DHAKA – Bangladesh received a special honour from the U.S. state of Georgia in recognition of its contributions to United Nations peacekeeping missions worldwide. According to an ISPR press release, a resolution was presented to Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Tuesday, acknowledging the professionalism and dedication of Bangladeshi peacekeepers.

Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp handed over the resolution during a State Senate session. It was adopted with bipartisan support, praising Bangladesh’s significant global role in peacekeeping. The initiative was led by State Senator Sheikh Rahman.

Earlier, the Army Chief met Governor Kemp to discuss issues of mutual interest, including military cooperation. The Army Chief has been on an official visit to the United States since March 28.

News Desk: Time seems to stand still on the football pitch whenever Lionel Messi touches the ball. On April 1, 2026, while playing for the Argentina national team in a 5–0 victory over Zambia, Messi scored a goal that was far more than just a point on the scoreboard. It was his 902nd official career goal — counting his achievements for both club and country — a milestone that marks the journey of a true legend.

This goal reflects the entirety of his remarkable career. From lighting up stadiums with FC Barcelona, creating new history with Paris Saint-Germain, to writing fresh chapters at Inter Miami, Messi’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary. With 116 goals for Argentina and countless more for his clubs, each goal represents his relentless hard work, unwavering determination, and pure love for football.

Messi’s 902nd goal is not just a number; it is a timeless mark in football history. Every shot, every pass, every finish showcases his flawless skill and strategic genius. For millions of football fans worldwide, this moment is a source of inspiration — proof that passion and perseverance create the extraordinary.

With this achievement, Messi joins the elite 900+ goals club, cementing his place among football’s all-time greats. Every goal carries his dreams, every victory carries the fire in his heart. Messi isn’t just scoring; he is weaving magic across the pitch, leaving an indelible legacy and inspiring generations of players to come.

News Desk: “Bangladesh Day” was celebrated on March 23 at the New York State Senate in Albany, marked by the vibrant presence of Bangladeshi expatriates carrying red-and-green flags. The annual observance coincides with Bangladesh’s Independence Day and has been held in Albany for the past 14 years.

Earlier, on March 10, the New York State Senate passed a resolution recognizing Bangladesh’s Independence Day. The resolution mentions Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the architect of independence and also notes that Ziaur Rahman broadcast the declaration of independence on his behalf via radio in 1971.

The document, signed by State Secretary Alexandra N. Paulino and proclaimed by Governor Kathy Hochul, officially recognizes March 26 as Bangladesh’s Independence Day in New York State. Copies of the resolution were distributed among attendees.

To mark the occasion, members of the Bangladeshi community departed from the Bangla Bazar area in the Bronx early in the morning and traveled to Albany. Upon arrival around 11:00 a.m., they were joined by State Senators Luis Sepúlveda and Nathalia Fernandez in a brief rally in front of the Senate building, holding “Bangladesh Day” banners. A photo session followed in the lobby, where Assemblywoman Karines Reyes also participated. A luncheon was later hosted for attendees.

A short program was held on the Senate floor in honor of the Bangladeshi community. Speakers included Senators Sepúlveda, Fernandez, John Liu, and Assemblywoman Reyes, who addressed issues concerning Bangladesh and the diaspora. Several individuals were recognized with awards for their contributions to community service.

The cultural segment featured performances by Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA). Following the performances, leaders of the organizing committee delivered remarks highlighting the significance of the event.

At around 3:30 p.m., the “Bangladesh Day” resolution was formally read during the Senate session. Senator Fernandez presented a brief history of Bangladesh’s independence, referencing the March 1971 crackdown known as Operation Searchlight, the nine-month Liberation War, and the sacrifices made by the Bangladeshi people.

Several lawmakers, including Senators Sepúlveda, Liu, Jessica Ramos, and Robert Jackson, spoke during the session. They praised the contributions of the Bangladeshi community to the overall development of the United States and highlighted Bangladesh’s humanitarian role in sheltering nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees.

Organizers stated that “Bangladesh Day” is a special initiative by the state to honor Bangladeshi Americans, with participation from people across political lines.

Notably, the “Bangladesh Day” resolution was first passed in the New York State Senate on March 24, 2012, through the efforts of former Bronx Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., with support from community leaders and attorney Luis Sepúlveda, widely known among Bangladeshi expatriates as “Luis Bhai.”

News Desk: A prominent London-based law firm has challenged the prosecution and death sentence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, directly contesting the legality and fairness of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) proceedings. Kingsley Napley, known for its work in criminal litigation, extradition and white-collar crime, has filed a detailed objection against the proceedings of the ICT, which on Nov 17, 2025 sentenced Hasina to death in absentia.

The three-member ICT bench, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, found her guilty of crimes against humanity linked to the violent state crackdown on student-led protests in July and August 2024.

The conviction covered multiple charges, including incitement, ordering killings and failing to prevent atrocities. In a 10-page letter sent on Monday, Kingsley Napley described the trial as “fundamentally incompatible with basic international standards for fairness and due process”.

Acting on Hasina’s behalf, the firm argued the case unfolded in a “hostile environment”, pointing to the banning of the Awami League’s political activities under anti-terror legislation in May 2025 and alleged intimidation of its legal team. The letter reads, “Sheikh Hasina has been prosecuted and sentenced in absentia for capital offences in proceedings that… violate her fundamental rights under international law.

