DHAKA – National flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines has decided to resume its suspended Dhaka-Sylhet-Manchester route from July 1 following completion of this year’s Hajj operations, responding to passenger demand and government directives.

The decision was taken in line with the instructions of the Minister and State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, according to a Biman press release issued today. Biman Bangladesh said the Dhaka-Sylhet-Manchester route, which had remained suspended for some time, would be reopened to facilitate travel for passengers, particularly members of the Bangladeshi diaspora in the United Kingdom.

The airline added that the flight schedule and other operational details of the service will be announced in due course. The move is expected to strengthen air connectivity between Bangladesh and the UK, one of the key destinations for Bangladeshi expatriates.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said empowering women is crucial as it is quite impossible to advance the country leaving half of the population behind. “Half of the population of Bangladesh is women. We firmly believe that if we leave this half of the population behind, if we do not empower this half of the population, if we do not empower them, if we cannot empower them educationally and economically, then it is certainly not possible to move the country forward in any way,” he told a function here.

The premier made the remarks while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Family Card programme, organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare, at T&T playground in Banani, adjacent to Korail slum, this morning. Recalling the contribution of the former prime minister, late Begum Khaleda Zia, to women empowerment, Tarique Rahman said when Begum Khaleda Zia was in charge of running the country, she made education for women, from school level to intermediate level, free throughout Bangladesh.

“Today, we want to empower that educated female society economically and to make them economically solvent,” he said. To this end, he said, the incumbent government has taken plans to empower women and as a part of it, today the Family Card progamme was introduced across Bangladesh.

“…I firmly believe that my government will be able to gradually bring this family card to all the four crore families in Bangladesh, headed by women, within the next five years, InshaAllah,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government has to follow rules and regulations in taking any initiative, and as part of those rules and regulations, it has to take pilot projects first. This work (Family Card progamme) has started in 14 places or 14 upazilas across Bangladesh involving about 37,000 women,” he said. In three areas of capital – Karail area, Bhashantek area and Sattala slum, about 15,000 women have been brought under the Family Card programme today, he added.

The Prime Minister said before the general elections, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) promised to the country’s people to start work to distribute family cards among women if the party is elected to power. Less than a month after forming the government, he said, his government began works to fulfill the promise they made to the people.

Besides, he mentioned that his party had made some other promises, including introduction of ‘Farmer Card’. “We have also started the work on the Farmer Card. InshaAllah, just as we were able to hand over family cards to 37,000 women, in today’s event, in the same way, within the next month we will be able to hand over Farmer Cards to many other farmer brothers, InshaAllah,” the premier added.

He said BNP also promised the farmers that if it is able to form the government, they will waive off the agricultural loans of up to Taka 10,000, including interest. Last week, Tarique Rahman said, the government announced waiving off agricultural loans up to Taka 10,000, including interest. He said the government would change the fates of people by fulfilling these pledges gradually.

The Prime Minister said today is very emotional day for him as the Family Card programme was launched on this day. “The guests present here today, some people with whom I have been sitting for the past many years, we have made plans on how we will implement that Family Card,” he said.”By the grace of Allah Almighty, today is the day when we have been able to keep our promise. That is why today is an emotional day for me. I think it is a historic and emotional day for my government and my party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” the premier said.

Noting that Bangladesh is their first and last resort, he said the expectations of the country’s people are high from the incumbent elected government. “Even if, at the same time, if we consider the reality and the contemporary affairs, the situation in the Middle East-if we consider everything…we will definitely not change our position from our promises at all.

“Maybe due to the contemporary global situation, in some cases, it may take us more time to implement the promises,” he said.

Tarique Rahman urged the countrymen to face the entire situation with patience. “Let us build our country beautifully with patience.”

Mentioning his slogan – “We will work, we will build the country, Bangladesh first!” he said his government is accountable to the people of Bangladesh. “This government has been elected by the people of this country. Generally, this government is obliged to be accountable to the people of this country,” he added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the government’s landmark “Family Card” programme to ensure women empowerment in the country as he distributed cards among them. The premier handed over the family cards to 17 women at the inauguration ceremony.

Later, Tarique Rahman reached out the money of family cards to accounts of 37,567 women in 14 places of different districts by pressing button on laptop. Dr Zubaida Rahman, spouse of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman; Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, Social Welfare Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf and Dhaka North City Corporation administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan were present, among others, on the occasion.

