At least 15 ships carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and raw materials for the cement industry have reached Bangladesh’s maritime boundary after crossing the Hormuz Strait. Twelve of the vessels have already arrived at Chattogram Port, while the remaining three are expected within the week. The ships managed to pass through the strait just before it was closed following a joint Israel–United States attack on Iran.

According to port and energy officials, the vessels include four carrying LNG, two with LPG, and nine transporting cement raw materials such as clinker, gypsum, limestone and stone. The arrivals have eased concerns over potential fuel shortages amid regional tensions. One LPG ship named Sevan arrived from Oman’s Sohar Port with 22,172 tons of LPG, while another, GYMM, carried 19,316 tons. Two LNG carriers, Al Zour and Al Jassaniya, arrived from Qatar with about 126,000 tons of LNG. Additional ships are expected from Qatar and other Gulf ports in the coming days.

Officials cautioned that risks remain, as two LNG carriers and one crude oil vessel are still stranded beyond the Hormuz Strait.

Israel continued its attacks on Iran for the second consecutive week, marking the first time that strikes targeted Tehran’s oil storage and refinery facilities. A massive blaze erupted at one of the capital’s refineries following the assault, with flames visible across the city. The Israeli military stated that it had struck several Iranian fuel depots, while Associated Press footage showed the night sky over Tehran illuminated by widespread fires.

Iran’s state media blamed both the United States and Israel for the attacks, which also caused fires in multiple parts of the capital. The affected refinery reportedly supplies fuel to Tehran and northern provinces. On social media platform X, the Israel Defense Forces claimed the targeted sites were used by Iranian authorities to distribute fuel to various military entities.

The incident adds to rising regional tensions, as reports also noted Israeli strikes in Lebanon and flight suspensions by Oman Air following the escalation.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to intensify military strikes on Iran, declaring through his social media platform Truth Social that Iran would be hit very hard. The warning came on the eighth day of the ongoing war, during which U.S. and Israeli forces carried out extensive attacks across Iran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian dismissed Trump’s call for unconditional surrender, asserting that Iran would never bow down. He also apologized to Gulf neighbors and pledged not to attack them, provided their territories are not used for assaults on Iran.

The conflict has spread across the region, with Israel launching new airstrikes on Tehran and Isfahan, and Iran responding with ballistic missile attacks on Israel and strikes on U.S. bases in Bahrain. Explosions were reported in Dubai and Manama, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards targeted a tanker near the Strait of Hormuz and Kurdish positions in Iraq. The Iranian Red Crescent reported thousands of civilian structures hit since February 28.

Reports also indicated that Russia has been supplying Iran with intelligence on U.S. targets, while Washington approved emergency arms sales to Israel. Analysts cited by U.S. media suggested that even large-scale attacks are unlikely to collapse Iran’s leadership structure.

At least four people were killed and ten others injured in an Israeli attack on a hotel in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, according to the country’s health ministry as reported by Al Jazeera Arabic. The strike occurred on March 8, 2026, prompting immediate rescue operations at the site. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, and several were reported to be in critical condition.

The report stated that details about the intended target or the specific motive behind the attack were not immediately available. Israel has not issued any official comment regarding the incident. Lebanese authorities have not provided further information about the victims or the extent of the damage.

The lack of official statements from either side leaves uncertainty about the broader implications of the strike or whether it signals an escalation in regional tensions.

Bangladesh observed International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026, emphasizing women’s empowerment, rights, and social roles. The article outlines that despite notable progress in education, health, and political participation, women in Bangladesh continue to face structural and cultural challenges. The country has achieved significant milestones since independence, including legal reforms such as the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act and the Acid Crime Prevention Act, aimed at protecting women’s rights.

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2024 report, Bangladesh ranks highest in South Asia for women’s empowerment, though gender gaps persist in education, health, and employment. Women’s labor force participation reached 42.7% in 2020, but most remain in informal sectors without adequate protection. Political participation has improved, with 85 women contesting the 13th national election and seven elected to parliament. However, patriarchal norms still limit women’s authority in reserved seats.

