BAGHDAD, March 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A strike in northern Iraq on Saturday killed three fighters from the former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi, the alliance said, blaming the US and Israel for the attack. Pro-Iran Iraqi armed groups have carried out drone and rocket attacks against multiple US targets, including the embassy in Baghdad. Three PMF fighters were killed and four wounded, according to the group, in the "treacherous Zionist-US attack" near Kirkuk city's international airport. Iraq has not officially blamed the United States, but did summon the country's charge d'affaires over the strike. Washington has strongly denied targeting Iraqi security forces.

BEIRUT, Lebanon, March 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An Israeli strike killed three journalists Saturday in south Lebanon, including a well-known reporter for Hezbollah's Al Manar network, with Lebanese authorities denouncing the attack as a "war crime". Shoeib was one of Al Manar's most prominent war correspondents, having covered Israeli attacks on Lebanon for decades. At least five journalists were killed in Israeli strikes in the south in that conflict, including a correspondent for Al-Mayadeen TV and a cameraman for Al-Manar. - Strikes on south -Israel launched a new series of raids on southern Lebanon on Saturday, killing nine paramedics according to Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine. In Henniyeh, south Lebanon, the health ministry said an Israeli strike killed seven people, six Syrians and one Lebanese, and wounded nine Syrians.

GLASGOW, March 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Scotland's first outing since ending a 28-year wait to qualify for the World Cup ended in defeat as Junya Ito's late strike earned Japan a 1-0 win at Hampden Park. Japan had left a number of their key men, including Ito, on the bench in preparation for Tuesday's clash against England at Wembley. Japan then slowly began to take control to extend Scotland's miserable record of not having won a home friendly for the past 10 years. Angus Gunn made a fine save from Ito when the Genk forward ran clear on goal just after the hour mark. Gunn faces a battle with 43-year-old Craig Gordon to be Steve Clarke's number one for Scotland's opening game of the World Cup against Haiti on June 14.

SAN FRANCISCO, United States, March 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will become the first Indian international to ply his trade in Major League Cricket after signing a deal with the San Francisco Unicorns, the club said Saturday. The 39-year-old right arm off-spinner, who retired from international cricket in 2024, will head to the United States after an agreement to join Australia's Big Bash League fell through due to a knee injury. "Taking on the mantle as the first Indian-capped player to compete in Major League Cricket is a major responsibility that I fully embrace," he added. Major League Cricket is a T20-format featuring six teams who play in a condensed month-long tournament. Ashwin amassed some 765 wickets across 287 appearances for India in Test, one-day, and T20 cricket during his career, and was a member of the squad that won the 2011 World Cup.

TEL AVIV, March 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Hundreds of Israeli protesters gathered in Tel Aviv and some other cities on Saturday to protest the war in the Middle East, in unauthorised demonstrations that security forces sought to disperse. Numbers now appear to be rising, though far from the tens of thousands who filled Tel Aviv's streets last year to protest the war in Gaza. AFP footage showed law enforcement officers removing demonstrators in Tel Aviv. Public support for the war against Iran remains high in Israel. A poll published Friday by the Israel Democracy Institute found that 78 percent of Jewish Israelis back the war - compared to just 19 percent among the Arab Israeli minority.

Syria president to head to Germany, UK for first time since assuming powerDAMASCUS, March 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Syria's presidency announced on Saturday that President Ahmed al-Sharaa will head to Germany and Britain next week, his first visit to the two countries since assuming power. The visit comes in the context of a gradual opening between Damascus and European capitals since the ouster of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Germany reopened its embassy in Damascus in March 2025, while Syria opened a consulate in Bonn last month. Sharaa had visited France in May 2025 on his first European trip since assuming power, where he was received by President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. His current tour comes as he works to keep Syria, ravaged by 14 years of war, insulated from the repercussions of the conflict in the Middle East.

JERUSALEM, March 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Israeli military said Saturday it had struck an industrial complex in Tehran used for the research and development of naval weapons. "This headquarters is responsible for the research, development, and production of a wide range of naval weaponry, including surface and sub-surface vessels, manned and unmanned equipment, as well as engines and weapons." Later on Saturday, the military said it had intensified strikes on Iran's military industries. "This means we will destroy most of its military production capabilities, and it will take the regime a long time to rebuild them. Since the start of the war on February 28, the joint US-Israeli attacks have also struck Iran's nuclear sites, including a uranium processing facility and a heavy water reactor.

