After being missing for about three years, the body of Khairul Islam from Kurigram’s Ulipur upazila was returned to Bangladesh from India on Thursday, March 19. The handover took place through the Chengrabandha–Burimari immigration point in the presence of officials from both countries, including representatives of the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata, Border Guard Bangladesh, India’s Border Security Force, police, and customs officers. Khairul’s uncle, Ful Mia, received the body on behalf of the family.

According to family sources, Khairul had gone missing three and a half years earlier and was later reported to have illegally crossed into India, where he worked as a garment laborer. He was arrested by Indian police in Jalpaiguri for illegal entry. On February 10, his wife received a phone call from an Indian number informing her that his body was found near the Jalpaiguri jail gate. Following a petition to the Kurigram district administration, both countries coordinated for 38 days to repatriate the body.

Local officials and Radio Chilmarie assisted the family throughout the process. Burial was scheduled to take place at the family graveyard the same night.

Mobile courts have intensified operations across Bangladesh, including in the capital Dhaka, to prevent overcharging and passenger harassment ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. According to a press release from the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges issued on Thursday afternoon, several transport companies were fined and the excess fares collected from passengers were refunded.

The operations covered multiple areas such as Fulbaria, Gulistan, Jatrabari, Dholairpar, Sayedabad, Abdullahpur, Kalyanpur, Gabtoli, Hemayetpur, and Savar in Dhaka, as well as Chattogram, Tangail, Barishal, and Khulna. Fines ranged from 3,000 to 13,000 taka depending on the location and severity of the violations. In some cases, transport counters were penalized for failing to display fare charts. Authorities confirmed that no overcharging was found in certain areas like Khulna’s Rupsha Toll Plaza.

Officials stated that these drives will continue to ensure smooth Eid travel. They also reported that travel conditions across the country remain normal, with passenger pressure gradually decreasing.

Global energy markets have become increasingly unstable following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, with analysts now warning that oil prices could rise to between 150 and 200 dollars per barrel. Brent crude reached nearly 120 dollars on March 9 and has not fallen below 100 dollars since March 13. Prices rose again after attacks on Iran’s South Pars gas field and retaliatory strikes on energy facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Analysts identify the Strait of Hormuz as the most critical factor, as nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through it. Iran initially declared the strait closed and threatened ships entering the area, severely restricting navigation. Limited passage is currently allowed for vessels from India, Pakistan, Turkey, and China. The International Energy Agency has coordinated a release of 400 million barrels from emergency reserves, but experts say this cannot fully offset a daily shortfall of about 10 million barrels.

Economic research groups warn that oil prices above 150 dollars could strain the global economy, raising inflation and slowing growth. Experts caution that a 200-dollar price level would deliver a major shock across multiple industries.

QatarEnergy CEO Saad Al-Kaabi said that about 17 percent of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity was damaged in a recent Iranian attack. He told Reuters that the affected facilities have significantly reduced the company’s export capacity, and full recovery could take three to five years. Al-Kaabi expressed surprise that such an attack occurred during Ramadan, calling it unexpected from a fellow Muslim nation.

He added that due to the damage to two LNG trains, QatarEnergy might have to declare force majeure on long-term gas supply contracts with Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China, potentially causing prolonged supply disruptions. The damaged facilities had cost around 26 billion dollars to build.

The report noted that the incident could further increase volatility in the global energy market as Qatar is one of the world’s major LNG exporters.

Global oil markets experienced a sharp rise after a joint US-Israel attack on Iran, pushing Brent crude futures above $115 per barrel early Thursday, March 19, 2026. The escalation followed Iran’s obstruction of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and retaliatory strikes on oil and gas facilities in four Gulf countries, creating widespread market instability. Gas prices also jumped by nearly 30 percent, according to Al Jazeera.

