Bangladesh has received a major relief as 15 cargo ships carrying fuel, gas, and industrial raw materials have begun arriving at Chattogram Port despite fears of disruption in the Hormuz Strait due to the ongoing Iran-Israel-US conflict. According to port authorities, 12 of the ships have already docked, while the remaining three are expected within the week. The shipments include liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and clinker for the cement industry.

The tension around the Hormuz Strait escalated after a joint US-Israel strike on Iran on February 28, followed by Tehran’s warnings. About 20 percent of global oil and LNG supplies pass through this route, making it crucial for Bangladesh, which imports from seven Gulf countries. Four LNG ships from Qatar crossed the strait before the conflict intensified, while one more remains inside awaiting passage.

Officials noted that while current shipments have arrived safely, continued instability could complicate future cargo movements through the strait, potentially affecting Bangladesh’s energy imports.

Twelve ships that departed through the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman before the outbreak of war between Iran, the United States, and Israel have reached the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port. Three more vessels are expected to arrive within the week. Among the arrivals, four are carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG), two contain liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and nine are loaded with clinker, a raw material for the cement industry.

According to Khairul Alam Sujon, former director of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, these ships left the Middle East before navigation through the Hormuz Strait was halted due to the conflict. He added that several other ships are still en route, while a few remain near or inside the strait.

Sujon stated that the government, shipping lines, vessel owners, cargo owners, and mariners are closely monitoring the war situation. If threats in the Hormuz Strait subside, normal maritime operations are expected to resume quickly.

A sudden shortage of petrol has been reported across multiple filling stations in Rangpur Division, where customers claim a syndicate is deliberately withholding fuel to create an artificial crisis. Despite government instructions on fuel distribution limits, petrol has become unavailable at most pumps, forcing consumers to buy octane instead. In response, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and the district administration launched joint drives, fining and warning pump owners for non-compliance.

On Saturday, long queues formed at petrol stations as motorcyclists and car owners struggled to refuel. Several customers accused pump owners of hoarding petrol to manipulate prices, while some station managers argued that supply disruptions were due to depot closures on Friday and Saturday. However, mobile courts found evidence of petrol being withheld despite available stock.

The mobile court fined the Shapla Uniq Petrol Pump Tk 10,000 and the City Petrol Pump Tk 20,000 for creating artificial shortages. Officials confirmed that sufficient fuel supply exists and urged the public not to panic or buy excessively. The inspection drives will continue across all pumps in Rangpur.

Foreign oil companies have begun withdrawing their employees from Iraq’s oil fields, according to footage obtained by Reuters showing workers crossing the Safwan border into Kuwait. A security guard from the US oil company Halliburton, Mohammad Ta’meh, told Reuters that foreign staff left Iraq due to the deteriorating security situation and will decide their next steps from Kuwait.

Another US oil producer, HKN Energy, halted oil production on Friday after reports of attacks by terrorist groups. The withdrawals and production halt come as oil fields across the region have become targets during a week-long conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

The developments highlight the growing instability in Iraq’s energy sector and the potential disruption to regional oil operations as security threats intensify.

Bangladesh’s macroeconomic stability is under significant pressure, according to Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). Speaking on Saturday at a shadow parliament debate titled “Economic Stability to Meet Public Expectations” held at the FDC auditorium in Dhaka, she said the economy is at a stage that requires transformation. The event was organized by Debate for Democracy and chaired by its chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron.

Dr. Khatun highlighted multiple challenges including high inflation, limited fiscal space, stagnation in private investment, monetary risks, heavy debt burden, energy sector stress, political uncertainty, and both domestic and global pressures. She emphasized that macroeconomic discipline is essential to restore stability. The newly elected government, she noted, faces major tasks such as restoring stability, strengthening governance, rebuilding investor confidence, and creating employment.

She added that the government has outlined goals to reshape the economy, aiming for a one-trillion-dollar size by 2034, increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio, boosting investment, and expanding social protection through family and farmer cards. She stressed the need for coordinated monetary and fiscal policies to control demand pressures and stabilize inflation expectations.

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.

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.

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 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.

The Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) has developed two new Aman rice varieties named 'BINA Dhan-27' and 'BINA Dhan-28', marking a new milestone in the country’s rice research. The varieties were officially approved for nationwide cultivation at the 115th meeting of the National Seed Board held at the Ministry of Agriculture. With these additions, BINA’s total number of developed rice varieties has reached 28.

'BINA Dhan-27' is the country’s first high-yielding Aman rice resistant to blast disease, incorporating two effective resistance genes, Pi9 and Pish. The variety grows 95–100 centimeters tall, resists lodging in strong winds, and yields six to 6.5 tons per hectare on average, reaching up to seven tons under favorable conditions. 'BINA Dhan-28' is a zinc-enriched, aromatic, medium-slender rice developed through marker-assisted backcrossing, containing 24.83 milligrams of zinc per kilogram.

Researchers said 'BINA Dhan-28' matures in 120–125 days, yields about 6.5 tons per hectare, and produces fluffy, tasty rice with 27.42% amylose content. BINA officials believe these varieties will enhance farmers’ income, improve nutritional security, and reduce production costs.

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.

Climate change has become a harsh daily reality for Bangladesh, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. Rising global temperatures are directly and indirectly affecting rivers, agriculture, forests, biodiversity, and human life. The country’s northwestern Barind region is already showing early signs of dryness and desertification, prompting warnings from international climate and desertification researchers that the area may gradually turn into a desert.

In response, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has set four key criteria for assessing climate impacts: identifying the most affected populations, determining regions most prone to natural disasters, evaluating population exposure to risk, and reviewing adaptation measures taken by affected areas or countries. Based on these indicators, Bangladesh is now facing a multidimensional crisis encompassing environmental, social, and economic challenges.

The situation underscores the urgency for comprehensive adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect vulnerable ecosystems such as the Sundarbans and safeguard communities from escalating climate threats.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) announced that the government has not yet made any decision to increase fuel prices amid the current crisis. The statement, signed by BPC Secretary Shahina Sultana and issued on Friday, emphasized that fuel must be sold at government-fixed prices and that charging extra under the pretext of crisis is a legal offense. It also noted that fuel prices are set by the government at the beginning of each month.

The BPC further stated that reports have emerged of some consumers attempting to stockpile fuel by purchasing more than necessary from dealers and filling stations. The matter has come to the attention of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division and other relevant authorities. To reduce public fear, the BPC assured that fuel imports and distribution across the country are continuing as scheduled, with regular shipments arriving and supplies being sent to depots by rail wagons and tankers.

The corporation expressed hope that a sufficient buffer stock of fuel will be established in the country within a short period.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said that achieving a global standard in information sharing is essential for delivering modern government services. He stated that such progress would allow talent to flourish even at the village level. The minister made these remarks on Friday while addressing an iftar gathering organized by the Dhaka Reporters Unity, where the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli was also present.

Swapan noted that information sharing currently operates through a hybrid system and that in today’s device-based society, the exchange of information has become much more extensive. He emphasized the need for regular consultations with journalists to address issues facing the media sector.

The minister added that solving media-related problems requires a proper understanding of their structure, comparing it to diagnosing and treating an illness. He urged journalists to submit specific proposals to help resolve their professional challenges.