Six allies ready to help 'efforts to ensure safe passage' through Hormuz Strait
Six allies ready to help 'efforts to ensure safe passage' through Hormuz StraitLONDON, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Six major international powers, including Britain, France, Germany and Japan, said Thursday they were ready "to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz". The situation has left around 20,000 seafarers stranded on approximately 3,200 vessels west of the strait, according to the International Maritime Organization. "We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping," it added. "Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. US President Donald Trump has urged other world powers, and NATO, to help reopen the Hormuz Strait to commercial shipping, but they have rebuffed his call in the short-term while insisting they were open to discussions and planning.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 19, 2026 14:28 UTC
Faults in First Rotation Causes Women’s Gymnastics to Finish Second at Dual Meet
Rothstein finished with a score of 8.175 contributing to the total team score of 46.050, the lowest this whole season. Overall, all of our vaulters did a fantastic job.”The Red finished with a total score of 48.000 on vault. Once again, senior Cami Whitaker had the highest score of 9.775 with freshman Grace McLean following with a 9.625. Sophomore Sarah Goetter and junior captain Josie Moylan finished with the team’s highest scores with a 9.875 and a 9.825 respectively. Freshman Lauren Golioto obtained the second highest score with a 9.600.
Source:Daily Sun
March 19, 2026 14:26 UTC
Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday as Shawwal moon not sighted
"The moon of Holy Shawwal month of 1447 Hijri was not sighted in the sky of the country today. The holy Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Saturday," Religious Affairs Minister and National Moon SightingCommittee President Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) told reporters after the meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee. Earlier, a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee was held at the meeting room of Islamic Foundation at Baitul Mokarram National Mosque here this evening with Religious Affairs Minister and National Moon Sighting Committee President Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain in the chair. The main jamaat of the Eid-ul-Fitr will be held at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises here at 8.30am. Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek, will lead the prayers at the National Eidgah.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 19, 2026 13:21 UTC
Legal action will be taken against those creating artificial fuel shortages during Eid: Dipen
Legal action will be taken against those creating artificial fuel shortages during Eid: DipenChittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan warns action against artificial fuel shortages ahead of Eid travel rush. Photo : BSSRANGAMATI, March 19, 2026 (BSS) - Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan today said legal action will be taken against those responsible for creating artificial fuel shortages during Eid. He said this after visiting various petrol pumps in Rangamati to ensure smooth travel for homebound people and to review the fuel supply situation ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr. He urged passengers and transport drivers to immediately report any problems to the helpline 16107 or the police control room. He called upon passengers to quickly file complaints if they are charged more than the fixed fares at any terminal.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 19, 2026 13:01 UTC
Oil soars 10% after Qatar energy sites hit in Mideast war
But he warned the United States would "blow up" the Iranian gas field itself if Tehran did not stop attacking Qatar. Strikes were also reported Thursday on energy infrastructure in Kuwait, where two oil refineries were hit by drones, and Saudi Arabia. "Targeting energy infrastructure poses a direct threat to global energy security," the UAE foreign ministry said. - 'War of attrition' -In the Iranian capital on Thursday, there was little to suggest a country mired in war. In a post on social media, Trump late Wednesday said Israel had "violently lashed out" in "anger" in attacking the Iran gas hub.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 19, 2026 12:22 UTC
FBI probing counterterrorism official who quit over Iran war: reports
WASHINGTON, United States, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The FBI was investigating allegations of leaking classified information against an ex-senior US counterterrorism official who quit in protest of the Iran war, US media reported Wednesday. In an interview with right-wing broadcaster Tucker Carlson posted late Wednesday, 45-year-old Kent doubled down on his view that Iran was not an imminent threat to the United States. He said Israel "drove the decision" to go to war, with the United States knowing that the Iranians would retaliate. On Tuesday, the Republican president accused Kent of being "very weak on security" and said it's a "good thing that he's out." "As President Trump has clearly and explicitly stated, he had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first," Leavitt said.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 19, 2026 12:11 UTC
GUEST ROOM | In AI Research, Academic Integrity Falls by the Wayside
I first encountered Jan Burzlaff’s work in the pages of The Sun. He responded, “My thinking evolved as AI became more embedded in everyday academic life.”The core reason underpinning Burzlaff’s principles is that ChatGPT cannot successfully render the complexity of Holocaust survivor testimony. The popularity of Burzlaff’s research despite its slipperiness tells a bleak story about the state of higher education. It is not that Burzlaff’s principles are necessarily wrong. In the age of AI, we must continue to demand rigorous research and academic integrity from our scholars, just as we demand it from our students.
Source:Daily Sun
March 19, 2026 12:08 UTC
Getting a Bigger Bang for Your (City) Buck
However, one major advantage of living in Collegetown is the associated South Campus meal plan. City Bucks were initially meant to be an ‘equalizer’ for those living on South Campus and have quickly become an attractive feature of the area. By contrast, the South Campus plan has more flexible spending in the form of City Bucks. I would have more freedom to explore more of Ithaca if my meal plan included City Bucks too. I would not support a large allocation of City Bucks in new plans, given that would likely be reflected in uncomfortable tuition increases.
