Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today paid rich tributes to his parents Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo: PMODHAKA, March 26, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today paid rich tributes to his parents Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia on the occasion of the 56th Independence and National Day. After placing the wreaths, ‘Fateha’ and special prayer were offered to the Almighty Allah for eternal peace for the departed souls of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of the country’s independence, Begum Khaleda Zia and Arafat Rahman Koko. Prayer was also offered seeking forgiveness for the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, all democratic movement and 2024 July Uprising. The prayer also sought welfare for the country and success for the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

DHAKA, March 25, 2026 (BSS) – The Mahanagar Sarbojaneen Puja Committee will offer special prayers at the Dhakeshwari National Temple Melagon tomorrow as part of honouring the martyrs who made their supreme sacrifices during the 197 Liberation War. “A special prayer will be held at Sri Sri Dhakeshwari National Temple on the occasion of Independence and National Day at the Dhakeshwari National Temple at Chawkbazar here,” said a release jointly signed by Mahanagar Sarbojaneen Puja Committee president Jayanta Kumar Dev and general secretary Dr Tapas Chandra Pal. Leaders of various organizations including Mahanagar Sarbojaneen Puja Committee, Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council, and Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad will attend the special prayers at 11 am tomorrow, the release added.

Reading time: about 3 minutesHillel at Cornell officially began construction on Harkavy Hall, a new Jewish student center, during a March 8 ceremony attended by Ithaca mayor Robert Cantelmo, U.S. Rep. Josh Riley (D-N.Y.) and President Michael Kotlikoff. During the ceremony, President Michael Kotlikoff, Adam Lehman, Hillel international president and CEO, Rabbi Ari Weiss, Grinspoon Hillel CEO, and donor Steven K. Grinspoon ’83 made remarks on the center. “To make sure there was a building to support Jewish students, to make sure they had a home on campus to belong.”The center holds significance for Jewish students on campus, Hillel President Noah Bodner ’27 said. Despite serving the largest Jewish student population in the Ivy League for nearly a century, Cornell is the only Ivy League University without a dedicated Hillel building. Cornell Hillel currently operates out of Anabel Taylor Hall.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today spoke at a press briefing held at the ministry meeting room at the Secretariat. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Mar 25, 2026 (BSS)- Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said the VVIP protocol convoy of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been significantly reduced, bringing an unprecedented and positive change to traffic management in the city. The large protocol convoy of Prime Minister has now been made very short. Under the new decision, only one senior minister, the Chief Whip, the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister will be present at the airport during such occasions. On administrative reforms, the minister said the Prime Minister himself is regularly attending office even on Saturdays.

The meeting approved several key procurement proposals, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), fertilizer, refined palm oil, vaccines and SPC poles, aimed at ensuring energy security, food supply, public health and power distribution development in the country. The meeting reviewed a total of six proposals submitted by the Ministry of Commerce, Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Health Services Division, Industries Ministry and Power Division. In a major decision, the committee approved the purchase of two LNG cargoes from the spot market under the international quotation method following Public Procurement Rules 2025. The Health Services Division will procure the vaccines by sending advance payment, with the total cost estimated at Taka 604.05 crore. The Power Division proposed the procurement at a cost of Taka 229.90 crore.

Cultural Affairs Minister Advocate Nitai Roy -File PhotoDHAKA, Mar 25, 2026 (BSS) – Cultural Affairs Minister Advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury today said the traditional Mahashtami holy bath at Langalbandh is not merely a religious ritual, but a unique expression of the nation’s pluralistic culture, coexistence and shared humanitarian values. He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a religious discussion and cultural programme held in Narayanganj on the occasion of the Mahashtami Holy Bath (Punno Snan) 2026. The minister said the event reflects the blending of spiritual devotion and cultural heritage, carrying deep significance in the country’s social and national life. Emphasising the need for a sustainable and equitable society, he said people must remain at the centre of development while the state stays accountable to its citizens. The minister called upon all present to take a renewed pledge for self-purification and national unity through the spiritual gathering.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yeaser Khan Choudhury and adviser on the ministry Dr Zahed Ur Rahman were present there. However, he added that under the directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the situation is being handled efficiently. The minister added that a high-level cabinet committee, led by the finance minister, is closely monitoring the situation, considering global conflicts and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. In response to journalists’ questions at the briefing, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said there is no fuel crisis in the country. Addressing fuel pump owners, the adviser said the prime minister has made it clear that there is no plan to raise fuel prices at present.

Hezbollah says negotiating with Israel would be surrender, amid strikes on LebanonBEIRUT, Lebanon, March 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said Wednesday that negotiating with Israel under fire would amount to "surrender" for Lebanon, as Israel launched new strikes and Hezbollah said it was targeting Israeli troops. And Israel must stop its military operations and strikes in Lebanon, which are hitting civilians the hardest," Guterres told reporters at the United Nations. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli strikes and artillery shelling in several locations in the south on Wednesday. According to the ministry, 42 health workers are among more than 1,000 people killed in Lebanon in more than three weeks of Israeli strikes. The statement came as the group claimed a series of attacks on Israeli troops in south Lebanon and northern Israel.

