The Bangladesh government has issued new directives to regulate fuel purchases at filling stations as global energy markets face disruption due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The directives, released by the Energy Division on Friday, aim to control panic buying and manage limited supplies in Dhaka, where long queues and disputes have been reported at fuel stations.

According to the new rules, filling stations must provide receipts specifying fuel type, quantity, and price for each purchase, and consumers must present previous receipts when refueling again. Dealers are required to follow allocation limits and supply guidelines, while fuel marketing companies must verify stock and sales data before releasing new allocations. The directives also set limits on how much fuel stations can draw from depots and how much consumers can buy.

The measures are intended to stabilize domestic fuel distribution and prevent hoarding as Bangladesh experiences the ripple effects of the global energy shortage.

The Kremlin has reported a significant rise in global demand for Russian energy products due to the ongoing war in Iran, according to Al Jazeera. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the conflict has increased the need for Russian oil and gas in world markets. He emphasized that Russia remains a reliable supplier of both pipeline and liquefied energy resources.

The war has also disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transport routes, which is now nearly closed. This disruption has placed many countries at risk of losing access to about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. A day earlier, the U.S. Treasury granted a 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea.

Analysts cited in the report noted that if tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, Russia’s role in the global energy market could become even more significant.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Division under Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has issued new directives urging immediate energy-saving measures across all sectors. The announcement, made on March 6, 2026, responds to potential disruptions in international energy supply chains caused by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The ministry emphasized the need for precautionary actions to ensure national energy security and optimal resource utilization.

The directives call on government offices, autonomous bodies, private organizations, commercial establishments, and citizens to adopt specific conservation practices. These include reducing unnecessary gas and fuel consumption, checking gas pipelines and burners for leaks, avoiding illegal gas use, promoting public transport and carpooling, and limiting non-essential travel. Institutions are instructed to implement energy-saving measures during and after office hours.

The ministry also urged all concerned parties to raise public awareness and cooperate in implementing the guidelines to safeguard national energy security.

In Haimchar upazila of Chandpur, cultivation of black cumin on previously fallow char lands has opened new opportunities for local farmers. Due to low production costs and high profitability within a short period, black cumin is now being called the 'black diamond' by farmers. According to the upazila agriculture office, cultivation has expanded from just one hectare last year to 18 hectares this year.

Farmers are growing the crop on sandy-loam soils after the rice harvest, supported by two government projects: the Modern Agricultural Technology Expansion Project in Bangladesh’s Char Areas and the Sustainable Agricultural Technology Expansion Project in the Cumilla region. These initiatives provide materials and technical assistance to farmers.

Officials noted that the soil’s pH level of 6.5 to 7.0 is ideal for black cumin cultivation. The Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Chandpur expressed optimism that with proper marketing systems, Haimchar could become a major production hub for black cumin in the future.

The United States Department of the Treasury has granted India a temporary exemption from sanctions to purchase Russian oil that remains stranded at sea. The special waiver, valid for 30 days, was announced to help maintain stability in global oil supplies. The decision was confirmed by US Treasury Secretary Scott Basent in a post on social media platform X.

According to Basent, the move aims to keep global oil flows steady and counter Iran’s attempts to create pressure in the international energy market. He emphasized that the measure is short-term and will not provide significant financial benefits to the Russian government, as it applies only to stranded energy shipments.

Following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, US President Donald Trump had imposed sanctions on Russian oil, forcing buyers to seek alternative sources. India remains one of the largest purchasers of Russian energy, and this waiver allows limited continuation of those transactions under strict conditions.

A joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran has triggered widespread conflict across the Middle East, severely disrupting global energy and transport systems. Several sea and air routes have been closed, pushing up fuel prices and forcing shipping companies to reroute vessels. Sea-Land Shipping has already raised container transport charges on the China-Bangladesh route by USD 200–300 per 40-foot container, while other companies are preparing similar increases. Additional war surcharges are expected to be announced soon, threatening Bangladesh’s export and import sectors, especially the ready-made garment industry.

