In Banshkhali upazila of Chattogram, fertilizer and seed were distributed among 2,500 farmers affected by a recent storm. The distribution took place on Sunday afternoon under the initiative of the Banshkhali Agriculture Office. Member of Parliament Maulana Zahirul Islam attended the event and personally handed over the supplies to the farmers.

The event was presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jamshedul Alam, with former Upazila BNP convener Lokman Ahmad as special guest. Upazila Agriculture Officer Shyamal Chandra Sarkar delivered the welcome speech. Each farmer received 10 kilograms of DAP fertilizer, 10 kilograms of MOP fertilizer, and 5 kilograms of seed free of cost to support Aus crop production.

The initiative aimed to assist local farmers in recovering from storm damage and to promote increased Aus cultivation in the region.

Bangladesh’s export sector rebounded in April 2026 after eight consecutive months of decline, according to data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Sunday. Export earnings rose by 32.92 percent year-on-year to 4.01 billion dollars, up from 3.02 billion dollars in April of the previous year. Compared to March’s 3.48 billion dollars, April’s earnings increased by 15.20 percent. The growth was driven mainly by the ready-made garment industry, rising demand in key markets, and an increase in new orders.

Despite the April surge, total export earnings for the first ten months of the 2025–26 fiscal year stood at 39.40 billion dollars, still 2.02 percent lower than the same period last year. The apparel sector remained the main contributor, earning 31.72 billion dollars during July–April. The United States and the United Kingdom showed the strongest growth, with exports rising 43.01 percent and 23.46 percent respectively. Leather and leather goods exports rose 5.95 percent year-on-year, while agricultural processed products saw a 65 percent jump in April.

Knitwear manufacturers’ association president Mohammad Hatem said the April rise mainly reflected shipments delayed from March due to Eid holidays. He cautioned that export performance might fluctuate again in the coming months.

Bangladesh Bank has reported that the country's total foreign exchange reserves have increased to 35,204.76 million, or 35.20 billion, US dollars as of May 3, 2026. The information was confirmed by Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of the central bank. According to the latest data, the gross reserve stood at 35,204.76 million dollars, while under the IMF’s BPM6 calculation method, the reserve amounted to 30,512.29 million dollars.

The previous record on April 23 showed the gross reserve at 35,117.50 million dollars and the BPM6-based reserve at 30,484.01 million dollars. The central bank clarified that net reserves are calculated following the IMF’s BPM6 methodology, which deducts short-term liabilities from total reserves to determine the actual amount.

The increase marks a continuation of reserve growth following earlier declines, reflecting a modest improvement in the country's external financial position according to the central bank’s latest figures.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that May will experience normal rainfall, following April’s 75 percent above-average precipitation. The long-term outlook indicates that rainfall may decrease during June and July due to less active monsoon winds. The department also expects intermittent rain until May 10, with temperatures remaining normal before gradually rising. A heatwave is likely to begin around May 15 and last six to seven days.

Meteorologist Kazi Zebun Nesa explained that early western low pressure and the upward movement of southern winds caused heavy cloud formation over the Sylhet and Chattogram hill regions, leading to higher-than-usual rainfall before the monsoon. The forecast also mentions one to two low-pressure systems in May, with a low chance of cyclone formation, and five to six nor’westers, including two to three severe ones.

April recorded the highest rainfall in Barishal division, 169 percent above normal, while Dhaka saw about 80 percent more rain. The department noted that this year’s heatwaves were shorter and less intense than in 2023 and 2024.

The United States is experiencing a sharp rise in fuel prices as the ongoing war with Iran disrupts global oil supplies. According to data released on Saturday, the average price of gasoline in the country has climbed to $4.45 per gallon, marking an increase of 34 cents in just one week. Since the conflict began on February 28, gasoline prices have risen by $1.47 per gallon. California has recorded the highest average price at $6.10 per gallon.

Diesel prices have also surged significantly, reaching a national average of $5.64 per gallon, up from $3.76 on the day the war began. The steep increase has raised concerns across the transportation sector, which heavily depends on diesel fuel.

Analysts warn that if tensions in the Middle East persist, the energy market could face further instability, leading to higher transportation costs, increased commodity prices, and greater pressure on consumers’ living expenses.

