The government of Bangladesh is implementing a large-scale food assistance program to ensure food security for ultra-poor families. Under the Food-Friendly Program, 5.5 million families across 495 upazilas are receiving 30 kilograms of rice per month at Tk 15 per kilogram. Food Minister Md. Abdul Bari shared the information in parliament on April 5, 2026, during the 13th session. The 2025–26 fiscal year budget allocates 1 million tons of rice for this program, distributed over six months annually.

The minister said that fortified rice enriched with vitamins A, B-1, B-12, B-9, iron, and zinc is being distributed to improve nutrition. A total of 370,000 tons of fortified rice is being supplied across 248 upazilas for five months. To stabilize market prices, the Open Market Sale (OMS) program operates through 1,091 centers in 12 city corporations, 14 industrial districts, and 52 district towns, selling rice at Tk 30 per kg and flour at Tk 24 per kg.

The Food Directorate is also supplying rice to 6.77 million Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) family cardholders. The minister affirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining food security and price stability for low-income citizens.

Bangladesh is bracing for up to three hours of daily load-shedding as fuel shortages, worsened by the ongoing war in the Middle East, disrupt electricity generation. Despite having double the production capacity needed to meet demand, the country cannot produce enough power due to limited fuel supply. The government has ordered shopping malls and shops to close after 6 p.m. and shortened office hours by one hour to manage the crisis.

An internal analysis by the Power Development Board (PDB) indicates that if gas supply falls below 800 million cubic feet, power generation could drop below 4,500 megawatts. During April and May, electricity demand may reach 18,500 megawatts, while production could remain around 16,200 megawatts. On a recent public holiday, demand peaked at 14,350 megawatts, with load-shedding reaching up to 1,000 megawatts at night.

The situation may worsen if rainfall remains low and temperatures rise. The Meteorological Department forecasts multiple heatwaves in April, with temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius, potentially increasing electricity demand further.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has emphasized that strengthening debt management and expanding the tax base are the most urgent needs in Bangladesh’s current economic reality. Speaking on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at the closing session of the National Multistakeholder Consultation on Bangladesh Graduation Readiness Assessment at the Planning Commission’s NEC conference room, he said the government is determined to meet public expectations and take effective measures to overcome ongoing challenges.

The minister acknowledged that Bangladesh is facing a difficult economic situation requiring well-planned initiatives to maintain order and stability. He noted that some large projects in the past were undertaken without adequate planning, increasing debt pressure and raising questions about costs and implementation. He urged careful management of existing loans and more prudent selection of future projects to ensure sustainable development.

On taxation, Muktadir said the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains unsatisfactory and should be improved by expanding the tax net rather than raising rates. He added that enhancing domestic resource mobilization would strengthen debt repayment capacity and support sustainable development efforts.

State Minister for Power and Energy Anindya Islam Amit announced that shops and shopping malls in Bangladesh may now remain open until 7 pm instead of 6 pm, considering the current electricity and energy situation. He made the statement on Sunday afternoon. Business representatives had earlier requested permission to keep shops open until 8 pm.

The decision follows recent government measures to address an energy crisis triggered by ongoing tensions and conflict in the Middle East. To conserve power, the government revised working hours for public and private offices, which will now operate from 9 am to 4 pm until further notice. Banking hours have been set from 10 am to 3 pm, and shops were previously required to close by 6 pm.

The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Saturday, April 4, implementing the new office schedule after cabinet approval on April 2. The updated shop closing time reflects a partial relaxation of earlier restrictions.

Bangladesh is not yet prepared to graduate from the list of least developed countries due to current economic realities, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters after a multilateral consultation at the NEC Conference Center in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, he cited internal and external economic pressures that have complicated the situation and made the graduation process uncertain. The meeting presented the results of a UN-OHRLLS-led ‘Graduation Readiness Assessment’ conducted at the request of the Bangladesh government.

The minister identified rising foreign debt, domestic liabilities, high interest rates, and weaknesses in financial management as key risks to the economy. He added that subsidies in the energy sector, global price increases, and import dependency have further intensified challenges. The government faces continuous fiscal pressure, making the situation more complex.

