Riya Akter, 25, who was undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, died on Wednesday afternoon following severe injuries from a gas cylinder explosion in Turag’s Kamarpara Bamnartek area. Her death raised the death toll from the March 6 fire incident to three. Hospital sources confirmed that Riya suffered burns on about 32 percent of her body and severe respiratory injuries, which ultimately proved fatal despite intensive care.

The explosion occurred early on March 6 when a gas leak is believed to have caused a buildup inside a house, igniting as someone lit a stove. The fire spread rapidly, injuring ten people, including women and children. Two victims had already died earlier, and seven others remain hospitalized, several in critical condition. Doctors said the injured are under close observation due to extensive burns and airway damage.

Fire Service and local police are conducting an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion, though initial reports suggest a gas leak from a cooking cylinder.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) officials said there is little chance of a major diesel shortage in Bangladesh despite global concerns over fuel supply disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East. The country regularly imports diesel from multiple sources, including India, which recently began pumping a 5,000-ton shipment under an existing agreement. The small consignment drew disproportionate attention in Bangladeshi and Indian media, though India’s share of Bangladesh’s total diesel imports remains below 14 percent.

According to BPC data, Bangladesh’s annual diesel demand is around 4.4 million tons, with daily consumption averaging 12,000 tons. About 63 percent of the country’s total fuel use is diesel, mainly for agriculture, transport, and inland shipping. To maintain supply stability, Bangladesh imports through international tenders from Singapore, Malaysia, China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, among others. The Maitree pipeline from India’s Numaligarh refinery to Parbatipur was completed in 2022 to facilitate cross-border supply.

BPC officials said new tenders have been invited to diversify import sources further, including from Brunei, Saudi Arabia, and possibly the United States, ensuring continued supply security despite regional tensions.

Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the first match of their three-match ODI series held in Mirpur on March 12, 2026. Pakistan were bowled out for just 114 runs in 30.4 overs, with only the opening and final partnerships offering brief resistance. Bangladesh comfortably chased the target in 15.1 overs, finishing at 115 for 2. Opener Tanzid Tamim remained unbeaten on 67 off 42 balls, guiding the team to victory well before the scheduled break.

The match was dominated by Bangladesh’s bowlers, particularly Nahid Rana, who took five wickets for 24 runs in seven overs. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz added three wickets, while Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman also contributed. Pakistan’s batting collapsed after a steady start, with eight partnerships ending in single digits. The visitors’ decision to field four debutants backfired as their batting lineup faltered.

With this emphatic win, Bangladesh took a 1–0 lead in the series and moved within one victory of clinching it. The second ODI is scheduled for March 13.

Police in Sitakunda, Chattogram recovered the bloodied body of 25-year-old Youth Dal activist Sajib Chowdhury Akash from a tomato field in Guptakhali village under Muradpur Union on Wednesday morning. Locals discovered the body around 10:30 a.m. and informed police, who sent it to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for autopsy. Sajib, originally from Mirsarai’s Abutorab area, had been living with his maternal family in Sitakunda and worked at a CNG auto-rickshaw garage owned by local Youth Dal leader Md. Shahabuddin.

According to reports, a clash occurred Tuesday night between groups led by BNP leader Abdul Alim and Youth Dal’s Shahabuddin in the same area, leaving at least five people injured. Sajib went missing after the incident, and his family filed a general diary with Sitakunda Model Police Station that night. Locals believe the violence stemmed from a long-standing rivalry between the two groups over upcoming union council elections.

Police have arrested Rakib, 25, son of Md. Shahid of Guptakhali village, on suspicion of involvement. Investigators said the exact motive will be known after further inquiry, while officials noted the killing may be linked to local power struggles.

Residents of Dhalchar Union in Charfassion upazila of Bhola formed a human chain on March 11 demanding withdrawal of an extortion case filed against them. The case followed a clash between two groups over ownership of a foreign ship that had drifted to Char Nizam in 2022. The ship, named Alkubtan, reportedly arrived from Singapore and has since been claimed by multiple parties. Locals allege that after years of protecting the vessel, they were falsely accused of extortion and assault.

