Global energy markets have become increasingly unstable due to the ongoing war involving Iran, with the United Kingdom now facing a sharp decline in its natural gas reserves. According to National Gas data, as of last Saturday, the UK held about 6,999 gigawatt-hours of gas, down from 9,105 gigawatt-hours a year earlier. The country’s storage capacity can normally cover up to 12 days of demand, but current reserves are sufficient for less than two days.

National Gas stated that despite low reserves, the UK continues to receive regular gas supplies from multiple sources, including domestic offshore fields, Norway, liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, European interconnectors, and stored gas. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero also said that claims of only two days of gas are not entirely accurate, expressing confidence in the country’s energy security.

The conflict has disrupted global gas shipping routes, with several vessels diverting from Europe to Asia. Following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, gas prices in the UK surged from 78.5 pence to about 137 pence per therm, adding pressure to the domestic energy market.

Police in Cumilla’s Brahmanpara upazila arrested Akter Hossain, chairman of the BRDB and former president of the upazila Chhatra League, on Sunday, March 8, for allegedly demanding Tk 1 crore in extortion related to a house construction project. He was detained from the Brahmanpara Sadar Bazar area following a case filed at the local police station.

According to police and local sources, former police officer Abdus Salam was constructing a house in the Brahmanpara Sadar area when Akter Hossain allegedly demanded Tk 1 crore and issued threats to halt the work if the demand was not met. Project engineer Md. Rajib Khan filed the case that led to the arrest. The operation was led by Officer-in-Charge Sabbir Mohammad Selim and OC (Investigation) Tomas Barua.

Police said they are investigating whether others were involved. The accused is being sent to court, and legal proceedings are ongoing.

A mobile court in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj fined a trader for selling LPG gas cylinders at inflated prices. The court, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Sanjoy Ghosh, imposed a fine of 20,000 taka on trader Kabir Hossain, 42, after finding evidence of overpricing. The operation took place on Sunday afternoon in the Purbo Bazar area of the upazila.

According to the magistrate, the drive was part of ongoing efforts to keep essential commodity prices stable and protect consumer interests. The mobile court action reflects the local administration’s monitoring of market practices to prevent unfair pricing and ensure compliance with government-set rates.

Authorities indicated that similar drives would continue to maintain price discipline in local markets and safeguard consumers from exploitation.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu announced that a nationwide canal excavation and tree plantation program will begin on March 16. The initiative includes fish farming in the excavated canals and planting forest, fruit, and medicinal trees along the canal banks. He made the announcement on Sunday during a meeting with ministry officials at the Secretariat.

The minister said the program aims to make local areas more visually appealing while helping meet nutritional and protein needs of communities. He urged ministry employees to implement the initiative with sincerity and dedication. The plan is part of the BNP government’s five-year mandate to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals and conduct extensive tree planting across the country.

The meeting was also attended by Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Secretary Saidur Rahman Khan, who delivered remarks during the session.

Bangladesh’s national emergency service 999 delivered immediate assistance to 32,386 callers in 2025, according to its chief and Additional DIG Mahiul Islam. The announcement, made on Sunday, highlighted that the service prioritizes incidents involving violence against women and children, ensuring swift coordination with local police stations to provide timely help.

Under the National Emergency Service 999 Policy 2020, cases of violence, harassment, defamation, and eve-teasing against women and children are treated as emergencies. The service connects victims directly with police and ensures prompt intervention. Officials noted that growing public trust in 999 has led to an increase in calls related to gender-based violence and sexual harassment.

Data from the service show a rising trend in emergency responses: 26,798 callers received assistance in 2023, 23,033 in 2024, and 32,386 in 2025, reflecting expanding reliance on the national helpline for urgent protection and support.

Police in Sylhet Metropolitan area have arrested 140 individuals, including muggers, drug dealers, users, smugglers, and suspects, during a coordinated crackdown aimed at curbing rising crime ahead of Eid. The operation, conducted under the directives of two government ministers, covered six police stations and was confirmed by Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) sources on Sunday afternoon.