The Family Card programme is part of the government’s commitment to achieving national development and social justice by empowering women and recognising them as the heads of families in social protection programmes.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government will bring four crore families, headed by women, under the Family Card programme within the next five years.

“…I firmly believe that my government will be able to gradually bring this family card to all the four crore families in Bangladesh, headed by women, within the next five years, InshaAllah,” said.

The premier made the remarks while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Family Card programme, organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare, at T&T playground in Banani, adjacent to Korail slum, this morning. He said the government has to follow rules and regulations in taking any initiative, and as part of those rules and regulations, it has to take pilot projects first.

This work (Family Card progamme) has started in 14 places or 14 upazilas across Bangladesh involving about 37,000 women, he said. In three areas of capital – Karail area, Bhashantek area and Sattala slum, about 15,000 women have been brought under the Family Card programme today, he added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the government’s landmark “Family Card” programme to ensure women empowerment in the country as he distributed cards among them.

The premier handed over the family cards to 17 women at the inauguration ceremony. Later, Tarique Rahman reached out the money of family cards to accounts of 37,567 women in 14 places of different districts by pressing button on laptop.

Dr Zubaida Rahman, spouse of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman; Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, Social Welfare Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf and Dhaka North City Corporation administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan were present, among others, on the occasion.

The Family Card Programme is part of the government’s commitment to achieving national development and social justice by empowering women and recognising them as the heads of families in social protection programmes.

At the ceremony, Rina Begum, a beneficiary of the programme who lived in the city’s Sattala slum, was overwhelmed with joy and said, “Thank you, the Prime Minister. I never dreamed that I would get this card. This money will help my family a lot.”

This pilot programme was launched today in 14 places in different districts of the country, including Dhaka. In the first phase, 37,567 women received family cards. Every beneficiary is getting Taka 2,500 per month. Under the pilot programme, beneficiaries of the city’s Karail slum, Sattala slum, Bhasantek slum, Mirpur Circle or Shah Ali’s Ward-8, Alimia’s Tech slum (Ward-14) and Baganbari slum received family cards today.

In addition, this programme was launched in Pangsha of Rajbari, Patiya of Chattogram, Bancharampur of Brahmanbaria, Lama of Bandarban, Khalishpur of Khulna, Charfasion of Bhola, Dirai of Sunamganj, Bhairab of Kishoreganj, Bogura Sadar, Lalpur of Natore, Thakurgaon Sadar and Nawabganj of Dinajpur.

DHAKA – Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma today said Bangladesh and India can really transform their geographical proximity into new economic opportunities through setting a forward-looking and people-centric agenda. Pranay made the remarks while talking to reporters at Bangladesh Secretariat after meeting Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.

Their discussion centered on cooperation in financial sector, emerging areas such as digital economy and artificial intelligence, as well as improving the ease of doing business to promote greater investment and deepen economic cooperation between the two countries. They discussed ways to enhance trade and economic ties between the two friendly neighbours and make economic engagement more convenient for both sides.

“The whole idea is how we can enhance our trade and economic ties, how we can strengthen our economic connectivity and how we can promote our economic cooperation,” he said.

The Indian High Commissioner said trade is already taking place through various channels and stressed the need to make it more convenient as part of improving the ease of doing business. He said they also discussed cooperation in the financial sector and taxation reforms, as well as greater use of technology to make economic participation more inclusive.

The High Commissioner shared India’s successful experience in financial inclusion, describing the discussion as a very forward-looking conversation. The Indian envoy said the meeting was overall very positive, noting that both countries have large economies and forward-looking societies with significant potential to work together.

DHAKA- Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today said metro rail has already gained people’s trust as a successful and commuter-friendly project. The tireless work and sincere efforts of the concerned officials and employees have played an important role behind this success, he said.

The minister made the remarks while exchanging views with officials and employees after visiting the Diabari metro rail depot after traveling by metro rail from the capital’s Bangladesh Secretariat Station today. Speaking as the chief guest at the meeting, the minister said development projects should be implemented by preventing wastage of public money and without compromising with the quality of the project.

The new government is determined to ensure accountability and transparency to the people, he said. He said a plan has been taken under the leadership of the Prime Minister to bring about radical changes in the country’s communication system. Considering the metro rail as the ‘backbone’ of the communication system, the possibility of launching monorail in populated areas in the future is also being considered, he said.

