The United States Secretary of Energy has stated that the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz will gradually decline as Middle Eastern nations, particularly Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and others, significantly expand their pipeline capacities. In an interview with CNBC, the secretary said that future energy transport from the Gulf region will have alternative routes, reducing dependence on the narrow maritime passage that currently handles a large share of global oil and gas shipments.

The US official emphasized that while the Strait’s importance may lessen, the energy production and supply roles of Gulf countries will remain vital. He praised the contributions of Middle Eastern nations, describing them as key allies of the United States and major partners in the global energy supply system.

The secretary also expressed optimism that peace, prosperity, and economic growth would return to the region, underscoring the continuing strategic partnership between the United States and Gulf energy producers.

Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that Bangladesh’s leather industry is being developed into a billion-dollar export sector. Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the National Science and Technology Week and Science Fair in Sylhet on Friday, he said the government has identified weaknesses in the sector and initiated measures to address them.

The minister acknowledged concerns about the low prices of raw hides and said that frustration over unfair pricing has led to various criticisms. He noted that the current government is only two and a half months old, making it difficult to solve structural problems in such a short time. However, multiple meetings have been held with stakeholders to begin resolving the sector’s challenges.

Muktadir described leather as a valuable national resource and emphasized that wasting it would mean losing blessings. He said the government is pursuing long-term plans to transform the leather industry into a major contributor to the national economy.

The United States and Bangladesh signed a trade agreement on 9 February 2026 that reduced tariffs on Bangladeshi goods from 37% to 19% and promised zero duty for ready-made garments made with US cotton. However, subsequent US court rulings invalidated the legal basis for the original tariffs, creating uncertainty over the deal’s foundation. The agreement, signed just three days before Bangladesh’s national election, has drawn criticism for its unequal obligations and controversial clauses.

The 32-page deal contains 131 binding obligations for Bangladesh compared to only six for the US. Key contentious provisions include mandatory alignment with US sanctions, acceptance of genetically modified agricultural imports without local review, and a commitment to purchase Boeing aircraft. The deal also restricts Bangladesh’s ability to join regional trade blocs such as RCEP and obliges it to support a permanent WTO moratorium on digital customs duties. Some clauses, such as labor law reforms and environmental standards, align with Bangladesh’s own policy goals.

Following the US Supreme Court’s ruling and Malaysia’s similar experience, the BNP-led government now has legal and diplomatic grounds to seek renegotiation, focusing on sovereignty, GMO regulation, and trade diversification.

Global financial markets reacted negatively after the recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping failed to produce any concrete agreements. The discussions included vague talks on agricultural purchases and limited commitments from China on oil imports. Although there were hints about easing restrictions on microchip sales to China, no major trade deal was reached. Trump also confirmed that tariff issues were not discussed, and no firm decision was made on reopening the strategic Hormuz Strait.

Investor uncertainty increased following the inconclusive talks. On Friday morning, Dow Jones futures dropped more than 300 points, or about 0.6 percent, while S&P 500 futures fell 1 percent and Nasdaq futures declined 1.4 percent. Continued uncertainty around the Hormuz Strait pushed Brent crude oil prices up nearly 3 percent to above $108 per barrel.

Analysts said the lack of clear outcomes weakened investor confidence and heightened inflation concerns, prompting greater caution in global markets.

After a long period of price stability, the Indian government has increased fuel prices nationwide. On Friday, authorities announced a hike of three rupees per liter for petrol and diesel, and two rupees per kilogram for CNG. The decision follows growing pressure on foreign exchange reserves, rising global crude oil prices, and a weakening rupee. In Delhi, petrol now costs 97.77 rupees per liter and diesel 90.67 rupees, while prices in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai have also risen accordingly.

India had avoided fuel price hikes since April 2022, even cutting prices by two rupees per liter before the March 2024 general elections. However, surging crude oil import costs—rising from about 69 dollars per barrel in February to over 113 dollars in recent months—have strained the economy. As the world’s third-largest oil importer, India spent about 174 billion dollars on crude oil imports in the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Economists warn that India’s current foreign exchange reserve of around 690 billion dollars may be insufficient to handle global uncertainty. Former RBI Deputy Governor Michael Debabrata Patra suggested reserves should reach at least one trillion dollars to ensure economic stability.

Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher Suman announced that all educational institutions in Bangladesh will receive duty-free electric buses in the upcoming national budget. He said this initiative fulfills a commitment made by the Prime Minister. The minister made the announcement on Friday while addressing the annual literary and cultural competition award ceremony at Comilla Victoria Government College.

During his speech, Suman stated that a new project is being undertaken for the century-old Victoria College. He mentioned that the college’s Zia Auditorium name had been removed in the past, recalling that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had donated a bus to the college in 1993. He pledged to arrange one or two more buses for the college, either through government support or his family’s AKM Abu Taher Foundation.

The minister also highlighted several development initiatives in Comilla, including the passage of a development authority law and progress toward establishing Comilla WASA. He expressed optimism that the current Prime Minister would continue the region’s development and eventually declare Comilla a division.

Bangladesh and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance strategic cooperation in the energy sector. The agreement was signed on Thursday at the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright representing their respective countries. The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington confirmed the signing in a press release.

According to the embassy, the MoU aims to bolster Bangladesh’s long-term energy security amid global challenges stemming from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. It will support diversification of energy sources based on affordability and supply chain sustainability, opening new areas of collaboration between the two nations.

The agreement will facilitate capacity building, knowledge sharing, and research in oil, gas, geothermal, and bioenergy. It will also help Bangladesh import LNG, LPG, and other energy products from the United States at competitive prices. Both ministers described the MoU as a milestone and a historic advancement in Bangladesh-U.S. relations.

Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu has called on BRAC to take an active role in restoring the lost glory of Rajshahi’s traditional silk industry. Speaking at the launch of BRAC’s 2025 annual report in Rajshahi on Friday, he said the once-thriving silk sector is now nearly extinct, and BRAC’s organizational capacity and experience could help revive it. The minister expressed hope that BRAC would take responsibility for reintroducing Rajshahi silk to the global market.

He added that Prime Minister Tarek Rahman values BRAC’s work and expects its continued collaboration with the government in health and employment initiatives. Local MP Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon proposed establishing an agro-based export processing zone and specialized cold storage in the Barind region to boost employment and modernize agriculture. BRAC’s senior director K.A.M. Morshed emphasized that BRAC prioritizes Bangladesh and works independently to meet people’s needs.

According to BRAC, in 2025 it supported over 20,000 ultra-poor families in Rajshahi Division, with significant progress in poverty reduction, health services, and women’s empowerment.

Iran is increasingly relying on new land trade routes through Pakistan to maintain supply lines amid a U.S. naval blockade that has disrupted maritime commerce. Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce recently issued policy SRO 691, designating six transit corridors linking Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar ports to Iran’s Gabd and Taftan border crossings. The initiative revives a long-dormant project and provides both nations with a long-awaited relief as thousands of Iran-bound containers remain stranded at Karachi port.

The corridors are based on a 2008 bilateral road transport agreement between Iran and Pakistan that had remained inactive for years. Experts cited in the report said the routes could reduce Iran’s dependence on risky sea lanes and help sustain limited regional trade despite sanctions and tensions. Test shipments, including frozen meat bound for Uzbekistan, have already used these routes, showing potential for broader regional connectivity.

Analysts noted that while the corridors may not fundamentally transform Iran’s economy, they could ease pressure from sanctions and maritime restrictions by enabling overland cargo movement from Pakistan to Iran and onward to Central Asia.

Several filling stations in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur have turned into temporary paddy drying grounds as customer traffic has sharply declined. Once busy with motorcycles, cars, and trucks, these fuel stations now host farmers spreading freshly harvested Boro paddy across paved forecourts. Farmers said they chose the stations because of the lack of open and paved spaces in villages, and the areas’ exposure to sunlight allows faster drying.

Station owners confirmed that customer numbers have dropped even after the fuel supply crisis eased. They cited higher costs, a slowdown in the transport sector, and the use of alternative fuels as reasons for reduced sales. With large open spaces lying unused, some owners have allowed farmers to dry and thresh paddy temporarily.

Local observers have warned that since petrol pumps store flammable materials, drying and threshing activities must be conducted with extreme caution. They urged both station authorities and local administration to ensure safety and prevent fire or electrical hazards.

As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, cattle farmers across Bangladesh are working intensively to prepare their livestock for the sacrificial market. In districts such as Netrakona, Jamalpur, and Bogura, farmers have invested heavily—some through bank loans and others from personal savings—to raise cattle using natural and local methods. Many farms are now in their final stages of preparation, with families and workers providing extra care, feeding, and health monitoring to ensure the animals are ready for sale.

