No traffic congestion so far, Eid journey to be comfortable: Road Transport MinisterShipping, Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam spoke to journalists after inaugurating the Goma Bridge under Bakerganj upazila in Barishal today. Photo: BSSBARISHAL, March 17, 2026 (BSS) - Shipping, Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam said no major traffic congestion has so far been reported as the people are traveling home for Eid, expressing hope that this year’s Eid journey will be comfortable for holidaymakers. The minister made the remarks while talking to the journalists after inaugurating the Goma Bridge under Bakerganj upazila here today at noon. State Minister for Railways and Road Transport Habibur Rashid, local MP Abul Hossain Khan and senior officials from the local administration were present at the inauguration ceremony. Speaking about the newly inaugurated bridge, the minister said that the 283-meter-long Goma Bridge would play a transformative role in improving connectivity and development in the region.

PARIS, France, March 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - When Israeli and US strikes killedAyatollah Ali Khamenei at the start of the Middle East war, Iran's securitychief Ali Larijani became even more powerful than he had been for decades. Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Larijani had beenkilled, though Iran's authorities have not confirmed his death. - Pragmatist -Adept at balancing ideological loyalty with pragmatic statecraft, Larijaniwas central prior to the war to Iran's nuclear policy and strategicdiplomacy. Larijani supported the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers whichunravelled three years later after US President Donald Trump withdrew fromthe agreement. Larijani repeatedly insisted negotiations with Washington should remainconfined to the nuclear file and defended uranium enrichment as Iran'ssovereign right.

MEHERPUR, March 17, 2026 (BSS) - Two children tragically drowned in a pond at Mailmari village under Gangni upazila of the district on Tuesday afternoon. The deceased were identified as Yusuf Ali, 4, son of Akash Ali, and Adib Hossain, 3, son of Abbas Ali, residents of the same area. According to local sources, the two children had been playing inside their homes before they wandered off unnoticed to a nearby pond. When family members realized they were missing, they began searching and eventually found the children in the pond. They were quickly rescued and taken to Gangni Upazila Health Complex.

TEHRAN, March 17, 2026 (AFP) - Israel said Tuesday it had killed Iran's powerful national security chief, Ali Larijani, in what would be a huge blow to the Islamic republic as fresh strikes rocked the Middle East from Tehran to Baghdad. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Larijani was "eliminated last night", although this has not been confirmed by Iran. Earlier Tuesday, Israel's military said Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, was killed Monday in a strike on Tehran. Hundreds of people have been killed and millions have been displaced because of the war, notably in Lebanon and Iran. In retaliation for the US-Israel attacks, Iran has targeted US interests, energy facilities and civilian infrastructure of its energy-rich neighbours.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired a meeting of the Farmer Card preparation cell at the Secretariat this afternoon. Photo: PMODhaka, March 17, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the much-anticipated ‘Farmer Card’ programme on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh from Tangail Sadar upazila on Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year (April 14). Through the card, farmers will be able to buy fertiliser, seeds, pesticides, and animal feed, he added. Officials concerned believe the proposed ‘Farmer Card’ will help establish a reliable identification system for farmers across the country. The Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to gear up the process to prepare the ‘Farmer Card’ to ensure modern and integrated services for farmers across the country.

I don’t know what to say. It will change from day to day, and that’s totally normal.”It isn’t rude to redirect people when they comment on our bodies or our abilities. Dear Eric: My recently married daughter has a husband and mother-in-law who seem out to disenfranchise me, and I don’t know what to do. At the wedding, the mother-in-law went around rearranging seating, even putting herself at my family table instead of her own. I have said to my daughter that I don’t know how to deal with all of this hateful behavior directed toward me.

Photo: BSSRAJSHAHI, March 17, 2026 (BSS)- On the occasion of the Holy Eid-ul-Fitr, financial assistance was distributed among the conservancy workers of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. At a function today at the Green Plaza of the Nagar Bhaban, the Administrator of Rajshahi City Corporation Mahfuzur Rahman Riton handed over the financial grants to 1,237 workers as the chief guest. This is the first time that conservancy workers of RCC have received Eid gifts from the Prime Minister. At the event, the RCC Administrator expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his family. He expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to the Prime Minister, noting that such support had never been provided to cleanliness workers before.

Lebanese state media says Israel struck three areas of BeirutBEIRUT, Lebanon, March 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Lebanese state media said Tuesday that Israel carried out dawn airstrikes on three Beirut neighbourhoods, hitting a residential building. "A series of raids and artillery shelling targeted southern towns at dawn," Lebanon's National News Agency reported. "Israeli warplanes carried out two airstrikes targeting the Kafaat and Haret Hreik areas. In another raid, the aircraft struck a residential apartment on the upper floors of a building located at the end of Venice Street in the Doha Aramoun area."

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KUALA LUMPUR, March 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Malaysia has been hit with 3-0 forfeits in two Asian Cup qualifiers for fielding ineligible players, theregional football body said Tuesday, ending the country's hopes of reaching the 2027 tournament. "The defendant fielded ineligible players in the relevant AFC Asian Cup 2027, (Qualifiers Final Round) matches," the Asian Football Confederation said.

LONDON, March 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Britain and Ukraine are set to sign a defence partnership aimed at addressing the threat of low-cost drones, Downing Street announced ahead of a visit from Ukraine's leader on Tuesday. "Drones, electronic warfare and rapid battlefield innovation are now central to national and economic security, and that has only been further magnified by the conflict in the Middle East," Starmer said in the statement. The deal would also provide 500,000 pounds ($670,000) to fund an "AI Centre of Excellence" to be integrated into the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to London on Tuesday comes after he expressed concerns that global attention on the Middle East conflict could overshadow Ukraine's war with Russia. Ukraine's European allies have vowed to keep up their support for Kyiv after Washington partly rolled back sanctions against Moscow to cool oil prices sent soaring by the Middle East war.