Thirteen young men from Jamalganj upazila in Sunamganj, Bangladesh, have been taken hostage by a mafia group in Libya while attempting to reach Italy through human traffickers. The victims, who left home on January 28 and arrived in Libya via the UAE, Kuwait, and Egypt, were captured on February 25 in Tripoli. Their families report receiving video calls from the captors showing scenes of torture and demanding ransom payments. Initially, the mafia demanded 2.6 million taka per person but later agreed to release them for 1.2 million taka each.

Relatives identified three local traffickers—Diloara Begum, her son Humayun, and son-in-law Nazrul Islam—as those who arranged the trip for 1.3 million taka per person. These traffickers have since gone into hiding. Families have been selling property and borrowing money to pay ransoms, while one victim, Yasin Mia, reportedly escaped but was detained by Libyan police. Local police in Jamalganj confirmed awareness of the case but said no formal complaint has yet been filed.

Families remain in distress, fearing further harm to their sons if they speak publicly, as the mafia has threatened retaliation following earlier media reports.

The United States has temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian crude oil and petroleum products, allowing their sale until April 11. The US Treasury Department announced that shipments already loaded on vessels by March 12 can be traded freely on global markets. The decision follows a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran, after which Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a global energy shortage.

According to the US Commerce Ministry, the move is part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to stabilize global energy markets while addressing potential threats from Iran. The ministry emphasized that the temporary measure applies only to Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded before the deadline.

The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply, serving as a key route for exports from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iraq. The temporary easing of sanctions aims to mitigate disruptions in global energy supply caused by the regional conflict and trade restrictions.

Rising oil prices following US-Israel strikes on Iran are intensifying economic pressure on American consumers, even as President Donald Trump declared the war a swift victory. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, halting Gulf oil shipments and pushing prices above $100 per barrel, with warnings that they could reach $200. Experts say the economic impact will depend on how long the conflict lasts and how quickly shipping resumes. The International Energy Agency called the situation the largest supply disruption in global oil market history.

Analysts warn that a prolonged conflict could trigger 1970s-style stagflation or recession. Gasoline prices in the US have risen to $3.59 per gallon, up 65 cents since February, with further increases expected if the war continues. Supply chain disruptions are already causing port congestion and could soon raise prices for goods, plastics, and fertilizers. Economists note that higher oil costs could keep inflation elevated, complicating Federal Reserve policy and keeping mortgage rates high.

Experts also highlight long-term consequences, including higher debt costs, reduced job creation from military spending, and a global realignment as countries seek to reduce reliance on the US.

Fuel shortages have led to long queues and protests in multiple countries as the global energy market faces severe disruption. The shortages are linked to rising fuel prices that have intensified public frustration and logistical challenges worldwide.

According to the source, the continuing US-Israeli war on Iran has disrupted global energy supplies, contributing to the surge in fuel prices. The resulting scarcity has affected transportation and daily life in many regions, prompting widespread demonstrations and long waiting lines at fuel stations.

The situation underscores the vulnerability of global energy markets to geopolitical conflicts and suggests potential for further unrest if supply disruptions persist.

A Dhaka court has ordered the arrest of former Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque in connection with the Abdul Kaiyum murder case under Jatrabari Police Station. The order was issued on Thursday by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Jamshed Alam after a hearing. Earlier, Inspector Khaled Hasan of Jatrabari Police Station filed a petition seeking to show Haque as arrested in the case, citing concerns that his release on bail could influence the investigation and cause public unrest.

The petition described Haque as an influential figure whose release might disrupt law and order. The court granted the petition after considering these factors. Haque also faces separate cases in Fatullah and Shahbagh police stations, including allegations of forgery and delivering unlawful verdicts. Preliminary evidence reportedly links him to these incidents.

According to the case statement, the July 18, 2024, protest in Kajla, Jatrabari, demanding quota reform and equality, turned violent after alleged incitement by Haque, leading to the shooting death of Abdul Kaiyum. A murder case was later filed at Jatrabari Police Station.

