DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said that alongside the iconic children’s talent hunt programme ‘Notun Kuri’, his government is now planning to introduce another nationwide programme named ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ aimed at hunting new talents in the sports arena.

“As you know, we pledged in our party’s election manifesto that we want to create new players for various sports in Bangladesh’s sports arena and to give the sports a professional shape,” he said.

“Therefore, alongside the “Notun Kuri” programme, we have decided to introduce ‘Notun Kuri Sports’. We have a plan to introduce interclass sports competition in every school in every district, upazila, and union level,” the premier added.

Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, made the remarks while distributing prize of a friendly football match at the national stadium here this afternoon. Bangladesh Football Federation organized the match on the occasion of the Independence and National Day. Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated the match and along with his daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman enjoyed the game.

The premier greeted everyone on the occasion of Independence and National Day. Noting that the government has a goal to ensure that Bangladesh can bring more honor in international sports forums, he said his government has a plan and effort to develop skilled players so that the country can achieve better results in international competitions.

On the occasion of Independence Day, Tarique Rahman called upon everyone, especially those who are directly or indirectly involved in sports, to take a collective decision and work together to develop the sports sector.

He said that efforts should be made to build the sports sector of Bangladesh in a beautiful and inclusive manner, beyond difference of party or opinion. “I believe that sports have the ability to create bonds of friendship and brotherhood among us, just as it can bring honour for the country,” the Prime Minister said.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku, State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Division and Railways Ministry Habibur Rashid, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque, Dhaka City South BNP Convener Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman were present at the function.

DHAKA – Independence and National Day Parade 2026 was held with great pomp at the National Parade Square today after 18 years. President Mohammed Shahabuddin attended as the chief guest and took the salute during the parade. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also witnessed the colorful parade.

Earlier, the premier along with Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, State Minister Ishraque Hossain, 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 and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan received the President at the parade ground.

Jatiya Sangsad speaker, cabinet members, members of parliament, senior military and civil officials, foreign diplomats and media personalities were present on the occasion. The parade was organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs with the support of the Armed Forces Division and overall management of the 9th Infantry Division. Freedom fighters, armed forces, paramilitary forces and members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence took part in the parade.

General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 9th Infantry Division and Area Commander of Savar Area Major General SM Asadul Haque performed as the parade commander while Commander of the 71 Mechanized Brigade Brigadier General Mohammad Shafqat-Ul-Islam served as the deputy commander.

A total of 25 contingents from different forces gave salute to the President. Commander of 9 Artillery Brigade Brigadier General Md Anwar Uz Zaman led the combined mechanized contingent. The mechanized display included significant military weapons. In addition, decorated vehicles carried freedom fighters who gave salute to the President.

Fly-pasts by Army Aviation, Naval Aviation, BGB Air Wing and RAB Forces and freefall jumps by adventurous Para Commando members made the parade more interesting. After the mechanized display, Bangladesh Air Force conducted a spectacular fly-past and aerobatic display. Air Commodore Mehedi Hasan led the aerial formation. State-owned Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and other private TV channels and radio stations live telecast the parade.

According to the ISPR, in order to uphold the true history of the great independence and Liberation War to the new generation, a significant number of banners and billboards containing the spirit of the great Independence and National Day were displayed on two sides of the city roads and the National Parade Square.

These banners and billboards reflected the great Liberation War and the immortal history and heritage of the Bangalee nation. In addition, pictures of notable activities of all the forces participating in the parade have been displayed on the parade ground.

DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid a courtesy call on President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban here this evening on the occasion of the 56th Independence and National Day. On the arrival at the Bangabhaban for the first time, President Shahabuddin and his wife Dr Rebeka Sultana welcomed the Prime Minister and his daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman with bouquet of flowers.

They exchanged greetings and discussed various aspects of the programmes taken on the occasion of the Independence Day, A Bangabhaban press release said. They expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of the programme undertaken marking the Independence Day.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman recalled his visit to Bangabhaban in his youth and shared various memories with the then President. Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Barrister Kayser Kamal, secretaries concerned to the President and the Prime Minister’s Office were present.

Washington, D.C. — Dr. Zubaida Rahman, a prominent physician and social worker, held a meeting with U.S. Special Envoy Charles J. Harder, according to a verified Facebook post by the BNP Media Cell.

