Bangladesh Bank has once again invited applications from investors to establish the country’s first digital banks, with an aim of ensuring faster and more accessible financial services through a fully branchless model. In a notice issued on Tuesday, the central bank said it will accept applications between September 1 and September 30, 2025, under section 31 of the Bank Company Act, 1991.

Applicants must submit proposals with a non-refundable processing fee of Tk 5 lakh. Failure to provide the required documents will lead to automatic cancellation, it said. The central bank framed its digital bank guidelines on June 14, 2023, and recently revised them to strengthen capital and operational requirements. The minimum paid-up capital has been raised to Tk 300 crore from Tk 125 crore earlier.

Digital banks must also launch an initial public offering (IPO) within five years of licensing, with the IPO size not less than the sponsors’ initial capital. According to the guidelines, a digital bank will operate entirely online with only a head office, requiring no physical branches, sub-branches, ATMs, or cash-deposit machines.

All services will be app-based and delivered through mobile phones and other digital devices. While structurally different from traditional banks, digital banks must comply with the same business, governance, and operational standards.

Bangladesh Bank said the move reflects global shifts toward technology-driven finance and aims to widen access to credit, particularly for cottage, micro, and small enterprises (CMSEs) and underserved groups, according to the notice.

Promoting innovation-led growth and financial inclusion is also seen as crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and adapting to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it said.

This is not the first attempt to introduce digital banks.

The central bank previously invited applications in 2023 and approved Nagad as a digital bank, though the licence was later cancelled following the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024.

Currently, 61 scheduled commercial banks and 35 non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) operate in Bangladesh, with many already offering digital banking services. However, about 20 banks and 25 NBFIs have faced near collapse in recent years due to loan irregularities, mismanagement, and corruption. Critics have questioned the necessity of licensing new banks in such a troubled sector, arguing that strengthening existing institutions should take priority. Still, the central bank insists that dedicated digital banks could drive efficiency, expand outreach, and reduce costs in delivering financial products across the country.

Anthem of Laksam’s song ‘Mayar Shohor Laksam’ has been released. The lyrics and music of the song are written by writer and journalist Shibbir Ahmed. The song was released on YouTube on Thursday, August 7. The author himself collected and created the video of the song.

The video of the song features scenes of important structures in Laksam such as educational institutions, administration, lakes, rivers, people, and markets. The video also includes images of the Dakatiya River and the famous Laksam Junction, known for its ‘Koto Laksam Koto Bati’. The video shows scenes of Laksam’s traditional Nawab house, Laksam High School, Faizunnesa Government College, as well as mosques and temples.

The song’s writer, Shibbir Ahmed, has expressed hope that the lyrics and melody of the song will touch the hearts of the people of Laksam. He described the song he wrote as a ‘Laksam song and this song will be the Anthem of Laksam’. He said that the song depicts the history and traditions of Laksam in simple language.

It is worth mentioning here that Shibbir Ahmed is the son of Laksam. He was born and raised in this city. The streets of this city are full of the writer’s memories.

YouTube link of the song:

The police arrested former Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur vice-chancellor Professor Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah at Mohammadpur in Dhaka on Thursday. A team of the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested Kalimullah at about 12:15pm in a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, the metropolitan police’s DB joint commissioner for south and administration, Mohammad Nasirul Islam, said.

‘The case is connected with corruption in the university during his tenure as a vice-chancellor,’ he added.

Kalimullah was later produced before the court of Dhaka metropolitan senior special judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib, who sent him to jail, court officials said. Kalimullah, a professor in the Department of Public Administration of Dhaka University, served as BRUR vice-chancellor between June 1, 2017 and June 9, 2021.

The Anti-Corruption Commission on June 18 filed the case against five people including two BRUR vice-chancellors, Kalimullah and Professor Dr AKM Nur-un-Nabi, for their alleged involvement in embezzling Tk 4 crore from a development project of the university in Rangpur.

The Election Commission (EC) will publish the final voter list for the upcoming national elections on 31 August. Prior to that, a draft version will be released on 10 August, said a press release issued today (4 August) signed by EC Secretariat Director (Public Relations) Md Shariful Alam.

According to the release, the supplementary voter list — comprising newly registered voters born on or before 1 January 2007 and added to the database by 30 June 2025 — will also be made public on 10 August. This list will include updates such as the removal of deceased voters.

Following the release of the supplementary list, applications for the inclusion of eligible voters, deletion of names of deceased or ineligible individuals, transfer of voter records, and correction of any errors must be submitted by 21 August. The final voter list, incorporating all verified changes, will then be published on 31 August, said the Election Commission.

