The government has waived loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, for nearly 1.2 million small and marginal farmers, according to Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin. He announced the decision on Saturday afternoon at a press conference held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon. The briefing marked two months of the current government’s tenure and highlighted 60 major initiatives taken during this period.

At the same event, the Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson said the government had resolved 133 ordinances during the first session of the 13th National Parliament, setting a precedent for parliamentary democracy. Sixteen of these ordinances, including those related to the Human Rights Commission and enforced disappearance prevention, will be reintroduced as bills after further review. The spokesperson added that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Additionally, the government has launched a project to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and water bodies across the country, with work already underway in 54 districts.

The government of Bangladesh has initiated steps to sign bilateral agreements with seven European countries to explore alternative labor markets. The countries include Serbia, Greece, North Macedonia, Romania, Portugal, Brazil, and Russia. The announcement was made by Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin at a press conference held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Saturday afternoon. The event marked two months of the current government’s tenure and highlighted 60 major initiatives taken so far.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson, the initiative aims to increase overseas employment by exporting more skilled and semi-skilled workers. The government is emphasizing technical training and multilingual education to enhance both the quantity and quality of migration. Nationwide technical training centers and updated curricula are being prioritized to support this goal.

The spokesperson also mentioned plans to develop North Bengal as a hub for agro-processing industries and to introduce PayPal and other payment gateway services in Bangladesh, signaling broader economic and technological reforms.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Aminur Rashid Yasin said that farmers are being deprived of fair prices due to syndicates controlling agricultural inputs and markets. He stated that farmers must buy fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides at high prices and that the government will take strict action against these syndicates. The minister made these remarks on Saturday, April 18, during a gathering at Harindhara in Moynamoti Union of Burichang upazila, Cumilla, after inspecting the Gomti River and Jainta Canal.

He emphasized that the government is following farmer-friendly policies, noting that about 70 percent of the population is directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. He added that a strong agricultural sector ensures a stable national economy. The minister also mentioned that the government has introduced agricultural cards to provide subsidies and other benefits to farmers, initiatives taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Yasin announced that a modern vegetable storage facility will be built soon at the Nimsar vegetable market, one of the largest in the region, to help farmers preserve their produce and sell it at fair prices, thereby strengthening local agriculture.

The Ministry of Finance has issued a recruitment notice for 23 vacant posts under the Customs, Excise and VAT Training Academy. The positions span 11 categories across grades 11 to 20, with applications open from April 19 to May 10, 2026. Candidates must apply through the designated website before the deadline.

The available posts include Subedar, Office Assistant-cum-Computer Typist, Driver, Havildar, Nurse, Lineman Electrician, Pump Operator, Armorer, Projector Operator, Office Assistant, and Cook. Salary ranges vary from 8,250 to 30,230 taka depending on grade. The age limit for applicants is 18 to 32 years as of May 10, 2026, though for certain positions—Subedar, Havildar, and Armorer—the maximum age is 40 years.

The recruitment aims to fill essential operational and support roles within the academy, which functions under the Finance Ministry’s administrative framework. Interested candidates are required to submit applications and examination fees within the specified timeframe.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged authorities to prepare coordinated plans to address potential jet fuel shortages caused by the ongoing Middle East war. On Friday, IATA chief Willie Walsh warned that an International Energy Agency assessment indicated Europe could face a jet fuel crisis within six weeks, calling the situation deeply concerning. He added that by the end of May, some European flights might be canceled due to fuel shortages, with similar issues already emerging in parts of Asia.

The conflict began in late February when the United States and Israel launched military operations that spread across the Middle East, prompting Iran to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz. This disruption has led to growing concerns over aviation fuel supplies. Walsh advised that authorities should have clear and coordinated rationing plans ready if shortages occur.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen told the Financial Times that some flights might soon be canceled due to fuel concerns, while suggesting EU countries share jet fuel if the crisis persists. However, EU spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said there were no current signs of a systemic shortage leading to widespread flight cancellations.

