Bangladesh’s government directive to close shopping malls and commercial establishments by 7 p.m. to conserve energy has caused major disruptions in the retail sector. Small and medium traders across the country report that reduced operating hours have sharply cut daily sales, with many struggling to cover rent, wages, and utility bills. Retailers are urging authorities to extend business hours to 8 p.m. to recover part of the lost revenue.

Shop owners in Dhaka’s major markets, including New Market, Bashundhara City, and Gulistan, say sales have dropped by 40–50 percent since the rule took effect. The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association estimates daily losses in the hundreds of crores of taka, noting that 60–70 percent of retail transactions usually occur after sunset. The group has appealed to the prime minister to allow shops to remain open until 8 or 9 p.m.

Experts warn that the restriction may reduce domestic consumption and slow economic activity, even as it helps save electricity. They recommend balancing energy conservation with economic stability through better coordination between government and private sectors.

An earthquake was felt in Sylhet and surrounding areas on Sunday morning at 9:21 a.m., according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The quake originated in Silchar, Assam, India, and registered a magnitude of 4.3 on the Richter scale. No casualties or property damage have been reported so far, though residents in border areas experienced panic during the tremor.

Just five days earlier, on April 7, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake had struck the same region, also felt across Sylhet and nearby districts. The recent activity follows a series of tremors recorded in different parts of Bangladesh in recent months.

The report recalls that a 5.7-magnitude earthquake centered in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi area on November 21 had caused ten deaths and multiple injuries nationwide, underscoring growing concern over the country’s seismic vulnerability.

The Jamuna River in Sirajganj has turned into a vast stretch of sand, halting normal boat transport and causing severe hardship for thousands of riverside residents. With the riverbed now dominated by sandbars, horse carts have replaced boats for carrying goods. The lack of water has also led to a sharp decline in native fish species, leaving fishermen without their traditional source of income. Locals have demanded river management and dredging to restore navigability.

Once a major waterway in the 1990s supporting steamers, ferries, and ships, the Jamuna has now lost its flow, leaving districts like Kazipur, Sadar, Belkuchi, Chauhali, and Shahjadpur covered in sand. The Water Development Board reported that during the dry season, water flow drops to as low as 3,000 cusecs, compared to 130,000 cusecs in the monsoon. Heavy silt deposits from upstream have turned large areas into sandbanks.

Despite the crisis, farmers have begun cultivating crops such as maize, peanuts, mustard, onions, garlic, and tomatoes on the newly formed fertile land, bringing some economic relief to affected communities.

Ahead of the Bengali New Year, the traditional weaving industry in Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj has regained its vibrancy. After a long lull, weavers have become busy producing towels, saris, and lungis to meet growing demand from wholesalers and customers. However, rising production costs, fuel shortages, and higher raw material prices are causing concern among those involved in the trade.

Visits to various weaving villages revealed that both handlooms and power looms are running at full capacity. Workers said that although work increases during the festive season, income does not rise proportionately, and frequent power outages disrupt production. Factory owners reported that irregular electricity supply and high prices of yarn, dyes, and chemicals have raised production costs. Diesel shortages have also made it difficult to operate generators, putting small and medium owners under pressure.

According to a Bangladesh Handloom Board official, the Raiganj weaving industry has strong potential but faces multiple constraints. Observers believe that timely government support and stable electricity and raw material supplies could help the sector recover sustainably.

Veteran Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle has been hospitalized in Mumbai after suffering a cardiac arrest. According to Indian media reports, she was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday and is currently receiving treatment in the emergency unit. Her condition is described as critical.

Her granddaughter Zanai shared on Instagram that Asha Bhosle was admitted due to extreme fatigue and a chest infection. She requested privacy for the family and expressed hope for a positive recovery, assuring that updates would be shared in due course.

Asha Bhosle is a legendary figure in Hindi cinema, with a career spanning nearly eight decades. She has recorded songs in multiple Indian languages and received numerous honors, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the Padma Bhushan in 2008, and several National Film and Filmfare Awards. She was also nominated for a Grammy in 1997.

