Experts at an energy conference in Dhaka on Sunday said Bangladesh must expand renewable energy production to overcome its worsening fuel crisis. They warned that the country’s heavy dependence on imported fuel has made the energy sector vulnerable, especially amid global oil price volatility caused by the ongoing US–Iran conflict. The discussion, held at the World Literature Centre, called for reducing VAT and taxes on renewable energy products to encourage investment.

Speakers noted that renewable sources currently account for only 2 to 3 percent of Bangladesh’s total electricity generation. They cautioned that failure to transition in time could deepen the energy crisis. Participants urged the government to adopt an effective master plan to reduce oil import dependence and ensure long-term energy security. They also highlighted the need to prevent corruption in future solar projects and to hold accountable those responsible for past irregularities.

The government’s target of producing 10,000 megawatts of renewable power was cited as a key step, but experts stressed the importance of skilled workforce development and sustained planning to achieve it.

Police arrested Sayeedur, an active member of the top-listed criminal outfit Group B, from Shibbari intersection in Khulna on Sunday afternoon. The arrest took place around 3:30 p.m. during a police operation based on secret information. Along with Sayeedur, a van driver named Arif Hossain, who was distributing sherbet in the area, was also detained.

According to Sonadanga Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Rafiqul Islam, followers of Group B leader ‘Grenade Babu’ were distributing sherbet to pedestrians and drivers in the area when police intervened. Authorities confirmed that Sayeedur is listed by Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) as a top criminal and has an existing case under the Arms Act.

Police stated that Arif Hossain’s involvement is being verified. If found uninvolved in any criminal activity, he will be released following investigation.

Brunei’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Haris bin Osman, announced that Brunei is interested in importing aromatic rice from Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Sunday at a discussion organized by Nawab Salimullah Academy at the National Press Club. The ambassador also urged consideration for establishing a Brunei-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce to enhance bilateral trade cooperation.

He highlighted opportunities for expanding trade, direct foreign investment, and collaboration in education and agriculture between the two countries. Despite past setbacks due to natural disasters, he noted that Brunei could become a major market for Bangladeshi agricultural products such as mangoes and jackfruits. The ambassador emphasized that Bangladesh’s economic zones already attract Japanese and German companies, showing a favorable investment climate, though concerns remain over policy continuity.

Haris bin Osman added that ensuring a stable business environment could pave the way for direct Bruneian investment. He also called for more active roles from BIDA, EPB, and Bangladeshi embassies abroad in promoting trade fairs and attracting investors. He urged Bangladesh to finalize agreements on investment protection and double taxation avoidance to strengthen economic relations.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku announced that the government will continue comprehensive support for the development of Bangladesh’s poultry sector, aiming to elevate it to export level by 2030. Speaking as chief guest at a views-exchange meeting on the livestock sector held at a hotel in Dhaka, he emphasized the need for collective effort to move the country forward. The event was organized by the Bangladesh Poultry Industry Central Council.

The minister said that poultry farmers will be brought under the farmer card program, allowing them to access the same benefits as other agricultural producers. He stressed the importance of honesty and unity in serving the nation’s interests, warning that dishonesty would not be tolerated. Addressing production challenges, he noted that farmers currently sell eggs at a loss and assured that the government will help reduce production costs. He also urged vaccine importers to act responsibly and called for balance across all parts of the poultry value chain to avoid burdening consumers.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md. Delwar Hossain reaffirmed full government cooperation and pledged to minimize the influence of middlemen in the sector.

Bangladesh has launched drilling of its first deep exploration well at the Titas gas field in Brahmanbaria. The project was inaugurated on Sunday afternoon by Petrobangla Director (Finance) A.K.M. Mizanur Rahman at Budhal area of Sadar upazila. Once completed, the well is expected to add about 15 million cubic feet of gas per day to the national grid. The drilling, reaching a depth of 5,600 meters, will take around seven months and is being carried out by Chinese contractor CCDC.

The Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited (BGFCL), which operates Titas, currently supplies about 325 million cubic feet of gas daily from 22 wells. Due to long-term extraction, pressure and reserves have declined, prompting new exploration efforts. Based on 3D seismic survey results, the new well may contain 1 to 1.5 trillion cubic feet of gas. The total cost for two deep exploration wells at Titas and Bakhrabad fields is estimated at 5.94 billion taka.

