The U.S. national debt has now exceeded $33 trillion, sparking global concern among economists and policymakers. Analysts warn that former President Donald Trump's “Big Beautiful Budget Bill,” which includes significant tax cuts, could increase the debt by an additional $3 trillion. Financial expert Ray Dalio cautioned that the U.S. is at a tipping point, with three alarming paths ahead: slashing public spending and increasing taxes, printing more dollars, or facing a catastrophic default. Although the situation is grave, experts believe the crisis might be delayed due to the lack of a viable alternative to the U.S. dollar in global finance.

More than a hundred aggrieved businessmen staged a protest in front of Vatara Police Station in Dhaka on Saturday night, demanding the arrest of Dr. Mujtaba Ali, chairman of the e-commerce platform Dhamaka Shopping.

They accused Dr. Mujtaba of embezzling nearly Tk 4 billion (400 crore taka) from them. The demonstration, which began in the evening, continued until 1 a.m., with protesters alleging that instead of taking action, police were sheltering him inside the station under the pretext of security.

When contacted, the officer-in-charge of Vatara Police Station confirmed that Dr. Mujtaba had not been arrested and that no decision regarding his arrest had yet been made.

The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) has expressed deep concern over the government’s decision to impose a 2% advance income tax without prior discussion. At a press conference in Gulshan, industry leaders warned this measure—coming amid severe crises in gas supply, electricity, and bank loans—could devastate the sector. “Is this policy designed to destroy local industries and benefit our neighbors?” one leader asked. The association demanded the tax’s withdrawal within seven days, threatening factory closures if their call goes unheeded. They stressed that $75 billion in investments and the national economy itself are now at risk.

This year in Iran, Ashura was not just a day of mourning but also a mass demonstration of national unity and resistance against perceived Israeli and American aggression. Inspired by the spirit of Karbala, Iranians transformed their grief into defiance, holding processions with images of martyrs and anti-imperialist slogans. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei called for donating blood instead of self-flagellation—a call that was widely heeded. Clerics described Ashura as the fountainhead of Islamic revolution and steadfastness. Despite sorrow, Iranians stood tall, strengthened by Ashura’s spiritual legacy. (By a journalist and analyst based in Iran)

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has expressed hope that he will live more than 130 years. During a prayer gathering in Dharamshala, India, he told followers he plans to reincarnate as Tibet’s spiritual leader after death. He emphasized that the right to recognize his successor lies with the Gaden Phodrang Trust—not the Chinese government. China has long branded him a separatist. The Dalai Lama, who is already the longest-living Tibetan Buddhist leader, reiterated that his next birth will take place outside Chinese control.

The Chinese government has launched a new initiative to combat the country’s severe birth-rate crisis. Beginning January 2025, Beijing will provide couples with an annual cash payment of 3,600 yuan for each newborn child, continuing until the child turns three. Once the most populous country in the world, China has now fallen to second place amid sustained declines in birth rates despite previous policy relaxations. Authorities hope that direct financial support will help reverse this trend and stabilize population growth.

A new report by Bangladesh’s Disappearance Investigation Commission reveals harrowing accounts of torture inside secret government detention centers. The findings document the experiences of 253 victims, many held in ‘torture cells’ for periods ranging from 39 to 391 days. Detainees described being hung by their arms, subjected to electric shocks, waterboarding, having their nails pulled out, denied blankets in the cold, and sexually assaulted. “They tied my arms outstretched, like crucifixion, and took my scarf,” said one female victim. “I used to have late periods, but they tortured me so severely my period started immediately.” While perpetrators often tried to erase evidence of abuse, in many cases the judiciary ignored clear signs of torture.

The Anti-Discrimination Employees’ Unity Forum has strongly protested the promotion of two officers from the 15th batch of the BCS (Administration) cadre, Sirajul Noor Chowdhury and Dr. AKM Shahabuddin, to the position of Secretary. The forum accused both officers of being beneficiaries of the Awami League’s authoritarian regime and former student league activists. They allege that these officials have aided the government in money laundering activities and have connections with the fugitive former Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdour Rouf. The forum condemned such promotions as a grave betrayal of the blood shed during the people's uprisings.

Several students at Chittagong University confined Vice-Chancellor Muhammad Yahia Akhtar in his office and threatened him over the promotion of a teacher. The protesting students told the VC, “You didn’t come here by merit; we put you in this chair.” Among the two who led the intimidation were Shakhawat Hossain, a former Islami Chhatra Shibir leader, and Tahsan Habib, a former Chhatra Odhikar Parishad leader and postgraduate student of the History Department. On Friday, they occupied the administrative building in protest against the promotion of Assistant Professor Dr. Kushal Baran Chakraborty. They locked the main gate and staged demonstrations. Later, the authorities annulled the promotion board responsible for Dr. Chakraborty’s advancement.

Afghanistan’s capital Kabul is at risk of becoming the world’s first modern city to run completely out of water by 2030. Excessive groundwater extraction, climate change, and population growth have drastically lowered water levels, threatening nearly 3 million residents with scarcity and displacement. UNICEF reports half the deep wells are already dry, and 80% of underground water is contaminated. Experts warn urgent infrastructure improvements and international cooperation are needed, but sanctions and instability hinder effective solutions.

Railway Ministry Adviser Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan cautioned government officials against showing bias toward any political party during elections. “Their job is not to help someone win but to support whoever is elected,” he said. Speaking on electoral transparency under the interim government, he announced that for the first time, overseas Bangladeshis would be allowed to vote via postal ballots. He also addressed rising energy production costs and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to boosting solar energy as a renewable alternative to gas and coal.

At least 24 people have died in sudden floods caused by heavy rain in south-central Texas. Over 300 millimeters of rain led the Guadalupe River to overflow, triggering flash floods, especially in Kerr County near San Antonio. Authorities say 25 children remain missing from a summer camp of over 700 attendees, though they may still be alive but unreachable. The weather service warns of more rain and flood risks in the next 48 hours across western and central Texas regions.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Ameer, Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari, has strongly opposed the establishment of a United Nations Human Rights office in the country. Speaking at a prayer gathering organized by Hefazat in Baridhara, Dhaka, on Saturday, he accused international organizations of using the banner of "human rights" to interfere in Islamic Shariah, family laws, and religious values — actions he described as threats to national sovereignty and the sentiments of the Muslim majority.

"Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country, and it is everyone's duty to protect its religious and social fabric," he emphasized.

Testimonies in the war crimes case against ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may begin by late July or early August, according to prosecution sources. The case, linked to crimes against humanity during the July uprising, also names Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun as co-accused. Chief Prosecutor told the tribunal that the crimes followed a systematic chain of command across all 56,000 square miles of the country. Public notices have been issued as Hasina and Kamal remain fugitives. This case is one of several against Hasina, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the 2013 Shapla Chattar crackdown.

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Economic Adviser to the interim government, cautioned that increasing interest rates on savings certificates could lead to a liquidity crisis in the banking sector. “Higher returns will drive people away from banks and toward savings instruments,” he warned during a meeting with government officials in Nabinagar. He emphasized the need for balanced policymaking and noted that steps are being taken to rehabilitate struggling banks. He also confirmed the formulation of a “Bank Resolution Act” to protect customer deposits and address instability within the National Board of Revenue (NBR).