Source:Daily Sun
March 19, 2026 12:08 UTC
PM's press wing refutes report on PM’s address to nation tomorrow
DHAKA, March 19, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister’s Press Wing has clarified that the information regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to address the nation tomorrow (Friday) is not correct. "The information that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will address the nation tomorrow (Friday) is not correct," said the press wing this afternoon.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 19, 2026 12:01 UTC
Iran again threatens to destroy region's energy facilities if own attacked
TEHRAN, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's military renewed threats on Thursday to destroy the region's energy infrastructure were its facilities to be attacked again during the US-Israel war with the Islamic republic. "We warn the enemy that you made a major mistake in attacking the energy infrastructure of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the response is underway and not yet finished," the military's operational command Khatam Al-Anbiya said in a statement carried by Fars news agency. "If it is repeated, subsequent attacks against your energy infrastructure and that of your allies will not stop until their complete destruction, and our response will be far more severe than" last night's attacks.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 19, 2026 11:51 UTC
Rail connectivity restored in Bogura 22 hours after ‘Nilsagar Express’ derailment
Train services have been restored in Bogura’s Santahar nearly 22 hours after the derailment of a “Nilsagar Express” train in the area. Santahar Station Master Khadija Khanam said rail communication was restored around noon on Thursday, bdnews24.com reports. The train left Dhaka at 6:45am on Wednesday for Nilphamari’s Chilahati, carrying passengers heading home for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. It stopped at Santahar Station around 2pm and then set off for Tilakpur Station. Passengers of two trains - the Nilsagar Express and the Ekota Express - headed for northern Bangladesh faced difficulties amid the overwhelming crowd at Dhaka's Kamalapur Railway Station on Thursday morning.
Source:bd News24
March 19, 2026 11:44 UTC
Modi extends Eid greetings to PM Tarique Rahman, seeks stronger bilateral ties
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photo : CollageDHAKA, March 19, 2026 (BSS) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the people of Bangladesh, expressing hope for strengthened friendship and greater harmony between the two neighbouring countries. In a message sent to his Bangladeshi counterpart, Modi said, “Eid Mubarak!”“On behalf of the people and the Government of India, I extend warm greetings to you and the brotherly people of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on the joyous occasion of the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr,” he said. Highlighting the spiritual significance of Ramadan, the Indian premier noted, “Over the past one month, Muslims in India as well as across the world have observed the holy month of Ramadan and spent pious time in fasting and prayer.”Referring to the values of the festival, Modi said, “The celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr reminds us of the timeless values of compassion, brotherhood and togetherness. We hope and pray for peace, harmony, good health and happiness for people across the world.”He also expressed optimism about bilateral relations, saying, “May the bonds of friendship and camaraderie among our countries grow stronger.”Modi concluded his message by conveying, “Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 19, 2026 11:34 UTC
Colorado lawmakers reject bill that would have required police to intervene when ICE agents use excessive force
Colorado lawmakers rejected a bill Tuesday that would have required state and local police to intervene when federal immigration agents use excessive force. Clifford said existing law already requires police to intervene in excessive force incidents and prevents police officers from cooperating with ICE. (Olivia Prentzel, The Colorado Sun)“People want us to regulate ICE, and we can’t do it,” he said. “If they think that by passage of (the bill) they will have protection to know who those ICE officers are, they’re going to be mistaken,” she said. That bill would prohibit state and local government agencies from transporting people detained by ICE for deportation purposes.
Source:Daily Sun
March 19, 2026 11:12 UTC
Blasts heard over Tel Aviv after Israel detects missiles from Iran: AFP journalist
TEL AVIV, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An AFP journalist heard three blastsover the Tel Aviv area on Thursday, after the Israeli military announced ithad detected missiles fired from Iran. "A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward theterritory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating tointercept the threat," the military said.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 19, 2026 10:57 UTC
China calls killing of Iran's Larijani, leaders 'unacceptable'
BEIJING, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - China condemned on Thursday the killingof Iranian national security chief Ali Larijani by an Israeli air strike,calling it "unacceptable". The actsof killing Iranian state leaders and attacking civilian targets are even moreunacceptable," China's foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a newsconference when asked about Larijani's death. Zhai emphasised during his visits that "non-military targets should not beattacked, and the safety of shipping lanes should not be disturbed",according to spokesman Lin. The envoy's trips were "one part of China's intensive diplomatic efforts" inthe Middle East, Lin said, adding that Beijing's "diplomatic mediationefforts will not cease as long as the conflict continues". China's foreign ministry said this week that Beijing would providehumanitarian assistance to Iran, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 19, 2026 10:46 UTC