China confirms top economic official to meet US counterpart in Paris
China confirms top economic official to meet US counterpart in ParisBEIJING, March 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - China's top economic official will leave on Saturday for talks with his US counterpart in France, less than three weeks before President Donald Trump's expected summit with President Xi Jinping. The Paris gathering is seen as setting the stage for Trump's expected visit to China later this month. - New probes -China and the United States have navigated a rocky economic relationship since Trump began a second term in January 2025. There are hopes that tensions could cool, although newly unveiled probes by Washington into international trade practices have again threatened more instability. China's commerce ministry criticised the latest US probes as "a typical act of unilateralism that severely undermines the international economic and trade order".
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 09:22 UTC
Two drones crash near major Iraqi oil field
BAGHDAD, March 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Two drones fell near a major southern Iraqi oil field, two oil ministry officials told AFP on Friday, as the war in the Middle East causes unprecedented upheaval in the sector. "Two drones hit communications towers near the Majnoon oil field, without causing casualties or material damage," one official told AFP. The oil field had already paused operations prior to the incident. Oil ministry spokesperson Saheb Bazoun said it was the first time the field had been targeted, adding that one drone exploded after crashing. Several oil fields and facilities in Iraq have been hit by drones since the Middle East war began on February 28.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 09:05 UTC
Sri Lanka to repatriate remains of 84 Iranians killed in US attack
Sri Lanka to repatriate remains of 84 Iranians killed in US attackCOLOMBO, March 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Sri Lanka is repatriating on Friday the remains of 84 Iranian sailors killed when their frigate was sunk nine days ago by a US submarine, the Foreign Ministry said. The seamen were killed when IRIS Dena was torpedoed on March 4 just off the coast of Sri Lanka, in a move that extended the Middle East war to the Indian Ocean. "All domestic procedures have been completed, and the Iranians are bringing a chartered aircraft for the repatriation," spokesman Thushara Rodrigo told AFP. "The 32 sailors who were rescued by our navy will remain in Sri Lanka." The embalmed remains, in sealed boxes, are to be flown out of Sri Lanka from the Mattala International Airport in the south of the country, officials said.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 09:04 UTC
Ex-CEO of SriLankan Airlines arrested over alleged Airbus bribe
Kapila Chandrasena, who was CEO of SriLankan Airlines during a 2013 deal to purchase 10 aircraft worth $2.3 billion, was arrested on Thursday and remanded in custody, officials said. Chandrasena was previously arrested and released on bail in February 2020 in a similar but separate case. At that time, the United States, Britain and France named him in a joint investigation into Airbus business deals. Investigators in Britain accused Airbus of failing to prevent persons associated with the company from bribing directors or employees of SriLankan Airlines to "obtain or retain business or advantage". In June 2025, Nishantha Wickramasinghe, who was chairman of SriLankan Airlines when the carrier contracted to buy the 10 aircraft in 2013 -- was arrested in an unrelated corruption case.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 09:03 UTC
History-makers Uzbekistan dreams big at Women's Asian Cup
SYDNEY, March 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - History-making Uzbekistan are targeting a major upset against South Korea in the Women's Asian Cup quarter-finals, with coach Kotryna Kulbyte on Friday urging her players to keep dreaming big. The two sides clash in Sydney on Saturday with direct qualification to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil guaranteed for the winner. While South Korea -- the 2022 Asian runners-up -- are making their fourth consecutive appearance in the knockout rounds, it is a first for the Uzbeks. "Now it is about achieving our next dream, but to dream without putting in the work does not work. South Korea scored nine times through eight different players in their group games against Australia, Iran and the Philippines.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 08:54 UTC
Greece arrests Pole on charges of spying on US base
Greece arrests Pole on charges of spying on US baseATHENS, March 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Greek police have arrested a Polish man on charges of spying on the military base used by US forces in Crete, according to the ANA news agency. Thursday's arrest came 10 days after a Georgian man was detained on the same charges. The 58-year-old Polish citizen, who has denied the charges, was allegedly taking pictures of ships entering the Souda military base on the island, according to police sources quoted by the agency. On March 2, a Georgian man was arrested on charges of spying at the same base. The man, a 36-year-old Georgian national of Azerbaijani origin, has denied the spying charges.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 08:52 UTC
Sirens heard at Incirlik base, key NATO facility in Turkey: state news agency
ANKARA, March 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Sirens wailed early on Friday at Turkey's Incirlik airbase, a key NATO facility where US troops are stationed near the southern city of Adana, state news agency Anadolu reported. NATO had on Monday confirmed shooting down a second ballistic missile fired from Iran, prompting Ankara to warn Tehran against "provocative steps". Later that day, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian phoned Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and denied the missile had been fired from Iran. On Tuesday, Turkey said a Patriot missile defence system was being deployed in Malatya as NATO "strengthened its air and missile defence measures". A day later, it said it had strengthened its "alliance-wide ballistic missile defence posture" without giving details.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 08:51 UTC
