On April 23, 2026, Dhaka Electric Supply PLC (DESCO) carried out special drives across shopping malls, markets, and residential and commercial establishments under its jurisdiction to promote electricity conservation and reduce excessive lighting. The operations were conducted under the directive of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. A mobile court led by Special Metropolitan Magistrate Hadiuzzaman inspected Mirpur area markets and shops from 7 p.m. on Thursday.

A separate drive took place in the Gulshan–Banani area on April 22, led by Executive Magistrate Mohammad Zubair Alam. During that operation, several establishments, including Spark Gear and Best Buy, were fined 10,000 taka each for violating regulations. One restaurant in Gulshan was also fined for excessive decorative lighting, and unnecessary display lights were confiscated. DESCO teams distributed leaflets and used loudspeakers to raise public awareness about energy conservation.

The drives were supervised by DESCO Managing Director Brigadier General Shamim Ahmed and Executive Director (Operations) Engineer Md. Rashidur Rahman, with participation from several senior engineers and staff members.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) held a discussion with business sector leaders on Saturday, April 25, in Dhaka, focusing on the theme “Delay is costly: Why immediate economic reform is essential.” The event took place at a city hotel and was organized by the NCP’s Industry and Commerce Cell. Member of Parliament and NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain attended as chief guest, alongside key party officials including Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari and Joint Member Secretary Advocate Abdullah Al Amin.

During the session, representatives from FBCCI, BGMEA, and entrepreneurs from the housing and renewable energy sectors shared their views. Speakers emphasized the need for immediate reform to revive the economy, criticizing the current state of the banking sector and revenue management. Nasiruddin Patwari accused the BNP government of derailing reform processes and urged business leaders to protest against it.

Business leaders called for institutional reforms and urged the government to focus on job creation in light of recent public unrest. The event concluded with active participation from all attendees.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding Bangladesh’s traditional products such as Jamdani and Hilsa in the global market. In a message to the media on the eve of World Intellectual Property Day, he said that steps have been taken to ensure online registration, faster services, legal protection, and prevention of counterfeit goods.

World Intellectual Property Day is observed globally on April 26 each year to raise awareness about the role of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and designs in promoting innovation and creativity. This year’s theme is “Intellectual Property and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate.” The Prime Minister emphasized that intellectual property protection encourages innovation and creativity, contributing to sports technology, athlete training, branding, broadcasting, and entrepreneurship.

He added that the government is working to build an efficient service system to ensure proper recognition of innovators and creative individuals. The Prime Minister also highlighted initiatives to support athletes through allowances and sports cards, talent scouting, and modern training facilities, which he believes will boost sports-based industries, investment, and employment opportunities.

Fuel supply and sales have been suspended for two weeks in Roumari and Rajibpur upazilas of Kurigram due to delays in issuing fuel cards. The only filling station serving both areas, Brahmaputra Filling Station in Roumari, last sold fuel on April 10, leaving residents facing severe hardship. With no fuel available, transportation has nearly stopped, and people are struggling to travel for work, education, and daily needs.

The shortage has sharply reduced the number of petrol and octane-powered vehicles, especially motorcycles, on local roads. Frequent power outages have also prevented electric rickshaws from charging, forcing residents to walk long distances. SSC examinees are among the worst affected, relying on pedal rickshaws and vans to reach exam centers. Farmers are unable to irrigate their boro paddy fields, raising fears of lower yields.

Local officials and the filling station management have given conflicting statements about the reason for the delay. The station manager cited pending fuel card issuance, while the Roumari Upazila Nirbahi Officer said the card process should not prevent fuel sales.

Barishal City Corporation (BCC) Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin has declared May and June as 'Cleanliness Months' to transform Barishal into a modern and livable city. The announcement was made on Saturday at noon following the inauguration of a canal cleaning and tree-planting program on Zia Road in the city.

Shirin stated that the initiative aligns with the national program announced by the Prime Minister and the current government to excavate and re-excavate rivers, canals, and water bodies across the country. As part of this effort, BCC has planned to clean all canals within its jurisdiction. The two-month campaign aims to ensure a cleaner urban environment and marks the beginning of broader canal excavation, re-excavation, and renovation efforts.

