Iran was not rebuilding nuclear enrichment, US intelligence finds
WASHINGTON, United States, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US intelligence concluded Wednesday that Iran was not rebuilding nuclear enrichment capacities that were destroyed in a June 2025 US-Israeli attack, contradicting President Donald Trump's justifications for his ongoing war. "As a result of Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran's nuclear enrichment program was obliterated. There has been no efforts since then to try to rebuild their enrichment capability," Gabbard said in the testimony to the Senate intelligence committee. Trump has repeatedly said that he ordered the attack on Iran alongside Israel on February 28 due to an "imminent threat." The US intelligence community "assesses the regime in Iran to be intact but largely degraded due to attacks on its leadership and military capabilities," Gabbard said.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 16:00 UTC
Pakistan announces Eid 'pause' in conflict with Afghanistan
"Pakistan offers this gesture in good faith and in keeping with the Islamic norms," he wrote on X. Pakistan accuses Kabul of harbouring extremists behind cross-border attacks on its territory. - Identification -Obtaining immediate independent confirmation of exact death tolls is difficult in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with attacks often in hard-to-reach places and conflicting information. - Mediation stalled -Afghanistan and Pakistan have faced calls for an immediate end to the conflict, with the overall civilian death toll mounting and concern about those displaced. Russia's special representative for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said Moscow "will be ready" to help broker talks if both sides request it.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 15:52 UTC
'Happened so fast': UK students panicked by meningitis outbreak
CANTERBURY, United Kingdom, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Hundreds of masked-up students queued Wednesday to get vaccinated at the UK university campus at the heart of a deadly meningitis outbreak, as the number of cases rose to 20. At least 200 students formed a long queue at the grassy campus near the medieval city of Canterbury, as the university rolled-out a targeted vaccination programme for meningitis B -- a deadly bacterial strain. The number of cases being probed by UK authorities has risen since Tuesday from 15 to 20. - 'Halt the spread' -Six of the confirmed cases are of group B meningococcal disease, according to the UKHSA. Children in Britain are usually routinely vaccinated against meningitis B with three doses given at eight and 12 weeks and one year.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 15:52 UTC
Nigerian troops kill 60 jihadists in northeast: military
LAGOS, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Nigerian soldiers Wednesday killed 60 jihadists who planned to attack a military position in conflict-battered Borno state, two days after multiple suicide bomber attacks in the state capital, the military said. The military said it had "successfully" repelled a coordinated overnight attack by insurgents of unclear affiliation, who tried to "breach the 68 Battalion Main Defensive Area" in Mallam Fatori, near the Niger border. Troops and "supporting air components engaged the attackers decisively, neutralizing over 60 terrorist fighters, including some notorious commanders," it said. The military shared images of dozens of bodies lined up on the ground with its statement posted on X. Last month, the United States began deploying 200 troops to Nigeria to provide technical and training support to soldiers in fighting jihadist groups.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 15:50 UTC
Takes Relaunches with All-New Gameplay, Daily Sports Challenges, and Interactive March Madness Bracket
We’ve reimagined the Takes app from the ground up, around what today’s consumers actually want: faster updates, deeper insights, more interactivity, and content that feels personal and immediate,” said Michael Iams, CEO and Co-Founder, Takes. By pairing quick-hit content with competitive gameplay, the platform turns real-time moments into opportunities for participation. Introducing All-New Takes Interactive March Madness BracketTakes is transforming how fans learn about their teams and build smarter March Madness brackets. “Built on deep focus research with Gen Z, our new Interactive Takes Bracket IQ reflects how the next generation of fans wants to engage. Think Duolingo but for sports: every game, storyline, and stat becomes a playable moment: predicting outcomes, reacting instantly, and climbing the leaderboard with your “Takes.” Takes turns sports from something you watch into something you do — every day.