Farmers report that the cost of cattle feed, medicine, and maintenance has risen sharply, increasing production expenses. In border areas like Bakshiganj, concerns persist about the illegal entry of Indian cattle, which could depress local prices. Livestock officials have instructed farmers to avoid harmful substances and use natural fattening methods, assuring that animals are being prepared safely. Despite higher costs, farmers remain hopeful for fair prices and potential profits if market conditions remain stable.

Officials in Bogura’s Dhunot upazila confirmed that local supply exceeds demand, indicating no shortage of sacrificial animals this year.

The Bangladesh Madrasa General Teachers Association (BMGTA) has demanded that 20 percent of the upcoming national budget be allocated to the education sector. The demand was made at a press conference held at the National Press Club on Friday morning, where the association’s founder president Md. Harun-or-Rashid presented a written statement. The group also called for full festival allowances for MPO-listed teachers and the nationalization of all education systems, including madrasas.

According to the statement, the education sector received Tk 95,644 crore in the 2025–26 fiscal year, representing 12.1 percent of the total national budget, only Tk 934 crore higher than the previous year. The association noted that international standards recommend allocating 15–20 percent of the national budget or 4–6 percent of GDP to education, but Bangladesh’s allocation remains below both benchmarks. The statement added that this shortfall negatively affects marginalized communities.

The association further demanded the implementation of the ninth pay scale, government-standard medical and housing allowances, promotion opportunities for teachers, and the inclusion of independent ibtedayi madrasas under the MPO scheme.

Farmers across Cumilla are struggling to harvest ripe Boro paddy due to an acute shortage of laborers. Despite offering double the usual wages, they are unable to find workers, leaving large areas of golden paddy unharvested and at risk of damage. The crisis has spread across Chandina, Debidwar, Muradnagar, Sadar Dakshin, Brahmanpara, Burichang, Barura, and Laksam upazilas.

Farmers report that daily wages have surged from Tk 700–800 to as high as two maunds of paddy per day, yet labor remains scarce. Many rural workers have shifted to urban jobs in brick kilns, construction, garment factories, or battery-run rickshaw driving, which offer higher income with less effort. The sudden ripening of paddy across the district has further intensified demand. Heavy rainfall last week damaged around 3,000 hectares of paddy, with 36 hectares severely affected, causing losses estimated at Tk 8–9 million.

Officials said the government is purchasing paddy at Tk 36 per kilogram, but small farmers complain of complex procedures at government warehouses, forcing them to sell at lower local market prices. Agricultural experts warn that without fair pricing and mechanization support, many farmers may abandon paddy cultivation in the future.

China has expressed interest in purchasing oil from the United States, leading to a rise of more than one percent in global oil prices. The increase followed a statement from US President Donald Trump. Market data showed that the international benchmark Brent crude rose by 1.17 dollars, or 1.11 percent, reaching 106.89 dollars per barrel. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by 1.10 dollars, or 1.09 percent, to 102.27 dollars per barrel.

In addition to Trump’s statement, ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have also influenced the oil market. Although reports indicated that at least 30 ships passed through the strait last Thursday, concerns about potential detentions or attacks remain. This instability has prompted investors to anticipate further price increases.

Analysts suggest that the combination of geopolitical uncertainty and renewed trade interest between China and the United States is shaping short-term market expectations.

The United States Justice Department is preparing to withdraw all fraud charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, according to reports citing individuals familiar with the case. The decision follows Adani’s appointment of a new legal team led by Robert J. Giuffra Jr., one of former President Donald Trump’s personal attorneys. The team presented its case at a meeting in Washington, arguing that prosecutors lacked sufficient evidence and jurisdiction to pursue the matter.

During the same meeting, Giuffra proposed that if prosecutors dropped the charges, Adani would invest 10 billion dollars in the US economy and create 15,000 jobs, though officials later clarified that this offer would not influence the criminal case. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has already settled its civil dispute with Adani, imposing an 18 million dollar fine, of which Adani will pay six million. The Treasury Department is reportedly preparing a separate 275 million dollar penalty related to sanctions violations.

If finalized, the resolution would mark a major victory for the Adani Group, which has faced business obstacles due to the case since 2024.