A government-backed commission in Nepal has recommended bringing former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and senior officials to trial over the 2025 Gen-Z-led uprising that left at least 77 people dead. The protests began in September 2025 after a ban on social media and quickly expanded into demonstrations against economic hardship and corruption. Security forces killed 19 young protesters on the first day, prompting Oli’s resignation. The commission’s report, leaked to local media, was released as newly elected lawmakers took their oaths.

The report stated that then–Prime Minister Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak failed to take effective measures to prevent the deaths, despite their responsibility for security and law enforcement. It found that 48 of 63 autopsies confirmed victims were shot, mostly in the chest or head, and that no effort was made to stop or control the firing. Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, who became interim prime minister after Oli’s ouster, had formed the commission, which interviewed over 200 people and submitted a 900-page report with extensive evidence.

The full official details of the report have not yet been released, though Karki’s office indicated plans to publish it soon.

A devastating fire broke out on Thursday afternoon, March 26, in the Shura Bathan field area near Mia Bagan of Harinakundu upazila in Jhenaidah, burning down four betel leaf farms. Local residents estimated that the blaze caused a total loss of around six lakh taka for four farmers — three brothers named Mamun, Masum, and Ruhul, and another farmer, Emran Hossain.

According to local sources, the fire started suddenly in one of the farms and quickly spread to adjacent ones due to strong winds. Despite efforts by locals to control the flames, all four farms were completely destroyed before the fire was extinguished. Emran Hossain said he had taken loans from several institutions to run his farm and is now uncertain about repaying them.

Harinakundu Police Station Officer-in-Charge Golam Kibria Hasan stated that a police investigation into the incident is ongoing. He added that the fire appears to be an accident rather than an act of sabotage.

The ongoing war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel has shaken the global economy, with developing nations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East facing severe inflationary pressure. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Gulf energy facilities have triggered a fuel crisis, hitting import-dependent economies the hardest. Countries from Pakistan to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and from Jordan to Egypt and Ethiopia, are struggling to manage the fallout.

Pakistan, which imports 80 percent of its fuel from Gulf states, has seen its reserves of petrol and diesel plummet within weeks of the conflict. The government has reduced working days in public offices, closed schools, and limited fuel use for businesses. Although Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rejected a proposal to raise fuel prices before Eid, experts warn that prolonged conflict could paralyze economic activity. Bangladesh, which imports 95 percent of its fuel, is also facing shortages, with some districts already closing pumps despite rationing.

Egypt has ordered early shop closures to conserve electricity, while a Washington-based analysis identified Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Senegal, Egypt, Angola, Ethiopia, and Zambia as the most vulnerable to inflation caused by the energy crisis.

A robber was killed and a businessman injured during a mugging attempt in Khulna’s Dighalia upazila late Thursday night. The incident occurred near the Deyara Steamer Ghat area when four robbers tried to snatch money from businessman Touhidul Islam as he was returning home after closing his grocery and flexiload shop. During a scuffle, one robber accidentally shot his accomplice, identified as Sagar, son of Khokon from Deyara.

Locals rescued the injured Sagar and Touhidul Islam and took them first to the upazila health complex and later to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared Sagar dead. The businessman sustained minor injuries to his right shoulder from gunpowder burns but is reportedly out of danger.

Police said efforts are underway to identify and arrest the other robbers involved in the incident.

Iran has launched intense attacks on American facilities across several Middle Eastern countries in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes, heightening fears over water security in the region. Earlier this month, an Iranian drone strike severely damaged Bahrain’s desalination plant, bringing the issue of water safety to the forefront in Gulf nations where desalinated water is essential for daily life.

According to a recent Moody’s report, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries rely heavily on desalination for most of their drinking water, with hundreds of coastal plants providing the majority of the world’s processed water. The report warns that this dependence poses a serious security risk, as the plants are concentrated along vulnerable coastlines with limited short-term alternatives. The recent conflict has exposed how easily these facilities could become targets, threatening both water and energy supplies.

Moody’s notes that disruptions in water supply could quickly affect electricity generation and industrial output. Governments are urged to take swift and costly measures to protect water infrastructure, as prolonged conflict could severely impact weaker economies like Bahrain’s.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran must take the initiative to persuade him to stop the ongoing war. Speaking on Thursday, Trump said the matter now depends on Iran’s leaders and that he is not interested in reaching any deal at this stage. Iranian state media, however, reported that Tehran’s leadership remains doubtful about Washington’s sincerity in pursuing negotiations.

At the start of a cabinet meeting, Trump criticized media reports suggesting he was seeking a diplomatic solution. He emphasized that Iran is the party trying to return to talks and added that whether a proper deal can be made depends on Tehran. Trump described Iranian leaders as skilled negotiators but weak fighters, asserting that it is Iran’s responsibility to come to the negotiating table to end the conflict.

Trump also warned that U.S. attacks on Iran would continue without restraint while waiting to see if Tehran chooses to engage in talks.

Bangladesh claimed the gold medal in the compound men's team event at the Asian Archery Tournament held in Bangkok, Thailand. The team, consisting of archers Himu Bachar, Rakib Newaz, and Aishwarya, defeated Vietnam in the final match. Bangladesh scored 231 points, while Vietnam managed 225, securing victory by a six-point margin.

Although Bangladesh had high expectations in this tournament, the team failed to reach the semifinals in individual and mixed events. The compound men's team event ultimately brought success for the country. In the previous edition, archer Abdur Rahman Alif had won gold in the recurve men's individual category.

The Bangladesh Archery Federation and Asian Archery Federation President Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapol announced financial rewards for the medal-winning team following their victory.

