Bangladesh experienced its hottest day of the season on Wednesday, with Rajshahi recording 40 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature so far this year. The capital Dhaka also saw its seasonal peak at 36.5 degrees Celsius. Except for light rain in Patuakhali’s Khepupara, the rest of the country remained dry. The ongoing heatwave, coupled with widespread power outages, has severely disrupted daily life across urban and rural areas.

According to the Meteorological Department, the heatwave has expanded from 14 districts on Tuesday to 24 districts on Wednesday, covering all of Rajshahi and Khulna divisions as well as parts of Dhaka, Tangail, Madaripur, Dinajpur, Rangamati, and Bandarban. Meteorologists warned that temperatures could exceed 42 degrees Celsius in the next two days before easing with possible rainfall from Saturday or Sunday. Experts attributed the rising heat to increased humidity and lack of rain.

The department’s long-term forecast suggests that while this year’s heatwave is intense, it is unlikely to persist as long as in 2023 and 2024, when continuous heat lasted 22 and 26 days respectively.

Farmers in the haor regions of Sunamganj, including Madhyanagar, are receiving only Tk 650–700 per maund of paddy, far below the government-fixed price of Tk 1,440 for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. Due to excessive rainfall, about 30 percent of the haor land has been submerged, and many farmers are struggling to harvest their crops as roads remain underwater and harvesters cannot be used. Rising fuel prices, labor shortages, and higher wages have further increased production costs, leaving farmers unable to recover their investments.

Local traders report a stagnant market with fewer buyers compared to previous years. Farmers blame the ineffective government procurement program for forcing them to sell at low prices, while middlemen profit from the situation. Agricultural officials acknowledge that limited government purchase centers and weak market management are key issues. They have begun listing genuine farmers for fair-price procurement.

Experts and local representatives have urged the government to expand purchase centers, strengthen direct procurement, and provide low-interest loans to ensure fair prices for farmers.

More than 1,000 musicians and cultural workers have signed an open letter calling for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest unless Israel is excluded from participation. The appeal, organized by the group 'No Music for Genocide', was made public on Tuesday and urges artists, broadcasters, workers, and fans to reject the event until Israel’s public broadcaster KAN is barred. The letter cites Israel’s actions in Palestine as the reason for the call.

Signatories include internationally known artists such as Brian Eno, Massive Attack, Ni-Kap, and Roger Waters, as well as former Eurovision winners Emmelie de Forest and Charlie McGettigan. The letter accuses the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) of hypocrisy for allowing Israel to compete while Russia remains suspended due to its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The statement also praises broadcasters and contestants from Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands who have withdrawn or refused to participate in protest. The next Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to take place in Austria from May 12 to 16.

Long-distance bus operations between Rajshahi and Dhaka have remained suspended for two consecutive days, causing severe suffering for passengers. The disruption, confirmed by Rajshahi Bus Owners Association General Secretary Nazrul Islam Helal, stems from an internal conflict among bus owners. As a result, no buses departed from Rajshahi to Dhaka for the second straight day on Wednesday.

Passengers with urgent travel needs were left stranded at counters without prior notice of the suspension. Many, including commuters and students, expressed frustration at the sudden halt, saying they could not make alternative arrangements. The absence of advance announcements worsened the situation, forcing travelers to return home or wait indefinitely.

According to the association, the dispute involves bus owners from Rajshahi and Natore. Discussions with local administration are underway to resolve the issue, and officials hope that normal operations may resume by Wednesday evening, though no specific timeline has been confirmed.

The Department of Environment in Chandpur conducted a raid on an illegal polythene production factory equipped with modern machinery in the heart of Chandpur city. Acting on a tip-off, officials discovered the factory operating inside a tin-shed warehouse near the Harijan community housing on Swarnakhola Road. The operation took place on the night of April 21, and the department confirmed the action on April 22, 2026. Authorities seized a large quantity of polythene and raw materials before sealing the facility through a mobile court.

According to the Department of Environment, the warehouse had been rented and used for illegal polythene production for a long time, supplying products to Chandpur and other districts. During the raid, 1,774 kilograms of polythene and polypropylene granules were confiscated. The mobile court was led by Executive Magistrate Masud Rana from the district administration office.

