BSC Writes to Foreign Ministry to Strengthen Diplomatic Efforts Four Bangladesh Ships in Strait of Hormuz

Although Iran has eased restrictions on vessel movement in the Strait of Hormuz, no Bangladesh-flagged ships have been able to cross the “red zone.” The number of such vessels is 20. Among them, 10 ships carry 146 seafarers and crew members. There are also four Bangladesh-flagged ships in nearby waters, all of whose seafarers and crew are Bangladeshi.

July Movement Activist Accuses Former ICT Chief Prosecutor Tajul of Corruption

A participant in the July mass uprising has raised serious allegations of corruption and misconduct against former International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and several prosecutors associated with him.

Bangladesh Celebrates 106th Birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu

Today is the 106th birth anniversary of the undisputed leader of Bangladesh and Father of the Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Publishers Call 2026 Ekushey Book Fair the Worst in History Amid Near-Zero Book Sales

This year, the Bangla Academy has delivered what many are calling the most disastrous book fair in the country’s history. On one hand, far fewer books were published than expected; on the other, book sales have practically dropped to zero, creating a new milestone of failure. Those involved said that alarmingly there were almost no new books on the Liberation War, and the fair has turned into a laughable event with almost no visitors.

Matiur Rahman Chowdhury Elected NOAB President for 2026-27 Term

Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, editor-in-chief of Daily Manab Zamin, has been elected president of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB).

Crude Oil Reserves Under Pressure as New Shipment Delayed

The impact of the ongoing war situation in the Middle East and the tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz has begun to affect the reserves of the country’s only state-owned oil refinery, Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL). Currently, about 100,000 tons of crude oil are stored at the refinery in Chattogram, which officials say will allow production to continue for a maximum of another 20 to 22 days. If no new shipment arrives within that time, pressure may build on the refinery’s production system.

Fuel Crisis Raises Concerns of Eid Travel Disruptions

Nilachal Paribahan operates 350 buses. Of these, 95 run on long-distance routes from Dhaka to destinations such as Cox’s Bazar, Noakhali, and Lakshmipur. Last Thursday, 30 buses were out of service due to the fuel crisis. On the company’s Gabtoli-Narsingdi route, 16 out of 40 buses remained idle because they could not obtain fuel due to long queues of vehicles at filling stations.

MV Banglar Joyjatra Turns Back While Heading Toward Strait of Hormuz

The state-owned company Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC)’s vessel MV Banglar Joyjatra has left the port of Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates but has now become stranded with 31 sailors near the port of Sharjah. The vessel’s next destination was the port of Mumbai in India. To reach there, it would have to cross the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. However, due to the ongoing war situation, ship movement through this crucial waterway has effectively been suspended. Although the vessel had set sail to proceed, members of the UAE Coast Guard advised it not to travel through the route at this moment.

Citizens Protest Parliamentary Condolence Motion for 1971 War Crime Accused Razakars

Forty-one prominent citizens have issued a statement protesting the raising of a condolence motion in the 13th National Parliament for Razakars accused of being collaborators and perpetrators of crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of 1971. Poet and activist Mir Bobi confirmed the matter on Friday (March 13).

Pump Owners Issue Shutdown Warning Over Lack of Security

Unrest is increasing at petrol pumps across the country after the introduction of a rationing system for fuel supply. In this situation, pump owners have demanded that the government quickly ensure security and increase the supply of fuel. At the same time, they have warned that if effective measures are not taken to control the situation, they may take strict decisions such as shutting down pump operations.