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.

During the extended Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, Kuakata, known as the 'Daughter of the Sea,' has seen a massive influx of tourists. On Sunday, the second day of Eid, the 18-kilometer-long beach turned into a festive city as thousands of visitors from across Bangladesh arrived to enjoy the sea and nature. Although light rain reduced attendance earlier in the day, the beach became crowded by evening, with visitors engaging in sea bathing, horse riding, and photography at major spots including Zero Point, Lebur Bon, and Gangamati.

After a quiet Ramadan period, Kuakata’s tourism sector has revived with nearly 90 percent hotel and resort bookings. Local business owners expressed optimism that the surge in visitors would help recover previous losses. The natural beauty of the beach, enhanced by red crabs, migratory birds, and fresh vegetation, added to the attraction.

Tourist Police have implemented multi-layered security measures to ensure visitor safety, deploying officers at key points and maintaining plainclothes surveillance to allow tourists to enjoy their holidays peacefully.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms, rain, and gusty winds in three divisions as a seasonal low-pressure area remains over the southern Bay of Bengal. According to the agency, the low’s extension lies over West Bengal and adjoining regions. The forecast issued for Monday evening indicates possible rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty winds in parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, while other areas are expected to remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies.

For Tuesday, similar conditions are expected in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, with a slight rise in both day and night temperatures across the country. On Wednesday, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions may experience temporary gusty or squally winds with lightning and rain, while elsewhere the weather will stay mainly dry. Thursday’s forecast suggests possible thunderstorms in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, with temperatures remaining largely unchanged.

The overall outlook indicates a continuation of partly cloudy and mostly dry conditions across most regions, with localized thunderstorm activity in the north and northeast.

The Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association has warned that petrol pumps across the country may shut down at any time due to fuel shortages and security concerns. The organization issued a statement on Sunday night describing the situation as dire, saying that the daily fuel supply from oil companies is insufficient to meet current consumer demand.

According to the statement, motorcycle users are waiting for hours to refuel, leading to frustration and tension at petrol stations. Pump attendants, referred to as nozzlemen, are struggling to manage the growing discontent among customers and are becoming exhausted from continuous duty without rest.

The association cautioned that if the situation continues, petrol pumps nationwide could close down because of inadequate fuel supply and safety risks, potentially disrupting transportation and daily activities across Bangladesh.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) announced that efforts are underway to bring back two suspects arrested in India in connection with the murder of Inquilab Manch leader Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are jointly coordinating the repatriation process, according to DB Additional Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam at a press briefing on March 22 in Dhaka.

The two main suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, were arrested on March 8 by the West Bengal Police Special Task Force in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas district. After a four-day remand, they were presented before the Bidhannagar Sub-Divisional Court on Sunday. During the court appearance, Masud claimed he was innocent and suggested the murder might be part of a political conspiracy.

At the same press briefing, the DB chief also discussed post-Eid security in Dhaka, noting that law and order remained stable and police patrols have been intensified across key city areas.

With the start of the seven-day Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, the Sundarbans—the world’s largest mangrove forest—and various tourist spots in Mongla have seen a surge of visitors. From morning to evening, areas such as Mongla’s children’s park and marine drive are crowded with tourists. After a quiet Ramadan, most hotels and resorts in Mongla are now fully booked, and tourism officials expect the highest visitor turnout between March 22 and 24.

Local businesses and the administration have strengthened security and arranged special entertainment programs and services to welcome tourists. Visitors from different regions are enjoying the natural beauty of the forest, rivers, and wildlife. A tourist from Dhaka expressed satisfaction with the environment and travel experience.

Officials at the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center reported that thousands of tourists are visiting daily, which is revitalizing the tourism sector. Business owners who faced losses during Ramadan are now operating with renewed enthusiasm, and authorities believe the increased tourist flow will help expand the local economy and boost revenue.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that Bangladesh has not raised fuel prices even though many countries have done so. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at his residence in Mehedibagh, Chattogram, during a post-Eid discussion with journalists. The minister noted that despite global challenges, including ongoing wars, the government has managed to maintain fuel supply and transportation stability during the Eid period.

