Indian state and federal ministers will meet for two days from Wednesday to weigh the biggest cuts to consumption tax in eight years, aimed at spurring domestic demand in the face of economic headwinds from US/ tariffs. A panel on the tax, headed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with ministers from all Indian states, will decide on a plan to cut the tax on more than 400 items, ranging from hair oil to small cars. It will also consider a higher tax of 40 percent on some luxury and "sin" goods such as cigarettes. Economists expect the cuts to cost $21 billion in revenue losses, with states set to lose more than the federal government. Taxes on air travel in the premium and business classes could also go to 18 percent from 12 percent.

Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum is set to receive the Aga Khan Award for Architecture for the second time. The Aga Khan Award is one of the most prestigious honours in global architecture. Marina has been nominated for her innovative project “Khudi Bari”, or Little House, a climate-adaptive housing solution designed for communities repeatedly displaced by flooding and river erosion in Bangladesh. Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has congratulated her on being nominated for one of the world’s most prestigious architecture awards.

Dream11, which had signed a three-year contract worth about 3.6 billion rupees ($44 million) running through 2026, can no longer sponsor the national team after the central government banned real-money online games as well as their promotion, including fantasy sports. India's upper house of parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 last month. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which commands some of the world's most lucrative broadcast deals thanks to cricket's popularity and India's vast population, set a September 16 deadline for new bid submissions. The Economic Times reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter, the board is seeking 35 million rupees per match for bilaterals, and 15 million per match for India's fixtures in International Cricket Council and Asian Cricket Council tournaments in a three-year sponsorship cycle. Over an estimated 140 games in the 2025-28 cycle, the BCCI expects to generate around 4.52 billion rupees, about 940 million more than under Dream11's deal, which was 3.58 billion for the period July 2023 to March 2026 - an uplift of more than 20 percent.

Yunus meets leaders of seven parties after BNP, Jamaat, NCP talksChief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has expanded his political dialogue, sitting with leaders of seven more parties after recent meetings with the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party. The meeting began at 5pm on Tuesday at the State Guest House Jamuna, his office said. On Sunday afternoon and evening, Yunus held separate talks with BNP, Jamaat and NCP leaders as part of efforts to ease mounting political discord and prepare the ground for general elections. “The election will take place in the first half of February in a free, fair and festive atmosphere,” Alam said. “He has reassured all political parties of this commitment.”Shafiqul added: “The chief advisor has said repeatedly that this will be one of the best elections in Bangladesh’s history -- peaceful and celebratory.”

Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) has logged a record for the highest number of containers handled in a single day. The surge in operations comes after Chattogram Dry Dock Limited, run by the Bangladesh Navy, assumed responsibility for NCT’s management on Jul 7. The Navy-led operator replaced Saif Powertec Limited, which had previously run the terminal. Since the takeover, NCT’s handling performance has shown a marked rise. Port officials say the August monthly figures reflect a new high, with 75,587 container boxes -- equivalent to 122,517 TEUs -- processed during the month under Dry Dock’s management.

Dhaka, July 2 (IBNS) A hostage crisis in Bangladesh capital Dhaka ended with the troopers clearing a cafe in the upscale Gulshan area where gunmen on Friday took at least 20 people, including foreigners, as hostages, leaving several dead, including the attackers, officials said. Bangladesh army sources said 13 hostages, including four foreigners, were rescued while six terrorists were shot dead. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina confirmed that 13 hostages were rescued as she commended the army for conducting the operation in just ten hours. "All security agencies did great job," she said, as she condemned the attackers for killing people during the Ramzan. The restaurant Holey Artisan Bakery where the hostage drama occurred is located in the Dhaka’s diplomatic zone Gulshan.

Chief Advisor Yunus orders Nur to be sent abroad for treatmentChief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has directed authorities to send Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur abroad for advanced medical treatment. On Tuesday, Nur’s wife Maria Akter, along with Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan and Senior Joint General Secretary Hasan Al Mamun, met with the chief advisor at the State Guest House Jamuna. She added that he needed to be taken abroad for proper treatment, according to CAO. The chief advisor instructed the health ministry to arrange for Nur’s transfer abroad. We have taken every step to ensure his proper treatment.

Islami Andolan calls for referendum to gauge public opinion on PR-based electionIslami Andolon Bangladesh has demanded that the general election be held under a proportional representation (PR) system, saying that if necessary a referendum should be arranged beforehand to take public opinion. Representatives from seven political parties participated in the meeting, which focused primarily on election-related issues, the political climate, and law and order. Besides Islami Andolan, delegations from AB Party, Nagorik Oikko, Gonoshonghoti Andolon, Gonadhikar Parishad, LDP, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Jatiyo Gonofront, and Hifazat-e Islam Bangladesh took part in the day’s talks. Saki suggested forming a committee with political parties and Election Commission members to ensure a better election atmosphere and urged resolving political conflicts over judiciary transparency and reforms. On referendums, he said the chief advisor ruled them out but asked what role the government would play if demands persist.

