The appointment of the new Bangladesh Bank governor, which rightfully drew criticism for the manner it was conducted, has also been met with optimism from the business community which is, in itself, a positive sign. With that said, confidence from the business community alone is not enough. If confidence in the central bank is to be meaningful, it must extend beyond boardrooms and into households. The governor has laid out an ambitious 11‑point plan to stabilize the economy, restore confidence, and strengthen the financial sector. Above all else, any future monetary policy must be guided not only by the pursuit of growth but also by the principle of equity.

The Trump administration has launched a joint military operation with Ecuador targeting what it calls “designated terrorist organizations,” opening a new front in its expanding anti-narcotics campaign in Latin America. General Francis Donovan described the move as a demonstration of regional commitment to combating “narco-terrorism.” Video released by the US military showed helicopters taking off and aerial surveillance footage. US officials indicated the operation is currently limited to logistical and intelligence support for Ecuadorian troops. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the two countries were taking “decisive action” against criminal networks blamed for violence across the hemisphere. President Donald Trump has increasingly labeled major drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations” and adopted a more militarized strategy, including aerial strikes on suspected smuggling vessels.

Iran launched several missiles toward Israel early Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces said, amid escalating tensions between the two countries. The Israeli military later announced that the situation had stabilized and allowed residents to leave shelters, reports Agencies. Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that the country’s air defense systems shot down an Israeli drone over western Iran. According to Tasnim News Agency, Iranian forces intercepted and destroyed an Israeli Hermes drone over Hamedan Province. The report came shortly after Israel announced the launch of a new wave of attacks targeting sites across Iran, further intensifying the ongoing confrontation between the two regional rivals.

Bangladesh and India on Thursday expressed optimism about further expanding their close bilateral relations as Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir held talks with Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma in Dhaka. The Indian envoy paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Thursday morning. During the meeting, the two sides held fruitful discussions on the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and India and explored ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation on issues of mutual interest. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working for the welfare of the peoples of the two countries on the basis of mutual respect, trust and cooperation. The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.

Loud explosions and fighter jets could be heard over Tehran on Thursday, AFP journalists in the Iranian capital said, after Israel said it had launched a new wave of strikes. Local media also reported a series of blasts in Tehran and its western outskirts. The Fars news agency reported an explosion in western Tehran, while the Shargh and Iran papers reported at least one explosion in Karaj a neighboring city to the west. The blasts came shortly after the Israeli military said it had begun “a large-scale wave of strikes against infrastructure” in the Iranian capital. Israel and the United States have been bombing Iran since launching a massive wave of strikes on Saturday.

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A Japanese startup’s third attempt to put a satellite in orbit failed on Thursday after its rocket spiraled back to Earth shortly after take-off. The company’s first launch attempt ended in spectacular failure in March 2024 when the solid-fuel rocket exploded seconds after lift-off. Companies such as Space One want to offer cheaper and more frequent space exploration opportunities than governments. Space One was founded in 2018 by businesses including Canon Electronics, IHI Aerospace, construction firm Shimizu and the government-run Development Bank of Japan. In December, however, Japan’s flagship H3 rocket failed to launch a geolocation satellite into orbit due to engine failure.

A BNP delegation has met US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S Paul Kapur. The five-member group was led by BNP National Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan. After the meeting, Moyeen said: “It goes without saying that the United States, which wishes Bangladesh well, has cooperated with us in various ways in the past. Asked whether there was a discussion about the agreement signed with the United States, he said: "They (the United States) discussed this issue with the government. Today, we discussed the diplomatic relations of the United States with us, and their foreign and economic relations with us."

Israel pounded Tehran with fresh strikes and Iran targeted Kurdish guerrilla groups in Iraq on Thursday as a spiraling war engulfed the Middle East. Earlier Thursday, Tehran said it had hit Iraq-based Kurdish groups, as the United States reportedly seeks to arm Iranian Kurdish guerrillas to infiltrate Iran. The strikes which killed a member of an exiled Iranian Kurdish group, according to a representative, followed a warning from Iranian officials. In the early hours of Thursday, AFP reporters in Jerusalem heard explosions following warnings of incoming Iranian missile fire, but residents were quickly cleared to leave their shelters. Thirteen people, seven of them civilians, have been killed in countries around the Gulf since the war began, including an 11-year-old girl in Kuwait.

A second Iranian warship was heading towards Sri Lanka’s territorial waters on Thursday, a day after a US submarine destroyed an Iranian frigate, killing at least 87 sailors, a minister told parliament. Media minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the second Iranian warship was just outside Sri Lankan waters, but gave no further details. Authorities in the southern port city of Galle, meanwhile, were making preparations Thursday to hand over the remains of 87 Iranian sailors killed in the torpedo attack claimed by the US military. Navy spokesman Buddhika Sampath told AFP that Sri Lankan navy vessels were continuing their search for missing Iranian sailors. Sri Lanka has remained neutral and has repeatedly urged dialogue to resolve the conflict in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday switched off half the lights at his Secretariat office and lowered the air-conditioner use, urging all government offices and institutions to be more frugal in electricity use. “The prime minister reached his office at around 9:10am. Rumon also said the prime minister asked officials to switch off half the lights and lower the air-conditioning level when he entered the Cabinet meeting room. 1 of Secretariat which houses several departments under the Prime Minister as well as the Cabinet Division. Following the prime minister’s initiative, lights were immediately reduced and air-conditioner settings lowered in other rooms of his office.

It put New Zealand into their first Men's T20 World Cup final since 2021 and has them well placed for a maiden title according to Allen. "To get one over them (South Africa) is a huge confidence booster for us going into Sunday," Allen said after the nine-wicket triumph. "For us, we just look to take the positives out of this game and get a flight to Ahmedabad tomorrow and start again." "I think we're happy with anyone I think - as a team I back us," Allen noted. But yeah, I think either way, I think hopefully we get up for Sunday, as it will be a spectacle."

The Bangladesh Film Archive, in collaboration with content-based creative platform Lekhalikhi, organized a day-long workshop titled “Pitch Your Film” on Wednesday. The program was attended by Director General M Javed Iqbal, Director Mohammad Kamruzzaman Bhuiyan, and Project Director Ali Sarker of the Bangladesh Film Archive. Annie Islam described the workshop on film pitching as a timely initiative and emphasized the importance of organizing more such programs for the advancement of the film sector. It is noteworthy that the Bangladesh Film Archive is a key national institution dedicated to the collection, preservation, and research of films and film-related materials, thereby safeguarding the history, heritage, and culture of cinema in Bangladesh. The authorities expressed hope that Bangladesh Film Archive and Lekhalikhi will continue to collaborate on more creative initiatives in the future to further strengthen the film ecosystem of the country.

A record ton by Finn Allen powered New Zealand past South Africa and into the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. After restricting South Africa to 169/8, the Black Caps raced to 173/1 in 12.5 overs to complete a dominant nine-wicket win. And the gamble paid off immediately as he dismissed left-handers Quinton De Kock and Ryan Rickelton off successive deliveries to peg South Africa back to 12/2. Once reeling at 77/5, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen dragged South Africa back on track with a 73-run partnership off 48 balls. The water-tight New Zealand bowling line-up kept South Africa in check almost through the innings, save the late charge by Jansen.

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