Chattogram Dry Dock Limited has improved container handling at Chattogram port within its first week of management from July 7 to July 13. The terminal, previously run by Saif Powertec Limited, saw a daily increase of 225 TEUs, rising from 2,956 to 3,181 TEUs handled per day. During this period, 10 vessels were successfully loaded and unloaded across four active jetties, reflecting positive growth and operational efficiency after the takeover.

Severe road damage and knee-deep mud along a 5 km stretch of the Jessore-Khulna highway have paralyzed transportation on a vital southern trade route. Continuous rains, poor construction, and overloading have made the road nearly impassable, especially between Chengutia and Basundia. Businesses at Noapara river port are suffering, with delays in fertilizer and food grain supply threatening agriculture. Despite millions spent on repairs, recurring damage continues to cause financial losses and commuter hardship, with full restoration expected to take another 18 months.

Advisor Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan has revealed that the recently enacted Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance contained certain “cunning loopholes,” which will be corrected through amendments. He emphasized that neither the administrative cadre nor the customs and tax cadre will dominate the system. Separate guidelines will be introduced for appointments at the secretary level.

Following protests triggered by the decision to abolish the National Board of Revenue (NBR), a five-member committee was formed to address the issue. Fawzul Kabir further stated that some officials have lost the government’s trust and have obstructed revenue collection through their protests. He also denied any misuse of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in the process.

Additionally, he touched upon ongoing discussions with the United States regarding customs and security matters.

Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, religious adviser, announced that 4,978 pilgrims will be refunded surplus funds totaling BDT 82,890,183 this year through government arrangements. The refunds will be deposited directly into the pilgrims’ bank accounts. The amount varies according to different Hajj packages. This year, 87,100 Bangladeshi pilgrims have returned after performing Hajj, including 5,413 under government arrangements and 81,687 under private arrangements.

The National Unity Commission has agreed that emergency declarations should require approval from the Cabinet rather than just the Prime Minister’s signature. A proposal to amend Article 141 of the Constitution has been made to reduce the emergency duration from 120 to 90 days and replace terms like ‘internal conflict’ with ‘state sovereignty, independence, and pandemic.’ The Cabinet decided to ensure the presence of the parliamentary opposition leader or their deputy at meetings.

Dr. Ali Riaz, co-chair of the National Unity Commission, announced ongoing three-day talks this week aiming to reach a reasonable consensus by July, fulfilling the commission’s responsibility toward the martyrs of the July-August movement. The agenda includes emergency declarations, appointment of the Chief Justice, and formation of a caretaker government. He emphasized that the public is closely watching the dialogue and expects rapid progress. Political parties are participating earnestly, and the commission hopes to complete the process by July 30, including resolving critical issues like the Chief Justice appointment and emergency status.

Following nationwide outrage over the murder of a man named Sohag near Mitford Hospital, for which BNP has been blamed, a video circulated defaming BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. In response, law advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul shared an old Facebook post titled “The Exceptional Sector Commander” praising Ziaur Rahman as his favorite personality. Nazrul said that whenever the Awami League tried to belittle Ziaur Rahman, he would publish writings defending him — and even though the Awami League has now left power, he finds himself compelled to do so again.

Iranian state-affiliated media Fars News reported that during a Supreme National Security Council meeting in Tehran on June 15, Israel attempted to assassinate Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the parliament speaker, and the head of the judiciary. The president sustained minor injuries to his leg, while other officials escaped the missile attack. Investigations are underway to determine if Israeli intelligence obtained details of the meeting through espionage. The attack resembled previous strikes targeting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. Israel has not commented, though Pezeshkian recently confirmed he had survived an assassination attempt.

Job seekers have presented an 11-point demand list to reform the Public Service Commission (PSC) recruitment process to ensure transparency and accountability. At a press conference at Dhaka University, they stated that merit-based and impartial recruitment remains unfulfilled, prompting renewed protests. Key demands include preventing question paper leaks in BCS exams, ensuring transparency in final results, extending age limits, allowing answer script rechecking, publishing oral exam scores, revising online preferences, and forming a judicial inquiry committee within the commission. They have given a 48-hour ultimatum to act or face intensified protests.

On Kashmir Martyrs Day, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to providing political, diplomatic, and moral support to Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle for self-determination. Remembering the 22 Kashmiris killed by Dogra forces on July 13, 1931, he praised their courage and resilience as symbols of resistance against Indian occupation. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with UN resolutions.

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs, announced the start of a nationwide “comb” operation targeting criminals and terrorists in all districts starting today. Law enforcement agencies will continue regular and special operations based on the security situation. The Sohag murder case, which occurred near Mitford Hospital in Old Dhaka, is being fast-tracked to a speedy trial tribunal. He assured that no political or other biases will influence the process.

The Inter-Education Board has sent a proposal to the Ministry of Education to include a ‘July Uprising’ quota in the admission policy for Class XI in 2025. This quota would benefit students from families of martyrs and injured from the 2024 protests. If approved, it will be implemented from the upcoming admission cycle. Currently, 7% of seats are reserved—5% for freedom fighters and 2% for Ministry-related offices—but reforms are underway due to a decline in freedom fighters’ descendants. The proposal also includes setting admission deadlines, merit-based priority, migration policies, and promoting technical education. With approximately 2.5 million seats expected to remain vacant in 2025, these reforms aim to improve the education system's efficiency.

In an interview with Fox News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Iran was close to developing nuclear weapons and only U.S. and Israeli interventions have delayed it. He said Iran must halt its ballistic missile program, terrorism, and regional threats before any deal can be considered. Netanyahu suggested that Iran should be left to collapse under its own instability if it continues on its current path. He praised former President Donald Trump’s policies and recommended him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a 30% tariff on imports from the EU and Mexico starting August 1, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the EU would take reciprocal measures to protect its interests. While remaining open to negotiations, she stated that the EU would not hesitate to act if necessary. Trump has also proposed increased tariffs on imports from Japan, Canada, Brazil, and other countries.

A group of 59 Labour MPs in the UK has sent a letter to the Foreign Secretary demanding recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state and an immediate end to the genocide in Gaza. Organized by “Labour Friends of Palestine,” the letter denounces Israeli plans to build a tent city in Rafah under the guise of humanitarian aid as a form of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing. The MPs called for the reinstatement of UNRWA funding, the release of hostages, and a trade embargo on Israeli goods from the West Bank, arguing that failure to recognize Palestine undermines the UK's two-state policy.