A bus accident at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari claimed the lives of Jahangirnagar University economics master's student Ahnaf Rayan, his mother, and his niece. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when a bus lost control while boarding a ferry and plunged into the Padma River. Rayan’s sister, Dr. Nusrat Jahan Khan Saba, was rescued injured, while the bodies of Rayan and his niece were recovered early Thursday after being missing for about ten hours. Rayan, son of the late Ismail Hossain from Bhabanipur village in Rajbari, was the organizational secretary of the Rajbari Debate Association and a former president of the Jahangirnagar University Rajbari Students’ Welfare Association. His funeral prayer was scheduled to take place at his home on Thursday morning. According to reports, the bus from Souhardya Paribahan carrying around 50 passengers sank instantly after losing control at the No. 3 ferry terminal area around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon left Dhaka on Wednesday night for Turkey to attend the International Strategic Communication Summit (Stratcom) 2026, held at the Conrad Bosphorus Hotel in Istanbul on March 27 and 28. The visit is taking place at the invitation of the Turkish government. According to the itinerary, the minister was scheduled to arrive in Istanbul via Jeddah on March 26 and attend a reception hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Turkey in celebration of Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day. On March 27 at 11:20 a.m., he will speak as a panelist in the first session titled “A New Framework for the Global Order: A Strategic Communication Perspective,” alongside ministers from Northern Cyprus, Syria, and Kazakhstan. The session will be moderated by TRT World’s senior presenter Alican Ayanlar. During the visit, the minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with representatives from various countries. He is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on the morning of March 30 after the conclusion of the summit.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that Bangladesh will become a democratic, happy, and prosperous nation under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. He made the remarks on Thursday morning after paying tribute at the graves of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. Fakhrul expressed that people across the country have strong faith and optimism in Tarique Rahman’s leadership and conveyed greetings to the nation on behalf of the party. Speaking on the occasion of Independence Day, Fakhrul stated that democracy had been destroyed and freedom endangered for about 15–16 years. During that period, he claimed, around 6 million people faced legal cases, 20,000 party activists were killed, and about 1,700 were victims of enforced disappearance. He said that despite repression, people continued their struggle, leading to a new opportunity for democratic restoration through the student and public uprising in July. Highlighting initiatives under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, Fakhrul mentioned programs such as the Family Card, allowances for imams and religious leaders, canal excavation, loans for marginal farmers, and the Farmers Card for Pahela Baishakh.

Iran has appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as the new head of its Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) following the death of Ali Larijani in an Israeli airstrike. The appointment was made on Tuesday, placing Zolghadr in one of the country’s most sensitive political and security positions amid heightened regional tensions and internal challenges. Zolghadr, a former top commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), previously served as secretary of the policy advisory council since 2023. As a first-generation IRGC member who fought in the Iran-Iraq war, he held senior leadership roles for over a decade. His selection is seen as an effort to fill the vacuum left by Larijani, a veteran political and security figure. The SNSC post is closely linked to the office of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, requiring both strategic and security expertise. Iran’s hardliners view Zolghadr as better suited than Larijani to handle the current wartime pressures. With continued U.S. and Israeli attacks and growing domestic instability, Zolghadr faces the dual challenge of maintaining internal security and managing any potential negotiations aimed at ending the conflict with the United States.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed hope for building a nonviolent, corruption-free and humane Bangladesh on the occasion of the country’s Independence and National Day. He made the remarks on Thursday morning after paying tribute and offering prayers at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar. Dr. Rahman said they came to fulfill a moral duty and to honor the nation’s heroic martyrs. He prayed for the protection of Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, and for peace and blessings upon the country. He extended greetings to the entire nation on the occasion of Independence and National Day. Earlier at 6 a.m., Dr. Rahman and senior Jamaat leaders offered prayers for the souls of the martyrs and for the country’s peace, prosperity and welfare. Several party leaders, including A.T.M. Azharul Islam, Mia Golam Porwar, and others, accompanied him during the tribute ceremony.

A severe traffic jam on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Gazaria, Munshiganj, caused significant suffering for passengers and drivers on Thursday. The congestion began in the morning due to an excessive number of vehicles and later extended from Sonargaon in Narayanganj to the Gazaria section as the day progressed. According to reports, the two-day Langalbandh Astami Snan festival of the Hindu community began on Wednesday and was scheduled to end on Thursday. While traffic remained normal on the first day due to a smaller crowd, heavy congestion developed the following morning as pilgrims traveled to the festival site. Drivers reported extreme delays, with short routes taking several hours to cross. Highway police officials stated that the traffic buildup started around midnight on the Dhaka-bound lane due to the festival. They said highway police teams were working continuously to ease the situation and restore normal traffic flow.

Larry Fink, chairman and chief executive of BlackRock, has warned that the global economy could face a severe recession if international oil prices rise to 150 dollars per barrel. Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, he said that a prolonged war involving Iran could drive oil prices higher and have far-reaching effects on the world economy. The ongoing Middle East conflict has already caused significant volatility in financial markets as people try to anticipate future energy costs. Fink stated that the fate of the global economy now depends on Iran’s role in the conflict. He outlined two possible scenarios: if the war ends and Iran is reintegrated into the international community, oil prices could stabilize or even fall below pre-war levels; but if the conflict continues, prices could remain between 100 and 150 dollars per barrel for years, triggering a deep global downturn. He urged nations to use their resources efficiently and accelerate the search for alternative energy sources. BlackRock manages about 14 trillion dollars in assets and is considered one of the world’s largest investment firms.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen sharply as the joint U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran enters its 26th day. The Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday shows only 36 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s performance, down from 40 percent the previous week. The decline follows rising fuel prices and growing dissatisfaction over the cost of living, which have intensified since the February 28 launch of the Iran offensive. The survey indicates that only 25 percent of respondents are satisfied with Trump’s handling of living costs, and just 29 percent approve of his economic management—both record lows for his presidency. Despite this, Trump retains strong backing among Republicans, with only one in five expressing overall dissatisfaction. However, discontent among Republicans over his handling of living costs has risen to 34 percent from 27 percent the previous week. Public support for the Iran attack has also weakened, with 35 percent of Americans now backing the operation compared to 37 percent a week earlier, while opposition has grown to 61 percent. The ongoing conflict has driven up global oil prices and could further strain economies if prolonged.

