Global oil prices climbed on March 26, 2026, as uncertainty grew over whether the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel would ease. Brent crude rose 1.5 percent to 98.72 dollars per barrel, while US benchmark WTI increased 2 percent to 92.16 dollars. The market reaction followed Iran’s rejection of a US-proposed ceasefire plan that included 15 points, while President Donald Trump delayed his previously scheduled military action.

Asian stock markets opened lower as investors reacted to the geopolitical tension. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.8 percent, South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 3.3 percent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index declined 1.9 percent. The uncertainty surrounding the conflict has created pressure across energy and equity markets.

Analysts noted that if the war continues, Asia could face rising energy shortages and broader economic instability, reflecting the region’s sensitivity to disruptions in global oil supply.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that his country is facilitating message exchanges between the United States and Iran as part of a mediation effort. He stated that Turkey, Egypt, and several other nations are also supporting this initiative aimed at easing tensions between the two sides.

In a post on social media platform X, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s full commitment to peace and its ongoing efforts to ensure stability both within the region and beyond. The statement highlights Islamabad’s active diplomatic engagement amid heightened regional uncertainty.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, underscores Pakistan’s role as a communication channel in the broader mediation process, though specific details of the exchanges or outcomes have not been disclosed.

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.

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.

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 legal notice has been sent to several government ministries demanding compensation for the families of those killed in the Rajbari Daulatdia ferry bus accident. The notice, issued on Wednesday, March 25, calls for a minimum of Tk 10 million for each deceased victim and for proper treatment and rehabilitation of the injured. It was jointly filed by Advocate Newazul Asif Sad, Barrister Rafi G. Rahman, and Advocate Zayed Bin Naser against the ministers and secretaries of the Road Transport and Bridges and Shipping ministries.

The notice emphasizes the need for an impartial investigation to determine whether negligence by authorities, ferry terminal management, or transport officials contributed to the incident. The accident occurred when a bus from the “Souhardya” Paribahan line lost control while boarding a ferry at Daulatdia Ghat’s pontoon number 3, resulting in 26 confirmed deaths.

The notice urges the government to take coordinated action within seven working days to ensure compensation, medical care, and rehabilitation, warning of legal steps if no action is taken. It also calls for a high-level inquiry committee to publish its findings within the same timeframe.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced the launch of what it calls the 82nd phase of its operations against the United States and Israel. According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the latest phase began early Thursday morning and involved the use of a large number of drones and missiles. The IRGC stated that the main targets were Israel’s military command centers and industrial facilities connected to the country’s nuclear infrastructure located south of the Dead Sea.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, indicates that this marks a continuation of Iran’s ongoing campaign against its adversaries. The announcement underscores Tehran’s assertion of military capability and its willingness to target strategic Israeli assets. The operation’s timing and scale suggest a significant escalation in the confrontation between the two nations.

Further details about the extent of the damage or Israel’s response were not provided in the source report.

The Bangladesh government has carried out a major administrative reshuffle, appointing new secretaries to twelve ministries, divisions, and departments. According to separate notifications issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Wednesday night, eight officials were promoted, three were transferred, and one was appointed on a contractual basis. The changes include new appointments in key ministries such as Women and Children Affairs, Expatriates’ Welfare, Environment, ICT, Civil Aviation, and Fisheries.

Among the new appointees are Md. Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan as Secretary of the National Parliament Secretariat, Yasmin Parveen at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, and Md. Mokhter Ahmed at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. Several existing secretaries, including Kaniz Mawla and Nasreen Jahan, were reassigned to new roles within the Planning Commission and other departments. RSM Ebadur Rahman was appointed Secretary of the Economic Relations Division on a one-year contract.

Additionally, several senior officials, including secretaries from the Economic Relations, Financial Institutions, and Environment ministries, were attached to the Ministry of Public Administration following the reshuffle.

Pakistan’s former prime minister and cricket legend Imran Khan remains steadfast in his beliefs despite being imprisoned. In a recent column for The Times, former England captain Michael Atherton shared insights from a conversation with Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Qasim, who spoke about their father’s condition and unyielding spirit. They said Imran would not compromise and was prepared to die in jail if necessary.

The two sons spoke with their father by phone last Saturday, their first conversation since January. They revealed that the 73-year-old’s right eye has severely deteriorated, yet he remains calm and resilient, using meditation to maintain his composure. Qasim said that even restrictions such as cutting electricity or denying books have made his father spiritually stronger. Sulaiman added that Imran openly declared he would rather die in prison than abandon his principles.

According to his sons, Imran is more concerned about his wife Bushra Bibi’s imprisonment than his own suffering, telling them that while he can endure hardship, attacks on his family are far more difficult.

Bangladesh has called for intensified global efforts to eliminate slavery and exploitation. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman made the appeal at a commemorative meeting of the United Nations General Assembly held in memory of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. He paid deep respect to the millions who suffered under slavery and praised the resilience of those who fought for freedom and justice.

Rahman emphasized that the transatlantic slave trade left a lasting scar on humanity. Reaffirming Bangladesh’s firm stance against slavery, racism, genocide, and all forms of oppression, he noted that the country’s constitution rejects imperialism, colonialism, racism, and discrimination while expressing solidarity with oppressed peoples. He recalled that the 1926 Slavery Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognized slavery as a grave human rights violation.

The minister highlighted the need to strengthen anti-human trafficking measures, enhance digital forensic coordination, and invest in education and dialogue on the human and civilizational costs of slavery. He urged the international community to unite in building a world free from slavery, discrimination, and injustice.