Several bikers in Cumilla have alleged that Master & Sons Filling Station at Alekhar Char Bishwaroad area refused to sell octane for less than Tk 200. The incident occurred around noon on March 26, 2026, during a period of fuel shortage across the country. Witnesses said only a few of the district’s 81 filling stations had octane available. According to official data, 66,000 liters of octane were supplied to Cumilla on March 24, including 9,000 liters to Master & Sons. One biker said he wanted to buy Tk 170 worth of octane but was told the minimum sale was Tk 200. Another traveler from Chattogram to Dhaka reported being denied a Tk 150 purchase. In response, station manager Jahangir Alam stated that customers should be allowed to buy any amount and that he would look into the matter. He denied allegations of under-measurement. Cumilla’s Additional District Magistrate and fuel monitoring committee head Zafar Sadiq Chowdhury said customers are allowed to buy any amount and that any irregularities by filling stations will be investigated.

Japan has begun releasing fuel from its national reserves to mitigate the impact of the Middle East war and stabilize supply. The release, equivalent to 30 days of fuel, started from the Kikuma National Petroleum Stockpile in the western city of Imabari. According to the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, the fuel has been transferred via pipeline to a nearby commercial refinery. This move follows a similar release from private sector reserves, which began ten days earlier and covered the equivalent of 15 days of supply. The coordinated action reflects Japan’s effort to maintain energy stability during a period of heightened geopolitical tension affecting global oil markets. The measure underscores Japan’s reliance on strategic reserves to cushion potential disruptions in fuel supply as the conflict in the Middle East continues to influence global energy dynamics.

Two leaders of the Bangabandhu Lawyers Council were arrested in Sunamganj after offering tributes and chanting 'Joy Bangla' on Independence Day. The arrests took place on Thursday evening when the Detective Branch police detained them from their respective homes. The detainees are Advocate Monish Kanti Dey Mintu, a former vice president of Sunamganj Government College and former municipal councillor, and Advocate Shamim Ahmad, a member of the Awami Lawyers Council. According to Additional Superintendent of Police (Media) Sanjay Sarkar, the two were arrested as unnamed accused in an old case. Earlier that morning, the Awami Lawyers Council organized a rally in the Collectorate area to mark Independence Day, followed by a floral tribute at the Shaheed Minar in the court premises. Both arrested lawyers participated in the program along with other pro-Awami League lawyers. The incident has sparked widespread discussion in the local area, though no further details about the case or charges were disclosed in the report.

Nationalist teachers at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) boycotted the Independence and National Day discussion meeting on Thursday after the university administration invited the chief engineer as a special guest. The event took place at the university’s mini auditorium, where the vice-chancellor A.M. Sarwar Uddin Chowdhury and pro-vice-chancellor Sajedul Karim had earlier hoisted the national and university flags and laid floral tributes at the Shaheed Minar. According to the report, the meeting was chaired by the vice-chancellor, with the pro-vice-chancellor, the dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, the director of student counseling, and the chief engineer among the guests. Nationalist teacher leaders left the venue before the session began, protesting what they described as a breach of academic decorum. Forum secretary Professor Shah Atikul Haque said the inclusion of the chief engineer as a guest undermined teachers’ dignity, while the teachers’ association president noted that such a practice had not occurred in the university’s 34-year history. Event convener Professor Mahbubur Rashid stated that the guest list was determined by the university authority, and the pro-vice-chancellor said the selection was handled by the celebration committee formed by the vice-chancellor.

Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu stated that those who opposed Bangladesh’s independence will remain despised by the nation forever. He made the remark on Thursday morning after placing a floral wreath at the Rajshahi Central Shaheed Memorial to mark Independence and National Day 2026. The minister emphasized the government’s goal of strengthening democracy while safeguarding national sovereignty under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Minu said the government aims to build a hunger- and poverty-free Bangladesh by creating employment for millions of unemployed youth, describing it as a sacred duty. Earlier, he paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the memorial. The day’s celebrations in Rajshahi included a colorful parade and cultural program at the district freedom fighters’ stadium, inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner Bazlur Rashid. The event was attended by senior government officials, including the deputy commissioner, city corporation administrator, and police commissioner. Separately, the city BNP office also marked the day with a flag-raising ceremony attended by Minister Minu and other local leaders.

