Four people were arrested by Kalabagan police at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka on Saturday morning during a procession marking the March 7 observance. The group of about 30 to 40 people had started their march from Dhanmondi 27 and were heading toward Dhanmondi 32 to place flowers when police intervened. The procession dispersed following the police obstruction.

According to Kalabagan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Fazle Ashiq, the four detainees—three women and one man—were taken into custody under the Anti-Terrorism Act and later sent to court. The arrests occurred as the group carried flowers during their procession to the historic site.

The report did not include further details about the identities of the detainees or the specific reasons for applying the Anti-Terrorism Act in this case.

The 59th Battalion of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has launched strict fuel inspections on India-bound trucks at the Sonamasjid land port in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj. The initiative began on Saturday amid global fuel instability caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East. BGB teams are measuring fuel levels in trucks entering from India and rechecking them when the vehicles return after unloading goods to ensure no excess fuel is taken back.

Lieutenant Colonel Golam Kibria, commanding officer of the 59 BGB Battalion, stated that the operation aims to prevent any smuggling of Bangladeshi fuel into India. He said the double-checking system will discourage smugglers and help protect national resources. The BGB official added that the inspection campaign will continue regularly in the public interest.

The move reflects Bangladesh’s broader efforts to safeguard domestic energy security and curb illegal fuel outflow during a period of international market volatility.

The body of Kohinur Akter, 30, wife of expatriate Nurul Islam from Ukhia’s Rajapalong Union, was recovered from beneath a lift at Cox’s Bazar District Sadar Hospital four days after she went missing. She had come to the hospital with her sick child and disappeared on March 4 after leaving to buy medicine. Her body was discovered Saturday morning after CCTV footage showed her entering the lift but not exiting.

Hospital officials said she likely fell into the lift shaft when the door opened before the lift arrived. The incident has raised serious questions about the hospital’s safety and surveillance systems. Relatives became agitated after the discovery, prompting police to intervene and restore order.

Law enforcement authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident. The body was sent for autopsy at the hospital morgue, while local residents expressed concern over how a body could remain undiscovered for days inside a busy hospital.

Thirty-one sailors of the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation vessel MV Banglar Joyjatra have been stranded for seven days at Jebel Ali port in the United Arab Emirates, caught in the middle of intensifying regional hostilities. Captain Md Shafiqul Islam Khan reported through a video message on March 5 that the crew faces daily missile and drone activity near the port, with explosions occasionally shaking the area. The ship arrived from Qatar on February 26 carrying 38,800 tons of steel coil, but unloading was halted as tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel escalated from February 28.

The captain described the situation as the most perilous in his three-decade career, with a missile recently striking an oil storage facility just 200 meters from the vessel. Although the ship has sufficient food and water, the crew remains deeply anxious about their safety. Families in Bangladesh are distraught as communication continues under fear and uncertainty.

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation’s managing director Commodore Mahmudul Malek said the government and embassy are closely monitoring the situation and have prepared evacuation plans if conditions worsen.

The Islamic University (IU) administration has temporarily suspended two assistant professors and one official following their implication in the murder case of Asma Sadia Runa, chairperson and assistant professor of the Department of Social Welfare. The suspended individuals are Assistant Professors Shyam Sundar Sarkar and Habibur Rahman, and Assistant Registrar Bishwajit Kumar Biswas of Ummul Mu’minin Ayesha Siddika Hall. The decision was announced on Saturday, March 7, 2026, through separate office orders signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Manjurul Haque.

According to the orders, the suspensions were made under Section 15(b) of the university’s service discipline rules after the accused were named in the initial police report filed under Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The suspension took effect from March 5, 2026, and the individuals will receive subsistence allowances as per university regulations.

The case stems from the fatal stabbing of Professor Runa inside her department office on March 4. Her husband, Imtiaz Sultan, filed a murder case the next day against four people, naming employee Fazlur Rahman as the prime accused. Police have already arrested Fazlur Rahman, who was under treatment in the ICU.

A joint operation by the Department of Narcotics Control and police in Khulna on Saturday led to the arrest of a woman carrying a large consignment of illegal firearms and ammunition allegedly smuggled from India. The suspect, identified as Suraiya Parvin Sumi from Satkhira, was detained during a search on a Khulna–Satkhira road in the Niz Khamar area. Authorities recovered five firearms, including three pistols and two revolvers, along with four magazines and 96 rounds of ammunition.

Officials said the operation was launched based on intelligence that a drug consignment was being transported from Satkhira to Dhaka. During the search, officers first seized 80 bottles of codeine phosphate from two women and later discovered the weapons in another vehicle. Police confirmed that the seized arms had entered Bangladesh through illegal routes from India and were being distributed nationwide for subversive activities.

