Road Transport and Bridges, Shipping and Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam-File PhotoDHAKA, Mar 26, 2026 (BSS) - Road Transport and Bridges, Shipping and Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today expressed deep shock over casualties occurred when a bus carrying more than 50 passengers plugged into the Padma River while boarding a ferry at Daulatdia Ghat in Rajbari. In a condolence message, he said such a heartbreaking accident was very painful for the nation. In addition, he said, all relevant entities, including the Fire Service, BIWTC, Bangladesh Army, Police, Naval Police and local district administration, were participating in the rescue operation in a coordinated manner. Rabiul said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was monitoring the rescue operation in this accident round the clock and gave instructions to complete the operation as soon as possible. The minister further said other necessary initiatives have already been taken, including the formation of a high-level investigation committee to uncover the reason behind the accident.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. File PhotoDHAKA, March 26, 2026 (BSS) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of Independence Day, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and partnership. In a press statement, Rubio said, “On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Bangladesh on your Independence Day.”“This commemoration arrives as Bangladesh begins a new chapter in its history, following recent elections,” he said. The US Secretary of State noted that the United States values its longstanding partnership with Bangladesh, anchored in a shared vision for a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. “As Bangladesh celebrates this momentous occasion, the United States remains committed to deepening our relationship and sends its warmest regards,” Rubio said.

Deputy Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Barrister Kayser Kamal and Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam today paid tribute to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Mar 26, 2026 (BSS) - Deputy Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Barrister Kayser Kamal and Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam today paid tribute to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. In the morning, they paid the respect by placing wreaths at the graves of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area. They observed silence for sometimes there and offered Fateha and supplications seeking forgiveness for the departed souls. Senior officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat were present, among others.

PM uses national flag on official car for first timePhoto : BSSDHAKA, March 26, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official car carried the national flag today for the first time since he assumed office as head of the government. The national flag was attached to the stand of his car while he was going to pay homage to the Liberation War martyrs at the National Memorial in Savar in the morning, marking the 56th Independence and National Day, according to PMO. Later, Tarique Rahman also went to the National Parade Ground here in his flag-bearing official car to join the Independence and National Day Parade 2026.

SYDNEY, March 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Australia banned visitors from Iran on Thursday, saying war in the Middle East increased the risk they would refuse to fly home once their short-term visas expired. For the next six months people travelling on Iranian passports will be barred from visiting Australia for tourism or work, the Home Affairs department said. "The conflict in Iran has increased the risk that some temporary visa holders may be unable or unlikely to depart Australia when their visas expire," it said in a statement. Australia angered Iran this month when it granted asylum to seven players and officials from the visiting women's football team. Five of those seven later reversed their decisions to seek sanctuary in Australia, fuelling suspicions their families had come under threat.

While all G7 nations are close US allies, none have unambiguously offered support for the assault on Iran, angering Trump. German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil even complained Trump's "misguided policies" in the Middle East were hitting Germany's economy. Trump has claimed the US is speaking to a "top person" within Iran's clerical system in talks to end the conflict. British foreign minister Yvette Cooper on Tuesday voiced unease that the war had shifted focus away from the Gaza peace plan and violence in the occupied West Bank. Over four years into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Barrot told AFP that support "for the Ukrainian resistance" and pressure on Russia would continue.

WASHINGTON, United States, March 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The fourth and final ticket sales phase for the 2026 World Cup will open on April 1, FIFA announced on Wednesday, without specifying how many tickets will be made available. The "last-minute" sales phase will then remain open through the end of the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, global football's governing body said in a statement. The last-minute phase is the fourth and final official ticket sales phase. During prior phases, FIFA said, more than 1 million tickets were sold out of more than 500 million requests. FIFA has defended ticket prices, with president Gianni Infantino saying they are driven by "insane" demand.

Photo: BSSRAJSHAHI, March 25, 2026 (BSS)- Today, March 25, is Genocide Day. The day was observed at Rajshahi University (RU) with due respect. Among others present were Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Mohammad Main Uddin, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Md. Matiar Rahman, hall provosts and department heads, as well as Proctor Professor Md. Mahbubur Rahman and Student Advisor Professor Md.

