Shibbir Ahmed, New York: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has expressed its willingness to provide full support to Bangladesh in its overall reform process, including legal and judicial reforms and proposed constitutional amendments.

UNDP Resident Representative Stephen Rodriques expressed the organization’s interest during a courtesy meeting with Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the minister’s office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday morning, according to a press release issued by the ministry.

The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, with the two sides discussing a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including constitutional reform, assistance for Rohingya refugees, capacity building for the Bangladesh Police, institutional and technological support to combat rumors and misinformation, the proposed National Human Rights Commission Act, and the draft Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act. Rodriques said UNDP is keen to support the priorities and reform agenda of the current government.

“We want to support the goals, priorities and action plans of the present government,” he said, congratulating Salahuddin Ahmed on his appointment as chairman of the special committee on constitutional amendments.

“If you wish, we are interested in providing the necessary support for this reform process,” he added.

The home minister highly appreciated UNDP’s longstanding contributions to Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development and called for further expansion of the partnership in the coming days.

Referring to UNDP’s work with forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, commonly known as Rohingyas, the resident representative said the organization has been working to improve living conditions in the refugee camps through environmental protection initiatives, including landslide prevention, as well as various social development programmes.

The home minister said Bangladesh wants appropriate improvement and modernization of existing infrastructure in the Rohingya camps but does not want any new infrastructure to be constructed there in the greater national interest.

Rodriques also said UNDP has been providing training to Bangladesh Police on protecting citizens’ rights, conflict resolution and other professional skills to strengthen the institutional capacity of the force. The home minister stressed the importance of continued UNDP support in improving the professionalism and operational capacity of the police.

Discussing the misuse of information technology, Rodriques said misinformation, disinformation and hate speech are spreading rapidly through digital platforms. He said UNDP is already working with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and is prepared to provide technological and institutional support to ensure prompt remedies for violations.

The minister said Bangladesh has already enacted the Cyber Security Act and suggested that UNDP could provide logistical support for its effective implementation. Responding to a question about the proposed National Human Rights Commission Act, Salahuddin Ahmed said the draft National Human Rights Commission Act, 2026 has received final approval from the Cabinet and is expected to be passed during the next session of Parliament.

He said opinions from UNDP, international organizations, foreign missions, development partners, newspaper editors and legal experts had been incorporated into the drafting process, along with consideration of Bangladesh’s social values and religious sentiments. The minister also said that no incidents of enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killing have occurred since the current government assumed office.

Sharing his personal experience of enforced disappearance, he said the draft Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act, 2026 has also received policy approval from the Cabinet.  Highlighting Bangladesh’s image abroad, the UNDP resident representative said international media do not always portray the country’s actual situation. He described Bangladesh as a liberal and religiously tolerant country and said UNDP is interested in supporting efforts to promote Bangladesh’s positive image internationally.

DHAKA: Chiefs of three services today paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at Bangabhaban, said a Bangabhaban press release here. Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan met the President this noon. During the meeting, they congratulated the President on his assuming office as the President and conveyed their best wishes for his tenure.

They also briefed the President on various activities of their respective forces and sought his guidance and cooperation as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces in discharging their responsibilities. The President expressed satisfaction with the activities of the Armed Forces and said the incumbent government is working to develop the Armed Forces into a modern four-dimensional force.

The President assured the chiefs of the three armed forces that all-out cooperation would be extended for the overall development of the Armed Forces alongside enhancing their professional skills.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, D.C.: Bangladeshis waiting for family-based green cards in the United States have received a major boost. The U.S. Department of State’s August 2026 Visa Bulletin shows significant movement in the F2A family-sponsored category, which covers spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of U.S. lawful permanent residents, or green card holders.

According to the August Visa Bulletin, the F2A Final Action Date advanced from January 1, 2025, to July 22, 2026 for countries in the “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed” category. Bangladesh falls under this group.

The dramatic movement is particularly significant for Bangladeshis who have been waiting for their family-based immigrant visas or green cards through a spouse or parent who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Applicants whose priority dates are earlier than the applicable cutoff date may become eligible for immigrant visa issuance or adjustment of status, depending on their individual circumstances and the applicable U.S. immigration process. However, reaching the cutoff date does not automatically guarantee approval of a green card. Applicants must still meet all other immigration requirements.