Law enforcement agencies stated that they have obtained information about the suppliers and intended destinations of the weapons and have begun follow-up investigations based on those findings.

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh is set to resume hearing on March 8 on appeals challenging the 15th amendment to the Constitution. The case will be heard by an Appellate Division bench led by the Chief Justice. The appeal follows the High Court’s December 17 verdict, which had ruled on several provisions of the amendment. The Appellate Division had earlier, on November 13, granted permission to appeal against that verdict.

The 15th amendment, passed by Parliament on June 30, 2011, and approved by the President on July 3, 2011, abolished the caretaker government system and introduced several constitutional changes. These included recognizing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation, increasing reserved seats for women in Parliament from 45 to 50, restoring secularism and religious freedom, and adding nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism as state principles. It also criminalized unconstitutional seizure of state power as treason and revised election timing provisions.

The writ petition challenging the amendment was filed by Badiul Alam Majumdar and others, later joined by political leaders and organizations. The petitioners’ lawyers argue that the entire amendment should be annulled.

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.

Labour, Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has warned that strict action will be taken against those involved in the recent deterioration of law and order in Sylhet city. His remarks came after a series of robbery incidents in the area. Speaking to journalists on Saturday, March 7, 2026, following his participation in a Holi festival event at the Manipuri Rajbari in Mirzajangal, he said that no one responsible for the unrest will be spared.

The minister stated that the Prime Minister has declared a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and extortion, emphasizing that such activities will not be tolerated. He added that the administration has been instructed to arrest the robbers swiftly and bring them under the law, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring a safe Sylhet.

The Holi festival event was presided over by Digen Singh, president of the Academy for Manipuri Culture and Arts, and attended by Sylhet City Corporation administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury and other guests.

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.

Flights from Dhaka to parts of the Middle East have resumed on a limited scale as regional airspace restrictions begin to ease. Despite the situation not being fully normalized, routes to Oman and Saudi Arabia are now operating regularly, while some flights to the United Arab Emirates are gradually being reinstated. The partial resumption follows widespread cancellations caused by airspace closures across several Middle Eastern countries.

On February 28, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan closed their airspace due to security concerns, severely disrupting international air travel. Between February 28 and March 7, a total of 268 flights from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were canceled, including services by Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, and Emirates.

According to airport authorities, 214 flights to Muscat, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE operated between February 28 and March 7. Passengers have been advised to confirm flight status with their airlines before traveling.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that President Md. Shahabuddin will deliver a speech at the first session of the new parliament, in line with parliamentary tradition. He confirmed that all necessary preparations for the event have been completed. The minister made the statement on Saturday while speaking to journalists after the second day of a workshop held at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan.

During the discussion, the minister mentioned that the workshop would conclude with its fourth session later in the afternoon. He added that the government is working to ensure effective use of the legislative branch, particularly the national parliament, and to keep it active under the leadership of the head of the ruling party.

The announcement underscores the government’s readiness for the upcoming parliamentary session and its focus on strengthening parliamentary functions and governance.

The United States Embassy in Dhaka has issued a new advisory regarding travel to the US, warning that misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits could affect future eligibility for travel, study, or work in the country. The message was shared on the embassy’s verified Facebook page on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

According to the embassy’s statement, individuals planning to travel to the United States should ensure they have sufficient financial capacity to cover their own expenses, including potential disruptions or medical emergencies during the trip. The advisory emphasized that misuse of facilities funded by US taxpayers could lead to permanent consequences, potentially making individuals ineligible for future visas or entry into the United States.

The embassy’s message serves as a reminder for travelers to act responsibly and maintain compliance with US travel and financial requirements to avoid long-term restrictions on entry or participation in US programs.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance to prevent oil smuggling from Bangladesh to India. As part of the effort, fuel tanks of goods trucks arriving from India are being measured before entry into Bangladesh and again before returning to India. The initiative began on Saturday, March 7, at the zero line of the Sonamasjid land port in Chapainawabganj, according to a BGB press release.

The 59 BGB Battalion has set up a special checkpoint to measure fuel tanks and inspect entire vehicles to ensure no illegal transfer of fuel occurs. Additionally, the 53 BGB Battalion has strengthened patrols in border areas, increased manpower at border outposts, and established two extra checkpoints in nearby towns to reinforce anti-smuggling operations.

These measures reflect BGB’s broader strategy to tighten border control and prevent the illegal movement of fuel across the Bangladesh-India frontier.

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.