WASHINGTON, United States, March 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United States has launched an all-out assault on Iranian minelaying vessels, as President Donald Trump warned Tehran on Tuesday of unprecedented military consequences if it targets the Strait of Hormuz. Later, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) wrote on X that the figure had risen to 16 destroyed minelayers "near the Strait of Hormuz." CENTCOM's post included unclassified video footage showing various boats being struck by missiles or other projectiles and exploding. The United States would also use the missiles it had previously employed to blow up alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters to "permanently eliminate" any mine-laying boat in the Gulf strait, Trump added. On Monday Trump told Republican lawmakers Iran's navy has been decimated by US attacks, with at least 46 ships destroyed, including several "top-of-the-line" vessels.

WASHINGTON, United States, March 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Indian energy giant Reliance Industries was backing a deal to build the first new major oil refinery in the United States in half a century. Trump made the announcement via his Truth Social platform, saying the company America First Refining would construct the new facility at the Port of Brownsville, Texas. "Thank you to our partners in India, and their largest privately held Energy Company, Reliance, for this tremendous Investment," he said, without specifying the company's commitment. Reliance is India's biggest privately held conglomerate and its Jamnagar refinery is the world's largest. The facility would be the first refinery built on the Gulf of Mexico since the 1970s, and the only one designed to process 100 percent American shale oil, the company said.

WASHINGTON, United States, March 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump's nominee for a top State Department position withdrew Tuesday after outrage over his past comments accusing Jews and Blacks of having too much influence. "Unfortunately, at this time this unanimous support was not forthcoming," Carl wrote on X. He thanked Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for supporting him, saying his nomination showed the administration was not pursuing "business as usual." "I find his anti-Israel views and insensitive remarks about the Jewish people unbecoming of the position for which he has been nominated," Curtis said. Trump himself has been known for his loaded language on race, recently calling Somalis "garbage" after a major fraud scandal in Minnesota involving Somali-Americans.

KERZERS, Switzerland, March 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A bus caught fire in western Switzerland on Tuesday killing at least six people and injuring five others in what police said may have been a deliberate act. "The police are currently treating the fire as a man-made incident, and even a deliberate act," he said, without providing further details. And that bus caught fire... we are currently trying to determine the precise reason why this happened," Papaux told reporters. He could not say how many people were on the bus at the time, adding that panicked and injured passengers were getting out when first responders arrived. The bus involved was a PostBus, a feature of Swiss rural life.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Mar 10, 2026 (BSS) - The SAARC agriculture centre today organised a regional webinar focusing on the challenges faced by marine and freshwater aquaculture due to climate change in South Asia. Experts participating in the programme stressed the impacts of climate change, adaptation strategies and the importance of sustainable aquaculture management. In his opening remarks, Director of the SAARC Agriculture Centre Dr Md Harunur Rashid said aquaculture and aquatic ecosystems in South Asia are increasingly being affected by climate change. The webinar was moderated by Senior Programme Specialist (Fisheries) of the SAARC Agriculture Centre Dr Md Shariful Islam. He highlighted major challenges facing aquaculture in South Asia, including increasing salinity, climate change and shifting water flow patterns.

TOKYO, March 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Crude turned lower Wednesday after a report said that the International Energy Agency has proposed its largest ever release of oil reserves to bring down prices in the wake of the Iran war. At around 0040 GMT Brent Crude was down 0.84 percent at $87.06 while West Texas Intermediate was down 1.02 percent at $82.60. Countries were expected to decide the proposed release later Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed officials. Earlier in Asian trade WTI had soared more than five percent as US President Donald Trump upped his threats surrounding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed. Equities meanwhile rose in Asian trade, with the Nikkei in Tokyo adding around two percent and the Kospi in South Korea up roughly 2.5 percent.

WASHINGTON, United States, March 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The International Energy Agency (IEA) has proposed its largest ever release of oil reserves to counter soaring crude prices driven by the US-Israeli war with Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing officials familiar with the matter. The release would exceed the 182 million barrels IEA member countries put on the market in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the paper said. The proposal was circulated at an emergency meeting of energy officials from the IEA's 32 member countries on Tuesday, with a decision expected Wednesday, according to the Journal.

BEIRUT, Lebanon, March 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Israel staged new attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs on Wednesday, Lebanese state media reported, with the Israeli army saying it was again targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war last week when Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes. Israel, which kept up strikes targeting Hezbollah despite a 2024 ceasefire, has since launched attacks across Lebanon and sent ground troops into border areas. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said "the Israeli enemy launched a violent raid" on Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah holds sway. The Israeli military said in a statement it "has begun strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure" in the area.