At least 15 Palestinians, including eight children and two women, have been killed in an Israeli strike while queuing for nutritional supplements in front of a clinic in central Gaza, a hospital says.

Video from al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al-Balah showed the bodies of several children and others lying on the floor as medics treated their wounds.

US-based aid group Project Hope, which runs the clinic, said the attack was a blatant violation of international law. The Israeli military said it struck a “Hamas terrorist” and regretted any harm to civilians.

They were among 66 people reportedly killed in Israeli strikes on Thursday, as Israel and Hamas continued talks on a ceasefire deal. Despite optimism expressed by the US, which is acting as a mediator along with Qatar and Egypt, they do not so far seem to be close to a breakthrough.

Project Hope said Thursday morning’s strike in front of its Altayara health clinic in Deir al-Balah happened as patients had gathered outside, awaiting its opening to receive treatment for malnutrition, infections, chronic illnesses and more.

“Suddenly, we heard the sound of a drone approaching, and then the explosion happened,” witness Yousef al-Aydi told AFP news agency. “The ground shook beneath our feet, and everything around us turned into blood and deafening screams.”

Graphic footage posted on social media, which was verified by the BBC, showed the immediate aftermath of the attack, with adults and young children lying in a street, some severely wounded and others not moving.

At the mortuary of nearby al-Aqsa hospital, relatives of those killed wept as they wrapped the dead children in white shrouds and body bags before performing funeral prayers.

One woman told the BBC that her pregnant niece, Manal, and her daughter, Fatima, were among them, and that Manal’s son was in the intensive care unit.

“She was queuing to get the children supplements when the incident happened,” Intisar said.

Another woman standing nearby said: “For what sin were they killed?”

“We are dying before the ears and eyes of the whole world. The whole world is watching the Gaza Strip. If people aren’t killed by the Israeli army, they die trying to get aid.”

Project Hope’s president and CEO, Rabih Torbay, said the aid group’s clinics were “a place of refuge in Gaza where people bring their small children, women access pregnancy and postpartum care, people receive treatment for malnutrition, and more”.

“Yet, this morning, innocent families were mercilessly attacked as they stood in line waiting for the doors to open,” he added. “Horrified and heartbroken cannot properly communicate how we feel anymore.”

“This is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, and a stark reminder that no-one and no place is safe in Gaza, even as ceasefire talks continue. This cannot continue.”

Unicef boss Catherine Russell said: “The killing of families trying to access life-saving aid is unconscionable.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that it struck a member of the elite Nukhba forces of Hamas’s military wing who had taken part in the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel.

“The IDF is aware of reports regarding a number of injured individuals in the area. The incident is under review,” it added. “The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals.”

Sagorika’s brilliant hat-trick saw defending champions Bangladesh get off to a flying start in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-20 Women’s Championship 2025 today, Friday. Bangladesh women thrashed Sri Lanka by 9-1 goals in their first match of four-nation tournament held at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka.

From the very outset, Bangladesh looked very sharp, hungry and in complete control of the match. Dominating possession and dictating the tempo, they pegged Sri Lanka deep into their own half with a series of attacks.

Apart from Sagorika’s hat-trick with three goals in the 37, 53 and 58 minutes, Munni Akhter struck twice in the fifth and 48 minutes while Sapna Rani, Sinha Jahan Sikha, Rupa Akter and Shanti Mardi supported them with lone goals in the second, 50, 86 and 90+4 minutes respectively for Bangladesh in the one-sided affairs. Layansika Jasotharan scored a consolation goal for Sri Lanka in the 90+2 minute of the match.

Bangladesh will play their next match against Nepal while Sri Lanka will meet Bhutan Sunday at the same venue. Four South Asian nations- Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and host Bangladesh- are taking part in the 11-day meet on round robin league basis.Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is organising the SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship 2025.

Bangladesh’s inability to go big after promising starts once again came under scrutiny following their seven-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in their first T20I in Pallekele on Thursday. Despite a solid start, the Tigers stumbled in the middle overs and ended with a below-par 154 for five, a total Sri Lanka chased down with ease and an over to spare.

Bangladesh played an eleven with four openers at the top, two of whom, Mohammad Naim (32) and Parvez Hossain Emon (38), scored 30-plus knocks, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 29, but none could reach the fifty-mark. However, for the hosts, Kusal Mendis struck a half-century (73 off 42) and Pathum Nissanka played a rapid 42 off 16 balls, which exposed the Tigers’ poor batting approach. Spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed believes the batters’ failure to turn 30s and 40s into bigger scores was a decisive factor in the match.