The United States Air Force operates a fleet of four Boeing E-4B aircraft, known as 'Doomsday Planes', designed to function as airborne command centers during nuclear attacks or other extreme emergencies. These aircraft can fly continuously for seven days and are equipped to maintain national command and control if ground-based systems are destroyed. The E-4B serves as a secure operations hub for the US President, Defense Secretary, and Joint Chiefs of Staff during crises.

To modernize its capabilities, the Air Force is converting five Boeing 747–8 aircraft, previously used by Korean Air, into replacements for the E-4B fleet. The upgrades include radiation and electromagnetic pulse protection, advanced communication antennas, mission systems, and in-flight refueling capability. The total cost of the five aircraft is estimated at 13 billion US dollars.

The E-4B’s unique features include 67 antennas for global communication, missile-launch capability, and protection against nuclear, cyber, and electromagnetic threats. The aircraft can take off within minutes of an emergency and remains on standby 24 hours a day, ensuring uninterrupted command continuity for the United States.

The Bangladesh Parliament has passed the Bank Resolution Bill 2026, overturning a previous ordinance that barred individuals responsible for bank failures from regaining ownership even after repaying losses. The new law enables former shareholders of five merged banks to reapply for ownership, including groups such as S Alam and Nasa, which previously held major stakes. Applicants must pledge to repay government and central bank support, inject new capital, and ensure full repayment to depositors and creditors.

Under the new provisions, Bangladesh Bank will verify applications and seek government approval before any transfer of control. Former owners must initially deposit 7.5 percent of the government’s investment and repay the remaining 92.5 percent within two years with 10 percent interest. The central bank will supervise the restructured banks for two years to ensure compliance.

Critics, including economists and opposition lawmakers, warned that the bill rewards those responsible for past mismanagement and could endanger depositors’ funds. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury defended the bill, saying it aims to maintain financial stability and protect depositors while reducing the government’s fiscal burden.

The Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) has expressed hope that the newly formed government will fulfill the telecom sector’s logical demands. The organization noted that the previous interim government did not consult all stakeholders while formulating telecom guidelines and policies. ISPAB expects the current administration to engage with all relevant parties in shaping future telecom policies.

ISPAB President Aminul Hakim made the remarks at a press conference held on Saturday morning at the association’s office in Banani, Dhaka. The event was organized ahead of the country’s first Broadband Expo 2026, scheduled for April 13–15 at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center. Hakim said the expo aims to highlight the development, innovation, and future potential of the broadband sector.

The expo’s theme, “Linking People, Linking Future,” will feature around 25 innovative projects from university students focusing on robotics and IoT. Various ICT organizations will showcase their services, software, hardware, and network products across 10 pavilions, 35 mini pavilions, and 20 stalls.

The Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh (AOAB) has stated that the country’s aviation industry is facing a severe crisis due to rising jet fuel prices, high hangar rents, customs complications, and elevated fees set by the Civil Aviation Authority. The remarks came during AOAB’s annual general meeting held on Saturday at the Samson Centre in Gulshan, Dhaka, chaired by AOAB President and Square Air Limited Managing Director Anjan Chowdhury.

During the meeting, leaders including AOAB Secretary General and Novoair Managing Director Mofizur Rahman highlighted that these financial and regulatory pressures have placed aviation business owners in serious distress. They urged all stakeholders to work together to overcome the ongoing challenges. The association also expressed gratitude to the government for reconsidering certain provisions of the Bangladesh Travel Agency Act published in the Bangladesh Gazette.

Members present at the meeting called for support from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Ministry of Finance, and other relevant government bodies to sustain the aviation sector amid the current difficulties.

US President Donald Trump said that numerous empty oil tankers are heading toward the United States to load what he described as the 'world’s best and sweetest' oil and gas. In a recent post on Truth Social, he claimed that the United States possesses more oil than the world’s two largest oil economies and that its quality is superior. He invited buyers to come quickly, saying the country is ready to supply.

Trump’s remarks came as global oil prices fluctuated due to war conditions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Benchmark Brent crude recently rose above 110 dollars per barrel but fell by about 15 percent to just under 92 dollars after the United States and Iran agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire. The agreement also included reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.

