United News of Bangladesh

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have arrested four individuals in connection with the murder of a young man in the capital’s Jatrabari area. The arrestees are Arman Haque Bipu alias Jubo, 21; Md. Ismail Hossain Fahim alias Shafin, 21; Kamrul Islam Rana, 30; and Ali Hossain, 50. According to Jatrabari Police Station, Sadman Saif Raivi, 23, was a second-year honors student at Siddheshwari University College and also worked part-time at a pharmaceutical company in the Tejgaon area. On Monday, March 23, at approximately 9:00 pm, he left home saying he was going to a friend’s house but did not return. Later, the family attempted to contact him via mobile phone, but it was switched off. On Thursday, March 26, the victim’s father filed a general diary at the Gendaria Police Station. On the same day, relatives learned through social media that a half-decayed body of an unidentified youth had been recovered from the North Kutubkhali area under Jatrabari police jurisdiction. When they visited the Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue and saw the word “RAIVI” written on the jersey worn by the body, the family identified it as that of Sadman Saif Raivi. Jatrabari Police sources informed that the body was recovered from a canal in the North Kutubkhali area around 7:50 am on March 26. Initially, the Jatrabari police station filed a case of unnatural death. Later, based on the plaintiff’s complaint, a murder case was registered. CCTV footage obtained during the investigation shows accused Arman Haque Bipu and Ismail Hossain Fahim, around 5:30 am on March 24, carrying the victim Raivi by the shoulders, while Md. Zubair and Kamrul Islam Rana walked behind them. Additionally, the accused and the victim Raivi, were present at a gathering on the roof of Kamrul Islam Rana’s house on the night of March 23. It is believed that the accused, acting in collusion, killed Raivi and disposed of the body in the canal, sometime between the morning of March 24 and the morning of March 26. Jatrabari Police sources also said that the main suspect, Md. Zubair, has left the country for Australia, and there has been an attempt to delete important CCTV footage from the scene. On March 28, at approximately 11:30 am, a raid was conducted by Jatrabari police, resulting in the arrest of the accused named in the complaint. Legal action is currently underway against those arrested.

The Middle East war poses a greater risk to Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and to a lesser extent Laos, due to their high dependence on imported energy and limited reserve supplies, says S&P Global Ratings, noting that these countries are particularly vulnerable to rising oil prices and potential supply disruptions. In their base case scenario, the war is unlikely to have a material impact on their sovereign ratings for these countries, but a more prolonged price and supply shock in global energy markets could cause more pronounced credit damage. Asian stocks decline, oil prices rise amid uncertainty over Iran conflict At S&P Global Ratings with analyst-driven credit ratings, research, and sustainable finance opinions provide critical insights that are essential to translating complexity into clarity so market participants can unlock opportunities and make decisions with conviction.  Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are showing signs of economic recovery. The three countries have made progress, but sustained high energy prices and potential disruptions to trade and remittances could derail their fragile economies. Laos is comparatively less exposed due to its hydropower electricity generation and balanced fiscal position. While still vulnerable to extended energy price and supply shocks, the conditions supporting the positive outlook on our long-term ratings remain intact for now. “Our ratings on Bangladesh can likely withstand the shorter-term economic disruptions associated with our base case scenario,” said the report by the American credit rating agency. However, the country faces mounting growth, inflation, and external risks if the spike in energy prices endures longer than they currently anticipate, S&P said.   The duration of the Middle East conflict and associated price shock, as well as the physical availability of fuel supplies, will be key determinants of the impact on the sovereign's creditworthiness. Higher fuel prices are likely to arrest the gradual decline in inflation over the next three to six months, and could sap underlying recovery momentum in the economy. Nearly 50% of Bangladesh's electricity generation is gas-fired, and nearly a quarter of its gas needs are met through imports. Meanwhile, the economy is almost entirely reliant on imports for crude and refined oil products. Oil supply reserves are likely to be less than one month, after which measures to curb consumption may become more pronounced if imports remain constrained. While the government and national energy companies have been able to secure some additional gas, diesel, and petrol supplies recently, the availability of these could become scarcer if the conflict endures. Officials have moved quickly to implement measures aimed at blunting the hit from higher fuel prices. These include a cap on retail fuel prices alongside a temporary rationing mechanism, cuts to operations at fertilizer plants to prioritize gas supply to power plants, and early school closures to manage energy consumption. The country is already grappling with stubbornly high inflation, which rose to 9.2% in February from 8.6% in January, and an extended moderation in growth following the collapse of the previous government in mid-2024. The Bangladesh National Party's solid margin of victory in February 2026 elections, and a relatively smooth transition from the caretaker government, mitigates risks of policy paralysis, and could help to restore policy continuity and political stability following a period of heightened uncertainty. However, policy tools available to the officials will be bound by price pressures, the taka exchange rate, foreign reserve targets, and the government's limited revenue-generation capacity. Bangladesh's revenue to GDP ratio is among the lowest of all rated sovereigns. It is estimated that it will be around 9% in the current fiscal year (ending June 2026). The war will also be an unwelcome headwind against Bangladesh's improving external position. Foreign exchange reserves rose to US$29.6 billion as of March 12, 2026, a substantial boost compared to just US$19.7 billion at the same time in 2025. The country's overall current account balance has improved, too, supported by surging remittance inflows, and despite a slowdown in the ready-made garment export sector. The accumulation of a more meaningful foreign exchange buffer, and the current account's modest surplus position so far this fiscal year, will help to alleviate the immediate stresses that could arise from a period of acutely high energy prices. However, a more drawn-out conflict would pressure Bangladesh's economy across a variety of fronts, including through the import channel, which could shift the current account back into a deficit depending on the length and scale of the price shock.

