State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M A Muhit. During the inspection, he reviewed the healthcare services across various units—from the emergency department to indoor wards—and spoke with on-duty doctors, nurses, and other concerned staff. While inspecting, the state minister inquired about the presence of the doctors and found one of the four assigned physicians absent. Muhit exchanged Eid greetings with doctors and healthcare workers serving during the holidays and expressed gratitude for their dedication. The state minister instructed the concerned authorities to ensure timely and quality healthcare services for people at the grassroots level.

Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman spoke today as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Journalism of Previous Period and Current Time” held at a hotel in Bogura. Photo: BSSBOGURA, March 23, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman today called upon the journalists to maintain professionalism to keep the dignity and reputation of the noble profession. He made this remark as the chief guest at a discussion on “Journalism of previous period and current time” organized to enhance the professional skills of young journalists at a hotel in the district town. Ruman said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, a distinguished son of Bogura, has always been committed to the development of the district. Around 50 young journalists from the new generation participated in the event.

MARSEILLE, France, March 23, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Olivier Giroud came off the bench for Lille to condemn Marseille to a 2-1 home defeat on Sunday as fellow European contenders Lyon's woes continued with another defeat. Ethan Nwaneri's first-half goal seemed to have put Marseille on course for a third straight win in the league as they look to consolidate the third and final Champions League spot. But Belgian right-back Thomas Meunier struck back for seventh-placed Lille in the 49th minute to level matters at the Stade Velodrome. Former Arsenal and France striker Giroud then netted his sixth goal of the season to send Lille in front inside the final five minutes. The 39-year-old substitute headed in Meunier's cross to complete the comeback for fifth-placed Lille and move them to within two points of their opponents.

One held with marijuana in BagerhatMembers of RAB-6 arrested a person along with a large quantity of drugs in Kachua upazila. Photo: BSSBagerhat, March 23, 2026 (BSS) – Members of RAB-6 arrested a person along with a large quantity of drugs in Kachua upazila here. Acting on a tip-off, a team of RAB-6 conducted a drive on Sunday night and intercepted a pickup truck carrying 66 kg of marijuana. The elite force challenged the vehicle and, after searching it, seized the contraband items. The arrestee was identified as Manjarul, 35, who was travelling in the vehicle.

PARIS, France, March 23, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - France's two top cities look set to remain under leftist control after mayoral elections on Sunday, exit polls suggest, with the Socialists extending their quarter-century rule in Paris and the far right losing in Marseille. The far right sees its best chance yet at seizing power in 2027, but did not look set for an emphatic showing in the local polls. He pledged to stand up to the right and far right in the run-up to the 2027 polls. An ally of the far right, Eric Ciotti, won in the southern city of Nice, France's fifth largest. An RN mayor was re-elected last Sunday in the southern city of Perpignan, which has 120,000 inhabitants.

DHAKA, March 23, 2026 (BSS) – The government has issued directives to properly follow the National Flag Rules enacted in 1972 (amended in 2010) as it is the duty of every citizen to follow the guidelines for the proper use of the national flag. An official handout issued today said hoisting of the national flag is mandatory on the Great Independence and National Day as well as on other days designated by the government. According to constitution, the national flag shall consist of a red circle on a green background. The flag rules further specify that the color of the flag shall be dark green with a red circle in the middle. No other flag or colored flag may be flown above the national flag of Bangladesh.

LONDON, March 23, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday he welcomed reported talks between the United States and Iran over the war in the Middle East. "I welcome the talks reported between the US and Iran," Starmer told a parliamentary committee, adding the UK was "aware" discussions were happening. He talked late Sunday by telephone with US President Donald Trump, according to Downing Street. Trump has said there are "major points of agreement" between the two sides, but Iran has denied that the talks are taking place.

However they later pulled back to trade down around eight percent as Iran denied negotiations had taken place. "We need to wait for more clarity," UBS commodities analyst Giovanni Staunovo told AFP, as European gas prices declined four percent. Asian and European stock markets had kicked off the new week with sharp losses. However following Asia's close and Trump's update, European equities rallied. Observers have raised the prospect of surging inflation as oil prices remain far above pre-war levels despite Monday's plunge.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. File PhotoDHAKA, March 23, 2026 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain has ordered the sealing of Doctors Care Hospital and Diagnostic Center located in College Gate area of Shyamoli in the capital following allegations that surgeries were being conducted by fake doctors. The minister took the prompt decision after an unannounced inspection this afternoon, during which various irregularities were found. During the visit, the health minister inspected different sections of the hospital and spoke with admitted patients and their relatives.

