The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that global hunger could reach record levels in 2026 if the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues. The agency estimates that more than 45 million additional people could face severe food insecurity, adding to the current 318 million already struggling worldwide. Rising oil prices above 100 dollars per barrel and disruptions to shipping routes have intensified the crisis.

According to the WFP, the situation mirrors the global food shock seen during the 2022 Ukraine war. Even though the conflict is not directly affecting major food-producing regions, higher fuel costs are driving up transportation, fertilizer, and agricultural expenses, pushing food prices higher. A WFP official warned that those already vulnerable will suffer the most if humanitarian aid remains insufficient.

The near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz and increased risks in the Red Sea have disrupted maritime trade, further raising the prices of oil, fertilizer, and food. Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia are identified as the most at risk, with food insecurity projected to rise by up to 24 percent in some regions.

Five additional fuel-laden ships anchored at Chattogram Port between Tuesday and Wednesday morning, despite the closure of the Hormuz Strait due to conflict in the Middle East. Three of the ships began unloading oil at the Dolphin Jetty, while two remained at the outer anchorage. Since the strait’s closure on March 3, a total of 23 fuel and gas vessels have arrived in 14 days, with 18 already unloaded and departed. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) confirmed more shipments are scheduled this month.

Naval and Coast Guard forces have increased security around tankers and depots, deploying patrols in the Karnaphuli River and nearby areas. The latest arrivals include one LNG carrier from Australia and two high-sulfur fuel oil tankers from Singapore. BPC officials said the government is securing new supply sources and has signed deals with Saudi Arabia for diesel and gasoline shipments expected by March 27.

According to BPC, current supply levels remain stable, and earlier fuel rationing at pumps has ended as demand and distribution normalized.

A global energy crisis has erupted as the war in the Middle East disrupts oil supplies, prompting Asian nations to rush for Russian crude. On March 13, the United States temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil and petroleum products for 30 days, allowing trade of previously stranded shipments. This move has triggered intense competition among countries such as India and China to secure Russian oil reserves.

India has doubled its Russian oil imports to 1.8 million barrels per day to safeguard energy security, though experts warn it cannot fully replace the 2.6 million barrels previously sourced from the Middle East. China’s state-owned firms, including Sinopec and PetroChina, have resumed talks with suppliers to restart purchases halted since November. Southeast Asian nations like the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia are also showing new interest in Russian oil despite earlier caution over U.S. sanctions.

Analysts caution that the U.S. waiver is temporary, leaving uncertainty about long-term supply stability. Experts note that while Russian oil may ease short-term shortages, it cannot fully offset the Middle Eastern deficit, suggesting continued competition in Asia’s energy markets.

The Bangladesh Passengers Welfare Association has alleged that fare irregularities during this year’s Eid travel season are set to break a 20-year record. In a statement sent to the media on Wednesday, the association’s secretary general Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury said that around 87 percent of buses and minibuses are charging extra fares, ignoring government directives. The report noted that fares on routes from Dhaka to various districts have risen sharply, with some routes charging more than double the usual rate.

The association’s survey estimated that long-distance travelers could be overcharged by about Tk 121.8 crore in total, while city bus passengers may pay an additional Tk 26.1 crore, bringing the total excess collection to nearly Tk 148 crore. It attributed the fare hikes to extortion, rising operational costs, Eid bonuses, and owners’ profit motives. The group also criticized the lack of passenger representation in monitoring teams.

To curb the situation, the association recommended introducing digital transactions in public transport, reducing cash payments, expanding CCTV surveillance, and enforcing transport laws more strictly.

Electricity supply in Sandwip, Chattogram, was restored on Wednesday afternoon after a 30-hour disruption caused by severe storms. Most areas of the island regained power, but the Sandwip Upazila Health Complex remained without electricity at the time of reporting, leaving patients in distress. Upazila Health Officer Manas Biswas said the hospital was in complete darkness, making it impossible to operate essential medical equipment.

Upazila Executive Engineer (Electricity) Tanvir Hossain attributed the hospital’s outage to internal wiring faults, noting that the main line outside was active. He explained that strong winds had broken tree branches onto power lines and damaged several transformers, but repair teams had restored the main grid connection. The prolonged blackout also affected the island’s economy, with small cold storage owners reporting spoilage of fish and perishable goods.

Local poultry farmers suffered losses as well, with high temperatures and lack of ventilation causing illness and deaths among chickens. Residents urged greater coordination among government departments to modernize Sandwip’s power system and ensure faster post-storm repairs.

Brazil has implemented new regulations restricting minors' access to social media, effective from Tuesday. The rules aim to protect children and teenagers from exposure to violent and illegal content. The law, passed last year following a scandal involving the sexual exploitation of minors on Instagram, is now being enforced across the country.