At least six people were killed when the United States and Israel carried out airstrikes on three residential buildings in the Iranian city of Qom, according to the city’s deputy governor quoted by Fars News Agency. The number of injured remains unknown. In a separate incident, a missile attack struck a residential area in Urmia, destroying four buildings and causing additional civilian casualties.

The report also noted that US President Donald Trump warned Iran to return to negotiations, stating on social media that Tehran should take the matter seriously before it is too late. The warning came amid escalating tensions following the strikes.

According to the same source, Israel has threatened to intensify its attacks on Iran, signaling a possible continuation of military actions in the region.

A devastating fire broke out at Boalkhali Market in Dighinala upazila of Khagrachhari district early Friday, March 26, around 3 a.m., destroying at least 35 shops. According to local sources, the blaze started suddenly in one shop and quickly spread to nearby stores, causing panic among traders and residents.

Multiple fire service units responded promptly, joined by army personnel from the Dighinala zone and local residents, to bring the fire under control after several hours of effort. Despite their work, the fire completely gutted dozens of shops. Business owners reported losing all their goods, with initial estimates suggesting damages worth four to five crore taka.

Fire Service Station Officer Mukul Kumar Nath said the fire was brought under control shortly after 3:10 a.m. The exact cause remains unknown, though an electrical short circuit is suspected. Authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the source of the blaze.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, according to the Saudi Press Agency. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed regional and international developments, reviewed bilateral relations, and exchanged views on the latest situation surrounding the Ukraine crisis.

The discussion also covered ongoing military tensions across the Middle East. The meeting comes after Zelensky had earlier announced the deployment of hundreds of Ukrainian military drone specialists to the Gulf region to assist in countering Iranian drones.

The engagement highlights Saudi Arabia’s continued diplomatic outreach amid regional instability and Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation on security matters.

Global oil prices declined following US President Donald Trump’s announcement to delay a planned strike on Iranian energy facilities by ten days. The decision was made public on Friday, after which both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) showed downward trends in international markets. As of 2:30 a.m. GMT, Brent crude dropped 1.5 percent to 93.07 dollars per barrel, while WTI fell 1.8 percent to 106.12 dollars per barrel.

Market analysts noted that the postponement provided temporary relief but warned that concerns over a prolonged conflict continued to unsettle the oil market. The overall sentiment remained cautious, with traders monitoring geopolitical developments closely.

The short-term decline in prices reflected immediate market reactions to reduced expectations of imminent military escalation, though analysts suggested that volatility could persist amid ongoing regional tensions.

At least six people were injured when two rival groups of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) clashed in Sandwip, Chattogram, on Thursday afternoon. The violence occurred at the party office in Chhullar Hat area of Ward 3 under Magdhara Union, reportedly over disputes concerning local dominance and conflicting Facebook posts. Police later brought the situation under control, and the injured were admitted to the upazila health complex.

According to local sources, the clash erupted during a mediation meeting aimed at resolving a long-standing dispute between BNP member Solaiman Badsha and upazila Mohila Dal president Kulsum Begum Khelna. Senior BNP leaders, including upazila BNP member secretary Alomgir Hossain Thakur, were present but left the scene as tensions escalated. Furniture at the party office was also damaged during the altercation.

Police said the situation is now calm, with both sides preparing to file complaints. Additional police have been deployed in the area to prevent further unrest, and legal action will follow after investigation.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has found major discrepancies in journalist Munni Saha’s fixed deposit accounts and summoned her for questioning. According to the report, she was interrogated on July 30, 2024, after investigators detected inconsistencies involving about Tk 12 crore in her fixed deposits. The ACC also revealed that Tk 120 crore was withdrawn from one of her accounts after August 5, 2024, following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. The Financial Intelligence Unit has frozen her accounts over alleged irregular transactions.

The ACC reported that Saha’s total assets amount to Tk 13.81 crore, while her declared income stands at Tk 3.24 crore. Her husband, Kabir Hossain, reportedly holds Tk 16.67 crore in assets against an income of Tk 8.17 crore. Investigators allege that Saha earned money through illegal means and attempted to transfer it abroad, violating the Money Laundering Prevention Act of 2012. She has not provided satisfactory explanations for the discrepancies and requested more time.

An ACC commissioner stated that the investigation is expected to conclude within a month despite reported lobbying efforts to halt the probe.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that the ongoing war against Iran is pushing the Middle East toward greater instability. Speaking at a ruling party meeting in Ankara on Thursday, he accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of spreading conflict throughout the region. Erdogan described the current war as one of the most painful chapters in the region’s recent history.

Highlighting the rising civilian casualties, Erdogan said the war against Iran is drowning the region in blood and gunpowder, with even innocent children becoming targets. He emphasized the humanitarian cost of the conflict and referred to it as Israel’s war, claiming that all of humanity is paying the price.

Erdogan added that during these difficult times, Turkey will stand beside its brotherly nations, signaling continued solidarity amid the regional turmoil.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced on Wednesday that it will increase prices by up to 8 percent for several retail and commercial services, citing higher transportation costs caused by rising global fuel prices linked to the Iran war. The new rates, pending approval from the Postal Regulatory Commission, will take effect on April 26 and remain in place until January 17, 2027. The price hike will apply to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select services.

USPS stated that transportation expenses have risen and that competitors have also imposed various surcharges. Earlier, delivery company UPS introduced a fuel surcharge on March 2, while FedEx continues to adjust its fuel surcharges based on gasoline prices in the United States. According to the motor club AAA, the average price of regular gasoline in the US has increased by 33.6 percent since the war began on February 28, while diesel prices have risen by 43 percent. Jet fuel prices have also climbed significantly since the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran began.

The USPS adjustment reflects broader cost pressures across the logistics sector as energy markets react to the ongoing conflict.