Amir Khasru noted that there is an opportunity to extend the graduation timeline. During this period, the government plans to strengthen economic indicators, enhance skills, and implement policy reforms to improve readiness. He emphasized that capacity building and sound policy implementation are essential to overcome current challenges.

Astronauts of NASA’s Artemis mission completed their final preparations on Saturday for entering the Moon’s orbit. The crew, consisting of Americans Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen, reviewed imaging and analysis tasks for lunar surface features. At the start of their workday, they were about 169,000 miles from Earth and 110,700 miles from the Moon. The next key phase, entering the Moon’s gravitational sphere, is expected between Sunday and Monday night.

NASA reported that the Orion spacecraft’s crew began their day with breakfast and music, maintaining high morale. Glover was scheduled to conduct manual piloting tests to provide NASA with additional data on deep-space performance. The astronauts also reviewed checklists for documenting their lunar flyby experience and continued photographing geological formations such as lava flows and craters.

The Artemis-2 mission is part of NASA’s long-term plan to return humans to the Moon and establish a permanent base for future deep-space research. NASA officials described the mission as a learning experience, marking the first time a crewed spacecraft is operating in deep space in decades.

Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Sunday, April 5, that all supply chains have been severely disrupted due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, leading to an inevitable rise in product prices. Speaking to reporters in Agargaon, Dhaka, he noted that global transportation systems have been badly affected, while the fuel crisis has worsened the situation.

The minister explained that the impact of the conflict extends beyond energy, affecting all types of goods, food items, and the entire supply system. He warned that price increases in the coming days are certain. Chowdhury added that the government is trying to minimize pressure on citizens as an elected administration but acknowledged that sustaining this effort may become difficult if public funds continue to be strained.

He cautioned that if the government’s financial resources remain under pressure, the ultimate burden will fall on the people, signaling potential economic challenges ahead for Bangladesh.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office to seek high-level guidance on implementing the proposed new pay scale for government officials and employees. Senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and relevant ministries, including Finance Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, are expected to attend the meeting.

An interim government had earlier formed a 23-member National Pay Commission led by former Finance Secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, which recommended a 100 to 140 percent salary increase for government employees. The proposal suggests raising the minimum salary from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000, requiring an additional Tk 106,000 crore for implementation. A nine-member review committee was also formed on February 8 to examine the recommendations but has yet to begin work due to political changes following the February 12 national election.

The government initially planned partial implementation in the 2025–26 fiscal year, but global economic instability and rising expenses have delayed the process, possibly pushing implementation to 2026–27 in phases.

Garment workers from Nasa Group staged a protest on Tejgaon Link Road in Dhaka on Sunday, demanding their due wages. The demonstration began after 10 a.m. when around 700 to 800 workers blocked the road between Mohakhali and Nabisco. The blockade caused a complete halt in traffic movement on routes connecting Tejgaon, Mohakhali, and Uttara. The protesters cleared the road around 11 a.m., according to the Gulshan Zone traffic police.

During the blockade, traffic police urged commuters to follow diversions to avoid congestion. They advised using the Elevated Expressway for travel between Uttara and Mohakhali and the Mohakhali Flyover for movement from Uttara, Gulshan, or Banani toward Tejgaon. The disruption lasted for about an hour before normal traffic resumed.

The incident highlighted ongoing tensions over wage payments in Dhaka’s garment sector, though no further details about negotiations or management response were provided in the report.

The government of Bangladesh has initiated steps to establish a new Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria. Preparations are underway following a letter dated March 29, signed by Tanvir Hossain, Executive Director (Investment Development) of the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), confirming the plan. The letter stated that necessary measures will be taken in accordance with regulations to set up the EPZ. The initiative is part of the new government’s development agenda aimed at expanding industrial capacity.

The proposed site in Tinlakhpir area of Binauti Union was recommended by Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan, an executive member of the Brahmanbaria district BNP. The location lies beside the Cumilla–Sylhet highway and has close access to Akhaura land port and railway junction. The region benefits from nearby energy and transport infrastructure, including Ashuganj river port and power plant, and Titas gas field. Officials said the EPZ would create employment and transform the local economy.

Local authorities view the project as a key step toward regional economic growth, with expectations of new investment and long-term energy security through nearby gas field development.