Authorities in Satkhira have made it mandatory for motorcycle owners to present a fuel card bearing the district commissioner’s seal and signature to purchase fuel. The directive, confirmed by District Information Officer Md. Jaharul Islam on Wednesday night, requires all fuel purchases to occur between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Outside this timeframe, fuel sales are strictly prohibited. The order also mandates that riders carry a valid driving license, motorcycle registration number, updated tax token, and wear a helmet. According to the district administration’s notice, fuel cards can be obtained from the district commissioner’s office, respective upazila executive officers’ offices, or the district administration’s website. The sale of fuel in plastic bottles, drums, or any containers has been completely banned, and open-market transactions outside authorized filling stations are prohibited. Violators will face legal action. Following the announcement, long queues formed at filling stations across the district as motorcyclists rushed to collect fuel before the new rule took effect, with many expressing frustration over the added inconvenience.

Authorities have temporarily suspended the search and recovery operation following a bus accident at the No. 3 ferry terminal in Daulatdia, Rajbari. The Fire Service announced on Thursday afternoon that the operation would resume if new reports of missing persons emerge. So far, 26 bodies have been recovered, including 11 women, 8 children, and 7 men, all of whom have been handed over to their families. Several people remain missing. The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 25, when a Kushtia-to-Dhaka bus of Souhardya Paribahan lost control while boarding a ferry and fell into the river. Rajbari district officials, including Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Md. Hafizur Rahman, confirmed the recovery details. Of the 26 victims, 24 bodies were returned to families on Wednesday night, and the remaining two were handed over on Thursday afternoon. Officials stated that rescue operations will resume if additional missing persons are reported, as the search remains on hold for now.

A major controversy has erupted over the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title as Senegal’s national football team has taken legal action after its championship win was annulled. Two months after celebrating victory in the January final, Senegal filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Board’s decision that awarded Morocco a 3–0 win. CAF had ruled Senegal ineligible for the final after players briefly left the field in protest during stoppage time. The Senegal Football Federation said it needed more time to appeal because the detailed reasoning behind CAF’s ruling was received late. The Senegalese government also requested an international investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the decision. CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb stated that all parties would receive a fair hearing and that the case would be resolved as quickly as possible, though a final verdict could take several months. The dispute stems from a tense final in Rabat on January 18, where a penalty decision against Senegal sparked chaos and led to fines and suspensions before the result was overturned.

The death toll from the bus accident at Daulatdia Ferry Terminal No. 3 in Rajbari rose to 26, according to local authorities on Thursday morning. The victims include 11 women, 8 children, and 7 men. All 26 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families. Several people remain missing, and search operations are ongoing to locate them. The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 25, when a Dhaka-bound bus of Souhardya Paribahan from Kushtia lost control while boarding a ferry and plunged into the Padma River. The confirmation of the casualties was provided by Md. Hafizur Rahman, Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate of the Rajbari District Administration Office. Officials stated that the recovery and handover of the bodies took place between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Rescue teams continue to search the river for those still unaccounted for.

Iran has claimed responsibility for a series of missile attacks targeting Israeli cities and US military bases across the Middle East. In a statement released on the 26th day of the ongoing war, Iran’s military listed operations that allegedly struck Israel’s satellite stations and several US bases, including Jordan’s Al Azraq, Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa, and Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem and Arifjan bases. The statement also claimed that missiles hit more than 70 locations in Israel, including Haifa and Dimona, and that a US F-18 aircraft was struck in Chabahar. According to the same statement, US forces in Erbil, Iraq, were also targeted, and the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier was forced to change position after a missile strike. However, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) denied Iran’s claims, stating that none of its aircraft had been hit. The report was sourced from Al Jazeera. The developments mark a significant escalation in the regional conflict, with both sides issuing conflicting accounts of the attacks and their impact.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Bangladesh’s President Md. Sahabuddin Chuppu on Thursday, March 26, marking the country’s 55th Independence Day. In his message, Xi described China and Bangladesh as good neighbors, friends, and partners, emphasizing mutual respect, equality, and cooperation between the two nations. Xi stated that China attaches great importance to the development of China-Bangladesh relations and expressed readiness to deepen political mutual trust with President Chuppu. He also highlighted the goal of advancing traditional friendship, promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and enhancing exchanges across various sectors to strengthen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi extended greetings to Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on the anniversary occasion.

Iran has rejected a United States proposal for a ceasefire in the Middle East and declared that it has no plans to hold talks with Washington. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on state television that his government has not participated in any discussions to end the conflict and will not do so, describing any talk of negotiations as an admission of defeat. According to an Associated Press report, Iran dismissed the US ceasefire proposal and instead presented its own conditions for ending the war. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that discussions between the two countries are ongoing and productive, despite Iranian officials denying any such engagement. Leavitt also warned that if talks fail, President Donald Trump would ensure a stronger response against Iran. The report added that NATO has not provided assistance on the Iran issue, while analysts warned that a prolonged conflict could increase energy shortages and instability across Asia.