BEIJING, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - China's foreign minister told his British counterpart on Thursday that the two countries had a responsibility to maintain international peace and security, and renewed calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East. In a phone call, China's Wang Yi told British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper that their countries should "consistently take actions conducive to peace", according to a readout from Beijing's foreign ministry. They should work together to "prevent further damage to the international order and the erosion of the foundations of global peace", Wang told Cooper. US President Donald Trump has voiced disappointment with Prime Minister Keir Starmer over what he calls Britain's lack of support in the conflict. Beijing condemned on Thursday the killing of Iranian national security chief Ali Larijani by an Israeli air strike, calling it "unacceptable".

Reading time: about 4 minutesIn a world full of reclining, heated seats and IMAX premium screens, the Cinemapolis movie theater experience is anything but. Nestled in the heart of The Ithaca Commons, Cinemapolis feels less like a commercial multiplex and more like stepping into a warm, inviting home theater. Cinemapolis provides a space where a sense of community comes alive, brought together by a love of film. Cinemapolis isn’t just a place to sit and watch a movie, it's a space to connect and enter into Ithaca’s vibrant community. Even if you miss your heated, reclining seats and massive TV screen, this home-style, intimate Ithaca theater is something you won’t want to miss.

GENEVA, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The war in the Middle East poses a dire threat to global food security, the World Trade Organization chief warned on Thursday, appealing for global supply chains to remain open. The Middle East conflict "threatens global food security, since shipping disruptions and higher energy costs reduce the supply and raise the cost of fertiliser", Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told reporters in Geneva. "A prolonged interruption in supply could ripple through food systems, prompting farmers to reduce their use of fertilisers and plant less input-intensive crops," she said, insisting it was "essential to keep global food trade channels open and predictable, allowing food supplies to flow to where they are most needed".

GENEVA, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Middle East war could weigh heavily on already slowing global trade, the WTO warned Thursday, with merchandise trade volume potentially growing just 1.4 percent this year, compared to 4.6 percent in 2025. Since the start of the war, WTO economists have been working to revise their annual forecasts. In the first scenario, global merchandise trade volumes are projected to grow by 2.6 percent in 2027. WTO economists noted that there was also a possibility that merchandise trade growth could be stronger than expected if the war in the Middle East is short-lived and if AI-related trade remains strong. In that case, merchandise trade growth could reach 2.4 percent this year and 2.7 percent in 2027, the report said.

TEHRAN, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that Tehran will not excercise any restraint if energy facilities were attacked in the war with United States and Israel again. "Our response to Israel's attack on our infrastructure employed FRACTION of our power. The ONLY reason for restraint was respect for requested de-escalation," said Araghchi in a post on X. "ZERO restraint if our infrastructures are struck again."

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will offer Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the main congregation at the National Eidgah at 8:30am. “This year’s Eid congregation at the National Eidgah will be special. The President will offer prayers here and after a long time, both the President and the Prime Minister will join the same congregation,” he said. Main congregation at 8:30amBriefing reporters, Dhaka City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam said the main congregation will begin at 8:30am at the National Eidgah. “I am happy to say that the Prime Minister will offer prayers here.

PARIS, France, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Kylian Mbappe, who has only just returned to action after a knee injury, will lead the France squad into friendly matches this month against Brazil and Colombia in the United States. Coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday included the Real Madrid superstar in his squad for the games, after Mbappe appeared off the bench for his club in the Champions League win against Manchester City earlier this week. Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike and Manchester City's Rayan Cherki are among the other attacking players included by Deschamps, while goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier makes the squad despite losing his place at Paris Saint-Germain. The friendly matches are the last before Deschamps names his squad for the World Cup on May 13. Les Bleus are in Group I at the tournament with Senegal, Norway and a play-off winner whose identity will be determined this month.

Two people have died and another has been hospitalised after a fire broke out in a multi-storey building in Terry Bazar, Chattogram. Chattogram Medical College Hospital declared two people dead at 11:50 am on Thursday, according to Sub-Inspector Nurul Alam Asheq of the hospital’s police outpost. The dead were identified as Mohammad Yunus, 52, and Md Solaiman, 28, both from Patiya in Chattogram, bdnews24.com reports. Deputy Assistant Director of Fire Service Atish Chakma said seven shops on the fourth floor, including tailoring and clothing outlets, were burnt in the blaze. The multi-storey building houses garment shops, tailoring units, and clothing outlets across several floors.

