Women in Bangladesh have played important roles in social and political change , but they are still largely excluded from positions of power and decision-making, speakers said at a town hall discussion marking International Women ’s Day on Sunday. However, she said women and girls are still facing violence, discrimination and limited participation in decision-making. She said women in Bangladesh have repeatedly shown courage and leadership but are still missing from places where real power exists. She described the Fourth World Conference on Women as a historic milestone that highlighted key issues affecting women worldwide. In 2025, 2,808 incidents of violence against women and girls were recorded in Bangladesh, including 786 cases of rape or gang rape.

The other accused is Sardar Mosharraf Hossain, former assistant legal adviser of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK). As the police could not apprehend them, the court directed that the accused be summoned through a gazette notification. Following a request by the ACC, the court also ordered a Red Notice for the arrest of Tulip Rizwana Siddiq on February 26. Khasruzzaman, and Sardar Mosharraf Hossain. It is noteworthy that Tulip Rizwana Siddiq has previously been sentenced to terms ranging from two to six years in three separate cases related to plot allocation fraud.

Photo : BSSRAJSHAHI, March 8, 2026 (BSS) - Farmers in Rajshahi district have begun transplanting Boro seedlings with a target of producing more than 329,000 tonnes of paddy during the current season. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), farmers in the district's nine upazilas have set a target to cultivate Boro on about 68,300 hectares of land this season. From morning till evening, farmers are engaged in uprooting seedlings from seedbeds and transplanting them into the fields. Alongside popular varieties such as BRRI dhan-28 and BRRI dhan-29, farmers are cultivating newly developed high-yielding varieties including BRRI dhan-89, BRRI dhan-92 and zinc-enriched BRRI dhan-100. Dr Muhammad Hossain, chief scientific officer of BRRI, said the institute has developed 14 Boro varieties suitable for the Rajshahi region, including its Barind tract.

DHAKA, March 8, 2026 (BSS) - International Women's Day is being observed today across the country as elsewhere in the world. The United Nations has been observing the day as International Women's Day since 1975. On February 28, 1909, the first international women's conference was organised at a women's rally arranged by the Social Democratic women's organisation in New York under the leadership of German socialist leader Clara Zetkin. Clara, a German politician and one of the architects of the German Communist Party, later proposed at the second International Women's Conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1910 that March 8 be observed annually as International Women's Day. United Nations formally recognised March 8 as International Women's Day in 1975 and called upon countries to observe it.

Iran's border with Turkey offers a way out, but few are leaving for goodIranians are using a border crossing into Turkey as one of the only ways out during the war in Iran, with the country's airspace closed

Iran prepares to name new supreme leader as fuel dumps burnTEHRAN, March 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran was preparing to reveal its new supreme leader on Sunday, after US-Israeli air strikes destroyed fuel dumps and triggered fires that choked much of Tehran in a thick blanket of smoke. Other assembly members confirmed a decision was made, with one suggesting the son of the late leader would take the post. Tehran's governor told the IRNA news agency that fuel distribution had been "temporarily interrupted" in the capital while repairs were carried out. The Israeli army confirmed that its air force had struck "fuel storage facilities in Tehran" to prevent their use by the Iranian military. Trump has suggested Iran's economy could be rebuilt if a leader "acceptable" to Washington replaces the late supreme leader, which Tehran has rejected.

“In this really industrial city life, with no wilderness, I was always around these exotic animals, like parrots,” he recalled. Many protected areas around the world are simply too small to meet the needs of species living there. To protect creatures crucial to food webs, you need safe pathways between patches of habitat. You also need to think about climate change and provide animals with routes to migrate to the habitat they will need. La Amistad lies in the Talamanca Mountains, a vast wilderness area and United Nations World Heritage Site on the border with Panama.

Bhutan, Nepal envoys met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. -Collage PhotoDHAKA, March 8, 2026 (BSS) - The Ambassadors of Bhutan and Nepal today paidseparate courtesy calls on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama ObaedIslam and discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and regionalcollaboration. The envoys congratulated Obaed on assuming office and expressed theirgovernments' keen interest in working closely with the new government ofBangladesh. During the meetings, the state minister reiterated the BNP government'spriority to foster strong, mutually beneficial and forward-looking relationswith neighbouring countries to promote regional peace and prosperity. The state minister also recalled with appreciation Bhutan's historicrecognition of Bangladesh in 1971.

