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.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to keep its key deposit interest rate unchanged at 2 percent for the 21 countries using the euro. The decision, announced on April 30, 2026, comes amid concerns that ongoing war-related disruptions could further intensify risks to economic growth and inflation. The rate has remained at this level since June 2025.

According to the ECB, the continuing conflict has heightened the likelihood of slower growth and rising inflation across the eurozone. The bank stated that maintaining the current rate is a prudent measure to preserve economic stability under these uncertain conditions. The decision reflects the institution’s cautious stance in balancing inflationary pressures with the need to support growth.

The ECB emphasized that keeping the rate steady is aimed at mitigating volatility and ensuring stability in the region’s financial environment as geopolitical tensions persist.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has announced that fuel prices will remain unchanged for May 2026. A government notification issued on Thursday confirmed that the existing retail prices of diesel, kerosene, octane, and petrol will continue. The decision, approved by the competent authority, will take effect from May 1.

According to the notification, diesel will sell at 115 taka per liter, kerosene at 130 taka, octane at 140 taka, and petrol at 135 taka throughout May. The ministry stated that the decision follows the country’s existing policy of adjusting fuel prices monthly in line with international market trends.

The last price adjustment occurred on April 18, when the government raised fuel prices, including a 15 percent increase in diesel. The unchanged rates for May indicate a pause in further adjustments after the recent hike.

Islami Bank has been downgraded from the 'A' to the 'Z' category after failing to declare dividends for two consecutive financial years. The decision followed a board meeting on April 29, 2026, where the bank reviewed its audited financial report for the year ending December 31, 2025, and announced a 'no dividend' policy. The downgrade was made in accordance with Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) regulations.

Following the downgrade, brokerage houses and merchant banks have been requested not to provide margin loan facilities for purchasing Islami Bank shares, as per the BSEC Margin Loan Regulations 2025. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) published these details on its website on Thursday. The bank’s share price fell by more than 4 percent, dropping from Tk 34.70 to Tk 33.30.

According to the 2025 audited report, Islami Bank’s consolidated earnings per share stood at Tk 0.85, and its net asset value per share was Tk 44.52, slightly higher than the previous year’s figures.

Bata Bangladesh has announced a 105 percent final cash dividend for the year 2025, raising its total annual dividend to 248 percent. The company reported a turnover of 9,164 million taka despite global economic pressures, political uncertainty, and challenging geopolitical conditions. The announcement reflects Bata’s continued focus on strengthening its long-term competitiveness in the footwear market.

Throughout the year, the company emphasized customer-centric strategies, prioritizing high-growth segments such as casual, sneaker, and premium product categories. These areas showed notable progress, aligning well with evolving market trends. The expansion of Bata’s omnichannel network further enhanced customer engagement across both digital and physical platforms.

Bata Bangladesh continues to improve institutional efficiency and maintain an organized structure to navigate current market conditions. With ongoing investments in product innovation and customer service, the company aims to capitalize on future opportunities and sustain its leadership in the country’s footwear industry.

The Bangladesh Parliament has passed the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Amendment) Act, aimed at enhancing oversight of the capital market, protecting investors’ interests, and promoting the development of the securities sector. The bill, recommended by a special committee, was approved on Thursday at 11:25 a.m.

Opposition leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman had called for the bill’s postponement, but the motion was rejected through a voice vote. Alongside this, two additional amendment bills were passed to remove the age limit for appointments to top positions at the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA).

The legislative changes are expected to provide greater flexibility in leadership appointments and reinforce regulatory capacity in Bangladesh’s financial and insurance markets.

The United States has claimed to have seized nearly $500 million worth of Iranian cryptocurrency assets, intensifying its economic pressure on Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent told Fox News that about $350 million in crypto assets were recently seized, adding to a previously confiscated $100 million, bringing the total close to half a billion dollars. He added that bank accounts in several countries are also being frozen as part of the same effort.

Besent stated that former President Donald Trump had ordered the expansion of economic pressure on Iran in March of the previous year and recently renewed that directive. The US is now urging foreign governments and companies to reduce economic ties with Iran, warning of secondary sanctions on those purchasing Iranian oil. Besent said the ongoing financial campaign and naval blockade at Iranian ports could cause lasting damage to Iran’s economy.

Iran dismissed the move, saying it would only push global oil prices higher. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked Besent’s comments on social media, calling them irrelevant.

The government of Bangladesh has approved five loan proposals totaling $1.9 billion from development partners, of which around $1.6 billion are classified as non-concessional loans with strict repayment terms. The approval came from the Standing Committee on Non-Concessional Loans at the Planning Ministry, chaired by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. About $1.3 billion of the total will be used as budget support to address immediate fiscal pressures.

Under the approved package, Bangladesh will receive $450 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), $500 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), $250 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and $100 million from the OPEC Fund for International Development. Officials said these loans carry higher interest rates, shorter grace periods, and tighter repayment schedules. In addition, ADB will provide another $300 million for the SASEC Dhaka–Sylhet Corridor Road Investment Project.

The committee also decided that non-concessional loans will be taken only when concessional financing is unavailable, and repayment capacity must be ensured. It set limits to keep annual repayment costs below 10% of export earnings or 15% of government revenue, and total non-concessional debt under 10% of GDP.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to sign a landmark agreement with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing on Thursday evening to purchase 14 new-generation aircraft. The signing ceremony, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka, marks the largest fleet expansion in the airline’s history. The deal includes eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners, and four 737-8 Max jets, with an estimated total value of about Tk 37,000 crore. Biman’s Managing Director and CEO, Kaiser Sohel Ahmed, will sign on behalf of the airline, while a Boeing representative will sign for the company.

