Author: News Desk

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to an inclusive approach, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad—who also serves as President of the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment—stated that the final constitutional revisions will be enacted only after thorough consultation with opposition parties and all key stakeholders. He added that if opposition parties propose modifications regarding any ‘note of dissent’ in the July Charter, those points will be welcomed for discussion. The Home Minister made these remarks following the 4th meeting of the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment held at the Cabinet Room of the National Parliament Bhaban, where senior news editors, news heads, and…

Bangladesh has taken a major step forward in expanding branchless, technology-driven financial services by granting formal ‘Letters of Intent’ (LoI) to five proposed digital banks. The decision was approved during a board meeting of the central bank chaired by Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostakur Rahman. The development was officially confirmed to The Daily Star by Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The 5 Approved Digital Banking Entities Receiving the LoI allows these entities to begin building the necessary technical infrastructure, security protocols, and operational frameworks required for online banking: DK Digital Bank Limited: Financed through foreign investment by Bhutan’s DK…

US President Donald Trump held direct discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the ongoing war with Iran and the blockade surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime choke points. The US administration confirmed high-level communications between the two leaders regarding the reopening of the obstructed waterway and Beijing’s stance on Tehran. Addressing reporters at a press briefing in Washington on Friday (September 26, 2026), President Trump expressed optimism when asked whether progress was being made on restoring transit through the Strait of Hormuz, stating, “I think we are going to do something great.” On…

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has clarified that any military attack on a member state of the trilateral Mecca Defense Pact will not trigger an automatic military response. Instead, Turkey will respond based on the specific situation, threat severity, and an official request from the affected nation. President Erdogan outlined this strategic stance during an exclusive interview with the US-based publication Newsweek. The historic mutual defense and security agreement was signed in Mecca last August among Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. Just weeks after the pact was finalized, Saudi Arabia faced drone and missile attacks amid escalating conflicts involving Iran-backed…

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, expressed their firm commitment to expanding, sustaining, and diversifying the long-standing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Kuwait into a multifaceted strategic partnership. The high-level bilateral summit took place at the Permanent Mission of Kuwait to the United Nations in New York, USA, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81). During the meeting, both leaders identified several priority sectors to strengthen financial and strategic cooperation. Key discussions focused on boosting the export of skilled manpower from Bangladesh, opening…

On the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81), a high-level bilateral meeting was held between Bangladesh and Thailand. Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul led their respective national delegations during the talks. The pivotal meeting took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA. During the bilateral session, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to elevating the existing friendly ties between Bangladesh and Thailand to new heights. The discussions focused primarily on expanding bilateral trade, attracting foreign direct investment, boosting economic development, and strengthening mutual cooperation. Both…

Driven by disciplined bowling and composure under pressure, Nepal pulled off a major upset in the Asian Games men’s cricket competition, securing a memorable 5-wicket victory over a formidable Afghanistan side. The match took place on Friday (September 25, 2026) at Corgi Sports Park. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Afghanistan found themselves pinned back by Nepal’s bowling attack. They were restricted to just 102 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Nepal chased down the target with 5 wickets and 16 balls to spare. Nepal’s bowlers applied tactical and mental pressure right from the opening overs, picking…

In the end, the stark difference in experience and FIFA rankings was vividly reflected on the pitch. Bangladesh, led by Hamza Choudhury, kicked off their campaign in the FIFA ASEAN Cup with a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Malaysia, a side placed 35 spots ahead of them at 136th in the world rankings. The match took place on Friday (September 25, 2026) at the historic Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, where Malaysia exerted dominance over the red-and-green representatives right from the opening whistle. Malaysia mounted heavy pressure on the Bangladeshi defense early on. Just four minutes into the match,…

Raising fuel prices is usually enough to dent any government’s popularity. Higher fuel costs drive up transport fares, inflate the prices of daily necessities, elevate the cost of living, and spark resentment even at local tea stalls. Naturally, opposition parties seize this as a major political opportunity. Despite these risks, almost every oil-importing country in Asia was forced to make this difficult decision this year. It was the only viable way to curb massive financial losses that had been accumulating for a prolonged period. A significant portion of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, with much of…

Norway launched their UEFA Nations League campaign with a dramatic 3–2 victory over Scandinavian rivals Denmark in a high-voltage clash at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo. Manchester City star striker Erling Haaland proved to be the hero for the hosts, netting a decisive brace to secure all three points. Norway asserted their authority early on home soil. In the 14th minute, captain Martin Ødegaard played a precise pass to Oscar Bobb, who slotted home to break the deadlock (1–0). Just four minutes later (18′), Antonio Nusa set up Haaland, who doubled the lead with a powerful clinical finish (2–0). Faced…