International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol has warned that the current global energy crisis poses a greater threat than the oil shocks of the 1970s and the disruptions caused by the 2022 Ukraine war. Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra on March 23, 2026, Birol said the world economy is facing a major threat as the situation combines two major oil crises and one gas crisis. He urged for a coordinated global response to mitigate the impact, warning that no country would remain unaffected if the crisis continues.

Birol revealed that at least 40 key energy facilities in the Middle East have been severely damaged due to ongoing conflict in the region. To stabilize the situation, the IEA has begun discussions with Asian and European countries about releasing emergency oil reserves. Earlier this month, IEA member states announced a record release of 400 million barrels of oil to curb soaring global prices.

He emphasized that restoring regular supply through the Strait of Hormuz is essential for energy security and confirmed the agency’s readiness to release additional reserves if necessary.

A nationwide fuel shortage has disrupted operations at filling stations across Bangladesh, leading to unrest among customers. The Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association issued a warning on March 23, 2026, urging station owners to ensure staff safety and maintain order. The association said fuel supply would normalize once banks reopen after the Eid holidays, allowing payment orders to resume.

According to the association, the disruption stems from global supply constraints linked to the Iran war, which has limited fuel availability from depots. The situation has caused long queues and incidents of vandalism and assaults on station staff in several areas. The association’s convener, Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul, signed a letter advising owners to seek police assistance or take personal safety measures if necessary.

The letter also noted that despite the government lifting fuel rationing on March 15, supply has not yet stabilized. Normal distribution is expected to resume once banking operations restart on Tuesday after the holiday period.

A worker named Enamul Haque saved hundreds of passengers by stopping a train using a banana blossom petal in Dinajpur’s Fulbari area on Monday morning. The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. between the 352/5 and 352/6 kilometer points of the Fulbari-Birampur railway line near Purba Chandipur. Enamul noticed a one-foot break in the rail track and, lacking a red cloth, tied a red banana blossom petal to a stick and signaled an approaching intercity train from Dhaka to Panchagarh, which stopped in time.

Local residents alerted railway officials, and within half an hour, an engineering team arrived to repair the damaged section and restore train movement. Fulbari Station Master Shawkat Ali confirmed that train operations were halted for over thirty minutes before returning to normal. Enamul left for Faridpur after the incident, according to his family.

The quick action drew praise, especially in light of a recent derailment on the same route that disrupted service for 18 hours. Railway authorities credited Enamul’s presence of mind for preventing a potential disaster.

Major Asian stock markets suffered sharp declines on Monday as the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran intensified. According to Al Jazeera, the sell-off deepened as threats between the warring sides raised fears that the war could drag on. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell 4.8 percent at the start of trading, while South Korea’s KOSPI index dropped more than 5.5 percent.

The report also noted volatility in global oil prices. Brent crude slipped about 0.8 percent to 111.25 dollars per barrel, while U.S.-traded crude remained nearly unchanged at 98.18 dollars. The market reaction reflected investor anxiety over the conflict’s potential impact on energy supply and regional stability.

The developments underscored how geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are reverberating through Asian financial markets, with investors closely watching for signs of further escalation or diplomatic intervention.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has warned that Bangladesh faces difficult times ahead due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. Speaking on Monday, March 23, in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila after inaugurating the Neha River re-excavation program, he said oil prices are expected to rise, leading to higher commodity costs, and urged people to endure the situation with patience.

He stated that the conflict has disrupted oil supplies but cautioned against vandalizing fuel pumps, promising strict action against any mob violence. Fakhrul added that despite challenges such as crop damage from storms and rain, the government has waived agricultural loans and distributed family cards to support millions of women. He also mentioned that 20,000 canals will be excavated nationwide as part of ongoing development projects.

The minister emphasized that the administration remains committed to completing all promised projects and assisting farmers affected by adverse weather conditions.

Government offices, banks, insurance companies, and courts in Bangladesh will reopen on Tuesday, March 24, following a seven-day public holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr that ends on Monday, March 23. The holiday began on March 17, with Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated nationwide on Saturday, March 21. The stock market and private institutions are also set to resume operations on the same day.

Employees will have only one working day before another break, as Thursday, March 26, marks Independence Day, followed by the regular weekend on Friday and Saturday. This will effectively give workers another three consecutive days off after just one day of work.

Journalists, officers, and staff of newspapers also return to work on Monday after a five-day Eid holiday declared by the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) from March 19 to March 23.

Dhaka recorded the world’s highest air pollution level on Monday, March 23, 2026, despite the city being largely empty during the long Eid holiday. According to data from Switzerland-based air quality monitoring organization IQAir, the capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 188, categorizing the air as unhealthy for all residents. The report placed Dhaka at the top among cities in 127 countries.

IQAir’s 10:30 a.m. reading showed Beijing in second place with an AQI of 178, followed by Wuhan at 154, Kampala at 153, and Baghdad at 148. The organization regularly measures global air quality using the AQI system, which indicates pollution levels and associated health risks.

IQAir’s report identified fine particulate matter as the main source of Dhaka’s pollution. The high concentration of these particles poses serious health threats, including respiratory and heart diseases, and long-term risks such as cancer.

A woman named Halima Kayser Bokul, aged 55, died after falling into an empty elevator shaft in Dhaka’s Demra area on Sunday night. The incident occurred at Konapara when she was descending from the rooftop of her building. According to her son Bappi, she accidentally fell through the open space meant for an elevator and sustained severe injuries. The family lived on the fourth floor of the building.

Halima was first taken to a nearby private hospital in critical condition. As her condition worsened, she was transferred to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared her dead. The incident has been reported to Demra Police Station, according to Inspector Md. Faruk of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police camp.

Authorities have not yet provided further details about the investigation or safety measures at the site.

