Bangladesh’s Minister of Housing and Public Works, Zakaria Taher, held a courtesy meeting with Turkish Ambassador Ramis Sen at the ministry office in Dhaka on Tuesday. The meeting focused on issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and Turkey, including potential areas for collaboration and investment.

During the discussion, Minister Taher highlighted the long-standing friendship between the two nations and invited Turkish investors to explore opportunities in Bangladesh’s construction, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy sectors. He stated that Bangladesh aims to become a trillion-dollar economy by 2035 and that the government’s business-friendly policies have created a favorable environment for foreign investment.

Ambassador Sen reaffirmed the strong partnership between the two countries and noted the potential to further expand cooperation in trade and development. He also invited Minister Taher to attend the upcoming “Turkey Construction Summit 2026” scheduled for June.

The long-awaited fuel loading process officially began today at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, marking a major milestone in Bangladesh’s nuclear energy development. The process involves placing uranium-based nuclear fuel into the reactor, initiating the gradual preparation for electricity generation. Experts describe fuel loading as one of the most sensitive phases in nuclear power operations, typically taking 40 to 45 days to complete.

According to Professor Md. Shafiqul Islam of Dhaka University’s Nuclear Engineering Department, the plant operates through nuclear fission, where uranium nuclei split to produce heat. This heat converts water into high-pressure steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. Following fuel loading, multiple tests and a Final Safety Analysis Report will be conducted and reviewed by the regulatory authority. The pilot operation phase may last six months to a year, during which synchronization and emergency systems will be tested.

Before commercial operation begins, another round of approval will be required. Once fully operational, the reactor is expected to run at 90 percent capacity for 18 months before undergoing maintenance and fuel replacement.

Residents of Bakshiganj upazila in Jamalpur have reported receiving only two to three hours of electricity within a 24-hour period. The limited supply often comes in short bursts of five to thirty minutes. According to the Bakshiganj Palli Bidyut zonal office, the substation serves about 98,000 customers, with a demand of around 24 megawatts but a current supply of only 7 to 8 megawatts. This shortfall has forced frequent load-shedding across the area.

The power crisis has disrupted daily life, particularly for SSC examinees who are struggling to study at night without electricity. Many are relying on candles, while fuel shortages have made it difficult to use kerosene lamps. Small businesses, workshops, and battery-run auto-rickshaw drivers have also been severely affected, with many unable to operate due to lack of power. Auto-rickshaw fares have doubled as fewer vehicles are available.

Local residents and business owners have urged authorities to take immediate action, warning that continued outages could further harm agriculture, education, and the local economy.

A severe nor'wester storm struck Brahmanbaria on Tuesday morning, causing extensive damage across several villages in the border upazila of Kasba. The storm partially damaged at least 30 houses and uprooted more than 300 trees. In the Tinlakhpir area, a mobile phone tower collapsed, disrupting mobile and internet services. Strong winds and heavy rainfall accompanied the storm, which also toppled electric poles and left parts of the area without power. No casualties were reported, but residents experienced panic during the storm.

Kasba Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shamimul Islam said that damage assessment is ongoing, with initial reports confirming the destruction of homes, trees, and electric poles. Authorities have cleared fallen trees from roads to restore traffic movement and pledged government assistance for affected residents. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall caused waterlogging in several parts of Brahmanbaria town, severely affecting commuters, including SSC examinees. Locals blamed poor drainage systems for recurring flooding and urged municipal authorities to address the issue.

The storm’s aftermath has disrupted daily life, with restoration of power and communication services underway in affected areas.

Comilla City Corporation was submerged after one and a half hours of rain on Tuesday morning, recording 102 millimeters of rainfall between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Major roads including Kandirpar, Stadium Road, and Nazrul Avenue went underwater, disrupting daily life and school commutes. Despite being upgraded to a city corporation in 2011, Comilla continues to suffer from severe waterlogging after short spells of rain.

The report notes that successive mayors and administrators have failed to resolve the drainage crisis. Over the past five years, about 1,000 crore taka was spent on road and drain projects, yet many box drains remain incomplete or ineffective. Current administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu, in office for a month, blamed years of corruption and poor oversight, saying he has begun dredging key canals to improve water flow.

