Former army officer and ex-MP Masud Uddin Chowdhury has been arrested in a human trafficking case filed at Paltan Police Station in Dhaka. The arrest was confirmed by Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam at a press briefing on Tuesday. Chowdhury was detained from Baridhara late Monday night and later produced before the court. According to police, he faces a total of 11 cases—six in Feni and five in Dhaka—covering charges including murder, attempted murder, and human trafficking.

DB officials stated that three of the Feni cases are under trial, and Chowdhury had been absconding, prompting the court to issue arrest warrants. He also faces multiple allegations under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Criminal Investigation Department. Chowdhury, a key figure during the 2007 military-backed caretaker government, previously served as coordinator of the National Coordination Committee on Serious Crimes.

Police have sought a five-day remand for further interrogation, while court proceedings on his detention are ongoing.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has informed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Bangladesh will face increased spending on fuel imports due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. He made the statement on Tuesday, March 24, after a meeting with an IMF delegation at the Secretariat. The delegation, led by Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, also met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman earlier in the day.

The minister said discussions with the IMF included whether the government would bear the additional fuel costs, adding that further talks would take place during the upcoming Spring Meetings in Washington. He noted that the IMF had raised issues related to the war context, challenges in the banking and stock market sectors, and tax-to-GDP matters. Chowdhury emphasized that despite the war and fuel crisis, transportation and commodity prices remained stable during Ramadan and Eid due to timely government decisions.

He added that the IMF loan review is scheduled for July, with preliminary discussions to be held in April in Washington. The minister said Bangladesh is negotiating IMF conditions gradually, aligning them with the country’s current economic realities.

A New Shuktara Paribahan bus traveling from Chattogram to Kishoreganj narrowly avoided a major accident on Tuesday morning at Alekharchar Bishwaroad in Cumilla. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. when the driver swerved to save an elderly man crossing the road, causing the bus to end up on the edge of a roadside ditch. More than fifty passengers escaped unharmed.

Passenger Sujon Mia said the bus went off the road while trying to avoid a private car and the elderly man. Helper Islam Uddin explained that despite repeated warnings, the man did not move, forcing the driver to steer left toward a pond. Driver Yusuf Ali stated that the vehicle’s low speed and his quick decision prevented a serious crash.

Cumilla Mainamati Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Abdul Momen confirmed that two wreckers were brought to recover the bus and that traffic on the highway remained normal. No casualties were reported.

Two people were killed and more than a hundred others injured in a violent clash between residents of ten villages in Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. in Goalanagar Union, where two rival groups, known as the Choura and Honaro communities, confronted each other over a longstanding dispute.

According to local sources, the Choura group consists of seven villages—Geyalnagar Schoolpara, Laluartuku, Dakshindia, Shibpur, Jamarbali, Maizkhola, and Kadamtali—while the Honaro group includes three villages—Goalanagar, Machma, and Rampur. The deceased were identified as Mawlana Habibur Rahman, 40, from the Choura group, and Akhtar Hossain, 50, from the Honaro group.

Goalanagar Union Parishad Chairman Azharul Islam confirmed that villagers from both sides took part in the confrontation. Nasirnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahinul Islam said the clash stemmed from a previous dispute and that police were working to bring the situation under control.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed that Bangladeshi students seeking higher education abroad receive loans of up to Tk 1 million as support for bank guarantees or solvency certificates. The announcement was made by State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur after a meeting with the Prime Minister on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the foreign secretary and advisers to the Prime Minister.

According to Nurul Haque Nur, the Prime Minister instructed that the Expatriates’ Welfare Bank be dedicated to providing these loans through the ministry. The meeting also discussed accelerating an existing memorandum of understanding to send 100,000 workers to Japan and expanding employment opportunities in Europe and other countries. Additionally, the Prime Minister directed the foreign ministry to encourage European nations to establish consular services in Bangladesh to ease visa processing.

The State Minister added that the Prime Minister emphasized better communication of government activities through social and mainstream media to highlight positive initiatives to the public.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, said a sudden surge in oil demand has caused a temporary shortage in the country. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday morning, the first working day after the Eid holidays, he assured that there is adequate oil stock nationwide.

The minister urged citizens not to purchase oil beyond their immediate needs, emphasizing that supply will remain stable if people avoid unnecessary hoarding. He also noted that the Energy Regulatory Commission is responsible for reviewing fuel prices, but the government has not yet increased oil prices.

According to the minister, there is no reason for public concern as everyone will receive oil as needed, and the government is monitoring the situation to maintain regular supply.

IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The meeting took place in the morning, according to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury was also present during the meeting. The discussion was described as a courtesy meeting, and no further details about the agenda or outcomes were provided in the official communication.

The visit highlights ongoing engagement between Bangladesh and the International Monetary Fund, though the source did not specify any particular policy discussions or agreements resulting from the meeting.

Global oil prices have risen above $100 per barrel again as uncertainty surrounding the Iran conflict intensifies. After a sharp decline on Monday, Brent crude rebounded in Asian trading on Tuesday, climbing 3.75 percent to $103.69 per barrel. At the same time, Nymex Light Sweet crude increased 3.42 percent to $91.55 per barrel, according to a BBC report.

