The advent of music streaming has long caused the decline of physical media, such as vinyls and CDs, and radio is experiencing a similar phenomenon. For a while, radio still had something going for it: It was an expected feature embedded in most cars. Now, Apple Carplay and other forms of Bluetooth listening have taken over, and many cars are being built without radio capabilities entirely, meaning radio is at an all-time listening low. Radio, which is something people can’t physically show off, doesn’t have the same overt social benefits as collectible media. In the past, before the advent of cell phones, college radio stations were a powerful center for student protest, voice and thought.

Tens of thousands of devotees gathered on Thursday along the banks of the Brahmaputra River in Kurigram to observe the sacred bathing ritual on Ashtami, one of the most significant religious observances for followers of Sanatan Dharma. The holy baths began at dawn across several ghats, including Nunkhawa Ghat in Nageshwari, Jatrapur Ghat in Sadar, and Jorgach and Ramna Ghats in Chilmari Upazila. Before entering the river, many devotees chanted mantras such as “Om Brahmaputra Mahabhag…” praying for the forgiveness of sins. According to the organizing committee, the annual Ashtami Bath Festival is observed on the eighth lunar day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra month. Sujan Mohanta, a devotee, said, Rishi Parashuram took a bath in the Brahmaputra on this day to cleanse the sin of matricide.

A group of students has marked Independence Day with a rare event in Savar, inviting the public to express their hatred for 1971 war criminals and the Pakistani military by hurling shoes at their caricatures. The symbolic protest, held outside the National Memorial premises, featured a banner fastened to a roadside bus depicting the faces of those involved in the 1971 genocide, including high-ranking Pakistani army officials. “From Yahya Khan to Munir [the current Pakistani army chief], every general has followed the same path,” said one organiser. This isn’t just about individual moral failure, it is the state policy of the Pakistani military institution,” he added. It is against the entire Pakistani structure that has spent over fifty years disregarding the blood of our martyrs,” he said.

DHAKA, Mar 26, 2026 (BSS) – The Ministry of Education has directed all schools, colleges and universities across the country to conduct special cleanliness drives to prevent dengue before reopening after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. The directive was issued in an office order signed by Senior Assistant Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division Md Rajibul Alam on Wednesday. According to the order, dengue incidence has recently increased alarmingly across the country, including the capital Dhaka, due to the expansion of Aedes mosquito breeding grounds. The ministry noted that regular cleaning activities were disrupted during the long Ramadan and Eid holidays as academic activities remained closed. The directive, issued following a demi-official (DO) letter from the Health Services Division, instructed all government and private educational institutions to ensure thorough cleaning of their premises before resuming academic activities after the holidays.

Bangladesh Embassy in Seoul marks Independence Day, honoring Liberation War martyrs and promoting national progress abroad. Photo : EmbassyDHAKA, March 26, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh Embassy in Seoul today observed the country’s Independence and National Day with due dignity, highlighting the spirit of the Liberation War and the nation’s continued progress. A discussion meeting was held at the embassy auditorium where messages from the President, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out. He also appreciated the contributions of expatriate Bangladeshis and encouraged them to migrate legally and send remittances through official channels. The programme concluded with special prayers seeking eternal peace for the martyrs and continued peace and prosperity for the country.

Photo: Bangladesh Embassy in RiyadhDHAKA, March 26, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh today celebrated the country’s Independence and National Day with due dignity, paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War and highlighting expatriates’ role in national development. Delwar Hossain hoisted the national flag at the embassy premises, marking the beginning of the programme. He later laid a wreath at a temporary memorial along with embassy officials and staff in honour of the martyrs. In his address, the ambassador paid deep tribute to the martyrs, war-affected women and valiant freedom fighters for their sacrifices in achieving the country’s independence and sovereignty. The programme concluded with special prayers seeking eternal peace for the martyrs and continued welfare and prosperity of the nation.

BGB celebrates Independence Day with modern mechanized parade, honoring Liberation War martyrs and national pride. Photo : BGBDHAKA, March 26, 2026 (BSS) - The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) celebrated Independence and National Day with due dignity and enthusiasm, marking a significant milestone as its modern mechanized fleet participated in the national parade for the first time in 18 years. Earlier in the day, programmes began with the hoisting of the national flag at all BGB units across the country, including its headquarters in Pilkhana. Later, he paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at “Border Pride” in Pilkhana, where a smart BGB contingent presented a guard of honor. To mark the day, the BGB Museum and BGB Zoo were opened to children from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

BAGHDAD, March 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A US State Department spokesperson denied on Thursday claims that the United States had targeted Iraqi security forces, a day after a military clinic was struck in the country's west, leaving seven dead. "Any claims that the United States has targeted Iraqi Security Forces are categorically false, incompatible with the US-Iraq partnership, and offensive to the long years of friendship and cooperation between US and Iraqi forces," the spokesperson told AFP. The Iraqi authorities have not directly accused the US of the strike that hit western Iraq earlier this week. On Wednesday, Baghdad said the incident was "undermining the ties between the peoples of Iraq and the United States". Previously they said they would summon the country's charge d'affaires over a different attack in the same area, which targeted a paramilitary group.

