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.

International oil prices rose sharply as shipping disruptions in the Hormuz Strait intensified. The benchmark Brent crude price exceeded $106 per barrel early Friday, reaching $106.80 by 1 a.m. GMT, about 5 percent higher than Wednesday’s closing price. The closure of the strait and vessel seizures by the United States and Iran have complicated the situation.

On Wednesday, oil prices had crossed the $100 mark for the first time in two weeks. The Hormuz Strait, a key global energy route, typically handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas shipments. The current halt in maritime traffic has raised concerns about supply stability and market volatility.

Meanwhile, U.S. stock markets declined overnight, with the S&P 500 index down 0.41 percent and the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite falling 0.89 percent, reflecting broader investor unease linked to the energy market turmoil.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a warning for Dhaka, forecasting a further rise in temperatures after several days of intense heat across the country. According to the department’s Friday morning update, the capital recorded 28.2 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m. with 85 percent humidity, causing severe discomfort. Thursday’s maximum temperature in Dhaka was 37 degrees Celsius, and meteorologists expect it to climb higher later in the day.

The six-hour forecast for Dhaka and surrounding areas indicates mainly dry weather with little chance of rain. Although skies may remain partly cloudy, the intensity of sunlight is unlikely to decrease. Mild to moderate heatwaves are sweeping across several regions, including Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Faridpur, Madaripur, Feni, Lakshmipur, Rangamati, Bandarban, Patuakhali, and the entire Khulna division.

Meanwhile, temporary thunderstorms with lightning and isolated hail may occur in parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions. River ports in these areas have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number one due to possible gusty winds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour.

Bangladesh is experiencing a widening electricity shortfall as rising demand during intense heat coincides with a fuel supply crisis. Despite official estimates of a 2,500-megawatt deficit, actual shortages have at times exceeded 4,000 megawatts. To maintain supply in Dhaka, rural areas are facing up to 10 hours of load-shedding daily. The shutdown of the 525-megawatt Barapukuria coal power plant and reduced imports from India’s Adani Power have further strained the national grid. The government has approved over 2,067 crore taka in payments to private power producers to stabilize supply.

Officials from the Power Division and related agencies said fuel shortages are preventing plants from meeting demand, with gas-based plants producing around 4,500 to 5,000 megawatts and oil-based output halved in one day. The Power Development Board (PDB) owes about 46,000 crore taka to power producers and has requested 20,000 crore urgently to sustain summer and irrigation season supply. Severe load-shedding has hit eight northern districts after Barapukuria’s two main units failed.

State Minister for Power Anindya Islam Amit announced that load-shedding will also occur in cities to reduce rural-urban disparities and ensure electricity for farmers’ irrigation needs.

Bangladesh has experienced a sharp increase in fuel prices, rising by 15 to 20 taka per liter, triggering market instability. Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman criticized the move as an additional blow to citizens, while Energy Minister Iqbal Mahmud Tuku defended it as a necessary step due to global oil price surges and wartime conditions. The article notes that the current crisis mirrors the 1973 oil embargo, with Iran’s closure of the Hormuz Strait now disrupting 20 percent of global supply.

The report highlights that Bangladesh has historically maintained fuel subsidies and adjusted prices multiple times since independence, with 40 recorded increases and three reductions. The International Energy Agency (IEA) and IMF data show that Bangladesh remains among the leading countries providing direct fuel subsidies. In response to the global shortage, IEA member states have agreed to release 400 million barrels from reserves, though experts deem it insufficient.

The author urges the government to form a unified national energy taskforce with opposition participation, warning that the current crisis is more about eroding public trust than fuel scarcity itself.

Bangladesh’s export earnings have fallen for eight consecutive months through March 2026, marking the longest and steepest decline in the country’s history. Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data show March exports dropped over 18 percent year-on-year to USD 3.48 billion, down from USD 4.25 billion a year earlier. Overall, exports in the first nine months of fiscal year 2025–26 fell 4.85 percent to USD 35.39 billion. The apparel sector, which contributes more than 80 percent of total exports, saw an 8‑month slump, with March earnings down 19.35 percent.

