Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has returned to his residence in Gulshan after receiving medical care under close observation for four days. His personal assistant, Shahiduzzaman, confirmed on Wednesday that the minister was discharged from the hospital at noon and advised by doctors to take complete rest.

According to the assistant, the minister continues to handle urgent ministry files and official duties from home. During his hospital stay, he also managed essential administrative work from his hospital room. Amir Khosru had been admitted to United Hospital in Gulshan on March 1 after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

Doctors have recommended that he remain on full rest while continuing limited official responsibilities from home as part of his recovery process.

QatarEnergy, the world’s largest producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), has declared force majeure for its affected buyers after halting LNG and related product output. The company announced on Monday that production at its facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City was suspended due to military attacks on those sites.

According to QatarEnergy, the force majeure declaration releases it from liability for failing to meet supply obligations caused by events beyond its control. The announcement immediately triggered a sharp reaction in global energy markets, with benchmark Dutch and British wholesale gas prices rising by about 50 percent, and benchmark Asian LNG prices increasing by roughly 39 percent.

Given Qatar’s central role in global LNG supply, the production shutdown has had a significant impact on international energy markets, intensifying concerns over supply stability and price volatility.

Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister, Zahid Uddin Swapon, stated that journalists themselves should determine the boundaries of accountability necessary to ensure maximum media freedom. Speaking as the chief guest at an iftar event organized by the Chittagong Press Club at Chittagong Club on Wednesday evening, he emphasized that the government should not unilaterally set these limits, as doing so would mirror past administrations. He assured that the ministry is prepared to protect media independence from interference by intelligence agencies, state authorities, or external actors.

The minister added that the government currently lacks a clear policy for distributing advertisements or grants to media outlets, which has led to unregulated growth of publications. He mentioned that discussions are ongoing with journalist associations to create a joint roadmap for institutionalizing media freedom. Swapon also said the government would consider implementing the wage board in the future, treating compliant and non-compliant outlets differently.

At the same event, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists’ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury urged that journalists must remain independent and act as watchdogs to restore public trust.

City Bank PLC, one of Bangladesh’s leading sustainable banks, has signed the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), becoming a member of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). The announcement was made on March 4, 2026. Through this move, City Bank aims to align its operations with global standards for sustainable finance and responsible banking practices.

The PRB, developed by UNEP FI in collaboration with banks worldwide, provides a global framework for aligning banking strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Established in 1992, UNEP FI connects financial institutions with the United Nations to advance sustainable finance, currently working with over 550 banks and insurers globally.

As a PRB signatory, City Bank will integrate responsible banking principles into its business strategy, risk management, and decision-making processes. The bank will assess and disclose its environmental and social impacts, set measurable targets in key areas, and enhance transparency and accountability in line with international practices.

More than 4 million taxpayers have submitted online income tax returns for the 2025–26 fiscal year in Bangladesh, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Of them, 2.2 million, or about 55 percent, filed zero returns, declaring income below the taxable threshold. Among these, 1.44 million are male and 765,197 are female taxpayers. The NBR noted that while income up to 350,000 taka is tax-free for general taxpayers, the limit is higher for women, senior citizens, third gender individuals, and persons with disabilities.

Despite being below the taxable limit, many taxpayers are required to file returns to access 24 types of services. The NBR warned that some individuals intentionally underreport income to file zero returns and may face legal action. Historically, up to 70 percent of returns were zero, indicating a decline this year. The NBR also provided detailed breakdowns of income ranges and surcharge payments.

Online e-filing has been made mandatory this fiscal year, except for elderly, disabled, expatriate, and certain other taxpayers. The filing deadline, extended for the fourth time, is now set for March 31, 2026.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance across the country’s borders to prevent fuel smuggling, citing the ongoing global energy situation. In a brief statement issued on Wednesday, BGB said maximum precautionary measures have been implemented at various border points to stop illegal cross-border movement of petroleum products.

According to BGB headquarters, heightened alert has been declared in all frontier areas considering the current volatility in the international energy market. The force warned that any attempt to smuggle diesel, petrol, or other petroleum products across the border will be dealt with strictly under the law. Intelligence monitoring and regular patrols have also been reinforced to ensure tighter control over border activities.

The measures reflect Bangladesh’s effort to safeguard its energy resources and maintain stability in fuel supply amid global market uncertainty.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam has warned that contractors charging more than Tk 100 for household waste collection will face action. He made the statement while addressing a special cleanliness and mosquito control program at Shahidnagar cremation ground in Lalbagh, organized under DSCC’s month-long campaign. Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman Hamid attended as a special guest.

The program, held in Ward 24, involved around 200 DSCC workers from the waste management and health departments. They cleaned canals, drains, and footpaths and applied mosquito repellents. A public awareness rally was also held with local residents’ participation. Abdus Salam urged citizens to report any overcharging, promising contract cancellation if complaints are proven.

He also announced that burial and cremation registration fees at DSCC cemeteries and cremation grounds have been reduced from Tk 1,000 to Tk 500, following the Prime Minister’s directive. The administrator called on all political activists and residents to support efforts to make Dhaka cleaner and more livable under the “Clean Dhaka, Green Dhaka” initiative.

