The Mymensingh upazila administration seized around 24,000 liters of illegally stored fuel during a raid at a mini petrol pump in Phulpur on Saturday afternoon. Acting on a tip-off, officials conducted the operation at 'Messrs Poppy Traders' located in the Amuakanda area on Poyari Road. Executive Magistrate and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sadia Islam Sima led the mobile court, which fined the pump owner Habibur Rahman Tk 200,000 under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009.

The raid uncovered 4,500 liters of petrol and 19,500 liters of diesel stored without authorization. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shafiqul Islam and Phulpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Rashedul Islam were present during the operation. The UNO stated that the administration remains firm against illegal fuel hoarding and market manipulation, and such drives will continue.

Local residents alleged that some unscrupulous traders had been secretly stockpiling fuel to sell at inflated prices amid a recent shortage in the area.

A single hilsa fish weighing 1.765 kilograms was sold for Tk 7,500 at the Patharghata BFDC fish port in Barguna on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The price per maund reached Tk 170,000, reflecting a sharp rise in demand ahead of Pahela Baishakh. The fish was auctioned at Munni Fish Arat, where several local traders competed before wholesaler and merchant fish trader Alhaj Zakir Hossain made the highest bid and purchased it.

Local trader Imran Hossain said the supply of hilsa in the market is currently very low as catches from the sea have almost stopped. The hilsa caught in the Baleshwar River that morning became a major attraction. He added that demand for large hilsa has increased several times before the festival, while smaller jatka hilsa are selling for about Tk 60,000 per maund.

Upazila Fisheries Officer Hasibul Haque stated that the government will impose a 58-day ban on deep-sea fishing next month to ensure fish breeding and growth, which could help increase future catches of large hilsa.

A specialized team from the Bangladesh Army successfully neutralized seven landmines discovered in a maize field at Makhaldanga Schoolpara in Chuadanga Sadar upazila. The disposal operation began at 11 a.m. on Saturday and concluded around 1:30 p.m. The landmines had been detected earlier on February 28 in the same agricultural area.

The bomb disposal team, consisting of 15 members from the 55 Regiment of Jessore Cantonment, was led by Captain Md. Selim and Captain Md. Rifat. They first defused four landmines and later three more, causing loud explosions that shook the surrounding area. Ash and dust from the explosives spread across the field during the operation.

Officials from the district administration, including Executive Magistrate Mirza Shahidul, Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Mostafizur Rahman, the Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Police Station Mizanur Rahman, and teams from the Fire Service and Chuadanga District Police, were present at the site during the operation.

A human chain was organized by Jhalakathi Insaf Monch on Saturday morning in front of the Jhalakathi Press Club, marking 100 days since the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. Participants demanded a speedy trial, expressing frustration over the lack of visible progress in the investigation. Speakers urged authorities to complete the probe and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Khalid Saifullah, convener of Jhalakathi Insaf Monch, said that despite assurances from the interim government to complete the trial within 90 days, no real progress had been made. He added that those responsible for the attack, including financiers and masterminds, remained unidentified, calling for an end to the culture of impunity and justice for Hadi.

Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Monch, was attacked on December 12 last year in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area after Friday prayers. He later died on December 18 while under treatment in Singapore. His death sparked nationwide mourning and repeated calls for justice.

Bangladesh is experiencing continued unrest over fuel supply despite repeated government assurances of sufficient reserves. The disruption follows a U.S.-Israel joint attack on Iran on February 28, which triggered a wider Middle East conflict and severely affected global energy supply chains. As a result, fuel prices have surged worldwide, and panic buying has spread across Bangladesh. The government introduced and later withdrew a rationing system, but long queues at petrol stations persist.

Officials claim there is no shortage, citing ongoing subsidies of 16.7 billion taka per day and approval to import 300,000 metric tons of diesel. However, conflicting statements from distributors and petrol pump owners have fueled confusion. Reports of illegal hoarding and black-market sales have led to several raids and fines. Experts blame poor coordination among government agencies and weak monitoring for the crisis and urge integrated action to stabilize supply.

