A 158.20-carat rare yellow diamond has been discovered at the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The find, made in March 2025 and announced by Rio Tinto on April 1, 2026, originated from one of the world’s most remote mining sites, located on a small island in Lac de Gras about 200 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. The mine operates off the national power grid and is accessible only by ice road in winter or floatplane in summer.

According to Rio Tinto, the diamond formed around two billion years ago deep within the Earth. Its yellow hue results from nitrogen atoms in its structure, making it exceptionally rare and valuable. Yellow diamonds account for less than one percent of Diavik’s total production, and this is only the fifth yellow diamond from the mine weighing over 100 carats.

The Diavik mine officially ceased operations in March 2026, making this discovery one of its final major finds. The diamond’s market value has not yet been disclosed, and cutting and sale processes have not begun.

Panchagarh district recorded 53 millimeters of rainfall in the past 24 hours, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds that began overnight and continued as light rain until noon. The weather disrupted normal daily activities across several areas of the district.

In Atwari upazila, a tea worker named Sohrawardi was killed by lightning while working in a tea garden, and two other workers were injured. According to Jitendranath Roy, acting officer of the Tentulia Weather Office, the rainfall was caused by monsoon activity that brought dense cloud cover over the region.

The weather office indicated that the current rain belt may persist until the first day of the next month, with the possibility of heavier rainfall across the district.

Mongla Port in Bagerhat has achieved record progress in container handling following the launch of new anchorage facilities. According to port authorities, from July 2025 to April 15, 2026, the port handled 25,250 TEUs of containers through 39 foreign container vessels, surpassing the 21,456 TEUs handled in the previous fiscal year. The import of reconditioned vehicles also remained strong, with 9,160 cars imported on 22 ships during the same period.

Cargo handling reached 10.818 million metric tons, and the port is expected to meet its annual target of 15 million metric tons within the current fiscal year. On February 16, 2026, three new operational anchorage berths were inaugurated at Hiron Point, allowing vessels up to 200 meters long and with a 9-meter draft to anchor and operate efficiently. Successful trial operations have already been completed with 39 commercial ships.

Port officials expect the total number of vessels docking this fiscal year to rise to between 860 and 870, compared to 830 last year, reflecting the growing capacity and efficiency of Mongla Port.

A sudden nor'wester storm and heavy rain on April 26, 2026, forced authorities to suspend all ferry, launch, and speedboat operations on the Shibaloy–Kazirhat and Paturia–Daulatdia river routes in Manikganj. The suspension began around 4 p.m. when the storm struck, prompting officials to anchor vessels for safety. Several ferries, including Enayetpuri, Bhasha Shohid Barkat, and Birshreshtha Matiur Rahman, were moored at Paturia Ghat, while others such as Shah Paran and Cumilla were anchored at Daulatdia Ghat.

According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), multiple ferries and launches were also secured at Aricha and Kazirhat points. BIWTC Deputy General Manager Mohammad Abdus Salam confirmed that all ferry services on the affected routes were halted from 4 p.m. due to the storm. Launch owner Wasim Akram stated that launch operations were also suspended, and Speedboat Committee President Satyen Kanta Pandit Bhajan reported that about 60 speedboats were stopped for safety.

As of 5:25 p.m., all types of river transport on the mentioned routes remained suspended pending weather improvement.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam informed the Bangladesh Parliament that a feasibility study is ongoing for the construction of a second Jamuna Bridge. He said the existing four-lane Jamuna Bridge often faces traffic congestion, making an alternative bridge over the river necessary. The Bangladesh Bridge Authority’s master plan recommends implementing the second Jamuna Bridge by 2033. The minister made the remarks on Sunday in response to a question from ruling party lawmaker Mostafizur Rahman Babul, during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that three possible alignments are being assessed: one between Sariakandi in Bogura and Madarganj in Jamalpur, another from Balasi Ghat in Gaibandha to Dewanganj in Jamalpur, and a third along another suitable corridor. In response to other parliamentary questions, he also noted that project costs for the Padma Bridge, Karnaphuli Tunnel, and Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway had been revised multiple times, with corruption investigations ongoing at the Anti-Corruption Commission.

