Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury inaugurated a canal re-excavation project in Boalmari upazila of Faridpur on Friday afternoon. The project covers the section from the Madhumati River to the Kamargram sluice gate under Gunbaha Union. It is being implemented as part of a nationwide program for excavation and re-excavation of rivers, canals, and water bodies.

According to officials, the initiative aims to improve water flow in rural areas, enhance irrigation facilities for farmers, and contribute to sustainable development. They expect the project to increase local agricultural production, reduce waterlogging, and help maintain environmental balance in the region.

Local political leaders, administrative officials, and community representatives attended the inauguration ceremony, reflecting broad local participation in the government’s water management initiative.

A large ice block above Mount Everest Base Camp has forced hundreds of climbers and local guides to suspend their ascent toward the summit. Nepal’s Department of Mountaineering official Himlal Gautam said on Friday that the ice barrier, or serac, between Base Camp and Camp One was unstable and unsafe for passage. Climbers are currently waiting at the base camp while authorities monitor the situation.

According to government data, 410 foreign climbers have been granted permits to attempt Everest this spring season, which typically ends in late May. Experienced Sherpas, known as “Icefall Doctors,” usually complete rope and ladder installations across the Khumbu Icefall by mid-April, but this year the work has been delayed due to the unstable serac. The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee plans to conduct an aerial survey to assess the risk, with its chairman Lama Kaji Sherpa warning that avalanche danger remains until the ice melts to a safer level.

The Khumbu Icefall is one of the most perilous sections of the Everest route, and a similar ice collapse in 2014 killed 16 Sherpa guides, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the mountain’s history.

A workshop titled “Climate-Resilient Beekeeping for Livelihood Development in Bangladesh” was held at Gazipur Agricultural University (GAKRUBI) on Wednesday morning. The event took place at the university’s old auditorium and was implemented under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project. The session aimed to promote sustainable beekeeping practices amid climate challenges, improve bee health and queen production, encourage research and innovation, strengthen industry collaboration, and make beekeeping a stable and profitable livelihood for farmers and entrepreneurs.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. GKM Mostafizur Rahman attended as the chief guest, while Professor Dr. Md. Ahsanul Haque Swapon chaired the session. Representatives from leading agricultural research institutes, including BARI, BRRI, and the Sugarcane Research Institute, along with professors, researchers, and students from several universities, participated. Dr. Haque presented the keynote paper highlighting the potential of beekeeping in addressing climate challenges and the plan to establish an “ApiHealth Research Center.”

The event concluded with an open discussion led by the Vice-Chancellor, emphasizing beekeeping’s role in sustainable livelihoods, nutrition security, and environmental conservation. A symbolic beehive was presented to the Vice-Chancellor as a token of appreciation.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that no one will be spared if they attempt to disrupt national stability. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Saraswati Gyan Mandir at the University of Chittagong. The minister emphasized that his government was elected to build a sensitive, tolerant, and stable nation, and that progress is impossible without maintaining stability.

Discussing the banking sector, the minister said that under BNP governments, financial discipline had always been maintained, including in the stock market and macroeconomy. He assured that similar discipline would return but asked for some time. On load-shedding, he acknowledged the existence of an energy crisis and explained that fuel prices in Bangladesh were raised by only 10–15 percent, compared to a doubling of prices in Washington, due to the government’s limited capacity.

He added that austerity measures were necessary to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, continued industrial operations, and minimal disruption to people’s livelihoods.

Analysts believe Iran’s economy will not collapse immediately despite the ongoing US naval blockade on its ports, imposed after Tehran closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East conflict. The blockade, in effect since April 12, aims to pressure Iran into peace negotiations. Former US President Donald Trump claimed Iran is financially breaking down, but Iranian economist Saeed Laylaz told AFP that only a blockade lasting two to three months could cause serious harm, while Gulf states might suffer even more.

Energy experts warned that Iran’s main oil export terminal at Kharg Island could soon reach full storage capacity. Data from Kpler indicated that Iran’s crude oil production has already dropped by about 200,000 barrels per day and could fall by another 420,000 barrels in April. However, Jamie Ingram of the Middle East Economic Survey noted that Iran has previously endured long-term sanctions without major concessions.

Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group added that while ordinary Iranians face growing pressure, the country’s leadership has shown resilience under severe economic strain, using control over the Strait of Hormuz as leverage.

In Kaptai upazila of Rangamati district, residents are facing 12 to 14 hours of daily load shedding, severely affecting daily life and ongoing SSC examinations. Students reported that frequent power outages during study hours, both day and night, make it difficult to concentrate due to extreme heat. Parents expressed deep concern, urging authorities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply until the exams end. The outages have also disrupted operations in educational institutions, factories, banks, insurance offices, businesses, and hospitals, with some factory owners reporting order cancellations due to missed delivery deadlines.

The Kaptai Karnafuli Hydroelectric Power Station, which normally produces 230 megawatts for the national grid, is currently generating only 30 to 40 megawatts because of low water levels. As a result, even the area producing electricity is suffering long power cuts. Acting residential engineer Ashraful Islam acknowledged the load shedding, explaining that one of two supply lines is alternately shut down. He assured that the problem would not persist long and that examinees would not face major disruptions.

The situation highlights the irony of power shortages in a region that contributes electricity to the national grid.

An unapproved stone crushing operation named Al-Madina Wash Plan has been accused of causing severe environmental damage near the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Achimotla area of Jamurki Union, Mirzapur upazila, Tangail. The activity reportedly continues day and night without proper authorization or required documentation, producing noise and dust pollution that threaten local residents, businesses, and workers’ health.

Local residents complained that the constant machine noise and dust make daily life difficult, covering nearby shops and obstructing movement along the road. The owner, Suman Khan, claimed to have a trade license but was unaware of other necessary permits. Officials from the Department of Environment and the Mirzapur Upazila administration said they were not aware of the operation but promised to investigate and take action if irregularities are found.

The ongoing unregulated activity has raised concerns about environmental degradation and public health risks in the area, prompting calls from residents for relocation of the facility to a more suitable site.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released its April 2026 World Economic Outlook, showing that India has dropped from the top five to sixth place among the world’s largest economies. The United States remains the largest economy with over 32.4 trillion dollars in GDP, followed by China at 20.8 trillion, Germany at 5.4 trillion, Japan at 4.4 trillion, and the United Kingdom at 4.3 trillion. India’s nominal GDP is estimated at 4.15 trillion dollars, slightly below the UK and Japan.

According to the IMF, India’s shift in ranking is mainly due to changes in currency exchange rates and the adoption of a new GDP base year. The Indian government updated its methodology using 2022–23 as the new base year, revising earlier figures downward by about 3–4 percent. The rupee’s depreciation of roughly 10 percent against the US dollar over the past year also contributed to the decline.

The IMF projects that India will regain its position by 2027, overtaking the UK and Japan, and could surpass Germany by 2031 to become the world’s third-largest economy.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has issued new directives for meat sellers in the capital, making it mandatory to pay fixed slaughtering fees. The announcement, made through a public notice on April 24, 2026, states that failure to comply with the new rules will result in legal action under existing laws.

According to the notice, the fees have been set under the Animal Slaughter and Meat Quality Control Act, 2011, and the related regulations of 2021. Meat shops under DSCC’s jurisdiction must now pay Tk 10 for each goat or sheep, Tk 50 for each cow, and Tk 75 for each buffalo slaughtered. The corporation has urged all meat traders to strictly follow the new directive.

The DSCC also warned that any violation of these instructions will lead to legal measures as per the applicable laws, emphasizing the importance of proper implementation across all meat businesses in Dhaka South.

The long-awaited biopic ‘Michael’, based on the life and musical journey of American pop icon Michael Jackson, is set for international release on Friday, April 24. Bangladeshi audiences will be able to watch the film the same day at Star Cineplex. The film stars Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, alongside Miles Teller, Colman Domingo, Kat Graham, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Kendrick Sampson, and Juliano Krue Valdi.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film traces Michael Jackson’s rise from his early days as the lead singer of the Jackson 5 to becoming one of the most celebrated solo artists in global music history. It promises to reveal lesser-known aspects of his life and include some of his most famous performances. The trailer, released in February, surpassed five million views within a day, signaling strong anticipation among fans.

The film’s simultaneous release in Bangladesh underscores the enduring popularity of Michael Jackson, whose music continues to attract around 65 million monthly listeners on Spotify even more than a decade after his death in 2009.

