Four people were arrested by Kalabagan police at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka on Saturday morning during a procession marking the March 7 observance. The group of about 30 to 40 people had started their march from Dhanmondi 27 and were heading toward Dhanmondi 32 to place flowers when police intervened. The procession dispersed following the police obstruction.

According to Kalabagan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Fazle Ashiq, the four detainees—three women and one man—were taken into custody under the Anti-Terrorism Act and later sent to court. The arrests occurred as the group carried flowers during their procession to the historic site.

The report did not include further details about the identities of the detainees or the specific reasons for applying the Anti-Terrorism Act in this case.

The 59th Battalion of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has launched strict fuel inspections on India-bound trucks at the Sonamasjid land port in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj. The initiative began on Saturday amid global fuel instability caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East. BGB teams are measuring fuel levels in trucks entering from India and rechecking them when the vehicles return after unloading goods to ensure no excess fuel is taken back.

Lieutenant Colonel Golam Kibria, commanding officer of the 59 BGB Battalion, stated that the operation aims to prevent any smuggling of Bangladeshi fuel into India. He said the double-checking system will discourage smugglers and help protect national resources. The BGB official added that the inspection campaign will continue regularly in the public interest.

The move reflects Bangladesh’s broader efforts to safeguard domestic energy security and curb illegal fuel outflow during a period of international market volatility.

The body of Kohinur Akter, 30, wife of expatriate Nurul Islam from Ukhia’s Rajapalong Union, was recovered from beneath a lift at Cox’s Bazar District Sadar Hospital four days after she went missing. She had come to the hospital with her sick child and disappeared on March 4 after leaving to buy medicine. Her body was discovered Saturday morning after CCTV footage showed her entering the lift but not exiting.

Hospital officials said she likely fell into the lift shaft when the door opened before the lift arrived. The incident has raised serious questions about the hospital’s safety and surveillance systems. Relatives became agitated after the discovery, prompting police to intervene and restore order.

Law enforcement authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident. The body was sent for autopsy at the hospital morgue, while local residents expressed concern over how a body could remain undiscovered for days inside a busy hospital.

The Islamic University (IU) administration has temporarily suspended two assistant professors and one official following their implication in the murder case of Asma Sadia Runa, chairperson and assistant professor of the Department of Social Welfare. The suspended individuals are Assistant Professors Shyam Sundar Sarkar and Habibur Rahman, and Assistant Registrar Bishwajit Kumar Biswas of Ummul Mu’minin Ayesha Siddika Hall. The decision was announced on Saturday, March 7, 2026, through separate office orders signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Manjurul Haque.

According to the orders, the suspensions were made under Section 15(b) of the university’s service discipline rules after the accused were named in the initial police report filed under Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The suspension took effect from March 5, 2026, and the individuals will receive subsistence allowances as per university regulations.

The case stems from the fatal stabbing of Professor Runa inside her department office on March 4. Her husband, Imtiaz Sultan, filed a murder case the next day against four people, naming employee Fazlur Rahman as the prime accused. Police have already arrested Fazlur Rahman, who was under treatment in the ICU.

A joint operation by the Department of Narcotics Control and police in Khulna on Saturday led to the arrest of a woman carrying a large consignment of illegal firearms and ammunition allegedly smuggled from India. The suspect, identified as Suraiya Parvin Sumi from Satkhira, was detained during a search on a Khulna–Satkhira road in the Niz Khamar area. Authorities recovered five firearms, including three pistols and two revolvers, along with four magazines and 96 rounds of ammunition.

Officials said the operation was launched based on intelligence that a drug consignment was being transported from Satkhira to Dhaka. During the search, officers first seized 80 bottles of codeine phosphate from two women and later discovered the weapons in another vehicle. Police confirmed that the seized arms had entered Bangladesh through illegal routes from India and were being distributed nationwide for subversive activities.

Law enforcement agencies stated that they have obtained information about the suppliers and intended destinations of the weapons and have begun follow-up investigations based on those findings.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid, stated on Saturday in Tejgaon, Dhaka, that the country has adequate oil reserves and there is no reason for public concern. He announced that two additional oil vessels are scheduled to arrive on March 9, ensuring continued supply and preventing any potential shortage. The minister urged citizens not to panic or stockpile fuel unnecessarily, assuring that petrol pumps are being regularly supplied.

