Trump says US-UK relationship 'not like it used to be'LONDON, March 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump said the historical relationship between the United States and Britain is "not like it used to be", amid a diplomatic bust-up over US-Israeli strikes on Iran. But the episode angered Trump, who told British daily newspaper The Sun: "This was the most solid relationship of all. Starmer has cultivated a warm relationship with the unpredictable Trump, who was given an unprecedented second state visit to Britain last year. The so-called special relationship between the World War II allies is largely built on long-standing defence cooperation and intelligence sharing. "That is reflected in decades of that special relationship, whether it's on national security on trade, or beyond," the spokesman said.

However, they must present valid ID cards to avail of the discount,” he told journalists after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat. The minister said as Eid is approaching, efforts are being made to introduce the facility before Eid. He said anyone aged over 65 will receive a 25 percent discount upon showing their ID card. Regarding the upcoming Eid, the minister said efforts are being made to use 85 to 86 locomotives to ensure quality travel for passengers. The minister said the government has taken sufficient initiatives to ensure smooth Eid travel, addressing traffic congestion on roads and pressure on waterways.

Photo: CollectedMUSCAT, Oman, March 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Drones targeted an Omani port on Tuesday, hitting a fuel tank, state media said, as Iran presses its campaign against the Gulf in response to US and Israeli strikes. "A security source reported that fuel tanks at the commercial port of Duqm were targeted by a number of drones, one of which hit a fuel tank. The attack is the second on the port in three days, as Iran broadens its targets in the Gulf. On Sunday a worker was injured when two drones struck the same port. One hit accommodation for workers, while debris from the other landed near fuel tanks, the Oman News Agency said.

The government has canceled the appointment of Faruk Ahmed as managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the company responsible for operating the metro rail. According to a notification issued Monday by the MRT branch of the Road Transport and Highways Division under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, the remaining tenure of his appointment has been revoked. “This order, issued in the public interest, will take effect immediately,” it added. Earlier, on February 19, 2025, during the tenure of the interim government, engineer Faruk Ahmed was appointed as the DMTCL MD, the company tasked with the construction and operation of the metro rail. During his 37-year career, Faruk Ahmed served for 25 years in various key positions related to metro rail construction and operation in countries including Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Macao, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

Reading time: about 4 minutesSpoiler warning: This article contains details from the plot of Tender is the Night. It is with her naïve perspective that F. Scott Fitzgerald crafts the divinely summer-soaked Tender is the Night. From this point on, Tender is the Night follows the ruin of the Divers’ relationships, and most especially of Dick Diver himself. Tender is the Night captures the gold-coated appeal of the wealthy as a romantic might be inclined to see it. I expect at this time next year, when the weather is frigid and summer is at its most appealing, I’ll be reading Tender is the Night again.

British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke met with Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman today. The commitment was made when the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman at the foreign ministry, said a ministry’s press release here. During the meeting, the Foreign Minister appreciated the UK for sending Seema Malhotra, Minister for the Indo-Pacific, to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new government. The High Commissioner assured that she would convey the Bangladeshi candidate’s credentials to the UK headquarters and that due consideration would be given to the candidature. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cooke said, “I've just come from a very good meeting with the honorable foreign minister.

LONDON, March 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - European stock markets slid further at the start of trading on Tuesday and the region's natural gas prices soared once more as the Iran war shook financial markets. Frankfurt's DAX index of top German companies shed 2.0 percent, the Paris CAC 40 lost 1.8 percent and London's FTSE 100 retreated by 1.4 percent in value. The Dutch TTF natural gas contract, considered the European benchmark, shot up more than 33 percent having rocketed almost 40 percent on Monday after Qatar halted liquefied natural gas production following Iranian attacks on state processing facilities.

