On Saturday, Sun staffers gathered to elect its 144th Editorial Board. Please join us in welcoming the members of our 144th Editorial Board! Leading our 144th Editorial Board with strength and style is Editor-in-Chief Sophia Dasser ’28. Yes, The Cornell Daily Sun welcomes its 144th Editorial Board today, but it also thanks 143rd, 142nd … The Sun thanks the leadership at the helm every day, those manning the sails, preparing our ship and those waving goodbye on shore. She is a former assistant arts editor of the 143rd Editorial Board.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan spoke today as the chief guest at an Iftar party organized by the Chattogram Press Club, held at the Chattogram Club premises. The minister made these remarks while speaking as chief guest at an Iftar party organized by the Chattogram Press Club held at Chattogram Club premises. State Minister for Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin addressed the programme as the main speaker. Addressing journalists and media owners, Swapan said the media is not formally recognized as a pillar of the state. Chattogram Press Club President Zahidul Karim Kochi chaired the programme while General Secretary Golam Mawla Murad and Joint Secretary Mia Mohammad Arif jointly conducted it.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to launch the Farmer Card formally on a pilot basis on April 14 on the occasion of the first day of the Bangla New Year 1433. About the Farmer Card, the press secretary said this card is not just a card rather it will be a symbol of the rightful entitlements, dignity and security of every farmer of the country, where they will hold the highest priority and position of respect. In addition to crop-producing farmers, Shibli said, fish farmers, livestock rearers and dairy farmers will also receive the benefits of the Farmer Card. After completion of the pre-piloting phase, he said, the formal inauguration of the Farmer Card distribution program will take place on Pahela Baishakh, 1433 Bangla year. Following the pre-piloting and piloting stages, the Farmer Card program will be implemented in all upazilas of the country within the next 4 years, he said.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain on Wednesday said the government will take firm and effective measures to stop irregularities in public hospitals and restore discipline in the healthcare system. He made the remarks during a surprise visit to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in the capital. The government aims to ensure that rural patients can receive treatment in their own districts, reducing pressure on hospitals in the capital. Inspecting the operation theatres (OTs), the minister said that although structurally clean, most of the OTs require upgrades to meet international standards. The minister also said that excessive attendance and unrestricted movement within the hospital premises are affecting cleanliness and discipline.

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has directed officials to swiftly prepare a comprehensive list of beneficiaries of the country’s 32 labour welfare centres to ensure more efficient service delivery. The minister issued the instruction during an exchange meeting with officials and employees of various departments under the Ministry of Labour and Employment at the Labour Bhaban in Dhaka on Wednesday. Reviewing the progress of ongoing development initiatives, including the IT sector of the Department of Labour, the Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening technological capacity. Taking a firm stance against negligence in public service, the minister warned that any form of laxity would not be tolerated. During the meeting, Labour and Employment Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Torofdar described child labour as a heinous crime and urged collective action to eliminate it.

The government has transferred 12 superintendents of police (SPs) in different stations. The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued a notification signed by Deputy Secretary Tousif Ahmed in this regard. According to the notification, SP of Bogra Md Shahadat Hossain has been transferred to Armed Police Battalion (APBn), SP of Khagrachari Mirza Sayeem Mahmood to Bogra, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Md Mostak Sarkar to Khagrachhari, SP of Mymensingh Md Mizanur Rahman to Police Training Centre, Noakhali, DC of DMP Mohammad Kamrul Hasan to Mymensingh, SP of Sylhet Kazi Akhtar Ul Alam to APBn, SP of Jamalpur Dr Chowdhury Md Jaber Sadek to Sylhet, DC of DMP Farhana Yesmin to Jamalpur, SP of Barisal Farzana Islam to River Police and Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police Headquarters AZM Mustafizur Rahman to Barisal. The order issued for public interest will come into effect immediately.

The government on Wednesday urged people to exercise austerity in electricity and fuel use by avoiding all types of decorative lighting and reducing the use of personal vehicles amid energy supply uncertainty. The measures were adopted to save energy amid fears of potential supply disruptions caused by ongoing instability in the Middle East. The decisions came during an emergency review meeting chaired by Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmood at his ministry, according to a PID handout. Temporary disruptions or adjustments in domestic fuel supply may be necessary to meet current demand. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, the secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, and the chairmen of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) attended the meeting.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday rejected claims that the reciprocal trade agreement between Bangladesh and the US was signed abruptly just days before the recently held national election. "The US Trade Representative spoke to the heads of our two key parties before the elections and they also agreed to it. The Foreign Minister said there are entry and exit clauses and the government can review it if it desires so. The Foreign Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to policy continuity, particularly in the economic domain. The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) recently said the reciprocal trade agreement between the US and Bangladesh is “highly discriminatory” and must be revoked.