Source:Daily Sun
March 18, 2026 15:44 UTC
LRTV Station Manager to Speak at Rotary
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United Ara
Source:Daily Sun
March 18, 2026 15:32 UTC
Views from Augusta: Get Ready for Maine Maple Weekend
CountryUnited States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, 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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Ara
Source:Daily Sun
March 18, 2026 15:16 UTC
Initiatives to be taken to develop city markets with modern facilities: Manju
Initiatives to be taken to develop city markets with modern facilities: ManjuKHULNA, March 18, 2026 (BSS) - Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju today said initiatives will be taken to develop all city markets with modern facilities in phases. He made the remarks after conducting daylong visits to several markets across Khulna. Senior KCC officials and market leaders were present during the inspections. He said all markets would be brought under a phased inspection programme and necessary steps would be taken to transform them into modern markets. During the visit, the KCC administrator inspected Sheikhpara Market, Mistripara Market, Chandmari Market and Moylapota Meat Market.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 15:16 UTC
Nurul Haque condoles death of expat in missile attack in Saudi Arabia
State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Mohammad Nurul Haque. File PhotoDHAKA, Mar 18, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Mohammad Nurul Haque and Senior Secretary of the ministry Dr. Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan today expressed profound shock and sorrow over the death of a Bangladeshi expatriate in Saudi Arabia. Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, an expatriate, has died after sustaining severe injuries from a recent missile strike in Saudi Arabia amid the Iran-Israel conflict. According to a statement, Al Mamun was seriously burned when a missile, launched from Iran, struck the Al-Kharj area in Saudi Arabia on March 8. Al Mamun hailed from Rasulpur village under Gafargaon Upazila in Mymensingh district.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 14:50 UTC
4-member committee to probe over train derailment
DHAKA, Mar 18, 2026 (BSS)- A four-member investigation committee has been formed by the railway authorities to probe the cause of derailment of the Nil Sagar Express traveling from Dhaka to Chilahati in Nilphamari. Chief transport officer will lead the committee while other members are a mechanical engineer, chief engineer, and chief signal engineer. While passing Santahar station and heading toward Tilakpur station, nine coaches derailed in Bagmari area of Adamdighi Upazila in Bogura district. The Chilahati Express, Drutojan Express, and Kurigram Express can depart Dhaka on time. If the recovery work is not finished, the Kurigram Express may be rerouted via an alternate path from Santahar.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 14:50 UTC
Russia condemns killing of Iranian security chief Larijani
MOSCOW, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Russia on Wednesday condemned the killing of Iranian security chief Ali Larijani, after ally Tehran vowed retaliation for his death in an Israeli airstrike. "We firmly condemn actions aimed at harming the health and, even more, the killing of the leadership of sovereign and independent Iran. We condemn such actions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a daily briefing. Since the outbreak of the war, Russia has sent humanitarian aid, but otherwise declined to comment publicly on what support it has offered Iran, if any. The Kremlin last week denied a Washington Post report that Russia had passed sensitive intelligence to Iran, including the locations of US warships and aircraft in the region.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 14:35 UTC
Iran to target energy facilities in Gulf after attack on its gas field: state TV
Iran to target energy facilities in Gulf after attack on its gas field: state TVTEHRAN, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's military said it would target energy infrastructure across the Gulf following a US-Israeli attack on its facilities at a major gas field, state television reported on Wednesday. The military's operational command Khatam Al-Anbiya said in a statement that it would "severely strike the source of the aggression and consider targeting the fuel, energy and gas infrastructure" of countries from which the attacks were launched. Iran accuses Gulf states of allowing US forces to conduct attacks from their territory, and Iranian state television published a list of "legitimate targets" including oil and gas facilities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, saying they "will be targeted in the coming hours".
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 14:34 UTC
Zelensky urges EU to unblock 90-bn-euro loan for Ukraine
MADRID, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday urged the European Union to overcome a veto by Hungary on a 90-billion-euro ($103-billion) loan vital for his country. Zelensky, during a visit to Madrid to meet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, said he considered that the "main issue" of an EU summit that will be held Thursday and Friday in Brussels. "Nothing and nobody can make us forget what is happening in Ukraine," Sanchez told a news briefing alongside Zelensky after the two met. "We will continue to be by your side, as we always have been," the prime minister said. The Ukrainian president was expected to meet with Spain's King Felipe VI later Wednesday.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 14:34 UTC
Mideast war ups threat to Israeli, US interests: Swedish intelligence
STOCKHOLM, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Sweden's intelligence service said Wednesday that the war in the Middle East has led to increased threats to US and Israeli interests, but stressed that Russia remained the main threat to the country. "Going back several years, we have had a serious security situation in Sweden. Sapo has previously pointed to Iran, along with Russia and China, as a principal threat to the country. Sapo has previously accused Iran in particular of recruiting members of Swedish criminal gangs to commit "acts of violence" against Israeli and other interests in Sweden -- a claim Iran denied. Von Essen stressed that the agency still considered the "main threat" against Sweden to be from Russia.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 14:30 UTC
Sajek Valley resorts fully booked for Eid holidays
A week-long public holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr has triggered a massive rush of tourists to the Chattorgram Hill Tracts, with resorts in Sajek Valley and Rangamati town reporting full bookings. All 111 resorts and cottages in Sajek Valley are 100 percent booked from Mar 22 to 28, according to the Sajek Resort and Cottage Owners' Association. In Rangamati town, popular spots such as the Hanging Bridge, Polwel Park, and various lakefront resorts are also nearing capacity. Our member resorts are fully booked until 28 March," he said. Inspector Md Tarikul Alam Jewel of the Rangamati Zone said a control room has been established, and patrol teams will be stationed at key tourist spots and boat ghats to ensure safety.
Source:bd News24
March 18, 2026 14:16 UTC