Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury informed the Bangladesh Parliament that as of December 31, 2025, the total amount of defaulted loans in the country stood at Tk 5,44,831.88 crore. He also stated that loans linked to current Members of Parliament and their associated entities amounted to Tk 11,117.31 crore. The information was presented on Monday during a parliamentary question-and-answer session chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, in response to a question from NCP lawmaker Abul Hasnat (Hasnat Abdullah).

In his reply, the finance minister presented a list of the top 20 loan defaulting institutions. The list included companies such as S. Alam Super Edible Oil Ltd., S. Alam Vegetable Oil Ltd., S. Alam Refined Sugar Industries Ltd., Sonali Traders, Bangladesh Export Import Company Ltd., Global Trading Corporation Ltd., Keya Cosmetics Ltd., Deshbandhu Sugar Mills Ltd., Pacific Bangladesh Telecom Ltd., and Beximco Communications Ltd., among others.

According to the minister, Tk 3,330.08 crore of the total defaulted loans were not shown as defaults following court directives.

Fishermen near Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf caught 101 maunds of hilsa fish in a single haul on Sunday afternoon. The catch was brought to the island’s jetty, where local traders purchased the fish for about Tk 3.3 million. The fish, weighing between 500 grams and over one kilogram each, were caught by the trawler ‘FB Dwip,’ owned by Abul Kalam of Jaliapara. The trawler, led by skipper Nurul Islam, had gone to sea on Friday morning with 15 fishermen and made the large catch early Sunday.

Local fish trader Faruk bought the entire catch, according to the fishermen. Abdul Gani, president of the Shah Porir Dwip Small Fish Traders Association, said hilsa had been scarce in recent months, causing financial strain for fishermen. The large sale is expected to help recover earlier losses, and the fish are being sent to Dhaka and other districts.

The Teknaf Upazila Fisheries Office stated that government-imposed fishing bans during breeding seasons have contributed to increased hilsa production and size.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostakur Rahman has assured business leaders that the Export Development Fund (EDF) will be increased to 5 billion dollars. The commitment came during a meeting at the central bank on Monday with representatives of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), including its Secretary General Md. Alamgir. He told reporters that the EDF, formed from foreign currency reserves to support exporters, had previously stood at 7 billion dollars but had fallen to about 2.2 billion dollars. Business leaders urged that the fund be raised to 5 billion dollars, and the governor responded positively, promising a gradual increase.

During the meeting, FBCCI representatives also emphasized the need to keep interest rates stable and eventually bring them down to single digits to boost investment and competitiveness in the industrial sector. They called for increased private sector credit flow by reducing government borrowing pressure and ensuring financing for productive sectors. BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem added that the EDF reduction had been influenced by IMF conditions and proposed raising it further to 8 billion dollars in the future.

The business community also requested extending the loan default period from three to six months, preventing cross-defaults among related firms, and lengthening loan rescheduling terms from five to ten years. FBCCI further recommended introducing low-interest green financing to promote solar and renewable energy investments.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will observe ‘Jatka Conservation Week 2026’ from April 7 to 13, aiming to increase Hilsa production and ensure sustainable conservation. Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced the program at a press conference in Dhaka, stating that catching juvenile Hilsa (jatka) will be completely prohibited in rivers and the sea during this period. The inaugural event will be held on April 7 in Chandpur Sadar.

The minister said the government’s main goal is to enhance Hilsa production by enforcing seasonal fishing bans, establishing sanctuaries, and implementing the Fisheries Conservation Act effectively. He noted that these measures have helped raise Hilsa output to 500,000 metric tons in the 2024–25 fiscal year. However, challenges such as river siltation, climate change, and pollution continue to threaten this progress.

This year’s theme, “If we stop catching jatka, rivers and seas will be full of Hilsa,” will guide activities across 20 Hilsa-rich districts, with central and local programs planned to promote awareness and compliance.

The article highlights ninth-century scholar Al-Kindi as the originator of systematic code-breaking technology. His work laid the foundation for cryptanalysis, the process of decoding encrypted messages to reveal their original content. Al-Kindi’s treatise, titled 'A Manuscript on Deciphering Cryptographic Messages,' introduced a method later known as frequency analysis, which remains a fundamental approach in deciphering classical ciphers.

The text explains that encryption, the conversion of information into cipher text using algorithms and secret keys, has long been used to secure communication, especially in warfare. During the Second World War, code-breaking played a decisive role when Allied cryptanalysts deciphered German Enigma messages. However, the conceptual groundwork for such breakthroughs traces back to Al-Kindi’s early insights.

