ALMATY, Kazakhstan, March 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Kazakhs will cast ballots on Sunday in a constitutional referendum that authorities brand as democratising -- though several proposed amendments appear to strengthen presidential powers in Central Asia's richest country. After the 2022 protests over the cost of living that escalated into riots and left 238 people dead, the president pledged to liberalise the political system to build a "just Kazakhstan". The positions currently require approval from the Senate, the parliament's upper chamber, which would be abolished under the amendments. The sweeping constitutional overhaul was proposed just a month ago and then rushed through a hasty two-week campaign that saw little criticism. International observers say that elections in Kazakhstan are often predictable and tend to ratify decisions taken by the leadership, as across much of post-Soviet Central Asia.

ivy madness 2026.3.jpgMarch 14, 2026 | 8:47pm EDTJake Fiegen '26 and Kasper Sepp '27 attempt to block Yale from scoring.

Cloudy skies will become mostly sunny in the afternoon. SSW winds shifting to NW at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph..TonightPartly cloudy and windy. Winds N at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.

After ten minutes, both teams scored a combined 56 points, with Yale consistently only up by one or two baskets. Junior guard Jacob Beccles was the notable standout player for the Red, scoring ten points just minutes into the game. When the horn blared in Newman, Yale entered their locker room holding a 7-point lead, with the overall score reading 49-42. For the Red, this is the third consecutive year that Yale has knocked the team out of the Ivy Madness tournament. Head coach Jon Jaques ’10 credited Yale for their preparation for the Red’s usual style of defense.

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Joy Like Spotting the Eid Moon When a Fuel Truck Arrives Staff Correspondent, Dhaka (Saturday, March 14, 2026)“Fuel has arrived, fuel has arrived!” people shouted in excitement. After a long wait, the prospect of finally getting fuel brought visible relief and joy to everyone present. After hours of waiting at the Saudan Filling Station in the capital, a fuel tanker finally arrived—one carrying octane and another carrying petrol. A shortage of fuel supply at filling stations across the country, including the capital, still persists. Visits to several filling stations across the capital revealed varying situations—some stations have no fuel at all, while others have limited supply.

Gas Supply to National Grid Begins from Srikail–5 Well Staff Correspondent, Dhaka (Saturday, March 14, 2026)Gas supply to the national grid from the Srikail–5 well has begun, with an average of around 8 million cubic feet of gas being supplied daily. On Saturday, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit inaugurated the supply of gas discovered from the Srikail–5 appraisal and development well to the national grid. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the state minister said that a target has been set to supply 82 million cubic feet of gas to the national grid in line with future plans. He noted that the ongoing instability in the Middle East has put the global energy supply system under pressure. In such a situation, the addition of new gas from the country’s own gas fields to the national grid is encouraging and positive.

Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu inaugurating a cleanliness campaign at Gangpara Canal near Baya Bridge in Paba upazila of the district. Photo: BSSRAJSHAHI, Mar 14, 2026 (BSS) - Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu today urged everyone to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to protect themselves from dengue and chikungunya. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced a nationwide regular cleanliness campaign or "Cleanliness Drive" every Saturday starting today to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. He made the remarks while inaugurating a cleanliness campaign at Gangpara Canal near Baya Bridge in Paba upazila of the district. Minu said Aedes mosquitoes usually breed in clean stagnant water on rooftops, flower pots and other places.

SYDNEY, March 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Coach Nils Nielsen said Saturday Japan have the tools to take apart the Philippines in their Women's Asian Cup quarter-final as the ominous two-time champions bid to keep a fourth straight clean-sheet. The highest-ranked team in the competition and the only Asian side to win the World Cup, Japan have been clinical so far with three wins from three games in the group phase. "The Philippines are a very hard-working, disciplined and interesting side to watch, and it's going to be a challenge for us," said Greenland's Nielsen, the first foreign-born coach of the Japan women's team. For the Philippines' Australian coach Mark Torcaso, reaching the final eight is an achievement in itself. The winner will bank automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil and line-up a semi-final against either South Korea or Uzbekistan.

Photo: BSSCUMILLA, March 14, 2026 (BSS) - Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid today said people of the country now expect a well-governed and prosperous Bangladesh after a long struggle and movement that created an opportunity for real change. The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman remains highly cautious in making appointments and assigning responsibilities. "The Prime Minister always says he wants honesty, because 180 million people of Bangladesh expect honest leadership," he added. Amin Ur Rashid said honest, skilled and far-sighted leadership is essential for running the country as well as for administrative responsibilities in any region. Referring to the newly appointed administrator of Cumilla City Corporation Yusuf Molla Tipu, the minister said it is a matter of pride that he was born in Cumilla.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. File PhotoDHAKA, March 14, 2026 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman left Dhaka this morning for the United States to attend a series of engagements in support of Bangladesh's campaign for the Presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). On his way to New York, the foreign minister will make a brief stopover in Türkiye, where he is scheduled to hold several meetings and engagements as part of Bangladesh's diplomatic outreach for the UNGA presidency bid, a foreign ministry official told BSS. During the visit, Dr Rahman is expected to meet diplomats and other stakeholders to strengthen support for Bangladesh's candidature.

DHAKA, March 14, 2026 (BSS) - Pakistan player Salman Ali Agha has been handed an official reprimand for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Friday. In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Salman's disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period. The incident occurred in the 39th over of Pakistan's innings when, after being run out, Salman threw his batting gloves and helmet to the ground in an inappropriate manner. Salman admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Neeyamur Rashid Rahul of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Tanvir Ahmed, third umpire Kumar Dharmasena and fourth umpire Masudur Rahman Mukul levelled the charge.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman today met with Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The meeting took place at the office of Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman. Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kabir was also present, said foreign ministry's press release here. The Turkish foreign minister expressed unequivocal support for Bangladesh's candidature for the Presidency of the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Bangladesh foreign minister highlighted the importance of increasing Turkish foreign investment in Bangladesh and underscored the potential for expanding the export of skilled human resources from Bangladesh to Turkiye.

DHAKA, March 14, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Volleyball Federation (BVF) today accorded a reception to the Bangladesh women's volleyball team in recognition of their outstanding performance in the CAVA Cup for Women's International Volleyball Competition held in December last year in Maldives. The reception ceremony was held at the Shaheed Noor Hossain National Volleyball Stadium with BVF president Farque Khan in the chair. The Bangladesh women's team secured the bronze medal in the tournament, which is regarded as the country's best-ever achievement in women's volleyball at an international competition. BVF General Secretary Bimol Ghosh Bhulu delivered the welcome speech at the ceremony. Following the ceremony, members of the Bangladesh women's volleyball team were presented with honorary crests in recognition of their achievement.

DUBAI, March 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A building in Dubai's financial district was hit by debris from an intercepted attack Friday, witnesses and an AFP journalist saw, days after firms evacuated the area as Iran threatened US and Israeli-linked economic targets. On Wednesday, US banking giant Citi, consultancies Deloitte and PwC, as well as other firms closed their offices or told employees to leave, mainly in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), sources told AFP. Iran's threats sparked concern at the heart of the Middle East's top financial hub, home to international companies and multi-billion dollar businesses. An AFP correspondent also saw the damaged building in DIFC after hearing the bangs. "I jumped out of bed -- that was the loudest sound I've ever heard," one of the witnesses living close by told AFP, requesting anonymity.