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.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has decided to avoid holding large and lavish Iftar parties this year considering the overall situation in the country. However, he will attend two Iftar gatherings at State Guest House Jamuna in honour of diplomats and orphans, religious scholars and ulema. He said, “Considering the overall situation in the country, the Prime Minister will host only two Iftar gatherings — one on March 6 in honour of diplomats and another on March 7 in honour of orphans, religious scholars, ulema and mashayekh. Both events will be held at Jamuna.”The Additional Press Secretary said Iftar programmes scheduled for March 8 in honour of politicians and March 10 for journalists from the media at the State Guest House Jamuna have been cancelled considering the overall situation. After assuming office as Prime Minister this year, Tarique Rahman has been breaking his fast at home with his family instead of hosting large state iftar events.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman -File PhotoDHAKA, Mar 5, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has decided to avoid joining grand iftar programmes this year considering the overall situation in the country. He said the Prime Minister has decided to host two iftar programmes in view of the country's overall circumstances. The Additional Press Secretary said previously scheduled iftar programmes for politicians on March 8 and journalists on March 10 at the same venue have been cancelled considering the prevailing situation. Every year, the Prime Minister traditionally hosts a number of state iftar programmes in honour of people from different professions and segments of society. However, after assuming office as Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman has chosen to observe iftar privately with his family at his residence, and no grand state iftar events are being arranged this year.

The government has issued a set of directives asking all government, autonomous, statutory bodies, corporations and other offices to ensure economical and responsible use of electricity and energy to tackle the current global crisis. According to the instructions issued by cabinet division on Thursday, all offices have been asked to ensure prudent use of electricity and fuel by their officials and employees. Extra lights, fans, air conditioners and other electrical appliances should remain switched off during office hours unless necessary, while the temperature of air conditioners should be maintained at or above 25°C. After the end of office hours, all electrical devices, including lights, fans, computers, printers, scanners and air conditioners must be switched off. Authorities concerned have been requested to issue necessary instructions to ensure implementation of the measures.

Child rights organizations have strongly condemned the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl in Chittagong’s Sitakunda, urging authorities to ensure a swift and impartial investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. In a joint statement on Wednesday, Child Rights Advocacy Coalition of Bangladesh, Joining Forces Bangladesh and the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum expressed deep concern, anger and outrage over the incident, describing it as a tragic reminder of the country’s persistent gaps in child protection. The child was reportedly rescued in a critically injured condition from a remote hilly area of Sitakunda upazila in Chittagong. The child rights networks called on the authorities to ensure a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into the incident. The organizations also urged the government to launch wider awareness initiatives on child rights and child protection through families, educational institutions, communities and the media.

A total of 200 Afghan prisoners were released from detention centers in Pakistan last week and have returned to Afghanistan, the country’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said on Thursday. According to the ministry, the prisoners had been held in several jails across Pakistan on different charges for periods ranging from one day to two months, reports UNB. They re-entered Afghanistan through the Spin Boldak border crossing in the southern Kandahar province, the ministry said. After arriving in the country, the returnees received emergency assistance to meet their basic needs before being sent back to their respective home areas, it added.

ICT-2 to deliver verdict in Abu Sayed killing case on April 9DHAKA, March 05, 2026 (BSS) – The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 today fixed April 9 for delivering its verdict in a crime against humanity case filed over the killing of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) student Abu Sayed during the July Mass Uprising. On January 27, the tribunal kept the case under CAV (curia advisari vult), a Latin legal term meaning the court awaits its verdict, after concluding the hearing. The then Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam, Senior Prosecutor Mizanul Islam and Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim appeared for the prosecution. Advocate Aminul Gani Tito represented former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam, while Advocate Sujad Miah acted as state-appointed defence counsel for the fugitive accused. Earlier, on June 30, the ICT-2 issued arrest warrants against 26 fugitives, including former BRUR vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Hasibur Rashid.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Thursday said that the route permits of bus companies will be cancelled if they charge extra fares during Eid. “If anyone charges even one taka more than the approved fare, inform us. Responding to a question, the minister said there is no scope for charging extra fares as fares have already been set. The minister also said that the transport owners attended the meeting and assured that they would not charge extra fares during the Eid travel period. No operator can charge any fare beyond the approved rate,” he added.