Phulbaria upazila in Mymensingh, covering 399 square kilometers, is rich in natural and historical resources but remains underdeveloped as a full-fledged tourist destination due to insufficient government and private initiatives. The area features the country’s largest enclosed wetland, Barabila, and the mysterious Nabaikuri, which attract visitors with lotus blooms and migratory birds. Nearby stands the legendary site of King Anai’s palace, tied to a local folktale that continues to intrigue tourists.

Santoshpur forest, with its dense sal and gazari trees, wildlife, and a large rubber plantation, offers another attraction. The area’s “social monkeys,” known for their friendly behavior with visitors, have become a highlight. Other notable sites include the privately owned Deepto Orchid Garden in Dulma village, the historic Tamaltala Guptabrindaban, and a privately developed park in Betbari. Visitors can reach Phulbaria from Mymensingh for a modest travel cost.

Locals believe that with proper planning and investment, Phulbaria could emerge as one of Bangladesh’s most appealing tourism zones, generating significant annual revenue.

Sri Lanka has reinstated fuel rationing and raised fuel prices by about 33 percent following the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28. Iran’s decision to halt most traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for 20 percent of global oil and gas, has severely disrupted supplies to the island nation, which imports 60 percent of its energy needs through the strait. The government has introduced a QR-based rationing system similar to that used during the 2022 economic crisis, limiting weekly fuel allocations for vehicles and implementing a no-work-on-Wednesday policy to conserve fuel.

Officials say the government is absorbing part of the international price increase, resulting in monthly losses of $63 million. Bus fares have risen by more than 12 percent, while liquefied petroleum gas prices are up 8 percent. Negotiations are under way with Russia for fuel imports, and Sri Lanka has declined Iran’s offer due to lack of transport capacity. Experts warn that continued disruption could raise food prices by 15 percent and threaten food security, as fertiliser supplies are also affected.

President Anura Dissanayake’s administration is expanding storage capacity and pursuing agreements with India and the UAE to renovate facilities, but economists caution that the crisis’s duration remains unpredictable.

A mobile court led by Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Md. Fakhrul Islam conducted an operation in the Bhatiari area on Saturday amid a nationwide fuel supply crisis. The court fined Bhatiari Filling Station Tk 50,000 under the Mobile Court Act for concealing government information and discrepancies in oil stock records. Officials found that the station reported 1,100 liters of octane but actually stored 1,069 liters more than declared.

To prevent illegal fuel hoarding or smuggling, the administration has appointed tag officers at every petrol pump for regular monitoring. While most stations maintained accurate records, irregularities were confirmed at Bhatiari Filling Station, prompting legal action. The same mobile court also fined three minibuses Tk 2,000 each for overcharging passengers on the Alangkar–Sitakunda route.

Officials said the trend of overcharging has recently increased, causing financial distress to passengers. They pledged to continue regular drives and urged passengers to report any fare violations immediately. Local residents welcomed the initiative as timely and beneficial for restoring discipline in the fuel and transport sectors.

The World Trade Organization opened its 14th ministerial conference in Yaounde, Cameroon, on Thursday amid warnings of a potential “disorderly collapse” if members fail to agree on new global trade rules. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the world was experiencing the worst trade disruptions in 80 years and that the old world order would not return. The meeting comes as global economic turmoil, driven by conflict in the Middle East and rising protectionism, challenges the multilateral trading system.

Sharp divisions emerged among major economies over the WTO’s “most-favoured nation” (MFN) principle, which requires equal tariff treatment for all partners. The United States, represented by Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, criticized the system as unworkable and called for smaller group agreements. China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao defended MFN as the “bedrock” of global trade, warning against discriminatory treatment. The European Union proposed a more flexible framework, while the United Kingdom cautioned that failure to reach consensus could fragment the system.

The Yaounde gathering follows years of stalled negotiations, with the WTO’s consensus-based decision-making often paralyzed by individual objections, leaving the future of multilateral trade cooperation uncertain.

A severe fuel shortage has disrupted daily life in Kaunia upazila of Rangpur, where farmers, drivers, and residents are struggling to obtain fuel despite waiting in long queues. The crisis has been most visible at the Ma Sufia Filling Station near Kaunia Railgate, where many customers have returned empty-handed after hours of waiting. Station owner Shafiqul Islam Shafi said the shortage stems from limited supply, forcing them to distribute smaller quantities that quickly run out. He added that fuel distribution continued late into Friday night to manage the situation.

Local residents alleged that some unscrupulous traders are exploiting the crisis by selling petrol and octane at inflated prices ranging from Tk 400 to 500 per liter. They also complained about the lack of visible monitoring by the local administration, which they fear is encouraging black market activity. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Papia Sultana warned that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in illegal hoarding or overpricing.

Government sources, however, claimed there is no nationwide fuel shortage, a statement that has sparked public frustration due to the apparent mismatch with local conditions.

Passengers traveling from Rangpur to Dhaka after Eid have faced severe difficulties due to a shortage of buses and alleged fare manipulation. On Saturday, hundreds of travelers were seen waiting at the city’s Kamarpara bus stand, unable to secure tickets despite long waits. Reports indicate that brokers are selling tickets at inflated prices, with fares rising from the usual 800 taka to between 1,600 and 2,000 taka. Some passengers alleged that counters falsely claimed buses were fully booked while seats remained empty.

Bus counter officials offered a different explanation, citing a fuel shortage that reduced the number of operating buses from 18 to 12 on the route. They denied charging beyond government-approved fares, a claim passengers strongly disputed. On Friday night, travelers blocked the road at Modern Mor in protest against the excessive fares, halting traffic for two to three hours until police intervened.

Passengers fear that the situation may worsen as ticket demand remains high through March 29 and 30, potentially prolonging the travel disruption.

Police in Chattogram’s Patenga area seized about 6,000 liters of illegally stored diesel during a raid on a tin-shed warehouse on Friday morning. The warehouse owner, Mohammad Alamgir, identified locally as a Jubo League leader, is currently on the run. Two suspects, Al-Amin and Masud, have been arrested in connection with the case. The operation followed a tip-off that the site had long been used for collecting, storing, and selling stolen fuel.

According to police, Alamgir expanded his illegal stockpiling amid recent international oil price volatility. The fuel was reportedly brought in by trawler at night and sold wholesale to contractors and transport owners in the morning. Locals alleged that Alamgir’s political influence had shielded him from scrutiny. The landowner’s sons, Arif and Ashraf, were also identified as collaborators in the operation.

Police said cases are being prepared under fuel storage and smuggling control laws. Officials believe the raid could expose a larger oil theft network active along the Patenga–Karnaphuli coast.

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.