Officials said successful completion could lead to seven more wells and significantly ease the country’s energy shortage. Petrobangla plans to drill 50 wells nationwide this year to strengthen energy security.

A Dhaka court has granted a two-day remand for Md. Yusuf, who was arrested in a case filed over alleged extortion, intimidation, and obstruction of construction work at a house in the Gulshan area of the capital. The order was issued on Sunday, April 19, 2026, by Metropolitan Magistrate Sefatullah. The state prosecutor, Shamsuddoha Suman, confirmed the court’s decision.

According to the case details, Yusuf and 20 to 25 unidentified individuals allegedly entered a house in Gulshan-1 where boundary construction was underway. They reportedly forced the workers to stop work and demanded Tk 2 million from the homeowner. The prosecution argued that interrogation during remand could reveal information about other members of the extortion group.

The court approved a two-day remand instead of the ten days requested by the prosecution.

Iranian authorities arrested four individuals, including two foreign nationals, in the country’s northwestern region on Sunday. According to the Tasnim News Agency, the detainees are accused of being connected to a “U.S. and Israel-linked intelligence network.” They also face charges of importing satellite internet equipment similar to Starlink, which is considered a punishable offense in Iran.

The nationalities of the foreign suspects have not been disclosed. The arrests come amid heightened tensions following a joint attack on Iran by the United States and Israel on February 28, after which internet services across the country were reportedly shut down.

The report did not specify further details about the investigation or the current status of the detainees.

A rickshaw driver named Sabbir was detained in Brahmanbaria’s Sarail upazila on the night of April 18 while allegedly attempting to smuggle sacks filled with important government files from the upazila administration’s store. Gatekeeper Alamgir Mia stopped the vehicle when it tried to leave the compound and, upon inspection, discovered official documents inside. Police later arrived, detained the suspect, and seized the sacks.

Local residents claimed the files were packed at night after office hours and that the suspect was caught while trying to remove them by autorickshaw. Observers noted that the storeroom’s doors and windows were open from the inside, suggesting possible insider involvement. The incident has raised questions about how the suspect accessed the secured area and whether others were involved.

Police said no case had yet been filed, while the upazila project implementation officer asserted that a case had already been lodged. The contradictory statements have deepened the mystery. Locals suspect the theft may be linked to attempts to destroy evidence of irregularities in development projects and have demanded a full, impartial investigation.

In Jamalganj upazila of Sunamganj, around 500 farmers voluntarily repaired an embankment in Pagna Haor on Sunday morning to protect their crops from rising rainwater. Continuous rainfall over the past week had caused parts of the haor to submerge, prompting farmers from Laxmipur village to reinforce the long internal embankment with soil and sandbags.

According to local observations, heavy rain and runoff from upstream areas led to waterlogging in low-lying parts of the haor. Farmers said that siltation in rivers, canals, and water bodies had worsened the flooding. To prevent further crop damage, they worked collectively without pay to strengthen the embankment.

Local leaders, including the upazila BNP joint convener and several union and community representatives, assisted the farmers during the repair effort.

The first Hajj flight from Chattogram for the 2026 pilgrimage season was inaugurated by State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin on Sunday evening at Shah Amanat International Airport. The flight, operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carried 371 pilgrims and departed for Jeddah at 6:30 p.m., officially launching this year’s Hajj operations from the port city.

During the inauguration, the state minister said the government is working to provide the best possible services for Hajj pilgrims and to improve air travel facilities. He noted that the Prime Minister had earlier inaugurated the Hajj flights in Dhaka and personally reviewed pilgrims’ concerns. The event was attended by airport officials, including Director Sheikh Abdullah Al Mamun and Biman’s Chattogram District Manager Al Mamun Faruk.

Officials stated that all preparations for smooth Hajj operations from Chattogram have been completed. A total of 16 special Hajj flights are planned this year, including 12 direct flights, to be operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudi private carrier Flynas.

New Delhi has decided to appoint veteran politician and former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi as India’s next High Commissioner to Bangladesh, replacing current envoy Pranay Verma. The move, seen as a significant diplomatic shift, comes amid changing political dynamics across the Padma River and is viewed as a strategic step in South Asian geopolitics.

