New York: The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested several undocumented immigrants involved in serious criminal activities across the United States in a recent enforcement operation, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Authorities said the individuals were either convicted or accused of grave offenses, including child abuse, rape, sexual violence, drug trafficking, fraud, and assault. Among those detained are several Bangladeshi nationals, whose names, photos, and alleged crimes have been প্রকাশ on the official DHS website.

In a statement, Lauren Vees, Deputy Assistant Secretary at DHS, confirmed that law enforcement agencies targeted individuals involved in dangerous and violent crimes. She emphasized that those who harm vulnerable individuals, particularly children, or pose a threat to public safety should not be allowed to remain in the country.

According to DHS data, Kazi Abu Sayeed was arrested in Fort Scott, Kansas, facing charges of exploiting a minor as well as operating illegal gambling activities. Shahed Hasan was detained in Raleigh, North Carolina, on allegations of carrying a concealed weapon and committing theft. In Buffalo, New York, Mohammad Ahmed was arrested over accusations of sexual assault and other related offenses, while MD Hossain was taken into custody in Queens, New York, also on allegations of sexual abuse.

Elsewhere, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed was apprehended in Chantilly, Virginia, for alleged involvement in marijuana distribution and possession of hallucinogenic substances. Nawaz Khan was arrested in Marlin, Texas, in connection with serious drug-related offenses. Shahriar Abir was taken into custody in Pensacola, Florida, on theft charges, while Alamgir Chowdhury was arrested in Mount Clemens, Michigan, accused of credit card fraud.

Authorities further reported that Ishtiaq Rafi was detained in Manassas, Virginia, facing charges related to weapons violations and possession of synthetic drugs. In Phoenix, Arizona, Kanak Parvez was arrested on allegations of fraud.

DHS stated that these arrests were part of coordinated operations carried out by ICE along with federal law enforcement partners, as part of ongoing efforts to identify and remove individuals involved in serious criminal conduct from the United States.

Dhaka: Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, former adviser to the interim government and spokesperson of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has alleged that a so-called “deep state” had devised a strategy to keep the interim government in power until 2029. He made these remarks at a discussion titled “From Blood-Stained Independence to Reforms and Referendum: The Political Duty of Implementation”, organized by Dhaka Metropolitan South NCP at the party’s central office in Banglamotor on Thursday afternoon, marking Independence Day.

Asif said that during the early days of their tenure in government, they were approached by powerful institutions—referred to as the “deep state”—with an offer. “They told us: ‘Sheikh Hasina’s tenure runs until 2029. You complete that term, and we will support you,’” he stated.

He added that the proposal came with specific conditions, including facilitating certain interests and following a roadmap designed to keep opposition figures—particularly from the BNP—out of elections.

According to him, the plan involved prolonging legal cases against BNP leaders so they would remain ineligible to contest elections. “If their sentences were not overturned, they would not be able to participate even if elections were held,” he said, mentioning Tarique Rahman as an example.

Asif claimed that a full strategy had been presented to them on how to remain in power through compromise, but emphasized, “We did not agree to it.”

He also accused large corporations of hoarding fuel, alleging that parts of the BNP were involved in such syndicates. Drawing from his experience in the previous government’s purchasing committee, he questioned how a crisis could emerge within a month when reserves were supposed to last two months, suggesting involvement of individuals close to the government.

Criticizing BNP further, he alleged that the party had appointed its loyalists as administrators in various institutions, undermining democracy. “If those appointed as administrators later contest elections, what fairness remains for others?” he asked.

Asif maintained that their government remained committed to democracy and ensured elections were held fairly. “To prevent any controversy, we voluntarily resigned before the election,” he said. However, he criticized the current government for appointing two key figures from the previous administration to ministerial positions, despite earlier demands for resignations to ensure a level playing field.

NCP Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar also spoke at the event, criticizing how the study of history in Bangladesh remains confined to narrow debates—particularly over who declared independence first. He emphasized that true history encompasses the broader struggles, sacrifices, and contributions of the people. “Unfortunately, the narrative of history changes with every change in government,” he said.

Tushar expressed disappointment that despite hopes for reform following recent mass uprisings, political parties are still failing to honor their commitments to the public. He drew parallels with unimplemented reform proposals following the 1990 political transition, suggesting a similar pattern continues today.

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.

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.