Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Aminur Rashid Yasin said that farmers are being deprived of fair prices due to syndicates controlling agricultural inputs and markets. He stated that farmers must buy fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides at high prices and that the government will take strict action against these syndicates. The minister made these remarks on Saturday, April 18, during a gathering at Harindhara in Moynamoti Union of Burichang upazila, Cumilla, after inspecting the Gomti River and Jainta Canal.

He emphasized that the government is following farmer-friendly policies, noting that about 70 percent of the population is directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. He added that a strong agricultural sector ensures a stable national economy. The minister also mentioned that the government has introduced agricultural cards to provide subsidies and other benefits to farmers, initiatives taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Yasin announced that a modern vegetable storage facility will be built soon at the Nimsar vegetable market, one of the largest in the region, to help farmers preserve their produce and sell it at fair prices, thereby strengthening local agriculture.

The Ministry of Finance has issued a recruitment notice for 23 vacant posts under the Customs, Excise and VAT Training Academy. The positions span 11 categories across grades 11 to 20, with applications open from April 19 to May 10, 2026. Candidates must apply through the designated website before the deadline.

The available posts include Subedar, Office Assistant-cum-Computer Typist, Driver, Havildar, Nurse, Lineman Electrician, Pump Operator, Armorer, Projector Operator, Office Assistant, and Cook. Salary ranges vary from 8,250 to 30,230 taka depending on grade. The age limit for applicants is 18 to 32 years as of May 10, 2026, though for certain positions—Subedar, Havildar, and Armorer—the maximum age is 40 years.

The recruitment aims to fill essential operational and support roles within the academy, which functions under the Finance Ministry’s administrative framework. Interested candidates are required to submit applications and examination fees within the specified timeframe.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged authorities to prepare coordinated plans to address potential jet fuel shortages caused by the ongoing Middle East war. On Friday, IATA chief Willie Walsh warned that an International Energy Agency assessment indicated Europe could face a jet fuel crisis within six weeks, calling the situation deeply concerning. He added that by the end of May, some European flights might be canceled due to fuel shortages, with similar issues already emerging in parts of Asia.

The conflict began in late February when the United States and Israel launched military operations that spread across the Middle East, prompting Iran to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz. This disruption has led to growing concerns over aviation fuel supplies. Walsh advised that authorities should have clear and coordinated rationing plans ready if shortages occur.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen told the Financial Times that some flights might soon be canceled due to fuel concerns, while suggesting EU countries share jet fuel if the crisis persists. However, EU spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said there were no current signs of a systemic shortage leading to widespread flight cancellations.

The government of Bangladesh has announced an increase in fuel prices for consumers, aligning domestic rates with the global market. According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on Saturday, April 18, 2026, the new prices will take effect from midnight. The retail price of diesel has been set at 115 taka per liter, up from 100 taka. Octane will now cost 140 taka per liter, rising from 120 taka, while petrol will increase from 116 taka to 135 taka per liter.

The ministry stated that the adjustment was made to maintain consistency with international fuel price trends. The announcement marks a significant revision in the country’s fuel pricing structure, affecting key petroleum products including diesel, kerosene, octane, and petrol.

The new rates are expected to influence transportation and production costs across various sectors once implemented, though no official comment on broader economic impacts was included in the announcement.

The Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) has issued a recruitment notice for the position of Medical Retainer. The job is temporary and based in Dhaka. Applications opened on April 10, 2026, and will remain open until May 4, 2026. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply, with a maximum age limit of 45 years as of April 9, 2026. Affidavits will not be accepted as proof of age.

Applicants must submit their applications offline by post, including all required documents, to the Director, Employee Administration Department, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, Head Office Building (2nd Floor), Nikunja-2, Khilkhet, Dhaka-1229. A bank draft or pay order of 1,000 taka payable to the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board must be included with the application.

The authority has requested candidates to complete their applications within the specified time frame and ensure all necessary documents are attached before submission.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Shipping Sheikh Robiul Alam said that maritime cadets are prepared to lead the country’s progress through sea routes and represent Bangladesh internationally. He made the remarks on Saturday morning while addressing the passing-out parade of the 28th batch at Chattogram Maritime Institute. The minister emphasized that education should ensure both physical and mental development, describing the cadets as national assets who will showcase Bangladesh’s capability and professionalism at ports around the world.