Al-Kindi developed his method through a deep study of Arabic script and the statistical frequency of letters. His discovery marked the beginning of a long evolution in cryptography, later advanced during the European Renaissance. Frequency analysis continues to serve as a basic analytical tool for understanding and breaking simple substitution ciphers.

The government of Bangladesh has announced a 58-day ban on all types of fishing in the Bay of Bengal and adjacent areas, effective from April 15 to June 11, 2026. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid made the announcement at a press conference held at the Secretariat on Monday, during the launch of ‘Jatka Conservation Week 2026’.

The minister said the conservation week, themed ‘Stop catching jatka, fill rivers and seas with hilsa,’ will be observed from April 7 to 13 across 20 hilsa-rich districts. During this period, authorities will monitor activities from the sea to local markets to prevent illegal jatka catching, trading, and storage. Additionally, a 22-day ban on jatka catching, transport, and sale will remain in place until June 30 to protect breeding fish.

Rashid also noted that no decision has yet been made regarding hilsa exports to India during the Bengali month of Baishakh, and that the matter will be decided by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Grameen Bank organized a colorful ceremony in Dhaka’s Mirpur to honor its founder and Nobel laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, marking the bank’s 50th founding anniversary and the 20th anniversary of his Nobel Prize. The event, held at the bank’s headquarters on Sunday, brought together former and current officials, employees, and associates in a festive atmosphere. Dr. Yunus was warmly received by the bank’s chairman, board members, managing director, and senior management team before addressing a town hall session as the chief guest.

In his speech, Dr. Yunus recalled the early struggles of Grameen Bank and the origins of the microcredit concept during the 1974 famine. He described how small loans to poor women in Jobra village helped them become self-reliant and empowered within their families and communities. This was his first visit to the headquarters since stepping down as managing director in 2011.

During the visit, Dr. Yunus toured his former residence, the Grameen Cheque stall, and joined a photo session and lunch with staff, emphasizing the need to make the bank’s operations more dynamic and inclusive.

NASA’s Artemis-2 mission began its journey toward the Moon on April 1, 2026, from the Kennedy Space Center, marking humanity’s return to lunar travel after 53 years. The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carried the Orion spacecraft with four astronauts on board. The mission has entered its third day, with NASA confirming that the crew successfully completed the trans-lunar injection phase, sending them out of Earth’s orbit toward the Moon. The astronauts have tested life support, communication, and manual control systems and are reported to be in good health and spirits.

The crew includes Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover—the first Black astronaut on a lunar mission—Mission Specialist Christina Koch, the first woman to travel to the Moon, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, the first non-American in such a mission. The 10-day mission will not land on the Moon but will orbit about 7,400 kilometers above its surface before returning to Earth.

NASA expects Orion to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and splash down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026. The mission’s success will determine the feasibility of the Artemis-3 mission planned for 2027 or 2028.

Iran has reintroduced the concept of the 'oil weapon' by restricting oil tanker movement through the Hormuz Strait in response to continued US and Israeli airstrikes in the Gulf region. This move has triggered a global oil shortage and sharp price increases, with Brent crude trading above $100 per barrel and analysts warning prices could reach $140 if the conflict continues. On March 20, the Trump administration temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil for 30 days to stabilize prices, signaling limited policy options.

The article draws parallels between Iran’s current strategy and the 1973 Arab oil embargo, when Arab OPEC members halted exports to Israel-supporting nations, causing a fourfold price surge and forcing the US to alter its Middle East policy. Then, as now, energy restrictions achieved political leverage over Western powers.

Experts cited in the report note that despite larger petroleum reserves among OECD countries today, these would only cushion short-term disruptions. Iran’s actions have exposed the limits of US military power and underscored that oil remains a potent geopolitical tool even after five decades.

In Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh, allegations have surfaced that a government canal in Chhoto Baraihati village was illegally filled and part of the Gafargaon–Bormi regional road land excavated to build a fish farm. The action has raised fears of waterlogging during the monsoon and irrigation problems in the dry season for hundreds of farmers across several nearby villages.

The Baumra canal, also known locally as Shukline, runs through multiple unions before joining the Sutia River. Farmers depend on it for drainage and irrigation. Locals claim that Awami League activist Abul Kashem filled about 200 feet of the canal and dug a deep pond on occupied road land, creating risks for the adjacent road. Several residents, including retired army personnel and a freedom fighter, accused him of land grabbing and warned of potential road collapse.

Kashem denied the allegations, stating he only developed his own land. The local agriculture officer said an investigation would be conducted, while the upazila executive officer confirmed that filling a government canal is illegal and directed the assistant commissioner (land) to take action.

