Former PM Khaleda Zia among 15 individuals named for Independence Award 2026Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia -File photoDHAKA, Mar 5, 2026 (BSS) – Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has been selected as one of the 15 distinguished individuals for the ‘Independence Award 2026’. The government has decided to confer the award on 15 individuals and five institutions in recognition of their glorious and outstanding contributions at the national level. Former three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is being honoured posthumously for her comprehensive contributions to independence, democracy, women's education, and nation-building. Recipients for Research and Training include Dr. Mohammad Abdul Baqi, Professor Dr. M A Rahim, and Professor Dr. Sukomal Barua. The government also named five institutions for the award: Faujdarhat Cadet College (Liberation War), Dhaka Medical College Hospital (Medicine), Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) (Rural Development), SOS Children's Village International in Bangladesh (Social Service), and Gonoshasthaya Kendra (Social Service).

The Rape Law Reform Coalition (RLRC) has strongly demanded protection for rape survivors, their families, and witnesses following the recent increase in rape and rape-related murder cases across the country. The demand was made at a press conference held at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity on Wednesday. RLRC strongly condemned these incidents and said the offenders must be brought to justice quickly through proper investigation. The coalition said that such violence goes against Articles 27, 28, 31 and 32 of the Constitution of Bangladesh. The group also mentioned that the campaign “Reform the Rape Law Now” started in 2018 to identify weaknesses in existing laws and propose necessary reforms to ensure justice for survivors.

DHAKA, Mar 5, 2026 (BSS) – State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj today announced that the government has decided to declare March 18 as a special holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr, extending this year’s Eid vacation to a continuous seven-day break. He shared the information with journalists after the cabinet meeting at the Secretariat. According to the government calendar, March 17 is already a public holiday. The government has now decided to declare March 18 a public holiday as well. Consequently, government officials and employees will enjoy a seven-day consecutive holiday from March 17 to March 23.

Former Prime Minister late Begum Khaleda Zia -File PhotoDHAKA, March 05, 2026 (BSS) - Former Prime Minister late Begum Khaleda Zia has been selected for this year's Independence Award, the country's highest state honour. She has been selected posthumously for her overall contributions to nation-building, including independence, democracy and women's education, said a press release issued by the Cabinet Division today. According to the release, the government has decided to confer the "Independence Award 2026" on 15 distinguished individuals, including former Prime Minister late Begum Khaleda Zia and five institutions in recognition of their "outstanding contributions at the national level" in their respective fields. Introduced in 1977, the Independence Award or 'Swadhinata Puraskar' is the highest civilian award given by the government of Bangladesh. This award is being presented every year on March 26, Bangladesh's Independence Day, since 1977, in memory of the brave martyrs of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered the opening of language training centres across the country to prepare youths for the global job market. The directive was issued on Thursday during a meeting of the Committee on Overseas Employment and Expatriate Welfare at the Secretariat, according to Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon. “The prime minister has instructed the relevant ministries to take immediate steps to prepare unemployed youth for overseas employment,” Atiqur said. To alleviate the financial burden on aspiring migrants, the prime minister also directed the simplification of the bank loan process and introduction of interest-free loans. The prime minister also instructed the civil aviation and tourism ministry to ensure free Wi-Fi service at the country’s three international airports.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Mar 05, 2026 (BSS)- Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has warned that undisciplined doctors might face strict disciplinary action for any negligence to duties and private practice in during office hour. The minister said the Prime Minister has given a clear instruction urging the doctors to refrain from private practice during their office hours. “If any allegation of such misconduct is proven, the government will take strict action against the concerned doctors,” he said. To curb such irregularities, the minister said that intelligence surveillance and monitoring have been strengthened across the country. The minister acknowledged that many government hospitals still face shortages of doctors, nurses and technicians compared to the growing number of patients.

Photo: BSSNARAIL, March 5, 2026 (BSS) - Sunflower cultivation is rapidly gaining popularity in three upazilas of Narail as farmers are benefiting for high-yield and low-cost crops. Sadar upazila accounts for 78 hectares, Lohagara upazila 58 hectares and Kalia upazila 55 hectares. This year, sunflower cultivation has increased by 81 hectares compared to last year, with hopes for further expansion next year. Rokanuzzaman, Agriculture Officer of Sadar upazila said “Sunflower is an important oil crop, and its cultivation is expanding across the district. “We hope this will encourage more farmers to take up sunflower cultivation in the future,” the agriculture officer added.

