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Bangladesh Faces Backlash Over Dress Code for Women and Protest Gag Order
- Bangladesh Bank introduced a dress code requiring women to wear modest, professional attire at work.
- The directive barred women from wearing short-sleeved or short-length dresses and leggings, sparking outrage.
- After widespread criticism, the bank's governor revoked the new dress code order immediately.
- Authorities also issued a gag order on protests, restricting media coverage of opposition statements.
- The controversy has prompted debate about rising conservative influence, echoing concerns about a "Talibani era".
The humbling of green Europe
- Europe faces a major energy crisis in 2025 amid gas shortages, blackouts, and soaring prices.
- Ukraine’s halt of Russian gas transit and supply cuts from Qatar and Algeria worsened the crisis.
- Record-high energy prices led to factory shutdowns, economic strain, and increased energy poverty across the EU.
- Rapid switch to renewables left energy grids fragile, exposing gaps in reliability during harsh winter demand spikes.
- The situation caused political fractures, challenging Europe’s climate leadership and energy sovereignty ambitions.
Myanmar Lifts State of Emergency, Paves Way for December Elections
- State of emergency imposed since 2021 coup officially ended.
- General Min Aung Hlaing remains acting president and retains significant power.
- Interim government formed; election commission created to oversee polls.
- Elections are planned for December 2025, to restore a “multi-party democracy”.
- Opposition groups pledge to boycott, calling election a move to legitimize military rule.
France, UK, and Canada Announce Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in Major Diplomatic Shift
- France, UK, and Canada have announced intentions to recognise the State of Palestine in September 2025.
- France will be the first G7 and permanent UN Security Council member to take this step.
- UK recognition is contingent on Israel halting military actions in Gaza and advancing a peace process.
- Canada’s recognition requires democratic reforms within the Palestinian Authority and general elections without Hamas.
- Almost 150 UN member countries will have formally recognised Palestine following these announcements, marking a global shift.
Trump Delays Sweeping Global Tariffs by One Week; India and Dozens of Nations Brace for New Rates
- President Trump announced new tariffs on 69 countries, including India, effective from August 7, 2025.
- The threatened tariff hikes have been averted for now, as a new deadline is set for next week.
- India faces a 25% tariff; an additional "penalty" for Russian imports is likely but still unspecified.
- Certain goods shipped out before August 7 and arriving by October 5 will be exempt from tariffs, except for Canada.
- The U.S. is prioritizing "key trading partners" for negotiations, but no full relief deals have been reached yet.
The US acknowledges India as an ally but admits they can't fully align on all issues
- Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian exports, citing trade imbalances and Russian ties.
- The US emphasized India remains a key ally but noted differences on some strategic issues.
- India vowed to protect its economic interests and rejected any deal compromising national priorities.
- Economists warned the tariffs could hurt Indian exports and shave off GDP growth in FY26.
- Officials in both nations signaled continued talks, but no immediate full alignment is expected.