The government will take tougher measures against fuel hoarding and smuggling as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to act against those creating an artificial oil crisis in the country. He gave the directives chairing the meeting of the BNP Parliamentary Party at the Ruling Party’s Meeting Room at the Parliament Secretariat in the afternoon, a day before the first session of the 13th parliament will resume after a 14-day recess. Tarique Rahman, also the Leader of the House, asked the Members of Parliament (MPs) to be vigilant against the artificial fuel crisis and price hike, said Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni while talking to reporters after the meeting. PM Tarique Rahman visits BNP central office in Nayapaltan “Our leader has given a directive to the MPs to remain vigilant everywhere so that fuel price would not go high and the government, in coordination with the district administration and other (field-level) administrations, can take action wherever necessary,” he said. The Prime Minister also directed the Power, Energy and Mineral Resource Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood to deliver a speech under the Section 300 of the Rules of Procedure in the House on Sunday with a tough message against the fuel hoarding. The Chief Whip said the government provides Tk 200 crore subsidy every month to keep fuel prices under control. “The government is trying to keep the price of oil stable by subsidizing about 200 crore taka every month. But some unscrupulous syndicates are trying to create an artificial crisis,” he said. Noting that fuel is smuggled from the country due higher prices in a neighbouring country, the Chief Whip informed that the Prime Minister asked the Home Minister to take tough action against fuel smuggling. “Besides, operations will be conducted against those who hoard fuel or try to create an artificial crisis simultaneously,” said Nurul Islam while raising the PM’s directives given in the meeting. 

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday said keeping fuel prices unchanged in the country despite their rise in international markets in the wake of the war if West Asia is a major success of the government. “The success has been possible because of advance preparation,” he told reporters after a meeting of BNP Parliamentary Party held at the ruling party’s meeting room in the Parliament Secretariat in the afternoon. Review of 133 ordinances 'at final stage': Salahuddin Ahmed Noting that the government keeps the fuel prices stable by providing additional subsidy, he said, “Our plan is to give comfort to people, especially during the Boro season, so that there is no crisis in agricultural production and the cost of agricultural inputs (including fuel) doesn’t go up.” Referring to the global fuel situation, he said prices of fuel have increased in many neighbouring countries and some countries even shut down educational institutions due to energy shortages. “But in Bangladesh everything has been managed smoothly under the directives of the Prime Minister. We hope we will be able to maintain the situation,” he said. About energy smuggling, the Home Minister said a few incidents of fuel smuggling have come to the notice of the government and such activities will be curbed with strict hands. Turning to the ordinances promulgated during the interim government, Salahuddin said the parliamentary special committee would sit again on Sunday night to discuss the 133 ordinances issued during the interim government. “The meeting will be held at 8:30pm tomorrow, where a final decision regarding the ordinances will be taken. Based on that, the committee will prepare its report,” he said. The report is scheduled to be placed in Parliament on April 2 and then it will proceed to the legislative process in accordance with the rules, he said.

