Motorcyclists blocked the Dhaka-Khulna highway at Mandartala in Gopalganj on April 9, 2026, after failing to obtain fuel from local filling stations. The protest caused traffic congestion stretching about two kilometers, leaving more than fifty vehicles stranded and passengers in distress. Police arrived at the scene, persuaded the protesters to withdraw, and cleared the road within an hour, restoring normal traffic flow.

According to reports, seven filling stations in Gopalganj municipality had stopped fuel sales since early morning, prompting frustration among bikers who had waited for hours. The protesters claimed that stations were withholding fuel despite having stock. Station owner Mofizur Rahman Lofiz said staff shortages and worker fatigue had disrupted distribution. Assistant Commissioners and Executive Magistrates Shahriar Ahmed and Fardeen Khan Prince supervised the resumption of fuel supply, which helped calm the situation.

Authorities confirmed that the highway is now operating normally, and fuel distribution has resumed under administrative monitoring.

Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam informed the National Parliament that Bangladesh Railway will begin receiving 200 broad-gauge coaches from India this year, financed by the European Investment Bank. The minister made the statement on Thursday while responding to questions from MPs Elias Molla and Ruhul Amin during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The delivery is expected to start in June 2026 and continue until December 2027, after which the new coaches will be added to the railway fleet.

According to the minister, Bangladesh Railway currently operates 3,428.09 kilometers of track, including meter-gauge, broad-gauge, and dual-gauge lines. Expansion projects are ongoing to extend the network through new broad-gauge and dual-gauge lines. Once the new coaches arrive, routes for new train services will be determined, particularly to increase intercity train connections between Dhaka and northern districts.

The minister added that projects are underway to procure 260 additional broad-gauge passenger carriages, 46 broad-gauge locomotives, and 50 meter-gauge locomotives to enhance passenger comfort and freight capacity.

A vessel named MT Central Store has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port carrying about 26,000 tons of refined octane from Malaysia. The Marshall Islands-flagged ship, measuring 183.6 meters in length, reached the anchorage on Wednesday night. According to the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation’s assistant manager for public relations, the ship will be berthed at the port’s Dolphin Jetty No. 5 on Thursday under the supervision of an experienced pilot and with tugboat assistance.

Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim stated that fuel-carrying vessels are being given priority berthing to maintain normal energy supply across the country. Several ships have already completed unloading of oil and gas, while others are in process. The arrival of the MT Central Store is part of ongoing efforts to ensure uninterrupted fuel distribution through the port.

The continued prioritization of fuel vessels at Chattogram Port is expected to support stable energy supply management in Bangladesh.

Officials from Bangladesh’s power sector have alleged that procurement of meters, transformers, and related equipment remains under the control of a syndicate formed during the previous Awami League government. According to the report, the network is allegedly linked to former state minister for power Nasrul Hamid and Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, nephew of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The syndicate is said to operate through companies such as Okulin Tech BD Limited, which continues to dominate major prepaid meter projects worth thousands of crores of taka.

Multiple officials claimed that despite 17 registered suppliers, only two or three firms tied to the syndicate received contracts over the past 18 years. The report details alleged irregularities in projects under DPDC, NESCO, DESCO, and REB, including pre-arranged tenders and inflated costs. Private entrepreneurs accused the group of using an “AMI technique” to restrict competition. However, Okulin Tech BD’s executive vice president denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all contracts were awarded through proper procedures and verified by investigations.

A former interim government adviser previously noted that procurement controversies had led to suspension of international funding, prompting a shift toward open tendering processes.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has failed to comply with the National Energy Policy’s requirement to maintain a 60-day fuel reserve, despite having the capacity to do so since 2020. The policy, adopted in 2004, mandates strategic reserves for emergencies, but BPC has continued to operate with only 25 to 30 days of supply. The shortfall became critical after the closure of the Hormuz Strait in early March, following U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, which disrupted global oil shipments and triggered a severe fuel shortage in Bangladesh.

According to official data, BPC’s combined storage capacity across its depots, Eastern Refinery, and the Single Point Mooring project exceeds 1.58 million metric tons, enough for over 90 days of national demand. However, the corporation has not utilized this capacity fully. The shortage has led to public panic and increased fuel hoarding, while BPC attempts to calm fears by publicizing incoming shipments that carry less than full loads, raising costs and inefficiencies.

