Residents of northern Bangladesh remain frustrated as the long-promised Teesta River Master Plan continues to face delays despite repeated political commitments. The river, vital to the livelihoods of millions across eight northern districts, has suffered from erosion, water scarcity, and seasonal flooding due to India’s upstream control and dam operations. Although successive governments pledged to implement the Teesta project, none have delivered tangible progress, leaving local communities disillusioned.

The previous interim government initiated renewed discussions with China to implement a 12,000-crore-taka, ten-year project, with partial funding expected from Chinese loans. However, bureaucratic hurdles and slow loan disbursement have stalled progress. Local residents, losing faith in official assurances, launched the “Jago Bahe Teesta Bachai” movement demanding immediate action. The movement later gained political traction under the current government, which again promised implementation.

As monsoon season approaches, fears of flooding intensify due to rising water pressure at India’s Gajoldoba Barrage. While Bangladesh’s Water Development Board reports no immediate flood risk, residents remain anxious, hoping the long-delayed project will finally begin to secure their livelihoods.

Global oil prices rose by up to 3 percent on Friday following renewed tensions between the United States and Iran in the Hormuz Strait. Brent crude futures increased by 3 percent during trading but settled 1.23 percent higher at $101.29 per barrel by the end of the day. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures rose by 0.64 percent to $95.42 per barrel.

Market analysts cited by Reuters said that despite ongoing uncertainty, there was strong belief in the possibility of an agreement between Washington and Tehran to prevent further conflict. John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital, noted that the market was at a crossroads, either approaching a major diplomatic breakthrough or renewed confrontation.

According to the report, market sentiment suggests that a preliminary understanding could soon be reached, with a 30-day window expected for the two nations to finalize a comprehensive accord.

Global food prices have reached their highest level in three years, driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and rising crude oil prices, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The FAO reported that its food price index in April increased by 2 percent compared to the same month last year, marking the steepest rise since 2023.

The organization attributed the surge to higher crude oil prices, which have boosted demand for seed oils in the biofuel industry. At the same time, concerns over reduced seed oil production in Southeast Asia have further pushed prices upward. The FAO also noted that the cost of wheat rose by 0.8 percent due to increased fertilizer prices linked to the war.

The FAO warned that persistently high fertilizer costs could lead farmers to shift toward crops requiring less fertilizer, potentially reducing wheat supply and driving prices even higher in the future.

An oil spill has been detected off the coast of Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal. According to the Associated Press, satellite images taken early last week showed the slick before new US strikes on Iranian ships and coastal targets on Thursday and Friday. The spill was first identified on Tuesday near the island’s shoreline.

Marine intelligence firm Windward AI reported that by Friday, the oil slick had spread across approximately 71 square kilometers (27.4 square miles). The US Department of Defense has declined to comment on any recent attacks in the area, and the exact source of the spill remains undetermined.

The incident raises environmental and geopolitical concerns, as Kharg Island is central to Iran’s oil export operations, but no official explanation or response has yet been provided regarding the cause or potential impact of the spill.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a 24-hour hotline service to assist Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in 11 languages, according to Gulf News. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that pilgrims can now call 1966 at any time to obtain information, request assistance, or lodge service-related complaints. The initiative aims to ensure that pilgrims receive timely and accurate support during their pilgrimage.

The ministry stated that trained staff will manage calls and complaints through an integrated system supported by advanced call management technology. This setup is designed to provide quick and precise responses to inquiries. Qualified personnel will regularly monitor inquiries and coordinate with relevant agencies to resolve issues efficiently.

The unified contact center operates on a modern technology-based infrastructure that enhances performance, allocates calls according to staff expertise, and ensures effective communication with pilgrims. The ministry emphasized that the system will improve service quality and operational efficiency for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that the recent increase in fuel prices in Bangladesh is very small compared to other countries. Speaking in Sylhet on Friday, he said the impact on commodity prices would be a one-time spike and would not lead to persistent inflation. He warned that if anyone raises prices unjustifiably, the government will take action.

