Indian transparency activists, journalists set for court fight over Modi's privacy law
The government has denied the allegations and says it only orders removal of unlawful content and the RTI law continues to follow a principle of "maximum disclosure and minimum exemptions." The latest controversy surrounds a one-line amendment to the RTI law that came into force in November with the new privacy law, called the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, and excludes any "personal information" from release. India's law ministry and the Department of Personnel and Training, which has responsibility for the RTI law, did not respond to Reuters queries on the challenges. New Delhi-based journalists' group, The Reporters' Collective, is among those challenging the law in the Supreme Court, saying in its court filing it would hamper effective reporting. The group told the court in its filing the Indian law would "force citizens and journalists to self-censor to avoid massive penalties."
Source:bd News24
March 20, 2026 12:21 UTC
Parliament becomes ineffective without opposition: Chief Whip
Photo: BSSBARGUNA, March 20, 2026 (BSS) – Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Nurul Islam Moni has said that parliament cannot be effective without the opposition party as it is the centre of all democratic activities. It was his first visit to his home district Barguna after assuming office as the Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad. He stressed on the coordinated role of the government and the opposition party to keep the parliament effective and vibrant. The chief whip said that the parliament is basically a place of representation of the people, where the active role of the opposition party is very important. Earlier on his arrival at the circuit house, the Chief Whip was received by the district administration, police superintendent and party leaders.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 20, 2026 11:46 UTC
Strict measures to be taken enhancing train service quality: State Minister
Photo : BSSCHATTOGRAM, March 20, 2026 (BSS): State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid emphasized the need for strict measures to enhance the quality of train services and prevent black marketing. During a visit to the Chattogram Railway Station, the State Minister mentioned that modernization efforts are currently in progress. In response to concerns about train accidents and safety, the State Minister assured that steps are being taken to ensure the safety of train travel. The government has a special development plan for the Chattogram Railway Station, according to the State Minister for Railways. State Minister Habibur Rashid also interacted with passengers at the railway station, discussing their experiences and providing directions to improve passenger service.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 20, 2026 11:31 UTC
Israeli warplanes break sound barrier over Beirut: media
BEIRUT, Lebanon, March 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An Israeli warplane broke the sound barrier over Beirut on Friday morning, state media said, as AFP journalists heard loud booms reverberate across the city and in distant mountains. Lebanon's official National News Agency said "a strong sonic boom, in two successive waves, shook the skies over Beirut and its suburbs" on the morning of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the Ramadan fasting period. The incident set social media abuzz. "On a day without shelling -- so far -- the Israelis are greeting the people of Beirut and its suburbs with two sonic booms," one internet user, Salah Halawi, wrote on X.Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2 when Iran-backed Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel after the killing of the Islamic republic's supreme leader. Last week Israeli warplanes also caused loud booms in the skies of the Lebanese capital, as they dropped propaganda leaflets on the city, terrifying residents.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 20, 2026 11:26 UTC
Scholastic Reports Fiscal 2026 Third Quarter Results
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Source:Daily Sun
March 20, 2026 11:20 UTC
Serbian oil firm secures further sanctions waiver: Minister
BELGRADE, March 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Serbia's sanctioned oil firm had its temporary operating licence extended by the United States on Friday, Serbia's minister said,as a potential deal on the Russian exit from the company nears its end. The decision avoids another shutdown of the country's only oil refinery, after US sanctions hit it as part of a crackdown on Russia's energy sector. Negotiations over the sale of a Russian-majority stakeholding in the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS) have been ongoing for months with Hungarian energy giant MOL. Serbia sold a majority stake in NIS to Gazprom in 2008 for 400 million euros ($460 million). It is now 45 percent owned by Gazprom Neft, which is under US sanctions, while Gazprom transferred its 11.3 percent stake in September to its affiliated firm, Intelligence.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 20, 2026 10:48 UTC
Panama rejects Hong Kong firm's claim of ignoring arbitration
PANAMA CITY, March 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Panama's president denied Thursday that officials failed to respond to an arbitrage lawsuit by the Hong Kong firm opposing the takeover of its Panama Canal operations, saying the government would "strongly" defend itself. The dispute stems from a Panama court ruling in January striking down the contract that let Panama Ports Company (PPC), a unit of CK Hutchison, to manage the canal's Pacific port of Balboa and the Atlantic port at Cristobal. This week the company accused Panama officials of ignoring the arbitration proceedings, saying the country had not hired lawyers and "needed time to develop a plan." China had threatened Panama with payback after the court's decision in January, and CK Hutchison said this month it had intensified its legal actions over the takeover of the two Panama Canal ports it controlled. Panama has always denied any Chinese control over the 80-kilometer (50-mile) waterway, which is used mainly by the United States and China.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 20, 2026 10:46 UTC
Kotlikoff, Bala Update Faculty Senate on Resilient Cornell, Student Code of Conduct Revisions, Financial Austerity
Reading time: about 8 minutesPresident Michael Kotlikoff and Provost Kavita Bala spoke to the Faculty Senate about the Student Code of Conduct, the upcoming Faculty Senate resolution on Policy 6.4, the Committee on the Future of the American University and Resilient Cornell during its March 11 meeting. They also fielded questions ranging from Cornell’s financial challenges to the October settlement between Cornell and the Trump administration. Following this period, Kotlikoff will review the comments and the revisions will be implemented beginning on July 1. Kotlikoff also mentioned his support for an upcoming Faculty Senate resolution which would create an ad hoc committee to evaluate and recommend revisions to Policy 6.4. Following Kotlikoff’s remarks, Bala discussed the progress of the FAU committee and Resilient Cornell.