Experts attribute the crisis to mismanagement and poor coordination between BPC and the government. The government is now exploring direct purchase options from new suppliers, including Kazakhstan, though supply reliability remains uncertain.

Japan’s Nikkei share index declined on April 9, 2026, as earlier optimism over a potential United States–Iran ceasefire weakened. Investors turned cautious following a strong rally in the previous session. According to market data, the Nikkei fell 0.4 percent to 56,036.75 points at 02:00 GMT, while the broader Topix index dropped 0.5 percent to 3,755.52 points. The decline raised concerns that the market’s four-day upward trend might end.

The previous session had seen the Nikkei jump 5.4 percent to its highest level in more than a month, driven by expectations that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen after Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran. Overnight, Nikkei 225 futures traded above 57,000 points on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, reflecting earlier optimism that has since cooled.

If the current trend continues, Japan’s stock market may see a pause in its recent rally as investors await clearer signals regarding the ceasefire situation.

US crude oil prices rose again after a steep drop triggered by the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump declared a two-week ceasefire with Iran, which initially caused oil prices to fall sharply. As the market began to stabilize later, prices recovered moderately.

According to the report, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures increased by $2.68, or 2.84 percent, reaching $97.09 per barrel at 22:18 GMT. Earlier in the day, global stock markets surged on the ceasefire news, while oil prices dropped nearly 14 percent to around $95 per barrel, at one point falling as low as $90.40.

The report indicates that the oil market showed signs of recovery after the initial reaction to the ceasefire announcement, suggesting a gradual return to stability.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has initiated a joint operation to prevent artificial shortages and stabilize prices of essential commodities, including fuel and edible oil. The operation began at noon on April 8, 2026, in the outer anchorage of Chattogram, following intelligence reports that some unscrupulous traders were illegally hoarding goods on lighter vessels. Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon confirmed the operation.

According to the Coast Guard, the operation is being conducted in coordination with the Bangladesh Navy, the Department of Shipping, and the Chattogram Port Authority. The initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential goods and prevent manipulation of the market amid global fuel concerns. The Coast Guard has also intensified security and intelligence surveillance around the port and outer anchorage areas.

Authorities have instructed that no vessel carrying food, fuel, or edible oil may remain anchored for more than 72 hours. The Coast Guard will continue similar operations in the future to maintain market stability and protect public interest.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has called on the government to take an active role in controlling the country's rising commodity prices. In a statement issued to the media on Wednesday, the party’s secretary general, Principal Hafiz Maulana Yunus Ahmad, said that the abnormal price hikes of essential goods have become a serious burden for low- and middle-income families. Prices of vegetables, poultry, edible oil, sugar, and other daily necessities have sharply increased, forcing many consumers to buy cheaper alternatives or reduce their purchases.

Yunus Ahmad cited specific examples, noting that the price of golden chicken has risen to 400–430 taka per kilogram from 270–300 taka during Ramadan, while beef now sells for 800 taka per kilogram, up from 750–780 taka. He attributed the price surge to syndicates, extortion, and profiteering rather than genuine supply issues. The party demanded that the government strengthen market monitoring, prevent hoarding and syndicate manipulation, and take action against profiteers.

In a separate statement, Islami Andolan leaders from Dhaka South condemned threats allegedly made by U.S. and Israeli leaders against Persian civilization, calling such remarks a violation of global human rights.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has granted policy approval for the Bhola Bridge project on the Bhola-Barishal road, to be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The decision was made during a meeting held at the National Parliament Building, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. The committee also approved the construction of a bridge over the Meghna River on the Shariatpur-Chandpur road under the same PPP framework.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the Meghna River bridge project will include an 8-kilometer-long four-lane bridge, 8.57 kilometers of approach roads on both sides, and 9.63 kilometers of riverbank protection work. The Bhola Bridge project aims to establish direct road connectivity between Bhola district, Barishal, and Dhaka, featuring a 10.867-kilometer four-lane bridge and 18.075 kilometers of riverbank protection. The estimated construction cost is Tk 17,466.32 crore, with 507.5 acres of land to be acquired and utility relocation costs covered by the government.

The committee also approved proposals to purchase 300,000 tons of diesel from three companies and authorized UNICEF to procure vaccines through both direct purchase and open tender methods.