Analysts attribute the downturn to the Middle East conflict, rising fuel import costs, and global market disruptions. Bangladesh has also lost its position as the world’s second-largest apparel exporter to Vietnam. Exporters cite high raw material import dependence, energy shortages, and delayed shipments due to closed airspace and disrupted sea routes. Industry leaders warn that foreign buyers are shifting orders to India and Vietnam amid concerns over Bangladesh’s power stability.

Economists caution that unless Middle East tensions ease and transport routes normalize, Bangladesh’s export recovery will remain uncertain, threatening foreign currency reserves and overall economic stability.

New peace talks have begun amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran over control of the Hormuz Strait, a vital route for global oil and gas shipments. As part of a ten-point peace proposal, Iran has introduced a plan to charge up to two million dollars per vessel passing through the strait, claiming the funds will be used for reconstruction. Some ships have already been charged at least one dollar per barrel, resulting in about two million dollars per transit.

The initiative directly conflicts with international maritime law under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which prohibits imposing fees or restrictions on major waterways. Although neither Iran nor the United States has signed the convention, Washington has rejected Tehran’s claim of control. Analysts estimate that a one-dollar increase per barrel could add twenty million dollars in daily costs, raising expenses for shipping, insurance, and crew wages.

Experts warn that the plan could disrupt global energy supply and market stability. The International Energy Agency has described the situation as one of the largest energy crises in history, with potential long-term economic impacts if tensions persist.

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits increased last week, according to data released Thursday by the US Department of Labor. Initial jobless claims rose by 6,000 to reach 214,000, exceeding market expectations of 211,000. The previous week’s revised figure stood at 208,000. The four-week moving average also climbed slightly to 210,750 from the prior week’s revised 210,000.

Despite the uptick in claims, the broader labor market showed signs of resilience. In March, the United States added 178,000 new jobs, significantly higher than the expected 65,000. The unemployment rate also edged down from 4.4 percent in February to 4.3 percent in March, indicating continued strength in employment conditions.

The data suggest a mixed picture for the US labor market, with short-term fluctuations in jobless claims but sustained job creation and a modest decline in unemployment.

Registration has begun for parents of students admitted in 2026 to grade six in schools and madrasas, and to the first year of higher secondary and Alim courses for the 2025–26 academic year, to receive stipends from the Prime Minister’s Education Assistance Trust through the mobile financial service Nagad. The registration process will continue until May 7, 2026, through the official portal where guardians must log in and enter student and socioeconomic information accurately.

For stipend disbursement, the selected guardian’s National ID must be used to register the SIM and open a Nagad account, which will bear the name of the parent chosen as guardian. Nagad has previously distributed these stipends successfully. According to Nagad’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Md. Samsul Islam, the service has been effectively delivering various government allowances and stipends under social safety programs, earning public trust for its accessibility and low cash-out charges.

In the 2024–25 fiscal year, the government distributed social safety allowances worth 9,000 crore taka through Nagad, and the amount is expected to increase in the current fiscal year.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada is not yielding to pressure in its trade discussions with the United States, emphasizing that the talks are being conducted on an equal partnership basis. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney said that negotiations involve two sides and Canada is not merely following U.S. directives. He noted that Canada understands the U.S. position while identifying areas of mutual benefit.

Carney highlighted that Canada recognizes its own interests and seeks to strengthen joint interests with the United States. He also underlined his government’s ability to manage multiple issues simultaneously. Differentiating between manageable trade disputes and direct violations, Carney cited U.S. tariffs of 50 percent on steel and aluminum, 25 percent on automobiles, and duties on forest products as violations rather than ordinary trade issues.

He further noted that the United States is Canada’s largest trading partner, while Canada ranks as the second-largest for the U.S., underscoring the mutual dependence between the two economies.