Photo: PIDDHAKA, Mar 11, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today said the media must play a strong role in institutionalising the country’s parliamentary democratic culture. The media must play a powerful role in institutionalising parliamentary and constitutional political culture achieved through the struggle,” he said. Social Welfare Minister Dr Abu Jafar Md Zahid Hossain, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yeaser Khan Chowdhury and Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar addressed the programme as special guests. “In that context, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman reintroduced the practice of multi-party democracy through the second parliamentary election in Bangladesh. Chaired by DUJ President Mohammad Shahidul Islam and moderated by its General Secretary Khurshid Alam, the programme was also addressed by BFUJ President Obaidur Rahman Shaheen and Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury.

File PhotoDHAKA, Mar 11, 2026 (BSS) – A five-member fact-finding committee has been formed under the leadership of the Chief Prosecutor to investigate allegations of unethical conduct against members of the prosecution team of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The Chief Prosecutor said an allegation has been raised which the prosecution is not taking lightly, referring to a prosecutor who has already been relieved of duties. The Chief Prosecutor on March 10 said that after assuming office, he had instructed every prosecutor that anyone wishing to work with him must rise above all greed and personal interests; otherwise, they should step aside. The press briefing followed newspaper reports on former prosecutor Md Saimum Reza Talukder, who allegedly attempted to negotiate with the family of an accused at the ICT for a large sum of money. Md Saimum Reza Talukder resigned from his post on March 9 after the matter surfaced in the media.

Strikes blamed on US kills five Iran-backed fighters in IraqBAGHDAD, March 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Five Iran-backed fighters in Iraq were killed on Tuesday in strikes their groups blamed on the United States. The Kataeb Imam Ali group said four fighters were killed in an "American aggression" at dawn against one of their positions in the Debs district of Kirkuk province in northern Iraq. Late Tuesday, another strike killed a fighter from the Kataeb Hezbollah group in al-Qaem area near the Iraqi-Syrian border, a source from the group told AFP. It also encompasses Iran-backed fighters, including the Kataeb Imam Ali and Kataeb Hezbollah groups. Iran-backed groups have claimed attacks on US bases in Iraq and in the region, without specifying their targets.

DHAKA, Mar 11, 2026 (BSS)- A five-member high-level investigation committee has been formed to probe allegations of widespread irregularities, manipulation, and abuse of power in the 2025 election of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). State Minister for Youth and Sports also the Chairman of the National Sports Council approved the committee, according to a press release. The five-member investigation committee has been formed with retired justice A K M Asaduzzaman as its head, the release reads. The committee has been requested to complete its work and submit a detailed report to the ministry within 15 working days.

Photo: PIDDHAKA, Mar 11, 2026 (BSS) - LGRD and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called on all stakeholders to act responsibly in safeguarding the freedom of the media in Bangladesh. The BNP Secretary General said a new opportunity has emerged in the country’s political landscape following the formation of a new government based on public support, while the first session of parliament is scheduled to begin tomorrow. Shahidul Islam and moderated by General Secretary Khurshid Alam. Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman were present, along with National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz and General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan. DUJ Vice President Rashedul Haque, Joint Secretary Didarul Alam Didar and Organizing Secretary Sayeed Khan also attended the programme.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, March 11, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz opted to field first after winning the toss in the opening match of the three-match ODI series against Pakistan national cricket team at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today. Several players, however, are missing from the squad that featured in Bangladesh's last ODI series against the West Indies national cricket team in October last year. Pakistan entered the series in strong form after beating the Sri Lanka national cricket team 3-0 in their previous ODI series. The two sides have met 39 times in ODI cricket so far, with Pakistan winning 34 matches and Bangladesh just five. In the last five encounters, Pakistan won three, Bangladesh won one, while one match was abandoned.

