Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed attended an Iftar party in honor of the visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, S. Paul Kapur, at a city hotel. Photo: MinistryDHAKA, Mar 5, 2026 (BSS) - Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed attended an Iftar party organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in honor of visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon here today. Arranged as a gesture of goodwill during the holy month of Ramadan, the event brought together senior government officials, diplomats, and representatives from various sectors. The presence of senior officials from both sides reflected the importance of ongoing diplomatic engagement and collaboration. The Iftar programme also provided an opportunity for informal interactions among policymakers and diplomats, highlighting the spirit of friendship and partnership between the two countries.

Yash’s much-anticipated action spectacle Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has pulled out of the Eid-ul-Fitr race, stepping away from its scheduled March 19 release and leaving Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2 with a clearer path to dominate theatres. Directed by Geetu Mohandas and co-starring Kiara Advani, Toxic promises a larger-than-life cinematic spectacle. Shot on advanced digital cinema cameras and enhanced with cutting-edge colour grading and Dolby Atmos sound design, the film boasts high-octane action, lavish VFX and a sprawling international production scale. The action-drama sequel, directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh, remains firmly locked into its Eid release slot. As for Toxic, whispers of a grand promotional event planned for March 8 still linger — though whether the celebration will go ahead remains uncertain.

US says first charter flight takes Americans from warWASHINGTON, United States, March 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United States on Wednesday flew its first charter flight from the war-hit Middle East, the State Department said, after 17,500 Americans were estimated to have left on their own. The State Department said the first charter flight had left the Middle East on Wednesday but provided no details, citing operational concerns. More than 17,500 Americans have returned to the United States since the war started, with 8,500 returning on Tuesday, assistant secretary of state Dylan Johnson said. He said that the State Department had assisted nearly 6,500 people, with most Americans leaving on their own and virtually all of them taking commercial flights. The United States has advised Americans to leave all of the Middle East immediately from Egypt eastward, even though air travel in the region has been severely curtailed.

Canada PM Carney says can't rule out military participation in Iran warCANBERRA, March 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday that he couldn't rule out his country's military participation in the escalating war in the Middle East. The Canadian leader reiterated on Thursday his call for a "de-escalation" of the conflict. "In this brave new world, middle powers cannot simply build higher walls and retreat behind them. The Canadian leader also said the two countries would together as "strategic collaborators" to pool their vast combined rare earth mineral resources. The Canadian leader has frequently clashed with US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to annex Canada and slapped swingeing tariffs on the country.

Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani on Thursday said the government has decided to declare March 18 a public holiday. The cabinet secretary said the decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat this morning, chaired by the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Nasimul Ghani said the cabinet meeting also decided to confer the Independence Award posthumously on former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia this year. The cabinet secretary added that the cabinet also decided that air-conditioners in government offices cannot be operated below 25°C. He said all concerned have been urged to follow the government directives in order to prevent wastage of electricity.

"I think she's coming back," Djokovic said Wednesday at the ATP/WTA Indian Wells Masters. "I don't know. Where and how, singles, doubles, we don't know, and if I'm in her position, I would hide it too." Williams's sister Venus, 45, accepted a wild card into the Indian Wells singles draw and will face France's Diane Parry in the first round. "I don't know.

Oil price up more than 1 % in early Asian tradeTOKYO, March 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Oil prices were up more than one percent in early Asian trade on Thursday off the back of persistent worries about supplies because of the Middle East conflict. But following days of market declines, Asian stocks rose in early trade Thursday. The conflict between the United States and Iran that began on Saturday has effectively closed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. A fifth of the world's seaborne crude oil travels through the waterway as well as considerable volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). President Donald Trump sought to allay concerns about oil supplies being choked off, saying Tuesday that the US Navy was ready to escort oil tankers and that the United States would offer shippers insurance.

Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union representatives attend conference at Rajshahi University Senate Building to discuss activities. Photo : BSSRAJSHAHI, March 5, 2026 (BSS) - A conference of student representatives from the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), hall student unions, and the Senate was held today (Thursday) at the Senate Building of Rajshahi University (RU). The conference began at 9:30 am and was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor and President of RUCSU, Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib. The event was organized by the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU). He expressed hope that the university students would take these realities into account.

Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Sheikh Rabiul Alam has warned that any bus company charging extra fares during the upcoming Eid will face cancellation of its route permit. Government optimistic about smooth and safe travelSheikh Rabiul Alam expressed confidence that this year’s Eid journey will be comfortable and secure. Authorities will implement necessary measures to maintain smooth traffic flow and ensure that travelers reach their destinations without disruption. Even a one-taka excess over the fixed fare could result in penalties, including cancellation of the company’s route permit. Transport Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam emphasized that no bus operator is allowed to set fares arbitrarily.

A storm of speculation has gripped South Indian showbiz after reports surfaced claiming actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay may be heading for a divorce from his wife of 27 years, Sangeetha Sornalingam. Several Indian media outlets report that Sangeetha has filed for divorce at a court in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, allegedly citing Vijay’s extramarital relationship with an actress. Unconfirmed reports circulating online claim Vijay may offer a settlement of around Rs250 crore as alimony if the divorce proceeds through mutual agreement. Social media has been flooded with alleged copies of a divorce petition said to have been filed by Sangeetha. According to the claims, Vijay had promised to end the relationship but failed to do so, leaving Sangeetha emotionally distressed.

The government has finalized a new protocol governing the presence of senior officials at the airport during the prime minister’s foreign trips and return. According to a directive issued by the Cabinet Division, specific high-ranking officials will now be required to attend when the prime minister departs for or returns from official and state visits abroad. Under the updated guidelines, the senior-most minister of the Cabinet, the Chief Whip of the National Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary, and the Prime Minister’s Secretary must be present at the airport on such occasions. The Cabinet Division noted that this directive replaces earlier instructions issued on August 28, 2024. Officials said the revised protocol is intended to streamline formal arrangements and ensure appropriate state representation during the prime minister’s international engagements.

Russian embassy in Tehran. Photo: Arab NewsMOSCOW, March 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Russia has evacuated women and children from its embassy in Tehran amid the war in the Middle East, officials said Thursday. "On March 3-4 we evacuated our women and children to Russia," -- more than 100 people in total, the embassy said in a statement on social media. The state-run TASS news agency cited Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko as confirming that the "core staff remains at the embassy".

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PM reduces use of lights, AC in his office to save electricityPrime Minister Tarique Rahman. File PhotoDHAKA, Mar 5, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has reduced the use of lights and air-conditioners at his office room in Bangladesh Secretariat in half in a bid to save electricity. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said that the Prime Minister took these steps after arriving at his office at the Secretariat this morning. 1 in the Secretariat houses the Prime Minister’s Office along with the Cabinet Division and several other departments under the Prime Minister. The Additional Press Secretary said that following the Prime Minister’s instruction, half of the lights were immediately turned off and the AC levels were reduced in all rooms of his office.

The official teaser for the film Bonolota Express, directed by Tanim Noor, was released on social media at 8pm on Wednesday. According to the film’s promotional team, the movie is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release in Bangladesh during Eid-ul-Fitr. The 1 minute and 21 second teaser depicts a foggy December afternoon in 2007 at Kamalapur Railway Station and introduces the setting inside the Bonolota Express train. Bonolota Express is presented by UCB and produced by Buriganga Talkies in co-production with hoichoi studios, with support from DOPE. According to the producers, the teaser is currently trending on hoichoi Bangladesh’s official Facebook page and YouTube channel.