The inauguration event was attended by BCC Chief Executive Officer Md. Rezaul Bari and other officials, along with leaders and activists from Barishal Metropolitan BNP’s affiliated organizations.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said the government is working to attract foreign investment to develop international-standard tourism infrastructure in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Saturday at the 'Beautiful Bangladesh Run 2026 (Season-2)' event held at Hatirjheel in Dhaka, where over a thousand participants joined the race to promote the country’s tourism sector domestically and internationally.

The minister stated that discussions are underway with the globally renowned company Emaar Properties, known for constructing the Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates. Plans are being considered to involve the company under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to enhance tourism facilities in Bangladesh. He added that the tourism sector currently contributes about 2 to 3 percent to the GDP, with a target to raise it to 6 to 7 percent in the future.

The event, organized by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB), also featured prize distribution among marathon winners and remarks from representatives of the event’s sponsor, Rhythm Group, and ATJFB officials.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said the current government inherited a fragile economy and heavy debt burden due to the mismanagement of the previous administration. Speaking on Saturday at the National Press Club during a seminar titled “Ten Lakh Skilled Workforce in the European Labor Market: Masterplan (2026–2031) and Ensuring Migrants’ State Rights,” he emphasized that expanding remittance inflow is essential to keep the economy active.

The minister stated that the current BNP government is working cautiously to increase foreign currency earnings by sending skilled manpower abroad. To achieve this, the government has adopted several plans to develop skilled human resources. He added that remittances from expatriates are one of the main driving forces of the economy, and coordinated efforts among the government and stakeholders are needed to expand this flow and create new labor markets overseas.

Highlighting tourism as an alternative source of foreign currency, Swapan said that if international-standard infrastructure and environment are ensured in Kuakata or Cox’s Bazar, foreign tourists will visit, making tourism a strong alternative sector for foreign exchange earnings.

A severe diesel shortage in Jamalpur has rendered 28,000 irrigation pumps inoperative, putting around 50,000 hectares of Boro rice and other crops at serious risk. Farmers have been queuing for hours at petrol pumps and dealer points with jars and drums, but many are unable to obtain the fuel they need. Most fuel stations display 'no oil' signs, and limited supplies are far below demand, leading to growing frustration among farmers.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Jamalpur targeted Boro cultivation on about 200,000 hectares this season, with 53,368 irrigation pumps across seven upazilas, including 28,103 diesel-powered units. These pumps irrigate roughly 50,406 hectares of farmland, now threatened by the fuel crisis. Farmers report that irrigation intervals have lengthened drastically, causing soil cracks and drying rice plants.

District agricultural officials warn that prolonged shortages could affect production, while the Additional District Magistrate and head of the local fuel monitoring committee insists that diesel supply remains normal and that farmers are being prioritized.

Black cumin cultivation is rapidly gaining popularity among farmers in Sadar upazila of Faridpur due to its low production cost and high profitability. Known scientifically as Nigella sativa, the spice crop also has significant medicinal value, driving demand both domestically and internationally. Farmers typically sow the crop in November after harvesting transplanted Aman rice and harvest it by late March.

Local farmers report that the region’s soil is well-suited for black cumin, yielding about 4 to 5 maunds per bigha, with current market prices ranging from Tk 12,000 to Tk 13,000 per maund. However, some farmers allege that syndicates of traders often deprive them of fair prices. Others note that favorable weather and loamy soil ensure better yields, while adverse conditions such as rain or fog during fruiting can reduce output.

According to the upazila agriculture officer, 495 hectares of land are under black cumin cultivation this year, up by 5 hectares from last year. The agriculture department continues to provide guidance and support, while stakeholders call for stronger government measures to stabilize markets and mitigate weather-related risks.

The Bangladesh International Textile, Knitting and Garment Industry Exhibition (BTKG Expo 2026) will begin on April 29 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka and continue until May 2. The four-day event is jointly organized by the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Inforchain Digital Technology Company Limited. Over 1,000 exhibitors from around 30 countries are expected to participate, showcasing textile machinery, dyes, chemicals, knitting and weaving technologies, embroidery, cutting and sewing equipment, and washing and dry-cleaning innovations.

At a press conference held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem highlighted the garment sector’s importance to Bangladesh’s economy, noting its contribution of over 80 percent of export earnings and 12–13 percent of GDP, employing more than four million people. He emphasized the need for greater technological advancement and sustainable production to remain competitive globally.

