A recent recruitment scandal at Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC has exposed deep governance failures within the institution. Between 2017 and 2024, under the control of S. Alam Group, the bank hired over 10,800 employees, about 75 percent without public advertisement, with most appointments concentrated in one Chattogram subdistrict. Once a leading Islamic bank in South Asia, it now faces near insolvency due to irregular recruitment and financial mismanagement.

Audit and central bank inspections revealed manipulated hiring policies and massive irregular loans issued without collateral to newly formed companies. The government has already injected around Tk 35,000 crore to address the resulting capital shortfall. The article outlines five urgent steps: reducing excess staff, separating bad assets through an asset management company, restructuring capital, strengthening governance, and protecting depositor confidence. It also calls for a national Shariah supervisory board to ensure ethical compliance across Islamic banks.

The author warns that restoring control to those responsible for the crisis would destroy public trust and undermine any reform effort, urging immediate and accountable action to rebuild the bank’s credibility.

In Ajmiriganj upazila of Habiganj, several days of adverse weather, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall have submerged around 1,600 hectares of ripe paddy fields across Sadar, Badalpur, Jalsukha, Shibpasha, and Kakailchhe unions. Thousands of farmers in the haor areas are struggling with anxiety and despair as they fail to harvest their crops in time.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Department, boro paddy was cultivated on 14,560 hectares this season, of which 5,155 hectares have been harvested so far. Farmers are working urgently to cut submerged paddy, some using boats to transport crops to dry areas. Many have reported severe financial distress after losing most of their harvests and investments.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Ruhul Amin said field monitoring is ongoing and that a request has been sent to the district to address the labor shortage. Upazila Executive Officer S.M. Rezaul Karim confirmed that 1,600 hectares have been affected and that a list of affected farmers is being prepared while efforts continue to mobilize workers through local representatives.

Bangladesh’s government has announced a plan to introduce 250 electric buses in Dhaka to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion. Prime Minister Tarek Rahman said the initiative, part of a ‘Clean and Green City’ program, will be implemented jointly by the Department of Environment and the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority. The project, supported by the World Bank, aims to modernize public transport and includes a 180-day priority program to launch electric and women-focused bus services.

Experts from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) welcomed the move but warned that without clear policies, modern infrastructure, and skilled management, the plan could face serious challenges. They emphasized the need for effective maintenance systems, training, and incentives for green vehicles. Past efforts reportedly failed due to resistance from powerful transport business groups benefiting from diesel-based fleets.

Analysts said the government must take firm political decisions to overcome vested interests. If implemented through dedicated lanes and strong oversight, the electric bus project could transform Dhaka’s public transport system and significantly cut pollution levels.

Thousands of farmers in Bangladesh’s Haor region are facing a triple crisis caused by early rainfall, a shortage of laborers, and insufficient harvesting machinery. According to reports, there were about 10 percent fewer harvesters in the fields this year compared to last year, though the Department of Agricultural Extension disputes this claim. The department says additional officers have been deployed to assist farmers and that drying machines are being sent to affected areas such as Sunamganj.

Early floods have submerged 28,201 hectares of paddy fields, affecting around 4,000 farmers whose crops remain underwater. Farmers report that laborers from other districts, who usually arrive during the harvest season, could not come this year due to early rains, leading to higher wages and delayed harvesting. Experts warn that prolonged wet conditions are causing germination in standing crops, raising fears of further losses.

Agricultural economists estimate that 30–35 percent of crops in the Haor region may be damaged, potentially leading to a nationwide 10 percent shortfall in Boro rice production and possible food price increases.

Dhaka’s theatre scene is set for a vibrant celebration on May Day, with two major troupes organizing daylong events. Aranyak Natyadal will begin its program at 10 a.m. at the Central Shaheed Minar, featuring May Day songs, recitations, Baul music, and a discussion session. The discussion will include Bangladesh Mahila Parishad president Dr. Fauzia Moslem. The troupe will also stage Mannan Hira’s street play “Murkh Loker Murkh Kotha.” Later, at 6:30 p.m., the second session will be held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy’s Experimental Theatre Hall, featuring music performances and Aranyak’s acclaimed play “Rarang,” written and directed by Mamunur Rashid. As in previous years, a special publication titled “May Dayer Kagoj” will be released.

Meanwhile, theatre group BotTola will present two shows of its children’s play “Bonyatherium” at the Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium of Bangladesh Mahila Samity on Bailey Road, at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Directed by Evan Riaz and adapted from Sukumar Ray’s “Hesoram Hushiyarer Diary,” the play explores human greed, commercialism, and environmental destruction through the story of a mysterious creature, offering both entertainment and moral reflection for audiences of all ages.

