Five days after bus fares were raised following a fuel price hike, bus operations in Dhaka have yet to return to normal. The shortage began when a fuel crisis hit the country due to the Iran war, leading to fewer buses on major city routes such as Gulistan–Mirpur, Rampura, and Satrasta. As a result, passengers are facing long waits and overcrowded buses, particularly during office hours.

Bus conductors said they spend long hours in line to refuel, reducing the number of daily trips. Some owners are also avoiding operating buses lacking proper documents or fitness certificates under the new government. Although fares were officially increased last Thursday, most city buses are still charging old rates, as conductors have not received updated fare charts. Transport workers expressed dissatisfaction with the new fare structure, and owners have yet to issue final instructions.

On long-distance routes, the new fares have been implemented, but passengers reported being charged 50 to 150 taka more than the approved rates. The Passengers’ Welfare Association confirmed receiving growing complaints about overcharging on several inter-district routes.

The Migrant Welfare Network (MWN) has submitted a memorandum to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment demanding compensation, rehabilitation, justice, and accountability for hundreds of Bangladeshi workers who returned from Malaysia after facing abuse and fraud. The memorandum was handed over on Monday during a meeting with the expatriates’ welfare minister.

According to returning workers, they had spent between 500,000 and 550,000 taka to go to Malaysia in 2023 and were employed by companies such as Mediseram and Kawaguchi. They alleged that the companies withheld salaries for over five to six months, confiscated passports, and subjected them to forced labor and physical abuse. The minister reportedly assured them that the responsible recruitment agencies would be summoned and that compensation and blacklisting issues would be addressed.

The workers’ demands include immediate payment of due wages, full compensation under international standards, return of seized passports, cancellation of blacklists, effective rehabilitation programs, and legal action against exploitative agencies. They also called for zero-cost safe migration, reform of complaint mechanisms, and inclusion of workers in migration policy-making.

Bangladesh’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku announced that the government has set a target to generate 10,000 megawatts of solar power within the next five years to address the country’s electricity shortage. He made the statement on Monday at the Bangladesh-China Renewable Energy Forum organized by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in Dhaka’s Gulshan. The minister said unused government land will be identified and allocated for large-scale solar projects through inter-ministerial coordination, including land along the Jamuna River.

He added that unused land owned by agencies such as the railway will be brought under investment, and a committee has been formed to implement major projects under public-private partnerships. The minister acknowledged that private power producers’ dues, dollar shortages, and high fuel import costs have worsened the power situation, though some improvement in load-shedding is expected in the coming weeks. BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud bin Harun said new guidelines will allow private investors to use government land for 15 to 20 years, with a pilot project already underway in Feni’s Sonagazi.

CPD Research Director Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem emphasized that renewable energy is essential for energy security as fossil fuel-based economies face growing uncertainty. He noted that over $9 billion in investment will be needed to achieve the 10,000 MW green power goal by 2030.

A power generation unit of India’s Adani Group, which had been shut down due to a recent mechanical fault, has resumed operations. According to the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB), electricity from the previously closed unit began feeding into the national grid from Monday night. With both units now active, Bangladesh is again receiving electricity from the full capacity of the Adani power plant.

Data from the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) showed that the two units together had been supplying up to 1,499 megawatts before the disruption. On April 22, production dropped sharply to about 700 megawatts when one unit went offline, creating pressure on the national grid. The restoration of the unit is expected to stabilize supply levels and ease grid stress.

The report did not specify the exact location of the power plant or the duration of the shutdown, but the resumption marks a return to normal power flow from Adani’s facilities to Bangladesh.

Retail sales in the United Kingdom have fallen to their lowest level in more than four decades, according to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The CBI data, reported by Al Jazeera, show that the retail sales volume index dropped to -68 in April from -52 in March, marking the weakest reading since the index began in 1983. The decline is attributed to the ongoing war surrounding Iran and rising inflation concerns.

