Import and export activities at the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh resumed in full swing from 10 a.m. on Thursday. The operations had been suspended for two days due to the announcement of results from the Indian state assembly elections. According to Md. Jahangir Alam, general secretary of the Banglabandha Land Port Importers and Exporters C&F Association, several previously halted goods-laden trucks have now entered the port after receiving clearance from India’s Fulbari customs station.

Alam added that the formation of a new committee at the Fulbari customs station in India may take about a week, which could delay the full restoration of regular trade activities. The resumption marks a return to cross-border trade flow between Bangladesh and India through this key northern land port.

The gradual normalization of operations is expected to ease the backlog of goods and support regional trade once the administrative processes at the Indian customs station are fully completed.

In Kishoreganj’s Austagram upazila, relentless rainfall, upstream floods, and adverse weather have destroyed vast stretches of boro paddy fields, leaving local farmers in despair. Many, including smallholder farmers from Habelipara and Daspara, have seen their crops submerged or spoiled, turning their hopes of a good harvest into financial ruin. Farmer Md. Malek, who cultivated 20 acres on high-interest loans, managed to harvest only a fraction of his crop, with the rest lost under water. The poor quality of the salvaged paddy has further reduced its market value.

Another farmer, Md. Rezaul Islam Rezu, reported similar losses, while on May 2, 2026, farmer Md. Akhtar Hossain of Alinagar village reportedly died of cardiac arrest amid mounting debt and crop failure. Thousands of farmers across Austagram now face the dual burden of natural calamity and loan repayment pressure from moneylenders and NGOs.

The report warns that without urgent government or private assistance, recovering from these losses will be nearly impossible for affected farmers.

The government of Bangladesh has announced a plan to upgrade Bogura Airfield into an international-standard airport to strengthen air connectivity between the northern and northwestern regions and the capital. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam revealed the plan during a visit to the airfield and surrounding areas on Thursday, accompanied by State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for LGRD Mir Shahe Alam, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan.

Minister Khanam said the northern region holds significant potential in agriculture, industry, and tourism, and that modern infrastructure is essential for sustainable development. She noted that establishing an international airport would accelerate economic activity, attract investment, expand tourism, and create new employment opportunities.

Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan expressed optimism that the project would enhance both national economic growth and the region’s military and strategic capacity. He added that the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh will take necessary steps to begin commercial flights soon, with full cooperation from the Air Force.

Mohammad Shahjahan, Member of Parliament for Noakhali-4 (Sadar-Subarnachar), announced efforts to protect local residents from river erosion and natural disasters. Speaking on Wednesday at the inauguration of protective work along the Meghna River in Char Clark Union and Katakhali Ghat, he said temporary measures using geo-bags are being implemented in high-risk areas to prevent major losses during the upcoming monsoon. He added that permanent solutions, including block systems, will be introduced later to control the river and safeguard nearby communities.

The event was chaired by district Water Development Board executive engineer S M Refat Jamil and attended by several local political leaders. Due to intensified erosion in recent months, most of Katakhali Ghat has already been washed away. In response to local demands, emergency protection work covering about 350 feet of riverbank has been launched using geo-bags and geo-tubes.

Shahjahan stated that larger projects will be undertaken in the future to strengthen riverbank protection in surrounding areas.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, announced that the government will provide policy support to accelerate the country’s solar energy sector. Speaking at the inauguration of the Power, Energy and Infrastructure Expo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center on Thursday, he said Bangladesh remains behind regional peers like India and Pakistan in renewable energy use. Under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, a committee has been formed to finalize a policy framework aimed at driving rapid growth in solar and wind power.

The minister explained that the policy will simplify imports of solar equipment such as inverters, frames, and photovoltaic panels, while emphasizing battery storage systems to meet evening peak demand. He added that the government plans to reduce tax burdens on entrepreneurs and finalize the policy within the month, with cabinet approval expected by June. Bangladesh aims to generate 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy within five years.

Tuku also outlined plans to use rooftops in Dhaka and other cities for solar power generation through private investment, using net metering to benefit both entrepreneurs and building owners.

