Photo: BSSDHAKA, March 24, 2026 (BSS) - Dhaka University Mime Action (DUMA) President Ubaidullah Ridwan has been invited to perform mime in Warsaw, Poland, on the occasion of Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day on March 26. The performance is expected to showcase Bangladesh’s rich artistic heritage on an international stage and serve as a symbol of cultural exchange between Bangladesh and Europe. The mime performance of artists will add significant cultural value to the event and help strengthen artistic and people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and Poland. DUMA has long been recognised for promoting mime as a powerful medium of artistic expression in Bangladesh, addressing themes such as human rights, social justice and public awareness through its performances. Through this landmark appearance, the organisation aims to highlight the spirit of Bangladesh’s independence and its cultural legacy before a global audience.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma met with Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. The issues were discussed when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma paid a courtesy call on Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. M. A. Muhith and senior officials of the ministry were also present during the meeting. They also discussed enhancing cooperation in public healthcare, including exchanges in medical research, advanced treatment, cancer care and traditional medicine. The two sides emphasized the importance of people-centric initiatives to ensure affordable and accessible healthcare services for the populations of both countries.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon held a meeting today with officials and employees of the Education Ministry following Eid. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, March 24, 2026 (BSS) - Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today announced a special 180-day priority programme with the aim of modernizing and ensuring inclusive development of the education sector. Senior officials from the Secondary and Higher Education Division, the Technical and Madrasah Education Division, and the Primary and Mass Education Division were present at the meeting. Emphasizing swift implementation of electoral commitments, Milon said initiatives such as “One Teacher, One Tab,” multimedia classrooms, compulsory third-language education, technical education for all, and the “One Child, One Tree” programme would be implemented to ensure modernization and inclusive development of education. The meeting decided to distribute free school uniforms and shoes to more than 200,000 students across every upazila within the next 180 days.

Photo: BCGDHAKA, March 24, 2026 (BSS) - Members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard seized approximately half a ton of shrimp renu estimated to be worth around Taka 4.5 crore, during a drive in Munshiganj on today. Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan confirmed the matter in the afternoon. According to the Coast Guard, acting on a tip-off, a team from the Coast Guard conducted a drive from 6:00 am to 11:00 am in the areas adjacent to the Padma Bridge toll plaza under Padma North Police Station. Upon searching the vehicle, they recovered a large quantity of illegal shrimp renu weighing about half a ton, with an estimated market value of Taka 4 crore 57 lakh 50 thousand. Lieutenant Commander Sujan said that such operation will continue in the future as part of efforts to protect fisheries resources and prevent illegal transportation.

The National Memorial -File photoDHAKA, March 24, 2026 (BSS) - The government has taken various programmes across the country to celebrate the Great Independence and National Day in a befitting manner. Later, members of the Bir Shrestha family, war-wounded brave freedom fighters and valiant freedom fighters will place wreaths. The President will host a reception for the families of Bir Shrestha and the living freedom fighters, who received gallantry awards, at Bangabhaban. Reception programmes for heroic freedom fighters will also be organised at the district and upazila levels. Television channels and radio stations, including Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar, will broadcast programmes highlighting the glorious history of the Liberation War.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today presided over a special meeting on “Reducing Traffic Congestion in Dhaka City and Modernizing Traffic Management”, held at the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo: PMODHAKA, March 24, 2026 (BSS) - The government has taken a comprehensive initiative to reform and modernize the traffic management system in a bid to reduce nagging traffic congestion in the capital. The decision came today at a special meeting on “Reducing Traffic Congestion in Dhaka City and Modernizing Traffic Management” held at the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting, said Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman. At the meeting, several important decisions were taken to address the city traffic congestion and modernize the traffic system.

