The Energy and Mineral Resources Division under Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has issued new directives urging immediate energy-saving measures across all sectors. The announcement, made on March 6, 2026, responds to potential disruptions in international energy supply chains caused by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The ministry emphasized the need for precautionary actions to ensure national energy security and optimal resource utilization.

The directives call on government offices, autonomous bodies, private organizations, commercial establishments, and citizens to adopt specific conservation practices. These include reducing unnecessary gas and fuel consumption, checking gas pipelines and burners for leaks, avoiding illegal gas use, promoting public transport and carpooling, and limiting non-essential travel. Institutions are instructed to implement energy-saving measures during and after office hours.

The ministry also urged all concerned parties to raise public awareness and cooperate in implementing the guidelines to safeguard national energy security.

Police have arrested Fazlur Rahman, the prime accused in the murder case of Asma Sadia Runa, chairperson and assistant professor of the Social Welfare Department at Islamic University. The arrest was confirmed on Friday, March 6, by the case’s investigating officer, Abdullah Al Mamun. Fazlur Rahman, a university employee, is currently under police guard at Kushtia General Hospital’s ICU, where he is receiving treatment for serious injuries. He has provided a written confession to police admitting responsibility for the killing, and doctors have stated that his condition is now stable.

The investigating officer said that police have begun their work following the filing of the murder case and are continuing efforts to arrest the remaining accused. Two of the other suspects are university teachers. The case was filed by the victim’s husband, Imtiaz Sultan, on Thursday morning under sections 302 and 109 of the Penal Code, naming four individuals including Fazlur Rahman. The other accused are former deputy registrar Bishwajit Kumar Biswas, assistant professor Shyam Sundar Sarkar, and assistant professor Habibur Rahman.

Journalists in Kishoreganj formed a human chain on Friday, March 6, 2026, protesting a violent attack on two reporters who were covering news related to the auction at the historic Pagla Mosque. The demonstration took place at Akhra Bazar in the district town, where participants demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible.

The injured journalists were Khairul Alam Faisal of Channel 24 and Faizul Islam Bhuiyan Pinku of Global Television. According to reports, a syndicate allegedly involved in buying mosque-donated items at low prices attacked the journalists when they went to gather information. The victims were rescued by mosque Ansar members and taken to hospital. Later, Pinku filed an attempted murder case naming eight individuals and several unidentified others.

Police confirmed that two suspects, Jibon and Mona, have been detained, and efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining accused. Authorities expressed optimism about bringing all perpetrators to justice soon.

The Islamic University (IU) administration has declared a one-day mourning on Saturday, March 7, following the killing of Asma Sadia Runa, chairperson and assistant professor of the Department of Social Welfare. According to an emergency notice signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Manjurul Haque on Thursday night, the decision was taken after Runa was stabbed to death in her office on Wednesday, March 4, allegedly by an employee of her department.

The notice stated that the university community is deeply shocked by the brutal killing of Asma Sadia Runa. All members of the university have been requested to wear black badges on the day of mourning as a mark of respect. In addition, the university administration organized a prayer session after Friday prayers at the central mosque for the salvation of the deceased teacher’s soul.

The university’s declaration of mourning reflects the institution’s collective grief and solidarity following the tragic incident within its campus.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a money laundering case against Jubo League leader and former ward councillor Md. Tajul (Taijul) Islam Chowdhury alias Bappi. The case, lodged on March 5 at Pallabi Police Station, accuses him of embezzling around Tk 2.5 crore through extortion and fraud in Dhaka’s Pallabi area. CID alleges that Tajul controlled transport, street markets, garment waste trading, and cable businesses to accumulate illicit wealth.

According to CID’s investigation, Tajul claimed to have earned Tk 3.83 crore between 2014 and 2024 from garment, fish, and brick businesses, while his declared assets and expenditures did not match his actual holdings worth Tk 4.27 crore. The agency found Tk 1.55 crore in unexplained wealth and identified his brick kiln in Bagerhat’s Morelganj as illegally established. CID also discovered falsified audit reports and concealed property values during land purchases.

CID stated that it continues to prioritize financial crime investigations and has frozen over Tk 6.33 lakh in Tajul’s bank accounts under court orders.

Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s Burn Unit senior nurse Nahida Akter Boby, aged 29, was found dead at a rented apartment in the capital’s Chankharpul area on the night of March 5. Police recovered her body hanging from a ceiling fan with a scarf. Investigators said the incident appears to be linked to prolonged domestic abuse, as three handwritten notes left by Nahida describe severe physical and mental torture allegedly inflicted by her husband Ilias and his family members.

In the notes, Nahida accused her husband, mother-in-law, sister-in-law Sumi, and a relative named Shawkat Hossain of driving her to suicide through continuous humiliation and violence. She described being beaten “like a dog” and mentally harassed, while also detailing her husband’s extramarital affairs allegedly supported by his family. Nahida had previously filed a case in 2023 over similar abuse, after which Ilias was jailed but later reconciled with her.

Police said the suicide notes are being verified and efforts are underway to arrest the absconding husband. Nahida’s family is preparing to file a case for abetment of suicide.

The Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh reported that 447 people were killed and 1,181 injured in 448 road accidents across the country in February 2026. Additionally, 26 people died and 11 were injured in 34 railway accidents, while four died and five were injured in six waterway incidents. In total, 477 people were killed and 1,197 injured in 488 transport-related accidents nationwide. The report, signed by the association’s secretary general Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, was based on monitoring of national, regional, and online media.

The highest number of road accidents occurred in Dhaka Division with 113 incidents, resulting in 115 deaths and 387 injuries, while Barishal Division recorded the lowest with 22 accidents, 19 deaths, and 85 injuries. Motorcycles were involved in 33.7% of total accidents and accounted for 37.36% of fatalities. The report identified multiple causes, including poor road management, unregulated vehicles, lack of road signs, and reckless driving.

The association recommended measures such as improved driver training, digital enforcement of traffic laws, better road infrastructure, and the formation of a national expert task force to enhance road safety management.

In Haimchar upazila of Chandpur, cultivation of black cumin on previously fallow char lands has opened new opportunities for local farmers. Due to low production costs and high profitability within a short period, black cumin is now being called the 'black diamond' by farmers. According to the upazila agriculture office, cultivation has expanded from just one hectare last year to 18 hectares this year.

Farmers are growing the crop on sandy-loam soils after the rice harvest, supported by two government projects: the Modern Agricultural Technology Expansion Project in Bangladesh’s Char Areas and the Sustainable Agricultural Technology Expansion Project in the Cumilla region. These initiatives provide materials and technical assistance to farmers.

Officials noted that the soil’s pH level of 6.5 to 7.0 is ideal for black cumin cultivation. The Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Chandpur expressed optimism that with proper marketing systems, Haimchar could become a major production hub for black cumin in the future.

The United States Department of the Treasury has granted India a temporary exemption from sanctions to purchase Russian oil that remains stranded at sea. The special waiver, valid for 30 days, was announced to help maintain stability in global oil supplies. The decision was confirmed by US Treasury Secretary Scott Basent in a post on social media platform X.

According to Basent, the move aims to keep global oil flows steady and counter Iran’s attempts to create pressure in the international energy market. He emphasized that the measure is short-term and will not provide significant financial benefits to the Russian government, as it applies only to stranded energy shipments.

Following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, US President Donald Trump had imposed sanctions on Russian oil, forcing buyers to seek alternative sources. India remains one of the largest purchasers of Russian energy, and this waiver allows limited continuation of those transactions under strict conditions.

A joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran has triggered widespread conflict across the Middle East, severely disrupting global energy and transport systems. Several sea and air routes have been closed, pushing up fuel prices and forcing shipping companies to reroute vessels. Sea-Land Shipping has already raised container transport charges on the China-Bangladesh route by USD 200–300 per 40-foot container, while other companies are preparing similar increases. Additional war surcharges are expected to be announced soon, threatening Bangladesh’s export and import sectors, especially the ready-made garment industry.

Sources report that the closure of the Hormuz Strait, a key energy transport route controlled by Iran, has left about 140 mother vessels carrying 350,000 containers stranded in the Gulf region. Shipping operators are reorganizing routes through longer paths such as the Cape of Good Hope, increasing costs by at least 35 percent and adding 12–15 days to delivery times. Air freight rates have also risen by up to USD 3.5 per kilogram, with airlines avoiding several Middle Eastern countries for safety reasons.