The survey also indicates growing pessimism for May, with the forecast index falling to -60, the lowest since March 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. CBI economist Martin Sartorius said the economic impact of the Iran conflict is becoming more evident and urged the government to recognize that reducing living costs requires lowering business expenses. The organization called on the government to ensure new labor laws do not excessively raise employer costs and recommended reducing property taxes and electricity bills.

The survey, conducted between March 26 and April 14 among 61 retail firms, found that weak consumer confidence negatively affected April sales.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Tehran still possesses several important economic 'cards' that remain unused, countering Washington’s claims of dominance. In a post on his social media account on Sunday, he argued that the United States has already lost a significant portion of its power while Iran retains strategic leverage through its supply-based capabilities.

Ghalibaf described a balance between Iran’s supply-side strengths—such as the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and oil pipelines—and the U.S. demand-side measures, including releasing oil from strategic reserves, demand control, and potential price adjustments. He noted that while the Hormuz card has been partially used, the Bab el-Mandeb and pipeline options remain untouched.

He further pointed out that the U.S. has already employed or partially used several of its tools and faces economic constraints, particularly with rising fuel demand expected during the summer vacation period.

The government of Bangladesh has announced a new initiative called the 'LPG Card' aimed at easing the cooking-related hardships of women. Prime Minister Tareq Rahman revealed the plan on April 27, 2026, in Sharsha upazila of Jashore after inaugurating the re-excavation of the Ulshi canal. The LPG Card will allow registered female members of families to purchase LPG cylinders at subsidized or reduced prices.

According to the announcement, the program primarily targets women across both rural and urban areas. Rural women who rely on firewood or straw for cooking and face health risks from smoke, as well as low- and middle-income urban women who struggle with high LPG prices, are expected to benefit. The card system is designed to reduce both physical and financial burdens associated with cooking fuel.

Although the full policy is still under development, the Prime Minister indicated that cardholders may receive a fixed amount of gas each month at lower prices and will be able to collect or refill cylinders quickly from designated dealers or points.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, announced that the country’s electricity situation will improve and load shedding will decrease starting next week. He made the statement on Monday during a discussion at the Bangladesh-China Renewable Energy Forum organized by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

The minister said the government aims to generate 10,000 megawatts of solar power within the next five years. He also noted that oil import costs have risen by 2 billion dollars and that 560 billion taka in electricity sector dues remain unpaid. During the same event, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun stated that the upcoming national budget will include duty benefits for battery production and imports.

The announcements reflect the government’s focus on renewable energy expansion and financial adjustments in the power sector to address current supply challenges.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the government will identify and correct existing errors in the Family Card project to ensure its effective implementation. Speaking to reporters after a committee meeting on the program at the Secretariat on Monday, he said the initiative aims to deliver benefits to the rightful recipients. The meeting was attended by Social Welfare Minister A Z M Zahid Hossain and Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir.

The minister explained that the project began on a pilot basis, during which some minor issues were detected. More than 37,000 cards have been distributed so far, and the authorities are reviewing whether any genuine beneficiaries were excluded or wrongly listed. He emphasized that the government will allocate sufficient funds in the upcoming budget to ensure the program continues without financial obstacles.

Chowdhury described the Family Card as not only a social protection initiative but also a humanitarian effort aimed at empowering women, supporting rural communities, and improving access to services for disadvantaged groups, with potential positive effects on the broader economy.

Low-cost airline Transavia, part of the Air France-KLM Group, announced on Sunday that it will cancel some flights scheduled for May and June due to rising jet fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The company said the cancellations represent about 2 percent of its total scheduled flights. Passengers affected by the cancellations will be offered free rescheduling, vouchers, or full refunds.

The report noted that the fuel crisis is spreading across Europe, which imports nearly half of its energy from Gulf countries. Disruptions in supply through the vital Strait of Hormuz have intensified market pressure since late February, following attacks in Iran by the United States and Israel. Around 20 percent of the world’s hydrocarbons pass through this route.

European Union Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen warned that Europe is heading toward a deeper energy crisis, which could further raise fuel prices and force more airlines to cancel flights. Transavia has already increased average round-trip fares by about 10 euros.

