PM sending Eid gifts to families of victims of enforced disappearances, killings, July martyrs
Photo: BSSDHAKA, March 18, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is sending Eid gifts to families affected by enforced disappearances, killings and repression, as well as to the families of those martyred during the July mass uprising. Like the previous years, he said, BNP Chairman and Chief Patron of “Amra BNP Poribar” Tarique Rahman is giving the Eid gifts this year too. This year, families who have suffered from enforced disappearances, killings and repression over the past 17 years and members of the July 2024 movement martyrs’ families will get the Eid gifts. Ruman said, “Every year, Mr Tarique Rahman provides ‘Eid gifts’ to families of victims of enforced disappearances, killings and repression. Tarique Rahman has been providing 'Eid gifts' to oppressed families during the month of Ramadan since 2016.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 14:15 UTC
Russia slams 'completely unacceptable strike' on Iranian nuclear plant
MOSCOW, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Russia on Wednesday strongly condemned what it said was a "missile strike" on Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, which the UN's nuclear watchdog announced earlier was hit by a projectile. "We strongly condemn the irresponsible, completely unacceptable missile strike launched against the inner perimeter of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, just metres from an operating reactor," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a weekly briefing. She added that Russia had warned the United States and Israel against "threatening the lives" of Russian citizens still working at the plant, which Moscow helped build.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 14:00 UTC
Trump suggests US could leave allies alone to secure Hormuz
WASHINGTON, United States, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump angrily suggested Wednesday that he could leave US allies to secure the Hormuz strait on their own since they have refused to fight alongside US forces against Iran in the crucial shipping lane. Saying the United States doesn't need the strait -- a major global oil shipping pathway -- Trump wrote on his Truth Social site that he could "let the Countries that use it" find a solution. Trump has responded to the Hormuz crisis with a series of contradictory statements, saying both that allies must help the United States and then on Tuesday saying "we don't need any help." His latest statement on Truth Social suggested the United States could abandon the situation altogether, leaving other countries to deal with the aftermath. The US military announced late Tuesday that it was using huge bunker-buster bombs to attack Iranian missile sites near the coast along Hormuz.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 13:51 UTC
Afghan minister says 'we do not want war' after Kabul bombing
Afghan minister says 'we do not want war' after Kabul bombingKABUL, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani indicated on Wednesday that Afghanistan preferred diplomacy to resolve a conflict with neighbouring Pakistan that saw hundreds killed in a strike on Kabul this week. "We do not want war," he told mourners at a mass burial of some of the victims of Monday night's strike on a drug rehabilitation centre. "But the situation has come to this, so we are trying to solve the problems through diplomacy."
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 13:50 UTC
Jamuna Bridge records Tk 34 million in tolls in 24 hours
Jamuna Bridge authorities have collected Tk 33.9 million in tolls as 46,943 vehicles have crossed the bridge in 24 hours amid the Eid rush. The crossings took place between Monday and Tuesday midnights, said Executive Engineer Syed Riaz UddinAs many as 19,445 Dhaka-bound vehicles used the bridge, paying a toll of more than Tk 16.6 million, he said. A total of 27,498 vehicles headed towards North Bengal, generating Tk 17.3 million, he added. A total of 18 toll booths -- nine on each side -- are currently in operation to manage the Eid rush. Separate arrangements have also been made for motorcycles, with two dedicated booths on each side.
Source:bd News24
March 18, 2026 13:33 UTC
Govt plans to excavate 20k km canals in 5 years: Dulu
Relief and Disaster Management Minister Asadul Habib Dulu inaugurates the re-excavation work of the Borua Canal at Kulaghat Union under Sadar Upazila today. He said this while inaugurating the re-excavation work of the Borua Canal at Kulaghat union under Sadar Upazila here today. For the current year, the government has set a target to excavate at least 5,000 kilometers of canals, of which his ministry will implement about 1,500 kilometers, the minister said. Dulu said that restoring long-neglected and silted canals would improve irrigation for farmland, facilitate drainage system during monsoon and reduce flood risks. He further noted that the canals would create opportunities for pisciculture helping generate employment for local communities.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 13:10 UTC
US benchmark WTI crude falls over four percent
TOKYO, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Benchmark US oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, was down more than four percent in Asian trading late Wednesday, as Iraq plans to restart exports via Turkey. Around 0630 GMT, a barrel of WTI was down 4.26 percent at $92.11, retreating after an almost three percent jump the previous day. Brent crude, the global market benchmark, was down 2.82 percent at $100.50 a barrel.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 13:10 UTC
Derailed Nilsagar Express ‘ignored red flags, signals’
The Nilsagar Express has gone off the track at Santahar in Bogura while repairs were under way, with red flags placed at the site, the station master said. It had stopped at Santahar Railway Station shortly before the incident. Santahar Railway Police Sub-Inspector Mahfuzur Rahman said, “The train derailed shortly after leaving the station. Nine coaches went off the track.”Locals said maintenance was being carried out on the line at the time, with red flags raised and signals given to warn approaching trains. Station Master Khadija Khanam said, “Track repairs were in progress with red flags in place.