Reading time: about 5 minutesIf your high school experience was anything like mine, then you remember the Euphoria obsession that had a chokehold on us all. While I do not really recall the release of season one, which came out in the summer of 2019, I definitely remember season two. It also marked the beginning of fruitful careers for many of the actors who soon rose in fame, especially for Sydney Sweeney following the second season. This season will center on the same beloved characters from seasons one and two, now long past high school. Sydney Sweeney and Hunter Schafer have achieved similar fame and growth in their acting careers.

Six allies ready to help 'efforts to ensure safe passage' through Hormuz StraitLONDON, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Six major international powers, including Britain, France, Germany and Japan, said Thursday they were ready "to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz". The situation has left around 20,000 seafarers stranded on approximately 3,200 vessels west of the strait, according to the International Maritime Organization. "We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping," it added. "Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. US President Donald Trump has urged other world powers, and NATO, to help reopen the Hormuz Strait to commercial shipping, but they have rebuffed his call in the short-term while insisting they were open to discussions and planning.

Rothstein finished with a score of 8.175 contributing to the total team score of 46.050, the lowest this whole season. Overall, all of our vaulters did a fantastic job.”The Red finished with a total score of 48.000 on vault. Once again, senior Cami Whitaker had the highest score of 9.775 with freshman Grace McLean following with a 9.625. Sophomore Sarah Goetter and junior captain Josie Moylan finished with the team’s highest scores with a 9.875 and a 9.825 respectively. Freshman Lauren Golioto obtained the second highest score with a 9.600.

"The moon of Holy Shawwal month of 1447 Hijri was not sighted in the sky of the country today. The holy Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Saturday," Religious Affairs Minister and National Moon SightingCommittee President Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) told reporters after the meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee. Earlier, a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee was held at the meeting room of Islamic Foundation at Baitul Mokarram National Mosque here this evening with Religious Affairs Minister and National Moon Sighting Committee President Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain in the chair. The main jamaat of the Eid-ul-Fitr will be held at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises here at 8.30am. Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek, will lead the prayers at the National Eidgah.

Legal action will be taken against those creating artificial fuel shortages during Eid: DipenChittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan warns action against artificial fuel shortages ahead of Eid travel rush. Photo : BSSRANGAMATI, March 19, 2026 (BSS) - Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan today said legal action will be taken against those responsible for creating artificial fuel shortages during Eid. He said this after visiting various petrol pumps in Rangamati to ensure smooth travel for homebound people and to review the fuel supply situation ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr. He urged passengers and transport drivers to immediately report any problems to the helpline 16107 or the police control room. He called upon passengers to quickly file complaints if they are charged more than the fixed fares at any terminal.

But he warned the United States would "blow up" the Iranian gas field itself if Tehran did not stop attacking Qatar. Strikes were also reported Thursday on energy infrastructure in Kuwait, where two oil refineries were hit by drones, and Saudi Arabia. "Targeting energy infrastructure poses a direct threat to global energy security," the UAE foreign ministry said. - 'War of attrition' -In the Iranian capital on Thursday, there was little to suggest a country mired in war. In a post on social media, Trump late Wednesday said Israel had "violently lashed out" in "anger" in attacking the Iran gas hub.

WASHINGTON, United States, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The FBI was investigating allegations of leaking classified information against an ex-senior US counterterrorism official who quit in protest of the Iran war, US media reported Wednesday. In an interview with right-wing broadcaster Tucker Carlson posted late Wednesday, 45-year-old Kent doubled down on his view that Iran was not an imminent threat to the United States. He said Israel "drove the decision" to go to war, with the United States knowing that the Iranians would retaliate. On Tuesday, the Republican president accused Kent of being "very weak on security" and said it's a "good thing that he's out." "As President Trump has clearly and explicitly stated, he had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first," Leavitt said.