In Chattogram’s Khatunganj, one of Bangladesh’s largest wholesale spice markets, prices have remained largely stable over the past two months despite increased demand ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. However, retail markets across the country have seen sudden price hikes. Retailers attribute the rise to higher transportation costs caused by a fuel crisis, which has doubled freight charges and slowed delivery times from production areas to major markets.

Traders report that while wholesale onion prices range between Tk 22 and Tk 28 per kilogram, retail prices are significantly higher, with similar gaps seen for garlic, chili, and coriander. Imported dry chili now sells at Tk 400 per kilogram, up by Tk 8–10 in two weeks, while coriander and nutmeg prices have also risen. In contrast, turmeric prices have declined slightly. Business leaders warn that if fuel and transport costs continue to rise, spice prices could surge further before Eid.

Market associations urge government monitoring to reduce the widening gap between wholesale and retail prices and prevent potential market instability.

Bangladesh has formally sought an extension of its timeline for graduating from least developed country (LDC) status, citing global financial challenges and the need for a smoother transition. The request was presented by Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, during the general debate of the ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum 2026 held at the UN headquarters on Thursday. The country asked to move its graduation date from November 24, 2026, to November 24, 2029.

Bangladesh first qualified for LDC graduation in 2018 and 2021 based on three criteria—per capita income, human assets, and economic and environmental vulnerability. The original graduation date was set for 2024 but was extended to 2026 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government’s letter to the UN Committee for Development Policy highlighted domestic and international challenges, including geopolitical tensions, reduced development aid, climate impacts, trade barriers, and energy uncertainty.

The ambassador emphasized that Bangladesh is prioritizing macroeconomic stability, rebuilding business confidence, strengthening the banking sector, and expanding support for vulnerable populations to ensure a sustainable transition.

A report published on April 25, 2026, accuses the former Awami League government of widespread corruption and mismanagement in Bangladesh’s major infrastructure projects. It claims that several mega projects, including the Karnaphuli Tunnel, Padma Bridge, and Dhaka-Mawa Expressway, were marked by excessive costs, poor planning, and delays. The interim government’s white paper committee and task force found that eight major projects exceeded initial budgets by 7.52 billion dollars, citing weak planning, delays, and corruption as key causes.

The report highlights that projects such as the Karnaphuli Tunnel are operating far below expectations, incurring heavy losses and failing to deliver promised benefits. It also notes that 95 percent of these projects were financed through foreign loans, creating severe repayment pressure. The railway sector, despite massive investment, continues to suffer losses due to inefficiency and inflated costs.

According to the report, inflated construction costs, project delays, and poor design have turned many of these ventures into burdens for citizens. Projects like the Gazipur-Airport BRT and Lal Khan Bazaar-Airport Elevated Expressway remain incomplete, causing public suffering and raising questions about accountability.

Islami Bank Bangladesh, once considered the country’s top financial institution, has fallen into deep crisis following years of alleged irregularities and loan fraud linked to S Alam Group. According to the report, the group and its affiliates defaulted on Tk 57,175 crore in loans, representing 62 percent of the bank’s total non-performing loans as of December last year. The group reportedly took about Tk 70,000 crore in loans under various names, including relatives and paper-based entities, after gaining control of the bank in 2017 through an intelligence agency.

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) later reported that S Alam Group’s total loans, both direct and indirect, amounted to Tk 105,483 crore. The bank has filed 24 civil and 368 criminal cases against the group, while the Anti-Corruption Commission has also initiated several cases. Islami Bank’s acting managing director said the group has not repaid its loans, and legal recovery efforts are ongoing. The bank has also signed three non-disclosure agreements with foreign entities.

After the interim government removed S Alam’s control, Islami Bank’s board was restructured, reducing total defaulted loans to Tk 92,115 crore by December. However, reports suggest S Alam is now attempting to regain influence through former employees and supporters.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant announced that the waivers allowing purchases of Russian oil and petroleum products will not be renewed. According to an Associated Press report, Besant confirmed that no new exemptions will apply even to Russian oil currently in transit. He also ruled out any extension of time limits for Iranian oil, stating that sanctions remain in place and no oil is leaving Iran.

This decision reflects the United States’ firm energy policy aimed at maintaining pressure on both Iran and Russia. Analysts cited in the report view the move as a continuation of Washington’s broader strategy to tighten sanctions and limit the energy revenues of these two countries.

