India, China and Brazil are expected to come under scrutiny under the proposed legislation, echoing Trump’s earlier warnings to BRICS nations over their economic ties with Russia. US President Donald Trump has “greenlit” a sweeping bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia and its trade partners, including India, as part of renewed efforts to end the Ukraine war through intensified economic pressure on Moscow.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Trump has approved the proposed legislation, which would significantly expand sanctions not only on Russia but also on countries continuing trade with Moscow, particularly those purchasing Russian oil.

“After a very productive meeting today with President Trump on a variety of issues, he greenlit the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill,” Graham told reporters. “I look forward to a strong bipartisan vote, hopefully as early as next week.”

Graham said the bill would empower Trump to “punish countries who buy cheap Russian oil fueling Putin’s war machine.”

India, China and Brazil are expected to come under scrutiny under the proposed legislation, echoing Trump’s earlier warnings to BRICS nations over their economic ties with Russia.

What does the bill propose?
The proposed legislation, titled the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, aims to impose sanctions on individuals and countries deemed by the US president to be acting on Russia’s behalf or obstructing efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

• The bill outlines four conditions under which sanctions may be imposed:
• Refusing to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine
• Violating a negotiated peace agreement
• Initiating another invasion of Ukraine
• Overthrowing, dismantling or attempting to subvert the Ukrainian government
• If triggered, the bill mandates the president to impose a range of penalties, including visa restrictions and tariffs of up to 500%.

It also directs the US Treasury Department to impose property-blocking sanctions and instructs the Commerce Department to ban the export, re-export or in-country transfer of US-produced energy or energy products to or within Russia.

India is already facing elevated US tariffs. In August 2025, Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil as “fueling the war in Ukraine.” This came on top of an earlier 25% tariff announced during Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” trade measures, bringing the total tariff on Indian goods to 50%, placing India alongside Brazil among the countries facing the highest US tariffs.

With the start of 2026, Trump has hinted at the possibility of further tariff hikes on India due to its continued imports of Russian oil.

“Modi is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. He added that India continues to trade with Russia and that the US “can raise tariffs very quickly.”

If the proposed bill is passed, Trump would be required to raise tariffs to at least 500% on all goods and services imported into the United States from countries that knowingly engage in the trade of Russian-origin uranium and petroleum products.

The advisory committee on government purchase at a meeting on Tuesday approved a proposal to purchase fuel oils at a cost of Tk 1,462 crore from India amid tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi over a series of incidents. The latest was Dhaka’s decision to shut down the broadcasting of the Indian Premier League after Bangladesh pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman, also known as Fizz, was released by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, following directives by the Indian Cricket Board.

Dhaka has also asked India to sift Bangladesh matches in the forthcoming T20 World Cup to Sri Lanka from India on ground of security of national cricketers. Finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, who presided over the meeting of the advisory committee on government purchase, called the rows over Mustafizur disappointing.

The release of the pace bowler all of a sudden was unfortunate, he said, adding that the fallout of the incident was also unexpected. There have been diplomatic rows between Bangladesh and India since New Delhi gave shelter to deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina who fled there amid a mass uprising on August 5, 2024. Salehuddin, however, said that the Mustafizur issue had not put any impact on the procurement of goods from India under the government purchase.

At Tuesday’s meeting, a Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation proposal to import 1.8 lakh tonnes of refined diesel from India’s Numaligarh Refinery Limited for the January-December period at a cost of Tk 1,462 crore was approved.

The import price of a litre of diesel from Numaligarh Refinery in Assam has been estimated at Tk 88 while the average price of a litre of diesel on the international market recently was about $1.24, equivalent to Tk 175.

Responding to questions from reporters about diesel imports from India amid the tensions, energy adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said that the diesel import was being carried out under an agreement signed previously.

‘This is a 15-year contract signed long ago,’ he said, adding that the latest import was part of the contract. The day’s meeting also approved three more proposals on imports of fuel oils with the overall amount standing at 30.6 lakh tonnes at an estimate cost of Tk 24,150.84 crore. The imports are to meet the country’s fuel oil demand until June.

The BPC will import 15 lakh tonnes of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia for state-run Eastern Refinery Limited at a cost Tk 11,863 crore. It will import 13.80 lakh tonnes of refined fuel oils from seven companies from six countries under government-to-government arrangements at an estimated cost of Tk 10,826 crore. The six countries are India, China, Malaysia, the UAE, Thailand and Indonesia.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party has announced a seven-day mourning period following the death of the party’s chairperson and Bangladesh’s three-time former prime minister Khaleda Zia. The announcement was made at a press conference held at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Tuesday morning by BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Rizvi said that during the seven-day period, party leaders and activists would wear black badges. Quran recitations and prayer gatherings will be held in all offices. Condolence books will be opened at the BNP headquarters in Paltan and Gulshan. The schedule for her burial and final rites will be announced later. Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, passed away at 6:00am on Tuesday.