DHAKA, March 23, 2026 (BSS) - The government has imposed a nationwide ban on illumination and decorative lighting on the nights of March 25 and 26. On the occasion of “Genocide Day 2026” on March 25, no illumination or decorative lighting will be permitted under any circumstances on government, semi-government, autonomous, or private buildings and installations. Besides, in light of the ongoing energy shortage and as part of austerity measures, decorative lighting will also remain prohibited across the country on March 26, marking the Great Independence and National Day. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told journalists after a preparatory meeting on the observance of the Great Independence and National Day held on March 8 at the Bangladesh Secretariat. According to an official handout, the directive was confirmed through a press release issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on March 8.

Trump tells AFP 'things are going very well' on IranWASHINGTON, United States, March 23, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump told AFP on Monday that "things are going very well" with Iran, shortly after announcing talks with Tehran and a five-day pause on targeting the Islamic republic's power plants. "Things are going very well," Trump said in brief comments by telephone to AFP when asked about Iran, following an earlier Truth Social post on the negotiations that immediately sent oil prices tumbling.

The normally quiet beach, which saw little activity during the month of Ramadan, has regained its peak vibrancy with the arrival of the Eid holiday rush. Tourism operators and business owners said number of visitors have surged sharply since the start of the Eid holidays, reviving businesses that remained largely dormant throughout Ramadan. Before Eid, tourism stakeholders had projected that nearly 1 to 1.1 million tourists could visit Cox's Bazar during the holiday period, generating business worth around Tk 100 crore. Authorities said their priority is to ensure that tourists can enjoy sea bathing and recreation without accidents or disruptions. Officials added that with sustained inflow of visitors, Cox's Bazar is likely to remain crowded throughout the Eid holidays, reaffirming its status as the country's premier tourism destination.

RAJSHAHI, March 23, 2026 (BSS)- Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested a drug dealer while carrying heroin, concealed inside his shoes and beneath the logo on his shirt collar. A total of 108 grams of heroin was recovered from his possession. The arrested individual was identified as Mamun Molla, 31, a resident of the South Masdair Ghosher Bagh area in Enayetpur under Narayanganj Sadar Police Station. A team from RAB-5, Rajshahi Sadar Company, set up a checkpoint in the Haripur Kalur Danga area under Damkura Police Station in Rajshahi Metropolitan on Sunday at around 3:45 pm, where he was detained. A case has been filed against him with Damkura Police Station under Rajshahi Metropolitan Police in this connection.

Former president Md Abdul Hamid's brother, freedom fighter Abdul Haque Nuru, has died at the age of 68. According to him, Abdul Haque was born on Nov 5, 1957 in Kamalpur village of Kishoreganj’s Mithamoin Upazila. A freedom fighter dedicated to improving the education and cultural sectors, he founded the Tamija Khatun Government Girls High School in memory of his mother. He also played a major role in establishing Mithamoin College, which was later renamed Freedom Fighter Abdul Haque Government College. Samad said Abdul Haque’s body would be kept at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka before being flown to Mithamoin at 12:30pm on Monday.

TEHRAN, March 23, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump said Monday the United States and Iran had held "very good" talks towards ending the three-week Middle East war, putting threatened US attacks on Iran's power plants on hold in a stunning about-turn. In Iran, media outlets quoted the foreign ministry denying any such talks and suggesting Trump was angling to bring down energy prices sent soaring by the war -- with no mention of his claim on state television's latest news bulletin. Oil prices have been driven above $100 a barrel by the conflict -- and they tumbled sharply after Trump's announcement, while and European stocks rebounded. Sign of the conflict's tentacular impact, the world's second economy China had said earlier Monday it was capping domestic fuel cost increases to mitigate the effect of surging oil prices. In Iran, at least 3,230 people have died in the war, including 1,406 civilians, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.