The announcement underscores the US commitment to enforcing its sanctions regime without exceptions, signaling continued economic pressure on Moscow and Tehran.

Across South Asia, record gold prices are reshaping wedding traditions as many brides and families turn to imitation and one-gram gold jewellery. In Indian-administered Kashmir, 29-year-old accountant Uzma Bashir said she cannot afford even a single gold ring on her modest salary, while others in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are also abandoning pure gold due to its soaring cost. Gold prices reached $5,595 per ounce in January and remain near record highs, driving a 24 percent drop in jewellery demand in India in 2025.

In New Delhi, Fatima Begum said she replaced real gold with one-gram jewellery for her daughters’ weddings, while jewellers in Mumbai and Dhaka report a surge in demand for artificial ornaments. In Bangladesh, 22-carat gold hit $2,200 per bhori, prompting shoppers to choose imitation pieces for both affordability and safety. Pakistani families face similar pressures, with gold prices reaching 540,000 rupees per tola.

Jewellers across the region say the shift marks a cultural adjustment, as gold becomes an investment rather than a wearable symbol. Many brides now rely on gold-plated substitutes to preserve tradition without financial strain.

Bangladesh’s Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Anisul Haque announced a government plan to utilize unused land in every district for solar power generation. Speaking on April 26, 2026, at a development dialogue titled “What Kind of Southwest Region Do We Want” at Islamic University, he said the initiative aims to make the country self-sufficient in solar energy and trigger an agricultural revolution in the Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, and Jhenaidah regions. The minister explained that one acre of land could generate one megawatt of electricity, and using 20 acres in a district could produce 20 megawatts, reducing diesel use for irrigation and cutting electricity subsidies.

He added that the project is expected to become visible within six months, according to the government’s technical team. The minister also discussed broader national initiatives, including the second Padma Bridge, agricultural development, education, and employment. He emphasized moving beyond blame-based politics and noted the formation of a ten-member parliamentary committee, with equal representation from the ruling and opposition parties, to address the power and Middle East crises.

He further mentioned that work on the Jhenaidah–Islamic University–Kushtia railway line and repairs to the Khulna–Kushtia highway would begin soon.

The 125-megawatt Unit 1 of the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, resumed electricity generation on Friday night after a two-day suspension caused by a mechanical fault. According to plant officials, the unit began supplying power to the national grid at around 10 p.m., following boiler firing activities that started at 4 p.m. earlier that day. The unit had been offline since Wednesday night due to a burst boiler tube.

The Barapukuria plant has three units, with Units 1 and 2 each capable of generating 125 megawatts and Unit 3 producing 275 megawatts. However, Unit 2 has remained non-operational since November 2020 due to mechanical issues. Chief Engineer Md. Abu Bakkar Siddique stated that the shutdown occurred because stones had mixed with the coal supply.

With Unit 1 back in operation, electricity supply in Parbatipur and eight northern districts is expected to improve, easing load-shedding conditions in the region.

The ongoing war between Iran and the Israel-United States alliance has severely disrupted the global energy market. Within just 50 days of conflict, the world has lost oil production worth about 50 billion dollars. Analysts estimate that the financial loss equals the entire economy of countries like Estonia or Latvia.

Following the outbreak of the crisis, fuel prices in the United States have risen above four dollars per gallon, while Europe faces energy rationing in its industries. Emerging economies are also suffering from acute supply shortages. According to energy analysts and Reuters data, since the war began at the end of February, around 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate have been removed from the market, marking one of the largest supply shocks in modern history.

Energy expert Johannes Robl noted that with oil prices hovering near 100 dollars per barrel, the conflict has triggered massive revenue losses and intensified global inflation and transport costs. Experts warn that even if the war ends soon, the energy market may take months or even years to recover.

A new UN-backed Global Report on Food Crises has identified Bangladesh among the ten countries where two-thirds of the world’s food-insecure population are concentrated. The report, released on Friday, shows that in 2025, the majority of people suffering from acute food insecurity lived in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Together, Sudan, Nigeria, and Congo accounted for one-third of the total affected population.

According to the report, around 266 million people worldwide experienced severe food insecurity in 2025, nearly double the number recorded in 2016. Experts cited conflict and extreme climate conditions as the main drivers of the crisis. The report warned that little improvement is expected in 2026, with ongoing wars and instability continuing to disrupt food production and supply chains.