Medics say 11 wounded in Iran missile strike on Israeli villageESHTA'OL, Israel, March 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A direct Iranian missile strike on a village in central Israel on Saturday wounded 11 people and left a massive crater, medics said, as the Middle East war entered its second month. The missile hit a residential area in the village of Eshtaol, near Beit Shemesh, where nine people -- including four minors -- were killed in the early days of the war by a missile fired from Iran. The military also confirmed to AFP that the strike was caused by an Iranian missile. Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani posted a video clip of the site on X, writing: "A family home in Eshtaol -- destroyed by an Iranian missile". The Middle East has been engulfed in war since February 28, triggered by joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Iraq must not be drawn into 'escalation', France's Macron saysPARIS, France, March 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Every effort must be made to avoid Iraq being sucked up into an escalation of the Middle East war, French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday after speaking with the head of the country's autonomous Kurdistan region. Macron posted his message on X after a deadly strike in northern Iraq against the former paramilitary group the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF). "Everything must be done to avoid Iraq being drawn into the current escalation," he said. Macron said he had told the Iraqi Kurdistan region's President Nechirvan Barzani that he also viewed as "unacceptable" a drone attack against his official residence earlier Saturday. Iran's government fears armed Kurdish groups in northern Iraq could be sent in through its own Kurdish region, which is in the west, on the border with Iraq.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today spoke at a review meeting on ongoing LGED projects in LGED Bhaban at Agargaon. He said this while addressing a review meeting on ongoing LGED projects in LGED Bhaban at Agargaon here today. He stressed the importance of formulating and implementing rural-based integrated development plans aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of local communities. He also called for prioritizing large-scale, integrated projects over scattered small ones to ensure optimal utilization of resources and achieve more impactful and sustainable outcomes. A documentary was screened at the outset, showcasing LGED’s brief history and its ongoing development activities.

PM issues directives to BNP MPs to vitalize parliamentPrime Minister Tarique Rahman today delivered a directional speech addressing treasury bench members present at the ruling party’s meeting room at Jatiya Sangshad Bhaban. Photo: PMODHAKA, March 28, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today issued a set of directives to BNP lawmakers to infuse dynamism in parliamentary activities at a meeting at Jatiya Sangsad. “The prime minister delivered a directional speech addressing treasury bench members present at the ruling party’s meeting room at Jatiya Sangshad Bhaban this afternoon,” premier’s deputy press secretary Jahidul Islam Rony said. He said at the onset of the meeting BNP lawmakers deeply mourned the death of Professor Dilara Hafiz, spouse of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, and offered a special prayer seeking her eternal peace. Rony said that the meeting also discussed ongoing government activities, current political scenario, legislative activities and future action plans.

Authorities have uncovered 2,800 litres of fuel hidden at a filling station in Jamalpur following a protest by hundreds of motorcyclists who blocked a major highway after being denied service. The situation escalated early Saturday when over a hundred motorcyclists gathered at the pump, claiming they knew a fresh supply of fuel had arrived from the depot the previous night, reports bdnews24.com. Despite waiting in line since dawn, the pump authorities refused to sell the oil, claiming they were out of stock. The mobile court found approximately 2,800 litres of petrol stored in 12 drums hidden within the establishment. “The pump was creating an artificial crisis by hoarding fuel while hundreds of citizens waited outside,” said Alif.

I think it’s been about as good as it’s been for a long, long time.”The results are backing that up. Now the Big Ten has done it, too, after getting three teams to the Elite Eight four other times, most recently in 2014. And the league nearly got five teams there, with Michigan State losing a tight contest with UConn on Friday night. The Big Ten hasn’t had a school win the tournament since Michigan State gave Izzo his lone title in 2000. “I think the Big Ten Conference is the best conference in the world,” Wolverines senior guard Roddy Gayle Jr. said Thursday.

Photo : BSSDHAKA, March 28, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh and Turkey have reached a decision in principle to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for knowledge sharing, information exchange and technical cooperation in modern information management. Ambassador of Bangladesh to Turkey M. Amanul Haq also attended the meeting. The two sides discussed in detail the exchange of modern information management systems and strategies. Under the proposed MoU, Bangladesh Television (BTV), Bangladesh Betar, and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) will work closely with their Turkish counterparts to enhance technical expertise and professional standards. Minister Swapan is expected to conclude his visit and return to Bangladesh on March 30.

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