Deputy Director Mizanur Rahman of the Department of Environment stated that the operation was carried out jointly with the magistrate and law enforcement agencies. Legal action will follow as part of the next steps.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Europe’s largest airline group, has announced the cancellation of 20,000 short-haul flights from its summer schedule due to a sharp rise in fuel costs. The company said jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran war, making many routes unprofitable. The cancellations will reduce total flight capacity by about one percent and save approximately 40,000 tons of jet fuel.

According to Sky News, Lufthansa had already decided to shut down its regional unit CityLine and ground 27 older, fuel-intensive aircraft. The airline also plans to shift more flights to its lower-cost subsidiaries, City Airlines and Discover Airlines, to improve efficiency. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium Limited shows that global airline capacity in May has fallen by about three percent as most major carriers cut flights.

Lufthansa further stated that it intends to reduce around 4,000 administrative jobs by 2030 to lower costs and enhance profitability.

A severe heatwave has gripped Lalpur in Natore, where the temperature reached 38.0 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, according to the Ishwardi Meteorological Office. The intense heat, combined with 51 percent humidity, has severely disrupted daily life, forcing residents to stay indoors and reducing activity in markets and public areas. Day laborers, farmers, and outdoor workers are among the worst affected.

Local residents reported increasing discomfort as temperatures have continued to rise over recent days, creating health risks especially for children, the elderly, and the sick. The weather office forecast warns that the heatwave may persist for several more days, with temperatures likely to rise further.

Dr. Suruzzaman Shamim, the residential medical officer at Lalpur Upazila Health Complex, advised people to stay in shaded areas, avoid going out unnecessarily, drink plenty of water, and maintain a cool environment for children and the elderly to prevent heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke.

A meeting on Boeing aircraft procurement was held at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism conference room on Wednesday. The discussion focused on a detailed outline to expand Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ fleet to 47 aircraft by the 2034–35 fiscal year. The meeting also reviewed the inclusion of Boeing aircraft and assessed initiatives taken under the previous government.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam emphasized the need for a coordinated work plan based on route-specific revenue analysis before adding each aircraft. She stated that timely and realistic measures could make Biman more profitable and passenger-friendly. State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat urged continued progress on necessary processes for Boeing aircraft inclusion and stressed ensuring timely delivery.

Millat also directed preparations to resume flights on the Dhaka–Narita route. The meeting was attended by the ministry’s secretary Fahmida Akhter, the managing director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and senior officials from related agencies.

The government of Bangladesh has fixed procurement targets and prices for rice, paddy, and wheat during the 2026 Boro season. The collection drive will begin on May 3 for paddy and wheat, and on May 15 for rice, continuing until August 31, 2026. The Food Planning and Monitoring Committee, chaired by Home Minister Salah Uddin Ahmed, decided to procure 500,000 metric tons of paddy, 1.2 million metric tons of parboiled rice, 100,000 metric tons of non-parboiled rice, and 50,000 metric tons of wheat. The purchase prices were set at Tk 36 per kg for paddy, Tk 49 for parboiled rice, Tk 48 for non-parboiled rice, and Tk 36 for wheat.

At a press briefing, the Home Minister said the country currently holds 1.7 to 1.8 million metric tons of rice in government stock, maintaining a mandatory food security reserve of 1.3 million metric tons. The government can raise reserves to 2.4–2.5 million metric tons if needed. He added that favorable weather is expected to yield a bumper harvest, eliminating the need for rice imports, though wheat remains largely import-dependent.

To meet wheat demand, the government plans to import 800,000 metric tons through G2G and open tender methods, including a memorandum with the United States for about 700,000 metric tons. Regional supply adjustments will ensure no food shortages across the country.

China has reduced petrol and diesel prices at the pump for the first time since the start of the Iran war, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The commission, which serves as China’s top economic planning body, stated that the decision reflects recent changes in global crude oil prices. Fuel prices in China are reviewed every ten working days based on international crude oil market trends.

The NDRC noted that the price cut will allow drivers to save about three US dollars when filling a 50-liter tank. Previously, Beijing had raised the maximum retail prices of petrol and diesel several times as global oil prices surged following the outbreak of the Iran war.

The adjustment marks a shift in China’s fuel pricing policy amid fluctuating global energy markets, aligning domestic prices more closely with international trends.