According to police, the 32-hour operation involved both local police and the Detective Branch (DB). Among those detained were eight muggers, ten drug dealers, five drug users, twenty-six smugglers, and nineteen suspects. Authorities also seized 77 yaba tablets, ten packets of marijuana, and illegal Indian goods valued at approximately 3.9 million taka. Police Commissioner Abdul Kuddus Chowdhury stated that the raids will continue to ensure public safety.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Labour, Expatriates’ Welfare and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury instructed law enforcement agencies to take swift action following recent incidents of mugging in Sylhet.

A case has been filed against former National Parliament Whip Shamsul Haque on charges of acquiring Tk 150 million in illegal assets. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) stated that Haque abused his official power for personal gain. The case was confirmed on Sunday by ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Md. Akhtarul Islam. According to the ACC report, Haque possessed assets worth Tk 68.8 million against a legitimate income of Tk 49 million, leaving Tk 50.8 million in unexplained wealth. The case was filed under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

The ACC investigation also found significant illegal assets in the names of Haque’s wife Kamrun Nahar Chowdhury and daughter Taklima Nasrin Chowdhury. Kamrun Nahar reportedly owns assets worth Tk 72.1 million, exceeding her legitimate income by Tk 67.5 million. Taklima Nasrin was found to possess Tk 30.1 million in assets, of which Tk 29.4 million are allegedly unaccounted for.

The ACC’s findings indicate a pattern of wealth accumulation beyond known income sources, prompting legal action against all three family members.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has sent a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking enhanced police security at filling stations across the country. The letter, issued on Sunday by BPC Chairman Md. Rezanur Rahman, cited growing public anxiety and increased fuel purchases following negative reports in media and social networks about fuel stock levels. As a result, filling station dealers have been attempting to collect larger quantities of fuel from depots than usual.

According to the letter, some consumers are reportedly buying and storing fuel beyond their needs without authorization. To address the situation, BPC has already issued a press release limiting fuel supply from filling stations to consumers. The corporation also noted that incidents between customers and station employees have been occurring during the current period of fuel supply strain.

BPC requested that police patrols be strengthened to ensure safety and order at filling stations nationwide during this period of heightened demand and tension.

The Islamic Foundation has warned the public about a fake teacher recruitment notice that has been circulating on social media. The organization clarified that the notice, titled 'Teacher Recruitment 2026 for Mosque-Based Child and Mass Education Program,' is entirely false and has no connection with the Foundation. The warning was issued on Sunday, March 8, 2026, through a press release by Muhammad Nizam Uddin, the Foundation’s public relations officer.

According to the statement, the fraudulent notice is being used by a group of scammers to deceive people with false promises of employment. The Foundation emphasized that all its official recruitment announcements are published only through its official website and national daily newspapers. It urged the public to remain cautious and avoid any financial transactions with individuals or groups claiming to represent the Foundation.

The organization’s alert aims to prevent citizens from falling victim to recruitment scams that misuse its name and reputation.

A Dhaka court has ordered the imprisonment of Sheikh Tasnim Afroz Emi, former general secretary of Slogan ’71, along with two others in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The order was issued on Sunday by Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana after the three were produced before the court by Shahbagh police.

The other accused are former employment secretary of the banned Dhaka University Shahidullah Hall Chhatra League unit, Md Asif Ahmed Saikat, and organization leader Abdul Al Mamun. According to the case details, police detained Saikat on Saturday afternoon near Shahidullah Hall crossing when he allegedly attempted to flee after a gathering where ruling party affiliates were playing the March 7 speech. Later that night, Emi and Mamun allegedly led a group of 10–15 unidentified persons near the National Museum.