The article stresses that women’s empowerment is essential for national development. It calls for stronger measures to ensure equal pay, safe workplaces, expanded education in science and technology, and improved maternal health services, particularly in rural areas.

Bangladesh has become the world’s second-largest supplier of online gig work, following India, according to studies by the ILO, Oxford Internet Institute, and the World Bank. With an estimated 1–1.2 million active freelancers, the country’s youth are increasingly engaged in digital platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer. This expansion has reduced unemployment pressure and improved individual financial stability. The gig economy now spans both urban and rural areas, contributing around USD 1–1.2 billion annually to foreign exchange reserves.

However, the rapid, unregulated growth has exposed weaknesses in skill quality, professionalism, and infrastructure. Many Bangladeshi gig workers remain in low-skill, low-pay roles that are being replaced by AI tools like ChatGPT, Canva AI, and Google AutoML. Language barriers, missed deadlines, and lack of contract knowledge have also weakened client confidence. Unlike the EU, Bangladesh lacks social protection, health insurance, or pension systems for gig workers, prompting the ITUC to label such economies as “digital sweatshops.”

The article stresses the need for high-value skill development in AI, data science, and blockchain, along with policy reforms to ensure stable internet, secure payment systems, and inclusion of gig work in national labor frameworks.

Several political groups formed after the July 2024 uprising, including the National Citizens Party (NCP), have begun renewed discussions on building a broader alliance. Following the end of the interim government and the formation of a new administration, these groups are reassessing their strategies to strengthen organizational capacity, reactivate inactive leaders, and unify fragmented July-aligned platforms. Some factions that split from the NCP, such as those led by former adviser Mahfuz Alam, have launched new political platforms but are expected to maintain implicit support for the July movement’s goals.

The discussions are driven by concerns over the ruling party’s stance on the July National Charter for constitutional reform, the High Court’s rule on its implementation, and fears of authoritarian resurgence. NCP leaders have criticized the government’s approach to justice and reform, pledging to uphold the July Charter and resist any rollback. The party has formed two new committees to monitor reform implementation and justice for July-related killings.

Amid these developments, the NCP is working to reintegrate former members, attract allied groups such as the AB Party and UP Bangladesh, and prepare for coordinated political action to pressure the government into fulfilling reform commitments.

Bangladesh is facing widespread public anxiety and long queues at petrol stations amid global oil market instability caused by war in the Middle East. The government has urged citizens to conserve fuel and electricity, while the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) introduced rationing measures citing limited reserves. Despite official assurances of adequate supply, many stations have closed temporarily due to overwhelming demand, with reports of altercations and threats against pump operators.

According to BPC officials, the country currently holds reserves for 10 days of diesel, 17–18 days of octane, 13 days of petrol, 90 days of furnace oil, and 52 days of jet fuel, with additional shipments arriving at Chattogram port. The government is also importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) at higher spot market prices to maintain electricity supply during Ramadan and the irrigation season. Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to review the situation and announced plans to explore alternative import sources.

Authorities have deployed mobile courts to monitor fuel distribution and warned against panic buying, emphasizing that current reserves are sufficient and supply will continue normally.

The United States, in coordination with Israel, has launched a full-scale military operation against Iran, targeting the country’s supreme leader and senior officials. The offensive, which also coincides with the reported abduction of Venezuela’s president and his wife, has been described as a clear violation of international law, the UN Charter, and state sovereignty. The escalation marks a sharp departure from earlier US policies that emphasized limited engagement and withdrawal from prolonged Middle Eastern conflicts.

The report notes that under Donald Trump’s second term, Washington’s foreign policy has turned more aggressive, with actions suggesting attempts at regime change in multiple countries. Iran has retaliated with strikes on US and Israeli military sites, creating a cycle of attacks that threatens regional stability. Some Arab states have sided with the US, while Iran stands largely isolated, and calls from China, Russia, and the UN for restraint have been ignored.

Analysts warn that the conflict could disrupt global oil routes through the Strait of Hormuz, drive energy prices sharply higher, and trigger humanitarian and economic crises. The article concludes that military power alone cannot ensure stability without political compromise and regional unity.