He said the prime minister had clearly instructed at the first cabinet meeting that the government must ensure accountability to the people. The administration, he added, is committed to building a strong institutional framework by preventing partisanship and misuse within the executive branch. The minister said work has already begun to implement the government’s election pledges. He added that a decision to waive interest on agricultural loans up to Tk10,000 is in the process of implementation. Earlier, the minister addressed a meeting organised by the Chattogram Press Club and the Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists Union at the Press Club auditorium.

Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari said Wednesday her team had "so much concern" about their families at home as war rages with players "fully disconnected" from them during the Women's Asian Cup. The Iranian team are preparing to face host nation Australia on the Gold Coast Thursday after losing their opening game of the continental competition 3-0 to South Korea. "Obviously we have so much concern for our families and our loved ones and all other people inside our country, which we are fully disconnected with. "Obviously we're all concerned and we're sad because of what has happened to Iran and our families and our loved ones," the 21-year-old told reporters. Iran made their historic debut at the last Asian Cup in India in 2022, which made them national heroes in a country where women's rights are severely restricted.

Pakistan dropped batting great Babar Azam on Wednesday for next week's one-day international series in Bangladesh, bringing in six uncapped players with an eye on next year's World Cup. The shake-up follows Pakistan's failure to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup currently being played in India and Sri Lanka. Azam scored only 91 runs in the T20 World Cup, but has amassed 6,501 runs in 140 ODIs with 20 centuries. Batsman Fakhar Zaman was ruled out with a hamstring injury suffered at the World Cup. The 50-over World Cup will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October next year.

Of the total e-Returns submitted this year, 2,866,618 were filed by male taxpayers and 1,136,003 by female taxpayers. Among them, 1,610,750 male and 478,566 female taxpayers reported income under the salary head. Income between Tk 5 lakh and Tk 10 lakh was reported by 534,954 male and 193,837 female taxpayers. Income between Tk 10 lakh and Tk 20 lakh was reported by 164,983 male and 47,532 female taxpayers. Income between Tk 20 lakh and Tk 40 lakh was declared by 54,212 male and 11,455 female taxpayers, while 29,080 male and 5,117 female taxpayers reported income exceeding Tk 40 lakh.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, March 4, 2026 (BSS) - The prize distribution ceremony of the Spectrum Bangladesh Chess National Cup held at the Bangladesh Chess Federation (BCF) hall room today (Wednesday). Champion International Master (IM) Manon Reja Neer of Bangladesh Navy received Taka one lac while runner-up IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Sonargaon University got Taka fifty thousand. Minhaz Uddin of Bangladesh Navy and FIDE Master (FM) Tahsin Tajwar Zia of Bangladesh Ansar-each received Taka twenty five thousand each. FIDE Master Sakline Mostafa Sajid, FIDE Master Sheikh Nasir Ahmed, FIDE Master Khandaker Aminul Islam, Ananta Choudhury, Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan, Candidate Master (CM) Sohel Chowdhury,CM Avik Sarker and CM Md. Azmaeen Parvez Sayor, CM Zoar Haque Prodhan, Muhtady Tajwar Nasheed, Rayan Rashid Mugdo, WCM Kazi Zarin Tasnim, Jinnat Akter Shehnaz, CM Md.

Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi on Wednesday described the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei as a “cowardly murder,” dismissing any notion of intelligence failure. Speaking to reporters at the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka, the ambassador said Iran has the capability to sustain the conflict in the long term. The ambassador said that so far, 800 people have been martyred. “Supreme Leader Khamenei was by the people’s side until the end; he did not flee.”Rahimi Jahanabadi warned that Iran will continue the conflict with full strength until the United States pursues peace. He also cautioned that wherever Americans are present in neighboring countries, they will become targets.

Photo: BSSGOPALGANJ, March 4, 2026 (BSS) - Farmers in Tungipara upazila of the district have achieved unprecedented success in chili cultivation this season thanks to the adoption of modern agricultural technology and improved seed varieties. The event was organized by the Tungipara Upazila Agriculture Office to showcase the benefits of modern cultivation techniques. The right combination of modern technology and improved varieties can transform agriculture into a profitable profession. Special guests at the event included Sanjay Kumar Kundu, Additional Deputy Director (Crops) of the District Agriculture Office, Abul Bashar Mia, Additional Deputy Director (Horticulture), and Mithun Sarkar, Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer. This year, however, under the guidance of the Agriculture Office and with modern techniques, their production surpassed expectations.