The government of Bangladesh is set to resume discussions with a Japanese consortium to expedite the launch of the long-delayed third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The meeting will take place tomorrow at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam, and representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh are expected to attend.

According to official sources, this will be the first formal discussion on the matter since the new BNP-led government assumed office. The initiative aims to resolve long-standing contractual and operational complications that have delayed the terminal’s opening. The discussions will focus on terminal management, operational control, and revenue sharing with the Japanese consortium.

The outcome of the meeting will be presented to the Prime Minister on Saturday, after which a policy decision regarding the terminal’s launch is expected.

Police in Tongi, Gazipur, arrested 16 individuals on Thursday morning during a special operation targeting alleged involvement in robbery and drug trafficking. The arrests took place in the Ershadnagar and Bank Math slum areas, where officers also seized locally made weapons from several houses.

According to police, the operation was launched following long-standing complaints of robbery and drug dealing in the area. The detainees include individuals identified as Shakil, Joy, Zahid, Hridoy, Shanto, Sohag, Mamun, Nasir, Khalid Hasan, Shiba, Parvez, Masum, Kiran, Muktar, Mainuddin Rabbi, and Joy alias Moto Joy.

Tongi East Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Hasan stated that legal action has been initiated against the arrested persons, who have been sent to the Gazipur court for further proceedings.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon stated that protecting all types of business ventures is a responsibility of the government. He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing an iftar gathering organized by the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB).

Highlighting the difficulties faced by cable operators, the minister noted that the rise of internet-based platforms such as IPTV and online streaming services has posed significant challenges to the traditional cable television business worldwide. He emphasized that if the government can establish a proper technological framework, it would be possible to ensure protection for business operators.

Swapon urged COAB leaders to present the technical aspects of the cable TV industry through experts and affirmed his commitment to understanding and addressing the sector’s issues from multiple perspectives. He also announced plans to continue consultations with COAB to find solutions to the operators’ problems.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) recognized outstanding contributions to law enforcement and crime control across the city. At the monthly crime review meeting for February, held on March 12, 2026, at DMP Headquarters, top-performing police units and officers were honored. Acting Commissioner Md. Sarwar presented the awards to the winners.

Tejgaon Division was named the best among DMP’s crime divisions, while Mohammadpur Police Station was selected as the best among 50 stations in Dhaka. Assistant Commissioner Md. Shamim Hossain of Demra Zone was recognized as the best officer at the superintendent level. Sub-Inspectors Md. Rakibul Islam Rajib of Gendaria and Md. Jasim of Mohammadpur jointly received the best SI award. Assistant Sub-Inspectors Md. Rokibul Hasan of Mohammadpur and Md. Suman Islam of Gulshan shared the best ASI honor.

In the detective and traffic categories, DB-Motijheel Division was named best detective unit, and Traffic-Mirpur Division received the best traffic unit award. The event, conducted by Joint Commissioner (Crime) Md. Faruk Hossain, also reviewed February’s crime situation and aimed to encourage officers contributing to public service.

Maldivian Airlines, the national carrier of the Maldives, has resumed its Male-Dhaka-Male route, marking the restoration of direct air connectivity between the two South Asian nations. The relaunch flight, operated with an Airbus A320, received a water cannon salute at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday morning. The inaugural flight landed at 5:20 a.m. and departed for Male at 6:20 a.m., carrying a full load of passengers.

The airline will initially operate two weekly flights on Sundays and Thursdays, with ticket prices starting at 399 U.S. dollars. Passengers will be allowed 30 kilograms of baggage and complimentary meals. Tickets are available through Maldivian’s website, mobile app, and call center. The service follows a February 23 agreement between Maldivian’s Managing Director Mohamed Ibrahim Yasir and Galaxy Bangladesh Group’s President and CEO Ahmed Yusuf Walid.

