QatarEnergy, the world’s largest producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), has declared force majeure for its affected buyers after halting LNG and related product output. The company announced on Monday that production at its facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City was suspended due to military attacks on those sites.

According to QatarEnergy, the force majeure declaration releases it from liability for failing to meet supply obligations caused by events beyond its control. The announcement immediately triggered a sharp reaction in global energy markets, with benchmark Dutch and British wholesale gas prices rising by about 50 percent, and benchmark Asian LNG prices increasing by roughly 39 percent.

Given Qatar’s central role in global LNG supply, the production shutdown has had a significant impact on international energy markets, intensifying concerns over supply stability and price volatility.

City Bank PLC, one of Bangladesh’s leading sustainable banks, has signed the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), becoming a member of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). The announcement was made on March 4, 2026. Through this move, City Bank aims to align its operations with global standards for sustainable finance and responsible banking practices.

The PRB, developed by UNEP FI in collaboration with banks worldwide, provides a global framework for aligning banking strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Established in 1992, UNEP FI connects financial institutions with the United Nations to advance sustainable finance, currently working with over 550 banks and insurers globally.

As a PRB signatory, City Bank will integrate responsible banking principles into its business strategy, risk management, and decision-making processes. The bank will assess and disclose its environmental and social impacts, set measurable targets in key areas, and enhance transparency and accountability in line with international practices.

More than 4 million taxpayers have submitted online income tax returns for the 2025–26 fiscal year in Bangladesh, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Of them, 2.2 million, or about 55 percent, filed zero returns, declaring income below the taxable threshold. Among these, 1.44 million are male and 765,197 are female taxpayers. The NBR noted that while income up to 350,000 taka is tax-free for general taxpayers, the limit is higher for women, senior citizens, third gender individuals, and persons with disabilities.

Despite being below the taxable limit, many taxpayers are required to file returns to access 24 types of services. The NBR warned that some individuals intentionally underreport income to file zero returns and may face legal action. Historically, up to 70 percent of returns were zero, indicating a decline this year. The NBR also provided detailed breakdowns of income ranges and surcharge payments.

Online e-filing has been made mandatory this fiscal year, except for elderly, disabled, expatriate, and certain other taxpayers. The filing deadline, extended for the fourth time, is now set for March 31, 2026.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance across the country’s borders to prevent fuel smuggling, citing the ongoing global energy situation. In a brief statement issued on Wednesday, BGB said maximum precautionary measures have been implemented at various border points to stop illegal cross-border movement of petroleum products.

According to BGB headquarters, heightened alert has been declared in all frontier areas considering the current volatility in the international energy market. The force warned that any attempt to smuggle diesel, petrol, or other petroleum products across the border will be dealt with strictly under the law. Intelligence monitoring and regular patrols have also been reinforced to ensure tighter control over border activities.

The measures reflect Bangladesh’s effort to safeguard its energy resources and maintain stability in fuel supply amid global market uncertainty.

Bangladesh Bank has postponed a scheduled meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) that was set for Wednesday at noon to discuss a possible reduction in the policy interest rate. The meeting was called by the new governor, Mostakur Rahman, who recently took office and had planned to lower the policy rate by 50 basis points in the first phase. The proposed cut was expected to bring down lending rates across the banking sector.

The seven-member MPC is chaired by Governor Rahman and includes Deputy Governor Md. Habibur Rahman, Chief Economist Md. Akhtar Hossain, BIDS Director General A.K. Enamul Haque, Dhaka University Economics Department Chair Ferdousi Nahar, and Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Mahmud Salahuddin Naser. The only board-nominated member, Sadiq Ahmed, has reportedly resigned from the committee.

The previous governor, Ahsan H. Mansur, announced the last monetary policy last month, keeping the policy rate unchanged at 10 percent, a level maintained since October 2024. Inflation, which peaked at 11.38 percent in November, eased to 8.58 percent by January.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard seized yaba tablets worth approximately Tk 7.5 crore in two separate operations in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, and arrested one drug trafficker. The operations were conducted early Wednesday, March 4, 2026, based on secret information. Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, the Coast Guard’s media officer, confirmed the seizures and arrest.