Alam said the government is giving importance to developing an integrated modern public transport system in the capital by giving importance to these three sectors – monorail, metro rail and buses. With the cooperation of all concerned, he said, it will be possible to ensure visible development in the communication sector in the near future.

Through this, safe travel can be ensured for the people in less time, in a comfortable and pleasant environment, the minister said. State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Division Habibur Rashid also spoke. The meeting was presided over by Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr Mohammed Ziaul Haque.

DHAKA – Eminent physician Dr. Zubaida Rahman said BNP’s former chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was an ‘indomitable symbol of the progress of democracy’. Dr. Zubaida Rahman, spouse of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, made the remarks while speaking as a special guest at the ‘International Women’s Day 2026’ celebration and ‘Best Indomitable Woman’ award distribution ceremony here.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman and her daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman were present as special guests on the programme. Recalling the outstanding contribution of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman with deep respect, Dr. Zubaida highlighted his role for the establishment of multi-party democracy in the country. Noting that the greatest strength of a person is morale, she said despite hundreds of oppressions and injustices, Khaleda Zia was uncompromising, patient and steadfast.

“Important lessons can be learned from Begum Zia’s life about the determination of women and the courage of leadership,” Zubaida commented. She said Khaleda Zia had great feelings to the oppressed and oppressed people of the country and her strong voice was always against dictatorship and exploitation. Calling a guide for democracy-loving people, Dr. Zubaida said, Begum Zia is a mother, a warrior and a strong voice for justice.

“When women move forward . . . a nation moves forward,” Zubaida Rahman, the daughter-in-law of late President Ziaur Rahman, quoted a popular United Nations (UN) reference as saying. She said that International Women’s Day 2026 should be celebrated as a day of renewed commitment to establishing a society based on equality, dignity and justice.

Dr. Zubaida thanked the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs for organizing the event beautifully. Minister for Women and Children Affairs Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, MP, presided over the event. State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Farzana Sharmin, MP, UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liler, and Director General of the Directorate of Women Affairs Zeenat Ara also spoke.

The US Awami League observed the historic March 7, the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and National Children’s Day with due respect and dignity. The program was held at Nabanna Party Center in Jackson Heights, New York—often referred to as the capital of the world—with the presence of leaders and activists from all wings and affiliated organizations of the US Awami League. The hall was filled with party members and supporters.

The event was chaired by US Awami League President Dr. Siddiqur Rahman and conducted by General Secretary Abdus Samad Azad. Speakers at the event expressed concern that the newly elected BNP government has prevented the proper observance of the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—an address internationally recognized as an epic declaration of independence—thereby pushing the nation toward division.

The speakers also urged the BNP government to immediately withdraw the ban imposed on the Awami League and its affiliated organizations through what they described as an illegal ordinance issued by the “killer-fascist Yunus government.”

Leaders from the US Awami League, New York State and City Awami League, Mahila Awami League, Swechchhasebak League, Jubo League, and the US Chhatra League took part in the discussion.

—Press Release

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed, describing him as “one of the most evil people in history” in a post on Truth Social. Trump said Khamenei had been unable to evade US intelligence and “highly sophisticated tracking systems”, adding that the operation had been carried out in close coordination with Israel.

Trump said the development represented “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country”. He also claimed Washington had received indications that many within Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, military and security forces no longer wished to continue fighting, suggesting the United States could offer them “immunity”.

The US president also warned that “heavy and pinpoint bombing” would continue “uninterrupted throughout the week, or as long as necessary to achieve our objective”. There has been no independent verification of Khamenei’s reported death, and Trump did not provide evidence to support the claim.

Iran’s tyrannical Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed Saturday in an unprecedented, joint military attack by the US and Israel called Operation Epic Fury — which President Trump said would give Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back the country.”

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump declared on his Truth Social about 15 hours after the start of the onslaught. “This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”

The tyrant’s daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law and son-in-law were also killed in the joint military attack, according to Iranian state media, though it’s unclear where they died. Israeli officials told Fox News that more than 40 top Iranian security and regime figures were eliminated in the opening strikes this morning, and as many as 10 high-ranking leaders were killed in the initial strike on Khamenei’s fortified compound.

The body of the 86-year-old Khamenei was reportedly recovered in the rubble and a photograph of his corpse was shown to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a senior Israeli official told Reuters. US officials, including Trump, agree with Israel’s assessment that Khamenei is no longer alive.

