The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has announced full exemption from all existing duties and taxes on the import of electric buses used for transporting students of schools, colleges, universities, and similar educational institutions. The decision was formalized through a statutory regulatory order (SRO) issued on Thursday, according to an official press release. The exemption covers customs duty, regulatory duty, value-added tax, supplementary duty, advance tax, and advance income tax.

The NBR stated that both educational institutions and their authorized representatives importing electric buses for student transport will be eligible for the exemption. The buses must be painted yellow and clearly marked with words such as “school,” “college,” “student bus,” or “transport.” The NBR will process import applications within ten working days. The board also mentioned that the government is considering reducing duties on electric buses for general passengers to encourage energy savings and reduce travel costs.

According to the NBR, the exemption will help institutions provide modern, eco-friendly transport for students, reduce traffic congestion, save fuel, and lower parents’ transportation expenses.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz are severely constraining the global economy. Speaking on April 30, 2026, he said the instability caused by ongoing conflict in the region is generating a long-term economic crisis worldwide.

Guterres cautioned that even under the best circumstances, recovery from the current economic shock will not be easy. He noted that lifting all restrictions immediately would still require several months for global supply chains to return to normal. During that period, economic growth would remain weak and high commodity prices would persist.

He further emphasized that the disruption in global supply systems caused by the Hormuz crisis is directly harming the world economy. If the situation continues, he warned, the cost of living for ordinary people will rise further.

Several days of nor'wester storms, hail, and strong winds have caused extensive damage to the renowned Haribhanga mango orchards in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur. The early-season storms led to premature fruit drop and cracking of mangoes due to hail impact, leaving local farmers uncertain about their expected yield and income this year.

A field visit revealed fallen unripe mangoes scattered under trees, broken branches, and widespread fruit damage. Farmers expressed deep frustration as the Haribhanga mango plays a vital role in the local economy. Growers from Kursha and Soyer unions reported losing large portions of their crops, including mango and lychee, and feared further losses in future harvests due to damaged trees.

According to the upazila agriculture office, Haribhanga mango is a key cash crop for Taraganj, supplying markets across the country. Upazila Agriculture Officer Dhiba Rani Roy said the extent of the damage is being assessed, and a list of affected farmers is being prepared to inform higher authorities for possible assistance.

In Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar, sudden storms and continuous rain have caused waste from nearby Rohingya camps to wash into local farmlands, submerging Boro paddy fields during the harvest season. Local farmers in the Machkariya Beel area reported that around five hectares of paddy have been damaged by the floodwater mixed with plastic, polythene, and bottles. They said the incident has left them in severe financial distress.

Farmers Nurul Haque and Abdus Salam stated that this problem recurs every year during the storm season, yet no permanent solution has been implemented. They alleged that the agricultural office has not visited the affected sites and demanded compensation for their losses. Locals blamed both natural disasters and poor waste management in the Rohingya camps for the recurring damage to farmland.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Kamnashish Sarkar said his office has no record of such damage and claimed that water does not usually stagnate in the affected area, leaving the reported losses unverified.

A newly built bridge and connecting road in Haripur area of Kachua upazila, Chandpur, have partially collapsed before their official inauguration. The project, costing over Tk 20 million under the ‘Program for Supporting Rural Bridges’ funded by the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank, included a 12-meter RCC girder bridge and approach roads. The construction was carried out by contractor firm Messrs Harun & Sons.

On-site inspection revealed that soil under the guard walls had shifted, and large cracks and holes appeared on the connecting road. Locals alleged that substandard materials were used from the beginning of construction and that repeated complaints to the upazila engineer brought no action. They claimed poor-quality stones and bricks were used in the approach and that improper slope alignment caused structural weakness.

Kachua Upazila Engineer Abdul Alim Liton said parts of the structure were damaged by rain and that the issue was being investigated. He added that the contractor’s final payment would depend on quality verification.

After a two-month government ban to protect juvenile hilsa, coastal fishermen in Charfassion upazila of Bhola are preparing to resume fishing. The restriction, which covered the Meghna and Tentulia river sanctuaries during March and April, ended at midnight on Thursday. Around fifty thousand fishermen are expected to return to the rivers, with fishing villages now bustling as nets are repaired and boats readied.