According to the Coast Guard, the first operation took place around 4 a.m. near Zero Point Sea Beach Ghat, where 140,000 yaba tablets worth about Tk 7 crore were recovered in an abandoned state. No suspects were detained as the traffickers fled the scene. In the second operation, conducted around 5 a.m. near the Marine Drive area, officials searched a suspicious easybike and found 10,000 yaba tablets worth Tk 50 lakh, arresting one trafficker identified as Shahid Hossain, 40, from Teknaf Sadar Union.

Authorities stated that legal procedures are underway regarding the seized drugs, vehicle, and the detained suspect. The Coast Guard affirmed that similar anti-narcotics operations will continue in the future.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has formed a 10-member taskforce to strengthen VAT collection and prevent tax evasion during the final four months of the 2025–26 fiscal year, from March to June. The taskforce will prepare and implement a time-bound short-term action plan aimed at achieving revenue targets. The order to form the taskforce was issued by NBR’s VAT Implementation and IT Wing on Wednesday.

According to the directive, the taskforce will focus on enhancing revenue mobilization through comprehensive monitoring, preparing specific and time-bound plans for the next 180 days, and aligning its actions with the government’s sustainable development goals. It will also work on expanding the tax net, converting loss-making sectors into profitable ones, ensuring recovery of outstanding dues, and expediting the resolution of pending cases and audits. The taskforce is led by Md. Shamsul Islam, Commissioner of Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka (North), with Ruhul Amin as member secretary.

NBR is also forming separate taskforces for income tax and customs divisions to improve overall revenue performance. The move follows a shortfall of 600 billion taka in revenue collection during the first seven months of the fiscal year.

Bangladesh has sought assistance from the United States to address its ongoing energy crisis, according to Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku. He made the statement on Wednesday afternoon after a meeting at the Secretariat in Dhaka with Paul Kapur, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, who is currently visiting Bangladesh.

The minister said that Paul Kapur would discuss the matter with senior US officials before conveying Washington’s decision to Bangladesh. He added that the government plans to manage the situation using existing fuel reserves until normal supply resumes. Emphasizing conservation, he urged citizens to use available resources efficiently and noted that the ministry would soon issue a detailed directive to guide the public during the crisis.

The meeting reflects Bangladesh’s efforts to secure international cooperation amid supply constraints, with the government focusing on prudent resource management until external support or supply stabilization occurs.

A Dhaka court has issued an order prohibiting Mohammad Abu Noman, business partner of former finance minister A H M Mustafa Kamal and his daughter Nafisa Kamal, from leaving Bangladesh. The order was given on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. Court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain confirmed the decision following a petition from Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Director Abul Hasnat seeking a travel ban.

According to the ACC petition, Kamal, his wife Kashmiri Kamal, and their daughters Kashfi Kamal and Nafisa Kamal allegedly earned money through irregularities including labor export syndicates to Malaysia and share manipulation, and laundered the funds abroad. The ACC is investigating allegations that Noman, a permanent resident of Canada and Dubai, laundered money and owned several medical checkup centers that may be subject to closure and state confiscation.

Investigators reported that Noman frequently travels abroad and may hold multiple citizenships. The ACC argued that he might flee the country, potentially obstructing the ongoing investigation, prompting the court to impose the travel restriction.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has directed authorities to ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible for the killing of seven-year-old Jannatul Naima Ira in Sitakunda, Chattogram. The directive was conveyed by State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Helal after meeting Ira’s family on Wednesday afternoon. He said the Prime Minister was deeply saddened by the incident and assured that all necessary steps would be taken to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Mir Helal emphasized that such a tragic event has shaken the nation and that measures will be taken to prevent similar brutality in the future. He also stressed the importance of ensuring a safe environment for children so they can grow and play without fear. The government, he added, stands by the bereaved family.

Ira was found with her throat slit in Sitakunda’s Eco Park area on Monday and later died in hospital. Police have arrested a suspect named Babu Sheikh and said multiple teams are investigating the case seriously.

Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting of Narcotics Control Department Inspector Siddiqur Rahman in Dhaka’s Wari area. Police from Wari Police Station conducted operations and recovered two pistols, one revolver, and a large quantity of ammunition from the detainees. The arrested individuals were identified as Syed Jisan Ahmed, Syed Hasibul Hasan alias Piyas, Omar Faruk Sayem, and Solaiman Hossain Chowdhury.

According to police sources, the incident occurred on Monday, March 2, when a team from the Narcotics Control Department was conducting a raid near the Sayedabad rail gate in Swamibagh. During the operation, three to four assailants shot Inspector Siddiqur Rahman in the leg and fled. A case was filed at Wari Police Station following the attack.

Police later launched separate operations on Tuesday, March 3, based on secret information and arrested the four suspects, including the main accused. They seized 23 rounds of live ammunition, five empty shells, the weapon used in the attack, and a motorcycle. The detainees confessed to their involvement during preliminary questioning. Two cases have been filed, and another is under process.

Two men were killed in a mob beating in Louhajang upazila of Munshiganj on Tuesday night after being accused of theft. Police said the victims were severely injured when locals caught them allegedly stealing electric wires from the Satgharia Community Clinic in Haldia Union. They were rescued by police and taken to a local health complex, where doctors declared them dead on Wednesday.

The deceased were identified as Sagar, 30, son of Forhad Mia, and Chanarul, 30, son of Shahidul Islam, both from Goalimandra village in Louhajang. Police have detained three individuals—Ferdous, Shamim, and Shawon—for questioning in connection with the incident. Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Firoz Kabir stated that legal action will be taken following the investigation.

The bodies have been sent to Munshiganj General Hospital morgue for autopsy as police continue their inquiry into the fatal mob attack.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, has called on citizens to use electricity and fuel sparingly. Speaking at a press conference at his office in the Secretariat on Wednesday, he said the current energy supply is expected to last through March. Although some shortages may occur, he assured that the situation will not become unbearable and that the government is taking multiple measures to manage it.

The minister explained that the government aims to conserve energy through rationing and has increased border surveillance to prevent fuel smuggling, particularly diesel. He emphasized that there will be no load-shedding for iftar and sehri times during Ramadan. Mahmud also mentioned that global crises could affect Bangladesh but maintained that the current situation remains under control.

He urged citizens to cooperate by avoiding unnecessary lighting, especially in shopping malls, and noted that directives may soon be issued to restrict decorative lighting during the ongoing energy strain.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has confirmed that a full investigation is underway into the killing of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho. He said a new investigation process began after the current administration took office, and details will be disclosed once the inquiry is completed. The minister made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking to journalists at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police headquarters on Minto Road during a meeting with senior police officials.

During the same event, the minister also discussed efforts to address Dhaka’s traffic congestion, noting that the challenges posed by battery-powered rickshaws would be resolved gradually. Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir and Acting DMP Commissioner Md Sarwar, among others, attended the meeting.

The ongoing investigation and the minister’s comments indicate the government’s intent to pursue the case thoroughly while simultaneously focusing on urban management issues in the capital.

A police constable named Sahmul Haque Shanto, aged 23, was seriously injured after being stabbed by a mugger in Tongi, Gazipur, on Wednesday night. Shanto, who serves with the Lalbagh Police Station under Dhaka Metropolitan Police, was attacked around 11 p.m. near the Hossain Market area on the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway. The assailant, identified as Al Amin alias Roni, 26, was captured by an angry crowd and handed over to police after being beaten.

According to police, Shanto and his colleague Kawsar Islam had come to Tongi for a visit earlier in the evening. When they reached the Nippon Garments area, a group of muggers suddenly attacked them. During the confrontation, Al Amin stabbed Shanto in the neck with a sharp knife, leaving him critically injured. Locals rescued the wounded officer and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, while the injured suspect was sent to Tongi Government Hospital.

Tongi West Police Station’s officer-in-charge said legal proceedings are underway regarding the incident.