Maldivian Ambassador to Bangladesh Shiunin Rasheed said the resumed flights will strengthen bilateral relations and ease travel for expatriate Bangladeshis and Maldivian travelers during Ramadan and Eid. The airline had suspended the route on August 6, 2024, due to political unrest in Bangladesh.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has reported that the ongoing war in the Middle East has triggered an unprecedented disruption in the global oil supply. In its latest market report released on March 12, 2026, the agency described the situation as the largest supply interruption in the history of the world oil market. According to IEA data, global crude oil production has fallen by at least 8 million barrels per day, while an additional 2 million barrels of petroleum products are no longer being supplied. The decline is mainly attributed to pressure from Iran on regional supply systems, forcing Gulf producers to cut output.

The crisis has been further aggravated by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route that typically carries about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil. Iranian attacks and growing security threats have reduced oil transport through the strait to less than 10 percent of pre-crisis levels. The IEA warned that there are no clear signs of a ceasefire or restoration of normal oil flows through the strait.

The agency’s warning underscores the scale of the disruption and the uncertainty surrounding the timeline for recovery in global oil supply.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has submitted a charge sheet to the court against 24 individuals, including former chairman Nazrul Islam and former chief executive officer Md. Hemayet Ullah, in a case over embezzlement at Far East Islami Life Insurance Company Limited. The charge sheet was filed by investigating officer Shah Minhaj Uddin, following a case lodged on September 13, 2022, by the company’s legal officer Md. Jasim Uddin at Shahbagh Police Station.

According to the police report, the accused conspired to misappropriate company funds by preparing fake documents, vouchers, and extracts outside official board decisions. They allegedly diverted Tk 644.28 crore from the company’s MTDR investments to various affiliated individuals and entities, causing severe financial losses. Additional allegations include embezzlement of Tk 45 crore and Tk 115 crore through property purchases and Tk 92.55 crore through falsified real estate development expenses.

The investigation found that the company is now in deep financial crisis, unable to pay dues to millions of policyholders and employees. Two accused were cleared of charges, and one died in custody. The Anti-Corruption Commission has also filed seven more cases against the same group.

An oil-laden truck that plunged into the Padma River near the Paturia ferry terminal in Manikganj’s Shibaloy upazila was recovered 17 hours after the accident. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, when the truck lost control and fell into the river. The recovery operation, led by BIWTA, TC, and Fire Service teams with the salvage vessel Hamza, successfully retrieved the submerged vehicle at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12. The truck was carrying 24,000 liters of soybean oil.

According to BIWTA’s Aricha office executive engineer Rabiul Alam, the truck, registered as Jhenaidah-Dha 41-0042, was traveling from Jashore to Narayanganj. It fell into the river after its brakes failed while disembarking from a ferry at Paturia’s No. 5 pontoon area. Both the driver, Sharif, and his assistant were rescued alive and taken to the upazila health complex for treatment.

Officials confirmed that the oil cargo remained intact and that the recovery teams worked continuously until the vehicle was brought ashore.

Fourteen people were killed in a head-on collision between a bus and a microbus on the Khulna–Mongla highway at Belai Bridge area of Rampal upazila on Thursday afternoon. The victims included a newlywed couple returning from a wedding ceremony. The accident occurred when the microbus, carrying family members of Mongla municipality’s Ward 8 BNP president Abdur Razzak, collided with the bus. Among the dead were seven members of Razzak’s family, five from the bride’s family, the driver, and one other passenger.

Local administration and police quickly arrived at the scene and conducted rescue operations. The district commissioner and police officials confirmed the incident. State Minister Lions Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.

Police stated that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Star Cineplex is set to launch a new multiplex cinema branch in Narayanganj during Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, according to the company. The new branch is located at Simanto Tower in Jalkuri, Narayanganj, and will officially open on Eid day. It features three halls, two with 178 seats each and one with 75 seats, all equipped with modern sound systems, giant screens, and world-class facilities.

Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, Assistant General Manager of Media and Marketing at Star Cineplex, described the new branch as an Eid gift for Narayanganj residents, particularly for local movie lovers. He said the opening fulfills a long-standing demand from the area’s audience and reflects the company’s satisfaction in expanding as planned.

Ahmed added that Star Cineplex prioritizes high-quality viewing environments and advanced technology to meet evolving audience preferences. The company plans to open additional branches later this year, extending its presence from major cities to district and sub-district levels across Bangladesh.