HAVANA, March 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United Nations has proposed an emergency plan for crisis-hit Cuba, including tracking fuel use, amid talks with the United States on allowing energy imports for humanitarian services, a UN official said Wednesday. The UN has been in talks with Washington to allow fuel in for humanitarian purposes. He said a fuel monitoring plan was needed "to ensure that it goes to the critical, essential services that are prioritized in the plan." UN chief Antonio Guterres warned last month that Cuba risked a humanitarian "collapse" if it were denied oil. President Miguel Diaz-Canel has imposed emergency measures to conserve fuel, including strict fuel rationing.

'No negotiations' says Iran FM as US touts peace planWASHINGTON, United States, March 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump is ready to "unleash hell" if Iran doesn't accept a deal to end the Middle East war, the White House warned Wednesday, but a defiant Tehran said it did not intend to negotiate. On the ground, there was no let-up in the hostilities, with targets in Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia all coming under fire. - Iran sets five conditions -Trump has in recent days repeatedly claimed progress in talks with Iran, even as Tehran denied any formal negotiations were taking place. The Iranian official quoted by Press TV said Tehran has put forward its own five conditions for hostilities to end. While striking targets in Iran Wednesday, Israel kept up its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, where Israeli warplanes pounded the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Travellers flying within Bangladesh in 2026 are finding it harder to book a bargain seat, with domestic airfares on key routes now typically about Tk 1,000 higher than a year ago, according to published fare data and recent industry coverage. In practice, this means travellers in 2026 are shouldering a slightly heavier fiscal load each time they fly, helping explain why total domestic fares are now typically about Tk 1,000 higher on busy routes than they were in early 2025. The net effect is that the “new normal” price many travellers encounter at booking is around Tk 1,000 higher than they recall from recent years. Even when base fares appear only slightly higher, ancillary charges, surcharges and revised fees accumulate to create the Tk 1,000 jump many domestic passengers are now experiencing in 2026. For many passengers booking domestic flights in Bangladesh this year, paying roughly Tk 1,000 more than in the recent past has become a standard part of planning a trip.

It is believed to be the first shipment of Russian oil to the Philippines in five years. Last week, Ramon Ang, CEO of Petron, told AFP the company was "in talks" to potentially purchase Russian oil. The United States this month eased some restrictions on sales of Russian crude, allowing countries to purchase oil that was already at sea until April 11. Kpler analyst Muyu Xu told AFP around 120 million barrels of Russian oil may have been at sea at the time, adding much of it may have already been pre-ordered by Chinese or Indian clients. On Thursday, the Philippines' Department of Energy activated a 20 billion-peso ($332 million) emergency fund that energy secretary Sharon Garin called a "proactive step" to securing fuel supplies.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid rich tributes to the Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial. The President and the Prime Minister placed the wreaths at the altar of the memorial at 6am. Special prayer was also offered seeking divine blessings for Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The prayer also sought welfare for the country and success for the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Then the Prime Minister exchanged pleasantries with war-wounded freedom fighters, family members of martyrs and other guests present at the memorial.

WASHINGTON, United States, March 26, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United States has hit two-thirds of Iran's production facilities for missiles and drones, and a similar proportion of its naval production, a top officer said Wednesday. "We have damaged or destroyed over two-thirds of Iran's missile drone and naval production facilities and shipyards, and we're not done yet," he said, adding that US forces had now struck over 10,000 military targets. Iran has retaliated for the US and Israeli strikes by launching missiles at targets throughout the Gulf almost daily. But Cooper said that Iran's drone and missile launch rates were down by 90 percent, and "we've also removed the regime's ability to rebuild them." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Iran did not plan to negotiate with the United States and intended to keep fighting, after the White House said talks were ongoing.

But they're afraid to say it, because they figure they'll be killed by their own people," Trump told a dinner for Republican members of Congress. The White House said earlier that Trump was ready to "unleash hell" if Iran did not admit defeat, while also insisting that Tehran is still taking part in talks. "President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Asked if negotiations with Iran had stalled, Leavitt replied: "Talks continue. "We've always estimated approximately four to six weeks (for the length of military operations against Iran), so you could do the math on that," Leavitt added.