To pave the way for negotiations aimed at reducing additional U.S. tariffs, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has approved lowering tariffs on at least 100 import items in the upcoming budget. The decision also includes raising the tax-free income threshold, setting the minimum individual tax at Tk 5,000, and increasing the maximum tax rate to 30%. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) believes this move could help reduce the trade deficit with the U.S., especially on state-only purchases such as oil, gas, weapons, fighter jet parts, and missiles. Notably, the U.S. had previously imposed an additional 37% duty, raising total tariffs on Bangladeshi products to 52%.

Tumo Poutiainen, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh, stated that while the country's labour conditions have improved, greater effectiveness is still needed. “Everything depends on how effectively employers, workers, and the government address concerns through dialogue,” he said. After 10 years in Bangladesh—seven as Country Director and three in the garment sector—Poutiainen is now moving to ILO’s regional office in Bangkok. He noted significant investment in factory safety after the Rana Plaza disaster but emphasized that other sectors still lag behind in worker safety and compensation frameworks.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin via phone on Monday at 8 PM Bangladesh time. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the call focused on the outcomes of last week’s Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul. “We’ve already clarified our position on the Istanbul talks,” Peskov stated. “Following the call, we will release a full statement.” This was the first known conversation between Putin and Trump since March 18.

Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud stated that the involvement of local government and elected representatives is essential for the effective distribution of financial assistance under social safety programs. He noted that currently, about half of the social security allocations are distributed based on political considerations, which undermines efficiency. “Smaller projects under BDT 50 crore will receive immediate approval, but no large-scale projects will be initiated except for the Matarbari project,” he said. He also mentioned that a six-lane highway project connecting Faridpur, Barisal, and Kuakata has been approved under a mid-sized project plan, designed to minimize damage to homes and trees. Speaking about Barisal, he said it could have become the ‘Venice of the East’ if proper attention had been paid to its canals. He added that new gas exploration initiatives are also underway, including work in Bhola.

Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder stated that while there is currently no food shortage in Bangladesh, the country still lacks adequate capacity to ensure food safety. “We are committed to doing everything possible to guarantee safe food for all citizens,” he said. He stressed the need for active involvement from all stakeholders in the food supply chain. Under a 10-year project funded by the Japanese government worth BDT 2,409.7 crore, a Food Safety Reference Laboratory is being set up in Dhaka, with additional facilities in Chattogram and Khulna, along with training centers to strengthen testing and inspection capabilities.

The United States has imposed visa restrictions on individuals associated with certain Indian travel agencies, accusing them of knowingly facilitating illegal immigration. In a statement, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the decision was based on information gathered by U.S. missions in India. The statement did not specify the names or number of individuals involved. Washington alleges that these Indian entities played an active role in supporting unlawful migration.

The interim government has initiated the withdrawal of all politically motivated cases filed during the previous Awami League regime. According to officials from the Home Ministry’s Law-1 Division, legal formalities have been completed for withdrawing a total of 10,506 such cases across the country. SA Jinnah Kabir, a member of the district BNP convening committee, claimed that 33 false cases had been filed against him during the Awami League's tenure, part of a broader pattern of nationwide repression.

Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) will provide training to imams and meat processors on performing Qurbani in accordance with both religious principles and health guidelines. Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, head of DNCC’s Health Department, said, “Due to a lack of proper knowledge about skinning techniques, the quality of sacrificial animal hides is compromised, affecting their exportability.” Under the direction of Administrator Mohammad Ejaz, 14-member veterinary medical teams will be stationed at every cattle market within DNCC jurisdiction during Qurbani.

Director General of the National Identity Registration Division, ASM Humayun Kabir, has confirmed that no citizen in Bangladesh currently holds two national ID (NID) cards. He stated, “We have identified 586 individuals who possessed duplicate NIDs. We kept their original cards active and canceled the second ones.” He further explained that both cards were previously locked, preventing those individuals from accessing public services. “The issue has now been resolved within two weeks, and those citizens can now receive full services,” he added.

Environmental Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan stated that the government is not yet ready to raise the Farakka issue with India. “The current treaty still has 18 months left. We are gathering data to claim Bangladesh’s fair share of Padma River water, and we will speak when the time is right,” she said. She also expressed concern over rampant sand and soil looting across the country, noting that the administration has been given ten clear directives to stop such practices. She assured that efforts are ongoing to renew the Farakka agreement with India in due course.

Non-cadre government employees staged a sit-in outside the office of Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, demanding the reinstatement of Secretariat allowances and ration benefits. The protest ended after assurances were given, but the workers warned of tougher actions if demands are not met within ten days. Spokesperson Badiul Kabir said, “We informed the Finance Adviser that the Food Adviser has already recommended our case to the Finance Division. The entire Secretariat team seems to view us as opponents. The adviser asked for 10–12 days, and we’re willing to wait that long.”

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan announced Monday night that the country's foreign exchange reserves have reached $25.44 billion. However, according to the IMF’s BPM6 calculation, usable reserves stand at $20.07 billion. As of May 7, reserves under BPM6 were $20.29 billion, while total gross reserves were $25.67 billion. Earlier, Bangladesh had repaid $1.88 billion in dues to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU).

The US is moving forward with a new law to impose a 5% tax on all remittances sent abroad, under the proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” introduced by Donald Trump. The bill has passed the budget committee and awaits a full congressional vote. While US citizens are exempt, non-citizens—including millions of Indian workers—will be affected. India, the top recipient of US remittances, could suffer significant economic consequences, with $32.9 billion sent from the US in 2023–24 alone.

Professor Ali Riaz said that there is no significant disagreement among major political parties regarding the need for national consensus. He expressed hope that existing differences could be resolved through future issue-based discussions. “We aim to conclude the first phase of dialogue and begin the second phase soon, during which a draft national charter may be developed based on the feedback from political parties,” he added.