Vandana Hari, founder of Vanda Insights, told Al Jazeera that Middle Eastern benchmark oils such as Oman and Dubai crude have already exceeded $150 per barrel. She noted that while Brent and West Texas Intermediate have not yet reached that level, $200 per barrel no longer seems distant. Hari added that future price movements depend largely on how long the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Analysts warn that prolonged disruption in the Strait could drive energy prices even higher, intensifying global economic pressure if the regional conflict continues.

Wholesale gas prices in the United Kingdom have risen by nearly 140 percent to 171.34 pence per therm (about 2.29 dollars), marking the highest level since January 2023. The sharp increase follows escalating conflict in the Middle East, where Israel launched an airstrike on a petrochemical facility at Iran’s South Pars gas field early Wednesday. The site, one of the world’s largest gas fields, is jointly operated with Qatar.

In retaliation, Iran struck energy infrastructure in several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. Iran’s missile attacks also caused fires at parts of Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex, one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas centers. Analysts say the UK remains heavily dependent on imported energy, particularly from Gulf nations such as Qatar, making it vulnerable to regional instability.

According to Al Jazeera, if the situation continues, global energy prices could rise further, potentially affecting the broader world economy.

The United States may ease restrictions on Iranian oil to stabilize global energy supply following a joint US-Israel attack on Iran. The attack, which targeted Iran’s gas fields and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, has significantly affected global oil prices. US Treasury Secretary Scott Basent told Fox Business that the move aims to restore balance in the energy market, according to Al Jazeera.

Basent also said the US could unilaterally release oil from its own reserves to support market stability. Earlier this week, he noted that Iranian oil tankers had already begun leaving the Strait of Hormuz with US awareness, helping to normalize global supply. Further details on Basent’s comments are expected soon.

The developments come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and concerns that oil prices could rise sharply if disruptions continue.

A passenger launch named MV Rejwan collided with an oil tanker on the Daulatdia-Paturia river route on Thursday morning, leaving at least ten passengers injured. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. after the launch departed from Paturia Ghat toward Daulatdia Ghat. Two passengers fell into the river during the collision but managed to swim back to the vessel safely.

According to Rajbari Fire Service and Civil Defense officials at Daulatdia Ghat, the injured passengers were assisted upon arrival and handed over to their relatives. Daulatdia River Police Station Officer-in-Charge Trinath Saha stated that the oil tanker was en route from Nagarbari to Dhaka when the collision nearly occurred. The launch master reversed the vessel sharply to avoid a major crash, causing a jolt that led to minor injuries among several passengers.

All injured passengers later continued to their destinations, and no fatalities were reported in the incident.

European natural gas prices rose by up to 35 percent on Thursday following attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf region. The benchmark Brent crude price climbed to 112 dollars per barrel, up from 107.38 dollars the previous day. Since the start of the conflict, crude oil prices have increased by more than 48 percent and have not fallen below 100 dollars per barrel since March 13.

In the United Kingdom, gas prices jumped more than 20 percent in the morning and later stood 23 percent higher at 171 pence per therm. Meanwhile, oil traded around 113 dollars per barrel, marking a 5 percent increase. Qatar’s state-owned energy company reported that two Iranian attacks caused significant damage to its main gas hub.

The developments have intensified concerns over global energy supply stability, with markets reacting sharply to the disruptions in the Gulf region.

Passengers on the Dhaka-Tangail highway are resorting to alternative transport such as CNG auto-rickshaws, motorcycles, pickups, and trucks due to increased bus fares. On Thursday afternoon, heavy crowds were seen at Chandra Trimor bus stand in Kaliakoir upazila, where many travelers chose these riskier options to reach their destinations more quickly and affordably.

Drivers and passengers cited multiple reasons for the shift. A CNG driver said their vehicles were operating well despite slightly higher fares, while a bus driver explained that rising fuel costs and road expenses had forced them to charge more. A truck driver noted that passengers boarded trucks on their own when traffic congestion halted vehicles. A motorcycle driver mentioned using branch roads to avoid highway jams.

