Dr Titumir characterised ensuring energy security as a non-negotiable imperative for the nation at this critical juncture. To achieve this without compromising the broader economy, the administration is utilising a strategic borrowing framework designed to engage with global lenders and ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel oil, he added. This involves a disciplined tightening of fiscal outlays and trimming budgets in various other sectors to prioritise the continuous procurement of fuel oil, he added. Dr Titumir explained that this internal restructuring is essential to ensure that the energy sector remains stable while the government manages its broader financial obligations. Dr Titumir emphasised a definitive shift toward the depoliticisation of social safety nets, asserting that state assistance must reach the most vulnerable citizens without partisan interference.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has advised residents leaving the capital for Eid not to leave cash, gold jewellery or important documents unattended at home, and instead to keep them with relatives or at a police station if necessary. The DMP has taken “adequate security measures” so city residents can celebrate Eid “safely and without worry”, according to him. Addressing residents, Sarwar said: “Do not leave cash, gold ornaments or important documents in an unprotected condition. Alongside uniformed police, detective police will also be deployed to prevent passenger harassment and overcharging of fares, he said. He added that DMP magistrates, with support from the traffic division, were conducting mobile court drives to prevent unfit vehicles from getting onto the roads.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Mar 15, 2026 (BSS) - Begum Laila Alam Int’l FIDE Rating Women’s Chess Tournament inaugurated at the hall-room of the Bangladesh Chess Federation here today. Veteran chess player Begum Laila Alam formally inaugurated the tournament as the chief guest. Bangladesh Chess Federation president Syed Sujauddin Ahmed presided over the opening ceremony. Haroon or Rashid and Bangladesh Chess Federation Ad-hoc committee member Aminul Islam were present. Interested participants were requested to enrol their names at Bangladesh Chess Federation office by March 24 along with an entry fee of Taka 200.

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The updated policy seeks to streamline the growing credit card market while ensuring a secure and efficient digital payment ecosystem. The central bank has introduced a substantial increase in credit card limits to accommodate the rising demand for digital payments as a primary alternative to carrying cash. These adjustments are part of the revised guidelines intended to provide greater financial flexibility to cardholders and support the national transition toward a cashless economy. The central bank also updated its previous policies to accommodate the rapid expansion of credit card usage and the integration of ever-new features in the banking sector. The revised guidelines provide an exhaustive operational scope covering the entire lifecycle of credit card services.

Trump says US not ready to agree deal to end Iran warWASHINGTON, United States, March 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Donald Trump warned that he is not ready to seek a deal to end the war with Iran, as US ally Israel launched a new wave of strikes Sunday and Tehran's Revolutionary Guards threatened to hunt down and kill the Israeli leader. But Trump dismissed this and suggested his foe might not even be in control, saying: "I don't know if he's even alive. Late Saturday, authorities in Dubai also said air defences had made further interceptions after Iran's military warned UAE civilians to avoid port areas. More than 1,200 people have been killed by US and Israeli strikes, according to Iranian health ministry figures that could not be independently verified. The Pentagon says more than 15,000 targets in Iran have been hit by US and Israeli forces.

JERUSALEM, March 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Israel has approved an $827-million emergency budget allocation for military purchases, Israeli media reported Sunday, as the war with Iran entered its third week. The 2.6-billion-shekel package was approved over the weekend by cabinet ministers during a telephone meeting, the daily Haaretz reported. It will be used for "security purchases" and to address "urgent needs", it said, without providing further details. Since the Israeli-US bombardments against Iran that began on February 28, Israel has been targeted daily by Iranian ballistic missile fire, which the military has mostly intercepted using its missile defence systems. According to Haaretz, citing security officials, 250 ballistic missiles had been fired by Iran at Israel as of March 13.

LONDON, March 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A British minister on Sunday said it was essential to calm the situation in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump demanded that other nations help protect world oil supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The "plan now has to be to de-escalate the conflict", Energy Security Minister Ed Miliband told the BBC. A spokesperson for the defence ministry said late on Saturday: "As we've said previously, we are currently discussing with our allies and partners a range of options to ensure the security of shipping in the region."

Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir today inspected of the Khatunganj wholesale market in Chattogram. Photo: PIDCHATTOGRAM, March 15, 2026 (BSS) – Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir today announced the formation of a Fact-Finding Committee to investigate the unacceptable price gap between wholesale and retail markets. He said the Ministry of Commerce will establish the Fact-Finding Committee to identify the actual causes behind the irrational price differences often observed between the wholesale and retail levels. In many cases, Muktadir stated, an unacceptable price difference is observed between wholesale and retail. Reflecting on the principles of a free-market economy, Muktadir described traders as the driving force of the economy.

BEIJING, March 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Officials from China and the United States met for trade talks in Paris on Sunday, China's state news agency Xinhua said. China's state broadcaster CCTV said the talks were being held at the OECD headquarters in Paris. China and the United States fought a bruising trade war for much of 2025, with reciprocal tariffs reaching triple digits at one point and export restrictions threatening to wreck global supply chains for critical minerals. The Paris gathering, which is due to last two days, is seen as setting the stage for Trump's expected visit to China later this month. Washington has said Trump will visit China from March 31 to April 2, although Beijing has yet to confirm those dates in line with its usual practice.

South Africa tear through New Zealand to win first T20MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand, March 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A new-look South Africa scythed through New Zealand's batting lineup to comfortably win Sunday's first Twenty20 international by seven wickets, with 20 balls to spare. South Africa eased to 93-3 in response, with opener Connor Esterhuizen's unbeaten 45 off 48 balls ensuring they would claim early honours in the five-match series. Fellow pacemen Gerald Coetzee and Ottneil Baartman took two wickets each for South Africa. The match came a week after New Zealand were beaten by India in the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad. South Africa's last match was their World Cup semi-final defeat to New Zealand.

JERUSALEM, March 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Palestinian health ministry said Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian husband and wife and their two young children in the north of the occupied West Bank on Sunday. The Israeli military said it was looking into reports of the incident in response to AFP's request for comment. The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry said in a statement that "four martyrs from one family arrived at the Turkish Public Hospital in Tubas after the occupation army shot at them in Tammun". Israel's military launched an operation in November against Palestinian armed groups in the north of the West Bank, including areas around Tubas. Official Israeli figures say that 45 Israelis, including both soldiers and civilians, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today chaired a meeting on the ‘Farmer Card’ programme held at the Parliament Secretariat. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Mar 15, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will formally inaugurate the Farmer Card distribution programme on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh. The decision was taken at a meeting on the Farmer Card initiative held today, according to Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman. He said the meeting was held in the morning at the Parliament Secretariat with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. The introduction of the Farmer Card to assist farmers across the country was included in the election manifesto of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

PM gives Tk 5,000 to each cleaner of city corporations as Eid giftPrime Minister Tarique Rahman handed over cheques to the mayor and administrators of different city corporations at his office in the Parliament Secretariat this afternoon. Photo: PMODHAKA, Mar 15, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has provided an Eid gift of Taka 5,000 to each cleaner of the country’s 12 city corporations ahead of the Eid al-Fitr. He handed over cheques to the mayor and administrators of different city corporations at his office in the Parliament Secretariat this afternoon. He said sanitation workers play a vital role in keeping the country’s cities clean and livable, and the prime minister has taken the initiative in recognition of their tireless service. Ruman expressed hope that the prime minister’s assistance would add to the joy of Eid for the families of the sanitation workers.