Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary has been officially appointed as the General Secretary of the Jatiya Party. The decision was made by the party chairman, Golam Mohammad Quader, and confirmed on Monday, July 7, by the chairman’s press secretary, Khandakar Delwar Jalali. This appointment marks a significant development in the party’s leadership, positioning Shamim Haider Patwary to play a key role in shaping the party’s future strategies and political activities.

A recent SANEM survey reveals that 31% of young people aged 15-35 believe the current education system does not adequately prepare them for employment. Conducted across eight divisions with 2,000 participants, the survey also explored political opinions ahead of the 13th national election. Results show BNP expected to receive 38.76% votes, with Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP trailing behind. Notably, 82.7% of youth express no interest in politics, citing fears of violence and corruption as major reasons.

At a press conference, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur emphasized that no banking policy will be effective without strong political will. He highlighted past political interference in the financial sector that led to instability. The Governor discussed the upcoming full rollout of the risk-based supervision system by 2026 and stressed the need for central bank autonomy. He also addressed the progress of bank mergers, board restructurings in underperforming banks, and proposed amendments to the Bank Companies Act to ensure greater oversight and discipline.

Fayez Ahmed Tayeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, clarified that a letter to the ACC regarding BTCL's 5G-related project was intended to seek cooperation, not to halt any investigation. He warned that failure to proceed with the project could cost the government BDT 600 crore and weaken BTCL’s market position. Tayeb claimed no one in his ministry is involved in corruption and stressed the project began under the previous government. He condemned media misrepresentation and emphasized the importance of upgrading BTCL’s infrastructure.

Roman Starovoit, Russia’s former Transport Minister, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot in his car in a Moscow suburb, just hours after President Vladimir Putin dismissed him from his post. The official decree offered no reason for his removal. Starovoit had been appointed minister in May 2024 after serving nearly five years as governor of the border region of Kursk. The Kremlin has appointed Andrei Nikitin, former governor of Novgorod, as the acting transport minister in the wake of the incident.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has formed a 19-member reform committee led by renowned writer and translator Fayzul Latif Chowdhury to bring timely and qualitative changes to Bangla Academy. Professor Muhammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy, will serve as member secretary. The committee includes prominent writers, researchers, poets, and journalists, and will review the institution’s laws, structure, and functions. It has been asked to submit its recommendations within three months. The academy will provide full administrative support to the committee.

The Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT) will develop a 10-year strategic plan to become a more skilled, self-reliant, and modern institution. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, advisor to the Environment and Water Resources ministries, announced plans to update the Climate Change Trust Act and build a dedicated BCCT office if government land is allocated. Efforts will include securing patent rights for funded research, launching real-time digital monitoring for transparency, and enhancing staff training to improve effectiveness and accountability.

Archaeologists have uncovered Péniko, a 3,500-year-old city in northern Peru’s Barranca province, believed to be connected to the Caral civilization, the oldest in the Americas. Located 200 km north of Lima at 600 meters elevation, the site includes 18 structures with religious and residential significance. Findings like mud sculptures and jewelry indicate it was a cultural and religious hub. Led by Dr. Ruth Shady, researchers suggest Péniko symbolizes the successor to Caral, thriving after climate change affected the earlier civilization.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), announced that they will wait until August 5 for the government and all parties to announce the July Charter. He urged the government to clarify the delay. Nahid warned that if the government fails to deliver, the party will consult other uprising stakeholders to decide the next steps. Speaking from Rajshahi, he emphasized the need for unity to rebuild Bangladesh and highlighted strong local support for the NCP.

The National Consensus Commission held the 10th day of its second-phase discussions with political parties on Monday in Dhaka, aiming to finalize agreements on key state reforms under a proposed interim government. Topics included expanding subordinate courts at the upazila level, emergency declaration protocols, and women’s political representation. Representatives from major and smaller parties such as BNP, Jamaat, CPB, and others attended. Professor Ali Riaz will brief the media, followed by political party representatives.

Interim Food Advisor Ali Imam Majumder stated that while rice prices have slightly increased during the peak season, claims of a significant surge are exaggerated. Speaking after a food security seminar in Dhaka, he confirmed the government is closely monitoring the market to prevent further hikes. He also announced a Japan-assisted loan deal to build a modern food testing lab in Dhaka, with additional advanced facilities in Khulna and Chattogram under BFSA to ensure food safety and accelerate quality control processes.

Following a visit to Dhaka Customs House, NBR Chairman assured officials that there is no reason to fear if duties are performed responsibly. He emphasized that only those involved in large-scale violations will be treated differently. Responding to questions, he said action taken against certain officers was based on government policy and not all protestors were punished. He also noted revenue collection reached Tk 3.68 trillion in the last fiscal year. The BR Invoice and DM Software systems were also inaugurated.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said law enforcement agencies are preparing for a national election likely to be held in five months. Speaking to media after visiting police facilities in Dhaka, he dismissed political concerns about the election environment. He assured there would be no law and order issues and emphasized the Election Commission and political parties also share responsibility. On recent mob violence and militant activity, he confirmed action is being taken and stated that militancy has no foothold in Bangladesh.

NCP senior joint convener Samanta Sharmin has emphasized the pivotal role of women in nation-building, citing the historical contributions of Natore to Bangladesh's political struggles. Speaking at a street rally at Shadhinata Chattar in Natore, she recalled the legacy of Rani Bhabani, a prominent female leader during British colonial rule.

“Natore has always been at the forefront of national movements,” Sharmin stated. “The contribution of Natore residents to the 2024 mass uprising will not be forgotten.”

The event marked the seventh day of the NCP's July march, with central party leaders arriving in Natore from Rajshahi, greeted warmly by local activists with floral receptions.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed both hope and disappointment regarding the National Consensus Commission’s activities. He said that despite BNP’s active participation and willingness to compromise on key issues, delays are being caused by new and conflicting proposals. Fakhrul emphasized the need for public involvement in major decisions and warned against bypassing democratic processes. BNP has agreed to most reform recommendations but raised concerns over proposals that may hinder institutional independence or contradict earlier agreements.