The initiative aims to modernize Biman’s fleet, increase long-haul capacity, and strengthen Bangladesh’s position as a regional aviation hub. The event will be attended by senior government officials, diplomats, and aviation industry leaders, including the US Ambassador Brent T. Christensen. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom Rita will attend as chief guest.

The agreement comes as the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport nears completion, signaling a major step toward transforming Bangladesh into a regional aviation center. It also ends three years of competition between Boeing and European rival Airbus for Biman’s fleet expansion order.

The Hong Kong-flagged vessel 'Kwai Chi' has arrived in the waters of Chattogram Port carrying 26,500 tons of octane. The ship reached the outer anchorage late Wednesday night. Earlier, two other vessels—'MT Central Star' on April 8 with 26,000 tons and 'MT Navy Cielo' on April 17 with 27,000 tons of octane—had completed unloading and departed.

According to Chattogram Port Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim, a total of 14 fuel-carrying ships are currently within the port’s waters, five of which are loaded with diesel and octane. The unloading process is being coordinated with the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) on a priority basis. Port sources said that the Dolphin Jetty can accommodate three ships simultaneously for unloading, while larger vessels must offload through lightering at the outer anchorage.

However, rough sea conditions over the past few days have disrupted unloading operations at the outer anchorage, slowing down the process temporarily.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Textiles Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with Danish Ambassador Christian Brix Møller on Thursday morning at the Secretariat in Dhaka. The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Denmark. The minister urged greater Danish investment, highlighting Bangladesh’s investor-friendly environment, skilled workforce, large market, and strategic location. He emphasized ongoing government efforts to improve infrastructure, logistics, and business facilitation to attract foreign investors.

Muktadir invited Danish investors to explore opportunities in renewable energy, infrastructure, and industrial sectors, expressing optimism for deeper future economic collaboration. Ambassador Møller congratulated Bangladesh’s new government and described the bilateral relationship as a successful transition from development cooperation to business partnership. He noted that Danish companies, including Marks-Bangladesh, are operating successfully and investing in renewable energy and other sectors. The ambassador reaffirmed Denmark’s support for Bangladesh’s economic and democratic reforms and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in the livestock sector and developing a dairy value chain.

Commerce Ministry Secretary (routine duty) Md. Abdur Rahim Khan also attended the meeting.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that there will be no irregularities or looting in the stock market under the BNP government. He also confirmed that political figures will not be appointed to financial institutions. The minister made these remarks on Thursday morning before the passage of the Securities and Exchange Commission (Amendment) Act in the National Parliament.

Addressing opposition concerns about the bill, the finance minister said that since a special committee had already examined the legislation, there was no need for further scrutiny. Following his statement, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Amendment) Act was passed in Parliament as recommended by the special committee.

The new law aims to strengthen oversight of Bangladesh’s capital market, protect investors’ interests, and promote the development of the securities market, according to the official proceedings described in the source.

Global oil prices surged as reports emerged that the United States is preparing to impose long-term sanctions on Iran. On Wednesday, Brent crude prices exceeded 122 dollars per barrel, marking the highest level since 2022. The price later stabilized around 120 dollars after a nearly 10 percent daily increase.

The rise followed stalled ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran and the effective closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to the Wall Street Journal, former US President Donald Trump has instructed preparations to extend existing blockades on Iranian ports to increase pressure on Tehran. In response, Iran stated it would continue to obstruct shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Guardian reported that this is the first time since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine that Brent crude has crossed the 120-dollar mark, underscoring renewed geopolitical tensions affecting global energy markets.

International discussion has intensified over whether the United States’ ongoing economic and naval sanctions can effectively stop Iran’s oil exports. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that despite the sanctions, no major damage has occurred to Iran’s oil fields and the country is prepared to withstand economic pressure for at least 30 more days. The US, however, maintains that its sanctions are working, arguing that if Iran cannot export oil, storage limits will eventually force production cuts.

Satellite data show that since the sanctions began on April 13, Iran’s oil storage has risen sharply. By April 20, storage tanks on Kharg Island—through which about 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports pass—were 74 percent full, with an additional three million barrels added, according to the Center on Global Energy Policy. Analysts note that oil companies typically avoid filling storage beyond 80 percent for safety reasons.

Experts suggest that while the sanctions are increasing pressure, they are unlikely to halt production immediately. Instead, Iran may face a gradual slowdown leading to a prolonged economic strain.

Sumi Khatun, the eldest daughter of a struggling family, began producing vermicompost fertilizer in Mymensingh during the COVID-19 pandemic after losing her low-paying NGO job. Guided by agricultural officer Alamgir Hossain, she started with only ten rings and three kilograms of earthworms, using vegetable waste and cow dung to create organic fertilizer. Despite initial setbacks and six months without sales, she persevered and produced 15 maunds of fertilizer, later gaining market access with help from the Upazila Agriculture Officer Shakura Nambir.

Over time, Sumi expanded her farm to twelve chambers and added a nutrition garden and pineapple plantation, cultivating fruits like papaya and malta alongside companion crops such as chili, mustard, and banana. She is also an active member of Transparency International Bangladesh’s YES group and local blood donation organizations. In 2025, she survived a severe road accident that claimed two fellow activists but continued her work after recovery.

Sumi received the Joyeeta Award in 2024 at both upazila and district levels for economic self-reliance and earned regional agricultural productivity awards in 2024 and 2025. She now studies for a master’s degree at Anand Mohan College and plans to expand production and create jobs for local youth.