Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon stated that protecting all types of business ventures is a responsibility of the government. He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing an iftar gathering organized by the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB).

Highlighting the difficulties faced by cable operators, the minister noted that the rise of internet-based platforms such as IPTV and online streaming services has posed significant challenges to the traditional cable television business worldwide. He emphasized that if the government can establish a proper technological framework, it would be possible to ensure protection for business operators.

Swapon urged COAB leaders to present the technical aspects of the cable TV industry through experts and affirmed his commitment to understanding and addressing the sector’s issues from multiple perspectives. He also announced plans to continue consultations with COAB to find solutions to the operators’ problems.

Maldivian Airlines, the national carrier of the Maldives, has resumed its Male-Dhaka-Male route, marking the restoration of direct air connectivity between the two South Asian nations. The relaunch flight, operated with an Airbus A320, received a water cannon salute at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday morning. The inaugural flight landed at 5:20 a.m. and departed for Male at 6:20 a.m., carrying a full load of passengers.

The airline will initially operate two weekly flights on Sundays and Thursdays, with ticket prices starting at 399 U.S. dollars. Passengers will be allowed 30 kilograms of baggage and complimentary meals. Tickets are available through Maldivian’s website, mobile app, and call center. The service follows a February 23 agreement between Maldivian’s Managing Director Mohamed Ibrahim Yasir and Galaxy Bangladesh Group’s President and CEO Ahmed Yusuf Walid.

Maldivian Ambassador to Bangladesh Shiunin Rasheed said the resumed flights will strengthen bilateral relations and ease travel for expatriate Bangladeshis and Maldivian travelers during Ramadan and Eid. The airline had suspended the route on August 6, 2024, due to political unrest in Bangladesh.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has reported that the ongoing war in the Middle East has triggered an unprecedented disruption in the global oil supply. In its latest market report released on March 12, 2026, the agency described the situation as the largest supply interruption in the history of the world oil market. According to IEA data, global crude oil production has fallen by at least 8 million barrels per day, while an additional 2 million barrels of petroleum products are no longer being supplied. The decline is mainly attributed to pressure from Iran on regional supply systems, forcing Gulf producers to cut output.

The crisis has been further aggravated by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route that typically carries about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil. Iranian attacks and growing security threats have reduced oil transport through the strait to less than 10 percent of pre-crisis levels. The IEA warned that there are no clear signs of a ceasefire or restoration of normal oil flows through the strait.

The agency’s warning underscores the scale of the disruption and the uncertainty surrounding the timeline for recovery in global oil supply.

The Department of Narcotics Control under the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a recruitment circular for 68 vacant posts in its revenue sector. The announcement, published on March 12, 2026, includes positions across 14 categories ranging from grade 11 to grade 20. The application process began on March 12, 2026, at 10 a.m. and will continue until April 23, 2026, at 5 p.m. Applicants must be between 18 and 32 years of age as of March 1, 2026, and can apply online through the official website http://dnc.teletalk.com.bd.

The circular lists positions such as medical technologist (radiology), pharmacist, physical instructor, lab assistant, dietitian, vocational instructor, ECG technician, linen keeper, ticket clerk, rent collector, assistant steward, ward master, record keeper, and lab attendant. Educational qualifications vary by post, from secondary school certificates to university degrees, with specific technical or vocational training required for some roles.

Application fees range from 56 to 168 taka depending on the post category. All recruitment and examination-related information will be available on the Department of Narcotics Control’s official website.

The Ministry of Shipping has announced the launch of a special river transport service from March 17 to ensure safe and smooth travel for people returning home ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. The service will operate from two terminals in Dhaka, covering several key river routes with launch and steamer services.

According to the ministry, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is coordinating with relevant agencies to implement the initiative. Under the plan, vessels will operate from Shimulia Tourist Terminal near Kanchan Bridge on the Shimulia–Demra–Narayanganj–Chandpur–Kaliganj–Hijla–Barishal route, and from Bosila Terminal near Bosila Bridge on the Bosila–Sadarghat–Munshiganj–Chandpur–Eidgai Ferry Ghat–Shariatpur–Ilisha–Hakimuddin–Galachipa route.