Twenty-four government electricity meters were installed across 24 Bihari camps in Syedpur, Nilphamari, but no bills have been paid for the past 11 years. Each month, electricity worth about Tk 5 million is consumed, and by February 2026, the total unpaid amount reached Tk 660 million. Field visits revealed that many residents also use direct connections from power lines without meters, keeping fans running continuously to avoid fire or disconnection risks.

Residents said they pay small amounts monthly but are unsure whether the money reaches the electricity office, as they cannot obtain meters in their own names. The Syedpur Camp Development Committee stated that they do not seek free electricity but want proper rehabilitation and the right to pay bills formally. A human rights activist attributed the problem to poor planning and the camps’ exclusion from formal urban infrastructure, which causes revenue losses and safety hazards.

According to the local NESCO official, the government installed one meter per camp and repeatedly requested the Disaster Management Ministry to clear dues. The ministry agreed to pay bills only up to 2016, citing that residents are now Bangladeshi citizens and responsible for their own payments.

An opinion piece published on April 27, 2026, argues that Bangladesh must significantly increase its education budget to strengthen the nation’s intellectual foundation. The article notes that while visible infrastructure projects such as bridges and metro rails are expanding, the country’s “invisible infrastructure” of knowledge and human capital remains underfunded. UNESCO and the International Labour Organization recommend allocating 4–6 percent of GDP or 15–20 percent of the national budget to education, but Bangladesh’s spending has stagnated around 2 percent of GDP for over a decade.

The author highlights structural weaknesses in spending, with most funds directed toward buildings, furniture, and salaries rather than research, teacher training, or laboratory development. This imbalance, the article warns, undermines educational quality and contributes to brain drain. The piece also stresses that inadequate funding widens inequality between rich and poor students and between urban and rural schools.

It concludes that prioritizing education in upcoming budgets and long-term plans is essential for building a smart, self-reliant Bangladesh capable of meeting global challenges through skilled and creative human resources.

International oil prices climbed after the collapse of a second round of ceasefire talks between Washington and Tehran. On Sunday, Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil pricing, rose by more than 2 percent. As of 12:30 a.m. GMT, the price stood at 107.35 dollars per barrel, nearly 47 percent higher than before the conflict began.

Despite the diplomatic deadlock, major Asian stock markets opened on a positive note. Investors appeared to largely disregard the uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire discussions. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index gained about 0.4 percent in early trading, while South Korea’s KOSPI index rose by as much as 1.5 percent.

The stalled negotiations have heightened concerns over energy supply stability, but market sentiment in Asia suggests cautious optimism amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said it will take several months for the global oil market to return to normal even after the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He made the remarks in an interview with Russia’s VGTRK broadcaster, according to Anadolu, noting that the Middle East crisis has caused a severe shortage of energy resources worldwide.

Novak explained that a large volume of oil has not reached the market and many ships remain stranded in the Hormuz Strait, making it difficult to restore balance quickly. He estimated that normal conditions could take months to reestablish.

The report recalled that Tehran took full control of the Strait of Hormuz on February 28 after a U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, disrupting global energy supplies across Asia. Although the conflict is currently suspended, efforts continue to achieve a lasting resolution.

A new federal report shows that electricity service in the United States was disconnected 13.4 million times and gas service 1.7 million times in 2024. The data, collected under a 2023 congressional law, reveal the scale of financial distress among households unable to pay utility bills. Researchers say the figures are far higher than previously estimated, raising concerns about energy insecurity across the country.

The report highlights that southern states recorded the highest disconnection rates, with Oklahoma leading where nearly three in ten customers lost service. Other states with high rates include Texas, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Experts attribute the surge to high poverty levels, rising energy prices, long hot seasons, and weak consumer protections. The Trump administration has again proposed eliminating the $4 billion LIHEAP program that helps low-income Americans pay energy bills, though Congress has previously rejected such moves.

Analysts warn that the situation may worsen, as electricity prices rose by more than 11 percent nationwide in 2025. Consumer groups are calling for stricter limits on utility profits and stronger rules to prevent service disconnections.