In the lead-up to the Iraq war, domestic dissent was marginalized: conflated with support for Hussein, or an unpatriotic lack of support for the troops. Consent for the Iraq invasion was successfully manufactured so that, in 2003, 72% of Americans supported the war. For some Trump voters, the Iran war came as an unwelcome surprise, likely because Trump likes to tell voters he’s anti-war. So, if this is your first forever war and you’re upset and overwhelmed, welcome. If you are an older reader who knew the Iraq war was a mistake before anyone else did; or even if you supported the Iraq war and have come to regret it, welcome.

I watched as photographers lined the edge of the stage with cameras in hand, preparing to capture the performances ahead. Organized by the Pan-African Students Association at Cornell University, the AFRIK Fashion Show was clearly something more, something I could sense the second I walked through the doors. Black curtains framed the runway while rows of warm gold and cool blue lights washed the stage in color. There was an array of dance performances throughout the night, adding multiple unique levels of energy to the show. For one night, Barton Hall became a beacon of creativity and collaboration, leaving an unforgettable impression that honored both the performers and the audience who brought AFRIK 2026 to life.

District administration, Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC), district BNP and its affiliated bodies, educational institutions, socio-cultural and professional organizations have completed preparations to celebrate the day in a colourful manner. With the sunrise, the national flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government, private buildings, educational institutions and other establishments. Family members of freedom fighters, martyred and injured freedom fighters will be accorded receptions at the District Shilpokola Academy Auditorium at 11:00 am on that day. In addition, Rangpur Kendra of Bangladesh Betar will air special programmes and local dailies and online portals will publish special supplements highlighting the importance of the day. The district and metropolitan units of BNP and its affiliates, freedom fighters, different political parties and organisations, Begum Rokeya University and other educational institutions have taken daylong programmes marking the day.

Photo: BSSKHULNA, Mar 24, 2026 (BSS) - Forest guards have foiled an attempt by poachers to hunt deer in the Sundarbans, rescuing a trapped stag and seizing a large number of snares. The incident took place on Monday afternoon in the Alorkol forest area of Dubla under the Sharankhola Range of the Sundarbans East Forest Division. During the drive, the team found a large antlered deer caught in one of the traps. Officials said the seized snares were set up by poachers to illegally capture deer, and if not detected in time, more wildlife could have fallen victim. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sundarbans East Forest Division, Bagerhat, Md.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attends office at secretariat after Eid holidays. Photo: PMODHAKA, March 24, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today performed his official duties at his Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here on the first working day after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. The premier reached at his office at 9:01 am after leaving his Gulshan residence at 8:40 am, said Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman. After entering his office, Tarique Rahman first exchanged Eid greetings with officers and employees. Later, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department (APD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Krishna Srinivasan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Division.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Photo: CollectedMANILA, March 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos declared a state of "national energy emergency" on Tuesday, citing risks to the domestic fuel supply and energy stability created by the Middle East war. "A state of national energy emergency is hereby declared in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and the resulting imminent danger posed upon the availability and stability of the country's energy supply," he said in the executive order.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired a meeting on 'Reducing traffic congestion in the capital city and modernizing traffic management systems'. Photo: PMODHAKA, March 24, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired a meeting on 'Reducing traffic congestion in the capital city and modernizing traffic management systems'. The meeting was held at the premier's Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here this noon, said Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.

The first meeting of the Special Committee formed by the Jatiya Sangsad was held today at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Photo: JSDHAKA, March 24, 2026 (BSS) – The first meeting of the Special Committee formed by the Jatiya Sangsad was held today at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the city. Abdul Bari, MP; Muhammad Nowakshi Jamir, MP; State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, MP; Md. It was also resolved that the committee would continue reviewing and discussing the remaining ordinances in its next meeting. Senior officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat and the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, among others, were also present during the meeting.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood. File photoDHAKA, March 24, 2026(BSS)-Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood today said that there is sufficient fuel oil in stocks and there will be no crisis of fuel oil. He also said there is no decision to increase the price of fuel oil right now. The minister made the remarks while talking to reporters at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat here this morning.