Environmental and haor-based organizations have warned that the recent crop losses in Bangladesh’s haor region pose a grave threat to national food security. At a press conference held on Sunday at the National Press Club, they stated that around 75,000 hectares of Boro paddy fields were submerged after crop protection embankments collapsed, while hailstorms damaged another 800 hectares. The groups jointly organized the event under the banners of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), the Environment and Haor Development Organization, and Nagorik Udyog.

Speakers including BAPA President Professor Nur Mohammad Talukdar and Environment and Haor Development Organization President Kashmir Reza said farmers in the haor areas are facing severe humanitarian distress. Continuous rainfall from mid-March to late April has prevented harvested paddy from drying, causing rot and loss. ALRD Executive Director Shamsul Huda warned that the crisis will affect farmers’ livelihoods, debt repayment, education, and health, while livestock feed shortages are forcing distress sales.

The organizations presented a 15-point demand, including year-round food and cash aid for affected families, strict action against corruption in embankment projects, scientific research and long-term planning, and direct government purchase of at least one million tons of paddy from haor farmers.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid announced that Bangladesh has sufficient livestock for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, eliminating the need for imports. Speaking at a press conference at the ministry in Dhaka on Sunday, he said more than 12.4 million cattle, buffaloes, goats, and sheep are ready across the country. The minister assured that animal prices will remain at a reasonable level.

He stated that, as in previous years, no cattle imports will be allowed, and leases for border markets have been suspended in advance. Across the country, over 3,600 cattle markets will operate, including 27 in Dhaka—16 under the North City Corporation and 11 under the South. Markets will be set up only in designated areas to avoid traffic disruption. No import permits will be issued for fattening injections, and online cattle sales will remain free of fees.

Veterinary teams will be deployed at every market under the Department of Livestock Services, and law enforcement agencies have been instructed to prevent extortion during cattle transport by road and river.

Residents of Jamalpur city staged a blockade of both rail and road routes on Sunday afternoon at the Shekher Vita rail crossing to protest prolonged waterlogging in their area. The demonstration temporarily disrupted public movement, halting a commuter train from Dewanganj to Dhaka for about 40 minutes and suspending all traffic on the Jamalpur-Madariganj road, causing long traffic jams on both sides.

Police from Jamalpur Sadar Station, led by Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman, arrived at the scene and worked with municipal authorities to restore order. The protesters lifted the blockade after receiving assurances that the waterlogging problem would be addressed quickly. Local residents said they had been trapped in water for 10 to 12 days, facing severe difficulties in cooking, moving, and sending children to school.

Jamalpur Municipality Executive Officer Zahurul Haque stated that the municipal authority began drainage work immediately after learning about the blockade to relieve the affected areas.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced on Sunday that the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will remain unchanged for May. According to the commission, the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder will stay at 1,940 taka. The decision took effect from 6 p.m. on the same day. BERC stated this in an official notice issued on May 3, 2026.

The commission had adjusted LPG prices twice in April. On April 2, the price of a 12-kilogram cylinder was increased by 387 taka to 1,728 taka, and again on April 19, it was raised by 212 taka to reach the current 1,940 taka. Meanwhile, BERC slightly increased the price of autogas by 0.02 taka per liter, setting it at 89.52 taka per liter including VAT for May.

Autogas prices were also revised twice in April, first on April 2 and then on April 19, when the rate rose to 89.50 taka per liter. The latest adjustment marks a minimal increase for May, reflecting a stabilization in LPG pricing after consecutive hikes last month.

Speakers at a national convention in Dhaka on May 3, 2026, called for renewed strategies to address Bangladesh’s growing educated unemployment. The session, held at the Diploma Engineers Institute and organized by the National Citizen Party’s Reform Implementation Committee, focused on economic restructuring, governance, and employment. Participants emphasized automating revenue collection, curbing corruption in large projects, and diversifying energy sources to revive economic momentum.

Speakers including Dr. M. Masrur Riaz of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, BDJobs CEO Fahim Mashroor, and former DCCI president Shams Mahmud discussed structural weaknesses in the economy. They highlighted issues such as weak financial governance, high youth unemployment among university graduates, and the lack of investment due to energy shortages and high interest rates. Calls were made for entrepreneurship development and overseas employment opportunities for graduates.

