India has only one week to finalize a trade deal with the United States or risk facing higher tariffs on its exports. President Trump made it clear that India must grant American businesses access to its markets, particularly for agricultural goods, dairy products, and genetically modified crops. However, India is pushing for a narrower agreement excluding these sectors. Analysts say lowering tariffs could trigger severe political backlash against the BJP, as most Indian farmers are small or medium-scale producers. While Delhi has shown willingness to compromise on some areas, it is holding firm in key sectors.

Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul revealed that Malaysia plans to recruit around 30,000 to 40,000 workers from Bangladesh over the next year. He cautioned that recent reports claiming Malaysia will take 1 to 1.2 million workers are overly sensationalized and not yet accurate. Due to agreements made by previous governments, the list and regulation of recruiting agencies are fixed, making changes difficult. To avoid syndication, contract revisions are necessary; otherwise, recruitment will remain limited. Dr. Nazrul warned that sending workers through syndicates could lead to criticism, while not sending workers would mean losing valuable employment opportunities, impacting over 100,000 families in the long run.

Japan has committed $4.8 million in aid to the Election Commission’s ballot project, implemented under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), ahead of Bangladesh’s national parliamentary elections. The total project cost is $18.53 million. The contract signing ceremony at the Election Commission building in Agargaon was attended by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller, and Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi. Earlier, Australia had pledged $2 million in support. The funds will be used to strengthen the Election Commission’s institutional and technical capacity, enhance voter and civic education, promote participation by women and youth, ensure representation of marginalized groups, and improve electoral transparency.

Bangladesh has approved the import of 17 LNG cargoes from UAE-based OQ Trading Limited to address short-term energy needs. Five shipments will arrive in 2025 and twelve in 2026, with prices based on the JKM index plus 15 cents per MMBtu. The government also approved fertilizer imports from the UAE, China, and Saudi Arabia, and increased budgets for several development projects, including water transport and power substations. These decisions aim to ensure energy security, food production support, and infrastructure development.

The joint committee formed to enhance the development of Bangladesh's capital market held its first meeting at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters. Chaired by Dr. Md. Ejazul Islam, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, the meeting included officials from the central bank, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), and the Ministry of Finance. Discussions focused on identifying key strategies to strengthen market infrastructure, improve regulatory coordination, and ensure sustainable growth of the capital market in line with national economic objectives.

Ahead of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and hall union elections, the university administration has formed a 22-member advisory committee to oversee the process. Approved by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, the committee is headed by Dr. Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, with Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed serving as member-secretary.

At the committee’s first meeting on July 1, key strategies for election preparation, campus security, and inclusive participation were discussed. Chief Returning Officer Dr. Jashim Uddin and Returning Officer Dr. Golam Rabbani presented the detailed election framework and guidelines.

Raipur Upazila Health Complex in Laxmipur has 98 vacant positions, including specialist doctors and nurses, severely affecting patient care. The hospital's operation theater has remained closed for three years due to staff and generator shortages, despite having modern equipment. Patients are forced to seek costly private services, impacting around 400,000 residents. While reports of the crisis are sent monthly to higher authorities, no improvements have been made. Only 18 doctors serve against 31 sanctioned posts, with no specialists currently appointed.

Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called on the United Nations to establish effective mechanisms to combat misinformation and uphold ethical standards in media and digital platforms. In a meeting with a UNESCO delegation, Dr. Yunus stressed that fake news—often originating from foreign sources with local cooperation—can severely mislead the public.

He urged the UN to engage with media organizations and consider developing independent regulatory frameworks. The UNESCO team shared that their upcoming report will include recommendations on journalist safety, gender security in newsrooms, and training in line with international standards.

The interim government has officially declared August 5 as ‘July Uprising Day’ and announced a public holiday to mark the occasion. Earlier, July 16 was designated as ‘July Martyrs’ Day’, and August 8 was announced as ‘New Bangladesh Day’. However, due to widespread public criticism, the decision to observe August 8 has since been withdrawn.

Separate circulars were issued by the Cabinet Division outlining the significance and observance of each day.

The government has dismissed former Assistant Commissioner of Lalmonirhat, Taposi Tabassum Urmi, over a controversial Facebook post questioning the legitimacy of the interim government and Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. A departmental investigation found her guilty of misconduct, leading to her dismissal with presidential approval.

In the post, Urmi challenged the constitutional validity of the interim administration and criticized Dr. Yunus’s leadership, as well as expressing views against martyr Shahid Abu Sayeed and the mass uprising. Authorities deemed her comments as a breach of discipline within the civil service.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced a reduction in the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for July. The price of a 12-kg LPG cylinder has been cut by BDT 39, bringing the new retail price to BDT 1,364, down from BDT 1,403.

In addition, the price of autogas has been reduced by BDT 1.84 per liter, now set at BDT 62.46. BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed announced the updated pricing at a press briefing on Wednesday. The new rates came into effect that same evening.

Prices for other LPG cylinder sizes have also been adjusted. The new prices are as follows:

5.5 kg cylinder: BDT 625

30 kg cylinder: BDT 3,409

45 kg cylinder: BDT 5,114

Professor Dr. Ali Riaz, Vice President of the National Consensus Commission, has expressed hope that a National Charter could be finalized by mid-July. While he acknowledged slow daily progress, he noted that both formal and informal dialogues among political parties are yielding positive momentum. He emphasized that parties must prioritize national interest over partisan agendas. Most parties favor a bicameral legislature and seat allocation based on vote share in the upper house, though some disagreement remains.

Press Secretary Shafiqur Rahman has made it clear that he has no intention of joining any political party or becoming a Member of Parliament. He expressed a desire to avoid the lifestyle associated with political influence, citing concerns about corruption. Once the interim government completes its tenure, he plans to return to journalism and continue working on projects such as the “July Uprising.” Despite safety concerns following recent political changes, he said he relies fully on God for protection.

Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda has testified that the 2018 general election was marred by widespread irregularities, including 90–100% voter turnout in some centers—an indication that votes were cast the night before. He stated that field officials were under the influence of then Election Commission Secretary Helaluddin and that the ruling Awami League manipulated the process. Huda said he lacked the authority to annul the election results after the official gazette was published. He also clarified he had no personal involvement with his nephew SM Shahzada, who contested the election.

Finance Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has stated that ongoing reforms in the banking and SME sectors will be completed by December 2025, aiming to restore transparency and public confidence. He acknowledged structural weaknesses in struggling banks and emphasized coordinated efforts by the government and Bangladesh Bank to modernize the SME sector. He added that complications over the planned division of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) led the IMF to avoid a scheduled meeting on loan relief. He further noted that the IMF disregarded a formal letter from the NBR chairman, prompting him to provide an explanation.