The minister explained that inefficiency in port management has raised transportation costs and that a Danish official has been assigned to improve port capacity. He also commented on a trade agreement with the United States, noting that while some clauses favor one side, others benefit the other, creating a win-win situation. If any clause is found to be against national interests during implementation, there is scope for revision within the agreement.

Muktadir further said the government plans to hand over loss-making state-owned enterprises to private investors to reduce inefficiency and create employment. He also discussed plans to develop a natural park in Sylhet’s Baishthila area with facilities like a cable car and rope bridge to attract tourists.

Saudi Arabia recorded a budget deficit of 125.7 billion riyals (about 33.5 billion dollars) in the first quarter of 2026, marking its largest shortfall since 2018. The deficit nearly doubled compared with the same period last year, according to data from the Saudi Ministry of Finance cited by Bloomberg. The shortfall was attributed to the economic impact of the Hormuz Strait closure and accelerated government spending.

The ministry reported that to mitigate supply risks from the Hormuz disruption, the government advanced infrastructure and food import expenditures. It also invested heavily in expanding Red Sea coastal ports and increased spending on transport and logistics projects to strengthen alternative trade routes.

Analysts noted that amid regional tensions and uncertainty in energy transport, Saudi Arabia prioritized economic security through early preparedness, though this approach has immediately strained the national budget.

Several days of continuous rainfall in Rampal upazila of Bagerhat have caused harvested paddy left in the fields to sprout prematurely. Farmers are facing severe losses as the unseasonal rain has soaked the crops, making it difficult to dry and store them properly. Many are worried they will not recover their production costs, with some unable to bring their harvest home before it began to germinate.

Local farmers explained that the rain began suddenly at the end of the harvesting season, leaving them no time to collect their crops. In many areas, cut paddy remains submerged under water, and seedlings are emerging from the ears. Some farmers are attempting to dry the wet paddy beside roads, but threshing remains impossible until it fully dries. Labor shortages have further delayed harvesting, worsening the damage.

Rampal’s agriculture officer, Md. Insad Ibne Amin, advised farmers to collect and store their paddy in dry places and said that a list of affected farmers is being prepared for possible assistance. Farmers have urged the government to ensure emergency financial support to overcome the crisis.

France’s Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced on Friday that despite concerns over a potential jet fuel shortage caused by the Iran war, there is no expectation of major flight cancellations during the upcoming summer season. He said airlines have little interest in canceling flights during this peak revenue period, though some carriers have slightly reduced their schedules. Transavia France confirmed that only 2 percent of its flights in May and June have been canceled.

In response to the possible fuel supply challenges, the French government is implementing special measures to support airlines. These include extending deadlines for social security contributions and tax payments, as well as allowing greater flexibility in fuel loading operations.

Industry observers have warned that Europe could face a jet fuel shortage in the coming weeks, as the region imports about 75 percent of its aviation fuel from the Middle East. European authorities are working urgently to find solutions to prevent major travel disruptions during the summer holiday period.

UAE-based offshore marine support company Gulf Marine Services (GMS) reported a 24 percent decline in profit for the first quarter of the year, following the withdrawal of four vessels from a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country. The company said the move was a precautionary measure amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. According to Reuters, GMS’s core profit for the three months ending March 31 fell to 19.5 million dollars, compared with 25.6 million dollars during the same period last year.

The company stated that operations in the unnamed GCC country were halted in March, resulting in no revenue from those vessels during that month. GMS did not disclose the country’s name for security reasons. The company added that crew members returned to all vessels in early April, about a month after the Strait of Hormuz was closed following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran in February. Customers resumed operations on two vessels shortly afterward.

Despite the temporary losses, GMS maintained its full-year profit target for 2026, signaling confidence in recovery as operations gradually resume.