The exhibition will feature seminars organized by BKMEA, BUTEX, and Textile Today, focusing on industry trends, technological progress, and future strategies. The event will be open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Residents of eight villages in Sirajganj’s Raiganj upazila depend on a fragile bamboo bridge over the Karatoa River at Kamarbari in Chandikona Union, as no permanent bridge has been built there. Every day, students, farmers, traders, and patients cross the unstable structure at great personal risk to reach schools, markets, and healthcare facilities.

Locals said the lack of a bridge near the Dhaka–Bogura highway severely disrupts communication between the river’s two banks. Farmers face major difficulties transporting rice, vegetables, and other produce to markets, often losing fair prices due to the bridge’s narrow and unsafe condition. The situation worsens during the monsoon when the current strengthens and the bridge becomes slippery, increasing the risk of accidents.

Local residents have long demanded a permanent bridge to ease their hardship. The Raiganj Upazila LGED engineer stated that the need for a bridge is under assessment and a proposal will be sent to higher authorities after verification.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that the recent increase in fuel prices does not justify any dramatic rise in bus fares or daily commodity prices. He made the remarks on Saturday, April 25, 2026, while speaking to journalists after visiting the knit industrial zone established on the site of the former Chittaranjan Cotton Mill in Godnail, Siddhirganj, Narayanganj. The minister also suggested that future investors should focus on developing less fuel-intensive factories instead of fuel-heavy ones.

During the visit, Muktadir explained that electricity produced in the country is distributed to private industrial factories after generation, so production and export have not been disrupted by fuel price changes. He attributed any decline in exports to a mild global slowdown rather than domestic energy issues. Responding to another question, he said two industrial plots under BTMC have already been developed, two more are being taken by the same company, and remaining plots face local occupation problems that will be resolved soon to facilitate investment.

State Minister Md. Shariful Alam, BTMC Chairman Brigadier General S.M. Zahid Hasan, and local officials accompanied him during the visit.

Member of Parliament S M Jilani from Gopalganj-3 (Kotalipara-Tungipara) stated that saving canals is essential for saving farmers. He said that active canals help farmers irrigate their lands easily and reduce waterlogging. Due to long-term blockage by water hyacinths, local farmers had been facing difficulties in irrigation and drainage. Considering their needs, he initiated a canal cleaning program.

On Saturday, April 25, Jilani joined the cleaning of the Konervita-Ramnagar canal in Sadullapur Union of Kotalipara upazila. The event aimed to restore water flow and support agricultural activities in the area.

Upazila BNP President S M Mohiuddin welcomed the initiative, calling it timely for solving farmers’ problems. He expressed the intention to continue such public-benefit activities under Jilani’s leadership. Several BNP and affiliated organization leaders and activists also participated in the cleanup drive.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has emphasized the crucial role of the livestock sector in strengthening Bangladesh’s economy. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion marking World Veterinary Day 2026 at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council auditorium on Saturday, he said the government is giving top priority to developing this sector to achieve food self-sufficiency and expand exports.

The minister highlighted that ensuring food security is one of the world’s most important challenges and that veterinary professionals play a vital role in providing safe food for people. He noted that public awareness about food safety has increased over time, and interest in veterinary education and careers has grown significantly across the country.

The event was chaired by Professor Dr. Md. Mahbub Alam, president of the Veterinary Association of Bangladesh, and attended by senior officials from the ministry and the Department of Livestock Services. A keynote paper presented by Professor Dr. M. Ariful Islam of Bangladesh Agricultural University discussed the challenges, opportunities, and public health importance of the veterinary profession.

Legendary Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila is set to return to the Australian stage after nearly a decade. She will perform alongside Bengal Symphony and artist Emon Chowdhury in two grand concerts scheduled for August 1 and 8, 2026, in Sydney and Melbourne respectively. The first event, titled “Bangladesh Night,” will take place at Sydney’s Norwest Convention Centre, featuring performances by Runa Laila, Bengal Symphony, and Pintu Ghosh. The second concert, “Runa Laila and Symphony Legacy Tour,” will be held at Melbourne’s Recital Centre.

Organizers described the events as more than just concerts, promising audiences a memorable musical journey. Advance ticket sales have already begun online and are reportedly receiving a positive response. Runa Laila expressed her excitement about performing in Australia again and said she is preparing to sing audience favorites. She will travel to Sydney on July 29 with seven instrumentalists. Emon Chowdhury added that the team is enthusiastic about performing popular songs such as “Kotha Koyo Na,” “Baji,” “Sada Sada Kala,” and “Teka Pakhi.”