The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Hall Union Election Commission has formed a separate committee to investigate a threat of “gang rape” made on social media against a candidate. Prof Golam Rabbani, chief of the DUCSU Election Code of Conduct taskforce, announced the development on Tuesday. The controversy came after BM Fahmida Alam, a candidate from the “Aparajeyo 71, Adommo 24” panel, filed a High Court petition on Sunday challenging the candidacy of SM Farhad. The High Court suspended the DUCSU polls until Oct 30 and ordered the university’s election tribunal to investigate Farhad’s eligibility. Amid the dispute, Ali Hossain, a fourth-year sociology student at Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall, posted on Facebook Monday, suggesting Fahmida should face a “gang rape march” instead of protests against the High Court.

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus is to hold talks with leaders from seven more political parties after meeting representatives from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) earlier this week. The meeting is set to be held at the State Guest House Jamuna, the chief advisor’s official residence, at 5pm on Tuesday. Following the meetings, Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to the chief advisor, said at a briefing on Sunday night: “The chief advisor told them clearly that the election will be held within the timeframe that he announced during his address to the nation. The chief advisor updated the political parties about his activities regarding the election. “The chief advisor said that the election will be held peacefully and in a festive atmosphere.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has greeted the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) with flowers on its 47th founding anniversary. The NCP team included Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam, Senior Joint Convenors Samantha Sharmin and Ariful Islam Adeeb, and Organiser Mostak Ahmed Shishir, among others. But the gesture was warmly received by BNP leaders, and the two sides held discussions for some time. The BNP, founded by late president Ziaur Rahman on Sept 1, 1978, is celebrating its 47th anniversary. After the meeting, NCP’s Samantha Sharmin said: “BNP is another name for democracy.

Jamaat-e-Islami has reaffirmed its demand that general elections be held under a proportional representation (PR) system to ensure “equal opportunities for all parties”. In a press release, the party said its top forum, the Central Executive Council, unanimously adopted the decision at an emergency meeting on Monday morning. The meeting was chaired by Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman at his residence in Bashundhara Residential Area. The party’s deputy chief, secretary general, assistant secretaries general and executive council members attended it. It also marked the Jamaat chief’s first organisational engagement since undergoing heart surgery and taking over a month’s rest.

Tension at BAU as students defy hall eviction, dig in over VC’s apologyStudents of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) are remaining firm in their protest with a six-point list of demands, including an apology from the vice-chancellor. They also rejected the administration's directive to vacate the residential halls following an attack by outsiders during their protest a day before. The university and the district administrations are blaming each other over the students' demands. Mymensingh's DC Mofidul Alam said the university authorities would oversee the students' demands and that they had nothing to say about it. An emergency syndicate meeting that night closed the university indefinitely and ordered students to vacate residential halls by 9am on Monday.

July Charter final draft to be sent to parties ‘within Thursday’National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz has said the final draft of the July National Charter will be sent to political parties by Thursday. Based on extensive dialogue with political parties over reforms, a “comprehensive integrated draft” was previously created from the parties' feedback on the initial draft. The final draft has been prepared based on the opinions provided by the parties on that document. Twenty-six parties submitted their feedback within the given deadline. The parties said that if any opportunity for constitutional reform is created outside of the parliament, they are "more likely not to sign" the charter.

Government writes to Interpol to issue red notice for three garment factory ownersThe interim government has written to Interpol seeking a red notice against three garment factory owners who reportedly fled abroad without paying workers their due salaries and benefits. The notice will target Shahadat Hossain Shamim, managing director of TNZ Group; Itemad Ud Daulah, chairman of DIRD Group; Nabeel Ud Daulah, managing director; and Mamunul Islam, managing director of Roar Fashion Limited. The information and broadcasting ministry said in a media statement on Monday, “The government has taken the initiative to issue an Interpol red notice against the owners of three garments over allegations of negligence in paying workers their rightful dues and for staying abroad for an extended period.”The letter, signed by the additional inspector general of Police Headquarters, was sent to Interpol for the notice, it added. Earlier, during Eid-ul-Azha, when workers demanded their salaries and festival bonuses, the government had announced that if factory owners failed to comply, their vehicles and properties could be sold off to ensure payment. The initiative follows cases filed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in multiple courts, the statement said.