Police claim the accused delivered provocative slogans facing the Shahbagh mosque during prayers, attempted to revive activities of a banned organization, obstructed law enforcement, and tried to snatch Saikat from custody. Students then detained Emi and Mamun and handed them over to police, leading to the case filing under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

A joint operation by the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) rescued 32 people, including women and children, who were being held for trafficking to Malaysia. The rescue took place in Baharchhara, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, following a raid conducted around midnight on Saturday. Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon confirmed the operation on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Coast Guard, the victims had been confined in a papaya garden near an LGED road in Noakhali Jumma Para area by a trafficker named Md. Abdul Ali. Acting on a tip-off, the joint forces launched the raid, but the traffickers fled before the team arrived. Authorities said several organized trafficking groups were luring Bangladeshi and Rohingya citizens with promises of high-paying jobs and low-cost travel to Malaysia.

The Coast Guard stated that legal action is being taken regarding the incident and that similar anti-trafficking operations will continue in the future.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced an increase in jet fuel prices for both domestic and international flights. According to a notice issued on Sunday, the price for domestic routes has been set at Tk 112.41 per liter, up from Tk 95.12 last month, marking a rise of Tk 17.29 per liter. For international flights, the price has been raised from USD 0.6257 to USD 0.7384 per liter. The new rates will take effect from Sunday midnight.

In February, BERC had made a smaller adjustment, increasing the domestic jet fuel price from Tk 94.93 to Tk 95.12 per liter, and for international airlines from USD 0.6246 to USD 0.6257 per liter. The latest revision represents a more significant hike compared to the previous month.

The notice did not specify the reasons behind the price increase or its expected impact on airlines and passengers.

Over the past one and a half years, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has imposed fines totaling around Tk 1,500 crore on various individuals and institutions for irregularities and manipulation in the capital market. However, only Tk 5 crore has been collected so far. BSEC Chairman Khondkar Rashed Maksud stated that despite the low recovery, the full amount will eventually be deposited into the government treasury. He made the remarks on Sunday at a seminar titled “Challenges and Future Path of the Capital Market under the New Government,” held at a hotel in Dhaka.

The event was organized by the Capital Market Journalists Forum (CMJF) and attended by Prime Minister’s Economic Adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir as chief guest, along with NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan and other market leaders. Maksud highlighted that numerous laws and regulations have been enacted in a short period, countering claims of stagnation within the commission.

He also announced that a new law is being prepared to identify Public Interest Entities based on sales, market share, assets, workforce, and debt, aiming to bring more quality companies into the stock market despite potential resistance from vested interests.

Bangladesh has initiated the process to bring back two key suspects in the murder of Inquilab Manch convener Sharif Osman Hadi. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Rahul, aged 37, and Alamgir Hossain, aged 34, were arrested in India’s Bangaon area of West Bengal. The arrests were made based on intelligence provided by Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

According to sources, DGFI Director General Major General Mohammad Kayser Rashid Chowdhury recently visited India, after which Indian authorities took stricter measures against fugitives from Bangladesh. Faisal and Alamgir reportedly entered India through the Meghalaya border and were attempting to return to Bangladesh when they were detained. Following their arrest on Saturday night, they were presented before the Bidhannagar court on Sunday and placed under 14-day police custody for interrogation.

Officials stated that after completion of legal procedures in India, the two suspects will be repatriated to Bangladesh. Hadi was attacked in Dhaka’s Paltan area on December 12 last year and later died on December 18 while undergoing treatment in Singapore.

Police in Jhenaidah have arrested three individuals in connection with the killing of Nirab, an anti-discrimination leader, who died after being beaten by fuel station employees. The incident occurred on Saturday night at the Taj Filling Station near the central bus terminal. Nirab’s father filed a case at the Sadar Police Station naming four people and several unidentified suspects. The three detainees were formally shown arrested in the case.

According to local sources, Nirab went to the filling station with two friends to refuel his motorcycle. When the staff refused to provide fuel but served another customer in a bottle, Nirab protested, leading to an argument. The employees then attacked him with bamboo sticks. Locals rescued the severely injured Nirab and took him to Jhenaidah General Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Nirab was known as a fast-food businessman in Jhenaidah town and an active member of a student movement against discrimination.