The Visa Bulletin is used by the U.S. government to determine when immigrant visa numbers are available in numerically limited family-sponsored and employment-based categories. The Final Action Date indicates which applicants may be eligible for final visa issuance based on their priority dates.

The latest movement is especially significant because the F2A category had been substantially behind current dates for an extended period. The July 2026 Visa Bulletin had listed the F2A Final Action Date for the same group of countries as January 1, 2025, making the subsequent advance to July 22, 2026 a major development for eligible applicants.

Immigration experts caution, however, that visa bulletin dates can change from month to month. Dates can move forward, remain unchanged or, in some circumstances, move backward depending on demand and the availability of immigrant visa numbers.

The development does not mean that every family-based green card applicant will benefit equally. The F2A category is specifically for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents. Other family-sponsored categories—including F1, F2B, F3 and F4—have different cutoff dates and may experience different levels of movement.

For Bangladeshis with pending family-based immigration cases, immigration officials and attorneys generally advise applicants to check their priority dates, visa category and the latest Visa Bulletin carefully before taking any action.

The significant F2A advancement could bring relief to many families who have been separated while waiting for their immigration cases to become current. For eligible applicants whose priority dates fall before the new cutoff date, the development could represent an important step forward in their path toward permanent residence in the United States.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, D.C.: The Donald Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourist visas of up to 200,000 people who have applied for asylum in the United States or are seeking asylum, according to the Associated Press (AP), citing U.S. officials. If implemented, the move could become one of the largest visa-revocation initiatives in U.S. history.

According to the report, foreign nationals who entered the United States on B-1 business or B-2 tourist visas and subsequently applied for asylum are being considered for visa reviews. Officials said as many as 200,000 visa holders could initially fall under the initiative. However, the figure is not final and could change depending on the ongoing review.

The U.S. State Department said the visa-revocation process will be carried out gradually and on a rolling basis. This means the visas will not all be revoked at once. Decisions on individual visa revocations will be based on the circumstances of each person and the government’s review.

According to the report, the Trump administration’s initiative is aimed at reviewing the visas of people who entered the United States on tourist or business visas and later sought asylum. The administration has emphasized strengthening immigration controls and preventing the misuse of visa programs.

Immigration rights advocates, however, have expressed concern about the initiative. They fear that broadly revoking the visas of people who entered the United States on tourist or business visas and subsequently sought asylum could create uncertainty for individuals with legitimate asylum claims.

The move comes as the Trump administration continues to take a tougher approach to U.S. immigration policy, including increased scrutiny and revocation of visas. The administration has also previously expanded travel and immigration restrictions affecting citizens of various countries.

Officials emphasized that 200,000 is a potential maximum estimate, not a final number. The actual number of visas that will be revoked will become clearer after the government completes its review.

If implemented, the initiative could have a significant impact on the U.S. immigration and visa system. It would represent a major change for foreign nationals who entered the country on tourist or business visas and later sought asylum.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, D.C.: The U.S. national debt has surpassed $40 trillion for the first time, marking an unprecedented level of government indebtedness. To ease the burden of the massive debt, President Donald Trump’s administration is placing greater emphasis on rapid economic growth. Economists and financial-market analysts, however, are questioning whether economic growth alone can realistically reduce such a huge debt burden.

According to data from the U.S. Treasury Department, the national debt now exceeds $40 trillion. Of that amount, approximately $32.3 trillion is debt held by the public, while another $7.8 trillion is held by government accounts and trust funds.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has argued that the United States must rely on economic growth to help manage its mounting debt. The administration’s reasoning is that if the economy grows rapidly, the debt-to-GDP ratio could decline while stronger economic activity could also generate higher government revenues.

Economists, however, remain skeptical of the strategy. They argue that given the size of the current federal budget deficit, rising interest costs and structural pressures on government spending, it will be extremely difficult to resolve the debt problem through economic growth alone.

As U.S. debt continues to rise, so does the government’s cost of servicing that debt. Interest payments have become one of the largest components of federal spending. The growing interest burden could put additional pressure on funding for education, healthcare, infrastructure and other government programs in the years ahead.

