Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, stated that power stations are sometimes closed due to demand fluctuations rather than fuel shortages. He made the remarks on Friday, March 27, 2026, after inspecting a 68-megawatt solar power plant in Sirajganj. The minister explained that power generation is being maintained according to current demand, and no disruptions occurred during Ramadan. He added that temporary outages caused by storms should not be considered load-shedding.

Tuku also addressed the recent surge in fuel demand, noting that petrol pumps are running out of fuel quickly because people are stockpiling due to the ongoing war. He assured that fuel supply remains stable and said he has spoken with district administrators and police officials who are monitoring the situation. The minister acknowledged that corruption and black marketing are contributing to the sudden increase in demand, and reported that two individuals have already been detained in Sirajganj, with arrests occurring elsewhere in the country.

Officials from the Sirajganj 68-megawatt solar power plant and the district commissioner were present during the minister’s visit.

Malaysia will introduce tougher regulations for foreign workers beginning in June 2026, requiring significantly higher minimum salaries to qualify for work visas. In some cases, the minimum wage threshold will nearly double. The government will also impose a time limit on how long employers can sponsor the same visa holder. The decision came without prior notice, raising uncertainty among expatriates about long-term plans such as buying homes or cars.

Malaysia, which transformed into one of Southeast Asia’s major economies after gaining independence from the United Kingdom in the 1960s, currently hosts about 2.1 million registered foreign workers. Most are employed in manual labor, earning around 1,700 ringgit per month, while a smaller group works in high-paying sectors like finance, semiconductors, and oil and gas. The government’s latest five-year national policy warns that continued reliance on low-skilled foreign labor could hinder technological advancement.

Analysts and business leaders noted that the new policy could raise costs for companies dependent on mid-level expatriate labor but may also encourage local workforce development if implemented effectively.

The Central Board of Film Certification in India has blocked the screening of the Tunisian film 'The Voyage of Hind Rajab', which was nominated for Best International Feature at this year’s Oscars. The Guardian reported that the board cited 'political sensitivity' as the reason for withholding clearance. The film’s Indian distributor, Manoj Nandwana of Joy Bhiratra Entertainment, said he submitted the film for certification in February, planning a March 6 release before the Oscars. A board member reportedly warned that the film could strain India-Israel relations, a claim Nandwana rejected.

The film, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, is based on the real-life story of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who died during an Israeli attack in Gaza in 2024. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival, receiving a 20-minute standing ovation and winning the Silver Lion award. The film has already been released in several Western countries with close ties to Israel.

The decision has sparked strong reactions in India. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the move on social media, calling it 'shameful' and an attack on freedom of expression. Analysts suggested the decision may reflect India’s growing diplomatic alignment with Israel under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The censor board has not issued an official statement.

Since the onset of the war, Iran has significantly increased its oil revenue, earning about $139 million per day in March, up from $115 million in February. The country has benefited from rising global oil prices and reduced price discounts on its Iranian Light crude, which is now sold at only $2.10 below Brent, the narrowest gap in nearly a year. Iran’s oil exports have reached around 1.6 million barrels per day, close to pre-war levels, with tankers loading at Kharg Island and passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, Iran has maintained its economic flow, weakening the impact of military pressure. The United States has temporarily suspended some sanctions on Iranian oil shipments to stabilize global prices. Richard Nephew of Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy noted that current U.S. actions appear to encourage Iranian oil sales rather than restrict them.

Iran is also exporting from the Jask terminal outside the Strait of Hormuz and collecting up to $2 million in transit fees from commercial vessels passing through the strait.

A devastating fire broke out on Thursday afternoon, March 26, in the Shura Bathan field area near Mia Bagan of Harinakundu upazila in Jhenaidah, burning down four betel leaf farms. Local residents estimated that the blaze caused a total loss of around six lakh taka for four farmers — three brothers named Mamun, Masum, and Ruhul, and another farmer, Emran Hossain.

According to local sources, the fire started suddenly in one of the farms and quickly spread to adjacent ones due to strong winds. Despite efforts by locals to control the flames, all four farms were completely destroyed before the fire was extinguished. Emran Hossain said he had taken loans from several institutions to run his farm and is now uncertain about repaying them.