Police detained five Awami League activists in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area on Thursday morning while they attempted to hold a procession. The arrests took place around 9:30 a.m. in front of the IDB Bhaban in Agargaon. The detainees were identified as Md. Hasan Ali, Jisan Ahmed, Md. Raisul Islam Manik, Md. Faruk Islam, and Ashik Mohammad. Among them, Hasan Ali is an employee of the Bangladesh Water Development Board. The incident was confirmed by Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam. According to the police, a group of 15–20 people suddenly began a procession near the BTRC building in Agargaon to mark Independence Day. When the group reached the IDB Bhaban area, police intervened, dispersed the participants, and detained five individuals. Authorities stated that a case has been filed against the detainees under the Anti-Terrorism Act, and they have been sent to court. The report did not mention any further details about the charges or the current condition of the detainees.

In Patuakhali’s Kalapara upazila, hundreds of watermelon farmers are facing significant financial losses this season despite satisfactory yields. The crisis stems from a shortage of wholesale buyers, declining market demand, and unfavorable weather conditions. Many farmers who leased land from distant areas for commercial cultivation now fear they will not recover their investments. Local growers such as Ferdous Talukder, who cultivated 64 bighas of land at a cost of about 2.1 million taka, reported being forced to sell watermelons at nearly half the expected price due to high transport costs and weak demand. Other farmers, including Md. Riaz and Oliullah, described similar difficulties, warning that delays in sales could worsen their losses. Rain before Eid and lower-than-usual temperatures in Falgun and Chaitra months have also reduced fruit quality and demand. According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, watermelons were cultivated on 4,447 hectares involving around 3,000 farmers, with a sales target of 4.04 billion taka. Officials estimate that nearly half of the growers may incur losses if market conditions do not improve soon.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Char Monai Pir, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths caused by a bus plunging into the Padma River after losing control at the Daulatdia ferry ghat. In a statement issued to the media on Thursday, he said the incident left everyone shocked and speechless, describing the tragedy as deeply distressing. He prayed for the victims, asking that they be granted martyrdom, and extended condolences to the bereaved families. The Char Monai Pir also called for an investigation to determine whether negligence or systemic flaws contributed to the accident. He emphasized that such incidents must not be repeated in the future. The statement reflects the religious leader’s concern over recurring transport accidents and his call for accountability and preventive measures to ensure passenger safety.

Law enforcement officials from RAB-8 have arrested four suspects, including the prime accused, in connection with the killing of fruit trader Zakir Sheikh in Rajair, Madaripur. The arrests were made within 24 hours of the incident through separate operations in Gazipur and Munshiganj. According to RAB-8, the murder occurred on the morning of March 24 in Amgram Madhyapara area, reportedly over a land dispute and prior enmity. The case was filed the following day at Rajair Police Station, naming 18 individuals and 20 to 25 unidentified suspects. The incident drew significant attention on social media and in local media outlets, prompting RAB-8 to launch a shadow investigation using information technology to locate the suspects. The arrested individuals were later handed over to local police stations in Gazipur and Munshiganj. On Thursday morning, the detainees were transferred to Rajair Police Station and subsequently presented before court, which ordered their placement in jail custody.