Authorities have issued necessary instructions to maintain safety and order during the Eid travel period. Passengers are urged to use designated routes and contact the BIWTA hotline 16113 for assistance or emergencies.

Bangladesh Bank has declared that selling new currency notes as commercial products is entirely illegal. The bank’s Executive Director and spokesperson, Arif Hossain Khan, made the statement to journalists on Thursday, warning that any officials from Bangladesh Bank or commercial banks found involved in such activities will face disciplinary measures. Law enforcement agencies will also take action against individuals engaged in the illegal sale of new notes.

Khan explained that while there is always demand for new notes during festivals, people should move away from this practice as the country advances toward a cashless economy. He emphasized that new notes are not commodities to be traded and reiterated that any supply of new notes for sale from banking institutions would result in administrative action against those responsible.

The announcement underscores Bangladesh Bank’s effort to curb illegal currency trading and promote digital financial practices in line with its broader cashless Bangladesh initiative.

A total of 423 international flights have been canceled at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka over the past 12 days due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh confirmed the cancellations in a statement on Thursday, March 12, 2026. On that day alone, 28 flights were canceled, including services by Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Jazeera Airways, Flydubai, and US-Bangla Airlines.

According to the authority, flight disruptions began on February 28, when 23 flights were canceled, followed by 40 on March 1, 46 on March 2, and 39 on March 3. The cancellations continued daily through March 12, affecting routes mainly to Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and other Middle Eastern destinations. Despite the disruptions, 51 flights were scheduled to operate on March 12, including nine to Muscat, 23 to Kuwait, and 19 to the UAE.

The cancellations have significantly affected international air connectivity from Dhaka, with limited operations continuing under constrained conditions.

Imtiaz Ahmad Masum has been promoted to the position of Executive Director at Bangladesh Bank. The central bank confirmed the promotion on March 4, 2026. Before this appointment, he served as a Director at the institution. Masum began his career at Bangladesh Bank in 1999 as an Assistant Director and has since held various key roles across multiple departments.

Throughout his career, Masum worked in the Vigilance Sub-Division, Foreign Exchange Inspection and Vigilance Department, Financial Integrity and Customer Services Department, Accounts and Budgeting Department, and Sustainable Finance Department. He also served as a Director for the Investment and Finance Facility–II project and the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit. His most recent posting was as Director of the Barishal office of Bangladesh Bank.

Masum holds honors and master’s degrees in Accounting from the University of Dhaka and a professional master’s in Banking and Finance from the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. He has participated in international training programs in several countries and received the Bangladesh Bank AML Risking Award (Best Category) in 2021.

The United States has initiated a new trade investigation targeting several major partners, including Bangladesh and India. The move follows a Supreme Court decision last month that struck down a key part of President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. US Trade Representative Jamison Greer said the probe, launched under Section 301, aims to assess unfair trade practices and could lead to new tariffs on countries such as China, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and Mexico by mid-summer.

The investigation also covers Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Switzerland, and Norway, but excludes Canada, the US’s second-largest trading partner. The Supreme Court recently ruled that Trump’s previous global tariffs, imposed last April, were illegal because the president exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The court reaffirmed that only Congress can authorize such extraordinary powers.

Following the ruling, Trump reimposed a 10 percent global tariff and threatened to raise it to 15 percent. The new investigation gives his administration leverage to pressure trade partners ahead of upcoming talks with China in Paris and a possible Trump–Xi meeting in Beijing later this month.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) reported on Wednesday that the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector is losing at least $600 million per day due to the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The council attributed the losses to disrupted air travel, declining tourist confidence, and broken regional connectivity, which have sharply reduced demand across the region.

According to the WTTC statement, the Middle East accounts for 5 percent of global tourism and 14 percent of international transit traffic. Major airports such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Bahrain typically handle around 526,000 passengers daily, but have faced nearly two weeks of paralysis and disorder. This disruption has also affected global air travel, driving up ticket prices on many routes.

The council noted that the region had projected $207 billion in revenue from international tourists in 2026. It warned that any interruption in travel flows can quickly and severely impact the tourism ecosystem.

