BEIRUT, Lebanon, March 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Overnight strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least four people, Lebanese state media and the government said on Sunday, as Israel said it was pressing its campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israel is fighting a second front in the war in the Middle East in southern Lebanon, against Hezbollah, alongside the air campaign against Iran it launched with the United States more than two weeks ago. To the southeast of Sidon, in the village of Al-Qatrani, three people were killed in an overnight Israeli strike, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Hezbollah said Sunday it was targeting several Israeli troop positions in villages close to the border. According to Lebanon's health ministry, Israeli air strikes have killed 826 people in Lebanon since the start of the latest war, which began March 2 with Hezbollah firing missiles at Israel.

Ukraine will work with any Hungarian leader who is 'not a Putin ally': ZelenskyKYIV, Ukraine, March 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukraine would be happy to work with any Hungarian leader who is not a tool of Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in comments released on Sunday. "We will work with any leadership in Hungary... We are ready to work amicably, provided this person is not an ally of Putin, specifically the aggressor state," the Ukrainian leader told journalists.

DHAKA, Mar 15, 2026 (BSS) - The Chattogram Custom House has initiated the process to auction some 378 containers of unclaimed and auctionable goods through an electronic auction (e-auction) system in March 2026 in a move to reduce container congestion at Chattogram Port. According to the Custom House, a total of 180 containers will be auctioned under E-Auction-2/2026 in 49 lots in line with Special Order No. Interested bidders have been allowed to physically inspect the goods throughout March, while online bidding facilities have also been made available. The highest bidders will be required to clear the goods in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Import Policy Order 2021–2024. Authorities said such auction initiatives will continue in order to keep Chattogram Port free from container congestion.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The Prime Minister will formally launch excavation of 53 canals across the country by initiating the excavation work of a canal at Kaharole upazila in Dinajpur district. Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibly today told BSS that the premier will visit Dinajpur district tomorrow to inaugurate the nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation programme. The government has taken the canal re-excavation programme as per the BNP's election promise. Arrangements will be made to use the canal water scientifically, so that agricultural production increases and the economic condition of the local people improves, he added.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. File PhotoDHAKA, March 15, 2026 (BSS) - Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed is set to visit Vienna to participate in the two-day Global Fraud Summit 2026, scheduled to be held on March 16-17. The summit will take place at the Vienna International Conference Center, where the Minister will lead a five-member Bangladesh delegation. In addition to attending the opening and plenary sessions, the Home Minister will participate as a panelist in the high-level roundtable discussion titled "Global Fraud Response Mechanism." On the sidelines of the summit, the Minister is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with John Brandolino and the UK Home Secretary Lord Hanson.

State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin. We’ll try to provide different allowances (under the social safety net) to the eligible people. She said the government has taken a decision to form the upazila-level committees to review and verify the beneficiary lists under different social safety programmes. She also mentioned that the various social safety net beneficiary lists prepared during the fascist regime would surely be scrutinized and thus they would go towards a solution. “We’re taking feedbacks so that we can go towards a solution after addressing the irregularities exist in the different social safety net allowances,” she added.

JERUSALEM, March 15, 2026 (AFP) - Israel's military said it began a broad wave of strikes on western Iran on Sunday, more than two weeks into the US-Israeli war against the Islamic republic. "A short while ago, the IDF began a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in western Iran," the army said in a statement.

Not exactly festive baggage, but it was the only thing she owned that was roomy enough for her clown paraphernalia. When Boza swept into a bow and said, “Boza the Clown, at your service,” the girl only nodded, swinging open the door. “I should check on him.”As she turned to go inside, Boza said, “Hey, um…what’s your name?”The girl pivoted. Boza remembered reading about that in The Rocky Mountain News, but she hadn’t connected it with her gig today. When I was young, I, um…I lost my mother, too.”Nodding, the girl again pressed her hand to her collarbone.

SunLit: Tell us the backstory behind this short story collection – what’s it about and what inspired you to write it? Plus, I love the short form, so it was a natural fit to keep writing and publishing stories as I began writing novels. All along, I was also writing short fiction. That being said, writing short fiction is a great exercise for novelists, because learning to write tightly helps you discipline yourself during the revision stage of novel writing. Today, the novel writing is going very well, with a clear focus about what I need to do.

PARIS, France, March 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - French voters went to the polls onSunday to pick mayors and councillors in elections widely seen as a barometerof France's political mood ahead of the high-stakes 2027 presidential race. While nearly 90 percent of the French communes are small rural constituencieswhere local elections are traditionally depoliticised, the races couldnonetheless reveal key trends and dynamics, said political scientist NonnaMayer. By contrast, Le Pen's far-rightNational Rally, the hard-left party of firebrand Jean?Luc Melenchon andMacron's centrists have struggled to establish a strong local footprint. Following a record low turnout during the last local elections, held underthe shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, analysts will closely scrutinise the2026 races for possible signs of voter fatigue. The week between the two rounds is expected to see political partiesnegotiating deals with rivals and joining forces against strong opponents.

TEHRAN, March 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iranian authorities have arrested at least 20 people in the country's northwest on suspicion of cooperating with Israel, local media reported on Sunday, more than two weeks into the Middle East war. The arrests took place during raids on networks linked to Israel in the West Azerbaijan province, the Fars news agency said, quoting provincial prosecutor Hossein Majidi. "Twenty people were arrested and detained" after they were found to be "sending details of military, law enforcement and security locations to the Zionist enemy", it added. Authorities have carried out sweeping raids across Iran, arresting in recent days hundreds of people suspected of cooperating with Israel and the United States, local media reported. The conflict began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sparking Iranian retaliation.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan said on Sunday itsforces had attacked military facilities in southern Afghanistan, as well as"terrorist hideouts", in the latest strikes between the two sides. Local residents in Kandahar told AFP they saw jet planes flying over the cityand heard explosions during the night. "Military planes flew over the mountain where there is a military facility,and an explosion followed," one said, adding flames could be seen. Islamabad launched a military operation against Afghanistan last month,targeting what it said were Islamist extremists following attacks inPakistan. The UN mission in Afghanistan said on Friday that at least 75 civilians havebeen killed and 193 injured in Afghanistan as a result of the clashes sinceFebruary 26.

Rajshahi Silk Factory showroom sells pure silk fabrics nationwide as Eid demand grows for traditional Rajshahi silk. Photo : BSSRAJSHAHI, Mar 15, 2026 (BSS) - Cloth made from silk yarn is now being sold at the Rajshahi Silk Factory's showroom. Fabrics are produced directly at the Rajshahi Silk Factory and sold through its own showroom. Within a few years, silk yarn production is expected to increase significantly, enabling the country to produce silk entirely from domestic yarn. The goal is to spread 100 percent silk products across the country and reestablish Rajshahi silk as a well-known national brand.

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DHAKA, Mar 15, 2026 (BSS) - The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has decided to lift all restrictions, including rationing, imposed on the sale of fuel oil. Therefore, the government has decided to lift all restrictions, including rationing, on the distribution of fuel oil to ensure smooth Eid journey of home-goers and considering the demand of farmers' demand during the Boro season, the press release said. Until further orders, fuel oil distribution will continue from today at all distribution points as per demand. The rationing system was introduced on the sale of fuel oil on March 6. Later, the limit for selling oil on motorbikes for ridesharing drivers was increased from two litres to five litres.