New York, Queens: A 19-year-old Bangladeshi-American woman was tragically killed late Sunday night after being struck by a garbage truck while crossing a street in Woodside, Queens. According to police, the incident occurred around midnight at the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and 62nd Street. Nishat Jannat had just gotten off a train after finishing work and was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk, holding a cake she had bought for her younger sister.

At that moment, a large garbage truck operated by Royal Waste Services, traveling westbound on Roosevelt Avenue, made a right turn and struck her. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene. Her home was just a 10-minute walk away on 55th Street.

Back home, Nishat’s older sister, Naushin Jannat (21), had been waiting for her return. As time passed and calls to Nishat went unanswered, concern quickly turned into fear. Around 2:00 a.m., Naushin tracked her sister’s phone location and rushed to the intersection with family members. Upon arrival, they were met with police vehicles and the devastating sight of Nishat’s lifeless body.

“Everyone in the house is in tears. Her parents are completely broken. Nothing will ever be the same again,” said her uncle, Jamal Ahmed Shimu.

Nishat worked part-time as a receptionist at a parking garage on Parsons Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens. On Sunday night, she finished work around 11:00 p.m. and took the train to Woodside. Before heading home, she decided to buy a cake for her younger sister—a simple, loving gesture that tragically became her final act.

Her sister Naushin, through tears, described Nishat as deeply optimistic and faithful.

“She always told us to trust in Allah and to live in the present moment,” she said. “She used to say that death can come at any time, so we should always be prepared. She didn’t know her own time would be so short.”

Nishat was one of four sisters, including two younger siblings aged 9 and just 4. The sister she bought the cake for will now never see her return home.

Nishat’s father, Helal Ahmed, is an imam at Baitul Jannah Mosque in Woodside. A figure who regularly offers comfort to others, he is now facing the unimaginable loss of his daughter. The family immigrated to the United States in 2017 on an immigrant visa. Their hometown is in Golapganj, Sylhet, Bangladesh. Like many immigrant families, they came seeking a better life—one that has now been shattered by this tragedy.

The NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad is currently investigating the incident. The truck driver, a 38-year-old woman, remained at the scene and was treated for minor injuries. No arrests have been made so far. In a statement, Royal Waste Services’ parent company, Waste Connections, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and said they are fully cooperating with authorities.

The news has sent shockwaves through New York’s Bangladeshi community, particularly in Woodside and Jackson Heights. Community members have expressed grief and pledged support for the family. At the same time, concerns are being raised about safety standards, driver training, and oversight of private garbage truck operations, as pedestrian fatalities involving such vehicles have been a recurring issue in the city.

Family members said Nishat’s funeral prayer will be held after the Zuhr prayer on Tuesday at Baitul Jannah Mosque in Woodside. She will then be laid to rest at a Muslim cemetery in New Jersey.

DHAKA, March 28, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today issued a set of directives to BNP lawmakers to infuse dynamism in parliamentary activities at a meeting at Jatiya Sangsad.

“The prime minister delivered a directional speech addressing treasury bench members present at the ruling party’s meeting room at Jatiya Sangshad Bhaban this afternoon,” premier’s deputy press secretary Jahidul Islam Rony said.

He said at the onset of the meeting BNP lawmakers deeply mourned the death of Professor Dilara Hafiz, spouse of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, and offered a special prayer seeking her eternal peace. Rony said that the meeting also discussed ongoing government activities, current political scenario, legislative activities and future action plans.

DHAKA  – BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today exchanged views with party leaders, cabinet members and lawmakers at the party’s Nayapaltan central office here this evening. Earlier, he arrived at the central office around 7:20pm while BNP leaders and activists welcomed him upon his arrival.

This is the first time Tarique Rahman visited the party’s Nayapaltan office after assuming office as Prime Minister, said sources at Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Earlier, he had visited the Nayapaltan office once after returning to the country from London.

A large number of party leaders and activists have gathered in the Nayapaltan area since the afternoon to mark his arrival. They chanted slogans, making the entire area vibrant. Members of law enforcement agencies were seen performing their duties to ensure the safety and security for the event.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today greeted members of the armed forces after the colorful Independence and National Day parade at the National Parade Square in the capital. The parade, held after a gap of 18 years, turned into a remarkable display of patriotism, discipline, and military capability.

The Prime Minister expressed admiration for the wonderful arrangement, sources at PMO said. While departing from the parade ground, Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, exchanged pleasantries with the members of the armed forces.

Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman were present. President Mohammed Shahabuddin took the salute and inspected the parade as the chief guest.

