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%.

Nahid Islam, convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP), stated via Facebook that the party is actively pursuing the July Charter, the July Certificate, and elections for local government and a Constituent Assembly. In a previous post, he said the first step to dismantling a fascist regime is fundamental reform and drafting a new constitution. He emphasized that NCP values the ethical and humane aspects of Islam—the majority’s faith—along with the language, culture, and lifestyle of Bengali Muslims.

Two days after the BNP office in Comilla was attacked and set on fire, police have filed a case naming five individuals and accusing 20–30 unidentified persons. The suspects, all affiliated with the BNP’s student wing Chhatra Dal, include Md. Mohsin (32), Salah Uddin Rocky (30), Md. Sohag Hossain (30), Saiful Islam (25), and Maruf Ahmed (24). According to the complaint, the violence occurred Saturday evening and involved disgruntled party members unhappy with the newly formed Chhatra Dal committees of the South District and Metropolitan BNP.

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.

The British High Commission confirmed that High Commissioner Sarah Cook met with women leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami. Discussions focused on the roles and policy positions of the party’s female members, which the Commission described as meaningful and significant to the participants. This follows previous meetings between Sarah Cook and other Jamaat leaders and activists.

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.

BNP leader Mir Helal emphasized that all religions teach peace and harmony. He said that former President Ziaur Rahman had unified people of all faiths, castes, and professions under the banner of Bangladeshi nationalism, ensuring equal dignity for all citizens. Helal accused both local and foreign conspirators of trying to sabotage upcoming elections and warned against those obstructing the restoration of democratic governance. He made these remarks while visiting the Shri Shri Tulsidham Temple, where he was received by leaders of the Tulsidham management committee and the Advaita Achyuta Mission.

Despite the Awami League being banned, no effective action has been taken against other members of the 14-party alliance. A legal notice has been sent to the Election Commission and the government, urging that the remaining coalition parties be declared terrorist organizations. Hossain Md. Anwar of the NCP, who issued the notice, said, “The Awami League did not act alone in its oppression. These actions were carried out collectively with the alliance’s approval.”

Dhaka Metropolitan Police have arrested 16 members of the banned Awami League and its student wing, Chhatra League, during a crackdown on flash processions. Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman stated that arrests were made across several locations: 11 individuals were detained from Gulistan, others from Mirpur, Motijheel, Jatrabari, and Mugda. Legal proceedings are currently underway against the arrestees.

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.

Culture Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki admitted that reversing 54 years of cultural deterioration cannot happen quickly. “We are drafting a blueprint—what needs to be done in the next five years and the next ten,” he said. “Before we leave office, we’ll hold a press conference titled ‘Road to Successor.’ I’ll leave behind a note of insights for the next team.” Farooki criticized the focus on pass rates and GPA-5 achievements, saying the foundations of education and culture have been severely damaged. He added that discussions are ongoing with the education and information advisers about reviving the popular program Notun Kuri, and highlighted efforts to promote local and inclusive cultural initiatives.