Under the new system, users under 16 must link their accounts to those of their legal guardians, and digital platforms are required to introduce effective age verification mechanisms to prevent users under 18 from accessing pornographic or violent material. The National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) will oversee enforcement, with its director Iage Miola confirming that self-declaration of age is now prohibited. Companies violating the law could face fines of up to nine million US dollars, account suspensions, or bans for repeated offenses.

A transition period has begun to clarify the technical aspects of implementation. Experts note that Brazil’s approach extends beyond social media to broader internet regulation, setting it apart from other countries’ measures.

Import and export operations at the Sonamasjid land port in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj will remain suspended for ten consecutive days during the Eid holidays. The suspension will be in effect from March 18 to March 27, 2026, as confirmed by Arif Uddin Iti, general secretary of the Sonamasjid Importers and Exporters Group. Normal operations are scheduled to resume on March 28.

According to Kamal Khan, operations manager of Panama Sonamasjid Port Link Limited, limited activities such as loading, unloading, and transportation of goods already present at the port will continue during the closure. Meanwhile, Jamirul Islam, in charge of the Sonamasjid Immigration Checkpost, stated that cross-border travel for passport holders between Bangladesh and India will proceed as usual throughout the holiday period.

The temporary suspension aims to accommodate the Eid holidays while maintaining essential port and immigration functions in a limited capacity.

Bangladesh Bank has cautioned that the country’s remittance inflows may decline if the ongoing US–Iran conflict in the Middle East becomes prolonged or expands geographically. Nearly half of Bangladesh’s total remittances currently come from Middle Eastern countries, and the central bank’s latest report notes that while the flow remains strong, its future stability depends on how long the regional tensions persist. A short-term conflict may have limited impact, but a sustained crisis could significantly reduce remittance earnings.

The report highlights that remittance inflows reached USD 8.67 billion in the October–December quarter, up 14.38 percent from the previous quarter and nearly 20 percent higher year-on-year. Saudi Arabia contributed the highest amount, followed by the UAE, the UK, Malaysia, and the US. During the same period, 293,474 workers went abroad, most of them to Saudi Arabia. From July to mid-March, total remittances stood at USD 24.65 billion, a 22.6 percent increase from the previous year.

Bangladesh Bank stated that if the current trend continues, the country’s foreign exchange reserves could strengthen further, though geopolitical uncertainty remains a key risk factor.

A severe storm that began late Monday night has disrupted the entire electricity transmission system in Sandwip, Chattogram, leaving the island without power for more than 24 hours. By Tuesday afternoon, electricity had been partially restored in parts of southern Sandwip, but large areas in the north, including Bauria, Gachhua, Kalapania, Santoshpur, and Dirghapara unions, remained without power. The outage has caused major disruptions to daily life and essential services.

Health facilities have been hit particularly hard. Upazila Health Officer Manas Biswas said that the prolonged power failure severely hampered normal healthcare operations, with patients suffering in the heat and medical equipment becoming difficult to operate. Local businesses also reported heavy losses, with cold storage owners fearing spoilage of perishable goods and shopkeepers struggling to attract customers in dark stores.

Residents expressed frustration over the lack of response from responsible officials. Calls to the local executive engineer went unanswered, leaving uncertainty about when power will be fully restored. Locals urged authorities to adopt modern systems to ensure faster power restoration after natural disasters.

The article highlights the growing importance of the blue economy in the 21st century as a foundation for sustainable economic growth, employment generation, and improved livelihoods through the responsible use of ocean resources. It notes that Bangladesh gained 118,813 square kilometers of maritime area following international court rulings in 2012 and 2014, marking a major step toward developing its sea-based economy centered on the Bay of Bengal.

The Bay of Bengal hosts rich biodiversity, including hundreds of species of fish, shrimp, and marine plants, supporting the livelihoods of about 30 million people and contributing roughly three percent to Bangladesh’s GDP. The article emphasizes the need for training, technology, and modern fishing tools to increase marine harvests sustainably. It also warns that overfishing, unregulated mineral extraction, and marine pollution threaten ecological balance.

The report concludes that proper management of Bangladesh’s blue economy could significantly boost national development, with opportunities in tourism, renewable energy, and marine industries, while maintaining environmental sustainability.

Severe nor’wester storms and hail on Sunday night caused widespread damage to crops and homes in several parts of Bangladesh, particularly in Naogaon and Sherpur districts. In Naogaon, the storm lasted about 30 minutes, damaging 731.5 hectares of farmland, including banana, maize, wheat, potato, and vegetables. The Department of Agricultural Extension reported that 225 hectares of banana, 216 hectares of maize, and 216 hectares of wheat were affected, with banana and maize losses valued at over Tk 172 crore. Many banana and papaya trees were uprooted or broken just before harvest.