DHAKA – President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Dr Rebeka Sultana today hosted a reception at Bangabhaban marking the country’s 56th Independence and National Day-2026. Several hundred dignitaries attended the Independence and National Day reception at the green lawn of the Presidential palace benign at 2:30 pm.

Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, Jatiya Sangsad Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, cabinet members, including ruling BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, senior political leaders, foreign diplomats, Supreme Court judges, chiefs of the three services, members of parliament (MP), academics, business community leaders, artistes, valiant Freedom Fighters and family members of 19 Birshreshtha gallantry award recipients and distinguished citizens attended the programme.

Media personalities including editors and journalist leaders also attended the reception alongside top civil and military officials. On the occasion, President Shahabuddin along with President’s wife Dr Rebeka Sultana and other dignitaries cut a cake. They also exchanged greetings with the guests and attended a photo session.

Besides, they exchanged greetings with the injured freedom fighters and other guests. The reception was followed by a cultural programme and light entertainment.

DHAKA – A court here today set April 9 for hearing a plea to show former Feni-3 lawmaker Lt Gen (Retd) Masud Uddin Chowdhury arrested in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged embezzlement of Taka 119 crore through sending workers to Malaysia.

Dhaka Senior Special Judge Court’s acting Judge Mainuddin Chowdhury passed the order, fixing the date for hearing in the presence of the accused. Earlier, Investigation Officer and ACC Assistant Director Md Abul Kalam Azad filed the plea.

The petition stated that accused Masud Uddin Chowdhury, in collusion with others, allegedly abused government authority to secure appointment as an agent for recruiting workers to Malaysia and collected fees exceeding the government-fixed rate of Taka 78,990.

The accused allegedly realised an additional Taka 119.32 crore from workers at different stages, causing unlawful financial loss. The illegally collected money was reportedly laundered through concealment, transfer and conversion, prompting the case under the Penal Code, the Money Laundering Prevention Act and anti-corruption laws.

The ACC also said showing him arrested in the case is necessary to ensure a fair investigation, as he may otherwise obstruct the probe.

Earlier, a team of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police detained Chowdhury during a raid in the Baridhara DOHS area of the capital on March 23 following a tip-off.

The court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Aminul Islam Zunayed on March 24 placed him on a five-day remand in a separate case accusing him of forming a syndicate, embezzling Taka 24,000 crore and involvement in human trafficking.

A judicial appointee of former President Ronald Reagan on Tuesday ordered Voice of America (VOA) to rehire its employees and resume international broadcasting. The ruling from District Judge Royce C. Lamberth comes more than a year after President Trump significantly downsized the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and directed Voice of America to dismiss all but 68 employees. Lamberth said the Trump administration was in a “flagrant and nearly year-long” refusal to uphold congressional mandates by dwindling its staff and resources.

Two weeks ago, he ruled that Kari Lake was unlawfully serving as the head of USAGM. USAGM is overseen by six bipartisan House and Senate committees. Lawmakers provide funding for the independent agency which focuses on countering misinformation abroad, according to its website.

The two rulings have been celebrated by both plaintiffs, including VOA Director Michael Abramowitz who brought one of the cases against the administration. A separate lawsuit was filed by VOA’s White House bureau chief, Patsy Widakuswara, Press Freedom Editor Jessica Jerreat and USAGM’s Director of Strategy and Performance Assessment, Kate Neeper.

The latter group said it was eager to “rebuild the trust of the global audience” that the broadcaster has been unable to serve for the past year, according to the Washington Post. Officials from USAGM and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.

TEHRAN – President Donald Trump said Monday the United States and Iran had held “very good” talks towards ending the three-week Middle East war, putting threatened US attacks on Iran’s power plants on hold in a stunning about-turn. In a social media post that immediately sent oil prices tumbling, Trump said Washington and Tehran had held “productive conversations” over the last two days towards “a complete and total resolution” of hostilities in the Middle East.

In Iran, media outlets quoted the foreign ministry denying any such talks and suggesting Trump was angling to bring down energy prices sent soaring by the war — with no mention of his claim on state television’s latest news bulletin.

But Trump asserted he had told the Pentagon, on the basis of talks to date, to “postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings.”

He said the US-Iranian sides would keep talking “throughout the week.”

The bombshell announcement came ahead of a Monday night ultimatum for the Islamic republic to reopen the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane — or see Trump “obliterate” its power plants.

In response, Iran had threatened to deploy naval mines in the Gulf and target power plants across the region — ramping up its rhetoric after warnings the world faced an energy crisis of historic proportions if the US-Israeli war with Iran drags on.