While Bangladesh and Syria showed slight improvements, conditions worsened in Afghanistan, Congo, and Myanmar. The report also expressed concern over declining international aid and noted that rising fuel and fertilizer prices could further strain food production, urging investment in local fertilizer production and climate-resilient crops.

Bangladesh’s Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintu announced that the interim government will maintain its existing decision on tourism control for Saint Martin’s Island. According to a report citing the minister, scientific field research showed that the island’s environment, ecosystem, and biodiversity improved after a nine-month closure to tourists. The government had finalized the tourism regulation policy in 2024 after nearly seven years of consultation with relevant agencies.

Under the policy, a maximum of 2,000 tourists are allowed to visit the island daily from November to January, while tourism remains closed from February to October to allow natural recovery. The minister said the restriction has yielded positive results and must continue to preserve the country’s only coral island and its ecological balance.

However, some residents have been demanding the withdrawal of the ban, arguing that tourism is the main source of income for most islanders and that the restrictions have severely affected the local economy and livelihoods.

Commerce, Industry, Jute and Textile Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that power generation in Bangladesh has been disrupted and load-shedding has increased due to the inability to import sufficient gas to meet national demand. He made the remarks on Friday while visiting the Bashia River in Masukganj area of Sylhet Sadar upazila.

The minister explained that the country’s electricity production remains largely dependent on gas. Technical complications have limited gas imports, creating a shortfall in power generation. He added that the government is actively working to address the crisis. Regarding fuel prices, he said the recent 15 percent increase in diesel prices is not expected to significantly affect overall inflation, as the adjustment was made after careful calculation. He estimated that transporting goods 200 kilometers by truck could raise costs by about 30 paisa per kilogram.

Muktadir also announced plans to expand LNG import capacity by establishing a new terminal, with tenders to be invited soon. He noted that the Bashia River dredging project will benefit around 90,000 farmers and enable additional crop production on 20,000 hectares of land.

The Cabinet Division of Bangladesh has announced recruitment for 75 positions across grades 13 to 20, including posts under the Toshakhana Unit and Toshakhana Museum. The online application process will begin on April 29, 2026, at 10 a.m., and no offline applications will be accepted. The deadline for submission is May 28, 2026, at 5 p.m.

The available positions include stenographer-cum-computer operator, computer operator, cataloger, cashier, office assistant-cum-computer typist, data entry/control operator, office assistant, modeler, storekeeper, gallery attendant, electrician, receptionist, publication assistant, security guard, and cleaner. Salaries range from BDT 8,250 to BDT 26,590 depending on grade. Applicants must be between 18 and 32 years old as of April 1, 2026, with an age relaxation up to 40 years for departmental candidates applying for specific posts.

Application fees are set at BDT 112 for grades 13–16 and BDT 56 for grades 20 positions, inclusive of Teletalk service charges. All applications must be submitted online within the specified timeframe.

Japan has decided to release part of its national oil reserves starting May 1 to address supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis that has affected crude oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced the decision on Friday, stating that efforts are underway to secure oil through alternative routes.

According to the ministry, the release will amount to roughly 5.8 million kiloliters of oil, equivalent to about 20 days of national demand, valued at approximately 540 billion yen (around 3.38 billion US dollars). Japan expects to source more than half of its crude oil from alternative suppliers by May compared to last year, which would help maintain stable supply through the end of the year while limiting the need for further reserve releases.

The ministry said the move is being carried out under Article 31 of the Petroleum Stockpiling Act to ensure stable energy supply. As one of the world’s largest oil importers, Japan remains vulnerable to instability in the Hormuz Strait region, which poses a significant risk to its energy security.

A heatwave that has persisted for five consecutive days across 16 districts of Bangladesh showed signs of weakening on Friday, April 24, 2026. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the intensity and coverage of the heatwave have gradually decreased compared to earlier in the week, when it affected up to 27 districts. The highest temperature recorded on Friday was 37.8°C in Rajshahi, down from 40°C earlier in the week.

Meteorologist Khondaker Hafizur Rahman said the heatwave’s intensity and spread are expected to decline further by Saturday. He added that from Sunday, rain is likely to increase across the country, which could help ease the ongoing heatwave. The forecast indicates possible moderate to heavy rainfall in parts of Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, with scattered showers in Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions.

Despite the slight drop in temperature, high humidity levels have made conditions feel extremely hot, causing widespread discomfort. The weather office expects the rainfall trend to continue for several days, bringing relief from the oppressive heat.