A report published on April 18, 2026, warns that the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, is facing a severe environmental crisis due to the Rampal coal-fired power plant near the Pashur River. The article describes visible air pollution from the plant’s chimneys and highlights how emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants are contaminating air and water, threatening local ecosystems, aquatic life, and human health. The project, jointly inaugurated in 2022 by Bangladesh’s then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been criticized for its proximity to the ecologically sensitive forest.

The report argues that while many countries are shifting toward renewable energy, Bangladesh’s former government pursued a policy to raise coal-based power generation to 50 percent by 2041. Environmental experts and UNESCO had raised objections, but these were ignored. The article also notes that land acquisition for the project displaced local farmers and that the coastal location increases vulnerability to storms and flooding.

The piece concludes by crediting environmental leaders who facilitated field visits to assess the plant’s impact on the Sundarbans ecosystem.

The Trump administration has extended a waiver allowing the purchase of Russian oil and petroleum products for nearly one more month. The decision, announced by the US Treasury Department, aims to help control soaring global energy prices. According to a document posted on the department’s website, ships loaded with Russian oil by Friday can be purchased until May 16. The previous 30-day waiver expired on April 11, and the new extension renews that permission.

Reuters reported that US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent stated Washington will not renew the sanctions on Russian oil purchases after this period. Earlier, Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev said the initial waiver had enabled about 100 million barrels of Russian crude to enter the market.

The move reflects Washington’s attempt to balance sanctions enforcement with global energy stability, as the temporary relaxation could ease supply pressures in the international oil market.

Anik Kumar Mondal, a researcher at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), argues that reducing daily office hours by one hour is an ineffective response to the country’s deepening energy crisis. Writing on April 18, 2026, he describes the current measure as symbolic rather than practical, noting that office operations consume significant energy from the moment they open, making a one-hour reduction largely meaningless in real savings.

Mondal contends that the decision has increased administrative inefficiency and public inconvenience without easing the energy burden. He proposes that a full-day office closure each week would yield more tangible results, as it would halt energy use across entire facilities for a full day rather than trimming marginal consumption. He emphasizes that crisis management requires bold, measurable actions rather than partial or symbolic gestures.

The article further highlights Bangladesh’s dependence on imported fuel and warns that half-measures only prolong the crisis. Mondal suggests that with modern digital tools and flexible work arrangements, essential services could continue even if routine administrative offices close one extra day per week.

Bangladesh’s only state-owned oil refinery, Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL), is operating at low capacity due to crude oil supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran war. The Energy Division said March’s scheduled crude oil shipment from the Middle East was delayed, forcing ERL to run on emergency reserves. Two of its four units remain shut for maintenance. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Chairman Md. Rezanur Rahman confirmed that the last shipment arrived in February and that a new consignment is expected in early May, after which full operations should resume. BPC assured that the country will not face a fuel shortage as additional diesel and octane imports have been arranged.

To address technical limitations and increase capacity, the government approved a Tk 31,000 crore project to modernize and double ERL’s refining capacity from 1.5 million to 4.5 million tons annually. Experts, however, questioned the project’s profitability and transparency, citing cost overruns, fossil fuel dependency, and lack of accountability in project management. Some analysts argued that investing in renewable energy would yield greater long-term benefits.

BPC maintains that the expansion will strengthen national energy security, reduce import costs, and enhance storage capacity, with construction expected to begin in early 2027.

A Tk 20 crore bridge built over the Ichamati River in Harirampur, Manikganj, has remained unused for two years because no connecting roads were constructed. The bridge, completed in December 2024 by contractor Dhrubo Construction under a Roads and Highways Department (RHD) project, was meant to link the Jhikta Bazar area. However, land acquisition and occupation disputes have stalled the construction of approach roads, forcing locals to continue using an old, damaged bridge at great risk.

Residents report severe difficulties transporting agricultural goods and commuting safely. Local traders near Jhikta Bazar have reportedly obstructed road construction, demanding compensation for their shops. RHD officials confirmed that the process of land acquisition and eviction is ongoing and expressed hope that the issue will soon be resolved so that work can resume.

Until the link roads are built, the new bridge remains inaccessible, prolonging public suffering and traffic congestion in the area.