Trivedi, originally from a Gujarati family but raised in Bengal, is fluent in Bengali and well-versed in its culture. His political experience and linguistic familiarity are expected to help him build stronger connections in Dhaka. Analysts cited in the report suggest that India’s decision reflects a need for political sensitivity, not just administrative skill, to navigate the evolving challenges in post–Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh.

The report adds that the Modi government’s choice also carries domestic political undertones, as West Bengal approaches its state elections. While the official announcement may come after the polls, preparations indicate Delhi’s renewed focus on restoring emotional and strategic ties with Bangladesh.

Officials and employees of the 'Madhyanagar Ruposhi Bangla Savings and Loan Cooperative Society Limited' in Sunamganj’s Madhyanagar upazila have gone into hiding after allegedly embezzling around Tk 6 crore. The cooperative, registered in 2022, was run by Rafiqul Islam of Netrokona and Amiya Bhushan Kar (Montu) of Madhyanagar. They attracted locals with promises of unusually high profits through savings and DPS schemes. About two months ago, both owners disappeared, leaving more than five hundred depositors unable to recover their money.

Victims, including small traders, teachers, and workers, have reported losing their life savings. Some alleged they were threatened when demanding refunds. On Sunday afternoon, defrauded customers held a human chain protest, urging authorities to recover their money. Local business leaders confirmed widespread losses and said they would seek administrative action. The Madhyanagar cooperative officer stated that the society’s registration had been canceled in November 2025 for operational irregularities, but it continued activities secretly afterward.

Local leaders also warned that another NGO in the area, 'Pollibondhu,' faces similar allegations, calling for stricter oversight of such organizations.

In Mymensingh’s Fulbaria upazila, heavy vehicles continue to cross a bridge over the Kolmodoria River at Keshorganj Bazar despite an official ban. The upazila administration had declared the bridge extremely risky and prohibited all heavy vehicle movement, installing warning signs and iron barricades on both sides. However, trucks, tractors, and other heavy carriers are reportedly breaking the barricades and using the bridge daily.

Local residents allege that illegal lorries and tractors carrying bricks, sand, and timber are worsening the condition of the already expired bridge, raising fears of a major accident. Upazila Engineer Zobayer Hossain confirmed that the bridge is highly risky and said the matter has been reported to higher authorities, with a new bridge construction process underway. Acting Upazila Executive Officer Sheikh Taki Tajwar stated that the administration is investigating the violation and will take legal action against those responsible.

Residents have urged immediate and effective measures to stop heavy vehicle movement across the dangerous bridge to prevent potential disasters.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized a large consignment of narcotic syrup from an Indian truck loaded with stones at the Sonamasjid land port in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj. The seizure was confirmed on Sunday afternoon by Lieutenant Colonel Golam Kibria, commander of the 59 BGB Battalion. Acting on a tip-off, a patrol team led by Assistant Director Sheikh Monowarul Islam conducted the operation on Saturday night.

During the search, the team found 20 sacks wrapped in tarpaulin hidden inside the stones of the truck parked at the Alom Traders stone yard. The sacks contained 5,935 bottles of Indian narcotic syrup, including 3,897 bottles of Scap Dix and 2,038 bottles of Fire Deal, both used as alternatives to phensedyl. No one was arrested during the operation, but the truck was seized on charges of drug transportation.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Abdullah Al Mamun of Shibganj Police Station stated that the seized drugs and truck were handed over to the police, and necessary legal action has been taken.

Despite an increase in fuel prices, petrol pumps across Barishal city saw long queues of vehicles on Sunday morning. Most pumps were either closed or running out of fuel, forcing drivers to wait for hours to collect limited quantities. Only a few stations were reportedly open, distributing fuel under a rationing system that allowed motorcycles to buy fuel worth 300 taka, Mahindra vehicles 500 taka, and private cars 1,000 taka.

According to the report, the retail prices of octane, petrol, and diesel in Barishal rose by 20, 19, and 15 taka per liter respectively, now selling at 140, 135, and 115 taka. Drivers expressed frustration over the rising costs and continued shortages, saying they still had to queue despite the price hike. Public transport drivers also noted that fares had not yet been increased to offset the higher fuel costs.

The situation indicates ongoing supply constraints and growing pressure on transport operators in Barishal following the latest fuel price adjustment.