A government report stated that shipping costs through the Panama Canal have risen sharply as demand increased following the blockade of the Hormuz Strait due to the Middle East war. One liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier reportedly paid an additional four million dollars to avoid long waiting times, which typically last around five days. The surge began after the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, which led to the closure of the Hormuz Strait, a key route for one-fifth of global oil and gas exports.

As a result, several Asian refineries have shifted to importing oil and gas from the United States via the Panama Canal instead of Gulf countries. The Panama Canal Authority reported that while daily vessel traffic remains stable, demand has increased, with average daily crossings rising from 34 in January to 37 in March, and occasionally exceeding 40 ships.

Auction prices for priority passage have also soared, with LNG and oil tankers bidding millions of dollars. The canal handles about five percent of global maritime trade, linking the U.S. East Coast with Asia.

At a pre-budget discussion held on April 22, 2026, at the Revenue Building, business leaders warned that foreign apparel buyers are redirecting their orders from Bangladesh to India due to severe gas and electricity shortages. They reported a decline in orders for July and August, raising concerns that the country’s garment industry could face a major crisis if the situation persists.

Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Chamber, said garment production and exports have been falling for eight consecutive months. He urged the government to take effective measures to reverse the downturn. Representatives from Gazipur highlighted a diesel shortage that has disrupted industrial operations, while others called for tax exemptions on renewable energy investments in the upcoming budget to address the energy crisis.

National Board of Revenue Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan responded that tax incentives had previously been offered for renewable energy and would continue in the future. Business representatives from Dhaka, Sylhet, Gazipur, and Narayanganj also demanded raising the tax-free income limit to 500,000 taka and reducing corporate tax rates to ease inflation-driven production costs.

Electro Mart has received three prestigious recognitions at the third edition of the Bangladesh Retail Awards 2026, organized by Bangladesh Brand Forum and Bangladesh Retail Forum at a five-star hotel in Dhaka. The company was honored as Best Retailer in Electronics, Emerging Retailer of the Year, and Most Admired Retailer, reflecting its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer trust.

The Best Retailer in Electronics award recognized Electro Mart’s efforts to deliver advanced technology products, quality service, and superior retail offerings. The Emerging Retailer of the Year title was given for setting strong goals, aligning with customer needs, and offering world-class products at affordable prices. The Most Admired Retailer award acknowledged its reputation as one of Bangladesh’s most trusted electronics brands.

Electro Mart, representing global brands Konka, Gree, and Haiko, has been a leading electronics manufacturer and marketer in Bangladesh for over 25 years. The company stated that these recognitions reinforce its responsibility to maintain quality and innovation while expressing gratitude to customers for their continued trust and support.

The government of Bangladesh announced that it will begin procuring paddy, rice, and wheat from May 3 under the current fiscal year’s food procurement program, continuing until August 31. According to the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee, chaired by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, the purchase prices have been fixed at Tk 36 per kilogram for Boro paddy, Tk 49 for parboiled rice, Tk 48 for Atap rice, and Tk 36 for wheat.

The meeting, held at the Secretariat’s Press Information Department conference room, was attended by State Minister for Food Abdul Bari. The government has set procurement targets of 500,000 metric tons of Boro paddy, 1.2 million metric tons of parboiled rice, 100,000 metric tons of Atap rice, and 50,000 metric tons of wheat. Paddy and wheat collection will start on May 3, while rice collection will begin on May 15.

The Home Minister stated that the country currently has sufficient rice reserves, with 1.7 to 1.8 million tons stored in government warehouses. He added that Bangladesh’s total wheat demand is 8 million metric tons, of which 7 to 7.2 million tons are produced domestically, and the remaining 800,000 tons are imported through government-to-government arrangements.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association has issued a strict directive prohibiting any increase in bus fares without prior government approval. The instruction, signed by the association’s secretary Md. Saiful Alam on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, states that no additional fare may be charged beyond the current rates until the government announces a final decision on fare adjustments. All transport owners and workers operating on routes across the country have been urged to comply with this order.

The association’s statement notes that the cost of operating transport services has risen sharply due to a Tk 15 per liter increase in diesel prices and higher expenses for vehicle parts and maintenance caused by the rising dollar rate. In light of these challenges, the association has called on the government to promptly and realistically adjust fares to prevent financial losses in the transport sector.