One of the two units at the Ashuganj Power Plant in Brahmanbaria resumed electricity generation after being shut down due to a fault in the national grid line. The plant authorities confirmed that production restarted around 8:15 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026. The outage had occurred earlier in the afternoon when a technical fault disrupted the Ashuganj–Bhulta 400 kV grid line, causing both the 450-megawatt North unit and the 400-megawatt East unit to trip offline.

According to the plant’s executive director for operations and maintenance, the technical team repaired the fault and brought the 450-megawatt North unit back online after nearly six hours of downtime. However, the 400-megawatt East unit will require at least three more days before it can resume operation. In the meantime, gas allocated for the East unit is being used to generate 50 megawatts of power from another unit, which is now supplying electricity to the national grid.

The restoration of one major unit is expected to partially stabilize power supply in the region while full capacity recovery awaits further repairs.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, is participating in the two-day Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum that began on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. The conference, jointly organized by the US National Energy Dominance Council and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, will conclude on Sunday with the adoption of energy-related recommendations.

The event brings together energy ministers from Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and several Southeast Asian nations including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Discussions are focused on strategies to build a strong and stable energy system in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing reliable, affordable, secure, and dispatchable energy supply.

On the sidelines, Minister Mahmud is expected to hold bilateral meetings with delegations from the United States, Japan, and Brunei, as well as representatives of international private organizations, to attract foreign investment and explore new areas of cooperation in Bangladesh’s energy sector.

More than 300,000 fishermen in Bhola’s Meghna and Tetulia river areas have not received government assistance two weeks after the fishing ban began. The government had pledged to provide 80 kilograms of rice per registered fisherman over two months to support them during the ban, but the aid distribution remains stalled. As a result, many fishermen are struggling to manage household expenses during Ramadan while facing loan pressures from NGOs and local lenders.

The two-month ban, aimed at protecting hilsa breeding, covers about 190 kilometers of river area from Ilisha to Char Piyal in the Meghna and from Char Veduria to Char Rustam in the Tetulia. Around 90,200 fishermen are listed to receive rice under the jatka conservation program, while 16,600 others are eligible for additional food support including lentils and oil. However, none of the promised supplies have reached them even after ten days of the ban.

Bhola’s district fisheries officer, Iqbal Hossain, said the allocated VGF rice for registered fishermen will be distributed soon and that the administration is working to resolve the delay quickly.

Ahead of Eid, allegations have surfaced of excessive fare collection on the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway, a key route for travelers from 21 southwestern districts. Passengers heading home for the holidays are facing double or even triple fares on both long-distance and local transport. Despite a posted fare list at Shibchar’s Pachchar roundabout, commuters report that controlling inflated fares remains difficult without strict administrative action.

Following the opening of the Padma Bridge, connectivity between Dhaka and the southwest improved significantly, but fare exploitation persists. Shibchar passengers have been particularly affected, with local transport fares previously set at 200 taka now reduced to 170 taka after intervention by the newly elected MP, Sayeed Uddin Ahmad Hanjala. He stated that extortion at Surjanagar and Pachchar stops had forced passengers to pay extra, and that measures were being taken to stop such practices.

Highway police officials said additional patrols will be deployed during Eid to ensure passenger safety and prevent accidents, while maintaining constant monitoring of vehicle speed and order on the expressway.

Industrial police in Chattogram have warned of potential worker unrest in nearly 50 garment factories ahead of Eid, citing concerns over timely payment of wages and bonuses. Although discussions are ongoing under the mediation of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), several factories remain at high risk. Authorities have urged all factories to complete payments before the final working day on March 18.

According to officials, 66 factories were initially marked as vulnerable, including 25 BGMEA members. The government has announced a Tk 2,500 crore soft loan to help factories manage wage and bonus pressures, especially those operating under subcontracts. Industrial police report that 17 factories have already cleared payments, while others have pledged to do so soon. BGMEA leaders said 12 to 15 member factories still face difficulties, but efforts are underway to resolve them.