Sources report that the closure of the Hormuz Strait, a key energy transport route controlled by Iran, has left about 140 mother vessels carrying 350,000 containers stranded in the Gulf region. Shipping operators are reorganizing routes through longer paths such as the Cape of Good Hope, increasing costs by at least 35 percent and adding 12–15 days to delivery times. Air freight rates have also risen by up to USD 3.5 per kilogram, with airlines avoiding several Middle Eastern countries for safety reasons.

Industry representatives warn that rising freight costs could sharply increase export expenses, deepening the crisis for Bangladesh’s garment sector.

The Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA), representing insurers in London’s maritime market, has welcomed a U.S. initiative to ensure safe passage for vessels not under sanctions through the Strait of Hormuz. The association emphasized that maintaining secure sea routes is vital for global trade and economic stability. According to Neil Roberts, head of LMA’s Marine and Aviation division, around 1,000 ships are currently positioned in the Gulf and nearby waters, about half of which are oil and gas tankers.

Roberts explained that most ships remain anchored due to normal security concerns among owners and captains, though insurance coverage for these vessels remains active. Since Sunday, about 40 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz. Data from maritime analytics firm Kpler, released Wednesday, indicated that vessel traffic through the strait has dropped by roughly 90 percent compared to the previous week.

The slowdown in maritime movement underscores heightened regional risks, with potential implications for global energy supply and trade stability if the situation persists.

An interdepartmental committee of the Chattogram district administration conducted an on-site inspection at GPH Ispat Limited in Sitakunda to investigate allegations of environmental pollution, hill stream filling, and encroachment on government roads and water channels. The seven-member committee, led by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Sakhawat Jamil Soikat, visited the factory and surrounding areas for several hours on Wednesday.

Local residents alleged that GPH Ispat has long occupied government roads and natural water flow paths between Kumira and Banshbaria unions, causing persistent waterlogging in several villages and severe disruption to public movement. They also complained about noise pollution from high-decibel machinery. Despite repeated complaints to local and district authorities, no resolution had been achieved until the committee was formed in November last year.

Assistant Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun stated that the team inspected multiple points for about one and a half hours to verify claims of stream filling and road occupation. The findings will be compiled and submitted to senior officials for further action.

Ahsan Ullah has resigned from his position as Adviser to the Governor of Bangladesh Bank. According to the report, he submitted his resignation letter to the new governor on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. His decision came shortly after the appointment of a new governor, which followed the removal of Ahsan H. Mansur on February 25.

The report states that Ahsan Ullah faced internal criticism from several senior officials on the day the new governor was appointed. He cited this pressure as the reason for his resignation and did not return to the office afterward. The government appointed Mostakur Rahman as the new governor on the same day Ahsan H. Mansur left the central bank. Rahman is described as a businessman and a member of the BNP’s election management committee.

The leadership reshuffle at Bangladesh Bank has drawn attention amid reports of growing tension and concerns about the country’s economic situation, as noted by experts in the same publication.

Popular television presenter and producer Hanif Sanket and renowned singer Bashir Ahmed (posthumously) have been named recipients of Bangladesh’s highest civilian honor, the Independence Award 2026. The award recognizes individuals and institutions for their distinguished contributions at the national level. The final list of awardees was approved on Thursday, March 5, during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tareque Rahman at the Secretariat, according to Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani.

The list places A.K.M. Hanif (Hanif Sanket) at number seven and Bashir Ahmed at number eight. Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female head of government, will also receive the award posthumously for her contributions to independence, democracy, and women’s education. The Independence Award, instituted in 1977, is presented annually on March 26 to honor the memory of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.

The recognition underscores the government’s continued effort to honor individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to national life and development.

South Korea’s stock market experienced a major decline on Wednesday following reports of a joint US-Israel military strike, prompting authorities to temporarily halt trading. The KOSPI index dropped more than 8 percent, triggering an automatic 20-minute suspension under the market’s safety mechanism. When trading resumed, the index fell further, losing over 10 percent. Officials said the circuit breaker could be reactivated if the market drops by 15 percent.