A housewife was killed and six others injured in Rangpur on Saturday when a live electric wire, torn off by strong winds, fell on their home. The deceased, Kajoli Begum, 50, was at her house in Bahar Kachna Ramgovind Bangitari area of the city when the accident occurred. She was the wife of local tea seller Saiful Islam. Police Officer Rafiqul Islam confirmed her death Saturday night. Local sources said heavy rain and strong winds hit Rangpur on Saturday afternoon. A meter wire from Saiful Islam’s house was torn by the wind and fell onto a tin roof, electrifying the home. Kajoli Begum was seriously shocked while touching a door in her room to offer prayers. Her husband Saiful, teenage daughter Sabrina, brother-in-law Hafizul Islam, sister-in-law Ratna Begum, and two neighbours were also injured while trying to rescue her. She was rushed to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, whebut died on the way. Youth killed by lightning in Rangpur Mostafizur Rahman, in-charge of Rangpur Meteorological Office, said the district recorded 54 millimeters of rainfall from Friday to Saturday evening. He warned that similar weather is expected to continue for the next few days.

A housewife in Feni, whose husband being an activist of the Awami League gave her verbal talaq after she voted against his wishes in the last parliamentary election, remains in uncertainty with her three children more than a month after the incident. Bibi Johura has been forced to live separately from her husband since February 13. She is currently staying with her mother-in-law along with her children. Her husband, Ismail Hossain Kawsar, has reportedly left the area following resistance from local residents. Community leaders and religious figures are working to resolve the dispute and bring the family together again. On Friday evening, BNP National Executive Committee member Moshiur Rahman Biplob visited Johura and assured her of support through the Amra BNP Poribar (Our BNP Family), the party's outreach programme for those who suffer as a result of supporting them. It was started to take care of family members of slain or jailed party activists during the repressive era of the Awami League. Biplob said steps would be taken to build her a new house and provide monthly financial assistance. He also promised to bear the educational expenses of her three children. Biplob said the matter is being followed up by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, adding that party leaders are expected to visit Feni next week to begin implementing the commitments. Earlier, BNP leaders visited Johura’s home on February 14 and pledged to take responsibility for her family’s expenses and support efforts to restore the marriage. According to locals, the incident occurred during the 13th national election when Kawsar, a resident of Bamstola area under Dharmapur union and president of the Bangladesh Awami Swechchhasebak League in Ward No 9, barred his wife from going to the polling centre. Defying the restriction, Johura went to the polling station with her three children and cast her vote around 9:30am while Kawsar was asleep. He later learned about it from locals in the afternoon. In the evening, after confirming the matter with his wife, Kawsar became angry and pronounced verbal triple talaq on a nearby road, asking her not to return home. The incident sparked outrage among locals, who reportedly assaulted and detained Kawsar. Ex-Feni-3 MP Masud Uddin Chowdhury detained in Dhaka He later left the area after saying he would withdraw the divorce. Johura married Kawsar in 2013. The couple has three children. Since the separation, Johura has been struggling to support her family and is working in others’ homes to make ends meet, locals said.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md Abdus Salam on Saturday said freedom fighters belong to the nation and not to any political party. “Freedom fighters have no political party; they belong to this country,” he said while presiding over the programme titled “Bir Muktijoddha Reception-2026” held at Nagar Bhaban. The corporation accorded a reception to freedom fighters marking the Great Independence and National Day, where around 1,500 freedom fighters from Dhaka city participated in the event. Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan attended the programme as the chief guest. DSCC administrator distributes Eid grants among city cleaners Speaking at the event, the Liberation War Affairs Minister said, “Our identity is the Liberation War and our address is ’71. Our greatest achievement in a thousand years is our independence.” Referring to the political context, he said the 1990 mass uprising that ended autocracy and the 2024 student–people movement that overthrew fascism were major political achievements. “But if we equate these achievements with our independence, it would be a grave mistake. Bangladesh’s independence came only once—never before and never again,” he added. The minister also said the ministry under his leadership will undertake the challenging task of preparing accurate lists of real martyrs, genuine freedom fighters and collaborators of the Liberation War. He added that ensuring allowances, housing and medical facilities for freedom fighters remains a priority for the ministry. Presiding over the programme, DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam said no country can progress without honouring its freedom fighters. “Although freedom fighters are the rightful claimants of the country’s ownership, they have always worked to establish the ownership of the people,” he said. He also announced that if elected mayor in the future, DSCC will take full responsibility for ensuring the financial well-being of underprivileged freedom fighters in Dhaka city. He further urged the Liberation War Affairs Minister to ensure free medical treatment, housing support and improved transport facilities for freedom fighters. At the event, Captain Nurul Huda (Sector 9), convener of the Central Command Council of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Naeem Jahangir, its member secretary Sadeq Ahmed Khan, convener of Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat, BNP’s Freedom Fighter Affairs Secretary Lt Col (retd) Zainal Abedin, among others, shared their memories of the 1971 war.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday gave a directional speech to his party's MPs to make the newly formed Parliament vibrant. He delivered the speech while chairing a meeting of the BNP Parliamentary Party (BPP), held at the ruling party’s meeting room in the Parliament Secretariat in the afternoon, said Jahidul Islam Rony, Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister. Rony said an important meeting was held with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair to speed up the activities of the National Parliament. “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman delivered a directional speech to the members of parliament present at the meeting,” he said. During the meeting, the ruling party lawmakers expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Dilara Hafiz, the spouse of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram. They also joined a special Munajat, seeking salvation for the departed soul. Parliament returns Sunday after 14-day recess Besides, the meeting discussed the ongoing activities of the government, the current political situation, lawmaking activities and future action plans.END/UNB/ARJ-MS//ssk  