Disaster preparedness must be ensured at all times: MinisterDisaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu today spoke at the National Disaster Preparedness Day-2026 at the Secretariat. The minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion organised by the ministry marking the National Disaster Preparedness Day-2026 at the Secretariat here this afternoon as the chief guest. National Disaster Preparedness Day is observed on March 10 every year. This year's theme of the day is "We will fight in disaster preparedness, build a Bangladesh of youth". State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M. Iqbal Hossain, Additional Secretary K M Abdul Wadud and Director General of the Department of Disaster Management Rezwanur Rahman, among others, also spoke at the event.

The study, published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, has drawn attention to the alarming impact of incorrect food preservation methods. Experts have emphasized the need for consumers to adjust their food storage habits to prevent nutrient loss and reduce food waste. "While production and market management are commonly discussed, the issue of food preservation at the household level is frequently neglected," he explained. Rezaul Karim emphasized that reducing food waste is essential for strengthening the country's food and nutrition security. With proper food storage practices, both the health and economic well-being of the nation could be significantly improved, experts argue.

Egypt raises fuel prices by up to 30 percentCAIRO, March 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Egypt raised domestic fuel prices by up to 30 percent on Tuesday, blaming "exceptional" global energy pressures caused by the Middle East war, which has disrupted oil supplies and shipping routes. Prices for 80-octane gasoline rose by about 16.9 percent, to 20.75 pounds per litre, while 92-octane gasoline increased by roughly 15.6 percent to 22.25 pounds. Prices for 95-octane climbed by about 14.3 percent to 24 pounds, the ministry said. Natural gas used for vehicles saw the largest hike, jumping 30 percent to 13 pounds per cubic metre. Egypt has raised fuel prices four times over the past two years under an $8 billion loan programme from the International Monetary Fund.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. File PhotoDHAKA, March 10, 2026 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain today stressed the need for monitoring and bringing the mushrooming private clinics across the country under proper regulation. He made the call while speaking at an iftar gathering organised by the Private Hospital, Clinic and Diagnostic Association at a city hotel. "With the cooperation of all of you (Private Hospital, Clinic and Diagnostic Association), we want to ensure that healthcare services reach the doorsteps of the people," he said.

A sophisticated surveillance network, including observation towers and CCTV cameras, has been uncovered by police in Jungle Salimpur, long considered an “impenetrable empire” by law enforcement, allegedly used by criminals to track police movements. The drive resulted in the arrest of 22 individuals, including one woman, and the recovery of a significant cache of arms. DIG Ahsan Habib noted that criminals in Alinagar used 19 CCTV cameras, three DVRs, and observation towers to maintain a constant vigil against security forces. Authorities also recovered two pairs of binoculars and subsequently demolished the towers used by the criminals. Jungle Salimpur is split into two controlled zones: Chhinnomul, led by Rokon Uddin, and Alinagar, controlled by Mohammad Yasir.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit- Photo: CollectedDHAKA, March 10, 2026 (BSS) – State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit today said there is no cause for concern as the country has sufficient reserves of fuel oil. “The fuel crisis in the country has arisen due to anxiety and panic,” he told reporters at the ministry at the Secretariat here. However, recently we have seen long queues at petrol pumps. They have to stand in long queues and wait for a long time to get fuel. People may have to wait a little longer to get fuel, but since fuel prices have not increased, I believe the current concern will gradually ease.”He said two ships carrying around 30,000 tonnes of fuel each arrived in the country yesterday.

They will monitor board meetings and submit reports to guide Bangladesh Bank's next steps Bangladesh Bank has appointed observers to the boards of four private banks struggling with financial irregularities and bad loans It marked the first such move under new Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman on Monday, according to bdnews24.comThe banks are National Bank, Premier Bank, IFIC Bank, and Al-Arafah Islami Bank.Four senior central bank officials have been assigned: Munir Ahmed Chowdhury at National Bank, ANM Moinul Kabir at Premier Bank, AKM Kamruzzaman at IFIC Bank, and Mohammad Anisur Rahman at Al-Arafah Islami Bank.Observers can attend board, executive, and audit committee meetings, offering advice and submitting reports to Bangladesh Bank, assisting the central bank to take informed steps on the troubled banks.A spokesperson noted that observer appointments are standard practice; similar placements have occurred previously.Following the fall of the Awami League government during the 2024 mass uprising, the central bank had dissolved several bank boards and assigned observers to some institutions.