The mounting debt is also affecting the U.S. bond market. Yields on long-term U.S. Treasury securities have risen, potentially increasing the government’s cost of borrowing. Market analysts say that lowering interest rates alone will not solve the problem; Washington also needs a credible long-term strategy to reduce budget deficits.

Critics of the Trump administration’s growth-focused strategy warn that if economic growth does not outpace the growth of the national debt, the debt burden could continue to increase rather than decline. A recent analysis by economists cautioned that, given the current deficit and rising interest costs, relying solely on economic growth to overcome a $40 trillion debt burden would be extremely difficult.

The milestone comes at a time when the U.S. government is simultaneously facing major decisions involving trade policy, defense spending, taxation and Social Security programs. As a result, controlling the national debt could become one of Washington’s biggest economic challenges in the years ahead.

Analysts say that in addition to promoting economic growth, the United States will need to control government spending, increase revenues and implement measures to reduce the long-term budget deficit if it hopes to slow the continued rise in national debt.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC: The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday cleared a judicial obstacle that had blocked parts of President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to tighten restrictions on mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm elections.

In a 6–3 decision, the justices granted the Trump administration’s emergency request to suspend a lower-court injunction that had prevented the administration from moving forward with key portions of the order. The court’s three liberal justices dissented.

The ruling, however, did not determine whether Trump’s entire executive order is lawful or constitutional. Instead, the justices concluded that the states challenging the order had brought their case prematurely with respect to certain provisions. The decision leaves the door open for further legal challenges as the November election approaches.

Trump’s executive order, issued in March, directs the Department of Homeland Security to compile lists of eligible U.S. citizens in each state and provide those lists to state authorities before federal elections. It also directs the Justice Department to prioritize investigations and prosecutions of state and local election officials who issue federal ballots to people deemed ineligible to vote.

The order further directs the U.S. Postal Service to develop new rules governing mail-in and absentee ballots, including new envelope markings and tracking requirements. It seeks to limit the delivery of ballots to voters included on state-specific lists.

A separate nationwide injunction blocking the Postal Service from enforcing some of the new requirements remains in effect, meaning the Supreme Court’s decision does not immediately put every provision of Trump’s mail-voting plan into force.

The case was brought by 23 states and the District of Columbia, which argued that the federal government was improperly interfering with the states’ authority to administer elections. The states also warned that implementing major changes to mail voting so close to the midterm elections could disrupt election administration and potentially disenfranchise voters.

The timing of the decision is particularly significant. Military and overseas ballots for the November elections are expected to begin going out in early September, leaving election officials with limited time to adjust their systems to any new federal requirements.

Voting-rights advocates and Democratic officials have criticized the Supreme Court’s decision, warning that the administration’s proposed changes could create confusion and restrict access to mail voting. Supporters of Trump’s order argue that the measures are necessary to strengthen election integrity and ensure that only eligible voters receive federal ballots.

The legal battle is not over. Additional challenges are expected as the administration moves to implement the order and as states prepare for the November midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.

Shibbir Ahmed, United Nations Headquarters, New York: The United States has proposed expanding the arms embargo to cover the entire territory of Sudan as part of efforts to increase pressure on the parties involved in the country’s ongoing civil war. In a draft resolution presented to the United Nations Security Council on Monday, Washington called for extending the existing arms restrictions beyond Darfur to the whole of Sudan, including measures aimed at stopping the transfer of drones and other weapons and military equipment.

The U.S. initiative is intended to prevent foreign military assistance from reaching the parties involved in the Sudan conflict and to pressure them to return to the negotiating table. U.S. officials have argued that military, financial and political support from outside countries has contributed to prolonging the war.

The proposal, however, has exposed divisions within the Security Council. China and Russia, both permanent members of the council, have raised objections to the U.S. initiative. As permanent members, both countries have veto power. Britain and France, meanwhile, have supported the U.S. proposal. Denmark, which holds the Security Council presidency this August, has also backed the initiative.

Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. According to the United Nations, the fighting has displaced millions of people and created a severe humanitarian crisis across large parts of the country. The protection of civilians and the need to end the conflict were also key issues raised during Monday’s Security Council meeting.

