Newly appointed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Minhajur Rahman stated that there is no fuel crisis in Sunamganj district. He made the remarks on Thursday morning during a meeting with local journalists. The DC emphasized that the administration is giving top priority to maintaining agricultural activities and urged everyone to work together to protect farmers’ interests. He confirmed that no information indicating a fuel shortage has reached his office and that no such situation has arisen in the district.

Regarding crop protection embankments, the DC said he had been aware of the issue before taking office and has been maintaining regular communication with all concerned parties since his appointment. He recently visited Shantiganj upazila to inspect embankments, reviewed progress with officials and locals, and oversaw repair work on a damaged section. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to standing by farmers at all times.

Several additional deputy commissioners were present during the meeting, including those responsible for revenue, education and ICT, overall administration, and local government.

The Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Road Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam for prioritizing public interest over bus owners’ demands in setting new fares. The association’s secretary general, Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, issued a statement on Thursday following the government’s decision to raise bus fares by 11 paisa per kilometer in response to a one-taka increase in diesel prices.

According to the statement, bus owners had pressured the government for a 64 percent fare hike using inflated cost analyses, despite the minimal fuel price adjustment. The association recalled that in August 2022, when diesel prices rose sharply, fares were increased by 22 percent, but subsequent fare reductions were never implemented for passengers. The new adjustment raises fares by 4.45 to 5.19 percent across different routes.

The association warned that bus owners might exploit loopholes in fare-setting committees to overcharge passengers and urged the government to prevent fraudulent fare practices and stop CNG-run buses from charging diesel-rate fares.

International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol has warned that the ongoing Iran war and continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are severely disrupting global energy flows. In an interview with Reuters, Birol said the world is facing the biggest energy security threat in history as a result of these developments.

Birol explained that the conflict has already removed 13 million barrels of oil per day from the market and caused major disruptions in the supply of key commodities. Before the war, about 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily. He described the current situation as a “dual blockade,” with neither Iran nor the United States allowing ships to enter or leave the strait.

He also warned of growing risks to Europe’s jet fuel supply, noting that the region previously relied on Middle Eastern refineries for about 75 percent of its jet fuel, which has now dropped to almost zero. Europe is seeking alternative supplies from the United States and Nigeria.

The Ministry of Finance of Bangladesh has approved a subsidy release of Tk 2,067 crore and 5 lakh to clear the March 2026 outstanding bills of private power producers. The directive, issued on April 21, states that the funds will be disbursed to the Bangladesh Power Development Board for payment to independent power producers (IPPs) and rental power plants (RPPs). The amount will come from the electricity subsidy allocation under the revised budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year.

According to the directive, the subsidy was calculated based on the actual shortfall of 85 IPPs and 9 RPPs for March, while dues up to February have already been settled. The Finance Division imposed conditions that no funds will be released for two unapproved power plants or for electricity imports from India. It also instructed the concerned entities to obtain necessary approvals promptly.

The ministry further directed that the subsidy be used strictly for the designated IPP and RPP payments, with full compliance to financial regulations. Monthly shortfall reports must be submitted to enhance transparency, and future audits will reconcile the subsidy with verified liabilities.

Iran has collected its first transit fee from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, marking the beginning of a new toll system. The announcement was confirmed by Hamidreza Haji Babayi, deputy speaker of Iran’s parliament, who said the first installment of the collected toll has already been deposited into the Central Bank of Iran’s account. Another parliament member, Alireza Salimi, also confirmed the toll collection based on reliable sources.

According to the report, the toll amount is determined by factors such as the type of vessel, cargo volume, and level of risk. Iran’s parliament had planned this ‘security tax’ to help cover the costs of ensuring safety in the strategic waterway. The measure comes as ship movements through the Strait have been disrupted since February 28 due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Iran has recently tightened control over commercial vessels transiting the area, allowing passage only under specific conditions.

With this step, Iran has formally begun a regular toll collection process for ships using the Strait of Hormuz.