The discussion focused on key issues related to the development of future generations, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for children, and advancing sustainable progress in education and public health sectors. Particular emphasis was placed on family-based support programs, child nutrition and mental development, and fostering inclusive societies through mutual cooperation.

Among those present at the meeting were Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan, Tarek Md. Ariful Islam, Dr. Shah Muhammad Aman Ullah, Mehnaz Mannan, and D. M. Salahuddin Mahmud.

Washington, D.C. — Dr. Zubaida Rahman delivered a speech at the “Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit,” held in Washington, D.C., at the invitation of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. The two-day summit was inaugurated on Tuesday at the U.S. State Department.

Dr. Rahman, wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, addressed the opening session, emphasizing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. She called on developed nations to support Bangladesh in leveraging AI responsibly to bring meaningful reforms to its education system.

She highlighted that the government is working to deliver innovative technologies and healthcare services to children at their doorsteps. “It is a great honor for me to join you all at this historic ‘Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit,’” she said, expressing gratitude to the First Lady for bringing together global leaders to focus on children’s future and shared commitments.

“We believe that the future of every nation is written in the lives of its children,” Dr. Rahman stated. “The education we provide today and the values we instill will shape the nations of tomorrow.”

Speaking from her perspective as a physician, she reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for every child, with a strong emphasis not only on treatment but also on preventive care from early stages of life.

Dr. Rahman also stressed the role of technology, particularly ed-tech, in bridging the gap between urban and rural communities. She underscored the importance of ensuring the safe and ethical use of these technologies so that children can grow up in a secure and supportive environment.

On women’s empowerment, she noted Bangladesh’s strong legacy, referencing former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for her contributions to human rights and for introducing free education for girls up to the 12th grade. She added that the current government is committed to extending free education for women up to the postgraduate level.

DHAKA – The government has issued directives to properly follow the National Flag Rules enacted in 1972 (amended in 2010) as it is the duty of every citizen to follow the guidelines for the proper use of the national flag. An official handout issued today said hoisting of the national flag is mandatory on the Great Independence and National Day as well as on other days designated by the government.

According to constitution, the national flag shall consist of a red circle on a green background. The flag rules further specify that the color of the flag shall be dark green with a red circle in the middle. The flag shall be rectangular in shape with proportions of 10×6 (length × width), featuring the red circle centered within the dark green field.

The radius of the circle shall be one-fifth of the length of the flag. Depending on the size of buildings, three standard flag sizes are used: 10×6, 5×3, and 2.5×1.5. The rules state that the flag must not be used to cover any part of motor vehicles, trains, or vessels, including their body, front, or rear. No other flag or colored flag may be flown above the national flag of Bangladesh. When displayed on a wall (other than on a pole), the flag must be placed flat against the surface.

In public auditoriums or meetings, the flag should be positioned behind the speaker at a higher level. If displayed across a street, it must be hung vertically. The national flag must not be lowered or allowed to touch the ground, including in cemeteries.

It must never be carried horizontally or flat; it should always be held aloft and free. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered with due respect. During formal flag hoisting ceremonies, the national anthem must be sung simultaneously. When the anthem is played and the flag is displayed, all present must stand facing the flag, while uniformed personnel should salute. When displayed on a motor vehicle, the flagstaff must be securely fixed to the chassis or radiator cap clamp. Nothing may be written or inscribed on the national flag.

DHAKA – A one-minute symbolic blackout will be observed across the country on the night of March 25. The blackout will take place from 10:30 pm to 10:31 pm nationwide, said an official handout today.

However, key point installations (KPIs), emergency facilities, and foreign missions located in Bangladesh will remain outside the purview of the blackout.

YouTube has signed a new global partnership with FIFA that will position the platform as a preferred digital destination for content tied to the upcoming World Cup. The agreement is designed to expand how fans access tournament content across TV, mobile devices and social video formats, bringing official footage, archival material and creator-led coverage together on the platform.

“By spotlighting FIFA’s premium content and unlocking new opportunities for media partners and creators, this agreement will engage global fans in ways never seen before,” said FIFA secretary general, Mattias Grafström.

Under the deal, FIFA will release portions of its digital archive on its official YouTube channel, including full-length matches and historic moments from previous World Cups. The move is intended to build anticipation ahead of the event while giving fans access to decades of tournament footage.