International crude oil prices have risen again, with Brent crude climbing 9.3 percent to reach $100.50 per barrel on Thursday. The increase occurred despite announcements from the United States, the United Kingdom, and several other countries to release record amounts of emergency reserves. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also rose 8.8 percent to $94.92 per barrel.

The surge in prices has been linked to renewed Iranian attacks on energy supply systems and infrastructure in the Middle East. The instability has disrupted market confidence and contributed to sharp fluctuations in oil prices. Earlier in the week, oil briefly exceeded $110 per barrel before experiencing significant volatility.

The situation underscores ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, where multiple ships have reportedly been attacked, further heightening concerns about global energy security.

A global oil shortage triggered by aggression in Iran by Israel and the United States has disrupted fuel supply in Bangladesh, raising concerns over launch operations at Dhaka’s Sadarghat terminal. Launch owners reported receiving only 50,000 to 60,000 liters of fuel daily against a demand of 250,000 to 300,000 liters, forcing a reduction in long-distance services. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Owners Association said it has sought government intervention to maintain normal operations.

Fuel suppliers under the Bangladesh River Fuel Trade Association said Meghna Petroleum and Jamuna Petroleum depots in Fatullah were providing 60–70 percent less fuel than required. The shortage has already reduced launch trips to southern regions. Meghna Petroleum officials confirmed limited supply due to government restrictions on agent-based distribution.

The Ministry of Shipping acknowledged the crisis and said high-level discussions are underway to restore supply. Ahead of Eid, authorities plan to strengthen Sadarghat’s security with 60 CCTV cameras and introduce new launch routes from Bosila and Kanchan-Shimuliaghat to ease passenger pressure.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) officials said there is little chance of a major diesel shortage in Bangladesh despite global concerns over fuel supply disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East. The country regularly imports diesel from multiple sources, including India, which recently began pumping a 5,000-ton shipment under an existing agreement. The small consignment drew disproportionate attention in Bangladeshi and Indian media, though India’s share of Bangladesh’s total diesel imports remains below 14 percent.

According to BPC data, Bangladesh’s annual diesel demand is around 4.4 million tons, with daily consumption averaging 12,000 tons. About 63 percent of the country’s total fuel use is diesel, mainly for agriculture, transport, and inland shipping. To maintain supply stability, Bangladesh imports through international tenders from Singapore, Malaysia, China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, among others. The Maitree pipeline from India’s Numaligarh refinery to Parbatipur was completed in 2022 to facilitate cross-border supply.

BPC officials said new tenders have been invited to diversify import sources further, including from Brunei, Saudi Arabia, and possibly the United States, ensuring continued supply security despite regional tensions.

Indian airlines are facing a new operational crisis as several Middle Eastern countries have partially or fully closed their airspace due to ongoing regional conflict. The closures have disrupted international routes, particularly flights to Europe and North America, which were already rerouted after Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian carriers last year.

According to aviation data, Air India and IndiGo, India’s largest international carriers, were unable to operate about 64 percent of their scheduled flights to the Middle East, Europe, and North America over the past ten days. HSBC reported that the geopolitical tension in the Middle East is expected to raise operating costs and reduce profitability for Indian airlines, estimating that a seven-day suspension in affected regions could cut annual profits by around 1.2 percent.

IndiGo continues to face difficulties despite resuming some routes, as it relies on six Boeing aircraft leased from North Atlantic Airways, registered in Norway and subject to EU safety directives. European authorities have advised avoiding the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, further complicating IndiGo’s operations.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has approved the release of 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to address supply shortages caused by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol announced that all 32 member countries unanimously voted to release what he described as the largest amount of emergency oil ever authorized by the agency.

Birol stated that the oil market is facing unprecedented challenges, and he welcomed the collective emergency action taken by member nations. According to the IEA, each member country will release its share of reserves within an appropriate timeframe based on national circumstances.

The agency noted that this marks the sixth coordinated release in its history, following similar actions in 1991, 2005, 2011, and twice in 2022. IEA members currently hold over 1.02 billion barrels of emergency reserves, with an additional 600 million barrels held by industry under government obligations.