The government of Bangladesh has announced an increase in fuel prices for consumers, aligning domestic rates with the global market. According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on Saturday, April 18, 2026, the new prices will take effect from midnight. The retail price of diesel has been set at 115 taka per liter, up from 100 taka. Octane will now cost 140 taka per liter, rising from 120 taka, while petrol will increase from 116 taka to 135 taka per liter.

The ministry stated that the adjustment was made to maintain consistency with international fuel price trends. The announcement marks a significant revision in the country’s fuel pricing structure, affecting key petroleum products including diesel, kerosene, octane, and petrol.

The new rates are expected to influence transportation and production costs across various sectors once implemented, though no official comment on broader economic impacts was included in the announcement.

The Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) has issued a recruitment notice for the position of Medical Retainer. The job is temporary and based in Dhaka. Applications opened on April 10, 2026, and will remain open until May 4, 2026. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply, with a maximum age limit of 45 years as of April 9, 2026. Affidavits will not be accepted as proof of age.

Applicants must submit their applications offline by post, including all required documents, to the Director, Employee Administration Department, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, Head Office Building (2nd Floor), Nikunja-2, Khilkhet, Dhaka-1229. A bank draft or pay order of 1,000 taka payable to the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board must be included with the application.

The authority has requested candidates to complete their applications within the specified time frame and ensure all necessary documents are attached before submission.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Shipping Sheikh Robiul Alam said that maritime cadets are prepared to lead the country’s progress through sea routes and represent Bangladesh internationally. He made the remarks on Saturday morning while addressing the passing-out parade of the 28th batch at Chattogram Maritime Institute. The minister emphasized that education should ensure both physical and mental development, describing the cadets as national assets who will showcase Bangladesh’s capability and professionalism at ports around the world.

He highlighted the importance of technical education, noting that skill-based training creates employment opportunities, unlike purely academic qualifications that can lead to unemployment. Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that since the 1990s, maritime training programs have produced thousands of skilled professionals contributing significantly to the national economy. He also assured that further expansion of the maritime sector is planned to strengthen Bangladesh’s global presence.

The minister advised cadets to maintain health awareness, including using sunscreen during long parades. The event was attended by institute teachers, officials, and guardians, who were impressed by the cadets’ disciplined march and performance.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid has directed officials to take immediate action wherever fertilizer is sold at inflated prices. Speaking on Saturday at a public gathering in Harindhara Primary School field after inspecting Gomti River and Jayanta Canal in Burichang upazila, Cumilla, he instructed agricultural officers to collect evidence in plain clothes, record videos, and take written undertakings from violators to ensure accountability.

The minister emphasized that about 70 percent of the population is involved in agriculture and that protecting farmers’ interests is a key government responsibility. He said the government has fixed the purchase price of paddy based on production costs to ensure fair returns for farmers. Under a pre-piloting phase, farmer cards have been distributed in 11 agricultural blocks across 10 districts, providing Tk 2,500 in assistance to marginal and small farmers.

Rashid also announced the construction of a modern vegetable storage facility at Nimsar market to help farmers preserve produce and sell at fair prices. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to act against syndicates inflating prices of fertilizer, seeds, and pesticides.

A farmer named Rahmat Ali Uzzal, aged 40, was killed by lightning in Gauripur upazila of Mymensingh on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. in the Valki Beel area between Konapara and Bairaura villages under Gauripur Union. According to local and family sources, Uzzal had gone out after lunch to inspect his paddy field when he was struck by lightning. Locals rescued him and took him to Gauripur Upazila Health Complex, where the attending physician, Dr. Ferdous Al Mamun, declared him dead after examination.

The incident cast a pall of grief over the area, with relatives and villagers mourning at the hospital and in the village. Following the tragedy, local representatives and the administration urged residents to exercise caution during adverse weather. Farmers were specifically advised to avoid open fields or agricultural lands during storms to prevent further casualties.

The Ministry of Power and Energy announced that the pilot program for the 'Fuel Pass' mobile application has been expanded to six additional districts from Saturday, April 18, 2026. Initially tested at selected filling stations in Dhaka, the app aims to make the country’s fuel supply system more transparent and modern. The expansion now includes 18 petrol pumps in the capital as part of the pilot phase.

