The government of Bangladesh is preparing an incentive framework to encourage investment, according to Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir. He made the statement on Monday night after a discussion meeting on industrialization prospects in Panchagarh district, held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room.

Dr. Titumir said that previous administrations had not taken initiatives to generate employment through investment in the northern region, despite its potential. The current government, committed to achieving regional balance, is therefore designing various incentive structures to promote investment. He emphasized that the government is committed to providing necessary tax benefits and financial support to investors.

He added that the government aims to reopen closed factories, including sugar mills and jute mills, and called on entrepreneurs to invest in agricultural and agro-processing industries in Panchagarh to foster significant growth in the sector.

Twelve people were killed in a collision between a train and a bus at the Paduar Bazar rail crossing in Cumilla early Saturday night during Eid. Following the accident, local residents accused the on-duty gatekeepers of negligence, claiming they were under the influence of drugs and failed to hear the train’s signal. Evidence of drug use, including yaba and cannabis paraphernalia, was reportedly found in the gatekeepers’ quarters.

Locals alleged that the government quarters for gatekeepers are often used for drug gatherings due to a lack of regular supervision. They claimed that on the night of the accident, gatekeepers Mehedi and Helal were intoxicated with outsiders. However, Cumilla Railway Station Master Sheikh Anwar Hossain denied the allegations, saying no drug use occurs in the gatekeepers’ rooms and that the engineering department will determine the actual cause. Railway security officials said action would follow any confirmed complaints.

Three investigation committees have been formed to determine the cause of the accident, with a 72-hour deadline to submit reports. The Cumilla district administration assured that legal action will be taken against anyone found responsible.

Retired Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury was presented before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Dhaka on Tuesday for a remand hearing in a case filed at Paltan Model Police Station. The case involves allegations of embezzling Tk 24,000 crore through a syndicate and human trafficking. Following the hearing, Metropolitan Magistrate Aminul Islam Junaid granted a five-day remand as requested by the Detective Branch (DB) police.

After the court approved the remand, unidentified individuals threw dirty drain water at Chowdhury in the court premises while he was being taken to the detention cell. The incident occurred amid tight security and protests outside the court. According to the prosecution, the accused faces serious charges that require interrogation for investigation purposes.

DB sources stated that Chowdhury is accused in multiple cases, including fraud, extortion, and murder, and that an arrest warrant had already been issued against him in a separate case in Feni. He was detained late Monday night during a DB operation in Baridhara DOHS, Dhaka.

A video showing an orphaned girl crying beside her mother’s grave in Lalmai upazila, Cumilla, went viral on social media, prompting immediate intervention by local authorities. The girl, identified as Samia Akter, had reportedly suffered prolonged physical and mental abuse from her stepmother, Ayesha Akter, while her father was abroad in Saudi Arabia. Following the viral spread of the video, the stepmother and the child were brought before the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) on March 24, where the stepmother apologized publicly and signed a written pledge not to repeat such behavior.

According to local sources, the girl had been subjected to repeated beatings and was even tied up and confined indoors for two days. The UNO, Umme Tahmina Mitu, assigned the acting chairman of Bagmara Dakshin Union Parishad, Md. Lokman Hossain, to investigate the matter. Authorities have placed the child under local surveillance to ensure her safety.

Local residents and officials, including police and community leaders, were present during the proceedings. The community has welcomed the administration’s quick response and called for continued monitoring to protect the child.

The Central Board of Film Certification in India has blocked the screening of the Tunisian film 'The Voyage of Hind Rajab', which was nominated for Best International Feature at this year’s Oscars. According to The Guardian, the board cited 'political sensitivity' as the reason for denying clearance. The film’s Indian distributor, Manoj Nandwana of Joy Bhiratra Entertainment, said he had applied for certification in February with plans to release the film on March 6, before the Oscars. He was reportedly told that the film could strain India-Israel relations, a claim he rejected.

The film, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, is based on the real-life death of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab during the 2024 Gaza conflict. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received a 20-minute standing ovation and won the Silver Lion award. News of the ban has sparked strong reactions in India, with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor calling the move 'shameful' and an attack on freedom of expression.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that India’s growing diplomatic alignment with Israel under Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have influenced the censorship decision. The censor board has not issued an official statement on the matter.

