A farmer was killed and two others were seriously injured when lightning struck a wheat field in the Shihara Union border area of Patnitala upazila in Naogaon on Saturday morning, March 28, 2026. The deceased was identified as Ashraf Hossain, 38, son of Ainal Haque of Shitalmat village. The injured, Tarek Hossain, 35, and Sharif Hossain, 36, were taken to Sapahar Upazila Health Complex in critical condition.

Local residents said the three farmers were harvesting wheat when the lightning struck suddenly. The incident caused panic in the area as all three victims were from the same village. Shihara Union Parishad Chairman Tofazzal Hossain confirmed that one person died on the spot due to the natural disaster, while the other two were hospitalized.

Patnitala Police Station Officer-in-Charge Asaduzzaman Asad also confirmed the death and injuries resulting from the lightning strike.

Hezbollah has intensified attacks on northern Israel, destroying several settlements including Misgav Am, Teshuba, and Gad. The mayor of Margaliot broke down in tears while describing the devastation. On Wednesday, local council heads met government officials via Zoom to discuss the worsening situation, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging them to prevent residents from leaving their areas.

During the meeting, Mayor Avichai Stern accused the government of failing to support border communities, saying Israeli homes and infrastructure had turned into ruins. He criticized Netanyahu’s government as a major failure, urging immediate action or acknowledgment of its inability to manage the crisis.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed to have carried out 82 operations against Israeli forces in the past 24 hours, destroying two Israeli tanks. Fierce ground battles continue in southern Lebanon, particularly around Qantara and Miniara, where both sides are engaged in intense fighting.

Thirteen Bangladeshi fishermen were abducted by Myanmar’s armed rebel group Arakan Army from the Naf River near Shahparir Island in Teknaf on Saturday morning, March 27, 2026. The fishermen, all residents of Shahparir Island’s Majher Para and Dangorpara areas, were taken along with three fishing boats while catching fish near the Naikhyangdia area of the river.

Local union council member Abdul Mannan confirmed that the Arakan Army frequently detains fishermen, making fishing in the Naf River and nearby sea areas nearly impossible. Abdul Gafur, president of the Shahparir Island Fishermen’s Association, said the incident occurred around 7 a.m. after several engine boats had gone out to fish earlier that morning. The matter has been reported to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local authorities, and fear now grips the fishing community.

Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer Mohammad Inamul Hafiz Nadim stated that although no written complaint has yet been received, steps will be taken in coordination with the BGB and Coast Guard to bring the fishermen back. According to BGB and local sources, over the past 18 months, more than 400 fishermen have been detained by the Arakan Army, with about 250 later released.

In Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj, local authorities have begun enforcing a new directive that prohibits the sale of fuel to motorcyclists lacking valid documents or helmets. The operation took place on Saturday afternoon at Messrs. Suman Filling Station in Kansat, led by Executive Magistrate Toufiq Aziz. With police assistance, officials verified each motorcycle’s registration, driving license, and helmet before allowing fuel distribution. Riders without proper documentation were turned away.

Several customers welcomed the initiative, saying it would help restore discipline on roads and reduce the movement of illegal vehicles. They also noted that maintaining the rule permanently could prevent fuel wastage and positively impact national revenue.

Executive Magistrate Toufiq Aziz stated that the directive has been implemented across all petrol pumps under district administration orders. He emphasized that such drives will continue regularly to ensure road safety and law enforcement compliance, urging all pump owners to strictly follow the instructions.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Division of Bangladesh announced on Saturday, March 28, 2026, that there is no possibility of a fuel supply shortage in the country. In an official statement, the division said that fuel reserves and distribution remain normal and urged citizens not to panic or buy fuel excessively. It also warned that petrol, octane, and diesel are highly flammable and that illegal storage poses serious safety risks.

The division stated that legal action is being taken against unauthorized fuel hoarding, with mobile courts operating under executive magistrates in every district. The government has not raised fuel prices and continues to import necessary quantities from the international market to ensure uninterrupted supply. To strengthen monitoring, tag officers will be appointed at all petrol pumps, with the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation overseeing those in Dhaka and Chattogram.

