TOKYO, March 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Oil prices inched higher in early Asian trade on Wednesday, adding to strong gains this week as ongoing violence in the Middle East disrupted supplies. West Texas Intermediate was up 0.5 percent at $74.92. Brent North Sea Crude was not yet being traded. Brent had on Tuesday topped $85 a barrel for the first time since July 2024, with speculation the price could hit $100 per barrel. Equities on Tuesday fell sharply but Wall Street recovered some ground after Trump's comments.

That provided some relief to traders and pared a rally in prices Tuesday. "Asian equities are now staring at a third consecutive day of losses and the reason is not mysterious," wrote Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management. "When crude edges higher, the invoice lands hardest in Asia, where imported energy is not just a line item but a structural dependency. The prospect of energy costs spiking has hammered hopes for any more central bank interest rate cuts as officials were already concerned about still-elevated inflation. Analysts said the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Asian central banks would likely delay interest rate cuts but the Bank of England as well those in parts of Latin America and Central Europe could be forced to hike.

Cuba to allow some joint ventures between state, private sectorHAVANA, March 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Cuba on Tuesday authorized partnerships between public and private companies for the first time in nearly 60 years, though the communist government will maintain a state monopoly in the health, education and defense sectors. These new entities will have business autonomy and can determine the number of employees and their salaries. With the state facing difficulties in obtaining foreign currency and an ongoing economic crisis stoked by the tightening of the US embargo, the private sector has gained ground in recent years. By 2025, the country's approximately 9,900 private companies represented 15 percent of GDP and employed more than 30 percent of the active population. That same year, private-sector retail sales surpassed those of the public sector for the first time, representing 55 percent of total trade.

BRUSSELS, Belgium, March 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The EU will on Wednesday unveil "Buy European" rules to boost domestic production, which Brussels says will help defend European businesses against fierce global competition, especially from China. The commission will propose that if companies want public money, they must meet minimum thresholds for EU-made parts in "strategic sectors", set to include cars, green tech and "energy-intensive" industries such as aluminium and steel. Its supporters say that if the EU does not shield its strategic sectors it will not have any industry left to defend. The looming rules are unpopular outside the EU with fears in countries including Britain, Canada, Japan and Turkey over how strict they will be. To do so it imposes conditions on foreign investments of over 100 million euros ($116 million) in "emerging strategic sectors" such as batteries and electric vehicles.

INDIAN WELLS, United States, March 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - World number one Carlos Alcaraz believes controlling his emotions has been the secret of his unbeaten start to 2026 as he chases a third title of the year at Indian Wells. Alcaraz, who is targeting a third Indian Wells title after wins in 2023 and 2024, says he is not dwelling on Novak Djokovic's record 41-match winning streak from 2011. "Obviously I know that 41, Novak holds the record," Alcaraz told reporters on Tuesday. "When you're on 12 wins, it's like (winning) four or five more tournaments, the biggest tournaments in the world. Alcaraz, who has already amassed seven Grand Slam titles, puts his recent success down to learning to keep his temperament in check.

INDIAN WELLS, United States, March 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - With top players stranded in the Middle East by war and a tournament scrapped due to falling drone shrapnel, the glamorous globe-trotting world of tennis has not been spared the "brutal" reality of recent events, stars said at Indian Wells on Tuesday. Dozens of international tennis players are gathering this week on the opposite side of the world in the California desert for the prestigious annual men's and women's tournaments that begin Wednesday. British star Jack Draper told reporters in Indian Wells that he had been in Dubai last week and "managed to get away almost probably one of the last flights out." "It's brutal to think about some of that," said American star Ben Shelton, who like many players at Indian Wells has friends "stuck" in the Middle East. Men's world number two Jannik Sinner on Tuesday said he hopes "that everyone is safe and they can come here to play or also to go home."

Trump says US Navy could escort tankers, Iran aimed to strike firstWASHINGTON, United States, March 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump said Tuesday the US Navy was ready to escort oil tankers through a crucial Gulf shipping route, as he justified his war on Iran by saying he believed Tehran was about to strike first. "If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible," Trump said on his Truth Social platform. "Just about everything's been knocked out," Trump said, adding that Iran's navy, air force and radar systems had all been taken out of action. Trump however offered no firm plan for Iran's future leadership, saying that "most of the people we had in mind are dead." Trump also threatened to cut off trade with "terrible" Spain, whose left-wing government also refused the use of its bases.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur arrived in Dhaka tonight. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Mar 3, 2026 (BSS) - US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur arrived in Dhaka tonight on a two-day visit aimed at strengthening strategic ties and expanding cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States. "We warmly welcome Assistant Secretary S. Paul Kapur to Bangladesh. Assistant Secretary Kapur will engage with government officials and business leaders to strengthen US-Bangladesh strategic ties," the US Embassy in Dhaka said in a statement Tuesday night. Prior to arriving in Dhaka, Kapur visited New Delhi from March 1 to 3, where he discussed regional security and shared Indo-Pacific priorities.