Jahangirnagar University’s branch of the student organization Chhatra Dal has launched a live bus tracking system to make student transportation easier, safer, and more efficient. The system was inaugurated on Thursday near the Murad Chattar area by Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan. Initially introduced as a pilot project on two university buses, the technology will later be expanded to all buses. Through the app, students can view the real-time location of buses on their mobile phones.

The system also provides notifications about bus arrival times at specific stops and alerts in case of delays. Student leaders said the initiative fulfills a long-standing demand from students for live bus tracking. They emphasized that the project aims to improve time management and ensure a more comfortable and secure commuting experience for students.

Vice-Chancellor Ahsan praised the initiative as a timely, technology-driven effort to reduce transportation difficulties and commended the student group for taking a student-oriented approach.

Electricity and Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku stated that no final decision has been made regarding an increase in electricity prices. He announced that solar power will be made more accessible to create alternative energy sources. The minister made these remarks on Thursday while inaugurating the 'Power, Energy and Infrastructure Expo' at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.

Mahmud noted that Bangladesh remains far behind in renewable energy compared to neighboring countries such as India and Pakistan, which have expanded solar and wind power to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the government to prioritize solar and wind energy development.

Meanwhile, the government is considering raising electricity prices following a recent fuel price hike. The Power Division has given policy approval to the proposal, and the Power Development Board has suggested a 17 to 21 percent increase at the wholesale level. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission has formed a technical committee to review the proposal.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre reported that water levels in seven rivers across three districts in Bangladesh’s northeastern haor basin were flowing above the pre-monsoon danger level as of Thursday morning, May 7, 2026. The affected rivers include those in Netrokona, Sunamganj, and Habiganj districts, with eight monitoring stations recording elevated levels. Moderate to heavy rainfall was observed in the past 24 hours, including 65 millimeters in Durgapur, 45 millimeters in Jariajhanjail, and 62 millimeters in Brahmanbaria.

According to the agency, the Nalojur River in Sunamganj rose by 2 centimeters to flow 51 centimeters above the danger level, while several rivers in Netrokona, including the Dhalai-Baulai, Someshwari, Bhogai-Kangsha, and Mogra, showed varying changes in water height. In Habiganj, the Kalni and Sutang rivers also rose slightly. However, water levels in Sunamganj’s haor region were reported to be slowly receding at a rate of up to 1 centimeter per hour.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department forecast scattered rainfall over the next five days, with no heavy downpour expected, though rainfall activity may increase afterward.

Bangladesh is expecting record mango production and exports in the 2025–26 season, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). The country currently exports mangoes to 38 destinations, with Malaysia showing new interest after China joined last year. Officials said no harmful chemicals are used in export-quality mangoes, and no shipments have been rejected abroad. The DAE has set a production target of 2.795 million tons from 207,247 hectares and an export goal of 279,000 tons.

Officials noted that commercial mango farming remains profitable due to low pest risks and stable transport conditions. Fourteen districts are engaged in large-scale cultivation of varieties such as Gopalbhog, Himsagar, Langra, and Amrapali. The export season will run from May 12 to August 14, slightly extended due to weather. However, growers face challenges including a shortage of fruit-protective bags and rising air freight costs, which may affect small and medium exporters.

If export volumes decline, local supply could increase, potentially influencing prices. Farmers remain cautiously optimistic that a stable domestic market will offset export-related risks.

South Korea has extended its temporary ban on stockpiling petroleum products for another two months, the country’s Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol announced. The decision comes as global energy supply concerns persist due to instability in the Middle East. The measure, initially imposed in March to prevent unfair trading, was set to expire next week but will now remain in effect for two additional months.

According to the state news agency Yonhap, the government introduced the restriction earlier this year to curb speculative hoarding of fuel products. The extension aims to stabilize the domestic energy market and ensure fair distribution amid fears of supply disruptions caused by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Officials described the move as a precautionary step to mitigate potential risks to South Korea’s energy security while monitoring global developments closely.

