Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Aminur Rashid Yasin said that farmers are the main strength of Bangladesh and that the country will become more self-reliant and stronger through agricultural development and the enhancement of farmers’ dignity. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing the prize distribution ceremony of an inter-department debate competition at Comilla Victoria Government College.

The minister stated that he is proud to be both a farmer’s son and a farmer himself, noting that social attitudes toward farming have changed as people now take pride in their agricultural roots. He emphasized that logical reasoning and knowledge are essential tools for progress, urging students to practice healthy debate and intellectual engagement. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring a livable and secure world for future generations.

Discussing farmer welfare, Yasin explained that the introduction of the Farmer Card aims to help producers receive fair prices by aligning production with regional demand. He expressed hope that technology-based, planned agriculture would strengthen Bangladesh’s food security in the future.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the re-excavation of the historic Basiya River in Kandigaon Union of Sylhet Sadar upazila on May 2, 2026. The river flows through four upazilas of Sylhet, originating from the Surma River and merging into the Kushiyara. The Basiya River was first excavated in 1977 under the initiative of then-President Ziaur Rahman. The new project marks the first re-excavation in 49 years.

During the inauguration, Prime Minister Rahman stated that the majority of Bangladesh’s population lives in rural areas, and empowering them remains a central goal of his government. He emphasized that his administration, elected by popular vote, is accountable only to the people and is committed to fulfilling its electoral promises.

According to the Prime Minister, 23 kilometers of the river’s total 40-kilometer length will be re-excavated. Once completed, the project is expected to directly benefit about 80,000 farmers and indirectly assist another 1.5 million farmers across the region.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across 32 districts in four divisions. The alert, released on Saturday, indicated that from 1 p.m. on May 2 for the next 48 hours, parts of Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions may experience rainfall ranging from 44 to 188 millimeters within 24 hours. The department also cautioned that landslides could occur in some hilly areas of the Chattogram division.

According to the weather office, the continued formation of thunderclouds over the country is likely to cause temporary waterlogging in affected areas. The warning emphasized the potential for landslides in hilly regions due to the intensity of the expected rainfall.

The advisory urged residents in vulnerable zones, particularly in Chattogram’s hill tracts, to remain alert as the heavy rainfall may persist for two days.

All ferry and vessel operations on the Daulatdia-Paturia river route have been suspended due to adverse weather conditions. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) announced that the suspension took effect from around 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The decision affects all types of water transport, including ferries and launches, operating between Daulatdia in Rajbari and Paturia in Manikganj.

According to BIWTC sources, the suspension will remain in place until further notice. The assistant manager (commercial) of the BIWTC Daulatdia terminal, Jesanul Islam Tipu, stated that ferry services will resume once weather conditions improve and are deemed safe for navigation.

The temporary halt in operations is intended to ensure passenger safety and prevent accidents during the ongoing period of inclement weather.

Several crop-protection embankments in Madhyanagar upazila of Sunamganj have collapsed following continuous rainfall, submerging large areas of farmland. On Saturday morning, an embankment of the Guraduba subproject in Boala Haor broke, after similar incidents earlier in the week at Kailani, Jamgara canal, and Jinarya Haor. Rising water levels in the Someshwari River intensified pressure on local embankments, causing breaches near a madrasa that began to collapse as water rushed in.

Local farmers reported severe crop losses, with many unable to harvest their paddy in time. Some alleged irregularities in embankment construction and demanded investigations against responsible officials. According to the local agriculture office, of 13,470 hectares of farmland in Madhyanagar, about 10,000 hectares have been harvested, while 13 percent was already waterlogged. The latest breaches have damaged around 31 hectares of paddy fields.

Officials from the Water Development Board and the upazila administration said efforts were underway to protect remaining structures and assess the extent of damage.

U.S. low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has announced the closure of its operations after a White House rescue proposal failed. The company said in a statement early Saturday that rising oil prices and other pressures had significantly affected its future prospects. All flights have been canceled, and passengers were advised not to go to airports.

The airline cited the global oil price surge and fuel shortages following the outbreak of the Iran war as key reasons for its financial collapse. The sharp increase in jet fuel costs led Spirit to bankruptcy for the second time in less than two years. The company stated that with no additional funding available, winding down operations was its only option.

The Trump administration had proposed a $500 million rescue plan that would have given the government a major ownership stake in the airline, but the plan faced criticism and ultimately failed.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government is considering constructing a double rail line on the Dhaka-Sylhet route as part of a broader plan to enhance railway connectivity across Bangladesh. He explained that building new roads could lead to the loss of agricultural land, so the government is prioritizing rail expansion instead. The announcement was made on Saturday during a civic gathering organized by the Sylhet City Corporation.

The Prime Minister also stated that the government has undertaken canal excavation programs to prevent waterlogging and ensure proper water management. These initiatives aim to reduce flooding during heavy rainfall and retain water during the dry season. The remarks highlight the administration’s focus on sustainable infrastructure development and environmental management.

The proposed double rail line project, if implemented, is expected to improve transportation efficiency between Dhaka and Sylhet while minimizing environmental and agricultural impacts.

An event marking May Day and International Workers’ Day was held in Dhaka, calling for the establishment of workers’ rights and a corruption-free administration to ensure sustainable national development. The discussion, organized by Citizens Against Corruption (CAC) at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium, gathered representatives from various professions under the theme “Workers’ Rights, End of Corruption: Transparent Campaign for a Prosperous Future.”

Former secretary and ex-BTRC chairman Syed Margub Morshed stated that sustainable progress is impossible without worker-friendly policies and a corruption-free administration, emphasizing coordination and accountability among the state, employers, and workers. CAC chairman Yusuf Hossain highlighted that workers remain deprived of fair wages, safe workplaces, and social dignity, urging effective labor policy implementation. He also stressed the need for safety, healthcare, and social protection for workers in key sectors such as garments, construction, and transport.

