Md Daud Miah has been appointed as the secretary for the Ministry of Education’s Technical and Madrasah Education Division. He was previously the director general of the NGO Affairs Bureau, a post equivalent to that of additional secretary, before his promotion. Daud Miah was previously additional secretary in the Financial Institutions Department. He was appointed as director general of the NGO Affairs Bureau on Mar 2 last year. Meanwhile, Daud Miah’s predecessor Muhammad Rafiqul Islam has been assigned as director general of the National Academy for Planning and Development (NAPD).

CHANDPUR, March 31, 2026 (BSS) - A 55-year old worker was killed after falling from a tree while cutting its branches in Rampur Union under Sadarupazila of the district on Tuesday morning. The deceased was identified as Rafiq Patwari, son of late Farid Uddin Patwari, a resident of north-western Chhota Sundar village of the upazila. According to local sources, the incident occurred around 11:00 am at the residence of Selim Bepari, located near the Chhota Sundar and Islampur Bridgearea. While cutting a tree, Rafiq reportedly lost his balance and fell, sustaining critical injuries. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station Faiz Ahmed confirmed.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman -File photoDHAKA, March 31, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today directed the Education Ministry to explore alternative measures to ease traffic congestion in the capital during school hours. The premier came up with the directive at a meeting with Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon and State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj at the Bangladesh Secretariat here this morning. "The Prime Minister asked the ministry to prepare proposals in this regard," he added. After the meeting with the education minister, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku and State Minister Aninda Islam Amit also met the Prime Minister. Subsequently, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan also called on the Prime Minister.

DHAKA, March 31, 2026 (BSS) - The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today approved the import of 2.60 lakh metric tons of diesel and crude oil to meet the country's energy requirements and address potential shortages. The approvals came from the 7th meeting of the CCEA in this year held at Bangladesh Secretariat with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair. According to the meeting minutes, the committee approved the proposal to import 1 lakh metric tons of EN590-10 PPM Sulfur Diesel from EXXON MOBIL KAZAKHSTAN INC. (EMKI) through a direct purchase method. Furthermore, the CCEA also approved importing 60,000 metric tons of Gas Oil 0.5% 'S' (Diesel) from PT Bumi Siak Pusako Zapin (BSP Zapin), Indonesia, under a Government-to-Government (G-to-G) agreement. In response to the current geopolitical instability stemming from the conflict between Iran and the United States-Israel, the committee also approved the urgent import of 1 lakh metric tons of crude oil from Abeer Trade & Global Markets through a direct purchase method to fulfill domestic fuel demands.

Two-month-long honey collection season in the Sundarbans is set to begin tomorrow. Photo: BSSKHULNA, March 31, 2026 (BSS) - The two-month-long honey collection season inthe Sundarbans is set to begin tomorrow, with the Forest Department setting atarget of collecting 1,100 quintals of honey this year. According to the Forest Department, a total of 854.5 quintals of honey and275.5 quintals of beeswax were collected in the 2024-25 seasons. Local sources alleged that illegal honey collection has already started aheadof the official season. He also said State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change SheikhFaridul Islam is expected to inaugurate the honey collection activities thisyear.

The committee approved a proposal from the Ministry of Agriculture to import35,000 metric tons of MOP fertilizer from Russia's JSC Foreign EconomicCorporation (Prodintorg). The committee also approved the import of one lakh metric tons of Diesel(EN590 10 PPM) from EXXON MOBIL KHAZAKHASTAN INC through direct procurementmethod. CCGP also approved the procurement of 60,000 metric tons of Gas Oil 0.5percent S (Diesel) from PT Bumi Siak Pusako Zapin (BSP Zapin), Indonesia,through an international government-to-government (G-to-G) arrangement. The committee approved a 14.837 percent increase in the contract value forconstructing two 15-story buildings for government officials in Aliganj,Narayanganj. The revised contractvalue is now Taka 672.52 crore, up from Taka 544.86 crore.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Malaysian tankers permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz will be exempt from paying any prospective tolls imposed by Iran, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Tuesday. The Iranian ambassador (to Malaysia) has mentioned this, no toll being imposed on Malaysian vessels," Loke told reporters on Tuesday. Iran has indicated that it will allow vessels from nations it deems friendly to pass through the strait. Loke said it would take time for Malaysian vessels to pass through Strait of Hormuz as "there are many ships that are stranded and anchored there". "But I think that the Iranian government has given their commitment and we think that our vessels will be able to pass through," he added.

Seasonal air pollution is a feature of life for much of Asia, associated with agricultural burning and weather patterns that trap pollutants. The issue has become a political and economic headache for tourist-dependent Thailand, and prompted lawsuits and a legislative push by clean air activists. Despite the efforts, northern Thailand's Chiang Mai tourist destination topped the global rankings for world's most polluted major city for part of Tuesday, according to the IQAir monitor. Dao, a cafe worker who declined to give her family name, has lived through years of seasonal air pollution in Pai but said this year was especially bad. The spike in air pollution comes as clean air activists warn a bill to enshrine the right to breathable air and to tax emitters is in danger of dying in parliament.

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Swapan for conveying real history of Liberation War to new generationInformation and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan spoke at a discussion titled "Proclaimer of Independence and Zia of the Battlefield," held at the Jatiya Press Club today. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Mar 31, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today stressed conveying the real history of the Liberation War to the new generation. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's declaration of independence and wartime leadership are an indestructible truth," he said while speaking at a discussion. Speaking as the chief guest, the information minister said a section of people has been confused about the true history of Bangladesh for a long time. The information minister said the attempt made by the fallen fascist Awami League to distort the history is no longer possible in this era of information technology.

TOKYO, March 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Japan on Tuesday for a visit that initially aimed to strenghthen partnerships in nuclear energy and space innovation but will now be dominated by the Middle East war. Japan depends on the Middle East for 95 percent of its oil imports and has had to dip into strategic stockpiles to temper the impact of rising fuel prices since the start of the war. Among expectations for the talks was "continued communication" with a view towards the "calming down of the situation in Iran", the official said. Macron and his wife Brigitte are due to have lunch with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Thursday. He will be in Japan until April 2, and he will then visit South Korea at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung.

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TEHRAN, March 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Explosions were heard in Tehran and power cuts hit some parts of the capital, Iranian media reported on Tuesday. "Power outages in parts of Tehran after multiple explosions heard," Fars news agency reported. Tasnim news agency also reported some residents in eastern Tehran were without electricity and that authorities were working to restore power.

BARCELONA, March 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is enjoying the pressure of being one of the favourites to win the World Cup, he said on the eve of Tuesday's friendly with Egypt in Barcelona. He also praised local star Lamine Yamal while refusing to say if he would start Tuesday's game against the Africans, who also feature at the World Cup. We accept that challenge," De la Fuente said of the pressure of being favourites. He draws attention, he has magic," De la Fuente said. De la Fuente also mentioned some missing stars, with Nico Williams, Fabian Ruiz, and Mikel Merino - key members of their Euro 2024 championship winning team - all out injured.