Iran has entered the second week of intense fighting following a joint US-Israeli assault that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and over 40 senior officials. Despite expectations in Washington and Tel Aviv of Tehran’s quick surrender, Iran continues to resist, launching missile and drone attacks on Israeli and US targets across the Middle East. The conflict, which began on February 28, has destabilized the region and disrupted global energy markets after Iran restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Security analysts cited in the report describe the war as a strategic gamble by the US and Israel that has instead strengthened Iran’s resolve. Experts note that Iran’s strategy focuses on prolonging the conflict to exhaust its adversaries economically and militarily. The country’s large missile and drone arsenal, along with regional allies such as Hezbollah and Hamas, has enabled sustained operations.

International reactions have been critical. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the war illegitimate, while Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned against turning Iran into a proxy battlefield. Analysts suggest the conflict could become Washington’s most perilous campaign in decades.

The United States government has approved the sale of more than 20,000 bombs to Israel, valued at approximately $650 million. According to officials, President Donald Trump’s administration granted the approval without going through the regular congressional review process. The US State Department stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined an emergency situation existed, allowing the administration to bypass the usual congressional oversight.

Officials also said Israel will purchase an additional $298 million worth of weapons and ammunition through direct commercial sales. The decision follows a December 2024 United Nations report that indicated Israel may have used similar heavy weapons in densely populated areas of Gaza during ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory.

The report’s findings have drawn attention to the potential humanitarian impact of such arms transfers, though the US government has justified the move on emergency grounds.

U.S. President Donald Trump has blamed Iran for a deadly bombing at a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, that killed at least 165 people. Speaking to reporters at Dover Air Force Base on Saturday, Trump dismissed suggestions that the United States was involved in the attack, asserting, “It was Iran.” He also said he had no indication of Russian involvement or evidence that Russia was assisting Iran.

Trump further commented on Kurdish forces, stating that he did not want Kurdish fighters to enter Iran. He added that the U.S. goal was to see a president in Iran who would not lead the country into war.

The bombing in Minab has sparked widespread international attention and debate over who was actually responsible. Discussions and disputes continue among various parties regarding the true perpetrators of the attack.

U.S. President Donald Trump has blamed Iran for a deadly bombing at a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, that killed at least 165 people. Speaking to reporters at Dover Air Force Base on Saturday, Trump dismissed suggestions that the United States was involved in the attack, asserting, “It was Iran.” He also said he had no indication of Russian involvement or evidence that Russia was assisting Iran.

Trump further commented on Kurdish forces, stating that he did not want Kurdish fighters to enter Iran. He added that the U.S. goal was to see a president in Iran who would not lead the country into war.

The bombing in Minab has sparked widespread international attention and debate over who was actually responsible. Discussions and disputes continue among various parties regarding the true perpetrators of the attack.

Iran launched multiple missile attacks targeting Israel, particularly Tel Aviv, throughout Saturday night. According to a Sunday morning report by the Times of Israel, warning sirens were activated across Israel’s central and northern regions, and residents were instructed to move to safe shelters.

The report indicated that although the number of missiles fired by Iran was somewhat lower than in previous attacks, the strikes continued for most of the night. It remains unclear whether any of the missiles directly hit their intended targets. Israeli military forces are continuing to monitor the situation closely.

No further details were available regarding casualties or damage, and official confirmation of impact sites had not been released at the time of reporting.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has officially denied reports that Iranian forces captured several American soldiers. A CENTCOM spokesperson on Sunday described the claim as entirely false and baseless, according to Al Jazeera. The statement came after the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council alleged that Iranian security forces had detained multiple US troops, a claim that quickly drew international attention.

CENTCOM sharply criticized the Iranian statement, calling it another example of deception by Iran’s leadership. The spokesperson said the allegation reflected a pattern of misinformation from Tehran. The exchange of claims and denials added to existing tensions between the two countries, which have frequently accused each other of hostile actions in the region.

The report did not specify where or when the alleged incident was said to have occurred, leaving key details unclear.