DHAKA, March 3, 2026 (BSS)- Only two Bangladesh players-- Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain-- have secured spots in the final list for The Hundred Auction 2026, set to take place at Piccadilly Lights in central London on March 11 and 12. A total of 23 Bangladeshi players had registered for the draft, but apart from the duo, none made the shortlist. Left-arm pacer Mustafizur and leg-spinner Rishad, both of whom recently impressed in Australia's Big Bash League, are among more than 400 cricketers featured in the auction pool. Mustafizur has been placed in the highest base-price bracket among the Bangladeshi players at £100,000 (pound) while Rishad carries the second-highest reserve price of £75,000. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed last month that nearly 1,000 players from 18 countries registered for the 2026 auction.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh SAIDA Shinichi called on Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the Secretariat on Tuesday. Photo: MinistryDHAKA, March 3, 2026 (BSS) - Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has sought Japan's cooperation in reforming and restructuring Bangladesh Police to further strengthen law enforcement and public safety. He made the call during a courtesy meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh SAIDA Shinichi at the Secretariat's Home Ministry Office here today. The discussions covered a range of issues of mutual interest, including law and order, security cooperation, police modernization, traffic management, trade and investment. The envoy mentioned that the DMP's traffic safety project was completed last year and expressed Japan's interest in expanding cooperation with the police.

British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke met with Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman today. Photo: MoFaDHAKA, March 3, 2026 (BSS) – Britain looks forward to continuing to work closely together in the new chapter for Bangladesh, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said today after a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman. “I've just come from a very good meeting with the honorable foreign minister. “We had a very good discussion where we reaffirmed the strength and depth of the UK- Bangladesh partnership,” She added. The British envoy said the talks covered a wide range of priority areas.

DHAKA, Mar 03, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has fixed the price of a 12-kilogram (kg) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder at Tk 1,341. “From 6:00 pm on March 2, a 12 kg LPG cylinder will be sold at Tk 1,341 at the retail level across the country,” said a BERC announcement. BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed announced the new price, saying that all licensed LPG marketing companies must implement it. As per the BERC decision, 12.5 kg LPG has been refixed at Tk 1,397 at retailer level, 15 kg at Tk 1,676, 16 kg at Tk 1,788, 18 kg at Tk 2,011, 20 kg at Tk 2,235, 22 kg at Tk 2,458, 25 kg at Tk 2,794, 30 kg at Tk 3,352, 33 kg at Tk 3,587, 35 kg at Tk 3,911 and 45 kg at Tk 5,028.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. File PhotoDHAKA, Mar 3, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the immediate removal of banners and billboards displayed across the capital congratulating him and featuring his photograph. Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said that the premier issued the directive to the concerned authorities today. He added that a few days ago, while passing through Bijoy Sarani, the premier saw his photograph displayed on an LED screen with congratulatory messages and ordered its immediate removal. Ruman said the Prime Minister today arrived at his Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat at 9:10 am.

US Ambassador Brent T. Christensen called on Minister Afroz Khanam at Secretariat today. Photo : BSSDHAKA, March 3, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh and the United States today discussed avenues for strengthening cooperation in aviation sector development during a courtesy call by US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen on Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroz Khanam. During the meeting, both sides underscored the importance of further deepening the longstanding bilateral relations between Dhaka and Washington. The Bangladesh side sought enhanced US cooperation in the modernization and capacity development of the country's aviation sector. Ambassador Christensen reaffirmed Washington's continued support and assured maximum cooperation with the present government in advancing shared priorities.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has faced major disruption to its flight schedule due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East and the resulting security risks in the region’s airspace. In light of the evolving situation, the national flag carrier has cancelled all flights on six important Middle Eastern routes . The cancelled routes include Dubai , Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates; Dammam in Saudi Arabia; Doha in Qatar ; and Kuwait. The airline stated that passengers will be informed about revised schedules of the cancelled flights depending on improvements in the situation. Amid the war situation and security risks in Middle Eastern airspace, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan temporarily closed their airspace from the afternoon of Saturday.

It is exceedingly rare for one country to deliberately and openly assassinate the leader of another sovereign state, even during armed conflict. A civilian leader or military targetA central issue highlighted by the Times is Khamenei’s dual role. Killing a foreign leader in peacetime, absent an imminent armed attack, would generally constitute an unlawful use of force under international law. Domestic legal questionsThe Times also examined whether the war itself was legally initiated under US law. The Times notes that targeting a sovereign head of state is categorically different from targeting a non-state militant leader.