson of the Law Commission, announced the initiative at a seminar on the recommended draft bill at the Rangpur Chief Judicial Magistrate Court conference room on July 26.

Justice Zinat Ara said the state has a fundamental duty to uphold the rule of law, maintain order and ensure an effective justice system for resolving disputes. She said sentencing requires clear principles and procedures that take account of the type, nature and circumstances of offences. The commission is assessing the feasibility of the legislation and gathering views from relevant groups.

Judges, lawyers, law-enforcement members, media workers, NGO representatives and other stakeholders attended the seminar, chaired by Law Commission Secretary Syed Azad Subhani. Participants discussed provisions of the draft and proposed measures to improve it and increase its effectiveness. Organisers said the feedback would be reviewed for necessary additions and amendments before a final draft is submitted to the government, followed by efforts to introduce it in parliament as a bill.

Tensions between Tehran and Kyiv rose after a reported Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, according to a report published on July 26, 2026. Iran said one sailor was killed and another injured. Tehran summoned Ukraine’s charge d’affaires and described the attack as hostile and criminal.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Ukraine had violated international law and Article 2(4) of the UN Charter by attacking a commercial ship. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on X that Ukraine’s long-range strike targeted a vessel carrying military cargo linked to Iran and a Russian warship in the Caspian Sea. He did not name the damaged Iranian vessel.

The report said Iran-Ukraine relations have deteriorated since Tehran supplied Shahed drones to Russia in 2022. Kyiv says it has downed more than 44,000 Iranian-designed drones. Iran has not announced direct military retaliation against Ukraine, but said it would take necessary measures to protect national interests. It also said several regional mediators, including Qatar, Egypt and Pakistan, were working on a proposed minimum 10-day ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said Japan is an old and trusted friend of Bangladesh that has stood beside the country during difficult times. She made the remarks as chief guest at the Japan-Bangladesh Business Women Conference at Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka, at 6pm on July 26. She said the two countries were working toward mutual prosperity.

Khanam said Japan has made important contributions to Bangladesh’s infrastructure development and technological progress. She also cited former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s role in women’s empowerment, describing the provision of free secondary education for women as a landmark example that expanded female education and empowerment.

The minister said current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, following Khaleda Zia, had made education free for women through degree level. The conference discussed trade, investment, women entrepreneur development and expanded mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan. Japan’s ambassador to Bangladesh, the chief representative of JETRO, leaders of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries, businesspeople and women entrepreneurs attended.

Bangladesh Bank has issued comprehensive, stricter guidelines governing the establishment, expansion and relocation of bank business centres, as well as office rental, leasing and contract renewals. The Banking Regulation and Policy Department-1 issued the “Guideline on Establishment, Relocation, Rental/Lease and Renewal of Agreements for Bank Business Centres, 2026” on Sunday, according to a report published on July 26, 2026. The new directive replaces instructions issued on January 19, 2023.

The guidelines aim to balance banking services between urban and rural areas, curb unnecessary branch expansion, contain rental and operating costs, and increase financial inclusion. Banks must obtain board approval before such activities and then secure necessary Bangladesh Bank approval. Headquarters must be located at registered addresses, while unnecessary office space and luxurious infrastructure are discouraged.

A bank seeking to open one new urban branch must also apply for a rural branch, and at least 50 percent of approved new branches must be located in rural areas. At least 60 percent of approved sub-branches must be placed in other municipalities and rural areas. Operating or establishing a business centre without approval will be treated as a legal violation, with action under existing laws.