Law enforcement agencies are on alert to prevent any attempt by opportunistic groups to exploit potential unrest. Authorities believe that ensuring fair loan distribution and timely payments will help avert major disruptions in the export-oriented garment sector.

Global financial markets have turned volatile following the launch of joint U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran. The U.S. stock market has been hit particularly hard, losing more than $2 trillion in value over the past two weeks. The benchmark S&P 500 index, which tracks the performance of major American companies, fell again, closing 0.61 percent lower at 6,632.19 points—its lowest level so far in 2026 and about 5 percent below its recent peak.

The index had closed at 6,878.88 points on February 27, the day before the attacks on Iran began, marking a 3.6 percent decline since then. Analysts estimate that the drop has wiped out roughly $2.2 trillion in market capitalization from S&P 500-listed firms. Rising oil prices and uncertainty surrounding the Iran conflict have heightened investor anxiety, leading to widespread selling pressure.

Because the S&P 500 is closely tied to pension and investment funds, the ongoing market instability could also affect ordinary investors across the United States.

Iranian authorities have arrested a 37-year-old man accused of selling internet access through Starlink terminals, according to the state news agency ISNA. The man was detained in the city of Shiraz and allegedly built a network across several provinces to provide unrestricted internet connections using Starlink equipment. Officials did not disclose the exact date of the arrest.

The report noted that Iran has faced near-total internet blackouts since the start of the current conflict, prompting many citizens to seek alternative access through SpaceX’s Starlink service. However, the use of Starlink in Iran is officially banned, and such activities are treated as criminal offenses.

Earlier in January, following anti-government protests, Iranian authorities imposed an 18-day nationwide internet shutdown, reflecting the government’s continued control over online communications.

Iran is exporting significantly more oil than usual despite the ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Associated Press journalist Inzamam Rashid. He reported that around 1,000 ships remain anchored near the strait’s entrance, including about 200 oil tankers. Rashid told Al Jazeera that the strait is one of the world’s busiest waterways, typically carrying about 20 percent of global oil supply, or roughly 20 million barrels per day. However, he noted that this normal flow has not been observed for about nine days, and most of the few tankers that managed to pass were used for Iranian oil exports.

The Joint Maritime Information Center has warned that the threat level in the waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz is currently at a “critical” stage. The organization issued this alert based on its latest risk assessment. Rashid emphasized that under these conditions, Iran is exporting “much more oil” than before.

The situation underscores heightened tension in a key global energy corridor, with maritime security risks remaining severe.

Two large units of the Ashuganj Power Station Company in Brahmanbaria were shut down on Friday afternoon following a fault in the national grid line. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. when a loud noise was heard, leading to the shutdown of the 400 MW North and 400 MW East units. As a result, approximately 550 megawatts of electricity supply to the national grid was reduced.

According to the plant’s technical division, Ashuganj Power Station had five active units producing about 750 megawatts before the fault. The company’s Executive Director (Technical), Engineer Md. Abdul Majid, stated that the issue originated from the Ashuganj–Vulta 400 kV grid line, which caused the two units to trip. He added that the cause of the fault was being investigated and that efforts were underway to restore the units by night.

Due to insufficient gas supply, the two 800 MW-capacity units had been generating around 550 MW before the shutdown.

The United States has temporarily eased sanctions on the purchase of Russian oil and petroleum products to mitigate the global economic impact caused by the ongoing war in Iran, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He stated that the 30-day relaxation would not provide significant financial benefits to the Russian government.

In contrast, UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks told the BBC that the United Kingdom would 'in no way' relax its restrictions on Russian oil, warning that such a move could allow Vladimir Putin to further invest in the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin, however, described the US decision as an attempt to stabilize the energy market, suggesting that the move serves the interests of both countries.

The announcement came as oil prices surged above 100 dollars per barrel on Thursday amid threats to halt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest oil transport routes.