Iran Guards vow 'stronger' response than in January if new protests erupt
Iran Guards vow 'stronger' response than in January if new protests eruptTEHRAN, March 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the country's military, warned on Friday that any new protests against the authorities would be met with a stronger response than in January, when several thousand people were killed. In December, protests against the high cost of living in Iran turned into a broad protest movement against the authorities. It reached its peak on January 8 with what Iranian authorities called "riots" blamed on "terrorists" working on behalf of Israel and the United States. The official death toll from Iranian authorities stands at more than 3,000, with the government saying the vast majority were members of security forces or passers-by. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the United States, says more than 7,000 people were killed.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 08:49 UTC
UK economy shows zero growth in January: official
LONDON, March 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Britain's economy stalled in January, official data showed Friday, with the possibility of worse gloom in the coming months as the Middle East conflict sends oil prices surging. Gross domestic product showed zero growth at the start of the year after GDP expansion of 0.1 percent in December, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement. Responding to Friday's data, finance minister Rachel Reeves acknowledged "there is more to do" to grow the UK economy "in an uncertain world". And "GDP growth is more likely to lose momentum in the coming months rather than gain it", said Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics research group. "An energy price shock also reduces GDP growth," he added.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 08:39 UTC
Zelensky arrives in Paris for talks on pressuring Russia
PARIS, France, March 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Paris on Friday, his spokesman said, for talks with President Emmanuel Macron on ramping up pressure on Russia. The visit comes as talks brokered between Kyiv and Moscow by the United States to end the four-year invasion have been derailed by the US-Israeli war with Iran. The talks between Macron and Zelensky will focus on increasing sanctions pressure on Russia by targeting its "shadow fleet" of tankers used to transport oil in breach of sanctions imposed over the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the French presidency has said. The US government has temporarily eased economic sanctions to allow Russian oil currently stranded at sea to be sold to India until April 3. Zelensky said last week it could take four to six weeks to make the pipeline operational again.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 08:37 UTC
Bangladesh, Japan resume HSIA terminal talks; win-win sought
Bangladesh and Japan today resumed negotiations with a Japanese consortium in a renewed effort to operationalise the long-delayed Third Terminal of HSIA on a win-win basis. We are trying to make the third terminal operational as soon as possible as per the instruction of honourable Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. We hope we will reach a win-win deal with Japan to open the new terminal." While talking to journalists, Humayun Kabir and State Minister Millat described the discussions as positive and expressed optimism that a mutually acceptable solution could be reached soon. Millat mentioned Bangladesh and Japan are seeking a solution beneficial for Bangladesh while correcting shortcomings in earlier agreements to ensure a "win-win" outcome for operating HSIA's third terminal.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 08:24 UTC
Public entry to Nat'l Memorial to remain closed Mar 23–25
The National Memorial. File PhotoDHAKA, March 13, 2026 (BSS) – Public entry to the National Memorial premises at Savar will remain closed from March 23 to 25 to ensure cleanliness and proper arrangements ahead of the observance of Independence and National Day 2026. The restriction has been imposed to keep the memorial area clean and well prepared for the national programme, an official release said. Besides, public entry to the National Memorial will remain suspended early on the morning of March 26 until the invited guests leave the premises after paying tribute. All concerned have been requested to extend their cooperation in maintaining the sanctity and overall beauty of the National Memorial.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 07:59 UTC
Extra security measures by police in Rajshahi ahead of Eid
Extra security measures by police in Rajshahi ahead of EidRAJSHAHI, March 13, 2026 (BSS)- Ahead of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Fitr, law enforcement agencies in Rajshahi have taken additional security measures to maintain law and order and ensure safe and smooth travel for people returning home for the festival. He said that the law and order situation in Rajshahi has improved due to the strong activities of the police. Through collective cooperation and coordination, it will be possible to minimize potential suffering during the Eid travel rush. He also said that security measures around Eid prayer congregations will be ensured and mobile courts have been strengthened to prevent the collection of excessive transport fares. Meanwhile, Additional Superintendent of Police Sabina Yasmin said that extra police personnel have been deployed at eight police stations under Rajshahi District Police.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 05:40 UTC
Venezuela leader's first foreign trip abruptly canceled
"Everything is canceled," a Colombian foreign ministry source told AFP. One Colombian official acknowledged reports of a security threat, without specifying whether those threats came from Colombia or Venezuela. The area around Cucuta is home to numerous drug-running left-wing guerrilla groups, which Colombia has long accused Venezuela of funding and protecting. In a sign of how abruptly the meeting was canceled, US President Donald Trump had wished Petro luck for the meeting during a call on Thursday. In recent months, the area around Cucuta has become more violent with rival guerrilla groups launching deadly battles over trafficking routes.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 13, 2026 05:36 UTC