Many fishermen reported difficulties obtaining ice and diesel, while some said they struggled to survive during the ban due to delays in receiving government rice allocations. Rising fuel prices have also increased the cost of preparing for the new fishing season. Senior Fisheries Officer Jayanta Kumar Apu stated that regular monitoring was conducted across about 190 kilometers of river areas during the restriction.

He added that the conservation effort is expected to boost hilsa production, and the government has expanded food assistance programs providing 160 kilograms of rice per family over four months. With the ban lifted, fishing families are hopeful for a better catch and improved livelihoods.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to keep its key deposit interest rate unchanged at 2 percent for the 21 countries using the euro. The decision, announced on April 30, 2026, comes amid concerns that ongoing war-related disruptions could further intensify risks to economic growth and inflation. The rate has remained at this level since June 2025.

According to the ECB, the continuing conflict has heightened the likelihood of slower growth and rising inflation across the eurozone. The bank stated that maintaining the current rate is a prudent measure to preserve economic stability under these uncertain conditions. The decision reflects the institution’s cautious stance in balancing inflationary pressures with the need to support growth.

The ECB emphasized that keeping the rate steady is aimed at mitigating volatility and ensuring stability in the region’s financial environment as geopolitical tensions persist.

The Ministry of Local Government has formed a 19-member committee to keep all canals and drainage systems in Chattogram city operational throughout the year and to strengthen coordination of development and service activities. Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has been appointed as the convener of the committee. The official order, signed by Deputy Secretary Ashfikun Nahar of the City Corporation-2 branch, was handed over to the mayor by State Minister Mir Shahe Alam at the CCC office on Thursday.

The committee includes representatives from the army’s 34 Engineer Brigade, Chattogram WASA, the district administration, Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), Chattogram Port Authority, Power Development Board, and other relevant agencies. The CCC’s Chief Executive Officer will serve as the member secretary. According to the order, the committee will ensure year-round maintenance of canals and drainage channels, coordinate major development and service projects, and make recommendations to the government on public interest issues.

The formation follows recent heavy rainfall that caused waterlogging in several parts of the city, prompting the state minister’s visit to assess the situation.

Authorities in Debidwar upazila of Cumilla demolished two illegally operated brick kilns named MBS Bricks and Five Star Bricks during a joint drive on Thursday afternoon in the Chandannagar area of Jafarganj Union. The district and upazila administrations led the operation after receiving complaints from locals and monitoring reports indicating the kilns lacked environmental clearance and required permits.

Under the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2019, MBS Bricks was fined Tk 75,000, and its chimney, kiln, and about 10,000 raw bricks were destroyed. Five Star Bricks was also fined Tk 75,000, and its chimney was demolished. Both kilns were ordered to cease operations immediately.

The drive was led by Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Faisal Uddin and District Executive Magistrate Sultan Hasan Mahmud, with a team from the Department of Environment present. Officials stated that similar actions would continue to protect public interest and prevent environmental damage.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has announced that fuel prices will remain unchanged for May 2026. A government notification issued on Thursday confirmed that the existing retail prices of diesel, kerosene, octane, and petrol will continue. The decision, approved by the competent authority, will take effect from May 1.

According to the notification, diesel will sell at 115 taka per liter, kerosene at 130 taka, octane at 140 taka, and petrol at 135 taka throughout May. The ministry stated that the decision follows the country’s existing policy of adjusting fuel prices monthly in line with international market trends.

The last price adjustment occurred on April 18, when the government raised fuel prices, including a 15 percent increase in diesel. The unchanged rates for May indicate a pause in further adjustments after the recent hike.

Renowned South Asian singer Runa Laila will receive India’s prestigious ‘Minar-e-Delhi’ honor at the 15th Delhi International Film Festival on May 4. The event, confirmed by Laila herself, will be held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts and Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in Delhi, continuing until May 8. The festival will feature 175 films from 60 countries, with a focus on women’s empowerment, social and child-related issues, and encouraging female filmmakers. The event is supported by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Culture, and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.

