A severe fuel shortage has caused widespread disruption across Dhaka, with motorists waiting for hours at petrol pumps without getting fuel. Many ride-share drivers have been unable to work, while others have switched to using the metro to avoid the long queues. On Thursday, long lines of motorcycles and private cars stretched up to two kilometers at several filling stations, with many returning empty-handed as supplies ran out. Some stations have closed entirely due to lack of fuel.

Petrol pump owners reported receiving significantly less fuel than usual, forcing them to turn away customers. At some stations, tensions flared as drivers argued and fought over access to fuel, prompting police deployment at multiple locations including Motijheel and Arambagh. The congestion around operating pumps has also caused severe traffic jams in surrounding areas.

The shortage has led to a surge in metro ridership as commuters seek alternatives to private vehicles. Many residents said they preferred public transport to avoid the frustration and time loss of waiting in long lines under the hot weather.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has accused the government of avoiding discussions on the ongoing energy crisis. Speaking on Friday morning at the district Ameer conference of Jamaat-e-Islami at Al-Falah Auditorium in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, he urged the government to work together with openness both inside and outside parliament to overcome the national crisis.

He said that whenever they try to discuss issues such as the energy and electricity crisis, rising commodity prices, and fertilizer shortages, the government hides from dialogue. He acknowledged that these problems stem from global factors, not solely from the current administration, and called for collective solutions. Dr. Rahman also urged the government to accept the results of a public referendum and take steps to eliminate fascism from governance by turning related ordinances into laws.

Supporting a recent statement by the Speaker, he said that if all 300 members of parliament act responsibly for the people, Bangladesh will change for the better. Senior Jamaat leaders, including A.T.M. Azharul Islam, Professor Mujibur Rahman, and Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, were present at the event.

Once a clear and vibrant natural reservoir, Foy’s Lake in Chattogram has become heavily polluted and toxic due to years of environmental mismanagement, encroachment, and industrial activity. The century-old lake, formerly home to at least 50 species of wildlife and a key water source for thousands, now shows signs of severe ecological collapse. Following a 2005 lease agreement between Bangladesh Railway and Concord Group for tourism development, unregulated construction, hill cutting, and motorized boat operations have destroyed the lake’s natural balance.

Field inspections and laboratory tests by Chattogram WASA and Railway labs found alarming levels of chemical contamination, with biological oxygen demand dropping and chemical oxygen demand rising sharply. Experts report that most aquatic plants and animals have vanished, and the lake’s water has turned green-gray with oil layers blocking oxygen flow. Despite a 2017 lease cancellation, Concord continues operations under legal protection, while illegal settlements and waste dumping persist around the lake.

Environmentalists and legal experts warn that the situation poses serious public health risks and call for immediate enforcement of environmental and lease conditions to restore the lake’s ecosystem.

Australia will visit Bangladesh in June 2026 for a bilateral cricket series, marking their first tour of the country in over fifteen years. Cricket Australia confirmed the schedule in a statement on Friday. The tour will feature three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 (T20) matches. The ODI series will begin on June 9, with the remaining matches on June 11 and 14, all to be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

Following the ODIs, the T20 series will take place in Chattogram at the Birshreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium. The T20 matches are scheduled for June 17, 19, and 21. Australia last played an ODI series in Bangladesh in 2011 and a T20 series in 2021.

The upcoming tour marks a significant return of high-profile international cricket to Bangladesh, renewing a long-standing cricketing rivalry between the two nations.

Bangladesh’s domestic debt has reached Tk 10.94 trillion by the end of January 2026, according to a Bangladesh Bank report released on Thursday. The figure stood at Tk 9.42 trillion a year earlier, marking an increase of Tk 1.51 trillion within twelve months. During the first seven months of the current fiscal year, the government borrowed Tk 72,647 crore from domestic sources, up from Tk 40,144 crore in the same period of the previous year.

The report shows that Tk 64,923 crore was borrowed from the banking sector and Tk 7,723 crore from non-bank sources. Sector insiders attributed the rise to borrowing during the interim government period to cover election expenses, new bank investments, and operational costs amid lower-than-expected revenue collection. The interim government’s Tk 7.9 trillion budget projected a deficit of Tk 2.21 trillion, or 3.5 percent of GDP, with plans to borrow Tk 1.25 trillion domestically.

By March 30, 2026, total bank borrowing had already exceeded the annual target, reaching Tk 6.56 trillion. The government’s foreign debt stood at Tk 9.49 trillion as of June 2025.