Harinakundu Police Station Officer-in-Charge Golam Kibria Hasan stated that a police investigation into the incident is ongoing. He added that the fire appears to be an accident rather than an act of sabotage.

The ongoing war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel has shaken the global economy, with developing nations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East facing severe inflationary pressure. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Gulf energy facilities have triggered a fuel crisis, hitting import-dependent economies the hardest. Countries from Pakistan to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and from Jordan to Egypt and Ethiopia, are struggling to manage the fallout.

Pakistan, which imports 80 percent of its fuel from Gulf states, has seen its reserves of petrol and diesel plummet within weeks of the conflict. The government has reduced working days in public offices, closed schools, and limited fuel use for businesses. Although Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rejected a proposal to raise fuel prices before Eid, experts warn that prolonged conflict could paralyze economic activity. Bangladesh, which imports 95 percent of its fuel, is also facing shortages, with some districts already closing pumps despite rationing.

Egypt has ordered early shop closures to conserve electricity, while a Washington-based analysis identified Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Senegal, Egypt, Angola, Ethiopia, and Zambia as the most vulnerable to inflation caused by the energy crisis.

Global oil prices declined following US President Donald Trump’s announcement to delay a planned strike on Iranian energy facilities by ten days. The decision was made public on Friday, after which both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) showed downward trends in international markets. As of 2:30 a.m. GMT, Brent crude dropped 1.5 percent to 93.07 dollars per barrel, while WTI fell 1.8 percent to 106.12 dollars per barrel.

Market analysts noted that the postponement provided temporary relief but warned that concerns over a prolonged conflict continued to unsettle the oil market. The overall sentiment remained cautious, with traders monitoring geopolitical developments closely.

The short-term decline in prices reflected immediate market reactions to reduced expectations of imminent military escalation, though analysts suggested that volatility could persist amid ongoing regional tensions.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced on Wednesday that it will increase prices by up to 8 percent for several retail and commercial services, citing higher transportation costs caused by rising global fuel prices linked to the Iran war. The new rates, pending approval from the Postal Regulatory Commission, will take effect on April 26 and remain in place until January 17, 2027. The price hike will apply to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select services.

USPS stated that transportation expenses have risen and that competitors have also imposed various surcharges. Earlier, delivery company UPS introduced a fuel surcharge on March 2, while FedEx continues to adjust its fuel surcharges based on gasoline prices in the United States. According to the motor club AAA, the average price of regular gasoline in the US has increased by 33.6 percent since the war began on February 28, while diesel prices have risen by 43 percent. Jet fuel prices have also climbed significantly since the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran began.

The USPS adjustment reflects broader cost pressures across the logistics sector as energy markets react to the ongoing conflict.

Bangladesh’s aviation sector is facing severe pressure after the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) raised jet fuel prices twice in March 2026, increasing the domestic rate from 112.41 to 202.29 taka per liter and the international rate from 0.7384 to 1.3216 dollars per liter. The 80 percent rise within just 16 days has forced private airlines to raise fares by up to 1,200 taka on domestic routes and more on international ones. Airlines warn that several routes may be suspended due to declining passenger demand and rising operational costs.

Industry representatives, including the Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh, have criticized the price hike as unjustified, noting that Bangladesh’s jet fuel prices are now far higher than in neighboring countries. They argue that there is no supply shortage, as 25 oil tankers arrived recently with fuel purchased at previous rates. Experts warn that the sudden increase will strain airline finances, reduce passenger growth, and disrupt operational stability.

The higher fuel costs are also expected to affect cargo transport and overall economic activity, particularly for smaller and newer airlines struggling to manage expenses.

India faces severe economic and humanitarian risks from the ongoing Iran war and the prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, despite not being directly involved in the conflict. The strait handles about one-third of global seaborne oil exports, and India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, relies on it for around 2.5 million barrels of crude oil daily. The disruption has already raised global fertilizer prices and threatens India’s agricultural production and food supply.

Nearly 90 percent of India’s crude oil demand is imported, and about half of its annual 9 million tons of urea comes from the Middle East, mainly Oman and Saudi Arabia. The closure of Hormuz has also disrupted liquefied natural gas shipments from Qatar, affecting domestic fertilizer production. Rising fertilizer costs have pushed government subsidies to record levels, while reduced fertilizer use could lower crop yields and increase food prices, potentially driving millions into poverty.