“He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do,”

Trump’s post continued. “This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.” In an address to his nation, Netanyahu said there were “many signs” Khamenei was dead. Khamenei has ruled Iran since the 1989 death of his predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. The attacks follow a massive US military buildup in the Middle East and come after Trump repeatedly warned Tehran that it would face consequences if it didn’t make a deal with the US to scrap its nuclear program.

Trump emphasized that a main objective of the campaign was “to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”

“Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted ‘Death to America’ and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries,” Trump said in an eight-minute video announcing the strikes Saturday morning. Many regime forces appear to by laying down their arms, Trump said.

“We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us,” Trump wrote. “As I said last night, ‘Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!’”

The president called on the IRGC and state police to “peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness”. “That process should soon be starting in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the Country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated,” Trump added.

Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers said on Friday they were willing to negotiate after Pakistan bombed its forces in major cities and dozens of troops were killed in the most serious clashes between the allies-turned-foes. The strikes by Pakistan were the first time it had directly targeted its former allies over allegations they are harbouring militants; it described the situation as “open war”.

Targets in the capital Kabul and the city of Kandahar, where Taliban leaders are based, were hit, signalling a stark rupture in ties between the Islamic neighbours. Thick plumes of black smoke rose from two sites in Kabul and a huge blaze was also visible in video verified by Reuters.

“The plane came and dropped two bombs, then flew away again. After that, we heard explosions,” said Kabul taxi driver Tamim, who was asleep when the strikes hit. “Everyone, in panic, ran down from the second floor of the house. The ammunition inside the depot kept exploding on its own.”

Security sources in Pakistan said the strikes involved air-to-ground missile attacks on Taliban military offices and posts in response to Afghan attacks on Thursday. The Taliban said Afghan forces had used drones to hit Pakistani military targets. Pakistan said all the drones had been brought down and there was no damage.

Multiple ground clashes were reported along the border. Pakistan said it killed 274 Taliban officials and militants while Afghanistan said it killed 55 Pakistani soldiers – figures which Reuters was unable to verify. Pakistan confirmed that 12 of its own soldiers were killed and Afghanistan said it had lost 13 Taliban fighters.

The Taliban, which denies sponsoring militant attacks on Pakistan and makes similar accusations against its neighbour, said it had launched what it described as retaliatory attacks on Pakistani military installations on Thursday but was ready to negotiate.

“Afghanistan has never been a supporter of violence and has always preferred to resolve issues based on mutual understanding and respect,” the Afghan foreign ministry quoted Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi as telling Qatar’s junior Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalifi by telephone.

“However, this approach will be effective only if the other party demonstrates a practical and sincere willingness to find solutions.”

Qatar, which helped stop the fighting between the two countries last year, is working with other countries to help resolve the latest crisis, the statement added. The strikes threaten to unleash a protracted conflict along the 2,600-km (1,615-mile) frontier.

“Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you (Afghanistan),” Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Friday.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry warned that any new provocations by the Taliban, or attempts by any “terrorist group” to target Pakistanis, will be met with a “measured, decisive and befitting response”.

Pakistan is nuclear-armed and its military capabilities are vastly superior to Afghanistan. However, the Taliban are adept at guerrilla warfare, hardened by decades of fighting with US-led forces, before returning to power in 2021.

Reuters witnesses in Kabul said many ambulance sirens could be heard following loud blasts and the sound of jets. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that Pakistani forces carried out air strikes on parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia on Thursday night, and on Paktia, Paktika, Khost, and Laghman on Friday.

While there were no casualties in the night strikes, there were civilian casualties in Friday’s strikes, he told reporters without sharing numbers.

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has always tried to resolve issues through dialogue, and now also we want to resolve this matter through dialogue,” Mujahid said.

Clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan in October killed dozens of soldiers until negotiations facilitated by Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia brought an end to the hostilities. Pakistan has been on high security alert since it launched air strikes earlier this week that Islamabad said targeted camps of Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State militants in eastern Afghanistan. Kabul and the United Nations said the strikes killed 13 civilians and the Taliban warned there would be a strong response.

The government of Pakistan’s Punjab province said it was on high alert for militant attacks on Friday and had conducted a series of security operations, taking 90 Afghan nationals to holding centres for deportation.