IMF reaffirms commitment to new govt in meeting with BB chiefDHAKA, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) todayreaffirmed its steadfast commitment to Bangladesh, with ResidentRepresentative Maxym Kryshko pledging full cooperation during a meeting withGovernor of Bangladesh Bank (BB) Md Mostaqur Rahman. The courtesy call took place at the BB, where discussions were held in aprofessional and collaborative atmosphere, said a press release. Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr. Md. Kryshko also detailed the IMF's positive outlook regarding the country'sgovernance, stating that the organisation is eagerly looking forward toworking with the newly-formed political government. The meeting marks a significant step in strengthening the positive trajectoryof the partnership between the IMF and Bangladesh Bank as they work towardshared economic objectives.

Enthusiastic 'Haribhanga' mango farmers are now busy tending to their mangoorchards and are dreaming of a bumper harvest and better profits likeprevious years. "Haribhanga mango has already been recognized as a GI product of Rangpur,which has created a huge demand for it locally and internationally," he said. Apart from this, cultivation of 'Haribhanga' mango is expanding fast inParbatipur, Nababganj, Phulbari, Birampur and Chirirbandar upazilas ofDinajpur district. While visiting several Haribhanga mango orchards in different villages ofRangpur, this BSS reporter found mango farmers busy watering the roots of theHaribhanga mango trees and sprinkling water on the tender mangoes on thetrees. Successful farmers Mostafizur Rahman, Nur Hossain and Mohammad Morsalin ofPodaganj village Lutfar Rahman and Amjad Hossain of Tekani village underMithapukur upazila predicted a bumper Haribhanga mango yield this season.

DHAKA, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - After a five-day recess, two matches of 11thround of Bangladesh Football League (BFF) will be held tomorrow (Friday) attwo separate venues across the country. On the day, defending champions Mohammedan will take on Bangladesh PoliceFootball Club at Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla while oldDhaka outfit Rahmatganj Muslim and Friends Society meet Fakirerpool YoungMen's Club at Birshreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium inMunshiganj. Both the matches kick off at 2.45 pm. In the remaining 11th round matches on the following day (Saturday), BrothersUnion will play against Abahani Limited Dhaka at Birshreshtha FlightLieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, PWD SC meet Arambagh Krira Sangha atShaheed Barkat Stadium in Gazipur and Fortis Football Club face BashundharaKings at Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital.

Photo: PIDSANGSAD BHABAN, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - President Mohammed Shahabuddin today called upon all political parties to work with a common purpose to build a secure Bangladesh for future generations. If we work together in unison and with a common purpose, we shall be able to build a secure Bangladesh for future generations," he said. "If both the ruling and opposition parties work in consensus, the nation can rapidly achieve its desired goals. The Head of the State said a new democratic Bangladesh, free from subservience and oppression, has begun its journey through the blood and sacrifice of thousands of martyrs. The President said the country's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, national security, and the welfare of its people will take precedence above all.

The Trump administration is launching separate probes centered on overproduction and importing goods made with forced labor, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told reporters. He said Trump's trade policy remains the same as it has been "for decades," even if his tools may change. "We need to protect American jobs, and we need to make sure we have fair trade with our trading partners," he added. Both investigations unveiled Wednesday are handled by the USTR, falling under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Greer said it is too early to say how any new penalties from the latest probes will overlap with the sectoral duties.

Photo: BSSCUMILLA, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - Muradnagar upazila of the district has embraced a new agricultural breakthrough with the introduction of high-value capsicum cultivation. Several local farmers have already ventured into capsicum cultivation with success. Muradnagar Upazila Agriculture Officer, Pavel Khan Pappu, expressed optimism about the future of capsicum cultivation in the area. The introduction of capsicum cultivation is expected to not only increase the income of Muradnagar's farmers but also open new avenues for agricultural growth in the region. With its promising market potential and the backing of agricultural support, capsicum cultivation is poised to become a cornerstone of Muradnagar's agricultural landscape.

However, unlike in the past, the first session of the new parliament began with the Speaker’s chair vacant as the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker (of the previous 12th parliament) are currently unavailable. Then the sitting will resume with the newly elected Speaker or Deputy Speaker in the chair. During the first-day sitting of the session, the panel of chairmen for the first session will be announced. Usually the first session of a new parliament begins with the Speaker of the previous parliament in chair and then the election of the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker is held. This session is both the inaugural sitting of the 13th Parliament and the first parliamentary session of 2026.

The Villages, FL (32162)TodayRain and thunderstorms likely. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..TonightA few clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.

SYDNEY, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A helicopter pilot airlifted two men and a dog from the roof of a car engulfed in raging floodwaters in a dramatic rescue in northern Australia that was captured on video. A Heli-Muster R44 helicopter perched partly on the car roof as it picked up the two men and the pet dog, in white-knuckle scenes shared by the authorities on social media. "A passing-by helicopter pilot dropped a police officer on top of the vehicle to help the stranded driver and passenger and then went back to retrieve their dog from the vehicle," NT Emergency Service's Katherine volunteer unit said in a social media post. Police in the territory praised the rescuers for saving the men and the dog -- reportedly a German Shepherd. "This was a life-threatening situation that goes to show just how quickly these flood waters can turn dangerous," said Northern Territory Police incident controller Emma Carter.

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“The ideal city provides conditions that foster good mental and physical health, like reasonable work hours, short commutes, good weather, and caring neighbors.”By analyzing 182 cities using a variety of metrics, WalletHub’s new report, Happiest Cities in America, identified the nation’s happiest cities, and one Northern California nabbed the top spot on the list. Bay Area city is the ‘happiest’ city in nation, report findsWith an overall score of 74.09, Fremont topped WalletHub’s list as the happiest city in America. “One contributing factor is that the city has the highest share of households with an income above $75,000, at nearly 80%,” WalletHub said. WalletHub also identified Fremont as the happiest city to live in 2025 and in May named the community as the best place to raise a family. Here are the 29 California cities on WalletHub’s list of happiest cities in the U.S., along with their overall scores:

CARACAS, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez on Wednesday appointed a new minister of hydrocarbons, a key position in the oil-rich nation that she previously held under ousted leader Nicolas Maduro. The new appointment comes shortly after high-profile visits by US President Donald Trump's energy and interior chiefs to discuss ramping up oil and gas output following Maduro's removal. Rodriguez said in a post on Telegram that she was naming "petroleum engineer Paula Henao as the new Minister of Hydrocarbons." She will be tasked with "continuing to boost our country's energy engine and strengthening the sovereign development of the national oil, gas, and petrochemical industry," Rodriguez said. She has made restoring Venezuela's sanction-crippled oil industry a priority -- in line with Washington's aims -- seeking to boost the country out of a years-long economic crisis.

BANGKOK, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Three crew members were "believed to be trapped" aboard a Thai bulk carrier that was hit by two projectiles on Wednesday while travelling through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the vessel's owner said. "Three crew members are reported missing and believed to be trapped in the engine room" of the Thai-registered Mayuree Naree which was damaged in the strikes, Thai transport company Precious Shipping said in a statement Wednesday evening. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they struck the ship because it had ignored "warnings".