The price of Brent crude, the benchmark international oil contract, dipped below $100 during the day, sending equities briefly higher. But stocks slid back into the red as Brent climbed back above the $100 mark. "Crude oil is continuing to dictate direction for markets as we head towards the end of a volatile week," said Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst with Forex.com. "Traders are trying to figure out what a fair value for crude oil is right now, given the big release of emergency oil reserves, and the temporary relaxation of sanctions on Russian oil sales that's already at sea," he said. This is still higher than the Fed's two-percent inflation target, and reflects a period before energy prices shot higher.

Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon. File PhotoDHAKA, March 14, 2026 (BSS) - Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today said the government has taken a zero-tolerance policy to prevent question paper leaks and adoption of unfair means in the upcoming Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations. Referring to exams security, Milon said conducting the examinations in a cheating-free environment remains a major challenge. The education minister also hinted at the possibility of introducing a unified question paper system for students across the country instead of separate sets. If major competitive examinations worldwide can be held with uniform question papers, it is also possible in our country.

WASHINGTON, United States, March 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The US government on Friday authorized imports of fertilizer from Venezuela, whose leader it deposed in January, as the US-Israel war against Iran drives up prices of the key agricultural commodity. In addition to oil and gas, the licenses now include trade in fertilizers, including urea and phosphates. With production in the Gulf countries at a standstill and gas prices rising, the war is disrupting the supply of fertilizers and posing risks to global food security. A third of all fertilizer shipped by sea comes from the Gulf region and cannot make it to the global market as Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. That has sent global prices soaring, with the UN expressing concern in particular about the impact on developing countries.

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, March 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on Saturday called on Iran to refrain from targeting neighbouring countries, while affirming Tehran's right to defend itself against Israel and the United States. "While affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws, the movement calls on the brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries," Hamas said in a statement. Hamas, which fought a devastating two-year war with Israel in Gaza, also called on the international community to "work towards halting" the ongoing war immediately. The group previously condemned the killing of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the war as a "heinous crime", openly acknowledging his longstanding support for the Palestinian movement. "He provided all forms of political, diplomatic and military support to our people, our cause, and our resistance," the movement said soon after the killing of Khamenei.

New administrators of five cities call on PMNewly appointed administrators of five city corporations paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Photo: BNP Facebook pageDHAKA, Mar 14, 2026 (BSS)- Newly appointed administrators of five city corporations paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today. The administrators met the Prime Minister at his office at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here. The administrators are: Advocate Bilkis Akhtar Jahan Shirin of Barishal City Corporation, Mahfuzur Rahman Riton of Rajshahi City Corporation, Md Rukonuzzaman Rokon of Mymensingh City Corporation, Mahfuz Un Nabi Chowdhury of Rangpur City Corporation and Md Yusuf Molla of Cumilla City Corporation. Earlier today, the government issued a gazette notification appointing them as administrators to the five city corporations.

TEHRAN, March 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's armed forces threatened on Saturday to destroy US-linked oil infrastructure after President Donald Trump said the United States had bombed Iran's oil hub Kharg Island. The military's Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said in a statement cited by Iranian media that oil and energy infrastructure belonging to firms that cooperated with the United States would "immediately be destroyed and turned into a pile of ashes" if Iran's energy facilities were attacked. Trump had also threatened to hit the island's oil infrastructure if Tehran did not allow passage for ships via the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally pass. Kharg Island, located around 30 kilometres (19 miles) off the Iranian mainland, handles roughly 90 percent of Iran's crude exports, according to a recent JP Morgan note. The war has sparked chaos in global markets and sent oil prices soaring.

BRUSSELS, Belgium, March 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An overnight blast against an exterior wall of a Jewish school in Amsterdam did not cause any injuries, Mayor Femke Halsema said Saturday, denouncing "a cowardly act of aggression". Haslema condemend the attack in a statement, noting that Amsterdam's Jewish community has been "increasingly often confronted with antisemitism and this is unacceptable." "A school must be a place where children can attend classes in complete safety. Amsterdam must be a place where Jews can live in safety," she said. The police and fire departments quickly arrived at the scene of the blast in Buitenveldert district in the south of Amsterdam, the statement said.

CARACAS, March 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodríguez asked US President Donald Trump on Friday to totally lift the sanctions imposed on her country, as the countries begin to restore diplomatic ties. American officials are seeking greater access to Venezuela's oil and mineral wealth since a US military operation ousted leftist leader Nicolas Maduro January 3. The US Treasury began imposing sanctions in 2014 that have crippled Venezuela's economy, which saw inflation soar to 475 percent in 2025. On Friday, the US also authorized imports of fertilizer from Venezuela, as the US-Israel war against Iran drives up prices of the key agricultural commodity. "It affects the economy of Colombia, the economy of Venezuela, and our people," she said.

DOHA, March 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Blasts were heard in Doha early Saturday, according to AFP journalists, after Qatar's interior ministry said it was evacuating some key areas. The Gulf state's defence ministry said its military had "intercepted missile attack which targeted State of Qatar". In Lusail, north of Doha, police were also stationed at the entrance of the Qatar headquarters for US technology firm Microsoft. In the al-Gharafa area to the west of Doha, in the vicinity of the US embassy, some residents also received evacuation messages. Authorities had already vacated buildings around the American mission in Doha on 5 March after US embassies across the region were tageted by Iran.

Few easy ways out for US as war with Iran drags onPARIS, France, March 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US-Israeli strikes killed Iran's leader but have not toppled the government, which now, from its perch on the Strait of Hormuz, has put the entire world economy on the war's frontlines. He also said there was "anger" among Gulf states that had put "so much investment in" diplomacy with Iran. And domestically, Trump -- who ordered the surprise strikes without seeking public support for a war -- is facing upcoming congressional elections. Not that Iran -- facing its own political, military and economic upheaval from the war -- is without its own long-term difficulties. But while Trump might want to walk away boasting of killing Khamenei and degrading the Iranian military, "Iran might not give him that off-ramp," said Nate Swanson, of the Atlantic Council.

Photo: PMODHAKA, Mar 14, 2026 (BSS) – Highlighting Bangladesh’s long-standing tradition of communal harmony, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today stressed on collective efforts to build a safe and peaceful country for all. The premier added: “Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians—together we will build a peaceful Bangladesh. "To achieve such human qualities, it is important to be inspired by religious, social and moral values," he added. Therefore, the role of people with religious knowledge like you is very important in creating a mentality rich with religious, social and moral values," Tarique Rahman said. After concluding his speech, Tarique Rahman took part in a photo session with beneficiaries on the stage.

You have permission to edit this article.

Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir spoke to journalists at an iftar and Eid gift distribution programme for working-class families of Ward No. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Mar 14, 2026 (BSS) – Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir today said that the recent increase in global fuel prices due to the war situation in the Middle East will not affect the upcoming Eid travel in the country. “There is also no possibility of a price hike in essential commodities,” he said, adding that a long-standing war could create some challenges in the global economy. The minister made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists at an iftar and Eid gift distribution programme for working-class families of Ward No. Earlier, addressing the Eid Gifts distribution programme as the chief guest, the minister said the commitments he made to the people before the election would be implemented gradually.

You have permission to edit this article.

You have permission to edit this article.