Economist Dr. Mostafizur Rahman described workers’ rights as both a moral duty and an economic necessity, while other speakers, including cultural and political figures, called for a social movement against corruption alongside labor rights protection.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government has initiated a canal excavation program aimed at preventing waterlogging and ensuring proper water management. He made the statement on Saturday at a civic gathering organized by the Sylhet City Corporation. The initiative seeks to reduce flooding during heavy rainfall and retain water during the dry season.

During his address, the Prime Minister also noted that constructing new roads could lead to the loss of agricultural land. To address this, the government is considering expanding rail connectivity across the country, including plans to introduce a double rail line on the Dhaka–Sylhet route. He emphasized that sustainable development is not possible without a corruption-free administration and labor-friendly policies.

The announcement coincides with the inauguration of a 40-billion-taka mega project designed to alleviate waterlogging, reflecting the government’s broader focus on infrastructure and environmental management.

The water level of the Teesta River has risen slightly in Lalmonirhat following continuous rainfall and upstream flow from India. As of 9 a.m. on Saturday, the river at the Dalia point of the Teesta Barrage was flowing 75 centimeters below the danger level. Local residents and the Water Development Board reported that the increase began early Saturday morning due to heavy rain and mountain runoff from across the border.

The Teesta River flows through five upazilas of Lalmonirhat, and even a small rise in water level can flood riverside areas across the district. Residents expressed concern that further increases could submerge new areas. Nurul Islam, in charge of the Dalia control room, confirmed the current water level, while Executive Engineer Amitabh Chowdhury said the flow remains below the danger mark despite the rise.

Locals remain anxious as the situation could worsen if upstream water continues to rise, potentially leading to flooding in low-lying areas.

Pakistan has opened a land trade corridor to Iran while the country faces a blockade on its ports and ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. The new routes connect Pakistan’s Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar ports with Iran’s Gabd and Taftan border crossings. Officials said the Gwadar-Gabd corridor is the shortest, reducing travel time to two to three hours compared to 16 to 18 hours from Karachi, and cutting transport costs by up to 55 percent.

Analysts noted that this corridor could reduce Pakistan’s dependence on Afghanistan, whose relations with Islamabad have deteriorated since October last year due to border clashes. Security analyst Iftikhar Firdaus said the route allows Pakistan to bypass Afghanistan entirely for westward trade, positioning it as a key entry point for China-backed trade routes into West Asia. However, experts also warned of potential security risks along the border.

Observers believe the move could help sustain trade between the two countries despite regional instability, though questions remain about its impact on U.S. pressure tactics against Tehran and ongoing mediation efforts by Islamabad.

A mobile court in Porsha upazila of Naogaon fined Nahar Filling Station Tk 20,000 for selling diesel below the correct weight. The inspection took place around 11:30 a.m. on Friday at the Sarai Gachhi Bazar station, where the court found that customers were receiving 110 grams less diesel per five liters. The discrepancy amounted to a value shortfall of about Tk 12.50 per five liters.

The mobile court, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Rakibul Islam, imposed the fine under the Consumer Rights Protection Act. After the penalty was collected, the fuel measurement system was recalibrated, and the station was allowed to resume sales.

The action highlights local enforcement of consumer protection laws aimed at ensuring fair trade practices in fuel distribution within the region.

Residents living near the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna, have expressed growing fears about safety as the facility nears operation. Many locals, including fishermen and families in nearby villages, worry that radiation or heat from the plant could make the area uninhabitable. Rumors about health risks and livestock loss have spread, deepening public unease. Some residents said they have not received clear communication or awareness programs from authorities about safety procedures or emergency plans.

Experts and project officials, however, insist that the Rooppur plant incorporates multiple layers of modern safety systems. Nuclear scientists explained that the VVER-1200 reactor model used at Rooppur includes containment structures and automatic monitoring to prevent radiation leaks even in extreme scenarios. The plant’s management stated that awareness programs have been launched to educate local communities and that international safety standards are being followed under IAEA oversight.

Officials acknowledged that maintaining a strong safety culture and skilled management will be crucial for the plant’s long-term safe operation, emphasizing continuous improvement and transparency in safety practices.

The Barapukuria thermal power plant’s Unit 1 in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, resumed electricity generation early Friday after remaining closed for six days. The 125-megawatt unit returned to production at 4:22 a.m. following repairs, currently generating about 55 to 60 megawatts for the national grid. Officials expect the restart to slightly increase overall power supply.

According to the plant’s chief engineer, the unit had been shut down on April 25 due to a burst boiler pipe. Repairs were completed before the unit was brought back online. Meanwhile, overhauling work continues on Unit 3, which a Chinese contractor expects to complete by May 15. Once operational, the unit is expected to further stabilize electricity supply.

The Barapukuria plant has three units, two of which were already out of operation. The latest shutdown occurred when stones mixed with coal damaged boiler tubes, temporarily halting production across the facility.

Chittagong Port Authority has achieved a new operational milestone as the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) recorded its highest-ever single-day container handling. On April 30, under the management of the port authority and terminal operator Chittagong Drydock Limited, a total of 5,709 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) were handled within 24 hours. This surpassed the previous record of 5,484 TEUs set on April 11 at the same terminal, marking a rapid improvement in port performance.

Across all terminals, Chittagong Port handled a total of 10,162 TEUs during the same 24-hour period, which officials described as a significant indicator of the port’s growing capacity and efficiency. Port Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim said the achievement would play an important role in expanding maritime trade and enhancing the port’s overall capability.

He credited the success to the tireless efforts of workers who continued operations despite intense heat and adverse weather, and extended congratulations to all officials, employees, and stakeholders involved.