If the conflict continues, India’s GDP growth could fall from 7 to 6 percent, with inflation and current account deficits worsening. Analysts say the crisis exposes India’s dependence on fragile supply chains and underscores the need for long-term food security reforms.

Farmers in Juri upazila of Moulvibazar district are set to receive farmer cards as part of a government pilot project covering 11 upazilas in 10 districts. The initiative aims to distribute 21,500 cards in the first phase, with 834 farmers from Phultala Union in Juri selected to receive them. The cards will be provided to landless, marginal, and small farmers to help them access annual cash incentives for agricultural activities, fisheries, livestock, and input support.

Moulvibazar district has 127,994 hectares of cultivable land, of which 93,596 hectares remain fallow annually. Officials expect that the farmer card program will encourage cultivation on previously unused land, boosting local food production. Farmers have welcomed the initiative, calling it a landmark step for agricultural development. They noted that the government has already waived agricultural loans and launched canal excavation programs to improve irrigation.

According to the district agriculture extension office, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the farmer card program on April 14, marking its official rollout in the selected upazilas. The department expects the scheme to expand gradually across all upazilas in the district.

The Indian government has urged citizens not to engage in panic buying of fuel, asserting that the country has sufficient reserves of crude oil, petrol, and diesel. The appeal came as long queues formed at fuel stations across India despite official assurances. The government’s statement followed a sharp rise in global oil prices triggered by Iran’s restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Sujata Sharma, a senior official at India’s Petroleum Ministry, stated that there is no shortage of fuel and asked the public not to believe rumors. However, reports from various parts of the country indicated that many people continued to crowd fuel pumps, fearing potential shortages. One commuter told AFP that he had to wait nearly an hour to refuel.

The government’s reassurance aims to stabilize public sentiment and prevent unnecessary strain on fuel distribution networks as global energy markets remain volatile due to geopolitical tensions involving Iran.

World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has warned that the global trading system is facing its most severe disruption in 80 years. She made the remark during the opening session of the WTO ministerial conference, emphasizing the scale of the challenges confronting the global economy.

The warning comes as global energy markets experience turmoil following U.S.-Israeli attacks in Iran. Tehran has nearly halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that handles about 20 percent of the world’s energy supply. This disruption has intensified instability in global energy flows and heightened concerns about broader economic impacts.

The WTO chief’s statement underscores the growing strain on international trade and supply chains, with energy insecurity adding to existing global economic pressures.

Conflicting reports have emerged over ceasefire talks and rising tensions between Iran and the United States, raising fears of a major escalation. Analysts warn that if the situation worsens, global oil prices could surge, especially if the US deploys forces to control the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a strong Iranian response. Kepler senior crude oil analyst Muyu Xu said oil prices could reach around 120 dollars per barrel, marking a critical turning point in the conflict.

The Middle East remains highly uncertain, and a near-term drop in oil prices appears unlikely. Asian nations could face growing energy shortages, leading to economic and political instability. Japan still holds significant oil reserves, but countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Australia have comparatively limited stocks. Rising fuel prices in these markets could lead to real shortages, with potential disruptions to fuel supply and airline operations.

If the conflict extends into mid or late April, several Asian countries could experience severe impacts, including social unrest and humanitarian crises.

Global oil prices climbed on March 26, 2026, as uncertainty grew over whether the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel would ease. Brent crude rose 1.5 percent to 98.72 dollars per barrel, while US benchmark WTI increased 2 percent to 92.16 dollars. The market reaction followed Iran’s rejection of a US-proposed ceasefire plan that included 15 points, while President Donald Trump delayed his previously scheduled military action.

Asian stock markets opened lower as investors reacted to the geopolitical tension. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.8 percent, South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 3.3 percent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index declined 1.9 percent. The uncertainty surrounding the conflict has created pressure across energy and equity markets.

Analysts noted that if the war continues, Asia could face rising energy shortages and broader economic instability, reflecting the region’s sensitivity to disruptions in global oil supply.