Global gold prices declined further on Tuesday morning, dropping more than 2 percent in international trading. Spot gold fell 0.2 percent to 4,396.74 US dollars per ounce, marking its lowest level since November 24, when it had reached 4,097.99 dollars per ounce. US gold futures for April delivery also decreased by 1.5 percent to 4,340.90 dollars per ounce.

According to OANDA senior market analyst Kelvin Wong, the current volatility in the market is closely tied to developments in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict. Mixed signals from the countries involved have made investors cautious, leading to instability across commodity markets. Since the onset of the conflict, gold prices have dropped by about 18 percent.

Other precious metals also saw declines. Spot silver fell 3.4 percent to 66.80 dollars per ounce, platinum dropped 2.1 percent to 1,841.68 dollars, and palladium decreased 2.7 percent to 1,395.25 dollars per ounce.

China has introduced temporary controls on fuel prices to limit the domestic impact of rapidly rising global oil prices. According to the state news agency Xinhua, this marks the first such intervention since the country’s fuel pricing mechanism was introduced over a decade ago. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) raised the maximum retail prices of petrol and diesel from midnight but capped the increase through a temporary regulatory measure.

Under the new decision, petrol prices rose by 1,160 yuan per metric ton and diesel by 1,115 yuan, compared with potential increases of 2,205 yuan and 2,120 yuan respectively without intervention. The NDRC said the move aims to cushion the economy from abnormal international price shocks, reduce pressure on consumers and industries, and maintain economic stability.

An NDRC official stated that if global oil prices continue to rise, the government may provide tax and subsidy support to stabilize supply. The report also noted China’s ongoing investments in strategic oil reserves and renewable energy sectors to strengthen energy security.

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken Faisal Karim and Alamgir to Delhi for further interrogation in connection with the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi. According to police sources, the two accused were flown from Kolkata to Delhi on Monday night and are scheduled to appear before a special NIA court on Tuesday.

On March 22, the NIA sought permission from the Bidhannagar court to interrogate the suspects, which the judge initially approved. However, citing security concerns at Dum Dum Central Jail, the agency filed a new petition on March 23 requesting to conduct the questioning in Delhi. The court granted the request, and the transfer was carried out that night. Earlier, Judge Nishan Majumdar had ordered 12 days of judicial custody for the two, allowing both the West Bengal STF and NIA to question them in jail until April 2.

The accused face charges under Sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, related to planning or supporting terrorist acts. Faisal has denied involvement, claiming political framing and lack of CCTV evidence.

The Philippines is considering suspending domestic and international air services due to a severe shortage of jet fuel. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Bloomberg on Monday that the ongoing Iran-United States-Israel war has disrupted global energy supplies, leaving the country struggling to secure aviation fuel. He said that suppliers who previously sold jet fuel to the Philippines have stopped doing so, forcing airlines to rely on limited domestic reserves.

Marcos warned that these reserves will not last long if the war continues and fuel supply chains remain blocked. He indicated that without a quick resolution to the conflict or restoration of normal supply from seller countries, the government may soon have to cancel both domestic and long-haul international flights. The fuel crisis has already prompted the Philippines to declare a national energy emergency.

The situation highlights the broader global impact of the conflict on energy-dependent sectors, particularly aviation, as countries face mounting pressure to manage dwindling fuel resources.

Dhaka’s Savar-based alleged serial killer, vagrant Samrat alias Sabuj Sheikh, died on Tuesday, March 24, after suddenly falling ill in Keraniganj Central Jail. Prison authorities said he complained of chest pain in the morning and was immediately taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

According to police, Samrat had been in custody for about two months following his arrest in connection with a double murder at a community center in Savar on January 19. CCTV footage had led to his capture, and during interrogation he reportedly confessed to several other killings. He was charged in six murder cases and had remained in Keraniganj jail since his court appearance.

Inspector (Operations) Md Helal Uddin of Savar Model Police Station confirmed the death, saying initial indications suggest a heart attack, though the exact cause will be determined after the autopsy report.