Over 200 patients in Daulatpur upazila get assistance from PM’s relief fundPhoto: BSSKUSHTIA, March 25, 2026 (BSS) - In a compassionate initiative, Kushtia-1 (Daulatpur) MP Rajo Ahmed Bachchu Mollah distributed financial assistance worth Taka 10 lakh from the Prime Minister’s relief fund to over 200 patients suffering from serious illnesses at the Upazila Council Hall on Wednesday. According to the upazila administration and local sources, the aid targets residents of various unions in Daulatpur upazila afflicted by life-threatening and costly diseases, including cancer, kidney disorders, liver cirrhosis, paralysis, and heart disease. Most beneficiaries are extremely poor, often going without sufficient food and unable to afford necessary medical treatment. Speaking at the event as the chief guest, Bachchu Mollah said, “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is ensuring that every helpless person receives treatment. The ceremony was attended by Daulatpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Karmakar Anand Guha, local public representatives, and officials from various departments.

Lebanon govt stuck between Israel and Hezbollah in war it didn't wantBEIRUT, Lebanon, March 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Lebanon's weakened government has been wedged into a war not of its choosing between Hezbollah and Israel, as the Iran-backed militants harden their stance and Israel demands the group's elimination. Created after Israel invaded in 1982, Hezbollah is the only group to have kept its weapons since the country's 1975-1990 civil war, doing so in the name of "resistance" against Israel. Since the latest war erupted, Lebanon's government has taken unprecedented steps to try to rein in Hezbollah and its patron Iran. Hezbollah and the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of Iran's military, have announced joint operations against Israel since the start of the war. According to the Lebanese official source, "Israel wants negotiations under fire" and won't accept a truce as proposed by Aoun.

Built around the tagline “Matcha for every way,” Valentine’s Matcha introduces matcha not just as a café drink, but as a daily ritual and versatile ingredient for home cooks who care about quality. Inspired by Mussi’s years of recipe development and her travels to Japan, the company was created to bring premium matcha into everyday cooking, baking and drink rituals in a way that feels straightforward and fun. Crafted for cooking and baking, Valentine’s Baking Matcha (100 grams; $31) is made with third-harvest Yabukita leaves known for their deep green hue and bolder flavor, which holds up well in recipes from cookies and cakes to pancakes, sauces and ice cream. “Matcha is incredibly versatile – I sometimes compare it to vanilla in that way,” Mussi says. As part of its launch, Valentine’s Matcha will donate 1% of all matcha revenue to Second Harvest Japan, the country’s first and largest food bank.

Iran speaker warns US not to test 'resolve to defend our land'Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Photo: CollectedTEHRAN, March 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's powerful parliament speaker on Wednesday warned Washington not to test the Islamic republic's determination to defend its territory after the United States was reported to be sending more troops to the Middle East. "We are closely monitoring all US movements in the region, especially troop deployments. What the generals have broke, the soldiers can't fix; instead, they will fall victim to (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's delusions," said Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in an X post in English. "Do not test our resolve to defend our land."

Two hikers were rescued from Mount Flume on March 19, after icy trail conditions prompted a call for help. They were stuck near the top of the Flume Slide in Lincoln, and told authorities they could not safely descend from their location. Mount Flume, elevation 4,328 feet, is located east of Interstate 93 and southwest of Franconia Notch State Park. Mike Carmon from the Mount Washington Observatory warns of “tricky water crossings” in the backcountry in his latest recreational forecast. The week’s varying wet and warm weather patterns prompted the rescheduling of the Tuckerman Inferno race on Mount Washington.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), approximately 3,864 hectares of paddy fields have been damaged, with the worst impact reported in the haor regions. The storm struck in two phases-during the afternoon and again at night on March 24-affecting key haor upazilas such as Itna, Mithamoin, Ashtagram, and Nikli. Mithamoin upazila suffered the highest loss, with around 2,500 hectares of paddy fields damaged. Itna reported 986 hectares affected, followed by Ashtagram 140 hectares, Nikli 100 hectares, Pakundia 120 hectares, Hossainpur 10 hectares, Kuliarchar 6 hectares, and Bhairab 2 hectares of land. DAE Deputy Director Dr. Sadiqur Rahman said that the hailstorm caused the most severe damage to Boro paddy, particularly in the haor areas.

Glenn “Red” Wilson and his wife, Frieda, were selling their home at Forest Grove and moving to Arizona. While waiting for the usual rigmarole associated with closing, I asked Red to give me a tour of the place. Glenn Wilson (1916-2004) was born in Owsley County and grew up on Cow Creek, about two miles outside Booneville (population 150). Glenn Wilson of Berea, one of the busiest men ever to tread the Transy boards. And he did, as he said, “Thanks to my terrific night vision.”The Navy moved Red to another carrier-based plane, the PBM Mariner, a seaplane that could stay in the air for eleven hours.