A bumper peanut harvest has been reported this season on the sandbars of the Jamuna River in Madarganj upazila of Jamalpur. Farmers are pleased with both the high yield and favorable market prices, which have brought economic relief to many poor families in the riverine areas. The Department of Agricultural Extension confirmed that peanuts were cultivated on 30 hectares of land this season, exceeding the initial target of 10 hectares.

In addition to peanuts, farmers have grown onions, maize, black cumin, and chili across hundreds of hectares, along with other crops such as wheat, peas, sweet gourd, sweet potato, and sunflower. The low production cost and good yields have encouraged more farmers to take up cultivation. Agricultural officers are providing technical support and incentives to expand farming in the char areas.

According to the upazila agriculture officer, favorable weather conditions have contributed to the strong harvest, with an estimated 80 to 90 metric tons of peanuts expected to be produced this season.

Experts at a seminar in Dhaka have called for strict implementation of the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) to mitigate earthquake risks. The event, titled “Earthquake: Bangladesh Perspective,” was held on April 24, 2026, at the DRU’s Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium. Organized by the Progressive Engineers, Planners and Architects Society, the seminar was chaired by Engineer Mir Mosharraf Hossain Chowdhury and conducted by Engineer Imran Habib Rumon. Participants included academics from BUET, RUET, and Jahangirnagar University.

Speakers noted that recent seismic activity, including a 5.4 magnitude quake on November 21, 2025, has heightened public concern. They reported that nearly a hundred earthquakes were recorded in Bangladesh and nearby areas during the first four months of 2026, with 15–20 felt by residents. The experts warned that limited seismograph coverage and inadequate data collection hinder research, forcing reliance on foreign sources.

They emphasized updating the 2020 building code’s seismic zoning, improving design approval oversight, and enforcing licensing and certification in construction. The speakers also urged stronger professional involvement, anti-corruption measures, and local disaster preparedness through trained rescue teams and public awareness.

A severe wildfire has spread across a northern Japanese city, prompting authorities to urge more than 2,500 residents to evacuate to safe locations. Government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said the fire began two days earlier and by Friday morning had burned over 400 hectares of mountainous land in the Iwate region. Flames were advancing toward homes in the local town of Otsuchi, while thick smoke was visible from nearby forests.

Officials said the prolonged dry winter has heightened the risk of wildfires. Last year, a blaze in Iwate’s Ofunato city was considered Japan’s most severe wildfire in half a century. Kihara added that firefighting efforts have been intensified, with around 700 firefighters and 13 aircraft deployed to contain the flames.

As of 5 a.m. Friday, public broadcaster NHK reported that 329 residents had taken shelter in evacuation centers. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as firefighting operations proceed.

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Crete, Greece, early Friday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at a depth of about 13 kilometers and was centered roughly 11.5 kilometers southeast of the coastal city of Ierapetra. No immediate reports of casualties or damage have been received so far.

The tremor was recorded at 6:18 a.m. local time on April 24, 2026. Greece, known for its numerous islands and popularity among tourists, has experienced several earthquakes in recent years. In June 2025, a 5.3-magnitude quake in northern Greece damaged at least three centuries-old monasteries on Mount Athos, a major religious site.

Authorities have not yet released further details on the latest quake’s impact, and monitoring continues for possible aftershocks or damage assessments.

Bangladesh continues to experience intense heat and humidity as no rainfall was recorded across the country except in Kurigram’s Rajarhat during the past 24 hours, according to the national weather office on Friday, April 24, 2026. The Meteorological Department reported that the ongoing heatwave may persist through Saturday, with temperatures expected to rise further. Dhaka recorded its highest temperature of the season at 37°C, while the country’s highest temperature was 38°C in Jashore.

Meteorologists said that high humidity has intensified the discomfort, and power outages have worsened living conditions. The heatwave, which affected 27 districts earlier in the week, has now reduced to 20 districts, mainly in Khulna, Dhaka, and Rajshahi divisions. The weather office’s five-day forecast predicts that from Sunday, rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds may occur in parts of Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, easing the heatwave.

The forecast suggests that the rainfall trend could continue for several days, gradually reducing the heat intensity across the country.