UN political and peacebuilding chief Rosemary DiCarlo warned the Security Council that the conflict in Sudan is worsening and that the warring parties continue to rely on military solutions. She called for stronger international action to help bring an end to the fighting.

If adopted, the U.S. proposal would pave the way for an international arms embargo covering the entire territory of Sudan, including restrictions on the supply of weapons, ammunition and military equipment. Preventing the transfer of modern military technologies, including drones, is also a key objective of the initiative.

However, opposition from China and Russia has created uncertainty over whether the proposal can secure enough support in the Security Council. The U.S. initiative has therefore emerged as a major point of diplomatic tension at the United Nations as international efforts continue to end Sudan’s devastating war.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, D.C.: After 47 years, the United States has officially removed Syria from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list. The decision by the U.S. administration on Monday marks the end of a major chapter in the special terrorism-related restrictions imposed on Syria since the country was placed on the list in 1979.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision was based on steps taken by Syria to distance itself from international terrorism. Washington’s move is being viewed as an important step toward rebuilding relations with Syria and helping the country reintegrate into the international economic system.

Syria was designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 1979. The designation subjected the country to various U.S. economic and trade restrictions and created significant legal and compliance risks for international banks and investors seeking to conduct business with Syria.

The latest decision is expected to improve Syria’s prospects for reintegration into the international financial system. After years of civil war, Syria’s new leadership has sought relief from U.S. restrictions in an effort to attract foreign investment and support reconstruction and economic recovery.

According to Reuters, the U.S. decision could remove one of the major obstacles facing international banking and investment involving Syria. Several major financial institutions have already shown interest in potential activities in the Syrian market.

On the same day, the United States also took another significant terrorism-related step involving Syria. Washington revoked the designation of the Nusrah Front as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization. The group later became known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

However, removing Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list does not mean that all U.S. sanctions against the country have been lifted. Syria’s security situation remains a concern, and the U.S. State Department continues to maintain its highest level of travel warning for the country.

Relations between Damascus and Washington have changed significantly in recent months under Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad, U.S. engagement with Syria’s new leadership has increased.

After 47 years, Washington’s decision to remove Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list therefore represents more than the lifting of one designation. It could also signal a significant shift in U.S. diplomatic and economic policy toward Syria and the broader Middle East.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, D.C.: The Trump administration has launched a major new economic campaign aimed at further isolating Iran from the global economy. On Monday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the initiative, dubbed “Operation Economic Outcast.” According to Washington, the campaign is designed to shut down key economic and financial channels connected to Iran and cut off the regime’s sources of revenue.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the department launched the unprecedented campaign at the direction of President Donald Trump. He said the United States has identified global financial networks linked to Iran, oil-smuggling operations and mechanisms used to evade sanctions, and is now taking coordinated action to shut them down.

The White House said the new campaign includes additional sanctions targeting key sectors of Iran’s economy, including digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. The administration says the measures are intended to prevent Iran from using these sectors to generate revenue and maintain access to international markets.

The Trump administration is also increasing the risks for foreign companies and individuals doing business with Iran. According to the White House, parties that continue certain business activities with Iran could face secondary sanctions. This means the pressure is not limited to Iran itself but could also extend to foreign companies and financial networks that maintain economic ties with the country.

Bessent said the United States has identified networks involved in Iranian oil sales, financial transfers, exchange houses, free-trade zones, banking operations and maritime transportation of energy products. The new campaign is intended to prevent Iran from using these networks to evade sanctions and generate revenue.

The Treasury Department said U.S. officials are engaging with governments around the world and pressing them to halt specific activities connected to Iran. Washington has warned that countries or companies that refuse to comply could face unilateral action under U.S. law.

The new campaign also increases pressure on Iran’s banking sector. Bessent specifically called for the closure of all branches of Bank Melli Iran. He also warned that institutions assisting Iran with money laundering could be cut off from the U.S. dollar-based financial system.

The White House said the economic campaign is part of President Trump’s broader Iran policy. The administration argues that, after weakening Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities, Washington is now seeking to increase pressure on the country’s economic capacity in an effort to further isolate Tehran internationally.