Four large diesel-laden ships are arriving at Chattogram Port between Friday, April 17, and the following Sunday, carrying around 141,000 tons of diesel. The consignment aims to stabilize Bangladesh’s fuel supply amid recent disruptions. Officials expect that once distribution begins, uncertainty in the transport, agriculture, and industrial sectors will ease significantly. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) estimates the new supply will meet national demand for about 12 days.

According to the Chattogram Port Authority, three ships—MT Oaktree, MT Cape Bonny, and MT Lian Song Hu—are scheduled to anchor on Friday, while the fourth, MT Golden Horizon, will arrive on Sunday. Pride Shipping Lines’ managing director confirmed that the vessels are arriving on schedule and that quick unloading will accelerate fuel distribution.

BPC officials reported that the country’s diesel stock has risen from 155,000 tons to about 296,000 tons, extending reserve capacity from 13 to 25 days. Diesel accounts for roughly 63 percent of Bangladesh’s total fuel demand, projected at 4.35 million tons for fiscal year 2024–25.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Anindya Islam Amit, announced that the country currently has full fuel reserves for April and May. He made the statement on Friday while speaking to journalists after inspecting Eastern Refinery Limited in Chattogram. The minister added that efforts are underway to secure adequate reserves for June to maintain uninterrupted energy supply.

He claimed that Bangladesh now holds the highest fuel reserves in its history. The government is working to import both refined and crude fuel from alternative sources to strengthen supply security. According to the minister, refined fuel supply is being expanded, and initiatives have been taken to import crude oil for Eastern Refinery from countries including Malaysia.

The announcement reflects the government’s ongoing strategy to ensure energy stability and diversify import sources amid rising demand across the country.

Dhaka University Chhatra Dal Joint General Secretary Sheikh Shovon has resigned from his post, criticizing the BNP’s stance on the July commitment and reform issues. He announced his resignation on Thursday afternoon through a Facebook post, citing the party’s questionable role in these matters as the main reason behind his decision.

Shovon, a student of the 2015–16 session in the university’s law department and a follower of Chhatra Dal leader Fazlur Rahman Khokon, expressed deep concern over the current political situation. In his post, he said the spirit of past movements and the sacrifices of martyrs were being neglected, and that national interests were being harmed by personal and group conflicts. He stated that his ideological position no longer aligned with the BNP’s policies and activities.

Speaking to Amar Desh, Shovon said the BNP and Jamaat’s stance on reform issues amounted to deceiving the public. He added that the party’s opposition to the July commitment created a questionable position, leading to his frustration and eventual resignation.

At a press briefing held on Wednesday at BIRDEM Hospital’s conference room, Professor Dr. A.K. Azad Khan, president of the Bangladesh Diabetic Association and former chairman of the Health Reform Commission, called on the government to supply insulin free of cost to Type-1 diabetes patients. He emphasized that these patients are entirely dependent on insulin for survival, comparing its necessity to oxygen and water.

Dr. Khan highlighted that the Bangladesh Diabetic Association, founded in 1956 by National Professor Mohammad Ibrahim, has expanded its services significantly over the decades. He stated that the association provides far more comprehensive care than similar organizations worldwide, which mostly focus on advocacy.

The event was attended by the association’s member secretary Muhammad Abu Taher Khan and national councillor Matiur Rahman Laltu. Dr. Khan reiterated that access to insulin is a fundamental right for citizens living with diabetes in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested one suspect linked to a major online fraud ring that used the name and logo of a reputed trading company to deceive investors. The suspect, Md. Tajul Islam, 31, from Barishal’s Bakerganj area, was detained in Dhaka’s Kalyanpur neighborhood by the CID’s Cyber Intelligence and Risk Management Team. The group allegedly swindled over 2.1 million taka from victims by promising guaranteed profits through an artificial intelligence-based trading software.

According to the case filed on April 5 at Mohammadpur Police Station, the scam began with a Facebook advertisement featuring names and photos of well-known economists and a former World Bank official to gain public trust. Victims were added to WhatsApp groups and encouraged to invest increasing amounts after initial small returns. Investigators found that Tajul Islam supplied bank accounts and debit cards used to launder the stolen funds.

CID officials said the cybercrime network operates beyond Bangladesh and that efforts are ongoing to locate other members. Authorities urged the public to verify online investment offers and report suspected fraud to local police or the Cyber Police Center.