A container ship was struck by a missile in the Strait of Hormuz, north of Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred on Wednesday, causing a fire in the vessel’s engine room. Immediate reports of casualties or damage were not available at the time of the announcement.

UKMTO, which monitors commercial shipping activity, stated that there were no reports of environmental impact following the attack. The organization continues to assess the situation in coordination with relevant maritime authorities. The source of the missile strike and the identity of the vessel were not disclosed in the initial report.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route for global oil and goods transport, and any disruption in this area can affect international shipping operations. However, the report did not indicate whether broader shipping activity had been impacted by this specific incident.

European Council President Antonio Costa spoke by phone with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to reaffirm the European Union’s full support for Spain. The conversation came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with Spain for refusing to allow the use of its military bases in a mission related to Iran.

In a post on social media platform X, Costa said he had expressed the EU’s full solidarity with Spain. He added that the Union would always ensure the complete protection of its member states’ interests, while reiterating its commitment to international law and the global rules-based order.

The exchange has brought renewed attention to diplomatic tensions between the European Union and the United States following Trump’s warning, highlighting potential strains in transatlantic relations.

Black flags were seen flying at the Iran-Turkey border following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the report, the flags replaced Iran’s national flag at the Razi border crossing on the Turkish entry point. The incident occurred after widespread attacks across Iran began on February 28, reportedly carried out by the United States and Israel.

The black flags are believed to have been raised as a symbol of mourning for Khamenei’s death. The report cited BBC as the source of this information. The attacks and the leader’s death have drawn attention to heightened tensions in the region, though no further details were provided about the ongoing situation or official responses.

The display of mourning at the border underscores the gravity of the event within Iran and its symbolic impact on neighboring areas, particularly along the shared frontier with Turkey.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that an American submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean using a torpedo. The incident reportedly occurred near Sri Lanka, resulting in at least 80 deaths, according to Sri Lankan authorities. The country’s deputy foreign minister told local television that the vessel was returning to Iran from an eastern Indian port when it was attacked.

The Iranian frigate, identified as IRIS Dena, had participated in India’s multinational naval exercise ‘Milan 2026’. It had also joined the same exercise in 2024. After completing this year’s drill, the warship began its journey back to Iran but never reached its destination. Questions have since arisen about why the Iranian vessel was positioned near Sri Lanka at the time of the attack.

The sinking has drawn attention to rising tensions in the Indian Ocean region, though the source does not specify any official responses from Iran or the United States beyond the initial claim.

Bangladesh Bank has postponed a scheduled meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) that was set for Wednesday at noon to discuss a possible reduction in the policy interest rate. The meeting was called by the new governor, Mostakur Rahman, who recently took office and had planned to lower the policy rate by 50 basis points in the first phase. The proposed cut was expected to bring down lending rates across the banking sector.

The seven-member MPC is chaired by Governor Rahman and includes Deputy Governor Md. Habibur Rahman, Chief Economist Md. Akhtar Hossain, BIDS Director General A.K. Enamul Haque, Dhaka University Economics Department Chair Ferdousi Nahar, and Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Mahmud Salahuddin Naser. The only board-nominated member, Sadiq Ahmed, has reportedly resigned from the committee.

The previous governor, Ahsan H. Mansur, announced the last monetary policy last month, keeping the policy rate unchanged at 10 percent, a level maintained since October 2024. Inflation, which peaked at 11.38 percent in November, eased to 8.58 percent by January.

The death toll in Iran has risen to 1,045 following joint airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency on Wednesday. The attacks took place on Saturday and reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with several senior officials.

In response, Tehran has launched retaliatory strikes targeting US bases in the Middle East and Israeli installations, as reported by Al Jazeera. The escalation marks a significant intensification of hostilities involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

The situation remains volatile as both sides continue military actions, raising concerns about broader regional instability.

Turkey has claimed that Iran attempted to launch a missile targeting Turkish territory, but the projectile was destroyed before reaching its destination. According to a report by AFP citing Turkish officials, NATO’s air defense system intercepted and neutralized the missile while it was still over Iraqi and Syrian airspace.

In a statement, Turkey’s Ministry of Defense said the ballistic missile was launched from Iran and was heading toward Turkey after crossing Iraq and Syria. NATO’s air and missile defense system deployed in the eastern Mediterranean detected and destroyed it in time, preventing any damage.

The incident follows a series of escalating attacks in the region after the United States and Israel jointly launched strikes on Iran the previous Saturday. Since then, Iran has reportedly fired multiple missiles and drones targeting various installations in Middle Eastern countries.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher has warned that no leniency will be shown to those responsible for causing public suffering. Speaking at a meeting with officials of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) in Dhaka on Wednesday, he emphasized that the ministry would support honest and dedicated employees. He directed that no file should be unnecessarily delayed and that all tasks must be completed within the designated timeframe to prevent citizens from repeated visits to offices.

The minister acknowledged that RAJUK faces widespread public complaints, including bureaucratic delays, harassment, irregularities, and unnecessary complexities. He said these issues have damaged the organization’s image and must be addressed immediately. His remarks underscored the government’s focus on improving efficiency and accountability within public service institutions.

The directive signals a renewed push for administrative reform within RAJUK, aiming to restore public trust and ensure smoother service delivery to citizens.