The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday its decision to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), ending nearly six decades of membership. Analysts view the move as driven by both economic and political motives. The UAE has long sought freedom from OPEC’s production quotas to fully utilize its oil capacity. The decision comes amid regional instability following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran and growing tensions with Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s leading member.

The UAE’s departure is expected to weaken OPEC’s control over global oil supply and pricing. While Saudi Arabia depends heavily on high oil prices to balance its budget, the UAE has invested heavily in expanding production and can tolerate lower prices. The move also reflects Abu Dhabi’s closer alignment with Israel and the United States, contrasting with Riyadh’s more cautious diplomatic stance. The timing coincided with a Gulf summit in Jeddah, where the UAE president was notably absent.

Analysts suggest the split could reshape regional alliances, forcing countries like Egypt and Jordan to navigate between Saudi and Emirati blocs. The rift may also influence broader Arab and Islamic cooperation frameworks, signaling a new phase of rivalry in the Gulf.

A tall boundary wall is being built inside the reserved forest area of Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar, reportedly under a UNDP project funded by the World Bank. The wall, estimated to be about 10 feet high and roughly 1,000 feet in circumference, is being constructed near the 26 No. Shalbagan Rohingya camp in the Muchhni Beat area. Officials involved said the project aims to improve waste management for the camp, but local residents and forest officials fear it will severely harm the forest ecosystem and wildlife movement.

According to the Forest Department, the Teknaf range is home to around 286 species of wildlife, including monkeys, foxes, bears, elephants, and reptiles. Researchers and local forest guards warned that the new structure could further endanger biodiversity already under pressure from human settlement and deforestation. The divisional forest officer confirmed he was unaware of the project’s approval and cautioned that such construction could cause serious ecological damage.

Environmental experts stressed that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should have been conducted before any construction in the protected forest to prevent long-term harm to wildlife and natural habitats.

China’s National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) has advised major banks not to issue new loans to five oil refineries recently added to the US sanctions list for alleged involvement with Iranian oil. The directive, reported by Bloomberg News, also instructs banks to review their business dealings with these refineries but not to recall existing loans immediately.

Among the sanctioned companies is Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery, one of China’s largest private refineries. The report suggests that Beijing’s cautious stance aims to shield its state-owned banks from potential secondary sanctions imposed by the United States. This move contrasts with a notice issued by China’s Ministry of Commerce on May 2, which had instructed companies to disregard US sanctions.

Al Jazeera noted that it could not independently verify the Bloomberg report. The situation highlights a possible policy divergence within China’s financial and trade authorities regarding compliance with US sanctions.

Global crude oil prices increased following reports of a potential peace agreement between Iran and the United States. Early Thursday trading saw US crude futures rise by nearly one dollar per barrel. According to Reuters, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed 80 cents to reach 95.88 dollars per barrel, after hitting an intraday high of 96.33 dollars on Wednesday.

Market analysts attributed the upward trend to optimism surrounding the possible preliminary peace deal between the two countries. However, Verisk Maplecroft’s head of energy and resources, Kaho Yu, cautioned that oil prices and shipping routes are unlikely to normalize until threats of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz are fully removed.

Yu added that despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the energy market has not yet returned to pre-crisis conditions. Discussions between China and Iran may help ease tensions, but the market remains focused on whether the Strait of Hormuz will reopen. The coming months’ oil supply and tanker movement will indicate whether lasting stability returns to the Middle East.

Japan’s stock market responded positively on Thursday to reports of a possible diplomatic agreement between the United States and Iran. Following the news, the Nikkei 225 index rose more than 4 percent shortly after trading began, reaching 61,937.78 points at 9:31 a.m. local time (GMT 00:31).

Alongside the geopolitical developments, investors were closely monitoring movements in the Japanese yen. Market speculation suggested that the Japanese government might intervene in the currency market to prevent further depreciation of the yen.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, indicates that optimism over potential diplomatic progress between Washington and Tehran has temporarily boosted investor confidence in Japan’s equity market.