The minister further mentioned that under the ADB’s Master Plan 2040, 496.5 kilometers of highways will be upgraded to six lanes and 102 kilometers to eight lanes by 2040.

The 10th meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for the current fiscal year was held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the Secretariat in Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman. This was the second ECNEC meeting under the current BNP government.

According to the Planning Ministry, a total of 17 projects were placed for consideration at the meeting, with an estimated implementation cost of around Tk 7,000 crore. Among these, four projects belong to the Socio-Economic Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission, two to the Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Division, and eleven to the Physical Infrastructure Division. Additionally, 33 projects previously approved by the Planning Minister were presented for ECNEC’s information.

Earlier, on April 6, the first ECNEC meeting of the current government approved five projects worth Tk 483.43 crore.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved 14 development projects worth Tk 13,445.41 crore at a meeting held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman. Of the total cost, Tk 8,089.56 crore will come from government funds, Tk 5,340.26 crore from project loans, and Tk 15.59 crore from the implementing agencies’ own resources. The approved projects include five new, five revised, and four time-extension projects.

Among the approved projects are initiatives under the ministries of Health, Finance, Fisheries and Livestock, Local Government, and Road Transport and Bridges. Notable projects include the expansion of urban healthcare access, customs modernization, disease control programs, and several major road and bridge developments. A committee led by the Cabinet Secretary was formed to investigate repeated time extensions for three road projects.

The meeting also reviewed 33 previously approved small-scale projects costing less than Tk 50 crore. Ministers from various portfolios and senior government officials attended the session.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli in Dhaka on Sunday to discuss strengthening bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Switzerland. The meeting took place at the minister’s office in the Secretariat and was described as productive.

During the discussion, both sides noted the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries and Bangladesh’s duty-free access to the Swiss market under the GSP scheme. The minister highlighted that Swiss products are well-regarded in Bangladesh for their quality and that competitive pricing could attract more middle-class consumers. He encouraged Swiss investment in service-oriented sectors and potential industries such as pharmaceuticals, leather goods, light engineering, and shipbuilding. Muktadir also mentioned Bangladesh’s request to delay its LDC graduation process by three years and sought Switzerland’s support.

Ambassador Renggli acknowledged the existing trade imbalance and expressed Switzerland’s interest in expanding trade and investment in Bangladesh. The meeting was also attended by the acting Commerce Secretary Md. Abdur Rahim Khan.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed all government agencies to ensure cost efficiency and rational spending in project adoption and implementation. He emphasized that every project must align with the government’s electoral commitments and broader development plans. The directive came during a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) held at the Secretariat on Sunday, which he chaired.

After the meeting, State Minister for Finance and Planning Md. Junaid Abdur Rahim Saki told reporters that 17 projects were presented, of which 15 were discussed in detail and most received conditional approval. Among them, six were new and seven were revised projects, while others remain under review. Some projects required cost increases and time extensions, prompting further scrutiny.

Saki added that the government is reassessing the progress, costs, and timelines of ongoing projects while evaluating the necessity and effectiveness of new proposals. He also noted that delays in implementation are being investigated, with efforts underway to balance project review and development progress.

Bata Group’s Global CEO Panos Mytaros paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during his first visit to Bangladesh. He was accompanied by Bata Bangladesh Managing Director Faria Yasmin. The meeting included constructive discussions on future plans and collaboration between the government and the company.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister praised Bata’s long-standing contribution to Bangladesh’s economy and industrial sector, encouraging the company to expand its export potential. He assured continued government support and close monitoring of the company’s future operations. Mytaros highlighted Bangladesh’s growing economic prospects, the development of the footwear industry, and Bata’s role in it, reaffirming the company’s commitment to local capacity building and industrial growth.

Social initiatives such as the ‘Bata Children’s Program’ were also discussed, emphasizing the company’s responsible and inclusive approach to creating positive social impact. Bata Bangladesh expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his time, cooperation, and encouragement.

Pakistan has successfully launched a high-performance remote sensing imaging satellite named PRSC-EO3 from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, the launch took place on Saturday night using a Long March-6 rocket at 8:15 p.m. local time. The satellite entered its designated orbit successfully, marking the 640th mission of China’s Long March rocket series.