The government has announced the recipients of the prestigious Swadhinata Padak 2026 (Independence Award), the nation’s highest civilian honour. The Cabinet Division released the official list on Sunday, highlighting contributions across independence, literature, science and technology, medicine, culture, sports, social service, public service, research, training, and environmental conservation. Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has been selected posthumously for the Award in recognition of her overall contributions to nation-building, including her role in strengthening democracy and promoting women’s education. In the field of research and training, the recipients are Mohammad Abdul Baki, Professor Dr MA Rahim and Professor Dr Sukomal Barua. Abdul Mukit Mazumder (Mukit Mazumder Babu) has been selected for the award in recognition of his contributions to environmental conservation.

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) welcomes a new contribution of $6.7 million (JPY 1.05 billion) from the Government of Japan to support Rohingya refugees and host community smallholder farmers in Cox’s Bazar. “Japan remains committed to supporting vulnerable populations in Bangladesh, including Rohingya refugees and their host Bangladeshi communities,” said SAIDA Shinichi, ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh. “Through this partnership with WFP, Japan aims to contribute to food security, improved nutrition and the overall wellbeing of Rohingya families, particularly women and children. The funding will also enable WFP to strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers within the host communities by implementing an aggregation centre model. In host communities, this funding will allow WFP to repair agricultural infrastructure damaged by floods and cyclones, restoring vital supply routes for local farmers.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has called for the cancellation of the appointment of the newly appointed governor of Bangladesh Bank to ensure the central bank’s independence, neutrality, and freedom from conflicts of interest. According to TIB, Mostakur Rahman was appointed as the new governor of Bangladesh Bank after Mansur was removed from the position. Speaking at the press conference, Dr Iftekharuzzaman said concerns have emerged regarding the process of appointing the governor of Bangladesh Bank. From the press conference, the organization directly proposed the repeal of the controversial Police Commission Ordinance 2025. Among others present at the press conference were TIB Adviser Dr Sumaiya Khair, Director (Outreach and Communication) Mohammad Towhidul Islam, and Director (Research) Md Badiuzzaman.

Iran has not closed the Strait of Hormuz, local media reported on Thursday, citing a military official. “We have not closed the Strait of Hormuz, and we deal with passing ships there according to international protocols,” Deputy Commander of Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters Kiumars Heidari told Iran’s state-run IRIB TV. “We have resolved that unless we break America’s horn and leave it disappointed and despairing, we will not abandon this war,” said Heidari. “It doesn’t matter to us how many days this war lasts,” he said. “We will end this war when we have achieved our objectives.”

The Bangladesh Police, which has an estimated strength of more than 200,000 personnel, may return to its previous uniform as an overwhelming majority of officers favour reinstating the old dress. The results show that the vast majority prefer the previous uniform. At a special welfare meeting held at the Narsingdi Police Lines, most officers present supported returning to the old uniform. Considering practicality, design, and acceptance, the old uniform is widely regarded as more suitable. As a result, police personnel are expected to continue performing duties in the previous short-sleeved uniform during the upcoming summer season.

PARIS, France, March 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, is among the leading contenders to succeed his father as the new head of the Islamic republic. Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, would represent a hereditary transition that his father rejected as an idea in 2024. Born on September 8, 1969, in the holy city of Mashhad in eastern Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei is one of the late supreme leader's six children. He is the only child of the former supreme leader to hold a public position despite having no official post. According to an investigation by the Bloomberg news organisation, which cited anonymous sources and Western intelligence agency reports, Mojtaba Khamenei has amassed wealth estimated at more than $100 million.

The government has decided to launch a “Farmer Card” program on a pilot basis in nine upazilas across the country’s eight divisions, aiming to bring transformative changes to the agricultural sector. Following the completion of the pre-pilot and pilot phases, the government plans to implement the program nationwide within the next four years. Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly confirmed that the experimental program will be officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister on April 14, coinciding with the celebration of Pohela Boishakh. Based on the collected information, farmer cards will be distributed in nine designated blocks across the nine upazilas. The press secretary added that after completing the pre-pilot and pilot stages, the government aims to expand the Farmer Card program nationwide within four years.

Power house North Korea is the three-time champion ofthe Asian Cup. North Korea, who started their Group B campaign by beating Uzbekistan 3-0 inSydney, is at the top of the table with three points. Following Bangladesh's brave performance in their first match against China,the Afeida and Co. have gained much confidence to and preparing for the toughchallenge to face North Korea. However, the Bangladesh coach Piter James Butler did not want to dream big ofplaying in the quarter-final right now. She said North Korea is strong team and they would carry their coach'sinstruction in the tough match against Korea.