A month-long closure of the Strait of Hormuz has raised fears of a global energy crisis worse than the 1970s oil shock. Former Maersk director Lars Jensen told the BBC that the U.S.-Israel war with Iran could trigger economic disruption far greater than that of the 1970s. International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol echoed this concern, calling it the biggest global energy security threat in history. The blockade has severely disrupted oil and gas shipments from Gulf countries, which supply about one-fifth of the world’s oil.

Analysts note that the 1970s crisis stemmed from a deliberate oil embargo by Arab producers during the Yom Kippur War, causing prices to quadruple and triggering global recession and inflation. In contrast, experts say today’s market is more diversified and resilient, though developing nations remain highly vulnerable.

Consultants warn that even if the strait reopens soon, supply shortages and high energy costs could persist for six to twelve months, with stability depending on the de-escalation of the ongoing conflict.

The Bangladesh government is facing severe fiscal pressure as revenue collection in the first eight months of the 2025–26 fiscal year fell short by over Tk 710 billion, while foreign loan disbursements remained far below expectations. To cover expenses, the government borrowed Tk 1.05 trillion from domestic sources, mostly from the banking sector. Rising global oil prices have increased import costs, forcing the government to provide large fuel subsidies, including Tk 160.45 billion for diesel and octane between March and June.

Exports have declined for eight consecutive months, with earnings down 4.85 percent in the first nine months of the fiscal year. Despite record remittance inflows of USD 3.75 billion in March, economists warn that the Middle East conflict could disrupt this key source of foreign exchange. Former World Bank economist Dr. Zahid Hossain noted that balancing income and expenditure has become difficult and warned that further borrowing or money printing could fuel inflation.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury acknowledged three major challenges—weak inherited economy, election pledges, and rising oil prices—while emphasizing investment and resource efficiency over money printing. Economic advisers stressed the need to rely on revenue mobilization and reduce subsidies to maintain stability.

Bangladesh has begun experiencing widespread power outages even before the onset of summer due to a severe fuel shortage and rising electricity demand. On Sunday, the national grid supplied 12,894 megawatts against a demand of 13,530 megawatts, resulting in 607 megawatts of load shedding across the country. Officials from the Power Division and related agencies said that fuel shortages have limited electricity generation capacity, with oil-based power production dropping by nearly half within a day.

According to official data, gas-based plants are producing between 4,500 and 5,000 megawatts, while coal-based plants contribute about 4,000 megawatts. Imports from India’s Adani, Bheramara, and Tripura plants average 1,800 megawatts. The Power Development Board (PDB) owes around Tk 46,000 crore to power producers, including Tk 14,000 crore to private oil-based plants. The PDB has requested Tk 20,000 crore in emergency funds to maintain supply during the summer and irrigation season.

The government has also adjusted its energy-saving measures, allowing shops and malls to remain open until 7 p.m. instead of 6 p.m., following appeals from business owners.

Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi expatriates in the United Arab Emirates are facing severe hardship as regional conflict and economic stagnation disrupt their livelihoods. The report describes widespread fear of drone and missile attacks, coupled with a sharp decline in income as schools and tourism sectors have stalled. Taxi drivers have seen earnings fall by about 70 percent, while many cleaners and construction workers have lost their jobs. Rising food and housing costs have pushed many into crisis, and several expatriates have been detained for unknowingly sharing war-related videos online.

Information technology specialist Mohammad Minhaj Uddin and Dubai-based worker Mohammad Zahed Ullah told the newspaper that many Bangladeshis are living in uncertainty and fear, with some killed or injured in recent attacks. They said diplomatic support from Bangladesh remains limited, while supply chain disruptions through the Hormuz Strait have driven up prices of essentials and fuel. Companies are cutting costs and delaying salaries, forcing many workers to consider returning home.

According to official data, the UAE hosts 1–1.2 million Bangladeshi workers, contributing 15–18 percent of Bangladesh’s total remittance. Prolonged instability could significantly affect the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that the Dhaka-Chattogram highway will be expanded to 10 lanes, with a feasibility study currently in progress. He made the statement on Sunday, April 5, in response to a question from Comilla-6 Member of Parliament Monirul Haque Chowdhury during a session of the National Parliament presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister said that steps will be taken to improve the highway and ease traffic congestion in the Paduabazar area. A design has already been prepared to expand the existing overpass, and the government expects to complete the work quickly. The feasibility study also includes plans for three new underpasses, along with two additional underpasses under the current intersection design, bringing the total to five underpasses in the region.

Sheikh Robiul Alam added that the government is coordinating efforts to revise and continue the previous administration’s project where possible. Officials from the Roads and Highways Department have already inspected the site, and visible progress is expected soon.