The historic 7th March, a memorable day in the history of Bangalees’ long arduous freedom struggle, will be observed across the country on Tuesday in a befitting manner.In 2017, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognised the historic March 7 Speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as a world documentary heritage.On this day in 1971, Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of Bangalees, had delivered his epoch-making speech of independence before a mammoth rally at the historic Racecourse Maidan, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka city.In his 19-minute extempore speech before a million freedom-loving people, Bangabandhu had made a clarion call for a non-cooperation movement asking the nation to prepare for the war of independence to liberate the country from the exploitative Pakistan regime.“The struggle this time is for freedom, the struggle this time is for independence, Joy Bangla,” Bangabandhu declared from the massive rally.In his speech, compared with US President Abraham Lincoln's historic Gettysburg speech, Bangabandhu said: “Since we have learnt to give blood, we'll give more blood. Insha Allah, the people of this country must be liberated...turn every house into a fort. Face (the enemy) with whatever you have.”His speech worked like a magic spell inspiring the entire Bangalee nation to join the struggle for independence from the autocratic and repressive rule of the then Pakistani military junta.Awami League and different socio-political and cultural organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes on the occasion.Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations will air special programmes while national dailies will publish supplements marking the day. Read more: PM in Doha: LDCs need 5 key support from dev partnersThe Cabinet on October 7, 2020 declared March 7 as ‘Historic Day’ instead of the ‘National Historic Day’ in a bid to observe the day nationally and internationally, commemorating the historic speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.Meanwhile, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages recalling with gratitude the courageous and farsighted leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in materialising the nation's journey to freedom through his March 7 Speech.The President said: “Bangabandhu’s speech on 7th March is one of the most perpetual speeches in the world. How an address can awaken the whole nation, inspire them to participate in the war of liberation for independence, the historic 7th March Speech by Bangabandhu is its unique example.”“The historic address of Bangabandhu on March 07 will be an eternal source of inspiration not only for us but also for freedom-loving people around the world.”The Prime Minister said, “The world recognition of the historic 7th March speech of the Father of the Nation today is an honor and a monument of glory for the Bengali nation. I believe the 'Joy Bangla' slogan and Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 7th March speech will inspire us to accelerate the progress of development.”

The No. 188-ranked Bangladesh will lock horns with the No. 154-ranked Malaysia in their last Group E match of the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifiers Tuesday. The match will start at 7pm Bangladesh time at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil of the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. All TV and Astro Pay TV will telecast it live. Following consecutive defeats in group matches against the No. 89-ranked Bahrain (0-2) and against the No. 134-ranked Turkmenistan (1-2), Bangladesh bowed out of the competition. Bangladesh and Malaysia have played against each other nine times since 1975. READ: AFC Asian Cup: Bangladesh face Malaysia Tuesday Malaysia beat Bangladesh six times. The men in red and green beat Malaysia once (2-1) in the Asian Games in 1982. But the last two matches between the teams – international friendlies – ended in a draw in 2012 and 2015. On June 1, beset by injuries, Bangladesh played out a goalless draw against higher-ranked Indonesia (No. 159) in a FIFA international friendly in Bandung of West Java, Indonesia.

BNP will stage rallies in all divisional cities, including the capital, of the country on Tuesday demanding medical care of its ailing Chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad. In Dhaka, the rally will begin in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office at 1pm, said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Speaking at a press briefing, he said they have received verbal permission from police to arrange the rally at Nayapaltan. “Khaleda Zia is now at the crossroads of life and death. What her medical board said yesterday (Sunday) about her physical illness is worrying. Her life is now in great danger,” the BNP leader said. Rizvi said it is now urgent to send the BNP chief abroad for advanced treatment in a bid to save her life. READ: Journalists want apex court to pave way for Khaleda’s treatment abroad He said there is nothing left to treat the BNP chairperson in the country for lack of necessary equipment and technology. He said the government is not allowing Khaleda to go outside the country for treatment out of its political vengeance. “The government is dragging Khaleda Zia towards death. Her human rights have been snatched instead of showing sympathy to her.” The BNP leader renewed their party’s demand for letting Khaleda go abroad for treatment considering her critical physical condition. Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13. Her medical board members on Sunday said Khaleda immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. READ: Khaleda can fly in any foreign doctor for treatment: FM On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment. However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.

Ahead of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, Bangladesh national cricket team is set to enter a bio-secure bubble on Tuesday, chief medical officer of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed. Members of the Bangladesh team underwent a Covid-19 test on August 22 and 23, and they are now in isolation at home before entering the bubble. “All the players of the national team and other staff underwent a Covid-19 test. Based on their Covid-19 test result, they will enter a bio-secure bubble at a hotel in the capital,” Debashis Chowdhuty, the chief medical officer BCB, told the media on Monday.  “Along with the Bangladesh team, the New Zealand national team will also begin a bio-bubble on Tuesday. Both the teams will have to complete a three-day quarantine in the hotel before being allowed to practice at the field,” Debashis added.  READ: T20 Ranking : How Bangladesh Can Become No. 5 T20I Team at the End of the New Zealand series? A two-member observer team of New Zealand has already arrived in Bangladesh, and two of their players have also reached Dhaka, and all of them are maintaining quarantine.  The first match of the series will take place on September 1, while the other matches will be played on September 3, 5, 8 and 10 respectively. All the matches will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.  The New Zealand cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Tuesday. From the airport, they will directly go to the team hotel.  BCB has already announced a 19-member squad for this series. Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das and Aminul Islam Biplob returned to the squad. All of them were out of the squad in the last series against Australia that Bangladesh won 4-1, their first-ever series sweep vs. Aussies. READ: 100-Ball Cricket Match: Southern Brave Win Inaugural Tournament Bangladesh squad for New Zealand T20Is: Mahmudullah Riyad (capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shamim Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Aminul Islam Biplob, Nasum Ahmed

The supply of gas will remain suspended for 12 hours from (9 am to 9 pm) at some areas of the city on Tuesday. According to Titas Gas Supply and Transmission Company Ltd, the areas include Kamlapur Rail Station to Titipara slum, Saydabad bus terminal, Mugda, Golapbagh, Beltala, Maniknagar, Atish Dipankar Road, RK Mission Road, Gopinagh, Uttar Jatrabari, Dhalpur. READ: Areas in Dhaka where gas supply to be suspended Sunday The gas disruption will take place due to relocation works of gas pipeline from Titipara to Golapbagh to facilitate the implementation of the Padma Bridge Rail project, said Titas Gas. It also said the consumers in the adjoining areas  may experience low pressure for the relocation works. READ: No gas supply to several capital areas Thursday

Having failed to hold its scheduled rally in the city due to ‘obstruction’ by the police on the first anniversary of the 11th parliamentary election, BNP on Monday announced that it will stage demonstrations in the capital on Tuesday.

The first consignment of onion from Egypt will be flown to Bangladesh on Tuesday, the Commerce Ministry said Saturday.