A mobile court in Feni fined a company named Kabir & Sons Tk 200,000 for illegally storing 50,000 liters of edible oil. The operation was conducted on Wednesday under the initiative of RAB-7, with participation from an executive magistrate, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, and the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority. The fine amount has been deposited into the government treasury as per regulations.

In a separate drive earlier in the day, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection fined another company, Messrs Haji Nur Ahmed & Sons, Tk 50,000. The operation took place in the Takiya Road area of Feni town as part of regular monitoring activities. Officials from the Food Safety Authority, the Department of Agricultural Marketing, the National Intelligence Agency, and RAB members were present during the raids.

The coordinated enforcement actions reflect ongoing efforts by authorities to curb illegal storage and ensure compliance with food safety and consumer protection laws in the region.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the import of an additional 300,000 tons of diesel to address the country's fuel shortage caused by the Iran–United States–Israel conflict. The decision was made at a meeting held on Wednesday at the National Parliament Building, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. The committee approved three separate proposals to purchase 100,000 tons each from Ear Energy AG, K&R International Trading Company, and Messrs Sikder International.

The committee also granted policy approval for vaccine procurement under the EPI program and for bridge construction projects in Chandpur and Bhola. It decided that 50 percent of the vaccines would be purchased directly through UNICEF and the remaining 50 percent through open tender. However, due to delays and quality concerns in open tendering, the committee approved direct procurement of the remaining vaccines through UNICEF for the 2025–26 fiscal year, with an estimated cost of Tk 421.47 crore.

Additionally, the committee approved in principle two major bridge projects under the PPP model: an 8 km bridge over the Meghna River on the Shariatpur–Chandpur road and the Bhola Bridge over the Kalabandar and Tetulia rivers on the Barishal–Bhola road.

British Trade Envoy Baroness Rosie Winterton met Bangladesh’s Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Afroza Khanam on Wednesday at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. During the meeting, the envoy conveyed the United Kingdom’s interest in participating in ground handling operations at the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

According to a ministry press release, both sides emphasized strengthening trade relations between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. The British envoy assured support for implementing the current government’s election manifesto. The meeting also discussed potential new investments in Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism sectors under a recently signed memorandum of understanding between the two countries. The minister and state minister expressed their commitment to working jointly for the development of these sectors.

The government is currently in discussions with a Japanese company regarding the third terminal’s operations. A Bangladeshi delegation led by Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman met a Japanese team last Friday, but no final decision has yet been reached.

Bangladesh Bank has warned that ongoing conflict in the Middle East has intensified global oil market volatility, posing potential risks to Bangladesh’s economy. In its quarterly report released Wednesday, the central bank projected that rising oil prices and continued currency depreciation could accelerate domestic inflation and deplete foreign exchange reserves.

According to the analysis, if global oil prices rise by 70 percent in the first quarter of 2026 and by another 30 percent in the second quarter, domestic fuel prices may increase significantly. A sustained five percent depreciation of the exchange rate during the same period could push inflation up by 0.5 to 2 percent by the end of 2026. The report noted that if the government absorbs the global oil price shock through fiscal measures, inflationary pressure could remain moderate.

The report further indicated that higher energy import costs and central bank interventions to stabilize the exchange rate could reduce reserves by about 6.5 billion dollars by December 2026. Bangladesh Bank emphasized the need for policy preparedness, suggesting flexible exchange rates and partial fuel price adjustments to maintain macroeconomic stability.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has launched a nationwide crackdown to stabilize the edible oil market and prevent manipulation by dishonest stockpilers. Over the past two days, mobile courts led by RAB executive magistrates conducted surprise raids in Dhaka’s Tejgaon, Hazaribagh, Mohammadpur, and Tongi areas, as well as other parts of the country. Authorities identified 114,442 liters of illegally hoarded oil, imposed fines totaling 71,000 taka, and seized 22,642 liters on the spot.

In earlier operations on April 7, RAB-8 fined three businesses in Patuakhali Sadar 11,000 taka, while a special drive in Chattogram uncovered large-scale fraud and hoarding. Officials also seized 1,042 liters of oil that had been bottled without quality certification and labeled with fake company tags. In Nasirabad and Karnaphuli areas, RAB recovered 9,600 and 12,000 liters of illegally stored oil respectively, fining the involved businesses 60,000 taka.

RAB’s media wing stated that the operations aim to stop syndicates from creating artificial shortages and ensure market stability through continued surveillance and enforcement.