Electricity generation at the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant in Dinajpur has come to a complete stop after its last operational unit ceased production at midnight on April 22. The 125-megawatt Unit 1 stopped functioning when stones mixed with coal caused a boiler pipe to burst, according to the plant’s chief engineer Abu Bakkar Siddique. The shutdown has disrupted power supply to the national grid.

Repair work is underway, and it may take four to five days to resume production. The plant’s other two units—one of 125 megawatts and another of 275 megawatts—had already been out of operation due to mechanical faults. The Barapukuria plant, built in 2006 beside the Barapukuria coal mine, was designed to produce 525 megawatts through three units but has never reached full capacity because of recurring technical issues.

The complete halt in production marks another setback for the coal-based facility, which has faced repeated operational interruptions over the years.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit announced in parliament that the government has decided to implement a 110-megawatt load shedding in Dhaka on a trial basis. The decision aims to ensure that farmers are not affected by electricity shortages during the irrigation season and to reduce inequality between rural and urban areas. The announcement was made on Thursday under Rule 300 in the National Parliament.

The minister expressed regret for the public suffering caused by ongoing power cuts, noting that current nationwide load shedding stands at around 2,000 megawatts but is expected to decline within seven days. He explained that despite high theoretical generation capacity, actual production remains lower due to gas shortages and maintenance at some power plants. Bangladesh currently faces a daily gas shortfall of about 1,164 million cubic feet.

Amit said the government, guided by the Prime Minister and in consultation with the opposition leader, is prioritizing uninterrupted electricity for agriculture. He added that visible progress in expanding gas infrastructure is expected within 180 days under the government’s priority plan.

A new analysis by real estate consultancy Knight Frank projects that the number of billionaires worldwide could rise to nearly 4,000 within the next five years. The firm’s report indicates that the current global billionaire population stands at 3,110 and is expected to grow by 25 percent to 3,915 by 2031. The study also found a sharp increase in multimillionaires, with individuals holding assets worth at least 30 million dollars rising from 162,191 in 2021 to 713,626 globally.

Knight Frank’s head of research, Liam Bailey, attributed the rapid wealth expansion to profits from the technology sector, particularly artificial intelligence. He noted that business scalability has reached record levels, enabling faster accumulation of wealth through technology and AI. The report highlights that Saudi Arabia is expected to see the fastest growth in billionaires, from 23 in 2026 to 65 by 2031, while Poland and Sweden will also experience significant increases.

The findings come amid widening global inequality. The World Inequality Report shows that 0.001 percent of the world’s population controls more than three times the total wealth of the poorest groups, while Oxfam reported a record number of new billionaires last year.

The government of Bangladesh has increased bus fares by 11 paisa per kilometer in response to rising fuel prices. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced the decision on Thursday at the ministry’s meeting room in the Secretariat. The minimum fare remains unchanged at 10 taka. In Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas, bus and minibus fares have been raised from 2.42 taka to 2.53 taka per kilometer, while long-distance bus fares have increased from 2.12 taka to 2.23 taka per kilometer.

The minister stated that the revised fares will take effect immediately and will apply only to diesel-powered buses. CNG-run buses are excluded from this adjustment. He also mentioned that fares would be reduced again if fuel prices decrease. No decision has yet been made regarding railway fare adjustments.

Earlier, a 12-member fare adjustment committee of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority had discussed a possible 22 paisa increase per kilometer for city and inter-district buses, but that proposal was not finalized.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman has said that even after 55 years of independence, the country has not been able to establish a second oil refinery, which he described as an urgent necessity in the current context. He made the remarks on Thursday at the closing ceremony of the Capstone Course conducted by the National Defence College in Mirpur, Dhaka.

General Waker-uz-Zaman emphasized that global crises are emerging one after another, making energy security more critical than ever. He underscored the importance of developing energy infrastructure to address these challenges. The army chief also stated that no institution can sustain itself without accountability and expressed his expectation that the army will always remain within a framework of accountability.

According to the source, a total of 45 fellows participated in the course, including members of parliament, senior military and police officers, academics, doctors, high-ranking representatives from government and private organizations, diplomats, and business leaders. Senior officials from various institutions attended the ceremony.