Source:bd News24
March 18, 2026 13:00 UTC
Canal excavation drive to restore biodiversity: State Minister Azad
Photo : BSSGAIBANDHA, March 18, 2026 (BSS) -State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad today said that excavating canals, rivers and water reservoirs would help restore the country’s natural biodiversity. He noted that former President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of the country’s independence, had introduced nationwide canal excavation programs aimed at protecting biodiversity while also ensuring food security. Highlighting the current initiative, the minister said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, son of Ziaur Rahman, officially launched a countrywide canal excavation campaign in Dinajpur on March 16. As part of this program, re-excavation work on the Singzani Canal has begun in Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha. He made these remarks while inaugurating the re-excavation work of the Singzani Canal as the chief guest.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 12:55 UTC
Former reality TV star Jessie Holmes repeats as champion of the grueling Iditarod sled dog race
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Source:Daily Sun
March 18, 2026 12:55 UTC
Four admit to ‘raping’ orphaned 14-year-old in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka
Four people, including two 17-year olds, have reportedly confessed to the “rape” of a 14-year-old orphaned girl in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka Upazila, according to police. All four of them are local residents, with two of them identified as Md Hossain, 21, Md Mehedi Hasan, 20. She lost her mother in her childhood and her father died later, after a second marriage, according to the officer. And as her stepmother tortured her regularly, she fled to Mymensingh where managed a job in late 2025,” Mamun said. She was later rescued and sent to a hospital, prompting police investigation into the incident.
Source:bd News24
March 18, 2026 12:48 UTC
Historic Sholakia ready for Eid congregation with four-tier security
Photo: BSSKISHOREGANJ, March 18, 2026 (BSS) - The country's largest Eid congregation ground, the historic Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj, is fully prepared for the 199th Eid-ul-Fitr congregation. Additional security measures have been taken this year as well, with five platoons of BGB deployed. The Eid congregation will be held at 10:00 am. Farhad Hossain stated that enhanced security measures have been in place every year since the 2016 incident. Since then, security has been strengthened every year, though the number of attendees at the Eid congregation has not declined.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 12:45 UTC
Postal ballots for Sherpur-3, Bogura-6 polls to be sent by March 25
Postal ballots for Sherpur-3, Bogura-6 polls to be sent by March 25DHAKA, March 18, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) will send postal ballots to voters residing inside the country by March 25 for the elections to Sherpur-3 and by-polls to Bogura-6 constituencies. He said that postal ballots have already been sent to registered expatriate voters for these two constituencies. The ballots will be sent to voters registered inside the country by March 25. Khan said postal ballots have already been dispatched to 1,281 registered expatriate voters for Bogura-6 constituency while 383 registered expatriate voters in Sherpur-3 constituency have also received their postal ballots. Bogura-6 constituency election: Returning Officer Md.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 12:27 UTC
EU chief's Australia visit raises hopes for trade deal
SYDNEY, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will visit Australia next week, raising expectations a free-trade deal can be struck after years of negotiations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday confirmed he will meet von der Leyen in Canberra on March 24. "I look forward to welcoming President von der Leyen to Australia and continuing discussions to further expand our cooperation," Albanese said in a statement. Australia's largest export market is China, and the United States its largest source of investment. Trade Minister Don Farrell, who spoke on Tuesday with Sefcovic, told Sky News Australia that an EU deal would add Aus$10 billion (US$7.1 billion) in trade for Australia in the first year.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 12:25 UTC
Main Eid jamaat at National Eidgah at 8:30 am, five congregations at Baitul Mukarram
Main Eid jamaat at National Eidgah at 8:30 am, five congregations at Baitul MukarramNational Eidgah Maidan. File PhotoDHAKA, March 18, 2026 (BSS) - The country’s main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah at 8:30 am on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr. Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek, will lead the prayers at the National Eidgah. Besides, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, a total of five Eid congregations will be held sequentially at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7:00 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:00 am, and 10:45 am. Maulana Mizanur Rahman, Senior Pesh Imam of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, will lead the first congregation; Mufti Muhibbullahil Baqi Nadvi, Pesh Imam of the mosque, will lead the second; Maulana Md.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 18, 2026 12:13 UTC