Food prices have driven up the inflation rate past 9.0 per cent for the first time in eight months. Inflation rose for a fourth consecutive month, hitting 9.13 per cent year-on-year in February. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, February’s inflation rate is the highest since last April. The rate was 9.13 per cent at the time and fell to 9.05 per cent in May. Now it has leapt up past the 9.0 per cent threshold.

DHAKA, March 8, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announcedthe ticket price for the three-match ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan,scheduled to begin from March 11. The tickets which are now available can be purchased online at:www.gobcbticket.com.bdThe highest price of the ticket is set at Taka 2000 while the lowest is atTaka 200. Ticket price listGrand Stand (Lower): Taka 2,000Grand Stand (Upper): Taka 2,000International Gallery North (Media Block): Taka 1,000International Gallery South (Corporate Block): Taka 1000International Lounge South (Corporate Block): Taka 1,200Club House South (Shaheed Mushtaq Stand): Taka 600Club House North (Shaheed Jewel Stand): Taka 600Shaheed Abu Sayeed Stand: Taka 400Northern Gallery: Taka 400Eastern Gallery: Taka 200.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan -File photoDHAKA, March 8, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has inquired about journalists injured in an attack by miscreants while covering news at the Pagla Mosque in Kishoreganj. He spoke with local Member of Parliament (MP) Mazharul Islam over the phone regarding the incident. The minister directed the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of the district to ensure the culprits are appropriately punished and to provide security to the journalists injured in the attack. The Deputy Commissioner informed the minister that two of the attackers have already been arrested. The journalists were attacked by some miscreants while visiting the Pagla Mosque to cover news on March 5.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed -File photoDHAKA, Mar 08, 2026 (BSS)- Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said they have taken extensive measures to ensure a safe and smooth Eid journey for home-goers and maintain strict security during Independence Day celebrations. Independence Day will also be celebrated peacefully across the country, he hoped. The Home Minister announced that no nationwide lighting will be held this year on Independence Day as part of an austerity measure to save fuel amid the current global situation. The AIG will work closely with garment sector organizations such as Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, along with labour representatives and transport workers. According to the minister, the initiative aims to ensure that garment workers receive their salaries and allowances before Eid, allowing them to travel home without difficulties.

Rosner grew up in New York City but has called Colorado home for more than 20 years. UNDERWRITTEN BY Each week, The Colorado Sun and Colorado Humanities & Center For The Book feature an excerpt from a Colorado book and an interview with the author. And it asks the question, How can we knit the planet back together so that other species can thrive in our midst? It’s about solutions, and people around the world working to reconnect the planet — which is ultimately a hopeful endeavor. SunLit: What did the process of writing this book add to your knowledge and understanding of your craft and/or the subject matter?

'Let's go to war,' PM says with a smile after stepping out of home for officePrime Minister Tarique Rahman. File PhotoDHAKA, Mar 8, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman began the first working day of the week today with a light yet symbolic remark- "Let's go to war" - as he left his residence for office in the morning. Opening the door of his residence in the city's Gulshan area around 8:42am and smiling at those present, the Prime Minister said, "Let's go to war." Moments later, however, everyone understood that the Prime Minister was referring to the challenges of governing the country, describing the daily responsibilities of running the state as a "war," Ruman said. He said the Prime Minister arrived at his Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat here around 9:30 am, where he had several meetings scheduled throughout the day.

New hunt for flight MH370 ends with no clues to 12-year mysteryKUALA LUMPUR, March 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The latest search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which went missing 12 years ago in one of aviation's greatest enduring mysteries, concluded in January without yielding any findings, Malaysia's transport ministry said on Sunday. Two-thirds of the passengers were Chinese, while the others included Malaysians, Indonesians and Australians, as well as Indian, American, Dutch and French nationals. Despite multiple searches, including the largest in aviation history, neither the aircraft, passengers nor black boxes have ever been found. Families of the Chinese passengers published an open letter on Sunday -- the 12th anniversary of the flight's disappearance -- criticising the lack of information they received during the latest search. In their letter, the Chinese families added that "for 12 years, we have received virtually no genuine psychological support".