In Sherpur’s Nalitabari upazila, Saturday night’s storm and hail destroyed homes and trees, leaving around 35 families homeless. The worst-hit area was Singuarpara village in Rupnarayankura union, where 30–35 houses were completely destroyed. Power supply was disrupted in several areas, and many residents were forced to stay under the open sky. Local officials visited the affected sites and informed higher authorities for assistance.

Agricultural officials advised farmers to prepare for recovery and future disaster resilience, while weather observers recorded wind speeds up to 50 km per hour and 29 millimeters of rainfall during the storm.

The 'Zia Canal' in Shayestaganj, Habiganj, once linked to late President Ziaur Rahman’s canal excavation program, is now on the verge of extinction due to encroachment, pollution and lack of maintenance. Locals say the canal, dug during Ziaur Rahman’s 1978 visit to the area, once played a vital role in irrigation and flood control but has since deteriorated severely.

Elderly residents recall that before the canal’s excavation, farmers in the region suffered from water shortages during dry months and severe flooding during monsoon. The canal had provided relief by improving irrigation and drainage. Local leaders, including former municipal BNP president Korom Ali and former vice-chairman A S M Afzal Ali, emphasized the canal’s historical and agricultural importance and urged for its immediate restoration.

Habiganj-3 MP and Parliament Whip G K Gaus pledged to prioritize the canal’s dredging, citing both public demand and the site’s association with Ziaur Rahman’s legacy.

Bangladesh’s export trade has been severely disrupted by the ongoing conflict centered on Iran involving the United States and Israel. The closure of airspace, instability in the Strait of Hormuz, and rising international shipping charges have hindered cargo transport. Exporters of agricultural goods, ready-made garments, and frozen foods are facing losses, with officials warning that prolonged conflict could exert major pressure on foreign trade.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh exported about 80 million dollars’ worth of goods to Middle Eastern countries in fiscal year 2024–25, including vegetables, garments, and processed foods. Exports to Iran totaled roughly 539,000 dollars, limited by sanctions and banking restrictions. The war has halted air shipments, leaving 80 tons of vegetables grounded in a single day. The Middle East accounts for about 60 percent of Bangladesh’s vegetable exports, and the suspension of flights has nearly frozen this trade.

Garment industry leaders report rising production costs due to fuel shortages and shipping delays. The Export Promotion Bureau notes exports have fallen 3.15 percent in the first eight months of 2025–26. Stakeholders warn that unless transport routes normalize soon, Bangladesh’s export sector faces escalating risks.

Islamic banks in Bangladesh experienced a decline in key financial indicators in January 2026, according to the latest Bangladesh Bank report. Deposits in the sector fell by about Tk 2,569 crore, while investments dropped by Tk 176 crore. At the end of January, total deposits stood at Tk 4,73,657 crore, down 0.57 percent from December. Despite the monthly fall, deposits were 9.34 percent higher than a year earlier.

The report showed that ten full-fledged Islamic banks held Tk 4,04,023 crore in deposits, while Islamic branches of conventional banks had Tk 42,623 crore, and Islamic windows held Tk 26,010 crore. The sector’s investment position stood at Tk 5,84,574 crore, slightly lower than December’s Tk 5,84,750 crore, though up by over 11 percent year-on-year. Remittance inflows through Islamic banks fell by about seven percent, and export earnings dropped four percent, while imports rose by more than 16 percent.

Industry sources attributed the deposit decline partly to customer withdrawals following the merger of several Islamic banks, which have begun refunding Tk 2 lakh per depositor.

World Bank South Asia Vice President Johannes Zutt concluded a three-day visit to Bangladesh on Tuesday, during which he met with senior government officials including the finance and planning ministers, the commerce minister, the prime minister’s economic adviser, and the Bangladesh Bank governor. Discussions focused on the government’s development priorities and areas where the World Bank Group could provide support.

Zutt stated that the government is prioritizing large-scale job creation alongside skills development and investment, with the World Bank committed to assisting in these goals. He noted that 14 million young people entered Bangladesh’s labor market in the past decade, but only 8.7 million jobs were created, leaving nearly half of the youth unemployed, particularly women facing greater challenges. He emphasized the need for long-pending macroeconomic and financial sector reforms to sustain growth and employment amid global uncertainty.

The World Bank Group continues to support Bangladesh through investments in physical and human infrastructure, promotion of a business-friendly environment, and mobilization of private capital, having provided over $46 billion in grants and concessional loans since independence.