Florida, USA: The 40th FOBANA (Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America) Conference will be held from September 4-6, 2026, at Holiday Inn Resort, 3011 Maingate Ln, Kissimmee, Florida 34747, Orlando, USA. The event is organized by the Bangladesh Somity of Central Florida.

The conference will be supported by the Bangladesh Society of Central Florida, Association of World Fair and Fest USA Inc, and Central Florida Sports Club Inc. This year’s conference will feature a gathering of the Bangladeshi diaspora, cultural programs, educational and business discussions, as well as various community development activities. The event is open to all expatriates and interested participants, and everyone is warmly invited to attend.

The Office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) has issued a directive making it mandatory to deduct income tax at source from the monthly salaries of government officers and employees whose basic pay exceeds the specified threshold. The circular was released on Monday.

According to the letter from the CGA’s Additional Accounts and Procedures Division, under the Income Tax Act, 2023, male government officials and employees with a monthly basic salary of Tk26,785 or more, and female officials and employees earning Tk30,357 or more, have crossed the tax-free income limit. As a result, income tax must be deducted at source when preparing their salary bills.

The circular also stated that, under Treasury Rules S R 125, the responsibility for deducting income tax and other applicable charges from salary bills rests with the respective drawing and disbursing officers (DDOs).

All Chief Accounts and Finance Officers, Divisional and District Accounts Controllers, Upazila Accounts Officers, and other relevant offices nationwide have been instructed to take the necessary steps to implement this directive.

The instruction was sent to the Finance Division through the secretary, with specific attention to the joint secretary (budget-1).

The directive refers to a semi-official letter issued by the Internal Resources Division and the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on October 7, which provided clear guidelines on deducting income tax at source from government salaries.

Three Bangladeshi nationals were beaten to death, reportedly by Indian nationals in Tripura state of India, on Thursday. The deceased were identified as Pandit Mia, son of Kana Mia; Sajal Mia, son of Kuddus Mia; and Jewel Mia, son of Asrab Ullah, all residents of Chunarughat upazila in Habiganj district.

Lt Col Tanjinul Rahman, commanding officer of BGB-55, said the incident occurred at Karangichhara in Tripura state, about 4–5 kilometres inside India from the zero point of the border. The exact time of the incident, however, could not be confirmed.

According to BGB sources, the three Bangladeshis had allegedly crossed into India two to three days ago when local Indian residents attacked them, suspecting them to be cattle lifters. The attackers allegedly beat and stabbed the men indiscriminately, leaving them dead on the spot.

The bodies were later kept at Sampahar police station. Quoting Pandit Mia’s son, BGB officials said the victims had gone to the hilly area to collect betel leaves on Tuesday morning and had been missing since then.

“On Wednesday, we came to know that the bodies of all three were in India,” said Zahir Mia, son of Pandit. BGB personnel have contacted the Border Security Force (BSF) regarding the incident, said Lt Col Tanjinul.

“Efforts are ongoing to verify the authenticity of the incident and to gather detailed information. All necessary measures are being taken to maintain peace and harmony in the border area and to prevent the recurrence of such unwanted incidents in the future,” he added.

Reiterating that India firmly supports “free, fair, inclusive, and participatory elections” in Bangladesh at the earliest possible time, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday said that India will work with any government that emerges through the mandate of the people of Bangladesh. The Indian foreign secretary said they are ready to work with the democratically elected government following the results of an “inclusive and participatory” election.“We remain ready to engage with any government that emerges from these elections with a popular mandate,” he said while responding to a question during an interaction with members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, joint secretary (Bangladesh & Myanmar) B Shyam, DCAB President AKM Moinuddin, and General Secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun were also present.

During the nearly hour-long discussion, the Indian foreign secretary responded to questions on bilateral relations, border management, water-sharing issues, and matters concerning former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently staying in India.

The foreign secretary acknowledged that some issues exist, which is natural in any bilateral relationship. A 23-member DCAB delegation is currently visiting India at the invitation of the government of India. The foreign secretary said one important issue being closely watched not only in the region but also globally is the next steps in Bangladesh’s internal political process.

“We have all seen the announcements and statements regarding the next elections in Bangladesh. I understand that a time frame around February has been indicated in this regard,” he said.

He added that India is encouraged by the fact that Bangladeshi authorities themselves have spoken about a timeline for the elections and that India looks forward to their successful conduct.

“It will be a government elected with a popular mandate, and we will work with whichever government the people of Bangladesh choose to represent them,” Foreign Secretary Misri said.

Referring to India’s role in the region, the foreign secretary said that India has a significant stake in the peace, progress, stability, and development of Bangladesh.

“All of these issues are linked to regional stability, and we attach the highest importance to that — not just for ourselves but also because it serves our mutual interests,” he said.

When asked about the possibility of elections excluding a major political party, Misri said: “I obviously cannot get into the middle of decisions made by authorities in Bangladesh. The authorities, the people, and civil society in Bangladesh will have to make their own assessment of how these elections are viewed both domestically and internationally.”