He highlighted the importance of technical education, noting that skill-based training creates employment opportunities, unlike purely academic qualifications that can lead to unemployment. Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that since the 1990s, maritime training programs have produced thousands of skilled professionals contributing significantly to the national economy. He also assured that further expansion of the maritime sector is planned to strengthen Bangladesh’s global presence.

The minister advised cadets to maintain health awareness, including using sunscreen during long parades. The event was attended by institute teachers, officials, and guardians, who were impressed by the cadets’ disciplined march and performance.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid has directed officials to take immediate action wherever fertilizer is sold at inflated prices. Speaking on Saturday at a public gathering in Harindhara Primary School field after inspecting Gomti River and Jayanta Canal in Burichang upazila, Cumilla, he instructed agricultural officers to collect evidence in plain clothes, record videos, and take written undertakings from violators to ensure accountability.

The minister emphasized that about 70 percent of the population is involved in agriculture and that protecting farmers’ interests is a key government responsibility. He said the government has fixed the purchase price of paddy based on production costs to ensure fair returns for farmers. Under a pre-piloting phase, farmer cards have been distributed in 11 agricultural blocks across 10 districts, providing Tk 2,500 in assistance to marginal and small farmers.

Rashid also announced the construction of a modern vegetable storage facility at Nimsar market to help farmers preserve produce and sell at fair prices. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to act against syndicates inflating prices of fertilizer, seeds, and pesticides.

Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that there is no scope to say yes or no regarding the next tranche of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. He made the remarks on Friday, April 17, after meetings with two IMF teams at the organization’s headquarters in the United States. The minister said discussions are ongoing and will continue for about two weeks, emphasizing that the matter will be resolved through dialogue rather than immediate decisions.

According to the report, the IMF has withheld the next loan disbursement due to slow progress in banking sector reforms, delays in the new bank resolution law, and weak revenue collection. The minister rejected some media reports suggesting that the IMF had suspended the tranche, clarifying that no final decision has been made yet. Bangladesh still has 1.86 billion dollars remaining under the 5.5 billion dollar IMF loan program, with expectations to receive 1.3 billion dollars by June of the current fiscal year.

Sector insiders believe that delays in implementing IMF conditions could hinder the release of the next tranche, though the government expects a resolution soon.

The once-celebrated batik industry of Comilla, once as popular as its famous sweets and khadi, is now fighting for survival. Artisans in Kamalpur village of Jagannathpur Union, where the craft began about 50 years ago, face declining demand, capital shortages, and limited government support. Around 25 factories in Kamalpur and nearby villages still produce batik saris, three-piece suits, shirts, lungis, and bed sheets, supplying local shops and exporting to other districts and abroad.

Workers start early each day, dyeing, waxing, and designing fabrics with intricate floral and abstract patterns. Entrepreneurs like Abu Sayed of Comilla New Batik Ghar employ small teams to manage weekly production, while artisans such as Hamid Chowdhury and Mushfiqur Rahman Monna continue the labor-intensive process with dedication. However, the industry remains vulnerable to weather and seasonal fluctuations.

Local entrepreneurs believe that low-interest loans and government incentives could revive the sector, helping Comilla’s batik reclaim its former national and international prominence.

Malaysia has implemented a work-from-home policy across federal government offices to conserve energy amid a global energy crisis linked to the Middle East conflict. The measure, announced on April 18, 2026, applies to employees living more than eight kilometers from their offices in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya, and other state capitals. However, counter-based public services, such as those at Urban Transformation Centres providing immigration and police services, remain fully operational.

In Putrajaya, the federal administrative capital, most ministries are operating with reduced on-site staff, resulting in quieter surroundings and lower electricity use. Many government buildings have dimmed lighting and are running only half of their elevators to further save power.

The policy excludes workers in security, defense, health, and education sectors. Eligible employees will be allowed to work from home three days a week. The initiative is described as a strategic step to manage energy consumption while maintaining essential public services.

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.

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.