Less than half of the companies in Bangladesh use computers, according to a World Bank's survey that revealed the country's weak position in digital adoption for business compared to peer economies and neighbouring nations. According to the Digital Progress and Trends Report 2023, only 46 percent of the firms in Bangladesh used computers between 2019 and 2022 while 50 percent had access to the internet.

Almost 100 percent of the firms in Brazil, Chile, Georgia, India, Korea, Poland, and Vietnam had a computer for business purposes and internet connection during this period. In contrast, only half of the firms in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia had computers. The report said in addition to low internet speeds, firms in some low-and-middle-income countries also suffer frequent disruptions in internet service. It mentioned Bangladesh is a country where internet services are often disrupted, leading to loss of competitiveness.

Investors were apparently dismayed with a recent circuit breaker recalibration by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), which was exemplified by the stocks continuing on a downward spiral to a three-year low on Thursday (Apr. 25). The DSEX, the benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), plunged 60 points, or 1 percent to 5,518. The index has fallen on all but one of the last nine days.

The BSEC issued an order on Wednesday, saying that stocks of listed companies would not be allowed to fall more than 3 percent based on the previous day's closing price. Earlier it was 10 percent. However, the upper limit, meaning the extent to which the price of a stock can rise, has been kept unchanged at 10 percent. The DSES, the index that represents Shariah-based companies, declined 12 points, or 1 percent, to 1,217. Similarly, the DS30, which comprises blue-chip stocks of a group of 30 renowned companies, decreased 10 points, or 0.51 percent, to 1,974.

A 20-year-old Bangladeshi youth was gunned down allegedly by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in bordering Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat early Friday, according to Border Guards Bangladesh. The deceased was identified as Abul Kalam Daku, son of Apir Uddin of Dangapara area under Sreerampur union of the upazila. According to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police, a group of people including the youth went to Indian border to bring cattle around 11pm on Thursday.

Sensing the presence of the suspected cattle smugglers, the BSF members fired, targeting them from the border, leaving Kalam critically injured, they said. Later, his collaborators rushed him to Patgram Upazila Health Complex where physicians declared him dead upon arrival. Nurul Amin, In-Charge of the BGB-61 Jhalangi Camp, said they held a commander-level meeting with the BSF in this regard in the morning. Patgram police station's Officer-in-Charge Abu Sayeed confirmed that matter saying that the body was sent to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

The duration of the prevailing "heat alert" or heatwave warning issued by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has been extended by three more days for the third time. The special heatwave warning, signed by meteorologist Md Shaheenul Islam, was issued for the next 72 hours from 9:00 am Thursday morning (Apr. 25) as the severe heatwave has been raging in various parts of the country. Earlier, BMD extended the heatwave alert for three days for the second time on 22 April. The educational institutions were supposed to open on 21 April after the 26-day vacation. But, they were announced closed due to the heatwave. Now according to the new announcement, schools and colleges are supposed to reopen on 28 April.

The meteorological department in its weather bulletin said rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with hail at isolated places.