The World Bank Group has warned that global energy prices could increase by up to 24 percent in 2026 due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Its latest Commodity Markets Outlook report attributes the projected rise to attacks on energy infrastructure and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for about 35 percent of the world’s crude oil shipments. The report notes that global oil supply has already fallen by around 10 million barrels per day, creating immediate pressure on international energy markets.

According to the baseline forecast, the average price of Brent crude oil could reach 86 dollars per barrel in 2026, up from 69 dollars this year. If the conflict continues or supply chains fail to recover quickly, prices could climb as high as 115 dollars per barrel. The report also predicts a 31 percent rise in fertilizer prices, with urea potentially increasing by 60 percent due to higher natural gas costs and supply uncertainty.

The World Bank projects that developing economies may face average inflation of 5.1 percent next year, rising to 5.8 percent in a worst-case scenario, while their economic growth could slow to 3.6 percent.

Bangladesh’s Economic Relations Division (ERD) reported that in the first nine months of the current fiscal year (July–March), foreign loan commitments and disbursements declined, while repayment obligations increased significantly. The government repaid a total of 3.52 billion US dollars in principal and interest, up 9.74 percent from the same period last year. Meanwhile, foreign aid commitments fell by 6.69 percent to 2.80 billion dollars, and total disbursements dropped by 19 percent to 3.89 billion dollars.

ERD officials attributed the slowdown in foreign fund releases to election-related transitions, administrative restructuring, and project re-evaluations following the new government’s assumption of office. Delays in tender reviews, contract approvals, and design revisions also contributed to slower disbursements. The officials expect improvement later in the fiscal year, citing efforts to secure about 3.2 billion dollars in budget support.

The report noted that Russia, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank were the top lenders during the period. Rising repayment obligations, both foreign and domestic, indicate growing fiscal pressure on the government, with total repayments reaching about 430 billion taka in local currency terms.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has signed a contract with US manufacturer Boeing to purchase 14 new aircraft worth about 3.7 billion US dollars, equivalent to roughly 40,000 crore Bangladeshi taka. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday evening at a hotel in Dhaka, where Biman’s Managing Director and CEO Kaiser Sohail Ahmed and Boeing Vice President Paul Righi signed the agreement. The event was attended by the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, US Ambassador Brent T Christensen, and other officials.

Under the deal, Biman will acquire eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners, and four 737-8 MAX jets. Officials said the purchase aims to modernize the fleet and expand long-haul operations to meet growing passenger demand. The new aircraft will serve routes across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The agreement follows years of competition between Boeing and Airbus, with the interim government ultimately choosing Boeing after the 2024 political transition.

Payments will be made over 10 to 20 years, with annual installments estimated at 1,500 to 2,000 crore taka. The first delivery is expected by November 2031, meaning short-term fleet shortages will persist.

International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol has warned that the world is facing the largest energy crisis in history due to the ongoing war. Speaking at a conference in Paris, he said the current situation has created major economic and energy challenges globally. Birol noted that oil and gas markets are under severe strain, with oil prices exceeding 120 dollars per barrel, putting immense pressure on many countries.

He emphasized that the war has caused unprecedented instability in global energy security. According to Birol, high prices and disruptions in supply chains have pushed the world economy into a difficult period. His remarks highlight the scale of the crisis and the vulnerability of global energy systems under current geopolitical tensions.

The IEA chief’s warning underscores the urgent need for stability in energy markets as nations struggle with rising costs and supply uncertainties.

Bangladesh Bank has withdrawn the requirement for maintaining provisions against funds stuck in five merged Shariah-based banks. The decision, announced on Thursday by the central bank’s relevant department, aims to ease financial pressure on the affected banks and institutions that have been unable to recover large sums for an extended period.

The merged banks are First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, Social Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank. These institutions were consolidated into a unified Islamic banking structure due to severe liquidity crises. According to Bangladesh Bank sources, over Tk 15,000 crore from other banks and financial institutions remain stuck with these five banks, including more than Tk 8,000 crore belonging to one Islamic bank.

Officials explained that the funds are covered under a specific scheme, ensuring eventual recovery either through direct repayment, long-term fixed deposits, or share allocations. Industry observers noted that while the decision offers short-term relief, recovering the trapped funds remains a major long-term challenge.

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.