Two people died and two others were injured in a violent clash on Monday night, March 23, in Doyail Union of Sarishabari upazila, Jamalpur. The incident began when Roni, from Champakona village, visited the home of his fiancée Shila Akter, 16, to resolve a dispute after she refused their arranged marriage. During the discussion, a heated argument broke out between the two families, leading to a physical confrontation.

Neighbor Sohel Rana, 35, rushed to the scene to stop the fight but was attacked and fatally injured. He was later declared dead at the local health complex. Upon hearing of Sohel’s death, his friend and neighbor Monju Mia, 40, suffered a heart attack and died shortly afterward. Two women, Hasna Begum, 20, and Sahera Begum, 25, were also injured and received treatment at the upazila health complex.

Police recovered Sohel’s body and prepared to send it for autopsy. Authorities said further legal steps would follow after receiving the postmortem report.

A severe shortage of octane has been reported at four filling stations in Adamdighi upazila of Bogura, leaving motorcyclists and other drivers struggling to refuel. On Tuesday afternoon, long queues were seen at filling stations in Santahar municipality, where octane supply had completely stopped. Although diesel and petrol supplies remained normal, the lack of octane forced many drivers to use petrol instead, raising concerns about potential engine damage.

According to filling station operators, the affected stations include Joy Filling Station in Murail, Asha Filling Station on East Dhaka Road, Anika Filling Station in the municipal area, and Hamim Filling Station at the bypass intersection. They said the demand for octane surged ahead of the upcoming Eid, quickly depleting reserves. The shortage has worsened due to insufficient supply from depots.

To manage the situation, stations have imposed limits on petrol sales, allowing a maximum of Tk 200 for motorcycles and Tk 500 for private cars. Operators warned that if octane supply is not restored soon, the situation could deteriorate further.

A Dhaka court has granted a five-day remand for retired Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury in connection with a human trafficking case. The former army officer was shown arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police in a case filed at Paltan Police Station. Following his arrest, DB police sought a five-day remand, which the court approved.

According to DB officials, Masud Uddin faces more than eight cases, including some filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) that are still under investigation. He was arrested late Monday night from his residence in Baridhara DOHS, Dhaka. DB’s Additional Commissioner Md. Shafiqul Islam confirmed the arrest and ongoing investigations during a press briefing at the DMP Media Center on Minto Road.

Masud Uddin previously served as the General Officer Commanding of the Ninth Division during the 2007 “One-Eleven” political crisis and was coordinator of the National Coordination Committee on Serious Crimes and Corruption Suppression during the emergency period.

Former army officer and ex-MP for Feni-3 constituency Masud Uddin Chowdhury was arrested late Monday night from Baridhara, Dhaka, and presented before court on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in connection with a human trafficking case filed at Paltan Police Station. The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police confirmed that he was shown arrested in the case and five days’ remand was sought.

DB Chief Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam stated at a press briefing that a total of 11 cases have been identified against Chowdhury. Three cases in Feni are under trial with arrest warrants issued due to his absconding, while another three in Feni and five under DMP are under investigation. The allegations include murder, attempted murder, human trafficking, and money laundering. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are also investigating related complaints.

Police said Chowdhury had been evading arrest within the country, not abroad. Investigations will determine his involvement in each case, and authorities assured that justice will be ensured under due process.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has issued a notification increasing the price of jet fuel used in domestic and international flights by about Tk 90 per liter. The new rate will take effect from midnight, according to the circular released on Tuesday. The Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh (AOAB) has termed the hike unjustified and urged the government to reconsider the decision.

In a press statement, AOAB said the sudden and large increase in Jet A-1 fuel prices does not reflect current market realities. The association noted that there is no fuel shortage in the country, as 25 oil tankers arrived in the past 22 days with fuel purchased at previously set prices. It also pointed out that global oil prices have recently declined, making such a sharp increase unreasonable.

AOAB warned that the new price could severely strain airlines financially, raise domestic airfares, and threaten the sustainability of the aviation sector. The group cautioned that continued pressure might even force suspension of domestic flight operations if the situation persists.