Residents and local experts attribute the flooding to unplanned urbanization, blocked drains, and reduced water bodies. They warn that without a comprehensive drainage plan, Comilla’s waterlogging will worsen during future monsoons.

Iran has imposed a ban on the export of steel and related products following damage to its industrial sector caused by recent US-Israeli airstrikes. According to local media citing the country's customs authority, the directive prohibits the export of various steel products, including slabs, sheets, and strips. The new restriction took effect on April 26, 2026.

Earlier, Israel claimed that its airstrikes had destroyed about 70 percent of Iran’s steel production capacity, along with causing major damage to petrochemical facilities and transport infrastructure. The strikes occurred just days before a ceasefire that came into effect on April 8.

Analysts cited in the report warned that the loss of capacity in this strategically vital sector could have long-term negative effects on Iran’s economy, which relies heavily on industrial exports for revenue.

Three major Indian airlines—Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet—have warned the government that the country’s aviation industry is on the verge of shutting down. According to a Press Trust of India report, the carriers, which together control about 95 percent of India’s aviation market, said the situation has become critical due to soaring fuel prices and operational restrictions.

The report attributes the crisis to the Iran war and the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which have driven aviation fuel prices sharply higher in India, the world’s fifth-largest aviation market. Additional restrictions on airspace use have further increased operating costs, particularly for long-haul routes.

In response, the airlines have demanded a revision of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has also urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to introduce a special mechanism to regulate fuel prices for both domestic and international flights.

The United Arab Emirates has demanded that Pakistan immediately repay a $3.5 billion loan, creating new pressure on Islamabad as it faces an ongoing economic crisis. The demand, made earlier this month, threatens to deplete nearly one-fifth of Pakistan’s central bank reserves and could jeopardize the $7 billion IMF bailout package promised in 2024. Saudi Arabia has since stepped in, providing a $3 billion loan to strengthen Pakistan’s reserves and extending an existing $5 billion loan for more than a year.

Analysts view Abu Dhabi’s sudden move as a reflection of growing dissatisfaction with Pakistan’s softer stance toward Iran and its mediation efforts in conflicts involving the United States and Israel. The situation also highlights underlying competition between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, whose relations have been strained over Yemen and regional influence. UAE’s closer economic ties with India have further complicated its relationship with Islamabad.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry described the repayment as a routine financial transaction and denied any diplomatic rift, though officials privately expressed frustration. Observers see the episode as part of shifting alliances and power balances in the Gulf region.

The United Arab Emirates has decided to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OPEC Plus alliance, effective May 1. According to the state news agency WAM, the decision aligns with the country’s long-term strategic and economic vision and aims to accelerate domestic energy investment. The UAE stated that the move will strengthen its role as a responsible and reliable energy producer in the global market.

The statement cited ongoing instability in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz as key factors disrupting energy supply chains. The UAE said it seeks to ensure market stability and meet global demand amid the crisis. The decision comes against the backdrop of the Iran war, which has severely affected global energy flows and regional economies. The UAE reportedly expressed frustration that Arab nations failed to provide sufficient protection from Iranian attacks during the conflict.

Analysts view the UAE’s withdrawal as a major setback for OPEC and its de facto leader Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about potential disruptions in global oil supply and price volatility.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Saiful Alam Khan, representing Dhaka-12, expressed concern in the national parliament that businessman S Alam might take advantage of the new provisions introduced by the finance minister under the amended Bank Resolution Act 2026. Speaking on Tuesday during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, he highlighted the current situation of Islami Bank, one of the country’s largest private banks.

Saiful Alam cited media reports claiming that Islami Bank saw withdrawals of Tk 705 crore in a single day, with three-day transaction data showing a negative trend. He alleged that large-scale misappropriation had occurred across private Islamic banks, blaming S Alam and his associates for the losses. Referring to the finance minister’s statement about “opening a window” through the new law, he warned that S Alam might exploit this opportunity.

The MP urged the government to take steps to protect Islami Bank, noting that it serves around 12 million customers. He cautioned that a collapse of the bank could have serious repercussions for the national economy.