Severe navigability crisis during summer and destructive erosion in the monsoon are displacing residents of Gangachara’s char areas in Rangpur along the Teesta River. Vast tracts of land have become uninhabitable, leaving thousands in distress. During the dry season, the river turns into a sandy desert, while in the rainy season it causes devastating floods and erosion, destroying homes, schools, roads, and farmland. Many families have lost their homesteads and livelihoods, forcing some to migrate elsewhere.

Villagers from areas such as Anandabazar, Bagdohra, Motukpur, Binbina, Ichli, Shankardah, and Kashiyabari report worsening conditions. Fishermen lose work as the river dries up, and farmers face irrigation shortages. Locals say repeated promises have failed to bring lasting protection. They demand a permanent embankment from Minar Bazar to Mahipur to prevent further destruction.

Gangachara’s Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jasmin Akter said the administration is closely monitoring the situation. Rangpur-1 MP Raihan Siraji called the Teesta crisis central to the region’s economy and urged swift implementation of the Teesta Master Plan.

A sudden drop in paddy and rice prices across several districts of the Rajshahi region has left farmers and traders in severe distress. Over the past month, paddy prices have fallen by Tk 200–400 per maund, while rice prices have dropped by Tk 2–6 per kilogram. Farmers are struggling to recover production costs, and mill owners and traders are facing losses. The situation has created instability in the agricultural and food sectors, raising fears of a prolonged crisis.

Local traders attribute the price fall to rising transport costs, reduced buyer turnout from other districts, and increased supply ahead of the new harvest. Farmers report selling paddy below production cost, while rice mill owners cite higher imports reducing demand for domestic rice. Agricultural economists point to an imbalance between supply and demand, driven by stockpiling and import pressure.

Experts warn that if the downturn continues, farmers may lose interest in rice cultivation, threatening future food production. The Rajshahi Rice Mill Owners’ Association has urged the government to set a minimum support price and strengthen market monitoring to stabilize prices.

The dredging of the Ichamati River, which flows through the heart of Pabna, has come to a standstill due to a severe fuel shortage. Excavators have remained idle for eight days as contractors failed to obtain sufficient diesel, creating uncertainty about completing the project on schedule. Field visits revealed that machinery and workers are inactive, and local residents have expressed growing frustration over the prolonged delay.

Contractors, including Ahad Builders, stated that the ongoing energy crisis has made it impossible to secure the required fuel. They reported daily financial losses from halted operations, rising labor costs, and equipment rentals. Residents warned that if the work remains stalled before the monsoon, public funds could be wasted and newly dredged sections might refill with silt.

Project Director Sudhanshu Kumar Sarkar described the disruption as temporary, saying efforts are underway through the district administration to restore fuel supply. Deputy Commissioner Aminul Islam confirmed that the issue has been reported to the Ministry of Energy and expressed hope for a quick resolution.

The Bangladesh Land Ministry has fallen short of its land development tax collection target, with only 41.77 percent of the combined goal achieved by February 2026. Government institutions have shown the least compliance, contributing just 9 percent of their target, while the general service sector, including private landowners and residential properties, reached 32.77 percent. The ministry now faces the challenge of collecting nearly one thousand crore taka by June 29.

According to ministry sources, a total of 656.97 crore taka is owed by government agencies such as Bangladesh Railway, the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, and the Shipping Ministry. To accelerate revenue collection, the ministry is organizing a five-day “Land Development Tax Fair” from May 10 to 14 across 516 AC Land Offices nationwide. The event aims to encourage tax payment and raise awareness about digital land services, record management, and name registration.

Officials believe the fair could significantly improve tax collection, as a similar three-day event last year generated 3.25 crore taka. The ministry has formed multiple committees led by additional secretaries to ensure the fair’s success.

The Ministry of Railways has renewed its initiative to construct a 500-bed hospital and a 100-seat medical college in Chattogram’s CRB area, a site known for its dense greenery and biodiversity. The project, previously halted for nearly four years amid environmental protests, is now being reconsidered under Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam of the BNP government. The minister is scheduled to visit the proposed site in the Goalpahar area on April 19 to inspect it before granting policy approval.

Researchers and environmentalists have warned that the hospital project could destroy the area’s natural ecosystem. A four-month study led by Chittagong University’s Associate Professor Omar Faruk Russell identified 183 species of medicinal plants in CRB, many used to treat serious diseases such as cancer and heart ailments. The study also found 223 plant species overall, including several endangered and century-old trees.

