The U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran that began on February 28 has raised concerns about the stability of the petrodollar system, which has underpinned global oil trade since a 1974 U.S.-Gulf agreement. Analysts warn that Iran’s decision to impose yuan-based tariffs on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz could weaken the dollar’s role as the world’s primary energy currency. Deutsche Bank strategists noted that the conflict is testing the long-standing “oil-for-security” arrangement that has supported U.S. financial power for five decades.

Iran now controls access to the Hormuz Strait, through which 20 percent of global oil and gas normally pass. Tehran has restricted U.S. and Israeli-linked vessels while allowing limited passage to tankers paying in Chinese yuan. CNBC reported that Iran exported about 11.7 million barrels of crude to China since the conflict began. Meanwhile, China has increased its crude reserves to 1.2 billion barrels, enough for three to four months of demand.

Experts suggest the war could accelerate a shift toward a “petro-yuan” system, especially as global reserves diversify away from the dollar. Deutsche Bank’s Mallika Sachdeva described the conflict as marking the beginning of this transition.

Ferry and vessel movement on the Daulatdia-Paturia river route resumed around 7:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, after being suspended for about one and a half hours due to dense morning fog. The suspension began at approximately 5:45 a.m. when visibility on the Padma River dropped sharply, obscuring channel markers and navigation lights and creating safety risks. Authorities halted all types of river transport, including ferries, to prevent possible accidents.

During the suspension, passenger buses, cargo trucks, private cars, and motorcycles were stranded at both Daulatdia and Paturia terminals, causing temporary inconvenience for travelers and drivers. Once the fog cleared and visibility improved, ferry operations gradually returned to normal.

According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Daulatdia office, the temporary halt was a precautionary measure to avoid potential river accidents. Currently, twelve ferries of various sizes are operating regularly on this key river route.

Four astronauts from NASA’s Artemis-2 lunar mission safely returned to Earth, landing in the Pacific Ocean near the coast of California on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 6:07 a.m. local time. The Orion spacecraft, carrying U.S. astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, completed its re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere before splashdown. U.S. Navy ships and divers participated in the recovery operation to secure the spacecraft and bring the crew aboard a naval vessel for medical checks.

The 10-day mission began on April 1, marking a major milestone in NASA’s renewed lunar exploration program. During the mission, the crew traveled as far as 252,757 miles from Earth while orbiting the far side of the Moon, surpassing the distance record set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970. After initial health assessments, the astronauts will return to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The successful completion of Artemis-2 reinforces NASA’s progress toward future lunar and deep-space missions under the Artemis program.

A fragile ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel has been announced, but experts caution that oil and gas prices will take months to return to previous levels. During the conflict, Iran restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20 percent of global oil and gas exports, causing prices to surge. Attacks on energy infrastructure in several Gulf countries also pushed up helium prices and disrupted fertilizer production, worsening inflation and shortages, particularly in developing nations across Asia and Africa.

Tufts University professor Rockford Wizd said no one knows when conditions will normalize, emphasizing that stability depends on safe and regular shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Before the conflict, 120 to 140 ships crossed daily, but only five and seven ships passed on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Reports suggested Iran was charging tankers fees, prompting former U.S. President Donald Trump to call for an end to such charges. The IMF’s Kristalina Georgieva warned that global growth forecasts will be lowered next week, even if the ceasefire holds.

Iraq could resume production of 3.5 million barrels per day, which may help reduce prices, but uncertainty over the ceasefire and past attacks keeps its output outlook unclear.

A persistent fuel shortage in Bangladesh’s Rangpur Division has intensified over the past six weeks, severely affecting daily life and work. Despite an average daily demand of 1 million liters of diesel, only 900,000 liters are being supplied. Supplies of petrol and octane have also dropped sharply, forcing many residents to stop using their motorcycles. Government-imposed time restrictions on fuel sales—from noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays—have further complicated access.

Local workers, teachers, and service employees report losing several hours each day waiting in long queues at filling stations. Many fuel pumps have closed due to insufficient supply, while others operate intermittently. Pump managers say depot deliveries are irregular and inadequate to meet demand. The Rangpur Petrol Pump Owners Association warns that without quick improvement in supply, owners could face heavy financial losses.

Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam acknowledged shortages in petrol and octane but said diesel supply remains stable. He expressed hope that the crisis would be resolved soon and urged the public to use fuel responsibly.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported a sharp rise in temperatures across the country as rainfall decreased significantly. In the past 24 hours, Dhaka’s temperature climbed by 5.6 degrees Celsius, reaching 31.6°C, while the highest temperature was recorded in Jashore at 34.8°C. Only 16 of 51 weather stations recorded rainfall, with the highest at 31 millimeters in Dimla, Nilphamari. The department forecast that most parts of the country will remain dry over the next two days, except for isolated areas in Rangpur and Sylhet.

Officials said a new heatwave could begin on Saturday and persist for several days, with daytime and nighttime temperatures expected to rise further over the next five days. Earlier forecasts indicated one to three heatwaves could occur this month. Meteorologists explained that mild heatwaves occur between 36°C and 37.9°C, moderate between 38°C and 39.9°C, and severe above 40°C.

Although heatwaves are expected, experts noted that intermittent rainfall may prevent conditions from reaching the extreme levels seen in 2023 and 2024.

ACI Europe has warned that Europe could face a severe jet fuel shortage within three weeks if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. In a letter to the European Commission’s energy and tourism commissioners, the organization said its members are increasingly concerned about fuel availability. The warning highlights the potential disruption to airport operations and air connectivity, which could significantly affect European economies and communities.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s key energy routes, supplying nearly half of Europe’s jet fuel imports. ACI Europe’s director general said that without a stable resumption of fuel supply through the strait, a structural fuel crisis in the European Union would be inevitable. In anticipation of shortages, several airlines have already reduced flights and raised passenger fares.

Jet fuel prices in Europe have surged to a record high of $1,838 per ton, up from $831 before the conflict began, underscoring the growing pressure on the aviation sector.

Bangladesh has launched a pilot version of a mobile app-based 'Fuel Pass' system to bring discipline and transparency to fuel distribution. The initiative, developed under the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, began on April 10, 2026, at two filling stations in Dhaka—Trust Filling Station in Tejgaon and Sonar Bangla Fuel Station in Asadgate. Initially, the service is open to motorcycle users, allowing them to collect fuel by scanning a unique QR code.

According to the Energy Division, each registered user will receive a QR code linked to their vehicle information. Fuel station operators will record allocations digitally, while drivers can view their fuel quota and transaction history. The system enables real-time monitoring of national fuel supply. Users without smartphones can register at fuelpass.gov.bd and use a printed QR code. The system is integrated with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority’s central database.

Officials believe the new system will simplify vehicle data verification and enhance transparency in fuel distribution. If the pilot succeeds, the program will gradually expand to all vehicle types nationwide.

City Bank PLC achieved the highest profit in its history in 2025, reporting a consolidated net profit of Tk 1,324 crore, up 31% from Tk 1,014 crore the previous year. The bank’s standalone profit was Tk 1,306 crore, with its four subsidiaries contributing an additional Tk 18 crore. This growth was driven by strong income expansion, disciplined cost management, and prudent risk control.

Interest income from loans rose 24% to Tk 5,452 crore, while the non-performing loan ratio improved to 2.5% from 3.7%. Despite inflationary pressure, the bank maintained deposit costs at 5.5%, supported by strategic investments in government securities, which contributed 26% of total operating income. Total operating income reached Tk 4,888 crore, with expenses at Tk 2,160 crore, keeping the cost-to-income ratio at 44%.

Managing Director and CEO Mashrur Arefin expressed satisfaction with the results but noted that higher provisioning expenses of Tk 815 crore prevented profit from reaching Tk 1,500 crore. He highlighted strong performance across all core banking segments, particularly retail and card businesses, which grew 33% year-on-year.

Four astronauts from NASA’s Artemis-2 mission have begun their return to Earth after completing a historic lunar flyby. On April 7, the crew described their sense of awe while observing the Moon’s surface from the Orion capsule. They captured images of craters, ridges, and rare cosmic views including Earthrise, a solar eclipse, and the Orientale Impact Basin—some never before seen by humans.

During the mission, the astronauts were out of contact with Earth for about 40 minutes while passing the Moon’s far side. Christina Koch, NASA’s first woman to orbit the Moon, called the close-up view of the lunar terrain an unbelievable experience. Victor Glover said it felt as if he were walking among the Moon’s rugged mountains. The crew reached 252,756 miles from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 record, and spoke with President Donald Trump during the mission.

NASA reported that the team transmitted 20 gigabytes of data in 45 minutes using optical communication. The Orion capsule is now heading toward Earth and is expected to splash down near San Diego on April 10. The main challenge ahead is re-entry, when exterior temperatures may reach 1,600°C.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru stated that rebuilding public trust has become a major challenge for the new BNP-led government. He made the remarks on Friday, April 10, during a statement under Rule 300 in the National Parliament, which began its session earlier that morning under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. Khasru said the government assumed office at a time when nearly all economic indicators are under pressure.