Israel has claimed responsibility for killing Alireza Tangsiri, the head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. According to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israeli forces carried out an airstrike that resulted in the death of the IRGC naval commander. The report was published on March 26, 2026. As of the time of reporting, Iranian authorities have not issued any immediate comment regarding the claim. The information was sourced from Al Jazeera, as cited by the Bangladeshi outlet Amar Desh. The incident adds to ongoing regional tensions involving Iran, Israel, and their respective allies. No further details were provided about the location or circumstances of the airstrike, and the broader implications of the claim remain unclear pending Iran’s official response.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Char Monai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim has described the recent Padma River bus sinking and other accidents across the country as the combined result of failures in Bangladesh’s communication system. Speaking on Thursday at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan, he lamented that even after 56 years of independence, the nation’s transport infrastructure remains fragile and accident-prone. He said those who governed the country over the past 55 years must take responsibility for this situation. During the meeting, party leaders prayed for the victims of the Daulatdia Ghat accident and other recent incidents during Eid, expressing sympathy for the bereaved families. The Char Monai Pir criticized widespread corruption in the transport sector, saying it has turned public communication into a “death trap.” He urged the new government to prioritize reforms, eliminate syndicates, and ensure international standards in vehicle fitness and driver licensing. He further stated that such accidents are not mere mishaps but amount to systematic mass killings due to negligence and corruption.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said that the significance of Bangladesh’s 2024 mass uprising is being undermined. Speaking at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar on Independence Day, he warned that if reforms are not implemented in parliament, they will be carried out on the streets through political means. He emphasized that both reform and justice are essential. Patwari criticized the government for failing to deliver justice for the July killings and accused it of manipulating elections through an understanding with India. He questioned the government’s use of the slogan “Joy Bangla” under official supervision and alleged that law enforcement is being used to support groups he described as “Joy Bangla terrorists.” He urged the government to ensure justice and reform, including accountability for the Awami League. He further alleged election engineering and said the government ignored opposition voices in parliament and issues related to Indian agreements. Patwari concluded that returning to the streets remains the only alternative if reforms are not realized.

A banned organization named Awami League reportedly placed wreaths at a Shaheed Minar in Chandipur area of Khanmarich Union, Bhangura upazila of Pabna, on the morning of Independence and National Day. According to local sources, around 10 to 12 leaders and activists, led by Khanmarich Union Awami League General Secretary Joynal Abedin and Union Jubo League Vice President Shaheb Ali, participated in the tribute. Local BNP leader Ataur Rahman Khokon said that members of the banned group had previously organized similar programs on International Mother Language Day, and the absence of law enforcement action encouraged them to repeat the activity. In contrast, Upazila Jamaat Amir Maulana Mohir Uddin stated that he was unaware of the incident. Officer-in-Charge of Bhangura Police Station S.M. Mostafizur Rahman also told the newspaper that he had no knowledge of the event.

Former DGFI Director General Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Sheikh Mamun Khaled told a Dhaka court that he had played a direct role in securing Tarique Rahman’s bail during the 1/11 political period. He made the statement while appearing before Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Siddiq Azad in connection with the murder of Delwar Hossain, who was shot during a student-public protest in Mirpur on July 19, 2024. The court granted a five-day remand after police sought seven days for interrogation. According to the remand petition, Delwar was killed in an attack by Awami League activists during the protest, and evidence suggested that the shooting occurred under Mamun Khaled’s direction. The prosecution described him as a key figure in the 1/11 events and alleged his involvement in various abuses, including the creation of the “Aynaghar” detention site and financial irregularities in the Jolsiri project. Defense lawyers argued that his name was not in the case statement and that he had retired in 2016. Mamun Khaled denied all allegations, asserting that he was not present at the scene and had lived as a civilian since retirement. He was arrested from his DOHS residence before being produced in court.

Rajshahi district unit of Jamaat-e-Islami has dismissed as completely baseless and misleading a series of media reports claiming that the party’s deputy amir, Professor Mujibur Rahman MP, instructed not to include Gita recitation in Independence Day programs. In a statement sent to the media on Thursday night, the district Jamaat condemned and protested the reports, calling them fabricated and purposefully distorted. The statement clarified that the parliament member did not make any such remarks at any meeting, gathering, or to any official. District amir Professor Abdul Khalek and secretary Md. Golam Murtuza said publishing such unverified news violates basic journalistic ethics and misleads the public. They emphasized that Independence Day symbolizes national unity, harmony, and dignity, and that provocative or confusing news around this occasion is unacceptable. The leaders demanded immediate correction, apology, and withdrawal of the reports from the concerned media outlets and urged all journalists to verify information before publication to maintain objectivity and responsibility.