District Commissioner Mohammad Zahedul Islam Miah inaugurated a 10,000-tree plantation program at DC Park in Faujdarhat, Sitakunda, Chattogram, on Saturday afternoon. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s national goal of planting 2.5 billion trees in five years. On the first day, around 2,000 saplings of 54 species were planted across the park, with a target to complete 10,000 within a month.

The district commissioner said the program aims to restore environmental balance and offset trees cut for development. Plans include transforming DC Park into a modern, aesthetic, and eco-friendly space by planting Sonalu and Krishnachura trees, creating a visually striking design visible from aerial views. A large fruit orchard will also be developed on the park’s northern side, featuring mango, guava, jackfruit, and other species, envisioned as a future bird sanctuary.

He added that the park is expected to host the upcoming Pahela Baishakh celebration instead of DC Hill. The initiative is intended to raise environmental awareness and contribute to climate resilience in the region.

India has confirmed that crude oil supplies from Iran remain uninterrupted despite escalating instability in the Middle East. The country's Ministry of Petroleum stated that domestic refineries continue to meet their crude oil requirements without disruption, including imports from Iran. The ministry also clarified that there are no payment difficulties related to Iranian oil transactions, dismissing circulating rumors as baseless.

The statement, released on social media platform X, emphasized that Indian refineries have ensured a steady supply of crude oil to maintain national energy stability. This assurance comes amid growing regional tensions that have raised concerns about potential disruptions in global energy flows.

According to the ministry, maintaining stable energy supplies is part of India’s broader strategy to safeguard its fuel security amid geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a new schedule for banking operations, effective from April 5, 2026. Under the revised timetable, customers will be able to conduct transactions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., instead of the previous 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. window. The official office hours for banks will now run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Fridays and Saturdays designated as weekly holidays. The directive was issued by the Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department of Bangladesh Bank on Saturday.

According to the circular, the adjustment follows the government’s decision to modify official working hours across public and private offices to conserve electricity and energy. Previously, bank offices operated from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the new government schedule has shortened general office hours to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In line with this policy, banking hours have been revised accordingly.

The circular also notes that bank branches located in seaport, land port, and airport areas may operate according to their specific operational needs.

The government has initiated measures to resolve the long-standing ferry and water transport crisis in Hatiya, Noakhali. During an on-site visit to the Nalchira ferry terminal on Saturday, State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan said efforts are underway to add a new ferry before Eid-ul-Azha. He also mentioned that several additional steps will be taken to improve connectivity and ensure safer travel for residents of the island region.

The minister stated that the government is working sincerely to make travel easier and safer for people in the island areas. Plans include widening both ferry terminals in Hatiya and continuing regular dredging to maintain navigability. Coordination with the Water Development Board is ongoing to strengthen riverbanks and upgrade ferry ramps for safer and more sustainable operations.

Officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority and the Ministry of Shipping accompanied the minister during the visit. The ministry also has several long-term plans to further enhance the country’s water transport system.

The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has appealed to the Prime Minister to reconsider the government’s recent decision requiring all shops and shopping malls to close by 6 p.m. The measure was introduced in response to a deepening global energy crisis caused by ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The association argues that the early closing time could harm businesses and has proposed allowing shops to remain open until 8 p.m. instead. They also requested permission to open shops at 11 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.

The proposal was discussed during an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s standing committee. Leaders stated that adjusting the schedule is essential to protect the livelihoods of approximately 7 million shop owners and 25 million employees across the country. They believe the revised hours would help maintain normal economic activity while still supporting energy-saving goals.

Government authorities have not yet responded to the proposal, but association leaders expressed hope that a decision will be made soon.

A severe diesel shortage in Uzirpur upazila of Barishal has disrupted irrigation activities, threatening the ongoing Irri-Boro rice cultivation season. Farmers and local officials warned that many diesel-powered irrigation pumps have stopped operating, preventing timely watering of fields and putting seedlings at risk of drying out. Farmers said continued shortages could cause extensive crop damage across the region.

Local farmers reported being forced to buy diesel at inflated prices from open markets, increasing production costs and reducing profit margins. Upazila agriculture officer Kapil Biswas said certification letters are being issued to ensure farmers can access diesel and prevent illegal hoarding. Agricultural extension officer Mahmudur Rahman noted that most of Uzirpur’s farmland is single-crop, making this irrigation season crucial for local food security.