The Energy Ministry has vowed strict measures against fuel theft and hoarding, while the Petrol Pump Owners Association has urged the public to remain calm, expecting supply normalization soon.

Bangladesh has received official permission to export potatoes to Vietnam, marking a new opportunity for local farmers and exporters. The approval was granted by Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Hanoi. This authorization allows Bangladesh to begin formal potato exports to Vietnam for the first time.

Under Vietnam’s current regulations, any country wishing to export potatoes must register with the ministry by submitting required data and documentation. The Bangladesh Embassy, in coordination with the country’s commerce, agriculture, and food ministries, applied for registration in May of the previous year. After a detailed verification process, Vietnam granted final approval for Bangladeshi potato exports.

Bangladesh’s ambassador to Vietnam, Lutfor Rahman, described the decision as a milestone that could help reduce the trade deficit between the two nations. He noted that the move would benefit both exporters and marginal farmers, given Vietnam’s strong demand for potatoes. The embassy is also working to expand access for other agricultural products such as sesame.

A drug dealer and mugger named Md. Rubel was arrested in Chattogram’s Halishahar area six hours after he jumped into a muddy pond to escape police. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon when police attempted to arrest him in the Bashundhara residential area. Rubel, who was stuck in the mud up to his neck, threatened to harm himself and police officers with a machete that his wife secretly handed to him. After several hours of standoff, police in plain clothes managed to capture him when he tried to climb out of the mud.

According to Halishahar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kazi Muhammad Sultan Ahsan Uddin, Rubel is the leader of a local mugging gang and faces 14 criminal cases including theft, robbery, and assault. He was sent to court on Saturday, which ordered his detention. Local sources said the fire service team also arrived at the scene but could not approach due to Rubel’s threats.

The arrest ended a tense six-hour operation that drew attention in the area and highlighted ongoing police efforts against organized crime in Chattogram.

Two farmers were killed and four others injured when lightning struck an onion field in Kharibaria village under Umedpur Union of Shailkupa upazila in Jhenaidah on Saturday afternoon. The deceased were identified as Apu Biswas, 20, son of Prokash Biswas of Kharibaria village, and Samir Biswas, 40, son of Sushil Biswas of Laxmipur village. The injured included Ranjit Biswas and Prokash Biswas among others.

According to Shailkupa Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir Molla, the farmers were working in the field when the lightning struck, killing two on the spot and injuring four others. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex, where two received primary treatment and were later released.

Duty doctor Ehtesham Shahid at the health complex said the victims suffered severe burns from the lightning strike.

A photo card circulating on social media recently claimed that former Narayanganj lawmaker Shamim Osman had passed away, using a design resembling that of Jamuna TV. The image, which included Osman’s photo and the caption suggesting his death, was widely shared online.

According to a fact-check by the Rumor Scanner team, Jamuna TV did not publish any such photo card. The investigation found that the image was digitally fabricated using Jamuna TV’s design style. Review of Jamuna TV’s official Facebook page, website, and YouTube channel revealed no related content supporting the claim. Additionally, the font and design used in the viral image differed from Jamuna TV’s authentic materials.

No credible media outlet or verified source reported any news confirming Shamim Osman’s death. The fact-check concluded that the claim and the photo card circulating under Jamuna TV’s name were entirely false.

A viral social media post recently claimed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced a Tk 2,500 'Boishakhi bonus' for citizens, obtainable within two minutes through an online registration link. However, a Rumor Scanner investigation found the link and the payment claim to be entirely false, identifying the website as part of a fraudulent scheme designed to deceive users.

The investigation revealed that the site, titled 'Boishakhi Gift and Allowance 2026', asked users to submit personal details, including mobile numbers, and promised payment within 24 hours. In reality, the link redirected users to a betting site called 'luckydraw', which used fake offers to collect personal or financial data. The domain, incomebd.online, was registered only three days earlier and did not match any official government web structure.

No official government sources, including mainstream media or verified pages, confirmed any such financial assistance. Authorities warned that similar scams have previously led to identity theft and blackmail, urging the public to avoid such fraudulent links.