Authorities in Chauddagram, Cumilla, are investigating allegations against the Chaudhury Filling Station for selling fuel at inflated prices during nighttime hours while claiming shortages during the day. The issue resurfaced after earlier irregularities, including a fine of 50,000 taka imposed on August 25 for underweight fuel sales. Despite this penalty, reports indicate that the station’s manager, Nasir Uddin, charged an extra five taka per liter for diesel and additional amounts for petrol and octane.

Local transport operators and motorcycle riders have complained of being unable to purchase fuel during the day. However, after 8 p.m., soil transport businesses reportedly collect large quantities of fuel in drums. During a field visit on Tuesday evening, journalists observed fuel being loaded into vehicles, and one buyer confirmed paying extra for diesel. When questioned, the manager refused to comment and left the scene.

Chauddagram Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Nurul Amin visited the site following complaints but stated that the accused had left before his arrival. He added that further action would be taken if similar allegations arise again.

The administration of Kishoreganj upazila in Nilphamari has introduced a mandatory fuel card system to regulate fuel distribution. Starting Thursday, April 23, 2026, no vehicle will receive fuel without a valid fuel card. The upazila executive officer, Arifur Rahman, inaugurated the distribution by handing cards to two recipients at his office. The initiative aims to restore order at filling stations and prevent fuel hoarding.

According to the upazila administration, a verification and distribution committee has been formed to process applications and issue cards. On the first day, 280 cards were distributed after verification. Residents can collect cards from their respective union councils, while government employees can obtain them from the rural development office. Each card specifies the fuel allocation based on the applicant’s occupation and needs.

The administration stated that fuel supply operations will be conducted under the supervision of law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance. The card distribution process remains ongoing.

Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that six closed jute mills will be leased to the private sector by December. He made the statement during a press briefing at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Thursday morning. The minister said the initiative is expected to bring investments ranging from 200 to 500 crore taka and create new employment opportunities.

The announcement marks a step toward revitalizing the jute industry through private sector participation. The government aims to attract investment and generate jobs by transferring management of the closed mills to private operators. The decision follows ongoing efforts to improve efficiency and productivity in the sector.

If implemented as planned, the leasing process could help restore industrial activity in the affected areas and contribute to broader economic growth through renewed jute production and export potential.

Private sector lender Southeast Bank is struggling to recover its defaulted loans, with 71 percent of its total Tk 2,513 crore in defaults concentrated among the top 10 borrowers as of December last year. According to the bank’s internal report, these top defaulters owe Tk 1,779 crore, with KSRM and S Alam Group alone accounting for nearly Tk 1,000 crore. The Anti-Corruption Commission has filed a case against KSRM Group’s chairman Abdul Khaleq Pathan and six others for allegedly embezzling funds from the bank’s Gulshan branch using forged documents.

S Alam Group ranks second with Tk 474 crore in defaulted loans, followed by FARR Ceramics Limited with Tk 338 crore and Padma Poly Cotton Knit Fabrics Limited with Tk 171 crore. Other defaulters include Tang Hai Knitting and Dyeing, Bishwas Garments, Care Specialized Hospital, ABN Properties, Intramex Group, and NASA Group. Bank officials said recovery efforts are ongoing, though some defaulters have fled or been jailed.

Managing Director Khalid Mahmud Khan stated that the bank is maintaining contact with clients and attempting to regularize loans where possible, including through rescheduling and asset sales.

Bangladesh’s Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that bus fares across the country have been increased by 11 paisa per kilometer, effective immediately from April 23, 2026. The minimum fare remains unchanged at 10 taka. The decision was made following a meeting with transport workers and owners at the Secretariat on Thursday.

According to the minister, the fare adjustment applies only to diesel-powered buses, while CNG-powered buses are excluded from this increase. He added that if fuel prices decrease in the future, bus fares will also be reduced accordingly. No decision has yet been made regarding fare adjustments for rail or water transport.

Currently, the fare for long-distance routes is set at 2 taka 12 paisa per kilometer, while in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas, the rate stands at 2 taka 42 paisa per kilometer.