The United States has imposed new sanctions on individuals, entities, and vessels involved in smuggling Iranian oil under the guise of Iraqi exports. The U.S. Treasury revealed that the network, led by Iraqi-British national Salim Ahmed Said, has sold billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil since 2020 using falsified documents. Additionally, senior officials of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a Hezbollah-linked financial institution in Lebanon, have been sanctioned. Their assets have been frozen, and all business dealings with U.S. citizens are now prohibited.

Russia has officially recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan, becoming the first country in the world to do so. The Russian Foreign Ministry accepted the credentials of a new ambassador from the Taliban-led administration. Russian officials expressed hope that this step will strengthen bilateral cooperation. In a meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Dmitry Zhirnov, the move was described as a model for others to follow, with Russia taking the lead in formal recognition.

Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that all Middle East crises, including those involving Iran, must be resolved through political and diplomatic means. During a one-hour phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, the two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, the Iran-Israel conflict, and various global issues. According to the Kremlin, Russia supports peaceful resolution to all international disputes. However, on the Ukraine issue, Putin reaffirmed that Moscow will not compromise on its strategic goals, although it remains open to negotiations.

The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) has urged the government to reconsider its proposed tax increases in the FY2025–26 budget. The new budget includes a 2% advance income tax (AIT) on cotton imports and an increased VAT on yarn. BTMA warned that these measures would raise production costs, reduce working capital, and undermine the competitiveness of the textile industry, especially amid rising utility prices and other economic challenges. The association called for immediate action to reverse these policies and ensure smooth industrial operations.

Despite the immense potential of Bangladesh’s semiconductor industry, the country has yet to establish a strong foothold in the $600 billion global market, said BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq. He stated that Bangladesh currently earns only $6 million from this sector. However, he expressed optimism that investments worth several hundred million to billions of dollars could flow into the industry over the next five years. The government aims to expand participation through chip design, packaging, and skill development initiatives. The National Semiconductor Task Force has submitted 23 recommendations to the Chief Adviser to guide short, medium, and long-term strategies for developing this critical industry.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called on Japan to enhance its cooperation with Bangladesh, particularly in the areas of investment, fisheries, support for the Rohingya crisis, and youth development. During a meeting with JICA Vice President Miyazaki Katsura, he identified Matarbari as a strategically significant region and expressed interest in developing a blue economy. Dr. Yunus also raised issues related to employment opportunities for youth, Japanese language education, and support for women's participation in sports. JICA is currently considering a proposal to increase its development aid from 300 to 450 billion yen.

Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the OIC, M.J.H. Javed, met with OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha to request continued support in maintaining international pressure on Myanmar regarding the Rohingya crisis. The OIC chief assured that the organization would continue advocating for Bangladesh across UN platforms until peaceful repatriation is achieved. Javed also urged financial support to sustain Gambia’s legal case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning Myanmar’s alleged genocide.

Bangladesh is engaged in ongoing discussions with India over the sharing of transboundary river waters, and there is "no procrastination" in the process, according to Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain. Addressing reporters, he also confirmed that talks are underway to establish a UN Human Rights Office in Dhaka for a three-year period. The proposal remains at the draft stage and will be finalized only if both sides reach a consensus. Future governments may extend the agreement. He declined to comment further on the draft, saying it would be inappropriate before a final version is agreed upon. Regarding the 36 Bangladeshis reportedly detained in Malaysia, he stated that no official information has been received yet.

The Bangladesh Army will take legal action if any of its members are proven to be involved in cases of enforced disappearance, according to Colonel Md. Shafiqul Islam. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, he confirmed that investigations are underway against several army personnel currently on deputation. He also highlighted the army's recent operations against terrorism and mob violence, reporting the recovery of 26 weapons, 100 rounds of ammunition, and the arrest of 23 militants. Two army personnel were killed during clashes with the KNF in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, where significant arms were seized and many members of the Bawm community have returned home due to restored security.

The Trump administration has threatened legal action against CNN for reporting on "IceBlock," an app designed to help users identify the locations of ICE officers. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the Justice Department is considering a lawsuit. CNN defended its reporting, stating that publishing information about the app was not illegal. The app’s developer, Joshua Aaron, said it was his form of protest against the Trump administration’s mass deportation policies, which he compared to Nazi Germany.

India has only one week to finalize a trade deal with the United States or risk facing higher tariffs on its exports. President Trump made it clear that India must grant American businesses access to its markets, particularly for agricultural goods, dairy products, and genetically modified crops. However, India is pushing for a narrower agreement excluding these sectors. Analysts say lowering tariffs could trigger severe political backlash against the BJP, as most Indian farmers are small or medium-scale producers. While Delhi has shown willingness to compromise on some areas, it is holding firm in key sectors.

Bangladesh has approved the import of 17 LNG cargoes from UAE-based OQ Trading Limited to address short-term energy needs. Five shipments will arrive in 2025 and twelve in 2026, with prices based on the JKM index plus 15 cents per MMBtu. The government also approved fertilizer imports from the UAE, China, and Saudi Arabia, and increased budgets for several development projects, including water transport and power substations. These decisions aim to ensure energy security, food production support, and infrastructure development.

The joint committee formed to enhance the development of Bangladesh's capital market held its first meeting at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters. Chaired by Dr. Md. Ejazul Islam, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, the meeting included officials from the central bank, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), and the Ministry of Finance. Discussions focused on identifying key strategies to strengthen market infrastructure, improve regulatory coordination, and ensure sustainable growth of the capital market in line with national economic objectives.

In a strong statement delivered at an event in Tehran on Monday, Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, senior military advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, declared that the collapse of the Zionist regime and the downfall of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are inevitable and only a matter of time.

General Safavi criticized the recent military actions by Israel and the United States against Iran, claiming they have failed to achieve their strategic objectives. “These aggressions have only accelerated the cycle of death for Zionism,” he asserted.

He further emphasized that Iran’s military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) possess detailed intelligence on enemy interests, infrastructure, and military bases. “The power of the IRGC now extends beyond the borders of the Middle East,” Safavi said, highlighting Iran’s expanding regional influence.

Issuing a stark warning, Safavi cautioned that any further missteps by Iran’s adversaries would put their assets and military bases at severe risk. He promised that Iran would respond with decisive and forceful retaliation if provoked again.

Finance Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has stated that ongoing reforms in the banking and SME sectors will be completed by December 2025, aiming to restore transparency and public confidence. He acknowledged structural weaknesses in struggling banks and emphasized coordinated efforts by the government and Bangladesh Bank to modernize the SME sector. He added that complications over the planned division of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) led the IMF to avoid a scheduled meeting on loan relief. He further noted that the IMF disregarded a formal letter from the NBR chairman, prompting him to provide an explanation.