Fuel station operators said they are receiving only one-third of their required supply, while weekend depot closures have worsened the crisis. The upazila administration has instructed priority fuel distribution to farmers, but tensions persist among fuel-dependent sectors. Farmers urged immediate action to avert large-scale crop losses.

Bangladesh is facing an escalating plastic pollution crisis, with about 3.9 million tons of plastic waste contaminating its water bodies, forests, and farmland each year. Only 19 percent of this waste is recycled, while the remaining 81 percent ends up in landfills and rivers, worsening environmental degradation. The widespread use of single-use plastics has intensified the problem, releasing toxic chemicals into soil and water and contributing to air pollution when burned. Dhaka has become one of the world’s most polluted cities, and microplastics have entered the food chain, posing serious health risks.

The article highlights that coastal areas such as Chattogram are suffering from marine pollution that threatens biodiversity, while poor communities face health hazards from burning plastic for livelihood. Scientists warn of long-term health impacts, and the economic cost of pollution is rising, with health expenditures consuming about three percent of GDP. The author calls for urgent government, civil society, and private sector collaboration to implement waste segregation, ban single-use plastics, and promote recycling.

The report emphasizes adopting a zero-waste system, strengthening recycling infrastructure, and encouraging natural alternatives like jute and bamboo products. Strong political commitment, public awareness, and producer responsibility policies are deemed essential for Bangladesh to transition toward a sustainable, circular economy.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has filed a criminal case alleging the embezzlement of Tk 568 crore from the Market Development Fund (MDF) under the International Gateway Operators Forum (IOF). The case, lodged at Gulshan Police Station in 2025, names 27 accused, including members of the IOF executive committee and relatives of Salman F Rahman. Twelve of the accused have surrendered and secured bail, but the key decision-makers behind the alleged irregularities remain beyond legal reach.

The IOF syndicate, formed around international gateway operators, is accused of manipulating international call termination rates and diverting government revenue over nearly a decade. Experts claim that under the guise of a test network topology, the state exchequer lost around Tk 8,000 crore. They have called for a full techno-commercial and forensic audit of the IOS structure, rate-setting mechanisms, and MDF expenditures to uncover the true extent of losses.

BTRC has also decided to cancel operational approvals between IOF and IGW operators and announced plans to strengthen monitoring, bank guarantees, and regulatory controls in international call management.

A nationwide fuel shortage has raised concerns about an imminent disruption to Bangladesh Railway operations, with current diesel reserves sufficient for only 18 to 22 days of service. The railway requires around 5 million liters of diesel each month but received only about 4 million liters by March 28. Officials warn that if supply interruptions persist, freight train services could halt within 48 hours, severely affecting cargo transport from Chattogram and Mongla ports.

Railway data show that the eastern zone needs 2.2–2.5 million liters and the western zone about 2.5 million liters monthly, with freight trains consuming the largest share. Port officials caution that a rail shutdown would cause container congestion within 24 hours, increase demurrage costs, and potentially reduce international shipping routes. Experts say the railway’s heavy reliance on diesel—costing Tk 6,600–6,900 crore annually—has made the logistics network vulnerable.

Despite being prioritized for fuel supply as a strategic service, railway officials acknowledge uncertainty beyond the current stock period. They warn that any prolonged disruption could escalate into a national economic crisis affecting food, fertilizer, and industrial supply chains.

The United States’ national debt has exceeded $39 trillion just weeks after the start of the war against Iran, according to Treasury data released on March 18, 2026. The Congressional Budget Office reported that the federal budget deficit grew by another $1 trillion in the first five months of the fiscal year, with the government borrowing about $500 billion weekly. Analysts warn that under President Donald Trump’s policies, the debt could reach $64 trillion within a decade.

The debt surge reflects the combined impact of war spending, tax cuts, higher defense budgets, and immigration control costs. Interest payments alone have risen sharply, costing over $43 billion in the first five months. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and other economists have cautioned that the debt trajectory poses long-term risks, while the White House insists deficit reduction measures are beginning to take effect.

Financial institutions such as JPMorgan and experts like Ray Dalio and Janet Yellen have also warned that the growing debt burden could constrain investment, raise borrowing costs, and weaken the government’s ability to manage inflation and unemployment.