He added that it is not only a matter of internal legitimacy but also one of external perception.

“These decisions will not just affect the present but will have implications in the medium to long term. Ultimately, it is for the people of Bangladesh to decide,” Misri said.

He noted that the elections will undoubtedly express a certain mandate.

“When it comes to the conditions shaping that mandate, India will not interfere. That is something for the people of Bangladesh to determine,” he said.

He also mentioned that even after the events of July and August last year, India has continued to work with the authorities in Dhaka, despite the unusual nature of the current political arrangement.

“That hasn’t prevented us from working with or engaging the authorities,” he said.

Misri noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first leaders to congratulate Professor Muhammad when he assumed charge as the head of the interim government, followed by a series of subsequent engagements. When asked about Pakistan–Bangladesh relations, the foreign secretary said he would not comment on Bangladesh’s relations with a third country.

“I can only say that we value our relationship with Bangladesh. We have a stake in its peace, progress, stability, and development. All of these have a bearing on regional security and stability,” he said.

“We have had close discussions with the authorities in Bangladesh on these matters in the past, and I am sure we will continue to do so,” he added, expressing confidence that Bangladesh recognizes the importance of regional stability and security for all. The foreign secretary said the India–Bangladesh relationship is rooted in strong cultural, linguistic, religious, and historical ties.

“These are factors that continue to underpin our relationship. We have always approached it with a people-first mindset,” he said.

“This is a time-tested relationship — more than five decades old — and I am confident it will continue to flourish,” Misri added. He said India’s approach toward Bangladesh has always been pragmatic.

“We are no strangers to the momentous developments that have taken place in the region, the world, and in Bangladesh. Our pragmatic approach has guided our engagement with the authorities, including the interim government,” he said.

“The only point I would make is that for this engagement to be sustained and to serve as the basis for even stronger ties in the future, both sides need to work toward creating a conducive environment,” he noted. The foreign secretary concluded by emphasizing the importance of avoiding statements or actions that could harm the bilateral atmosphere.

Saudi Arabia has announced that individuals holding any type of visa will now be permitted to perform Umrah. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported the development on Sunday, citing the country’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

According to the ministry, the decision aimed to make performing Umrah more accessible and convenient. The move is part of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to expand the kingdom’s religious tourism sector and enhance the overall quality of services for pilgrims.

The ministry stated that eligibility now extends to holders of personal and family visit visas, e-tourist visas, transit visas, work visas, and all other visa categories. The initiative is expected to enable Muslims worldwide to perform their religious rites in a peaceful and seamless manner.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also announced the launch of a new digital platform called Nusuk Umrah, through which users can select Umrah packages, obtain necessary permits, and book related services. Pilgrims will also have the flexibility to choose their preferred schedules.

The ministry stated that these initiatives were undertaken under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, so that Muslims can receive high-quality services in a safe and spiritual environment and enrich their Umrah experience.

Opener Rubaiya Haider Jhelik marked her WODI debut with a match-winning half-century as Bangladesh beat Pakistan by seven wickets in their opening ICC Women’s World Cup fixture in Colombo on Thursday. The Tigresses produced a clinical all-round display at the R Premadasa Stadium to begin their World Cup campaign on a high.

Bangladesh’s bowlers set the tone early, with pacer Marufa Akter striking twice in the very first over, removing Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin. Spinners Shorna Akter (3-5) and Nahida Akter (2-19) then tightened the grip, helping bowl out Pakistan for just 129 runs in 38.3 overs after they had opted to bat first.

In reply, debutant Jhelik stole the spotlight with an unbeaten 54 off 77 balls, laced with eight boundaries. She forged a vital 62-run third-wicket partnership with skipper Nigar Sultana Joty (23 off 44), before Sobhana Mostary’s quickfire 24 off 19 balls, featuring six fours, sealed the chase. Bangladesh reached 131-3 in 31.1 overs to clinch a comprehensive victory.

Montreal: The first meeting of FOBANA’s newly elected Executive Committee was held virtually via Zoom. With the spontaneous participation of all members, the committee pledged to move forward with the organization’s future activities. The meeting was presided over by the newly elected Chairman Jahid Hossain Pintu and conducted by Executive Secretary Nehal Rahim.

Chairman Jahid Hossain stated that sub-committees will soon be formed to initiate all organizational activities. Executive Secretary Nehal Rahim called upon all newly elected members to play an active role in carrying out FOBANA’s programs.

Details regarding the upcoming 40th FOBANA Convention were presented on behalf of the organizing committee by Anwar Hossain Santu and Nazimul Ullah Liton. They announced that the convention will take place on September 4, 5, and 6, 2026, during the Labor Day weekend, in Orlando, Florida. The convention will be hosted by the Bangladesh Association of Central Florida.

In addition, 27 EC members present at the meeting actively took part in the agenda-based discussions and provided valuable opinions to ensure the success of FOBANA’s future initiatives.