Forty Ansar personnel stationed at Benapole Land Port have been transferred following allegations of extorting money from truck drivers. The decision was made to uphold internal discipline and protect the image of the force, according to Benapole Ansar Camp Commander Ashit Kumar. Currently, 163 Ansar members are deployed at the port. While the first phase of transfers involves 40 individuals, further personnel changes are expected in the coming days. The move follows an investigative report aired by Jamuna TV on July 28, which revealed that Ansar members were collecting unauthorized fees—ranging from 20 to 40 taka per truck—at various entry gates of the port under the guise of "tips."

The admission process for Class XI (equivalent to Grade 11) in all public and private colleges across Bangladesh begins today for the 2025–26 academic year and will continue until August 11. Applications must be submitted online. As in previous years, admissions will be based solely on SSC (or equivalent) exam results—no entrance tests will be held. The application fee is set at BDT 220. Depending on the institution, the total cost of admission may range from BDT 1,500 to BDT 8,500. Students cannot transfer between colleges or receive clearance certificates without approval from the education board. The entire admission process—including application, merit list publication, enrollment, and class commencement—must be completed within 45 working days after the SSC results are released.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that a 25% tariff could be imposed on Indian exports if a trade agreement with the United States is not finalized soon. Despite five rounds of negotiations, no deal has yet been reached, increasing pressure on New Delhi. A senior Indian official confirmed that a U.S. delegation is scheduled to visit India by mid-August for further talks. “We’ve made significant progress,” the official said, but acknowledged that Trump could still order steep tariffs via executive action. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that talks with the U.S. are “progressing well,” noting that India has proposed reducing tariffs on several products and is working to ease non-tariff barriers. Meanwhile, Trump announced plans to notify nearly 200 countries about a new "global tariff" structure his administration intends to introduce.

The Directorate General of Food has scheduled the written exam for 14 technical posts under its 2023–2024 recruitment cycle. The test will be held on Friday, August 9, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM across multiple centers in Dhaka. This is part of the process to fill 1,791 vacancies across 25 categories. Candidates can download their admit cards from the official website starting July 29 and must bring a color printout on the exam day.

Saudi Arabia and France have jointly called for “clear, time-bound, and irreversible” steps toward implementing a lasting two-state solution to end the Israel-Palestine conflict. In a joint declaration, the two countries proposed forming an interim administrative committee in Gaza immediately after a ceasefire. This body would operate under the Palestinian Authority. They also suggested deploying an international stabilization mission under a UN Security Council mandate. The statement urged Israeli leadership to publicly commit to the establishment of a sovereign and viable Palestinian state. Additionally, it called for an end to settlement expansion, land annexation, and violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem—describing these actions as critical obstacles to peace and regional stability.

Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI) PLC has announced the launch of a new subsidiary named ACI Biosciences Limited, with an authorized capital of BDT 1 billion. ACI will hold 90% of the shares, pending regulatory approval. Despite recent financial losses, including a loss of BDT 9.11 per share in the first three quarters of 2024-25, the company continues to invest in growth. ACI’s latest credit rating remains strong, reflecting confidence in its long-term stability.

The road on the Syed Masud Rumi Bridge over Kushtia’s Gôrai River was repaired two weeks ago at a cost of 6.5 million taka. However, shortly after completion, the asphalt peeled off and potholes appeared, making the busy Kushtia-Rajbari regional road unsafe. Locals accuse the contractor and officials of embezzlement, while the Roads and Highways Department acknowledges some faults but blames weather conditions. The government has ruled out further funding for repairs. Attempts to reach the contractor for comment failed.

An agreement between the Bangladesh Tea Board (BCS), Bangladesh Tea Association (BTA), and the Bangladesh Tea Estate Staff Association has been finalized. Starting January 1, 2024, basic salaries for tea industry workers will increase by 5% through December 31, 2025. The deal also includes enhanced financial benefits. The signing ceremony was held at the BTA office in Dhaka, with key representatives from all parties present to formalize the new wage and benefit structure.

Starting August 1, 2025, the US will enforce a 35% reciprocal tariff on Bangladeshi exports under President Trump's new trade policy. The move aims to address trade imbalances and unfair practices. While the tariff poses challenges for Bangladesh’s apparel sector, its cost-efficiency and strong supply chain may help sustain exports. Shared tariff burdens and potential market shifts from China and Vietnam offer new opportunities. Experts urge Bangladesh to strengthen trade diplomacy, improve infrastructure, and promote its competitiveness to retain its position in the US market.

The government has approved the import of two LNG cargoes—one from Singapore's Gunvor and another from South Korea's POSCO—for BDT 9.89 billion to meet energy demands. Additionally, several major infrastructure projects were cleared, including crane installation at Payra Port, a terminal in Narayanganj, road expansion near Mukterpur Bridge, consultancy for Dhaka WASA, and IT upgrades under a digital governance initiative. These projects, involving both local and international firms, aim to strengthen the country’s energy, transport, and digital infrastructure.

The U.S. Treasury plans to borrow $1 trillion in the July–September quarter, raising its target by $453 billion due to lower-than-expected cash inflows and a deepening budget deficit. It anticipates ending September with $850 billion in cash. In Q4, it expects to borrow another $590 billion. Analysts warn this move, driven by high interest rates and economic uncertainty, could impact global markets and future fiscal policy. In Q2, actual borrowing fell short of earlier projections despite plans for larger debt.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that "no one is starving in Gaza," asserting that Israel has allowed humanitarian aid throughout the conflict. "If we hadn’t, no one would be left alive there," he stated. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump responded by pointing to widely circulated images of emaciated children in Gaza, saying, “Those kids look very hungry.” Despite international pressure leading to temporary humanitarian pauses, Gaza residents report that little to no real change has occurred on the ground. Israel blames Hamas for obstructing aid deliveries, alleging the group seizes relief supplies to consolidate power. However, no concrete evidence has been presented to support this claim.

A powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, causing a tsunami in the North Pacific. Waves reached Japan’s Hokkaido, and tsunami warnings were issued for Hawaii, Alaska, and even New Zealand. In Russia and Japan, evacuations were carried out, and minor damage was reported. Hawaii sounded sirens, and Oregon warned of small waves. While no major injuries or deaths have occurred, authorities urge coastal residents to stay alert for aftershocks and potential second waves.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a stern warning, stating that the UK will formally recognize Palestine as an independent state by September if the ongoing war in Gaza does not cease and meaningful steps toward a sustainable peace process are not taken. The UK has also urged Israel to halt its settlement expansion plans and called on Hamas to release all hostages. Israel criticized the move, claiming it would “reward Hamas” and undermine diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Gaza. Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities have welcomed the UK's potential decision to grant statehood recognition.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Online Editors Alliance and the Bangladesh-China Apan Media Club to enhance coordination, knowledge exchange, and professional development between Chinese and Bangladeshi media. At the event, Yu Kuang Yue, Director of the CMG Bangla Department, said the agreement would strengthen bilateral ties and enable technological and journalistic knowledge-sharing. Hasan Sharif noted potential collaboration in tourism, healthcare, and education sectors as key areas for future growth.