In his address, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury acknowledged that the economic challenges are deep and multidimensional but expressed hope that good governance, reforms, and public participation could help overcome the situation. He criticized the previous government for corruption and mismanagement, claiming that mega projects failed to deliver expected benefits and led to large-scale capital flight. He argued that the economy had lost its industrial momentum, resulting in reduced employment and productivity.

The minister also emphasized the current government’s commitment to building a developed, dignified, and equitable state, outlining its guiding philosophy and policy direction to the nation.

Farmers in the haor areas of Kishoreganj, including Austagram, Itna, and Mithamain, are facing uncertainty over harvesting and transporting Boro rice due to a severe fuel shortage. The crisis, reported on April 10, 2026, stems from rising diesel prices influenced by international instability. Farmers fear that without timely fuel supply, harvesting and storage will be severely disrupted, increasing production costs and threatening the local agricultural economy.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, 67,230 hectares of land in the three upazilas have been cultivated with local, Ufshi, and hybrid rice varieties. About 70 percent of the harvest depends on combine harvesters, requiring an estimated 1.65 million liters of diesel. However, local traders report inadequate supply, forcing them to buy diesel at 8 to 10 taka above the official price. Farmers have urged the government to ensure adequate and affordable fuel distribution in the haor areas.

Officials said they have already informed higher authorities about the reduced fuel supply this year and requested measures to stabilize prices and maintain normal supply during the ongoing harvest season.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected Bangladesh’s economic growth at 4 percent for the 2025–26 fiscal year, according to its Asian Development Outlook released on Friday. The report noted that after 3.5 percent growth in 2024–25, GDP is expected to rise to 4.7 percent in the following year as consumption and investment recover amid reduced political uncertainty after the general election. The impact of Middle East conflicts on supply chains is expected to gradually ease.

ADB Country Director Ho Yun Jeong said Bangladesh faces a difficult economic situation influenced by global uncertainty, structural constraints, and external and financial pressures. He added that the new government’s reform program offers an opportunity to strengthen macroeconomic stability, restore private sector confidence, and support recovery through consistent policy and reforms.

The report also projected inflation near 9 percent this fiscal year, easing to 8.5 percent next year as external pressures decline. The current account deficit is expected at 0.5 percent of GDP, rising slightly to 0.6 percent due to higher imports and trade gaps, while remittance inflows remain stable.

At least five vessels carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh by April 15, according to the Chattogram Port Authority and related shipping agents. The shipments include LNG for the Maheshkhali floating terminal and LPG for Chattogram. On April 10, the vessel ‘Morning Jelly’ from Malaysia is expected to reach Chattogram with 2,470 tons of LPG, while the US vessel ‘EMEI’ carrying about 69,000 tons of LNG will arrive at the Maheshkhali floating storage and regasification unit. Another LNG ship, ‘Kongtong,’ will follow on April 11, ‘Paul’ will bring LPG from Malaysia on April 13, and ‘Maran Gas Hydra’ from Australia is expected on April 15.

Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim said all five ships are currently en route and are being prioritized for berthing to maintain normal fuel supply. Earlier, two tankers carrying octane and high-sulfur fuel oil from Malaysia arrived at the port. According to Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL), nine LNG vessels are expected this month, with two already unloading. In March, Bangladesh imported about 600,000 tons of LNG from eight ships, easing supply pressure.

The continued arrival of LNG and LPG shipments is expected to stabilize the country’s energy supply in the coming weeks.

Mongla Port, Bangladesh’s second-largest seaport, maintained steady import and export operations despite global economic and energy challenges. According to port authorities, 10.5 million metric tonnes of goods were traded through 679 ships in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. The port’s performance improved due to modern facilities, dredging, and efficient management.

Officials said that while many ports faced slowdowns due to the global energy crisis, Mongla sustained normal operations by leveraging its strategic location and upgraded infrastructure. Imports of essential goods such as clinker, fertilizer, coal, stone, wheat, rice, and frozen products continued, alongside increased use of the port for ready-made garment exports. The opening of the Padma Bridge has also boosted business interest by improving connectivity with Dhaka and nearby industrial zones.

Authorities noted that larger vessels can now dock directly at the jetty following dredging works, and container handling time has decreased with expanded yards and new equipment. Business leaders said Mongla has become a reliable alternative to Chattogram Port, particularly for vehicle imports and faster delivery systems.