Local residents and cultural groups regard CRB as the “lungs” of Chattogram—a rare urban refuge combining nature, history, and community life. The renewed construction plan has reignited public debate over balancing development with environmental preservation.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has suspended the next tranche of its loan to Bangladesh, citing insufficient progress in revenue and banking sector reforms. The disbursement, scheduled for June under a $5.5 billion program, has been delayed as key conditions remain unmet. The decision was confirmed by members of Bangladesh’s delegation attending the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, led by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.

According to the IMF, Bangladesh failed to advance in areas such as revenue mobilization, banking discipline, subsidy reduction in the energy sector, and implementation of a market-based exchange rate. The organization has proposed initiating discussions on a new loan framework with revised conditions. IMF officials indicated that a review mission will not proceed until significant progress is achieved, making a June disbursement unlikely.

Economists warn that the delay could strain Bangladesh’s foreign reserves and budget support, potentially affecting financing from other development partners who view IMF assessments as key indicators. The IMF’s Asia-Pacific director emphasized that strong political will is needed to implement overdue reforms in fiscal and financial sectors.

Global oil markets saw a significant decline after Iranian officials announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial ships. On April 18, 2026, Brent crude and US oil prices dropped below 90 dollars per barrel, with Brent crude settling 9.1 percent lower at 90 dollars and 38 cents by the end of the day.

The development comes amid a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, though Washington continues to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that Tehran would close the Strait again if the blockade persists. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route through which one-fifth of the world’s crude oil is transported.

The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched military action against Iran, disrupting shipping through the strategic waterway. The latest move to reopen the Strait has temporarily eased oil supply concerns but tensions remain high in the region.

Iraq has resumed crude oil exports from its southern region after more than a month of suspension caused by disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Middle East Eye. On Friday, loading began on a Maltese-flagged tanker named Agios Fanourios 1 near Iraq’s southern oil terminal, with around two million barrels of Basra crude expected to be loaded.

Shipping and trade data indicate that the tanker entered the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, following an earlier attempt by several tankers to pass during a U.S.-Iran ceasefire. The vessel is reportedly bound for Vietnam’s Nghi Son refinery, where it will deliver the crude oil cargo.

Officials said another tanker is expected to arrive at Iraq’s southern export terminal within the next two days, signaling a gradual normalization of oil export operations after the recent disruption.

The International Monetary Fund has lowered its global growth forecast for 2026 from 3.3 to 3.1 percent, citing the economic fallout from the United States-Israeli war on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has disrupted vital energy exports and damaged Gulf infrastructure, while a prolonged war could push global growth down to 2.5 percent. Low-income and developing nations are expected to suffer most from rising energy and commodity prices, and global shipping faces additional strain.

Despite the downturn, several industries are thriving amid the turmoil. Wall Street banks such as Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and JP Morgan Chase reported double-digit profit increases in early 2026, driven by heavy trading activity. The crypto-based prediction platform Polymarket has also surged, earning millions in daily fees from users betting on geopolitical outcomes. Meanwhile, global defence firms are benefiting from rising military spending, and the AI sector remains resilient, with Taiwan’s chip exports and TSMC’s profits reaching record highs.

The war has also accelerated the global shift toward renewable energy. Governments across Asia are implementing emergency measures and new incentives to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, driving a 70.92 percent annual rise in the S&P Global Clean Energy Transition Index.

BRAC Bank has signed an agreement with the SME Foundation to strengthen financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs and boost the country’s production sector. The signing ceremony took place in Dhaka, where BRAC Bank Managing Director and CEO Tarek Refaet Ullah Khan and SME Foundation Managing Director Anwar Hossain Chowdhury signed the deal in the presence of senior officials from related sectors.

Under the agreement, Tk 300 crore will be distributed nationwide through banks and financial institutions from the SME Foundation’s revolving fund. BRAC Bank will provide Tk 40 crore in collateral-free loans. Entrepreneurs can borrow between Tk 1 lakh and Tk 25 lakh at an 8 percent interest rate. The program will prioritize women-led enterprises, manufacturing sectors, and cluster-based businesses.

Officials stated that the initiative aims to expand financing opportunities for marginal and small entrepreneurs, contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The event was attended by the Minister of Industries, Commerce, and Textiles Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, SME Foundation Chairman and Industries Secretary Md. Obaidur Rahman, and Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Nurun Nahar.