DHAKA  – Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has requested the United States to grant Bangladesh a special waiver to import refined diesel and other petroleum products from Russian sources to ease energy pressures. The request was made during a meeting with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright at the Department of Energy in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, according to a message received here today.

During the talks, the foreign minister highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing energy challenges stemming from global supply chain disruptions, particularly ahead of the critical planting season, and stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for farmers and safeguard food security.

Rahman explained that Bangladesh could not take advantage of the earlier limited world-wide waiver by US on Russian oil at sea since none of the tankers were bound for Bangladesh at that time. Besides, the two sides discussed the options to buy more refined oil out of Russian crude from third countries to meet immediate need.

US Energy Secretary Wright acknowledged the energy challenges Bangladesh is facing and expressed his country’s commitment to support Bangladesh during these difficult times to help ensure its energy security.

He said the US will positively consider the requests of Bangladesh and assured that he and his team would work closely with the relevant departments of the US government to this end. The two sides also discussed longer-term cooperation for sustainable energy solutions for Bangladesh and the prospects of increasing procurement of US energy products.

Secretary Chris Wright was assisted by Chief of Staff to the Secretary Carl Cole, Senior Advisor to the Secretary Audrey Robertson, Senior Advisor to the Secretary Andrew Rapp, Director, Office of Asian Affairs Margaux Murali and Fellow, Office of Asian Affairs Hamna Khan. From Bangladesh side, Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Deputy Chief of Mission DM Salahuddin Mahmud and Economic Minister Dr. Md. Fazle Rabbi attended the meeting with the Foreign Minister.

SANGSAD BHABAN – Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today said the government has started preliminary work to fulfill its commitments to the people as they are the source of all political power. “Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) believes that the people of this country are the source of all political power. The present government has already started the preliminary work to implement the promises made to them,” he said.

The premier said this while replying to a supplementary question from treasury bench member from Patuakhali-4 constituency ABM Mosharrof Hossain in the House with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed in the chair. Highlighting the role of elected public representatives, he said all programmes will be presented gradually in parliament by the lawmakers, who have been elected through a neutral election and to be implemented accordingly.

Criticizing past political parties for making empty promises, the Leader of the House said, “In the past, many political parties made various promises, and some even distributed tickets”.

“However, the mandate given by the people in the last election has proven that people have spontaneously supported BNP’s welfare-oriented plans, including ‘Family Card’ and ‘Farmer Card’,” he added. Expressing gratitude to the countrymen, Tarique Rahman said, the government will fully honour the trust placed by the people on it. “We are firmly committed to fulfilling every promise made to them with our highest efforts,” he added.

Desk Report: The funeral for Nishat Jannat, 19, a Bangladeshi teenager who was killed in a truck accident in Woodside, New York, was held on Tuesday, March 31, after Zuhr prayers at Baitul Jannah Mosque. Community leaders and local residents attended the ceremony.

Nishat Jannat was killed while crossing the road in the Woodside area of Queens when she was struck by a garbage truck. The incident occurred late Sunday night near Roosevelt Avenue and 62nd Street. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene.

She was a student at the City College of New York and also worked as a receptionist at a parking garage. Her father, Helal Uddin, serves as the imam of Baitul Jannah Mosque. Following the funeral prayers, she was laid to rest in New York. Nishat was originally from Uttar Ghorgao village in Golapganj upazila, Sylhet, Bangladesh, and had moved to the United States with her family around eight years ago.

The truck driver involved in the accident remained at the scene and sustained minor injuries. Police said no arrests have been made, and the incident is under investigation. The tragic death has left the local Bangladeshi community in deep grief.

Desk Report: Four-time world champions Italy have failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, crashing out after a defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoff final. Italy made a strong start to the match, taking the lead through Moise Kean. However, their momentum was disrupted when defender Alessandro Bastoni was sent off in the first half, reducing the team to 10 men. Bosnia equalized later through Haris Tabaković, bringing the game level.

With the match ending 1–1 after regulation and extra time, the outcome was decided by a penalty shootout. Italy suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat, missing two of their penalties, while Bosnia converted all of theirs.

This loss marks Italy’s third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup (2018, 2022, and 2026), a significant setback for one of football’s most historic teams. Head coach Gennaro Gattuso expressed regret over the result and apologized to fans, stating that although the team gave their best effort, they ultimately fell short.Once a dominant force in world football, Italy has now endured a prolonged period of decline, having not appeared in a World Cup since 2014.