Jahangirnagar University has resumed its campus–Chandra bus service after nearly two years of suspension, following an initiative by the university’s central student union (JAKSU). The service was officially inaugurated on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 3 p.m. near the central Shaheed Minar road. The event was attended by university officials and student leaders, including the vice president, general secretary, and transport secretary of JAKSU.

JAKSU leaders stated that the resumption followed prolonged discussions with the university administration to address students’ transportation needs. They expressed gratitude to the administration and treasurer for their cooperation. The general secretary hinted that another route would be launched next week and mentioned ongoing efforts to automate the transport system with a sustainable live tracking app for students.

At the inauguration, the university’s vice-chancellor (education) Professor Dr. Sohel Ahmed emphasized that the bus service is exclusively for students and must ensure full road safety. He noted that the transport sector is one of the university’s most expensive areas, currently operating 12 double-decker and 5 large buses through outsourcing.

Popular singer, presenter, and social worker Dithi Anwar has collected a nomination form from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to contest for a reserved women’s seat in the 13th National Parliament. The announcement was made on April 16, 2026. Dithi, daughter of late lyricist and film director Gazi Mazharul Anwar, said she wishes to continue her father’s political legacy within the BNP. She expressed interest in representing either a Sylhet or Cumilla constituency if elected.

Dithi highlighted her family’s political and social contributions, noting that her father served as BNP’s cultural secretary and adviser to Khaleda Zia, while her father-in-law, Shafi Ahmed Chowdhury, was twice elected as a member of parliament from Sylhet-3. She currently chairs the Latifa-Shafi Chowdhury Women’s Degree College, where 3,000 students study free of charge.

She stated her intention to eliminate negative cultural influences, introduce content censorship on YouTube, and advocate for fair royalty systems for artists. Dithi also emphasized reviving the country’s cultural vibrancy and ensuring that artists are not politically sidelined.

A new survey titled “Measurement of ICT Access and Use” released on Thursday at the BBS office in Agargaon, Dhaka, shows that while over half of Bangladesh’s population now uses the internet, significant disparities and skill limitations persist. The survey found that 53.4 percent of people use the internet, but most users’ digital abilities are limited to basic tasks such as copy-paste. A sharp divide remains between urban and rural areas, with 75.7 percent of city residents online compared to only 43.6 percent in villages, a gap of 32.1 percentage points.

The survey also revealed that Dhaka Division has the highest internet access, while Panchagarh lags behind. Only 11.3 percent of people use computers, though 88.4 percent use mobile phones and 64.4 percent own one. In the past three months, 64.4 percent of users searched for government job information, 49.8 percent for sports, and only 11.6 percent shopped online. While 78.5 percent said they could respond to cyberattacks, half identified viruses and malware as major threats.

High internet costs remain a key barrier to digital inclusion, with 43.6 percent of respondents citing price as the main reason for not using the internet.

Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, the newly elected Speaker of the National Parliament, was honored by residents of Lalmohan upazila in Bhola. The civic reception, organized by the Lalmohan Citizens’ Forum, took place on Thursday afternoon at the upazila auditorium. During his speech, the Speaker said he did not come to receive honors but to express gratitude to the people of Lalmohan-Tajumuddin. He noted that his responsibilities as Speaker had increased, limiting his ability to visit the area frequently, and expressed his wish to live and die with honor and dignity.

In his address, Hafiz Uddin described the Bhola-Barishal bridge as a rightful and vital demand of the region’s people and assured that he would make maximum efforts to implement the project. He also mentioned plans to initiate the establishment of a medical college in Bhola and said he would request the Prime Minister and the Health Minister to consider setting it up in Lalmohan.

The event reflected local appreciation for the Speaker’s leadership and his commitment to regional development priorities.

The Ministry of Railways has revived its plan to build a 500-bed hospital and a 100-seat medical college in Chattogram’s historic CRB area. After nearly four years of suspension due to public protests and environmental concerns, Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam of the BNP government is preparing to grant policy approval for the project. According to the minister’s official itinerary, he will visit Chattogram from April 18 to 21 and inspect the proposed site at Goalpahar near CRB on April 19 at 4 p.m.

A senior ministry official confirmed that preparations are underway for the minister’s on-site inspection, after which formal approval is expected. The project was originally planned under a public–private partnership with United Enterprise, which agreed to transfer the facility to the railway authority after 50 years. However, the initiative was halted in 2022 following strong opposition from social, cultural, and professional groups who described CRB as the “lungs” of Chattogram.

News of the project’s revival has reignited debate among residents and environmental activists, who argue that constructing a commercial hospital in CRB would harm its ecological and cultural significance and could trigger renewed public protests.