He explained that the prolonged conflict abroad continues to exert pressure on economies worldwide, and Bangladesh is not immune to these effects. The minister described the national economy as being in a fragile condition when the new government took office. However, he emphasized that through careful management, the government has so far prevented significant burdens on citizens.

Chowdhury acknowledged that the situation remains difficult and that continued global instability, particularly in the Middle East, could increase economic pressure on Bangladesh if the conflict persists.

Faisal Karim Masud, the prime accused in the murder of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, and his associate Alamgir Hossain were sent to jail by a West Bengal court after police interrogation. Faisal denied involvement in the killing during a court appearance following their arrest near the India-Bangladesh border in Bongaon on March 8. The Special Task Force (STF) had detained them for alleged illegal entry and questioned them for 14 days before presenting them to the Bidhannagar Sub-Divisional Judicial Court, which ordered 12 days of judicial custody. They are scheduled to appear again on April 2.

According to STF sources, both Faisal and Alamgir admitted during interrogation to their role in the Dhaka murder of Osman Hadi, who was shot on December 12 last year. Hadi, convener of the Inquilab Mancha, later died in Singapore on December 18. Bangladeshi investigators had earlier linked Faisal, a former leader of a banned student organization, to the attack.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that efforts are underway to bring the two detainees back to Bangladesh for further legal proceedings.

According to a Financial Times report, the world’s 20 largest airlines have lost about $53 billion in market value since the start of the United States and Israel’s war against Iran. The conflict has forced several airlines across the Middle East to suspend their commercial operations due to safety and logistical concerns.

As the war enters its fourth week, airline executives are expressing concern over a potential shortage of jet fuel. The report notes that roughly one-third of airlines’ total operating costs go toward jet fuel, and prices have doubled since the conflict began. This sharp rise in fuel costs is expected to put upward pressure on airfares.

The ongoing instability in the region continues to disrupt global aviation markets, with uncertainty surrounding how long the conflict and its economic effects will persist.

Gazipur Safari Park has brought in one male and two female lions from Dulahazra Safari Park in Cox’s Bazar to diversify attractions for visitors during Eid. With the arrival of these lions, the park now houses a total of five lions. The animals have been placed in designated enclosures and have been viewable to visitors since Eid day.

According to park officials, the park, which usually remains closed on Tuesdays, has been kept open this week to accommodate the Eid crowd. This decision was made because many visitors in previous years were unaware of the closure and had to return disappointed. To improve the visitor experience, the park has also renovated its transport buses, now operating seven air-conditioned minibuses for safari tours, along with upgraded food court and sanitation facilities.

Officials said the lions were brought in to replenish the park’s population and that all necessary preparations have been made to ensure visitor safety and service quality. Over 15,000 visitors attended the park on Eid day, according to the authorities.

Nineteen people were killed in separate road and rail accidents in Cumilla, Feni, and Habiganj between late Saturday night and Sunday morning. In Cumilla, at least twelve people died when a Chuadanga–Lakshmipur-bound bus collided with a Dhaka-bound mail train at the Paduar Bazar level crossing on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway. Two gatekeepers on duty were suspended, and three separate investigation committees were formed by the railway and district administration.

In Habiganj’s Madhabpur area, a head-on collision between a bus and a pickup truck on the Dhaka–Sylhet highway killed four people, including one woman. Police, fire service, and locals conducted rescue operations, and traffic was briefly disrupted before returning to normal.

In Feni’s Rampur area, three people died and three others were injured in a three-vehicle collision involving a bus, an ambulance, and a motorcycle on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway. The accidents turned Eid celebrations into mourning for the victims’ families.

State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid announced that families of those killed in the train-bus collision at a level crossing in Comilla will receive Tk 100,000 each as compensation. He made the statement on Sunday, March 22, after visiting the accident site at Paduarbazar Bishwaroad area in Comilla Sadar Dakshin upazila.

Following the inspection, the state minister warned that any negligence or irresponsibility within the railway sector would not be tolerated. He said the government has taken both immediate and long-term measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Regarding treatment for the injured, he mentioned that he had spoken with the health minister to ensure advanced medical care, including possible transfers to Dhaka if necessary.

Several senior officials, including the ministers for agriculture, food, fisheries and livestock, as well as the director general of Bangladesh Railway and local administrators, were present during the visit.