“This correspondence does not constitute acceptance of, submission to, or recognition of the legitimacy of these proceedings as currently constituted.”

A central claim in the filing is the alleged lack of judicial independence. The firm says the ICT bench was reconstituted in October 2024 with judges said to have “overt political affiliations to opposition parties”.

It highlights Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud’s appointment to the High Court just six days before joining the tribunal, alleging he had “pre-determined Sheikh Hasina’s guilt”.

Citing a reported August 2025 courtroom exchange, the lawyers say Justice Shafiul told state-appointed defence counsel, “You’ll try your best to save your clients from the gallows”, arguing this suggests the verdict was a “foregone conclusion”.

The firm also questions the neutrality of former chief prosecutor Md Tajul Islam, noting his past role as defence counsel for senior Jamaat-e-Islami figures and his participation in rallies calling for an Awami League ban during the trial.

Beyond alleged bias, the objection challenges the ICT’s jurisdiction. It argues amendments made in August 2024 to extend the tribunal’s mandate beyond 1971 war crimes to include the July-August 2024 protests amount to an “unlawful expansion” and a “legal impossibility”.

Kingsley Napley says such cases should be handled under the regular criminal justice system, warning that imposing the death penalty after flawed proceedings amounts to “summary execution” under international law.

The firm has demanded the verdict be “immediately set aside as legally void” and sought a response within 14 days, cautioning that Hasina may pursue remedies through international human rights bodies. Authorities have defended the trial as essential for justice over the July killings.

DHAKA – Bangladesh is poised to unlock the long-delayed third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) as fresh negotiations with a Japanese consortium enter a decisive phase following submission of a revised, lower-cost proposal.

A high-level senior official of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) told BSS today that the consortium has addressed Dhaka’s concerns by recalibrating its financial offer, particularly on service charges, operational control and revenue-sharing issues that had stalled earlier discussions.

The latest progress follows series of segment-wise technical meetings held at CAAB headquarters on Monday and Tuesday, where both sides reviewed pricing and operational components in detail, signalling a shift from policy-level dialogue to final-stage negotiations.

CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq today briefed the outcomes of the technical meetings to Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom Rita and state minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat at the secretariat today.

The CAAB official said that the second high-level meeting is scheduled for April 3 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expected to determine the fate of the deal.

The Bangladesh side will likely be represented by Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, among others, official sources said.

The CAAB official indicated that the meeting could be decisive, with expectations that a final agreement may be reached shortly after. “A final agreement is expected to be reached next week following the April 3rd meeting,” he added.

The third terminal over 99 percent complete has remained non-operational for years due to unresolved management and operational arrangements. Industry insiders have widely criticised the delay, attributing it to policy indecision and rigid positions under the previous interim administration, which left a major national asset idle. Momentum shifted after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed authorities to resume negotiations immediately after the new government assumed office, prioritising a practical, outcome-driven solution.

That directive led to the March 13 breakthrough meeting chaired by foreign minister with attendance of Civil Aviation and Tourism minister and state minister, where Bangladesh formally requested a revised proposal from the Japanese side.

The Japanese consortium comprising – Japan Airport Terminal Company, Sumitomo Corporation, Sojitz Corporation and Narita International Airport Corporation – has since submitted a revised offer with reduced pricing, significantly narrowing differences.

Officials said the new proposal reflected greater flexibility and created a pathway towards a “win–win” agreement. The terminal project itself was largely financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and constructed at an estimated cost of Taka 21,398 crore. Spanning around 542,000 square metres, it is designed to handle an additional 12 to 16 million passengers annually along with nearly 900,000 tonnes of cargo.

The delay in operationalising the terminal has had tangible consequences. Airlines continue to face congestion, slot constraints and operational inefficiencies at existing facilities, while passengers endure overcrowded terminals and reduced service quality.

With revised pricing now on the table and high-level political engagement intensifying, officials said the process has entered its final stretch. Former CAAB chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman said activating the third terminal is critical not only for easing pressure at Dhaka airport but also for positioning Bangladesh as a regional aviation and logistics hub in South and Southeast Asia.

If the April 3 meeting delivers consensus, Bangladesh could finally bring one of its most significant aviation infrastructure projects into operation marking the end of years of delay and the beginning of a new phase in the country’s aviation expansion, he added.

SANGSAD BHABAN – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today told the Jaitya Sangsad (JS) that the government will take all sorts of steps to bring the laundered money back to country. “The siphoned funds are the money of the people. As we are the elected government by the people, we have responsibility towards the country and its people. So, it’s major responsibility of this government to bring the laundered money back and spend this for the welfare of the country and its people,” he said.

The premier said this while replying to a supplementary question from treasury bench lawmaker from Cumilla-9 constituency Md Abul Kalam in the House with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, in the chair.

Responding to another supplementary question from opposition lawmaker from Rajshahi-1 constituency Md Mujibur Rahman on preparing the list of the money launderers, the Prime Minister said the respective department is preparing the list of the accused people.

Criticizing the arbitrariness of the previous government, Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, said, “The current government is an elected government. In the past, we saw that different people of the previous government acted according to their will ignoring morality and values”.

“The current government is respectful to the laws and legal structures of the country. We want to follow the law and try the accused according to the law so that no one is deprive from the justice,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the law will follow its own course and the government will take measures according to the existing laws. “The punishment of the money launderers and the fraudsters will be determined as per the law,” the premier noted.

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.