This was the first activation of the circuit breaker since August 2024. The mechanism is designed to prevent excessive volatility by pausing trading during sharp declines. The temporary halt was part of the exchange’s standard risk control measures.

Analysts noted that South Korea’s heavy dependence on Middle Eastern oil imports and its export-driven economy make it particularly vulnerable to geopolitical instability. Disruptions in energy supply or trade routes can quickly affect investor confidence and market performance.

Global digital operator VEON Limited has partnered with the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation to jointly finance innovative digital projects in Bangladesh and Pakistan. The agreement was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed during the 2026 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Present at the signing were GSMA’s Chief Regulatory Officer and Foundation President John Giusti, Jazz CEO Amir Ibrahim, and Banglalink CEO Erik Aas.

Under the agreement, Jazz and Banglalink will co-finance selected Bangladeshi and Pakistani startups during the 2026 funding round. In addition to financial support, VEON and its subsidiaries will contribute to ecosystem development and capacity building, enabling selected ventures to expand more rapidly.

The GSMA Innovation Fund identifies and supports startups in developing countries that address socioeconomic and environmental challenges. Projects are selected through a transparent and competitive process following each funding round announcement, with final selections made after rigorous evaluation by the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation.

The Cabinet Division has issued an 11-point directive instructing all government offices to conserve electricity and fuel amid the current global crisis. The circular, sent on Thursday to all senior secretaries, divisional commissioners, and deputy commissioners, mandates that air conditioners be set at 25 degrees Celsius or above and that all decorative lighting be avoided. It also calls for responsible energy use by officials and employees across government, autonomous, statutory, and corporate offices.

The directive emphasizes maximizing natural light during daytime, using only half of existing lighting, and switching off unnecessary electrical devices such as fans, air conditioners, and computers when not in use. It further requires that all electrical equipment be turned off after office hours and that energy-efficient devices be prioritized. The use of official vehicles should be limited to save fuel.

The Cabinet Division requested all relevant authorities to ensure that these measures are implemented across their respective offices and agencies to promote national energy conservation.

A meeting at the Ministry of Water Resources discussed the implementation of a nationwide program for excavation and re-excavation of rivers, canals, and reservoirs. The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed and attended by Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad, and other senior officials. It was announced that the Prime Minister will inaugurate the canal excavation program before Eid at Sahapara Canal in Bororampur, Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur, while ministers, advisers, and MPs will inaugurate similar projects in 63 districts.

During the meeting, Mirza Abbas highlighted the historical significance of canal excavation and urged all concerned to work together to accelerate the program. Minister Annie Chowdhury emphasized that the lack of canal excavation over the years has worsened irrigation shortages and waterlogging, increasing public suffering. He assured that the government, as an elected body, will take all necessary measures for public welfare. State Minister Azad noted growing public enthusiasm and said the government aims to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals over the next five years under a 180-day implementation plan.

Senior secretaries from the Land, Disaster Management, and Local Government ministries, along with the Director General of the Water Development Board, were also present at the meeting.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast rain or thundershowers in five divisions, including Dhaka, by the end of the week. The change in weather is linked to an active low-pressure area over West Bengal and adjoining regions, along with a normal monsoon low over the southern Bay of Bengal. The forecast issued on Thursday, March 5, indicates that from Sunday evening, March 8, scattered rainfall may occur in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, and Barishal divisions, with the trend likely to continue for 48 hours.

According to the department, skies across the country may remain partly cloudy over the next 24 hours, with a slight rise in both day and night temperatures. Friday’s weather is expected to remain mostly dry nationwide. On Saturday, daytime temperatures may drop by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, while nighttime temperatures could rise slightly.

The agency added that light rain or thundershowers could occur again on Sunday and Monday in the same divisions, while other regions will likely remain dry. Overall, a tendency for rain or thundershowers is expected within the next five days due to the combined influence of the western low and moisture from the Bay of Bengal.