Bangladesh has officially begun uranium loading at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna, marking its entry into the global community of nuclear power-producing nations. The ceremony took place on Tuesday inside the plant, attended by Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam, ministry officials, and representatives from Russia’s Rosatom. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi congratulated Bangladesh through a video message, calling it a historic day for the country.

The uranium fuel, which arrived in September 2023, is being loaded into the reactor pressure vessel under strict safety measures. The process is expected to take about 45 days, with trial electricity generation of around 300 megawatts planned by July or August. The plant uses advanced VVER-1200 Generation 3+ reactors, designed for high safety and efficiency. The project, decades in the making, overcame delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Once fully operational, the Rooppur plant will supply 1,200 megawatts per unit, strengthening Bangladesh’s energy security, supporting industrial growth, and contributing to low-carbon sustainable development.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir emphasized the need for export diversification, greater market access, and increased investment to strengthen the United States–Bangladesh economic partnership. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a program titled “Strengthening US–Bangladesh Economic Partnership,” organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) at Hotel Sheraton in Dhaka.

The minister noted that while bilateral trade between the two countries continues to grow, Bangladesh remains heavily dependent on the ready-made garment sector, which poses risks. He said the government is prioritizing pharmaceuticals, leather, agricultural products, light engineering, and ICT to expand the export base. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring market access as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from least developed country status by November 2029, seeking US cooperation for a smooth transition.

Muktadir added that although US investment in Bangladesh’s energy sector has been positive, overall investment remains below potential. He underscored opportunities for collaboration in technology transfer, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, fintech, e-commerce, and digital services. US Ambassador Brent T. Christensen and AmCham President Syed Ershad Ahmed also stressed expanding trade and investment cooperation.

Chattogram experienced severe waterlogging on April 28, 2026, after just 6 millimeters of rainfall, submerging several low-lying areas including Probortok Moor, Muradpur, Bakulia, GEC Moor, and Dewanhat. Roads, homes, and shops were inundated, causing major disruptions for residents, pedestrians, and vehicles. The Patenga weather office reported continued rainfall and warned of possible heavy rain, waterlogging, and landslides over the next four days.

Residents expressed anger, noting that despite multi-billion-taka drainage projects claiming over 90 percent completion, the city still suffers from flooding after light rain. The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) stated that the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) and the army are implementing the drainage project, with temporary dams placed in several canals for construction work, worsening the situation in affected areas.

CCC Mayor Shahadat Hossain visited flooded zones and urged CDA and the army to remove the dams quickly. CDA Chairman Engineer Nurul Karim said work was planned to finish by May 15 but was delayed by early rainfall. Pumping operations and dam removal have begun to restore water flow and reduce flooding soon.

A 25-kilogram pangas fish caught in the confluence of the Padma and Jamuna rivers was sold for Tk 71,250 at the Daulatdia fish market in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila. The fish was caught early Tuesday morning by local fisherman Ershad Haldar and his team and later sold through an open auction at Rezaul Mondol’s wholesale shop. Local trader Md. Chandu Molla purchased the fish at Tk 2,800 per kilogram and later sold it in Kushtia’s Poradah area for a small profit.

According to the upazila’s senior fisheries officer Md. Anwarul Islam Pilot, large pangas and other native species are naturally found in the Padma-Jamuna estuary. He emphasized that to sustain fish production, it is essential to stop illegal net use, avoid fishing during breeding seasons, and raise awareness among fishermen.

Officials believe that with proper conservation measures, the chances of catching larger fish in the future will increase.

The state-owned Jiban Bima Corporation has announced a new recruitment drive for 20 positions under the title of Insurance Representative or Agent. According to the notice published on April 28, 2026, interested candidates can apply online until May 27, 2026. Applicants must have at least an SSC or graduate-level qualification, and prior experience is not required, making it an opportunity for newcomers. Both men and women are eligible to apply.

The positions are full-time and categorized as private-sector roles. Salary and other benefits will be determined through discussion, and no specific age limit has been mentioned. Selected candidates must be willing to work in the districts of Bogura, Gaibandha, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Natore, and Sirajganj.

Applications are being accepted through the BDJobs online platform until the stated deadline.