Industry representatives warn that rising freight costs could sharply increase export expenses, deepening the crisis for Bangladesh’s garment sector.

The Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA), representing insurers in London’s maritime market, has welcomed a U.S. initiative to ensure safe passage for vessels not under sanctions through the Strait of Hormuz. The association emphasized that maintaining secure sea routes is vital for global trade and economic stability. According to Neil Roberts, head of LMA’s Marine and Aviation division, around 1,000 ships are currently positioned in the Gulf and nearby waters, about half of which are oil and gas tankers.

Roberts explained that most ships remain anchored due to normal security concerns among owners and captains, though insurance coverage for these vessels remains active. Since Sunday, about 40 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz. Data from maritime analytics firm Kpler, released Wednesday, indicated that vessel traffic through the strait has dropped by roughly 90 percent compared to the previous week.

The slowdown in maritime movement underscores heightened regional risks, with potential implications for global energy supply and trade stability if the situation persists.

Police in Gazipur recovered the body of Kamruzzaman Molla, 65, vice president of the Citizens for Good Governance (Sujon) Gazipur district branch, who was found dead with his hands and feet tied and a rope around his neck. The body was discovered beside a road in the Dhirashram area under Gazipur Metropolitan’s Sadar Police Station. The incident was confirmed by Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam on Thursday.

According to police and family members, Molla went missing on Wednesday after visiting the Gazipur court for a case-related matter. When he did not return home, relatives began searching for him. Later that night, locals found a body by the roadside, which was identified as Molla’s. His brother said he had no known disputes but suggested possible business-related enmity. Sujon’s general secretary described Molla as a responsible and active leader, while police suspect he was strangled before his body was dumped.

The body was sent to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for autopsy. Molla’s son filed a case, and police said the investigation is ongoing to uncover the motive and perpetrators.

An interdepartmental committee of the Chattogram district administration conducted an on-site inspection at GPH Ispat Limited in Sitakunda to investigate allegations of environmental pollution, hill stream filling, and encroachment on government roads and water channels. The seven-member committee, led by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Sakhawat Jamil Soikat, visited the factory and surrounding areas for several hours on Wednesday.

Local residents alleged that GPH Ispat has long occupied government roads and natural water flow paths between Kumira and Banshbaria unions, causing persistent waterlogging in several villages and severe disruption to public movement. They also complained about noise pollution from high-decibel machinery. Despite repeated complaints to local and district authorities, no resolution had been achieved until the committee was formed in November last year.

Assistant Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun stated that the team inspected multiple points for about one and a half hours to verify claims of stream filling and road occupation. The findings will be compiled and submitted to senior officials for further action.

Ahsan Ullah has resigned from his position as Adviser to the Governor of Bangladesh Bank. According to the report, he submitted his resignation letter to the new governor on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. His decision came shortly after the appointment of a new governor, which followed the removal of Ahsan H. Mansur on February 25.

The report states that Ahsan Ullah faced internal criticism from several senior officials on the day the new governor was appointed. He cited this pressure as the reason for his resignation and did not return to the office afterward. The government appointed Mostakur Rahman as the new governor on the same day Ahsan H. Mansur left the central bank. Rahman is described as a businessman and a member of the BNP’s election management committee.

The leadership reshuffle at Bangladesh Bank has drawn attention amid reports of growing tension and concerns about the country’s economic situation, as noted by experts in the same publication.

Popular television presenter and producer Hanif Sanket and renowned singer Bashir Ahmed (posthumously) have been named recipients of Bangladesh’s highest civilian honor, the Independence Award 2026. The award recognizes individuals and institutions for their distinguished contributions at the national level. The final list of awardees was approved on Thursday, March 5, during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tareque Rahman at the Secretariat, according to Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani.

The list places A.K.M. Hanif (Hanif Sanket) at number seven and Bashir Ahmed at number eight. Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female head of government, will also receive the award posthumously for her contributions to independence, democracy, and women’s education. The Independence Award, instituted in 1977, is presented annually on March 26 to honor the memory of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.

The recognition underscores the government’s continued effort to honor individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to national life and development.