Sirens, blasts in Israel as Iran fires waves of missilesJERUSALEM, March 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Air raid sirens sounded and explosions rang out in several areas of Israel on Thursday as Iran launched multiple missiles, the military said, adding that the projectiles had been intercepted. The military said it had detected seven waves of incoming missiles over the course of the day, triggering sirens in central Israel, Jerusalem, Haifa and some areas of the occupied West Bank. AFP journalists in Tel Aviv reported hearing several blasts from the morning, with the first missile fire detected at 6:49 am (0449 GMT). The first morning attack came more than 14 hours after the military last reported incoming missiles from Iran. Central Israel also came under fire overnight from Lebanon, after the Iran-backed Hezbollah group said it had targeted military sites in the area.

Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Mumbai today celebrated the country’s Independence and National Day. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, March 26, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Mumbai today celebrated the country’s Independence and National Day with due dignity, paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War and highlighting national unity and progress. Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner to Mumbai Farhana Ahmed Chowdhury hoisted the national flag at the mission premises in the presence of officials and staff, marking the beginning of the day’s programme, said an official handout here. A discussion session was held where the Deputy High Commissioner paid deep tribute to the martyrs and Birangonas who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Liberation War and highlighted the significance and historical background of the day. She called upon all to work with patriotism to uphold the dignity of the national flag, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and build a discrimination-free, happy and prosperous Bangladesh.

Bagerhat honors freedom fighters, martyrs’ families on Independence Day, highlighting Liberation War spirit and national unity. Photo : BSSBAGERHAT, March 26, 2026 (BSS) - A reception and discussion meeting was held in Bagerhat on the occasion of Independence Day and National Day in honor of the freedom fighters and the family members of the martyred freedom fighters. Bagerhat District Freedom Fighter Unit Command Convener Bir Muktijoddha Md Akbar Azad presided over the program, which was attended by Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md. At the event, floral greetings and honors were given to the heroic freedom fighters and martyred family members. In addition, the speakers in the discussion meeting highlighted the significance of the great Independence Day and urged everyone to play an active role in building the country by being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War.

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Israel army says about 700 Hezbollah militants killed in warJERUSALEM, March 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Israeli military said Thursday that its forces had killed around 700 Hezbollah militants since the war with the Lebanese armed group began on March 2. "So far, I can provide you with a number of approximately 700 (Hezbollah) terrorists that have been eliminated," military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told journalists. Shoshani noted that Iran-backed Hezbollah had continued to fire rockets, "some days more than 100... mostly towards northern Israel". Lebanon's health ministry has reported that Israeli attacks have so far killed 1,094 people -- 121 children, 81 women and 892 men. Since the beginning of the war, Hezbollah has not announced its casualties.

BRUSSELS, Belgium, March 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - European lawmakers cleared the way Thursday for tougher penalties for irregular migrants and their potential deportation to so-called "return hubs" outside the bloc. The measures, criticised by human rights groups, are part of a tightening of Europe's immigration rules in response to pressure across the 27-nation bloc to curb migration. The reform would notably allow for the opening of centres or "return hubs" outside the EU's borders to which migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected would be sent. It also envisages harsher penalties for migrants who refuse to leave, including through detention and entry bans. - 'ICE-style' -Proponents say the hubs could act as a deterrent and discourage migrants from attempting to reach Europe in the first place.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran is letting Malaysian tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz after talks with Iranian, Turkish and other regional leaders, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday. "We're now in the process of releasing the Malaysian oil tankers and the workers involved so that they can continue their journey home," Anwar said, thanking Pezeshkian. Anwar added that, thanks to production by Malaysian petroleum giant Petronas, "We are in a far better position." Petronas last year produced around two million barrels of oil a day, according to the latest company figures. He also announced a range of measures, including a reduction in the quota of subsidised fuel for Malaysian citizens and new diesel purchase limits in the eastern states of Sabah and Sarawak, as part of tighter controls to curb hoarding and smuggling of subsidised fuel.