He explained that global instability, particularly the ongoing war in the Middle East, has created uncertainty in the international energy market, leading to public anxiety. As a precaution, the government has introduced limited fuel rationing, which some people misinterpreted as a sign of scarcity. The minister clarified that the rationing is a preventive measure, not a response to shortage.

To maintain control over fuel distribution, the government will deploy mobile courts from the following day to monitor petrol pumps and investigate any irregularities. The minister also confirmed that Bangladesh continues to import LNG from Qatar and is exploring alternative energy sources to ensure future stability.

Labour, Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has warned that strict action will be taken against those involved in the recent deterioration of law and order in Sylhet city. His remarks came after a series of robbery incidents in the area. Speaking to journalists on Saturday, March 7, 2026, following his participation in a Holi festival event at the Manipuri Rajbari in Mirzajangal, he said that no one responsible for the unrest will be spared.

The minister stated that the Prime Minister has declared a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and extortion, emphasizing that such activities will not be tolerated. He added that the administration has been instructed to arrest the robbers swiftly and bring them under the law, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring a safe Sylhet.

The Holi festival event was presided over by Digen Singh, president of the Academy for Manipuri Culture and Arts, and attended by Sylhet City Corporation administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury and other guests.

Renowned Bangladeshi television host and producer Hanif Sanket has been named a recipient of the Independence Award 2026 for his distinguished contributions to culture. The announcement was made through a government circular signed by Additional Secretary Md. Humayun Kabir of the Cabinet Division. Following the news, Sanket expressed gratitude and dedicated the award to his audience, acknowledging their love and support throughout his long career in the cultural arena.

Sanket stated that the achievement belongs to everyone who has supported him and emphasized his belief that healthy cultural practices can enlighten society and bring honor to the nation. He reaffirmed his commitment to continue working for the promotion of positive cultural values in Bangladesh. The government has decided to honor 15 individuals and five institutions this year across various fields, including independence, liberation war, science and technology, literature, sports, and culture.

In the cultural category, singer Bashir Ahmed will also receive the Independence Award posthumously alongside Hanif Sanket.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance to prevent oil smuggling from Bangladesh to India. As part of the effort, fuel tanks of goods trucks arriving from India are being measured before entry into Bangladesh and again before returning to India. The initiative began on Saturday, March 7, at the zero line of the Sonamasjid land port in Chapainawabganj, according to a BGB press release.

The 59 BGB Battalion has set up a special checkpoint to measure fuel tanks and inspect entire vehicles to ensure no illegal transfer of fuel occurs. Additionally, the 53 BGB Battalion has strengthened patrols in border areas, increased manpower at border outposts, and established two extra checkpoints in nearby towns to reinforce anti-smuggling operations.

These measures reflect BGB’s broader strategy to tighten border control and prevent the illegal movement of fuel across the Bangladesh-India frontier.

In Chatmohar upazila of Pabna, octane is being sold at Tk 170 per liter, which is Tk 50 higher than the official price of Tk 120. Petrol is being sold at Tk 140 instead of Tk 116, and diesel at Tk 115 instead of Tk 100. Motorcyclists reported that sellers are charging extra citing the ongoing war situation as justification.

The report states that due to the current conflict involving the United States, Iran, and Israel, fears of a fuel price hike have led to increased demand and crowding at fuel stations. Some unscrupulous traders are reportedly hoarding fuel to exploit the situation. The owner of the only fuel pump in Chatmohar, KM Saeed Ul Islam Kafi, said his station sells fuel at official rates but demand exceeds supply.

Chatmohar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Musa Naser Chowdhury said that operations will soon be conducted against dishonest traders charging excessive prices.

According to the latest data from air quality monitoring firm IQAir, Dhaka recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 253 in late February and early March 2026, ranking as the most polluted city in the world. The level is classified as “very unhealthy,” prompting health experts to urge residents—especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions—to avoid outdoor exposure. The Department of Environment confirmed that PM2.5 concentrations across the capital remain several times higher than World Health Organization (WHO) safety limits.