Gabura Bazar in Dinajpur Sadar, the largest wholesale tomato market in northern region, supplies 150–200 tonnes of tomatoes daily to districts across the country. Located about 4.5 kilometers from the district town on the banks of the Garbheshwari River, Gabura Bazar has earned nationwide recognition as the leading wholesale tomato hub in the northern region. During a recent visit, farmers said tomatoes are harvested fresh from the fields each morning and transported directly to the wholesale market. Sirajul Hasan, Director of the Dinajpur Horticulture Department, described Gabura Bazar as a “Tomato Kingdom,” where the wholesale market appears covered in red produce every day. Md Abdul Jalil, President of the Gabura Tomato Wholesale Market Wholesalers Association, said 25 to 30 truckloads of tomatoes leave the market daily for destinations across the country.

Administrator of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Nazrul Islam Manju on Tuesday reiterated that ensuring accessible and improved healthcare services for city residents—particularly low-income communities—remains his foremost priority. He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after visiting Lal Hospital in the Khalishpur industrial area of the city in the morning. KCC Chief Executive Officer Rajib Ahmed, Secretary Ariful Islam, and Chief Engineer Mashiuzzaman Khan, among others, were present during the visit. He said he spoke with patients and healthcare workers to assess the additional support required for industrial workers and to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services. Regarding mosquito control measures, the KCC administrator said allegations of irregularities in procuring mosquito repellents would be investigated to ensure the supply of effective and quality products.

The prosecution has filed an application seeking to defer the verdict in a crimes against humanity case over the shooting of one person and the killing of two others in Rampura during the July uprising. The verdict in the case is scheduled to be delivered on Wednesday. However, citing certain complications, the prosecution has requested the tribunal not to pronounce the judgment and to defer it instead. Allegations of investigative negligence have emerged in the Rampura case. The prosecution has therefore sought a postponement of the verdict to allow further witness examination.

Photo: WikipediaDHAKA, March 3, 2026 (BSS) - The US-Bangla Airlines will operate two special flights on the Dhaka-Dubai-Dhaka route to repatriate Bangladeshi nationals stranded in the United Arab Emirates amid the ongoing Middle East crisis. The first special flight will depart Dhaka for Dubai on Wednesday at 7:20 pm (BST), with the return leg leaving Dubai at 12:20 am (local time), the airlines spokesperson Md Kamrul Islam told BSS tonight. A second special service will operate on Thursday, departing Dhaka at 5:15 pm (BST) and returning from Dubai at 10:00 pm (local time). The humanitarian flights will be operated by a 436-seat Airbus A330-300 under flight numbers BS-341 (Dhaka-Dubai) and BS-342 (Dubai-Dhaka), providing substantial capacity for urgent travel. Islam said the Dubai Airport Authority has granted special permission to US-Bangla Airlines, alongside other international carriers including Emirates and Air India, to operate limited humanitarian services under the prevailing situation.

Over winter break, my older sister and I decided on a mutual gift — secondhand digital cameras from eBay. The nostalgic quality of a digital camera evokes something subtly iconic — a glowing haziness that only lower-quality photos seem able to create. For Shreem Chakravarti ’29, a student majoring in fashion design and management in the College of Human Ecology who works with Cornell’s Thread Magazine, the return to the digital camera reflects a shift in the photographer’s intention. Using a digital camera feels different. A digital camera invites intention; it exists simply to preserve a moment.

Holt reflected on how the current state of science in the U.S. came to be and outlined possibilities for where it can head in the future. Throughout the talk, Holt highlighted the gap between scientific experts and general audiences, recognizing how essential strong communication methods are in promoting a thriving society. This defined the American landscape for scientific enterprise in the following century, according to Holt. Holt reiterated the importance of scientists communicating research and encouraging evidence-based thinking to the public. Being proactive to establish change in all levels of science and political realms is crucial for democratic governance, said Holt.

Reading time: about 6 minutesThis article contains spoilers for Bridgerton Season 4. Since its first season in 2020, Bridgerton has cemented itself as a pillar of modern romance media. Based on the Julia Quinn book series, Bridgerton follows the family of the determined Violet Bridgerton as she pursues a love match for each of her children. Season 4 is Benedict Bridgerton’s turn to secure a wife, in efforts to please his mother and finally settle down. That’s all the hot-goss on Bridgerton Season 4 — see you next season!