The government has announced a five-year plan to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and water bodies across Bangladesh. As part of this initiative, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the program on March 16 in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur district by launching a canal excavation project. Simultaneously, ministers, advisers, the Chief Whip of the National Parliament, state ministers, whips, and members of parliament will inaugurate similar projects in 53 other districts.

According to information from the Planning-3 branch of the Ministry of Water Resources, the program is expected to have a positive impact on agriculture and irrigation, increase agricultural production, and create employment opportunities in rural areas. It will also help raise surface water levels, reducing dependence on groundwater and mitigating drought, floods, and waterlogging.

The initiative aligns with the government’s election manifesto and aims to strengthen water resource management and rural development over the next five years.

The Bangladesh government has resumed formal discussions with a Japanese consortium to operationalize the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The high-level meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the directive of Prime Minister Tareq Rahman, was attended by senior officials from both countries. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said the government is optimistic about reaching a mutually beneficial agreement with Japan to launch the terminal as soon as possible.

The meeting focused on key financial and operational issues, including embarkation fees, revenue sharing, and upfront fees for terminal management. State Minister for Civil Aviation M. Rashiduzzaman Millat described the talks as positive, noting that both sides presented their proposals and agreed to continue discussions. The Japanese delegation, led by Takahashi Naoki and Rieko Nakayama, will review Bangladesh’s proposals and submit revised ones soon.

The terminal, 99 percent complete, has faced delays due to disagreements over management and revenue-sharing terms during the interim government. Funded by JICA and involving several Japanese corporations, the project aims to handle up to 16 million passengers annually once operational.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor A.J.M. Zahid Hossain said that the canal excavation initiative, emphasized by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman before the election, will help maintain environmental balance and increase agricultural production. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon after inspecting a canal at Balrampur Sahapara in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur district.

The minister noted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit Faridpur area in Dinajpur on March 16 to pay respects at the graves of his grandparents and aunt. He also highlighted that northern Bangladesh has fewer trees compared to other regions, with only about 8 to 9 percent of land covered by greenery, whereas at least 25 percent coverage is needed for a balanced environment.

As part of the government’s ongoing green revolution efforts, the minister announced that the formal inauguration of the canal excavation program will take place on March 16 in Kaharol, marking the beginning of this environmental and agricultural development initiative.

The BNP government will begin a pilot program to provide monthly honorariums to imams, muezzins, and khadems at 4,908 mosques across Bangladesh before Eid-ul-Fitr. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the initiative on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the program on March 12.

The initiative also includes 990 Hindu temples, 144 Buddhist monasteries, and 396 Christian churches. Under the pilot phase, each mosque will receive Tk 10,000 per month, distributed as Tk 5,000 for the imam, Tk 3,000 for the muezzin, and Tk 2,000 for the khadem. Temples, monasteries, and churches will each receive Tk 8,000, divided among their respective religious leaders and assistants. Annual festival bonuses are also planned, with Tk 1,000 twice yearly for mosque staff and Tk 2,000 for other major religious festivals.

The government plans to implement the program in four phases, requiring Tk 1,100 crore in 2026–27 and rising to Tk 4,400 crore by 2029–30 for full implementation.

Road Transport, Bridges, Railways, and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that from March 15, adequate fuel supply will be ensured for public transport across Bangladesh. He confirmed that fuel prices will not increase, eliminating the risk of fare hikes or transport disruptions due to fuel shortages. The assurance came from the energy minister, according to Sheikh Robiul Alam, who made the remarks on March 13 while inspecting Dhaka’s main railway station on the first day of Eid train operations.

The minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed authorities to modernize and make rail communication more people-friendly, enabling faster and more comfortable long-distance travel. He noted that around 12.5 to 15 million people leave Dhaka within two to three days during Eid, posing a major logistical challenge that the government is working to manage efficiently.

To strengthen the transport system, new coaches, buses, and vessels will be added, and discipline in bus operations will be improved. The minister also mentioned enhanced security measures involving multiple law enforcement agencies and volunteers to ensure smooth Eid travel.