US Senator Lindsey Graham has warned that countries continuing to trade with Russia while failing to support Ukraine could face tariffs as high as 500% on their exports to the United States. The warning follows the passage of a bill endorsed by former President Donald Trump, now approved by the US Senate, aiming to economically pressure countries maintaining business ties with Moscow.

Experts believe the measure could significantly impact nations like India and China, who are major importers of Russian oil and other goods. Senator Graham emphasized that the proposed tariffs are targeted at nations choosing commerce with Russia over humanitarian support for Ukraine. With India-Russia trade volume surging to $68.7 billion, analysts caution the bill could deal a heavy blow to India's economy if enforced.

In the first half of 2025, the U.S. dollar has depreciated by over 10% in global markets — marking its steepest decline since 1973. Analysts attribute the slump to former President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies and an increasingly isolationist foreign policy. Growing concerns over inflation, ballooning government debt, and unpredictable trade policies have shaken investor confidence, raising questions about America's leadership in the global financial system. While the falling dollar has made imports more expensive, exporters are seeing higher profits. According to Standard Chartered, "It's not about whether the dollar is strong or weak — it's about how the world perceives the United States."

As of June 30, Bangladesh Bank reported gross foreign reserves of $31.68 billion, a $370 million increase from the previous day.
Spokesperson Arif Hossain added that under the IMF calculation method, the reserves stand at $26.66 billion. Economists welcomed the growth but emphasized the need to boost exports and remittances to maintain long-term stability.

The interim government of Bangladesh has scrapped 37 solar power projects involving 14 countries, citing irregularities and politically motivated approvals during the Awami League's tenure.

The canceled projects had a combined capacity of 3,287 MW and included investments from China (4 projects), Singapore (7), India (1), and the United States (1). This move puts approximately $6 billion in potential investment and $300 million in sunk costs at risk.

Chinese investors have expressed concern and called for a peaceful resolution. Energy experts stressed the need for policy stability and stronger coordination from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).

Economic adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has remarked that former central bank governors acted as agents of the government, but insisted that such practices are no longer the norm.

Speaking to NBR officials, he encouraged them to maintain neutrality and transparency in their duties. On recent anti-corruption investigations against six NBR officials, he declined to comment but asserted the current government does not interfere in such matters.

He also expressed concern over disruptions to port and revenue services, saying these actions harm the national interest and damage the business climate.

Bangladesh Bank formed a five-member committee in January to restructure defaulted loans of 500 million taka or more. Despite receiving 1,253 applications, none have been finalized yet due to complex verification, multiple stakeholders, and regulatory hurdles. The delay has caused an increase in non-performing loans, worsening entrepreneurs’ conditions. Committee members emphasize their commitment but highlight challenges in identifying genuine defaulters and coordinating among numerous banks. The central bank plans to expand the committee to speed up resolutions and support the economy.

Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a landmark agreement to implement the country’s first solar power project under a public-private partnership model. Located in Sonagazi, Feni, the plant will generate 100–200 MW and include a battery storage system. Set on 400 acres of BEZA land, the project aims to reduce carbon emissions and ensure uninterrupted power to industrial zones. ADB will assist with feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and international bidding processes to attract investors.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have climbed to $31.31 billion, according to a press release from Bangladesh Bank. However, when calculated under the IMF’s BPM6 methodology, which provides a standardized global framework, the reserve stands lower at $26.33 billion. The discrepancy arises from differing accounting practices, where BPM6 excludes certain unusable funds. The update was shared on Sunday, highlighting the country’s ongoing efforts to maintain a healthy reserve level amid global economic challenges and policy reforms under the IMF’s guidance.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) collected Tk 3,60,920 crore in revenue by 10:00 AM on June 30, the last day of the fiscal year. NBR Chairman Md. Abu Rahman Khan confirmed the figure and said final numbers will take 2–3 weeks to reconcile fully. Despite recent disruptions due to officer protests, all departments resumed operations, and revenue collection is expected to surpass last year’s total. Khan emphasized systematic reporting through iBAS and assured continued efforts to support government spending in July.

Iran has strongly condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that he stopped Israel and U.S. forces from assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The Iranian foreign ministry called the remarks a violation of the UN Charter, an insult to the Muslim world, and an affront to a respected civilization. Tehran warned that such rhetoric undermines global dialogue and cooperation, urging the U.S. to abandon its aggressive tone. Iran also demanded international accountability for any attacks on its peaceful nuclear facilities and asserted that these actions damage America's diplomatic credibility in the Middle East.

The spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments should not be seen as a genuine attempt to engage in dialogue or resolve issues. Instead, they are better understood as part of a calculated psychological and media-driven game. The statement reflects Tehran’s continued skepticism of Washington's intentions in the region.

A viral Facebook post claiming that the victim of the Muradnagar rape case had committed suicide has been debunked as false by FactWatch.

Fact-checking revealed no credible evidence supporting the claim. Both local journalists and the officer-in-charge of Muradnagar Police Station confirmed no such incident occurred. Additionally, no national or regional media reported any suicide. The viral claim appears to be baseless and lacks any reliable source.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has harshly criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s mega-budget bill, calling it “absolutely insane.” Musk warned that the legislation would push the country into “debt slavery” and destroy millions of jobs. The fallout between Musk and Trump escalated earlier in June when Trump introduced the controversial tax and spending bill, which narrowly passed a Senate hurdle with a 51-49 vote. Musk further accused the bill of supporting outdated industries while ignoring future-oriented sectors such as renewable energy and tech innovation.

China has renewed a $3.4 billion loan for Pakistan, enhancing the country's foreign exchange reserves to $14 billion when combined with recent commercial and multilateral loans. Of the total, $2.1 billion was renewed from Pakistan's central bank reserves, where the funds had been held for the past three years. Additionally, Beijing has refinanced a $1.3 billion commercial loan repaid by Islamabad two months ago. Pakistan has also secured another $1 billion from Middle Eastern commercial banks and $500 million from multilateral sources.

Iran’s military chief, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, has expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its support during Israel’s recent 12-day military campaign. In a phone call with Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir, Mousavi commended Pakistan's government and people for taking a “brave stance” in condemning unprovoked Israeli attacks.

Mousavi acknowledged Iran’s military losses but insisted that Israeli objectives were not achieved. He also criticized Western nations, particularly the Trump administration, for their full-fledged support of Israel.