Source:Daily Sun
March 20, 2026 09:01 UTC
Gulf states say responding to missile, drone attacks
DUBAI, March 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Emirati and Kuwaiti air defences were responding to missile fire early Friday, authorities in the Gulf states said, while Saudi Arabia intercepted drone attacks. Elsewhere in the Gulf, Bahrain's interior ministry said that shrapnel from an "Iranian aggression" caused a fire at a warehouse, which was brought under control and resulted in no injuries. In Kuwait, an army statement said air defences were "responding to hostile missile and drone threats", while the UAE's interior ministry reported "a missile threat". On Thursday, drones struck a Saudi oil refinery on the Red Sea and caused fires at two others in Kuwait, as Iran stepped up attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure. Those attacks followed major damage at the world's biggest gas hub, Qatar's Ras Laffan, on Wednesday as Iran retaliated for Israeli strikes on its South Pars gas field.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 20, 2026 07:01 UTC
ASI Names Ashish Mittal Chief Executive Officer To Lead Next Phase of Growth
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Source:Daily Sun
March 20, 2026 06:54 UTC
INDRA AND SYNAPTIC AVIATION ENHANCE EFFICIENCY WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT AIRPORTS IN BARCELONA, MADRID AND PALMA DE MALLORCA
INDRA AND SYNAPTIC AVIATION ENHANCE EFFICIENCY WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT AIRPORTS IN BARCELONA, MADRID AND PALMA DE MALLORCA
Source:Daily Sun
March 20, 2026 06:54 UTC
PM’s Eid gifts distributed among destitutes in Kaliganj
MP Maulana Abu Talib distributes sarees and cash among poor at Kaliganj college ground ahead of Eid celebrations. Photo : BSSJHENAIDAH, March 19, 2026 (BSS) - Sarees and cash assistance were distributed among poor and destitute people in Kaliganj upazila of the district on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr from the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund. Member of Parliament from Jhinaidah-4 constituency, Maulana Abu Talib, attended as the chief guest and handed over the gifts. The items distributed included 700 sarees and cash amounting to Taka 10 lakh. These were given to underprivileged and disadvantaged people in the Jhinaidah-4 constituency.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 20, 2026 06:01 UTC
Troubled Spurs face Forest showdown, Chelsea need top-four surge
LONDON, March 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Relegation-haunted Tottenham face a crunch clash against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest as the fight for Premier League survival reaches boiling point. Tottenham will slump into the relegation zone if they lose to Forest and third-bottom West Ham win at Aston Villa on Sunday. Chelsea chase Champions League returnEliminated from the Champions League in chastening fashion by Paris Saint-Germain this week, Chelsea cannot afford to lick their wounds for long as they aim to secure a place in next season's tournament. Slot urges Liverpool to stay focusedRevitalised by their demolition of Galatasaray in the Champions League, Liverpool travel to Brighton on Saturday with Arne Slot insisting they must maintain the standards of that 4-0 rout. Fixtures (all times GMT)FridayBournemouth v Manchester United (2000)SaturdayBrighton v Liverpool (1230), Fulham v Burnley (1500), Everton v Chelsea (1730), Leeds v Brentford (2000)Sunday (1415 unless stated)Newcastle v Sunderland (1200), Aston Villa v West Ham, Tottenham v Nottingham Forest
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
March 20, 2026 05:30 UTC