The strongman leader of the Maldives yesterday conceded defeat in the presidential election, easing fears of a fresh political crisis in the archipelago at the centre of a battle for influence between India and China.

Myanmar's powerful army chief says the United Nations has no right to interfere in his country's sovereignty, a week after UN investigators called for him and other top generals to be prosecuted for "genocide" against the Rohingya.

Mentioning that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman were convicted in graft cases, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said Dr Kamal Hossain and Badruddoza Chowdhury joined forces with corrupt people to fight corruption.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday made three recommendations for solving the Rohingya crisis at its root, including abolition of discriminatory laws, policies and practices of Myanmar against the minority group.

Top leaders of Jatiya Oikya Prokriya and Juktofront have decided to form a liaison committee to coordinate programmes and facilitate communication among parties to forge greater unity.

The BNP is too weak to wage a movement before the upcoming national elections, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said yesterday.

Garment workers of a factory blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway for around five hours at Chhoydana Degerchala in Gazipur yesterday morning demanding arrears.

Mustafizur Rahman bowled a superb last over, conceding just four runs when eight were needed, as Bangladesh won the Asia Cup Super Four match against Afghanistan by three runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

The ruling Awami League is not bothered about Dr Kamal Hossain's efforts to forge a greater national unity demanding free and fair polls, but it is keeping a close eye on the process.

Several top BNP leaders shared the stage with Dr Kamal Hossain and Prof Badruddoza Chowdhury at a citizens' rally in the capital yesterday and extended full support to Jatiya Oikya Prokriya's three-point demand including formation of a polls-time neutral government.

The Sampadak Parishad (Editors' Council) yesterday expressed its deep regret at the passage of the Digital Security Bill 2018, which it considers to be against media freedom and freedom of speech guaranteed by the constitution.

Confused seems to be the word for Bangladesh in their ongoing Asia Cup campaign. After a bright start on September 15 when they won the opener by 137 runs against Sri Lanka in Dubai, they now stand on the brink of possible elimination in today's Super Four encounter against a vibrant Afghanistan.

Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed yesterday said the three demands made by Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya were “unconstitutional”.

Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday accused US-backed Gulf Arab states of carrying out an attack on a military parade that killed 29 people, almost half of them members of the country's elite Revolutionary Guards.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday warned AL leaders and activists not to let opportunists infiltrate the party.

Journalists need not worry about the passing of the Digital Security Bill as it would not gag them, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in parliament yesterday.

A Dhaka court yesterday exempted BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from personal appearance before it and decided to continue the trial of the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case inside Old Dhaka Central Jail in her absence.

Several local and international rights organisations have expressed grave concerns over the passing of the Digital Security Bill 2018 and demanded that the government reconsider its controversial sections.

Afghan leg-spin sensation Rashid Khan added an unexpected cameo with the bat to his customary incisiveness with the ball to help Afghanistan blow away Bangladesh by 136 runs in the final Asia Cup Group B match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), is being observed in the country today with due religious fervour and solemnity.