The partnership also introduces new distribution opportunities for official broadcast rights holders. Media partners—including Bell Media in Canada—will be able to publish extended highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, Shorts and on-demand video on their own YouTube channels, with monetization options tied to the platform’s advertising ecosystem.

Live sports has traditionally been a safeguard against the steady flow of advertising dollars from traditional broadcasters to the digital giants, but short-form sports content on channels like YouTube and Tiktok is gaining in popularity, with fans, particularly Gen Z, increasingly consuming highlight clips online rather than watching full matches. FIFA’s official YouTube channel has 24.7 million subscribers and more than 12,000 videos.

For the first time in the competition’s history, participating broadcasters will also have the option to live stream the opening 10 minutes of every match on YouTube, offering fans a preview of the action while directing viewers to full broadcasts on their primary platforms. A limited number of full matches may also be streamed directly on YouTube as part of the agreement.

The initiative also places creators at the centre of tournament coverage. A global group of yet-to-be-announced YouTube creators will receive access to matches, players and other behind-the-scenes moments, producing commentary, tactical analysis and storytelling content designed for digital audiences.

“As the world’s attention turns to the action in Canada, Mexico and the United States, this collaboration with YouTube reinforces our ambition to maximize the tournament’s impact across the ever-evolving media landscape, offering fans everywhere easy access to an immersive view of the biggest single-sport event in history,” Grafström said.

The YouTube partnership follows FIFA’s partnership with TikTok, also as a preferred platform. TikTok will have access to new original content that will bring the World Cup to life beyond90-minute matches, including curated clips, and special World Cup content. A creator program will give “a select group of global TikTok creators” access to behind-the-scenes moments like press conferences and training sessions, while a larger group will be given new access to FIFA archival footage.

The collaboration signals FIFA’s broader strategy to extend the tournament’s footprint beyond traditional broadcast. For YouTube, the deal reinforces the platform’s growing role as a distribution hub for live sports and sports-adjacent content, particularly around major global events.

“Whether you’re a hardcore or a casual fan, this partnership will help usher in the next generation of fans while showcasing that no other platform unites the world around major moments like YouTube,” said Justin Connolly, vice-president and global head of media and sports at YouTube.

Dubai: It’s official. Saudi Arabia announced today (March 18, 2026) that the first day of Eid al Fitr will fall on March 20, after the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted. The moon-sighting committee convened and verified the sighting of the new moon, marking the end of Ramadan after 30 days of fasting. This aligns with the Islamic tradition of determining the start of a new month through lunar observation.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced that holidays for Eid for employees in the private and non-profit sectors will begin tonight, Wednesday, Mar 18, and last for four days, in accordance with the provisions of the Saudi Labour Law.

Mohammed Al Ruzaiqi, the ministry’s spokesperson, said at the time that the announcement aimed to provide clarity for employers and employees ahead of the holiday period, allowing organisations to organise work schedules and ensure operational continuity in essential sectors while safeguarding workers’ rights to the festive break.

Today, March 17, 2026, marks the 106th birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh. He was born on March 17, 1920, in Tungipara, in the Gopalganj District, to Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and Sayera Khatun.

From an early age, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was actively involved in politics. During his youth, he developed strong political awareness and participated in various movements for the country’s independence. He was imprisoned early in his political career and, despite numerous challenges, eventually emerged as a prominent political leader.

He played a pivotal role in leading the nation toward independence in 1971. His historic March 7 speech at the Racecourse Ground inspired the Bengali people to join the struggle for freedom. On the night of March 25, Pakistani forces arrested him. After a nine-month-long war, Bangladesh achieved independence on December 16, 1971.

Following independence, Bangabandhu became the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh and later served as President. However, on August 15, 1975, he and most of his family members were assassinated in a military coup. His death remains one of the most tragic chapters in the country’s political history.

Over the years, his birthday has been observed in various ways. The observance became more prominent during the tenure of the Awami League government, when the day was marked with official, political, and social programs. However, the past two years passing without major formal ceremonies.

Educational institutions, political parties, social organizations, and both government and private entities continue to mark the occasion with tributes and discussions. These events often focus on his political life, his sacrifices for independence, and his role as the founding leader of Bangladesh.

Bangabandhu’s birth anniversary is not just a commemoration of a leader’s life—it stands as a symbol of Bangladesh’s struggle for independence, national heritage, and enduring spirit. It also serves as an opportunity for younger generations to learn about his vision, leadership, and ideals.