Experts identified dry winter weather, construction dust, vehicle emissions, and brick kiln smoke as major contributors. Around 30 percent of Dhaka’s air pollution reportedly comes from transport sources, particularly old buses, trucks, and auto-rickshaws. Hospitals have reported a rise in respiratory illnesses during winter, while doctors warn that prolonged exposure could increase risks of asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

Authorities have announced measures such as mandatory emission tests for old vehicles, dust control at construction sites, and crackdowns on illegal brick kilns. However, environmental activists argue that deeper structural reforms—like improving public transport and promoting renewable energy—are essential for long-term relief.

The 14th Battalion of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified patrols, searches, and intelligence surveillance along the Naogaon border to prevent fuel smuggling. The measures were confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday, March 7, 2026, by Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Mamun, commanding officer of the Patnitala 14 BGB Battalion. Additional personnel have been deployed in the border areas under the battalion’s jurisdiction.

According to the statement, the decision follows instability in the international fuel market caused by ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has raised concerns about global energy supply and price uncertainty. The BGB has increased monitoring of fuel transportation and supply routes to curb illegal cross-border movement.

The battalion also remains alert to prevent illegal crossings, drug trafficking, and other transnational crimes while maintaining law and order in the Naogaon and Joypurhat border regions.

Indian drug syndicates have changed tactics as Bangladeshi law enforcement tightens control over Phensedyl smuggling. According to the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), three new codeine-based syrups—Bronokof C, Choco Plus, and Win Corex—are being produced in at least ten Indian border districts and trafficked into eight Bangladeshi frontier districts. Though some shipments have been seized, the syrups remain largely unrecognized as narcotics, raising concern among authorities.

DNC officials said the syrups contain codeine phosphate, the same addictive ingredient found in Phensedyl, and are being relabeled and exported despite being banned in India. The agency has identified 62 factories and 374 traffickers involved, and plans to formally request India to shut down the production centers. Border Guard Bangladesh has intensified surveillance, but officials admit earlier appeals to India yielded little progress.

Recent intelligence reports warn that Bronokof C is spreading fastest through Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj, while Win Corex is entering through Jessore. Experts caution that the lower price and easy availability of these syrups could worsen addiction among youth if cross-border coordination does not improve.

The United States will not grant India any trade concessions, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on Thursday. He said Washington does not want to repeat the mistake it made two decades ago by giving China special trade privileges, which helped Beijing become a major rival. Landau emphasized that the Trump administration’s decision reflects a broader policy of using tariffs as a negotiation tool and prioritizing national interests.

Landau stated that while the U.S. values its economic relationship with India, it cannot offer unfair advantages, as both governments are accountable to their citizens. He confirmed that Washington and New Delhi agreed on an interim trade framework on February 6, set to take effect in April, imposing an 18 percent reciprocal tariff on several Indian goods. The U.S. had earlier announced a 50 percent tariff on Indian imports due to oil purchases from Russia but later withdrew the punitive portion after India accepted certain U.S. conditions.

Landau also urged India to diversify its energy sources amid supply disruptions linked to the Iran-Israel conflict, suggesting the U.S. could play a larger role in India’s energy security.

Long queues formed at petrol pumps across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Rajshahi, as consumers rushed to buy fuel amid fears of supply disruption and price hikes linked to the ongoing Middle East war. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) imposed limits on daily fuel sales by vehicle type to prevent artificial shortages, assuring that national reserves remain sufficient. Some pumps temporarily closed due to excessive demand, while others restricted sales per customer.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud urged the public not to panic, saying fuel stocks and supply are stable. State Minister for Energy Anindya Islam Amit announced that a rationing system for fuel sales would begin Sunday to ensure long-term stability. BPC reiterated that no government decision had been made to raise prices and warned against overcharging.

The surge in demand followed reports of regional conflict after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, which led to retaliatory strikes and closure of the Hormuz Strait. Authorities expect the situation to normalize soon as imports and domestic distribution continue under regular schedules.