The new U.S. measures could also create additional pressure on international trade and financial markets. Companies in third countries involved in Iran’s oil, shipping, banking and commercial sectors will now have to weigh the potential risks associated with the expanded U.S. sanctions regime.

The Trump administration’s new campaign therefore represents more than another round of sanctions against Iran. It is a broader effort to place coordinated and sustained pressure on Iran’s global economic connections and financial lifelines.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC: The United States’ national debt has surpassed the $40 trillion mark for the first time, reaching approximately $40.047 trillion on Wednesday, according to the latest data from the U.S. Treasury Department. The historic milestone underscores the scale of the U.S. government’s accumulated debt and is renewing concerns over the country’s long-term fiscal stability.

According to Treasury data, about $32.266 trillion of the total debt is debt held by the public, while approximately $7.782 trillion consists of intragovernmental holdings—amounts owed by one government account or agency to another.

Debt More Than Doubles in Less Than a Decade

The U.S. national debt has increased at an extraordinary pace over the past decade. When Donald Trump first took office as president in 2017, the national debt stood at approximately $19.95 trillion. It has now more than doubled, surpassing $40 trillion.

Economists say no single administration is responsible for the rapid increase. Massive government spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, persistent federal budget deficits, tax cuts and rising spending on major entitlement programs have all contributed to the growth of the national debt. The debt increased substantially during both the Trump and Joe Biden administrations.

Rising Interest Costs Add to Fiscal Pressure

Beyond the size of the debt itself, the cost of servicing it has become a major concern for the U.S. government. According to Reuters analysis, interest payments on the federal debt have become one of the largest components of federal spending and have surpassed spending on Medicare, ranking behind Social Security among the government’s largest expenditures.

Economists warn that interest costs could rise further as older debt is refinanced at higher interest rates. This could limit the government’s ability to allocate resources to areas such as education, infrastructure, defense and other public programs.

Large July Budget Deficit

The latest milestone comes amid continuing large federal budget deficits. According to Reuters, the U.S. government recorded a budget deficit of approximately $432 billion in July alone, one of the largest monthly deficits in the country’s history.

Rising spending on Social Security and Medicare, along with lower-than-expected revenue from tariffs and other sources, contributed to the large shortfall.

Trump Policies Could Add Further to Debt

Concerns are also growing over the potential impact of the Trump administration’s recent tax and spending policies. According to Reuters, President Trump’s widely discussed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” could add approximately $4.7 trillion to the national debt over the coming years, based on estimates cited in the report.

Economists and budget watchdogs warn that continued growth in federal debt could reduce the government’s fiscal flexibility. It could also make it more difficult for Washington to respond to future economic downturns, inflationary pressures or other national emergencies.

Investor Concerns Grow

The growing national debt is also putting pressure on the U.S. government bond market. Yields on long-term Treasury securities have recently reached multi-year highs as investors demand higher returns to hold long-term U.S. government debt.

On Wednesday, the Treasury Department announced plans to increase its long-term Treasury bond buyback operations. The size of individual operations is expected to increase from about $2 billion to at least $4 billion.

Following the announcement, yields on long-term U.S. government bonds declined somewhat, while global bond markets also reacted positively.

Global Economic Implications

U.S. Treasury securities are widely regarded as among the safest and most important financial assets in the world. As a result, major changes in the U.S. debt and Treasury markets can have consequences far beyond American financial markets.

High government debt, inflation concerns and geopolitical tensions have recently contributed to higher long-term government bond yields in several countries.

Reuters reported that following the latest Treasury action, long-term European bond yields also declined somewhat. At the same time, the U.S. dollar came under pressure while gold prices rose sharply.

A Major Fiscal Challenge Ahead

The crossing of the $40 trillion threshold is more than a statistical milestone for the United States. It reflects decades of federal budget deficits and growing reliance on government borrowing.

Budget analysts warn that if the current pace of debt accumulation continues, Washington could face increasingly limited fiscal flexibility. Borrowing could also become more expensive, particularly during periods of economic stress.

The ultimate impact of the $40 trillion debt level will depend on several factors, including economic growth, interest rates, government spending, tax revenues and the fiscal policies adopted by future administrations.

But the historic milestone has already renewed international debate over the sustainability of U.S. government finances and the future management of the world’s largest sovereign debt.