Iran says carries out strikes on US, Israeli targets: state mediaTEHRAN, March 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran has launched new strikes on Israeli and American targets in the Middle East, state broadcaster IRIB said on Wednesday. It targeted Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Haifa, as well as "West Jerusalem", referring to the area of the contested city that sits under full Israeli control. The broadcaster said the missile salvo also targeted "numerous US targets in Erbil" in Iraqi Kurdistan and the US Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain. The Middle East war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 has provoked waves of retaliatory Iranian missile fire. New attacks were reported across the Gulf region early Wednesday, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates reporting interceptions of missiles and drones.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman- File PhotoDHAKA, Mar 11, 2026 (BSS) - Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman today said the government has brought incidents of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the country almost down to zero. "You have seen that in Bangladesh’s human rights index, we have brought extrajudicial killings almost down to zero. We have reduced enforced disappearances nearly to zero. The law minister said these while addressing an Iftar Mahfil organized by Dhaka University LLM Lawyers Association (DULA) at Dhaka Club. Md Asaduzzaman said that the first session of Bangladesh’s 13th Jatiya Sangsad is set to begin tomorrow, marking the country’s return to the highway of democracy.

DHAKA, Mar 11, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh produced a dominating performance to crush Pakistan by eight wickets in the three-match ODI series opening game today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Put into bat first, Pakistan were bowled out for just 114 in 30.4 overs. Fast bowler Nahid Rana dismantled Pakistan with his career-best 5-24. Skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz complemented him by claiming 3-29. Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim led the batting charge, hammering an unbeaten 42 ball-67 with seven fours and five sixes as Bangladesh romped to victory in just 15.1 overs, leaving 209 balls unused.

Abdur Raufe Aziz, FM Sharif Hossain defeated Safayat Kibria Azaan, Anata Chowdhury defeated Radmim Raha Rajya, Jabed Al Azad defeated Md. Jamal Uddin defeated WCM Neelava Choudhury, CM S.M Sharon defeated Md. Nasir Uddin defeated Md. Hasan, M.M Zahirul Islam defeated Shamsul Kabir Chowdhury, Abrar Reazul Ahnnaf Mohammad defeated CM Md. Masum Hossain, Mohammed Enayet Hossain defeated Muhtady Tajwar Nashid, Arham Omar defeated CM Md.

TEHRAN, March 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "safe and sound" despite reports of an injury during the war with Israel and the United States, said the son of the Iranian president on Wednesday. "I heard news that Mr Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. I have asked some friends who had connections. They told me that, thank God, he is safe and sound," said Yousef Pezeshkian, who is also a government adviser, in a post on his Telegram channel. State television had called Khamenei a "wounded veteran of the Ramadan war" but never specified his injury.

File PhotoDHAKA, March 11, 2026 (BSS) - The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has issued the 'Primary Scholarship Examination Policy 2026' to evaluate meritorious students in primary education. According to the new policy, from now on, the primary scholarship examination will be held on a total of 400 marks. However, the 2025 primary scholarship examination will also be held under special arrangements following new policy. Participation in the exam has been made mandatory for all government primary schools. Subjects and Mark Distribution:According to the policy, this year the scholarship exam will be held for a total of 400 marks.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today held a meeting with ruling party lawmakers at the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat in Dhaka. Photo : PMODHAKA, Mar 11, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today held a meeting with ruling party lawmakers at the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat in the city. The meeting took place at 11:00 am at the West Block of the Parliament Secretariat. Members of parliament from the ruling BNP attended the meeting, sources at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase today recommended approval of several procurement proposals, including the purchase of refined rice bran oil. The committee reviewed two proposals from the Ministry of Commerce to procure refined rice bran oil through the Open Tender Method (National). Under the first proposal, the government will purchase 80 lakh litres of refined rice bran oil under four packages at a total cost of Tk 135.15 crore. The recommended suppliers include Majumder Bran Oil Mills Ltd., Green Oil & Poultry Feed Industry, Tamim Agro Industries Ltd., and Prodhan Oil Mills Ltd. Under another proposal, the committee reviewed the procurement of one crore litres of refined rice bran oil under five packages at a total estimated cost of Tk 170.41 crore.

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