‘When a batsman is in form and gets 30s or 40s, the next challenge is to convert those into 70s and 80s,’ Mushtaq told reporters after the game.

He pointed to Sri Lanka’s Kusal as a model of consistency. ‘That’s what Kusal did — he consistently made those big scores, and that’s why he troubled our bowling attack. For us, one of our batsmen needs to do the same,’ While Bangladesh showed gleams of aggression — including a reverse-sweep six by Shamim Hossain — Mushtaq said execution in crucial moments was missing.

‘Shamim showed positive intent with that reverse-sweep six right after coming in. But to post winning totals on challenging pitches, you need to bat long and convert those starts into bigger scores.’

Openers Emon and Tanzid Hasan Tamim were once again among the runs but failed to push on to play a match-defining knock. Bangladesh scored 54 runs during the first powerplay but found themselves at 116-4 after 16 overs, eventually ended up with a total that Mushtaq had identified as a below-par score on the surface.

‘Good partnerships and the ability to bat longer will take us a long way,’ Mushtaq said, noting that building innings and batting deep remain key goals for the side.

Mehidy and Naim added 61 runs off 52 balls in a steady stand, but the slow batting left questions about intent with power-hitting ability. Skipper Liton Das was the only batter unable to reach double figures, dismissed lbw after scoring six. He also called for the batting unit to improve.

‘We didn’t get many runs. It’s not just today’s game, last 7-8 matches, I think the batters who are in have to take responsibility,’ Liton said in the post-match presentation.

Bangladesh will play the second T20I against Sri Lanka at the Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday.

Chelsea must somehow try to stop an irresistible Paris Saint-Germain side from adding the Club World Cup trophy to their UEFA Champions League title as the final of the first edition of FIFA’s expanded competition takes place on Sunday. PSG travelled to the United States fresh from becoming European champions with a stunning 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in Munich in late May, and they have lived up to their favourites tag at the Club World Cup.

Luis Enrique’s side put four goals past Atletico Madrid in the group stage, four more past Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the last 16, and then proved too strong for Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.They appeared to hit new heights as they tore apart Kylian Mbappe’s Real Madrid in the last four, when their 4-0 winning margin could have been far greater.

The Parisians now stand on the verge of an extraordinary achievement, as they look to complete a clean sweep of trophies in this marathon 2024/25 season and add the world title to their French and European crowns.

‘That is the objective we have had since the beginning but it is always very difficult to achieve these things — very few teams can do what we are trying to do,’ said Luis Enrique after the semi-final.

PSG are therefore overwhelming favourites for the game which will be played at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop — and which is set to be attended by Donald Trump.

However Desire Doue, one of their standout performers during a remarkable campaign, insisted there were no concerns about complacency.

‘We are not over-confident, not at all,’ France international Doue told reporters before PSG trained at Rutgers University, south of New York City, on Friday.

‘We have been favourites for most matches in this competition and throughout this season, but what matters is what we do on the pitch.’

Chelsea have plenty of reason to believe too, with Sunday’s game finally wrapping up a campaign in which they won the UEFA Conference League and also finished fourth in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League.

While PSG lost to Botafogo during the group stage, Chelsea were also beaten by Brazilian opposition in Flamengo.

However, they have gone on to defeat Benfica as well as two other Brazilian teams, Palmeiras and Fluminense, to reach the final.

‘If everyone thinks we are going to lose, then we have nothing to lose. We have to go out there and play our football, be confident and hopefully try to surprise everyone,’ defender Levi Colwill said on Friday.

PSG’s record against English opposition in 2025 shows the size of task facing Chelsea — the French club faced four Premier League teams in the Champions League and beat them all, from Manchester City and Liverpool, to Aston Villa and then Arsenal.

‘It is a super high-level game. They are one of the hottest teams in the world at the moment but this is the final, a one-off game,’ said Reece James.

‘Everyone has them down as strong favourites but I have been in many finals before where we have been favourites and we have not come out on top.

‘I don’t really care that everyone is bigging up the opposition. We are just preparing in the right way and we are going out to win.’

The match brings down the curtain on a month-long competition that FIFA is already hailing as a huge success.

But concerns over the heat of an American summer have plagued the tournament, with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez saying Friday that playing in the middle of the afternoon was ‘very dangerous’

Whatever happens in the final, the tournament has already been a huge success for the participants from a financial viewpoint.

Chelsea and PSG are assured to go home with over $100 million in prize money, with the definitive amount to become clear after the final — that money will be particularly welcome for Chelsea after they were recently fined by UEFA for breaching financial rules.