Pakistan’s space agency SUPARCO stated that the satellite was developed with indigenous technology and represents a major advancement in the country’s space capabilities. The electro-optical satellite will be used for natural resource monitoring, disaster management, and environmental change analysis. It features multi-angle imaging, advanced energy storage, and AI-based data analysis systems for faster and more accurate information processing.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the satellite will enhance national remote sensing capacity and support socio-economic development. President Asif Ali Zardari called the launch a historic achievement and praised China’s cooperation, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated SUPARCO scientists for strengthening national capability.

Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), stated that the U.S.-Israel invasion of Iran has permanently changed the global fossil fuel industry. In an interview published by The Guardian on Friday, he said the conflict has eroded global confidence in fossil fuels and reduced demand, prompting countries to shift toward safer energy sources such as renewables and nuclear power.

Birol explained that governments are now reassessing their energy strategies, with growing interest in renewable and nuclear energy and a stronger move toward electrified systems. He warned that the crisis has caused irreversible damage to the global energy market, describing it as a permanent turning point. He also urged caution in approving new fossil fuel exploration and production projects.

Commenting on the UK’s plan to explore North Sea resources, Birol said it would not significantly alter Britain’s energy security or global oil and gas prices. He added that renewable energy holds vast potential, though rising oil and gas prices could push developing nations toward cheaper coal, even as solar power becomes increasingly competitive.

A sharp rise in fuel prices has begun to affect agriculture, transport, and market systems across Bangladesh, particularly in Rajshahi. From farms to wholesale markets, costs are rising and profits shrinking, pushing up consumer prices and creating market instability. Traders report that truck rental rates have surged by several thousand taka per trip, while farmers dependent on diesel-powered irrigation pumps face sharply higher production costs.

At Naohata and Maugachi markets, traders said that increased transport expenses are forcing them to raise prices in urban markets, hurting both sellers and buyers. Transport operators report fuel shortages and long waits at pumps, making it impossible to operate at previous rates. Farmers are reducing irrigation due to higher diesel costs, which could lower crop yields. Small traders and transport workers are also struggling as their operating costs climb.

Analysts warn that if fuel prices and supply issues are not stabilized soon, the combined impact on agriculture, transport, and consumer markets could deepen inflationary pressures and strain the broader economy.

The BNP-led government of Bangladesh is facing a dual crisis over its loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Meeting the IMF’s conditions could trigger higher inflation, while failing to do so risks foreign reserve shortages, exchange rate instability, and loss of international confidence. The IMF withheld the sixth tranche of a $5.5 billion loan after Bangladesh failed to meet key reform conditions related to subsidies, banking, and revenue collection.

Economists describe the situation as difficult, noting that the economy remains fragile despite some recovery under the interim government. The IMF’s conditions include eliminating energy subsidies by 2027, reforming the banking sector, and raising the tax-to-GDP ratio. The National Board of Revenue has missed its targets, with a shortfall of about 980 billion taka in the first nine months of the fiscal year. The government recently raised fuel prices by 15–20 taka per liter, citing global oil price increases rather than IMF pressure.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said further discussions with the IMF are planned. Analysts warn that failure to meet IMF conditions could jeopardize future foreign loan access and worsen economic instability.

A recent increase in fuel prices has begun to disrupt Dhaka’s essential goods market, causing widespread price instability. Traders report that transportation costs have risen, leading to higher prices for vegetables, fish, eggs, edible oil, and other daily necessities. Consumers say prices have surged since last week’s fuel price adjustment, straining lower- and middle-income households. Business activity has slowed, with traders noting a sharp decline in daily sales.

Market visits to Karwan Bazar, Babubazar, Nayabazar, and Hatirpool revealed that most vegetables now sell above 70 taka per kilogram, except for potatoes and okra. Prices of poultry, particularly local and Sonali chickens, have increased sharply, while edible oil and packaged goods such as sugar, milk, and rice have also become costlier. Traders attribute the trend to higher transport fares and reduced product supply from companies.

Although some items like rice and meat remain stable, traders warn that the full impact of the fuel price hike may intensify in the coming days as transport and supply costs continue to rise.