The body of a mentally unstable man who had been reported missing was recovered from the Korai River near Rajarchar in Barishal Sadar on Saturday morning. The deceased was identified as Sabuj Hawladar, 60, son of the late Abdul Aziz Hawladar of Dakshin Durgapur village in Chandpura Union of Barishal Sadar. According to Officer-in-Charge (OC), Asim Kumar Sikdar, of Barishal Sadar Naval Police, said Sabuj went missing after leaving his home on Friday afternoon. Body of young man found with stab wounds in Kushtia Locals found his body floating in the river near Rajarchar around 6:00 am on Saturday and informed the police. The body was later recovered by Police. Preliminary examination found no visible marks of injury on the body. The body has been sent to Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital for autopsy. The OC added that the body will be handed over to the family after the autopsy.

Police on Saturday arrested six people, including a woman, for their involvement in the gang rape of another woman in Alamdanga upazila in Chuadanga. The victim was lured by the main planner, alleged to be the arrested woman Kabita, and taken to a mango grove at gunpoint, where the assault took place. Police Superintendent Mohammad Ruhul Kabir Khan provided details at a press briefing on Saturday. The incident occurred around 10:00 pm on March 25 near a mango grove in Khadimpur Beledari, Alamdanga. Suspect arrested over Sylhet teen rape case The arrested include Kabita, wife of Faisal from Satgari village; Mizan, Samad Ali, Adam, Shahjahan, and Abdus Salam from surrounding villages. According to the case filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act (case no. 34), Kabita befriended the victim and convinced her to travel to Chuadanga Bazar by e-rickshaw. There, Abdus Salam, Shahjahan, and Samad Ali, in coordination with Adam Ali and Mizan, took turns assaulting the victim in a mango grove while threatening her to stay silent. The victim was later returned to the bazar and reported the crime to her husband, who urged her to file a formal complaint on March 28. Following the complaint, Chuadanga police launched a rapid operation led by Additional SP Mostafizur Rahman, capturing all six suspects from their homes early Saturday morning. SP Ruhul Kabir Khan said, "This is an extremely heinous crime. Our rapid and continuous operation ensured the arrest of all involved within hours. The police are taking all legal measures to bring the perpetrators to justice. Chuadanga Police will maintain a zero-tolerance policy against such crimes."