Tehran has retaliated against US-Israeli attacks by throttling traffic through Hormuz, conduit for a fifth of global crude, hitting energy sites and US embassies across the Gulf as well as targets in Israel. Israel hit Tehran with fresh strikes on Monday, with the latest wave reported by the military minutes after Trump’s announcement.

The head of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol warned overnight that, in the event of a protracted war, daily oil losses put the world on track for a crisis worse than the combined impact of both 1970s oil shocks and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Oil prices have been driven above $100 a barrel by the conflict — and they tumbled sharply after Trump’s announcement, while and European stocks rebounded. International benchmark Brent North Sea crude plunged more than 14 percent to $96.00 per barrel, while the main US oil contract West Texas Intermediate shed more than 14 percent to $84.37 per barrel.

Sign of the conflict’s tentacular impact, the world’s second economy China had said earlier Monday it was capping domestic fuel cost increases to mitigate the effect of surging oil prices.

Weighing in before Trump’s post, China’s foreign ministry had warned of an “uncontrollable situation” should the war expand further. Key Iran ally Russia meanwhile called after Trump’s announcement for an “immediate cessation of hostilities”.

In a call with Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi, Russia’s Sergei Lavrov called for “a political settlement that takes into account the legitimate interests of all parties involved, above all Iran,” the Russian foreign ministry said.

The US president had offered varying timelines and objectives for the war, saying Friday he was considering “winding down” the operation — only to later threaten Iran’s power plants, of which it has more than 90.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has yet to comment on Trump’s announcement, has spoken of a long-term campaign against Iran’s government, a state sponsor of Hamas, which launched the October 7, 2023 attack triggering the Gaza war.

In Lebanon, Israel has also expanded its ground campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah, warning of “weeks of fighting” there. The Lebanon violence has killed more than 1,000 people and displaced more than a million, according to the health ministry.

On Monday Israel’s military said it was working to intercept a new salvo of missiles from Iran — while confirming its own artillery fire had killed an Israeli civilian a day earlier near the Lebanese border.

In Iran, at least 3,230 people have died in the war, including 1,406 civilians, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. AFP is not able to access the sites of strikes nor independently verify tolls in Iran.

The United States Department of State has temporarily suspended the issuance of visas for citizens of Bangladesh. The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka announced this in a statement on Monday (March 23). According to the embassy, it is the responsibility of the U.S. government to protect taxpayers’ interests and ensure that immigrants do not misuse public welfare benefits after entering the country. A recent review found that the usage rate of such benefits is comparatively higher among citizens of certain countries, and Bangladesh is included in that list.

The objectives behind this decision include reducing pressure on public welfare programs, safeguarding taxpayer funds, and reassessing immigration policies. This suspension is not limited to immigrant visas only. It also includes Tourist visas, Student visas and other non-immigrant visas

The statement further mentioned that this temporary suspension will allow for a comprehensive review of the visa screening and selection process. The goal is to ensure that future policies prioritize the interests of U.S. citizens. It is worth noting that no specific timeline has yet been announced regarding how long this suspension will remain in effect or when normal visa services will resume.

New York: The Bengali New Year celebration will be held for the fourth time at Times Square on April 11. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal has confirmed his participation in the Mangal Shobhajatra (festive procession).

The information was confirmed by Bishwajit Saha, founder and president of NRB Worldwide, the organizing body. According to organizers, the Mangal Shobhajatra will be one of the main attractions of the Bengali New Year 1433 celebrations in New York and is expected to draw attention from Bengalis around the world.

As part of the preparations, the third round of rehearsals was held on Sunday at Nabanna Auditorium. The session, hosted by the organization’s General Secretary Tofazzal Hossain, was attended by over a hundred artists and performers, including director Mohitosh Talukdar Tapas.

Under the direction of Mohitosh Talukdar, rehearsals for five new songs took place over the weekend. Sunday’s sessions included children and teenagers in the first segment, followed by a combined group of young and adult performers, with nearly a hundred participants in total.

Earlier, a special rehearsal of traditional Jari, Sari, and Marfati songs was conducted under the supervision of folk artist Shaheen Hossain, featuring 15 selected performers. Another rehearsal, led by Rabindra Sangeet artist Kartik Chandra Das, included 12 participants. Additionally, more than 50 dancers have been regularly practicing under the choreography and direction of Chandra Banerjee for the Times Square event.

Celebrations for the Bengali New Year will take place on April 11 at Times Square and continue on April 12 at Diversity Plaza, creating a festive atmosphere across New York City’s boroughs. Professor Hossain Kabir of University of Chittagong noted that despite various challenges, the festival has brought cultural vibrancy to the expatriate community over the past four years, a spirit clearly reflected in the recent rehearsals.