Iran’s earlier restrictions on shipping through the strait had driven up fuel and food prices worldwide. Although prices have eased since the ceasefire, they remain higher than before the conflict, when oil traded around 70 dollars per barrel.

UAE-based airline Air Arabia has resumed limited international flight operations from the United Arab Emirates after disruptions caused by recent conflicts in the Middle East. The airline announced on Saturday that it is gradually restarting services from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah to 49 destinations across 17 countries, subject to regulatory approval.

According to Air Arabia’s official statement, the decision was made to align with the evolving situation in the region. The destinations include countries across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe, with Bangladesh among those listed. The airline emphasized that passengers whose flights were previously canceled can rebook their tickets, provided they have not already opted for a date change or refund.

Air Arabia stated that affected passengers will be contacted directly regarding rebooking procedures, as part of its phased plan to restore international operations following the earlier disruptions.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that market control through syndicates will no longer be allowed in Bangladesh. He made the statement on Saturday morning while inaugurating the country’s first direct farmers’ sales center, ‘Krishoker Hat,’ at Tilaghar in Sylhet city. The initiative, jointly organized by the Sylhet District Administration and the Department of Agricultural Extension, allows marginal farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers without intermediaries.

The minister said the program aims to eliminate market mismanagement that prevents farmers from receiving fair prices while consumers face high costs. As part of the plan, deputy commissioners in every district will ensure that farmers can sell directly to buyers at least once a week. He added that the entire supply chain will be integrated into an AI-generated model to enhance government monitoring and stabilize prices.

Muktadir also announced that the operations of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will be expanded, even as subsidies—currently amounting to about Tk 3,200–3,300 crore annually—are gradually reduced.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has called on accountants to evolve beyond traditional financial management roles and position themselves as strategic advisors in modern organizations. He made the remarks on Saturday while addressing the 22nd convocation of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) held at a hotel in Dhaka.

The minister emphasized that in today’s technology-driven world, accountants must remain aware of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and the digital ecosystem, rather than limiting themselves to institutional knowledge. Addressing newly certified chartered accountants, he described the current era as one of both challenges and opportunities, urging them to enhance their skills and contribute to national and professional development.

He expressed optimism that the professional success of new chartered accountants would play a significant role in the country’s progress. The event also featured speeches by Professor Dr. Salimullah Khan as the convocation speaker and ICAB President N K A Mobin.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that the government has adopted a strict position against abnormal price hikes, manipulation, and market syndicates. Speaking at the inauguration of a farmers’ market in Sylhet on Saturday afternoon, he said the goal is to eliminate market syndicates from Bangladesh within the government’s current term.

The minister announced that the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will strengthen its operations. The government currently provides subsidies of about Tk 3,200 to 3,300 crore annually to ensure affordable food supply. He added that while subsidies will gradually be reduced, TCB’s market interventions will increase through higher imports to maintain balance. Efforts are also underway to modernize the entire supply system using advanced technology.

As part of agricultural development, Muktadir highlighted initiatives for canal re-excavation and water drainage in Sylhet. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the re-excavation of the Basia Canal on May 2. Areas prone to waterlogging will receive improved drainage and irrigation facilities to boost crop production. A pilot project by the Department of Agricultural Extension may later expand nationwide if successful.

Bangladeshi actress, painter, and playwright Bipasha Hayat recently shared that she once turned down an offer to act in a Bollywood film. The revelation came during a podcast interview following her return from the United States. She explained that the offer was for a supporting role, though she could not recall the film’s name. She mentioned that she still has the phone number of the person who contacted her and had spoken with them several times.

Explaining her decision, Bipasha said she felt she could not accept a role that might diminish her connection with her Bangladeshi audience. She emphasized that the love and acceptance she received from her country’s viewers were far more valuable to her than pursuing a minor role abroad. She described herself not as a star but as a public figure with a responsibility to uphold the trust and affection of her audience.

Bipasha added that human love is the most precious thing in the world, and she did not believe she could achieve anything better by working outside Bangladesh.