According to the ministry’s verified Facebook post, the registration process for motorcycles under the 'Fuel Pass BD' system has been opened for vehicles registered in Dhaka, Dhaka Metro, Chandpur, Chattogram, Chattogram Metro, Barishal, Barishal Metro, Khulna, Khulna Metro, Rajshahi, Rajshahi Metro, and Mymensingh. The post also mentioned that the initiative will gradually be extended to other districts across the country.

Users can install the Fuel Pass app from Google Play Store, verify their phone number, and complete registration by entering motorcycle details and setting a password.

Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that there is no scope to say yes or no regarding the next tranche of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. He made the remarks on Friday, April 17, after meetings with two IMF teams at the organization’s headquarters in the United States. The minister said discussions are ongoing and will continue for about two weeks, emphasizing that the matter will be resolved through dialogue rather than immediate decisions.

According to the report, the IMF has withheld the next loan disbursement due to slow progress in banking sector reforms, delays in the new bank resolution law, and weak revenue collection. The minister rejected some media reports suggesting that the IMF had suspended the tranche, clarifying that no final decision has been made yet. Bangladesh still has 1.86 billion dollars remaining under the 5.5 billion dollar IMF loan program, with expectations to receive 1.3 billion dollars by June of the current fiscal year.

Sector insiders believe that delays in implementing IMF conditions could hinder the release of the next tranche, though the government expects a resolution soon.

Traffic congestion in Bogura city has intensified, with long jams persisting from morning until night on major roads. Commuters, students, and businesspeople face hours-long delays even for short distances. The problem has worsened due to unregulated parking, illegal bus stands, and encroachment on roads and footpaths. Key areas such as Satmatha, Zero Point, Sherpur Road, and Malatinagar experience severe gridlock, especially during office and school hours.

Local sources report that buses frequently stop on busy roads to pick up passengers, narrowing the lanes and slowing traffic. Footpaths in major areas are occupied by shops and vendors, forcing pedestrians onto the streets and further reducing vehicle flow. Uncontrolled stands for CNGs and autorickshaws, along with courier trucks operating freely during peak hours, add to the congestion.

Authorities have conducted multiple eviction drives to clear illegal structures, but vendors quickly return. Traffic officials admit that without unified political and social efforts, a lasting solution to Bogura’s traffic crisis remains unlikely.

The once-celebrated batik industry of Comilla, once as popular as its famous sweets and khadi, is now fighting for survival. Artisans in Kamalpur village of Jagannathpur Union, where the craft began about 50 years ago, face declining demand, capital shortages, and limited government support. Around 25 factories in Kamalpur and nearby villages still produce batik saris, three-piece suits, shirts, lungis, and bed sheets, supplying local shops and exporting to other districts and abroad.

Workers start early each day, dyeing, waxing, and designing fabrics with intricate floral and abstract patterns. Entrepreneurs like Abu Sayed of Comilla New Batik Ghar employ small teams to manage weekly production, while artisans such as Hamid Chowdhury and Mushfiqur Rahman Monna continue the labor-intensive process with dedication. However, the industry remains vulnerable to weather and seasonal fluctuations.

Local entrepreneurs believe that low-interest loans and government incentives could revive the sector, helping Comilla’s batik reclaim its former national and international prominence.

Malaysia has implemented a work-from-home policy across federal government offices to conserve energy amid a global energy crisis linked to the Middle East conflict. The measure, announced on April 18, 2026, applies to employees living more than eight kilometers from their offices in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya, and other state capitals. However, counter-based public services, such as those at Urban Transformation Centres providing immigration and police services, remain fully operational.

In Putrajaya, the federal administrative capital, most ministries are operating with reduced on-site staff, resulting in quieter surroundings and lower electricity use. Many government buildings have dimmed lighting and are running only half of their elevators to further save power.

The policy excludes workers in security, defense, health, and education sectors. Eligible employees will be allowed to work from home three days a week. The initiative is described as a strategic step to manage energy consumption while maintaining essential public services.