The Single Point Mooring (SPM) mega project built off the southwest coast of Maheshkhali Island at a cost of Tk 8,000 crore has yet to become operational. Completed in August 2024 under the previous Awami League government, the project was designed to unload crude oil directly from large tankers via undersea pipelines. However, a lack of storage facilities and complications in appointing an operator have left it idle, turning it into a major burden for the new government. The project was financed through Chinese loans and implemented by Eastern Refinery PLC with construction by China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited.

Officials and experts cited the project as an example of poor planning and politically motivated decision-making during the previous administration. They said the SPM was approved in 2015 without adequate feasibility studies and now faces controversy over tendering for maintenance contracts. Allegations have surfaced that former government-linked officials attempted to influence the process. The current government has pledged to review the project’s viability and investigate any irregularities.

Energy experts warned that without the launch of Eastern Refinery’s second unit, the SPM will remain largely underutilized, despite its potential to reduce oil unloading time and costs.

The government of Bangladesh has begun enforcing a new policy requiring all shopping malls and markets across the country, including in Dhaka, to close by 6 p.m. daily. The measure, implemented from Friday, aims to conserve fuel and electricity as part of a broader energy-saving initiative. On the first day of enforcement, major shopping centers such as Bashundhara City, New Market, Mirpur, and Jamuna Future Park shut their doors promptly at 6 p.m., bringing evening commercial activity to a halt.

The decision has drawn mixed reactions from the public and business owners. Many shoppers were unaware of the new rule and expressed frustration after being denied entry in the evening, while small and medium traders said their peak sales hours begin after sunset. Social media discussions reflected both criticism and support, with some urging flexibility on weekends and others praising the move as a responsible step toward reducing energy consumption.

Concerns were also raised about reduced evening foot traffic potentially affecting urban safety. Observers noted that the long-term impact on electricity savings and daily life remains to be seen.

Commerce, Textiles, Jute and Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has urged citizens to use energy efficiently for the sake of the country. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with local business representatives at his Sylhet residence on Friday, April 3, he said there was no reason to panic about energy supply. The minister emphasized that saving energy would reduce import costs and help preserve foreign currency reserves.

Muktadir explained that the government was adjusting office hours in response to the global energy crisis and encouraged collective caution to maintain normalcy. He noted that conserving electricity during peak hours could prevent unnecessary expenses. The minister also mentioned that LPG prices had risen due to higher import costs from Saudi Arabia and other sources, though fuel prices would remain stable as long as the economy stayed steady.

He added that industrial production would not be disrupted since gas supply to factories was being ensured. Muktadir further said an economic partnership agreement with Japan had been signed and would be formalized after parliamentary approval, with additional free trade agreements under preparation.

A mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping across 27 districts of Bangladesh, including Khulna and Rajshahi divisions, causing severe discomfort in Dhaka and other regions. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the heatwave, which expanded from 17 districts the previous day, is expected to persist until Sunday. On Friday, Chuadanga recorded the highest temperature at 39.7°C, while Dhaka reached 36.4°C. The department warned that temperatures could rise further by 1–2°C nationwide over the next two days.

Meteorologist AKM Nazmul Haque stated that although the heatwave’s extent has increased, it is likely to be less intense than in 2023 and 2024 due to intermittent rainfall. In those years, heatwaves lasted 22 and 26 consecutive days respectively. Doctors have reported a rise in heat-related illnesses, particularly among children, and advised caution during the humid spell.

Meteorologist Tariful Newaz Kabir forecasted possible relief starting Monday, with scattered rain, gusty winds, and isolated hailstorms expected for three to four days across parts of the country.

Bangladesh’s Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the government is considering an increase in fuel prices to manage rising costs in the global energy market. Speaking to reporters on Friday at the Korean EPZ in Karnaphuli, Chattogram, he noted that maintaining the supply chain requires purchasing fuel at high prices, which is straining public finances. Although no immediate price hike has been decided, he indicated that a decision could come soon.

The minister emphasized that ensuring energy security remains the government’s top priority, warning that disruptions could halt agricultural and industrial production. To ease fiscal pressure, the government has adopted strict austerity measures, including a 30 percent fuel rationing for ministers and officials. He added that high import costs are affecting all sectors, including development programs and budget commitments.

Chowdhury also mentioned that the ongoing war situation poses challenges for maintaining supply chains of fuel, food, and other essentials. He urged public cooperation to overcome the crisis and expressed optimism about the recovery of the capital market.