The price rebound followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that planned attacks on Iran would be postponed for five days, which he described as a positive step toward dialogue. That statement had initially caused oil prices to drop by more than 10 percent. However, Tehran later stated that no talks had taken place with the United States, leaving the market uncertain and pushing prices upward again.

Analysts suggest that continued geopolitical tension and mixed signals from both sides are keeping the oil market volatile, with traders closely watching developments in the Iran situation.

After a continuous seven-day holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr, all government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous offices, along with banks, insurance companies, and the stock market, reopened across Bangladesh on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The last working day before the holiday was March 16, and the official break began on March 17.

Following the end of the Eid vacation, government and related institutions resumed their regular 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. Banks reopened for transactions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with official operations continuing until 6 p.m. The stock market also resumed trading from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., while office activities there run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The reopening marks a return to normal economic and administrative operations after the extended national holiday period.

Government offices across Bangladesh reopened at 9 a.m. on Tuesday following the end of the official Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. Courts, banks, insurance companies, and the stock market resumed normal operations from 10 a.m. Bangladesh Bank confirmed that banking activities have returned to their regular schedule, with transactions now running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

After the extended Eid break, normal activities are expected to restore vibrancy to urban life. Large numbers of workers have already returned to Dhaka from their home districts, resulting in heavy crowds at train, bus, and launch terminals.

Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated nationwide on March 21 with religious solemnity. The government had declared a seven-day public holiday from March 17 to 23 for the occasion.

Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following a joint US-Israel strike on February 28 has disrupted global oil and gas supplies, pushing Brent crude prices above 100 dollars per barrel from around 65 dollars before the conflict. In response, many nations have begun releasing oil from their strategic reserves to stabilize markets and avoid deeper economic shocks.

On March 11, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that its 32 member countries would release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves, marking the largest coordinated release in the agency’s history. The IEA’s members collectively hold over 1.2 billion barrels of government reserves, with an additional 600 million barrels in private storage. China, though not an IEA member, also maintains significant reserves.

Major reserve holders include the United States with 415 million barrels, Japan with 470 million, and the United Kingdom with 68 million barrels of crude and refined products. European Union members such as Germany, France, Spain, and Italy have also committed to releasing portions of their reserves to mitigate supply disruptions caused by the Hormuz closure.

The United States stock market recorded a notable rise after President Donald Trump announced the suspension of a planned attack on an Iranian power plant. Following the decision, oil prices declined, bringing relief to investors. According to Al Jazeera, all three major US stock indexes closed more than one percent higher, marking a strong rebound after last week’s losses.

Trump stated that the United States had held ‘productive talks’ with Tehran, though Iran denied this claim. The announcement and subsequent drop in oil prices—over ten percent—helped Wall Street achieve its biggest single-day gain since February 6. The market’s positive reaction reflected renewed investor confidence amid easing geopolitical tensions.

Despite the market optimism, the situation between the United States and Iran remains uncertain, as both sides continue to offer differing accounts of their discussions.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced a ban on the use of high-octane fuel in all government vehicles as part of stricter austerity measures. The decision follows a recent increase in the high-octane surcharge by 200 rupees per liter. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that officials using high-octane fuel in violation of the order will face action and may have to bear the cost personally. The government expects the move to save about 90 billion rupees monthly, which will be redirected to public welfare.

The decision comes amid a global fuel shortage and price surge triggered by attacks in Iran involving Israel and the United States. Pakistan’s government said the measure aims to conserve energy and ease pressure on the national economy. The surcharge hike applies only to luxury vehicles, while prices for public transport and aviation fuel remain unchanged.

This step continues a series of energy-saving measures introduced two weeks earlier, including fuel price adjustments, a 50 percent cut in fuel allowances for government vehicles, a four-day workweek, and partial remote work for civil servants, excluding essential services.

The Bangladesh government has confirmed that the country currently holds sufficient fuel reserves to meet national demand for the next 20 to 22 days without new imports. Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku stated that there is no shortage of diesel, petrol, or octane, and that additional shipments are arriving regularly. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation reported 136,000 metric tons of refined fuel and about 100,000 tons of crude oil in storage, ensuring uninterrupted supply.

Authorities have identified attempts by certain groups to create an artificial fuel crisis for personal gain. Intelligence agencies, including the DGFI and NSI, have reported that some petrol pump owners and transport operators are diverting fuel to the black market. The government has warned that any manipulation or rumor-spreading about fuel shortages will face strict action.

Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to remain on high alert and prepare for coordinated operations against those responsible. Citizens have been urged not to believe or spread misinformation on social media and to rely only on official government updates.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association has called for assistance from police and local administration to keep petrol pumps operational amid rising consumer pressure and reduced fuel supply. The appeal was made on Monday, March 23, by the association’s convener Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul, citing safety concerns due to growing crowds and incidents of vandalism at filling stations.

According to the association, the global situation surrounding Iran has disrupted fuel supply from depots, with fears of further temporary shortages. Despite high demand, supply has become inconsistent, leading to public unrest at fuel stations across the country. The association advised pump operators to ensure their own safety and continue operations with local law enforcement support.

A separate letter from the Rajshahi Divisional Petrol Pump Owners Association highlighted mismatches between fuel allocations and tank lorry capacities at several depots, including Baghabari. It requested that allocations be adjusted to match lorry capacities to protect pump owners’ interests and maintain stable distribution.