In Mongla upazila of Bagerhat, the historic Mamar Ghat area is gradually disappearing into the Pashur River due to severe erosion. Large portions of the riverbank have already collapsed, submerging significant land areas. The situation has caused serious concern and hardship among local traders, workers of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ), and boatmen who rely on the river route for transport and trade.

On-site observations revealed that a major section of the riverbank near Mamar Ghat has broken away, leaving several nearby shops at risk, with some already partially damaged. Although there are no residential houses along the bank, business owners fear losing this vital commercial hub. Delwar Hossain, president of the Mongla Port Engine Boatmen’s Association, said that the erosion is disrupting docking and cargo operations, reducing income for boat operators.

Mongla Upazila Executive Officer and Port Municipality Administrator Sharmin Akter Sumi stated that the issue is being treated with urgency. Relevant departments have been informed, and immediate protective measures are being initiated to safeguard the town and its residents.

Bangladesh has introduced a new schedule for government and private offices effective from Sunday, April 5, 2026, as part of efforts to save energy and electricity. According to a circular from the Ministry of Public Administration, offices will now operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, with Friday and Saturday designated as weekly holidays. Emergency services are exempt from this schedule, and the Supreme Court will issue separate guidance for court hours. All markets, office buildings, and commercial establishments, except essential services, must close by 6 p.m.

The Bangladesh Bank announced that all scheduled banks will follow the revised hours until further notice. Banking transactions will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., while office hours will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Branches located in port and customs areas will continue operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, under existing directives.

The government decided to shorten office hours by one hour in response to the global energy crisis triggered by the war situation in the Middle East. The decision was approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday night.

Pakistan has announced a one-month period of free travel on government-run public transport across the country, including the capital and the most populous province. The decision was made after widespread protests erupted following a sharp rise in fuel prices driven by the ongoing Iran-related war situation. The announcement came on Friday, shortly after the government raised petrol prices by 42.7 percent to 485 rupees per liter, triggering public anger and long queues at petrol stations.

According to The Guardian, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif later partially reversed the decision the same night, reducing petrol prices to 378 rupees per liter by cutting fuel taxes. In a televised address, he said the new price would remain in effect for at least one month and pledged to continue efforts to stabilize daily life. However, diesel prices were not reduced and now stand at 520 rupees per liter, a 54.9 percent increase from previous levels.

The temporary free transport measure aims to ease public hardship while the government works to manage the economic fallout from the fuel crisis.

The BSCIC industrial estate in Srimangal, Moulvibazar, built at a cost of about Tk 50 crore, has remained unused for six years since its completion in 2019. Despite having 122 plots and full infrastructure including administrative and residential buildings, pump house, dumping yard, and pond, no industrial plant has started operations. The site has turned into a jungle, with key installations and equipment stolen due to neglect and lack of maintenance.

The project began in 2012 on 20 acres of land in Uttarsur area to promote industrialization. However, electricity, gas, and water connections are now largely nonfunctional. Local sources report theft of gas substation parts, transformers, and metal fittings. Entrepreneurs cite high plot prices, poor services, and administrative complications as major deterrents. One investor, Shamim Akter Hossain of Do Impex Ltd, said he suffered financial losses after returning a plot without full refund.

BSCIC officials claim new plots are being allocated under conditions requiring factories within two years, and inactive owners have been notified. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer stated that higher authorities have been informed and some work has already resumed.

A recent Reuters-Ipsos poll found that 56 percent of Americans believe the ongoing war with Iran will negatively affect the U.S. economy. The survey, conducted from March 27 to 29 across the United States, included responses from 1,021 participants. Only 7 percent thought the war would have a positive impact, while 12 percent expected no effect. About 25 percent did not answer the question.

The poll also revealed widespread concern for U.S. military personnel, with 86 percent of respondents expressing worry about the safety of service members involved in the conflict. In addition, 52 percent said they believe the U.S. military operation will worsen stability in the Middle East, while 21 percent expect conditions to improve.

The findings highlight growing public anxiety over both economic and security consequences of the U.S. military campaign in Iran, reflecting skepticism about its potential to bring regional stability.