According to the report, Kazi Emdadul Haque from Dhaka claimed to have obtained the ship through a court auction and attempted to refloat it, leading to a confrontation with another group. He later filed a case accusing locals of demanding Tk 5 million in extortion and assaulting his team. Locals say they are being harassed and displaced from their homes. Police confirmed the conflict but said the situation is under control and that they are acting under court orders.

The dispute remains unresolved as both sides maintain their claims of legal ownership and wrongdoing.

Police in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar, rescued a 17-year-old named Mohammad Parvez within 16 hours of his abduction, following instructions from Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. The rescue took place around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Parvez, son of Manjur Alam from Harbang Union, was abducted while traveling home from his workplace in Amirabad, Lohagara. The incident occurred in the Ajinagar area of Chakaria.

According to family sources, the kidnappers called Parvez’s father from a specific mobile number and demanded ransom, prompting the family to alert law enforcement. Police launched an immediate operation under the minister’s directive. Chakaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monir Hossain confirmed that the abductors, part of an organized gang, took Parvez to a remote hilly area in Dulhazara. When police intensified their search, the kidnappers abandoned the boy and fled.

Parvez was safely returned to his family, and police operations to identify and arrest the abductors are ongoing, according to the Chakaria police official.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen met with Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo in Dhaka, where both sides discussed strengthening cooperation on environmental protection, forest management, and climate change mitigation. The meeting, held at the Forest Department in Agargaon, emphasized green development, technology exchange, pollution control, and eco-friendly infrastructure.

Minister Mintoo outlined Bangladesh’s initiatives to combat air, water, and noise pollution and sought continued Chinese support for climate-resilient development. He also highlighted government programs such as family and farmer cards, interest-free loans, tree plantation, canal excavation, and women’s empowerment. The minister announced a target to plant 250 million trees over five years, starting nationwide in May following a detailed plan to be finalized in April.

Ambassador Yao reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s environmental and sustainable development goals and expressed interest in joint projects, including tackling air pollution in Dhaka. Officials also discussed waste-to-energy initiatives under the Aminbazar Landfill modernization project, with both sides seeing potential for deeper technological cooperation.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued detailed instructions for guest entry and vehicle parking ahead of the first session of the 13th National Parliament, scheduled to be held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Thursday. The directives were announced in a press release signed by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman of DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division on Wednesday night.

According to the notice, three gates of the Parliament complex—Manipuripara Gate (No. 6), Bakultala Gate (No. 12), and Asad Gate (No. 1)—will remain open for invited guests. To reduce traffic congestion, guests have been advised to use Bakultala and Asad gates instead of Manipuripara Gate. Vehicles with Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, and Shapla stickers may park inside the Parliament premises, while those with Bakul, Shimul, and Shiuli stickers must park at the old trade fair ground. Media vehicles are instructed to park in a single line on the main road of Manik Mia Avenue.

Guests are requested to disembark at Tunnel Road before entering the Parliament building and to minimize time spent there, with drivers and companions asked not to leave their vehicles.

Dhaka Bar Association General Secretary Advocate Syed Nazrul Islam stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given journalists genuine freedom to report truthfully. He made the remarks on Wednesday, March 11, during an iftar gathering of the Court Reporters Unity (CRU) held at the Dhaka Judicial Court. Nazrul Islam praised journalists for their courage during previous authoritarian periods when press freedom was restricted and urged them to continue honest reporting.

He expressed gratitude to CRU members for their integrity and bravery, assuring that the Dhaka Bar and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) would continue to support them. BNP Central Assistant Law Affairs Secretary Syed Zainul Abedin Mezbah emphasized that journalists’ unity strengthens their ability to resist injustice and acknowledged the CRU’s role in exposing truth during oppressive times.

Additional Public Prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Suman highlighted the importance of court reporters in informing the public about judicial proceedings and ensuring transparency. The event was chaired by CRU President Liton Mahmud and attended by journalists and legal professionals.

The Dhaka Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education has extended the deadline for filling out forms for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2026. According to a notice signed by the board’s examination controller, S M Kamal Uddin Haider, students can now complete their form submission with a late fee until March 31.

The notice stated that the last date for both form submission and payment of fees through the 'Sonali Seba' system has been extended to March 31. Earlier, the form fill-up process began on March 1 and continued until March 9, while fee submission was open until March 10.

The extension provides additional time for students who missed the initial deadline to complete their registration for the upcoming HSC examination under the Dhaka Education Board.

Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana produced a devastating spell to dismantle Pakistan’s batting lineup in a one-day match held on March 11, 2026. Pakistan reached 41 for 1 in the powerplay but collapsed to 81 for 8 within 23 overs, largely due to Nahid’s fiery pace and bounce. He completed his five-wicket haul in his very first over and finished with figures of 7 overs, 24 runs, and 5 wickets, setting a new record for the most economical five-wicket haul by a Bangladeshi pacer.

Nahid’s breakthrough came in the tenth over when he dismissed Sahibzada Farhan with a bouncer. He then removed debutants Shamil Hossain and Maj Sadakat in quick succession, both falling to short deliveries. His fourth wicket was Mohammad Rizwan, caught behind off a length ball, and his fifth came when Salman Agha was caught at short square leg. Bowling coach Shaun Tait praised Nahid’s performance, calling it one of the best spells he had seen from a Bangladeshi bowler.

Bangladesh eventually won the match by eight wickets with 209 balls remaining. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took three wickets, while Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman claimed one each.

A mobile court in Matlab North upazila of Chandpur district detained 14 fishermen during an operation on the Meghna River on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The raid was part of the government’s 2026 jatka protection and sanctuary enforcement campaign. Authorities seized a large quantity of illegal fishing nets, including a behundi net, a pressure net, and about 20,000 meters of current net, which were later burned. Four fishing boats and four anchors were also confiscated and placed under police custody.

Each of the detained fishermen received a seven-day jail sentence from Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Rahmat Ullah. The convicts are residents of Matlab North, Lakshmipur’s Kamalnagar, and Chandpur Sadar areas. The operation was conducted in the presence of district and upazila fisheries officials and the Mohanpur River Police.

Officials stated that regular river patrols and awareness programs are ongoing to enforce the jatka conservation program. They emphasized that fishing during the government-declared ban period is strictly prohibited and that similar drives will continue to protect future hilsa production.

Police have arrested Dr. A.K.M. Jamal Uddin, a sociology teacher at Dhaka University, from a rally in the Gulistan area of the capital. The arrest took place on Wednesday morning, March 11, 2026, during a procession linked to the Awami League that had been declared prohibited. Law enforcement officials stated that Jamal Uddin was detained and later formally arrested under an existing case filed against him under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman confirmed the arrest, saying it was made in connection with the ongoing investigation of the case. Police sources said security forces were on alert around the rally site and detained him based on the situation at the scene.

Earlier, on February 15, Jamal Uddin had faced public assault near Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence in Dhanmondi while attempting to join another announced program. Police rescued him at that time. Authorities have stated that further legal steps will follow depending on the progress of the investigation.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that rain or thunderstorms may continue across various parts of the country for the next five days. In its Wednesday evening bulletin, the agency reported that an extension of a low-pressure area lies over West Bengal and adjoining regions, while the seasonal low remains over the South Bay of Bengal. As a result, temporary gusty or stormy winds with rain or thundershowers are likely in several divisions including Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet.

Meteorologists noted that this period marks the seasonal onset of nor'wester storms, and while brief rain and gusty winds are expected, continuous rainfall is unlikely. Day temperatures may drop by one to two degrees Celsius, while night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged. The forecast indicates that the trend of rain or thunderstorms may persist through the extended five-day outlook.

The department also mentioned that some regions may experience temporary heat and humidity between spells of rain, but severe heat conditions are not anticipated.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has submitted an investigation report to the court in the embezzlement case involving Far East Islami Life Insurance Company Limited. The report, filed on February 15, 2026, by investigating officer Shah Minhaj Uddin, accuses 24 individuals of misappropriating company funds. The case was originally filed on September 13, 2022, by the company’s legal officer Md. Jasim Uddin at Shahbagh Police Station against 14 people. Following a court directive, DB Police conducted the investigation.

During the investigation, one accused died in custody, and two others were cleared of charges due to lack of evidence. However, 13 new individuals were added as accused, bringing the total to 24. The report alleges that the accused embezzled Tk 644.28 crore from the company’s bank deposits and misappropriated additional funds through land purchases and development projects.

The report also notes that the Anti-Corruption Commission has filed seven other cases against the group led by Nazrul and Hemayet, indicating broader financial irregularities under investigation.