Global energy markets saw a sharp rise in oil prices, with Brent crude futures climbing by 5.7 percent to reach 114.2 dollars per barrel on Friday, March 27, according to Anadolu Agency. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures also rose by 6.18 percent, surpassing 100 dollars per barrel. Since late February, Brent prices have increased by about 45 percent, while WTI prices have grown by roughly 40 percent.

The report added that amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Russia has decided to halt petrol exports starting April 1. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak instructed the energy ministry to prepare a draft decision, with the restriction expected to remain in effect until July 31. Novak stated that the Middle East crisis has caused significant volatility in global energy markets, leading to fluctuating oil prices.

He further noted that while international demand for Russian energy remains high, maintaining domestic supply is now the government’s main priority.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the Home Minister to take strict measures against fuel hoarding and smuggling despite adequate national reserves. The order aims to prevent an artificial fuel crisis and ensure market stability. The government is currently providing a monthly subsidy of 200 crore taka to keep fuel prices steady, and Members of Parliament have been instructed to remain vigilant in their constituencies. Chief Whip Nurul Islam shared these details with reporters after a ruling party parliamentary committee meeting held on Saturday, March 28, at the National Parliament Building.

According to the Chief Whip, although global oil prices have risen due to the war situation in the Middle East, the government is making every effort to maintain domestic price stability. Reports of attempts by dishonest groups to create artificial shortages and smuggle fuel across borders have prompted the Prime Minister’s directive for a comprehensive crackdown. The meeting also discussed parliamentary committee formation, women’s reserved seats, and recent transport accidents, with ministers briefing the committee on preventive measures.

Further decisions on parliamentary committee formation are expected in the next meeting, while reports on pending bills are targeted for submission by March 30.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Office has issued a warning that strong storms with wind speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour may sweep across 19 districts. The advisory, valid until 1 a.m. on Saturday night, also forecasts rain or thundershowers in the affected areas. The districts include Rangpur, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogura, Tangail, Dhaka, Faridpur, Mymensingh, Jashore, Kushtia, Madaripur, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, and Sylhet. River ports in these regions have been instructed to hoist warning signal number one.

A separate weather bulletin noted that an extension of a low-pressure area lies over West Bengal and nearby regions of India, while the seasonal low remains over the South Bay of Bengal. Under these conditions, temporary gusty winds accompanied by lightning and rain or thundershowers are likely across all divisions of the country over the next few days.

The forecast indicates unstable weather patterns, suggesting possible disruptions to river transport and outdoor activities in the affected districts.

Authorities in Rangamati have deployed army personnel to petrol pumps to restore order following an artificial fuel shortage in the district. The deployment began on Saturday morning after large crowds gathered at the Mohsin Petrol Pump upon hearing that fuel was being distributed. The situation became difficult to control due to the heavy rush of buyers.

Under the direction of Assistant Magistrate Abu Huraira Ador and with support from the police, the army successfully brought the situation under control. Long queues of motorcyclists and people carrying bottles were seen waiting for hours to collect fuel. The district administration stated that the army would remain stationed at all petrol pumps across Rangamati to ensure discipline in fuel distribution.

According to the administration, the deployment aims to prevent hoarding and black-market sales of fuel. Officials emphasized that strict monitoring will continue to maintain order and ensure fair access to fuel supplies.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has directed all fuel pumps across the country to display fuel supply information around the clock. The directive, announced on March 28, 2026, comes as part of efforts by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division and BPC to maintain uninterrupted fuel distribution nationwide amid disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

According to a BPC press release, fuel supply operations through marketing companies are continuing smoothly. To ensure transparency and proper distribution, filling stations, packed point dealers, and petrol pumps must collect fuel from BPC depots between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day and display supply data on whiteboards in front of their premises. The displayed information must include the current month’s average fuel receipts, comparative data from the same month last year, and details of the fuel types received.

BPC’s public relations officer stated that the directive took effect on March 28, and officials are working nationwide to ensure continuous fuel supply.