In a recent phone call, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep gratitude to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for continued support amidst rising tensions with India. Sharif reiterated Pakistan's willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with India on unresolved issues including Kashmir, water, trade, and terrorism. He urged all parties to adhere to the UN Charter and international law, especially following Monday’s attacks. He also commended Saudi Arabia for its effective Hajj management. In response, the Crown Prince affirmed efforts toward lasting peace in the Middle East.

Advisor Md. Mahfuz Alam emphasized the urgent need for the Bangladesh Film Archive to adopt digital technology for film preservation. He said the institution must strengthen its capacity to preserve national and international cinematic works, along with documents related to Bangladesh’s history and heritage. Alam urged the archive to collect and preserve documentaries based on the Liberation War and interviews with national heroes. He also suggested gathering books and interviews with eminent personalities from various sources.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has disbursed $1.3 billion in loan funds to Bangladesh, bringing the country’s foreign currency reserves to $27.31 billion. Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed the development. The loan includes the fourth and fifth tranches of a $4.7 billion package approved in an IMF board meeting on Monday. As of June 23, gross reserves stood at $26.82 billion, while BPM6-compliant reserves were $21.75 billion.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has warned the public about a fraud ring posing as ACC officials and offering case dismissals in exchange for bribes. In a public statement, the ACC clarified that it has no connection to such individuals. “Several fraudsters have already been arrested, and legal action is ongoing,” the statement said. The ACC also criticized NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah for spreading defamatory comments against ACC officials without verification and urged the public to report any extortion attempts impersonating ACC personnel to law enforcement.

A crude bomb (locally known as a 'cocktail') exploded near the Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University's TSC area on Tuesday night, sending shockwaves across the campus. Students suspect the explosion was intended to create fear and unrest ahead of the upcoming DUCSU elections. University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed confirmed that a proctorial team was dispatched to investigate the incident.

Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian declared an end to the 12-day conflict with Israel, describing it as a triumph of the Iranian nation’s resilience. “Following our courageous national resistance, we now witness the establishment of a ceasefire that marks the end of Israel’s provocative war,” he said. Pezeshkian affirmed Iran’s respect for the Trump-era ceasefire agreement while maintaining unity against external aggression. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated the country's commitment to its nuclear program despite the recent Israeli attacks.

Health assistants across Bangladesh held a two-hour sit-in on Tuesday demanding six reforms, including recruitment rule amendments, bachelor’s degree qualification, and upgraded pay grades. Organized by the Bangladesh Health Assistant Association, the protest took place at upazila health complexes nationwide. Leaders voiced frustration over long-standing disparities and warned of intensified movements, including shutdowns, if demands remain unmet. They believe fulfilling the six-point charter will strengthen grassroots healthcare and ensure fair recognition for health assistants working in critical national immunization programs.

At a Dhaka workshop jointly hosted by the SME Foundation and IFC, SME entrepreneurs demanded the effective implementation of the Secure Transactions (Movable Assets) Act 2023. They emphasized that most small businesses lack immovable property, making it difficult to access bank loans. Although the law allows movable assets like machinery and produce as collateral, proper enforcement and banker training are still lacking. The SME sector contributes 32% to GDP and employs over 25 million people, highlighting the urgent need for accessible financing options.

The United States saw the creation of more than 1,000 new millionaires daily in 2024, totaling 379,000 for the year—a 1.5% increase from 2023, according to UBS. China ranks second with 6.3 million millionaires, while Turkey experienced the highest percentage growth at 8.4%. Despite market volatility in early 2025, US wealth remains stable, driven by Wall Street and a strong dollar. Globally, nearly 60 million millionaires hold $226 trillion in assets, with wealth concentrated in tech and real estate.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has recovered BDT 994 crore in taxes over the past nine months as part of efforts to curb tax evasion. A total of 16,572 investigations were conducted, revealing tax evasion amounting to BDT 6,246 crore. The NBR stated in a press release that it continues to play a vital role in national development by meeting revenue collection targets.

The Ministry of Education has directed that all coaching centers across the country remain closed until August 15 to ensure a fair, smooth, and cheat-free HSC and equivalent exams this year. The 2025 exams will start on June 26 under 11 education boards, with 1,251,111 students registered. Among them, 618,015 are male and 633,096 are female examinees. This move aims to maintain exam integrity and provide a conducive environment for all candidates.

Google Pay has officially launched in Bangladesh for the first time, in partnership with City Bank, Google, Mastercard, and Visa. The service enables City Bank customers to make secure, contactless payments using NFC-supported Android devices via Google Wallet. The launch event was held in Dhaka, with notable guests including the Bangladesh Bank Governor and U.S. Embassy representatives. This innovation marks a major step in advancing the country's digital payment ecosystem, allowing users to pay for travel, shopping, and more directly from their smartphones.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 17 development projects totaling Tk 8,974.28 crore in its final meeting of the fiscal year. The projects include building drug rehabilitation centers in seven divisions, 253 upazila complexes, and adolescent clubs. Of the total cost, Tk 3,180.34 crore will be government-funded, with the rest covered by project loans and organizational funds. The meeting was chaired by interim government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, along with several top advisers and officials.

Reacting to a letter from British MP Tulip Siddiq and her lawyer alleging interference in UK politics by Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Chairman Abdul Momen said, “They are belittling both themselves and the UK by suggesting that a legal case could collapse British politics.” He reiterated that the ACC is not politically motivated and said legal matters can’t be settled through letters. “The case is in court — Tulip must appear and face it. She is a Bangladeshi citizen and must comply with local laws,” Momen stated.

Despite the ban on Awami League and its student wing, Chhatra League, rallies and processions continue in various areas. In response, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam commented, “Yesterday was the Awami League’s founding anniversary, but as expected, they couldn’t gather a large crowd. The party is gradually becoming inactive.” He emphasized that their current focus is preparing for the upcoming election, but the Election Commission will determine the final schedule. Discussions have been held with security forces on maintaining law and order during the election period.