Runa Laila expressed her joy at being selected for the award, thanking festival president Ram Kishore and the organizing institutions. The Minar-e-Delhi honor has previously been awarded to figures such as former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Russian actress Xenia Rebekkanna, and Indian artists Sharmila Tagore and Tigmanshu Dhulia. The letter sent to Laila highlighted her decades-long contribution to music and film, describing her work as a cultural bridge between India and Bangladesh.

The festival will also feature prominent participants including Sharmila Tagore and Rituparna Sengupta.

Islami Bank has been downgraded from the 'A' to the 'Z' category after failing to declare dividends for two consecutive financial years. The decision followed a board meeting on April 29, 2026, where the bank reviewed its audited financial report for the year ending December 31, 2025, and announced a 'no dividend' policy. The downgrade was made in accordance with Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) regulations.

Following the downgrade, brokerage houses and merchant banks have been requested not to provide margin loan facilities for purchasing Islami Bank shares, as per the BSEC Margin Loan Regulations 2025. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) published these details on its website on Thursday. The bank’s share price fell by more than 4 percent, dropping from Tk 34.70 to Tk 33.30.

According to the 2025 audited report, Islami Bank’s consolidated earnings per share stood at Tk 0.85, and its net asset value per share was Tk 44.52, slightly higher than the previous year’s figures.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that American consumers lost about 2.1 billion dollars to social media–based scams in 2025. The report identified social media as the leading source of financial losses compared to other fraud channels. Around 30 percent of victims said their scams began on social platforms, with Facebook accounting for the highest losses, followed by WhatsApp and Instagram.

The FTC found that online shopping scams were the most common, with over 40 percent of victims saying they ordered products after seeing social media ads. These included clothing, cosmetics, car parts, and even pets, often from fake or unfamiliar websites. Investment scams caused about 1.1 billion dollars in losses, while romance scams also grew, with 60 percent of those victims reporting initial contact through social media.

The FTC advised users to limit who can view their posts and personal information, avoid investments suggested online acquaintances, and research sellers before making purchases. Analysts warned that as social media use expands, targeted advertising and personal data misuse are increasing fraud risks, making stronger platform security and user awareness essential.

In Sirajganj’s Raiganj upazila, toxic smoke from a brick kiln reportedly damaged around 80 bighas of Boro rice fields, affecting at least 30 farmers. The incident occurred near Bilchandi area, where locals allege that emissions from the ‘Tanjila’ brick kiln spread over nearby farmland, burning rice plants and blackening the grains. In protest, affected farmers held a demonstration in Telijana village, demanding immediate closure of the kiln and compensation for their losses.

Farmers including Abdul Malek, Abdul Alim, Amzad Hossain, and Gokul Nandi said their crops were destroyed overnight, leaving them uncertain about repaying debts and supporting their families. Brick kiln owner Faruk Hossain denied responsibility, claiming the damage might have other causes and dismissing concerns about administrative action. A Raiganj upazila official confirmed receiving complaints and said an investigation would be conducted.

Environmental experts warned that unregulated brick kiln operations are harming agricultural land and posing risks to food security, urging stronger oversight and enforcement.

In Chirirbandar upazila of Dinajpur, van driver Asaduzzaman has become a key ally for local farmers battling rat infestations in Aman and Boro rice fields. He designed a bamboo cone-shaped trap that has proven highly effective in controlling rats, offering an alternative to chemical pesticides and traditional methods that failed to deliver results. Farmers now rely on his traps to safeguard their crops, and Asaduzzaman earns between 40,000 and 50,000 taka each season from this work.

Farmers such as Robiul Islam and Arman Ali reported that Asaduzzaman’s bamboo traps have significantly reduced rat damage, improving yields and reducing costs. Each rat caught earns him 30 to 50 taka, and he kills 30 to 70 rats daily during peak seasons. Agricultural officials, including assistant officer Minhajul Islam Nawab, confirmed that Asaduzzaman has killed around 30,000 to 35,000 rats so far and has been recognized by the agriculture department for his contribution.

Officials are encouraging farmers to adopt bamboo traps instead of chemical poisons, citing their effectiveness and environmental safety.