Residents of Panchagarh’s border area Tetulia have revived their decades-old demand to reopen the Shalbahan oil field, which was abruptly shut down nearly 37 years ago. The field, discovered in 1987 and inaugurated in 1988 by then-President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, had shown promising signs of oil reserves. A French company was assigned to drill up to 8,000 feet, but operations ceased within eight months without explanation, leaving the site abandoned and the reasons undisclosed.

Local citizens and organizations are now urging the government to investigate the mystery and restart exploration, arguing that the field could significantly contribute to Bangladesh’s energy sector. The district administration has confirmed that a letter has been sent to the relevant ministry for evaluation. Activists and community leaders believe reopening the field could transform the region’s economy and reduce national fuel shortages.

The site, once bustling with foreign experts and heavy machinery, now hosts residential homes, though the cement-sealed wellhead remains as a relic. Visitors continue to arrive, drawn by curiosity about the long-silent oil field.

Indonesia’s Mount Dukono volcano in North Maluku province erupted on Friday morning at 7:41 a.m. local time, killing three people, including two foreign nationals and one local resident. Authorities reported that at least 20 climbers remain trapped on the mountain, prompting an ongoing rescue operation. Five others were injured in the eruption, and the victims include two Singaporean citizens, according to local officials.

Police Chief Erlichson Pasaribu confirmed the fatalities, while local rescue agency head Iwan Ramdhani told Reuters that efforts are continuing to locate and evacuate the trapped climbers. Among those stranded are nine Singaporeans and several Indonesian nationals. The eruption sent volcanic ash up to 10 kilometers into the sky, leading authorities to issue the third-highest alert level for the volcano.

Rescue teams are working under challenging conditions as ash clouds and unstable terrain complicate access to the affected area, according to officials cited by BBC and Reuters.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, authorities have decided to set up a total of 28 cattle markets in Dhaka, including the permanent one at Gabtoli. Of these, 16 markets will be under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and 12 under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Both city administrations have emphasized strict measures to ensure transparency in the leasing process and to keep it free from political influence.

DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan stated that the leasing process is conducted openly through tenders, allowing all interested parties to participate. He added that ten of the northern city’s markets have already been leased, while the remaining five are expected to be finalized by next Monday. DSCC Administrator Md. Abdus Salam said their 12 temporary markets were also leased through open tenders, asserting that no political pressure was involved.

The DSCC further instructed that no market may operate before the designated time and that boundaries have been clearly marked, warning that any violation will result in action.

Advance ticket sales for long-distance bus travel have begun across Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha festival. Following a pre-set decision by the Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association, ticket sales started on Friday morning through both online platforms and physical counters. Tickets are being sold for journeys scheduled between May 21 and the days leading up to Eid.

According to Shyamoli NR Travels General Manager Jiban Chakraborty, all of their tickets went on sale Friday morning, with strong demand for trips on the nights of May 24, throughout May 25, and the morning of May 26. He noted that most tickets for these dates were sold out by 10 a.m., as the government holiday begins on May 25.

The Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association stated that no operator is allowed to charge fares above the rates set by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). The same fares will apply online, and every counter must display the BRTA-approved fare chart.

Farmers in Bangladesh’s haor region are struggling to preserve their Boro paddy harvest after sudden rainfall and water inflow from India left fields submerged. The harvested paddy remains too wet to store or sell, as continuous rain and lack of sunlight prevent drying. A shortage of drying machines has worsened the situation, leaving much of the crop unsellable. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has deployed drying machines and labor support, but these measures remain insufficient.

The government has begun paddy procurement at Tk 1,440 per maund, but most farmers cannot meet the 14 percent moisture requirement, forcing them to sell at distress prices of Tk 400–600 per maund in open markets. Middlemen are reportedly exploiting the situation by buying cheaply and reselling at higher prices. Agricultural economist Dr. Jahangir Alam suggested that the government could buy wet paddy and dry it elsewhere to stabilize the market.

Preliminary assessments show extensive crop losses across Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Netrokona, and Mymensingh, affecting tens of thousands of farmers. Officials say damage surveys and relief measures are underway, but uncertainty remains over how quickly affected farmers can recover.