Panelists also criticized long-standing corruption, poor banking discipline, and overreliance on foreign loans. They urged reforms in tax automation, banking governance, and energy diversification to restore economic stability and create sustainable employment opportunities.

A massive wildfire that spread across Japan’s Iwate region has finally been brought under control after 11 days of continuous efforts by firefighters and military personnel. Officials said it was the country’s second-largest wildfire in 30 years, burning about 1,600 hectares of mountainous forest—roughly five times the size of Central Park. According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, at least eight buildings were damaged and two people sustained minor injuries, while thousands were evacuated for safety.

Otsuchi Mayor Kozo Hirano stated that the fire was contained through extensive aerial and ground operations combined with heavy rainfall, though he warned that small pockets of fire might still remain. Kyodo News also described the blaze as Japan’s second-largest in three decades.

Experts noted that increasingly dry winters are heightening wildfire risks. Scientists have long warned that climate change driven by fossil fuel use is intensifying droughts, potentially leading to more severe wildfires in the future.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has emphasized the importance of citizen awareness in resolving the city’s waterlogging problem. During an inspection of the month-long canal and drain cleaning campaign in East Madarbari, West Madarbari, and Pathantuli wards, he said that a clean city cannot be achieved by the corporation alone and that residents must act responsibly.

The mayor noted that indiscriminate dumping of plastic, polythene, and waste undermines cleaning efforts. He mentioned that a sluice gate is under construction by the Water Development Board in Gulzar Khal, and temporary embankments have caused short-term waterlogging in nearby areas, including Agrabad Commercial Area. He expressed regret for the inconvenience and said the Bangladesh Army’s 34 Engineering Brigade and the Water Development Board have been instructed to complete the work quickly.

Dr. Hossain added that once the sluice gate and canal renovation projects are completed, waterlogging will significantly decrease. He urged citizens, local representatives, and political activists to maintain cleanliness and build a culture of weekly cleaning to make Chattogram more livable.

Titas Gas authorities have announced a temporary suspension of gas supply in several areas of Dhaka, including Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and nearby localities. The company issued a statement on Sunday, May 3, expressing regret for the disruption and explaining the cause of the outage.

According to the statement, a pipeline of Titas Gas was damaged during work by Dhaka Wasa on the Gulshan-Badda Link Road. To prevent possible damage to life and property, the gas valves were closed and repair work on the leakage is underway. As a result, gas supply in the affected areas remains suspended.

The company has not specified when the repair work will be completed or when gas supply will resume in the affected neighborhoods.

Heavy rainfall and upstream water flow have caused severe waterlogging in Valuka upazila of Mymensingh, submerging 260 hectares of Boro paddy fields. Many farmers are unable to harvest their crops despite offering higher wages, while some have abandoned hopes of saving their harvests. The flooding has left local farmers in distress as their nearly ripe paddy fields remain underwater.

Farmer Fayez reported that his 21 decimals of paddy land were almost completely submerged, and he had to pay 5,000 taka in wages to harvest what little could be saved. Another farmer, Mostufa, said his 1.5 acres of paddy were fully underwater just a week before ripening, after investing 45,000 taka in cultivation. He expressed despair over how to sustain his family after the loss.

According to Agriculture Officer Nusrat Jaman, Boro paddy was cultivated on 18,670 hectares in Valuka this year. Of that, 3,174 hectares have been harvested, while 260 hectares are completely destroyed by flooding.

Bangladesh’s Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that 12,333,840 animals are available for sacrifice ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. The figure includes 5,695,878 cows and buffaloes, 6,632,307 goats and sheep, and 5,655 other species such as camels and dumba. The announcement was made at a press conference held on Sunday at the Secretariat, attended by State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku.

According to the minister, the national demand for sacrificial animals this year is estimated at 10,106,334, leaving a surplus of 2,227,506 animals. Last year, the total availability was 12,447,337 animals, with 9,136,734 slaughtered, resulting in a surplus of 3,310,000. The minister said the data shows Bangladesh has no shortage of sacrificial animals and can meet national demand without imports.

He added that consistent government policy support and the growth of the livestock sector have made the country self-sufficient, benefiting local farmers through fair prices and contributing to economic strength.