TEHRAN, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran has allowed ships from some countries to cross the Strait of Hormuz, deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchisaid on Thursday, as the waterway remained effectively closed during the war with the US and Israel. "Some countries have already talked to us about passing the strait and we have cooperated with them," said Takht-Ravanchi during an interview with AFP in Tehran. "As far as Iran is concerned we feel that those countries that joined the aggression should not benefit from safe passage through the Strait ofHormuz."

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan spoke at Dhaka Ladies Club iftar, pledging protection for cable industry entrepreneurs. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Mar 12, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today said the government is committed to protecting the country's cable television industry and the entrepreneurs involved in the sector. "Ensuring protection for any legitimate business initiative is our responsibility. The information minister said there is no scope to ignore the cable industry and television sector in the modern communication system. Reassuring business leaders, the minister said the government always works to protect lawful business initiatives and ensure security for investors in the sector.

Fuel traders say the pressure on Bangladesh’s fuel supply, particularly petrol and octane, is not driven by the crisis in the Middle East but rather by flawed government management and what they describe as “erroneous” calculations. The association argued that the decision to limit fuel sales was unnecessary and served only to ignite public anxiety. The traders warned that the current “quota” system has made fuel distribution commercially unviable. Many pumps have stopped collecting oil altogether because it is “unprofitable and ineffective,” the statement added. The association urged the government to replace daily quotas with weekly allocations and to adjust supply based on actual demand fluctuations.

TEHRAN, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's Revolutionary Guards vowed on Thursday to keep the strategic Strait of Hormuz closed after a call to do so by the Islamic republic's new leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. "In response to the order of the commander-in-chief, we will deliver the harshest blows to the aggressor enemy while maintaining the strategy of closing the Strait of Hormuz," said Guards navy commander Alireza Tangsiri in a post on X.

DHAKA, Mar 12, 2026 (BSS) – A court here today convicted and sentenced Jahangir Hossain, 32, to imprisonment till natural death and fined him Taka two lakh in a case filed over raping a woman on the false promise of marriage. According to the case documents, the victim had prior acquaintance with Jahangir Hossain. Following the incident, the victim filed the case with Kafrul Police Station in February 2019. During the investigation of the case, the victim gave birth to a baby boy. The test confirmed that Md Jahangir Hossain was the biological father of the child.

Women’s BPL to be launched in July across three venuesDHAKA, March 12, 2026 (BSS)—The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced that the inaugural edition of the Women’s Bangladesh Premier League (WBPL) T20 will now be held from July 10–21. The showpiece event will be held across three venues -- Bogura, Chattogram and Dhaka. The three-team tournament was earlier scheduled to take place from April 4–14. The revised window also aligns well with the international cricket calendar, particularly the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled in June, ensuring greater availability of overseas players. The final will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on July 21.

"The lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must definitely be used,"Khamenei said of the waterway through which a quarter of world's oil andliquefied natural gas (LNG) usually transit. With Gulf states slashing production and oil tankers stuck in the Gulf,benchmark oil prices have risen 40-50 percent since the US and Israelattacked Iran on February 28, threatening to crimp growth and stokeinflation. - 'Mistake' -A top Iranian military figure warned on Wednesday that the country could wagea prolonged war that would "destroy" the world economy. US forces said they had struck 28 Iranian mine-laying vessels amid fears thatTehran could render the Strait of Hormuz unnavigable. - Oil prices spike again -Oil prices have soared past $100 a barrel despite an announcement thatleading consumer countries would authorise a record release of theirstrategic crude reserves in action coordinated by the IEA.

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DHAKA, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - Experts at a seminar today stressed checking food adulteration and high blood pressure aiming to prevent kidney disease among humans. "There is no alternative to creating public awareness to prevent silent kidney disease. Adulterated food cannot be eaten, weight must be maintained and high blood pressure and diabetes must be controlled to prevent kidney disease," Bangladesh Renal Association convener Professor Dr Md. The speakers called for increasing public awareness on kidney disease and expanding early detection and screening, including and strengthening kidney services in the primary health system. Among others, Bangladesh Renal Association member secretary Dr Md Farhad Hasan Chowdhury, its treasurer Dr Md.

File PhotoDHAKA, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - The marketing companies under the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) have been instructed to keep their depots open even on weekend and public holidays. To ensure fuel oil supply, the main establishments or depots of these companies have been instructed to remain open, a BPC press release said today. To maintain a smooth fuel oil supply across the country as per the public demand, import activities are continuing, with fuel oil shipments arriving regularly according to schedule. In addition to rail transport, fuel oil is also being delivered to different parts of the country through tankers to maintain uninterrupted supply. The companies under the BPC are: Eastern Refinery Limited, Padma Oil Company Limited, Meghna Petroleum Limited, Jamuna Oil Company Limited, Eastern Lubricants Blenders PLC, LP Gas Limited, Standard Asiatic Oil Company Limited and Petroleum Transmission Company PLC.

President Mohammed Sahabuddin has referred to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman as the “proclaimer of independence” during his speech at the first session of the 13th parliament. The address took place amid protests and a walkout by Members of Parliament from the political alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami. In his opening remarks, the president used the title “proclaimer of independence” while paying tribute to the late Zia. The president said the previous Awami League government was “fascist” and that it had made Bangladesh a “champion in corruption”. He also noted that Bangladesh was “freed” from this corruption status due to “strict measures” taken by the later BNP government.

GENEVA, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Up to 3.2 million people have been displaced inside Iran since the Middle East war erupted nearly two weeks ago, the United Nations refugee agency said Thursday. "Between 600,000 and one million Iranian households are now temporarily displaced inside Iran as a result of the ongoing conflict, according to preliminary assessments, representing up to 3.2 million people," said Ayaki Ito, who heads UNHCR's emergency support team and is refugee response coordinator for the Middle East emergency. "This figure is likely to continue rising as hostilities persist, marking a worrying escalation in humanitarian needs," he said in a statement.

Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ramis Sen, met with Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser, Humayun Kabir, today at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in Dhaka. The Turkish envoy met the adviser at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the city's Tejgaon area this afternoon, said Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony. The adviser and the Turkish envoy exchanged views on expanding collaboration in several key areas, including trade and investment, defence cooperation, education and cultural exchange, technology, and infrastructure development. They also discussed a number of regional and global issues, particularly challenges faced by the Muslim world, humanitarian cooperation, and the importance of strengthening mutual support on international platforms. Both sides expressed optimism about further consolidating the historic friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and Türkiye in the future.

Photo : Bangladesh ParliamentSANGSAD BHABAN, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - The first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad began at 11.05 am today at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here with senior BNP lawmaker from Cumilla-2 constituency Khondoker Mosharraf Hossain in the chair. The day's proceedings began with recitation from the Holy Quran.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen attended the inaugural sitting of the country’s 13th National Parliament. Photo: US EmbassyDHAKA, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen attended the inaugural sitting of the country’s 13th National Parliament, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to strengthening bilateral partnership for prosperity and security. Ambassador Christensen joined the opening session of the newly elected parliament, which marked the beginning of Bangladesh’s latest parliamentary term. The United States expressed its readiness to continue working closely with Bangladesh to advance shared priorities, including economic prosperity, stability and security for both nations, said the US embassy here. The presence of the US envoy at the inaugural session reflected the importance Washington attaches to its longstanding partnership with Bangladesh and its support for democratic institutions and parliamentary processes.