A shortage of octane has been reported at several petrol pumps across Dhaka, causing long queues and frustration among motorists. The crisis emerged even after the lifting of fuel rationing, with drivers moving from one station to another in search of octane. Areas including Mohammadpur, Asad Gate, Bijoy Sarani, Paribagh, Motijheel, Rajarbagh, Moghbazar, New Market, Gabtoli, and Mirpur have been affected. The shortage coincides with the end of the Eid holidays, as office-goers return to the capital ahead of government offices reopening on Tuesday.

Fuel marketing companies have claimed that octane reserves and supplies remain adequate, while pump owners argue that depots are not providing enough fuel to match sales. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) stated that there is no national shortage, noting that daily sales since February 28 have been double the usual demand. A 25,000-ton octane shipment is expected to arrive on April 2, and local production continues at normal levels.

The Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association warned that due to supply shortages and security concerns, petrol pumps nationwide could shut down at any time.

A tannery worker named Khorshed Alam Sikder, aged 57, was killed after being beaten by a local BNP leader during an arbitration meeting in Mehendiganj, Barishal. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in the Charhogla area, reportedly in the presence of police officers. Four others were injured in the attack. The dispute arose over unpaid construction dues owed to BNP leader Jahangir Hossain Hawlader, who allegedly led the assault.

Following the incident, the Mehendiganj municipal BNP expelled Jahangir Hossain Hawlader from the party for violating organizational discipline. The expulsion was confirmed in a statement signed by the party’s convenor Syed Riaz Shahin Liton and member secretary Riaz Uddin Chowdhury Dinu Mia. Police Superintendent AZM Mostafizur Rahman stated that legal action would be taken against those involved.

The arbitration meeting was reportedly held to settle a 22-year-old financial dispute. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the investigation or potential arrests.

Global oil prices rose sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, Israel announced that its ongoing military operations would continue for several weeks. These developments triggered immediate reactions in the energy markets, with crude oil prices climbing as trading opened on Sunday night.

According to AFP, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for May delivery rose about 1.8 percent, surpassing 100 dollars per barrel before easing slightly. Brent crude for May delivery also increased, reaching 113.44 dollars per barrel before stabilizing near 111 dollars. Before the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran began on February 27, WTI and Brent were priced at 67.02 and 72.48 dollars respectively.

Analysts cited ongoing Middle East tensions and uncertainty surrounding the Hormuz Strait as key factors pressuring global energy markets. They warned that further escalation could lead to significant volatility in oil prices.

International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol warned that the ongoing Middle East war could unleash an energy crisis more severe than the oil shocks of the 1970s and comparable to the early effects of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference in Canberra, Birol said the world is currently losing about 11 million barrels of oil per day, exceeding the combined losses of the two major oil crises of the 1970s.

He cautioned that no country would be spared from the energy fallout, as oil and liquefied natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have been blocked due to Iran’s obstruction. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on his social media platform that the United States is considering winding down its military operations while aiming to neutralize Iran’s missile capabilities and destroy its defense industry base.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed that since the first strike on Iran on February 28, Washington’s objectives remain to dismantle Iran’s missile launchers, naval forces, and defense infrastructure, and to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Cumilla Metropolitan branch has transported the bodies of victims from a train-bus collision at Padua Bazar Bishwaroad in Cumilla Sadar Dakshin upazila to their respective homes. The party also announced that it would bear the medical expenses of those injured in the accident. Senior leaders, including Central Assistant Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum, visited the site soon after the incident.

During the visit, Maulana ATM Masum stated that standing beside people in distress is a true humanitarian duty and expressed hope that the initiative would ease the suffering of bereaved families. Cumilla Metropolitan Ameer Kazi Din Mohammad emphasized the need to strengthen safety measures at rail crossings to prevent such tragedies.

Party leaders coordinated with hospital administrations to ensure proper treatment for the injured. A team from the National Doctors Forum (NDF) is reportedly overseeing the medical response to ensure continuous support for victims’ recovery.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called an emergency COBRA meeting on Monday to address potential economic risks to the United Kingdom stemming from the ongoing Iran war. According to The Guardian, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey are among the key participants. The meeting will assess the possible effects on households, businesses, energy security, and supply chains, as well as international responses.

The heightened tension follows Iran’s warning that it would target Gulf neighbors’ energy and water systems if U.S. President Donald Trump carries out threats against Iranian power plants. Reuters reported that the UK is closely monitoring the situation amid concerns over its heavy reliance on imported gas, persistent inflation, and fiscal strain, which have accelerated the fall in government bond prices.

Reeves noted that it remains difficult to predict the war’s full impact on the British economy. While rejecting broad cost-cutting measures for now, she said targeted assistance options are under consideration.

An armed attack took place at the home of Engineer Osman Gani, general secretary of the Sarafbhata Union unit of the BNP in Rangunia upazila of Chattogram, on Sunday night, March 22, 2026. Osman Gani sustained gunshot wounds to his hand and abdomen, while his 70-year-old mother, Asiya Begum, was shot in the leg. His father, Rashid Ahmad, was also injured in the head. Relatives said Osman was additionally hacked on the hand and back, leaving him critically wounded.

According to reports, a group of three to four armed assailants carried out the attack around 8:10 p.m. at Ganjam Ali Sarkar’s house in Ward No. 2 of the union. Locals rescued the victims and took them to Rangunia Upazila Health Complex, from where Osman was later transferred to Evercare Hospital in Chattogram city due to his critical condition. His parents are receiving treatment and are out of danger, doctors confirmed.

Local BNP leaders strongly condemned the attack and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible. Police from South Rangunia station visited the scene and confirmed that operations are underway to apprehend the attackers and maintain law and order in the area.