Nawjor Highway Police Station’s officer-in-charge stated that authorities were trying to maintain normal conditions, but some passengers continued to risk their safety by riding on trucks to save money.

On Thursday, March 19, 2026, a severe shortage of buses was reported at Dhaka’s Mohakhali Bus Terminal as homebound passengers tried to leave the capital ahead of Eid. Long queues formed at ticket counters, but no tickets were available. Passengers said that even when a few buses departed, fares were higher than usual, with Tk 450 tickets being sold for Tk 600. Many people waited for hours in line without success but continued hoping to secure a seat home.

Counter staff denied allegations of overcharging, saying the difficulties were due to a shortage of buses. The situation left travelers frustrated and uncertain about when the disruption would end.

The report also mentioned heavy crowds at train platforms and the cancellation of two launch route permits, indicating widespread transport pressure during the holiday rush.

A fire broke out on Thursday morning at Orchid Plaza, a 12-story building located near Boxir Bit in Chattogram’s Terribazar area. The incident resulted in the deaths of two individuals, Mohammad Yunus, aged 52, and Solaiman, aged 28, both residents of Patiya in Chattogram. Another person was injured and is currently receiving treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where the two victims were pronounced dead around noon.

According to the Fire Service, the blaze started on the fourth floor of the building, inside a shop. Three people affected by smoke inhalation were rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment. The fire service responded after receiving the report of the fire around 10 a.m.

Authorities have not yet provided further details about the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage to the building.

Train operations in northern Bangladesh resumed after a 21-hour suspension following the derailment of the Nilshagar Express near Santahar in Bogura. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, about two kilometers north of Santahar station. Services were restored at 11:20 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, when the Khulna-bound Simanta Express departed from Chilahati using a newly repaired track.

Authorities reported that at least one hundred people were injured in the derailment, many of them passengers who jumped from the train roof in panic. Fire service teams, assisted by local residents, carried out rescue operations, sending 50 to 60 injured passengers to Naogaon General Hospital and Adamdighi Upazila Health Complex. Four fire service units and a relief train from Ishwardi Junction participated in the recovery of nine derailed coaches.

Following the incident, the assistant station master at Santahar was temporarily suspended, and a four-member investigation committee was formed to determine the cause of the accident.

Fifteen people were injured when a passenger bus and a watermelon-laden truck collided head-on on the Dhaka-Barishal highway in Madaripur on Thursday morning. The accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. in the Tatibari area of Sadar upazila. The bus, operated by Bagdad Paribahan, was traveling from Dhaka to Barishal with passengers heading home for the Eid holidays when it crashed with the oncoming truck. Both drivers and several passengers were among the injured, who were taken to Madaripur Sadar Hospital and other nearby facilities.

Following the collision, traffic on the highway was halted for about an hour. Fire service and highway police personnel later cleared the vehicles and restored normal traffic flow. According to the officer-in-charge of the Mostafapur Highway Police Station, the situation has since been brought under control and vehicular movement has returned to normal.

State Minister for Shipping Md. Rajib Ahsan announced that the route permits of two launches involved in the recent Sadarghat accident have been cancelled. He made the statement after visiting the accident site at Sadarghat Launch Terminal on the night of March 18, 2026, where one person was killed and another injured. The minister said those responsible for the tragedy will face exemplary punishment.

According to the minister, the Ministry of Shipping and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) have each formed separate investigation committees to determine the cause of the accident. The ministry’s committee is headed by Additional Secretary (Organization) Abul Islam, while BIWTA’s committee is led by Director (Administration) Saiful Islam. Both committees have been instructed to submit their reports within three working days. Representatives from BIWTA, the Department of Shipping, Fire Service, and River Police are included in the ministry’s committee.

The minister added that the injured victims are members of the same family from Mehendiganj in Barishal, including a pregnant woman. The government has ensured advanced medical care for them and promised maximum support to the deceased’s family.