Additionally, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed at fuel depots nationwide to prevent illegal storage and maintain orderly distribution. The deployment follows instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs in response to global fuel market instability caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis.

In Gaibandha’s Phulchhari upazila, the banned Awami League has reportedly continued organizing political programs despite restrictions on its activities. On March 26, the party observed Independence Day in Erendabari Union under the leadership of mid-level leader Popel Ahmed. The event was attended by Phulchhari Upazila Awami League president and former upazila chairman GM Selim Parvez, along with leaders and activists from various affiliated organizations.

Local police sources said the officer-in-charge of Phulchhari Police Station, Durul Huda, was on leave at the time. Acting officer SI Abdul Kaiyum stated he would investigate the matter and report to his superior. Opposition figures criticized the incident, with BNP’s Phulchhari unit general secretary Abdus Salam asserting that a banned party cannot hold such programs, while Jamaat-e-Islami’s upazila chief Sirajul Islam called it a failure of law enforcement and demanded action.

Reports indicate that the banned Awami League had previously organized events on February 21 and March 25, raising further questions about the implementation of the ban.

The government of Bangladesh will honor 129 national athletes on March 30 as part of a new initiative to provide sports allowances and recognition under a structured salary system. The awards will be presented by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, according to State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque at a press conference organized by the National Sports Council on March 28. The program is being implemented under the slogan “If sports become a profession, families will gain confidence.”

The initiative marks the first step in fulfilling the government’s election pledge to develop sports nationwide. While 129 athletes have been selected for the initial phase, the ministry plans to include 500 national athletes under the salary structure starting April 1. The selected athletes represent a wide range of disciplines, including archery, futsal, boxing, swimming, weightlifting, athletics, and more. Performance evaluations will occur every four months, and underperforming athletes may be removed from the list.

The state minister also announced plans to appoint sports officers in every upazila to promote grassroots sports and to launch the “New Buds Sports” program for children aged 12 to 14 by the end of April.

The price of Kuwaiti crude oil has risen sharply, exceeding $118 per barrel, according to Kuwait’s state news agency KUNA. The report said the price increased by $8.10 to reach $118.93 per barrel. The surge is linked to the ongoing war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which has disrupted global energy markets.

Tensions in the region have severely affected oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian attacks or threats have nearly halted tanker movements. This strait handles about one-fifth of global energy exports, making its disruption a critical factor in the recent price spike.

The conflict has destabilized supply chains and heightened fears of a global energy crisis as the Strait of Hormuz becomes increasingly insecure, raising concerns about further economic strain worldwide.

A new attack struck near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant on Friday night, marking the third such incident in ten days. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that no radioactive material was released and that the reactor sustained no damage. The agency said the facility continues to operate normally and remains structurally intact following the strike, which occurred amid ongoing regional conflict.

According to the IAEA, the attack followed Israeli military operations targeting a heavy water reactor and a uranium processing site in central Iran, though Israel did not mention Bushehr specifically. Iran’s state news agency Fars reported that a projectile hit the plant’s grounds at 11:40 p.m. local time and blamed the United States and Israel for the incident. No casualties or damage were reported.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi urged all parties to exercise maximum military restraint. The Bushehr plant, located in southwestern Iran, is the country’s only operational nuclear power facility and has been connected to the national grid since 2011.

A teenage auto-rickshaw driver died while undergoing treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital after being assaulted over a 50 taka charging fee dispute in Jagannathpur, Sunamganj. The incident occurred on the night of March 24 at Badsha Mia’s garage in the Syedpur (Ishankona) area. The victim, Imran Hossain, 16, from Dhohalia Union’s Bhabanipur village, had lived with his family as tenants in Syedpur for several years.

According to local and police sources, the dispute began when Imran tried to pay 50 taka less for charging his auto-rickshaw. Garage owner Badsha Mia and his associate Zakir allegedly attacked him with a GI pipe, hammer, and wooden sticks. Severely injured, Imran was first taken to Jagannathpur Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Sylhet, where he died four days later on Friday morning.

Police arrested Zakir from his home on Friday afternoon, while main suspect Badsha Mia remains at large. The victim’s father has filed a case, and police say efforts to arrest the remaining accused are ongoing.

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) in Manikganj has uncovered the mystery behind the widely discussed beheading case of auto-rickshaw driver Rafik Mia. According to PBI Superintendent of Police Jayita Shilpi, the murder was committed to steal Rafik’s auto-rickshaw. The announcement was made at a press conference at the district PBI office on March 28, 2026. Three suspects—Ripon Mia, Arman Hossain, and Sajib—have been arrested, and during preliminary interrogation, they confessed to their involvement.

PBI reported that on March 24, the accused lured Rafik to the bank of the Kaliganga River in the Panch Barail area of Nabagram Union under the pretext of drug use. They struck him from behind with a hammer, slit his throat with a sharp weapon, and separated his head from his body. The body and head were thrown into the river separately. Rafik’s auto-rickshaw was later recovered by PBI.

Although Rafik’s body was found on March 25, his head remains missing. A diving team continues the search in the Kaliganga River. Rafik’s brother, Arif Mia, has filed a murder case, and legal proceedings against the arrested suspects are underway.

A fire broke out in an industrial area of the United Arab Emirates early Saturday following missile and drone attacks launched from Iran. According to Emirati authorities, no casualties have been reported from the incident. The UAE Ministry of Defense stated that its air defense systems were activated to intercept the incoming cruise missiles and drones.

The attack occurred about a month after the start of a regional conflict, with Tehran reportedly intensifying its strikes across the Gulf region. Abu Dhabi’s government media office confirmed that emergency teams were working to control two fires in the Khalifa Economic Zones area. Officials added that a ballistic missile was successfully intercepted, but debris from the destroyed projectile caused the fires.

Authorities have not provided further details about the extent of the damage or whether additional security measures will be taken in response to the incident.

Iranian hackers have breached the personal email account of FBI Director Kash Patel, according to a statement confirmed by FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson. The hackers reportedly accessed and released photos and information dating from 2011 to 2022, including personal, business, and travel-related materials. Williamson stated that the FBI has taken all necessary steps to mitigate potential risks and confirmed that no government information was compromised.

The cyberattack has been attributed to a group known as the Handala Hack Team, which claimed responsibility for the breach. The group said Patel would now find his own name among the list of hacking victims. Earlier this month, the same group allegedly carried out a cyberattack that disrupted operations at a major U.S. medical equipment manufacturer.

The incident underscores ongoing cybersecurity threats targeting high-profile U.S. officials and institutions, though the FBI emphasized that the breach involved only personal data and posed no direct threat to government systems.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the police are not a partisan force but should serve as friends of the people. He emphasized that the government aims to make the police a modern, service-oriented, and humane institution free from political influence. The minister made these remarks on Saturday morning at the passing-out parade of the 43rd BCS Police Batch at the Bangladesh Police Academy in Sardah, Rajshahi.

He said that as part of democratic reforms, a Police Reform Commission has been established to keep the force free from political interference, and its benefits will soon be visible. Addressing the new officers, the minister urged them to serve the public, uphold justice, and instill fear in criminals while ensuring peace for the innocent. He added that the government is following a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and encouraged officers to gain advanced technical knowledge to combat digital crimes.

The event underscored the government’s broader agenda to modernize law enforcement and strengthen public trust in policing.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that his country has reached an agreement with Iran concerning the Hormuz Strait. Under the deal, Iran will allow Thai oil tankers to pass safely through the strategic waterway. The announcement was made on Saturday during a press conference, where the prime minister said the arrangement would ease concerns over energy imports, as Thailand relies heavily on oil from the Middle East.

Earlier this month, a cargo ship flying the Thai flag was damaged by a projectile in the Hormuz Strait. The Omani navy later rescued the vessel’s crew, though three sailors remain missing. The incident had raised safety concerns for Thai shipping operations in the region.

The new agreement is expected to reduce risks for Thailand’s oil transport routes and stabilize its energy supply chain, according to the prime minister’s remarks.