Farmers in Sunamganj are facing severe hardship after heavy rains and waterlogging submerged vast areas of Boro paddy fields. The flooding has destroyed crops across about 20,000 hectares of haor land, leaving thousands of small and marginal farmers burdened with debt. Many had borrowed from NGOs, banks, or local lenders to cover costs for seeds, fertilizer, irrigation, and labor. With their harvests lost, they now struggle to repay loans and sustain their families.

Farmers report that even the limited paddy they managed to harvest has been damaged by continuous rain, as the grains could not dry properly and began to sprout. Many households are now left without food reserves, facing acute uncertainty. Livestock feed shortages have also become severe, worsening the crisis. The Department of Agricultural Extension in Sunamganj has begun preparing a list of affected farmers.

Officials said two government ministers have already inaugurated a three-month relief program for the victims, and all affected farmers will gradually be brought under assistance coverage.

Heavy rainfall has submerged ripe Boro paddy fields in low-lying areas, leaving farmers unable to harvest due to a severe shortage of laborers. In Madhupur of Tangail, around 13,000 hectares were cultivated this season, with at least 35 hectares flooded. Farmers are struggling to bring in their crops as labor costs have surged to Tk 1,000–1,200 per day, or Tk 7,000–10,000 per bigha, while paddy prices remain low at Tk 700–850 per maund.

In Naogaon’s Niamatpur, many fields remain unharvested because of the same labor shortage, raising fears of crop loss from storms and rising water levels. The local agriculture office reported that five hectares of paddy still await harvesting. Meanwhile, in Jamalpur’s Madarganj, despite good yields, farmers face mounting losses as labor costs exceed returns, with paddy selling for Tk 700–900 per maund while daily wages reach Tk 1,100–1,200.

Officials in Tangail and Jamalpur acknowledged the challenges, citing ongoing efforts to improve drainage and advising timely harvesting to minimize losses.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman announced that the government will review, rather than cancel, the existing trade agreement between Bangladesh and the United States. He made the statement on Tuesday at a press conference held at the Press Information Department in Dhaka, where he discussed progress in various government activities. Rahman said the agreement allows for termination with a 60-day notice but also provides an option for both countries to revise its terms through mutual discussion.

He explained that the government will first conduct an internal review to assess which provisions might be problematic or harmful to the state. Rahman noted that the agreement is strong and that cancellation could have implications for bilateral relations and tariff issues. He added that the government intends to explore opportunities to renegotiate certain clauses rather than withdraw entirely.

Rahman further clarified that different types of agreements exist, such as formal agreements and memorandums of understanding, and that legal obligations vary among them. He emphasized that the government will evaluate all past agreements to ensure none are detrimental to public interest.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that there will be no political interference in Bangladesh’s financial sector or related economic areas. Speaking as chief guest at the launch of the Bangladesh Startup Investment Company (BSIC) at Hotel Radisson Blu on Tuesday, he said the institution will operate as a fully professional entity without political appointments or influence. He added that BSIC’s initial capital will expand over time, serving as both an investment firm and a platform to strengthen the country’s startup ecosystem.

The minister said the initiative addresses two major challenges for young entrepreneurs—lack of funding and inability to provide collateral. Investment decisions will be transparent, efficient, and professional. He linked the project to the government’s manifesto goal of creating employment for ten million people by leveraging the demographic dividend, particularly through the creative economy to engage rural and urban youth.

He noted that the government is advancing capital market reforms and has appointed skilled advisors for investment and market development. Several domestic banks have joined to form this venture capital initiative, which aims to attract international venture capital firms and open new horizons for Bangladesh’s economy.

Pakistan is planning to increase its oil imports from Russia as tensions continue around the Strait of Hormuz, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS. The report cited Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, as the source of the information. However, there has been no immediate official comment from the Pakistani government regarding the plan.

In April of this year, Russia’s energy export revenue rose by 4 percent compared to the previous month, reaching 733 million euros per day, the highest level in two and a half years. In U.S. dollar terms, this amounted to approximately 861 million dollars per day. Analysts noted that rising tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz could significantly affect energy supply and market stability.

The reported plan suggests Pakistan may be seeking to secure its energy needs amid global supply concerns linked to regional instability.

In Nabinagar of Brahmanbaria, farmers are struggling to harvest ripe Boro paddy due to a severe shortage of laborers during peak season. Despite fields being filled with golden paddy, they cannot bring the crop home as labor wages have doubled. Even the price of two maunds of paddy is not enough to hire one worker, leaving many farmers in distress as ripe paddy begins to spoil in the fields.

Local farmers report that laborers now demand between Tk 1,600 and Tk 1,800 per day, while a maund of raw paddy sells for only Tk 750 to Tk 900. The government’s fixed price for a maund of dry paddy is Tk 1,440. Rising costs of plowing, irrigation, fertilizer, pesticides, and labor have worsened the situation, while recent heavy rains have caused additional crop damage.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, Boro paddy was cultivated on 18,115 hectares this season, with 151 hectares affected by storms. Officials hope that government procurement at fixed prices will help farmers recover some losses.

Farmers in Nilphamari district are facing heavy financial losses as the market price of Irri rice has dropped sharply despite a bumper Boro harvest this season. Rising costs of fertilizer, irrigation, seeds, pesticides, and labor have increased production expenses, but rice prices have fallen to Tk 700–750 per maund from around Tk 1,000 a week earlier. Many farmers are being forced to sell at low prices to meet household needs and repay debts.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Boro rice was cultivated on 81,859 hectares in Nilphamari with a production target of 374,901 metric tons, and about 15 percent of the crop has already been harvested. Officials said favorable weather and low pest attacks contributed to good yields. However, the oversupply of rice and the delayed start of government procurement have allowed middlemen to buy at low prices, depriving farmers of fair returns.

Agricultural officials expect the situation to improve once government procurement begins. Farmers have urged authorities to ensure fair prices, accelerate procurement, and control input costs to prevent future declines in food production.

The Forest Department under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued a recruitment notice to appoint 382 foresters. Applications can be submitted until June 10, 2026, either by post or directly to the designated box on the second floor (Level-1) of the Forest Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka. The position offers a salary range of 9,700 to 23,490 taka under grade-15, with an application fee of 100 taka.

Applicants must hold a Diploma in Forestry and meet physical requirements of 163 cm height and 76 cm chest measurement. The eligible age range for candidates is 18 to 32 years. Application forms are available for download from the Forest Department’s official website and must be sent to the Chief Conservator of Forests at the department’s Agargaon office in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.

The recruitment aims to strengthen the department’s workforce in forest management and conservation activities across Bangladesh, as outlined in the official notice.

The Indian rupee fell to a historic low against the US dollar on Tuesday, pressured by sustained high crude oil prices, foreign investment withdrawals, and weak market sentiment. The currency opened trading at 95.50 per dollar, surpassing its previous record of 95.4325, and later weakened further to 95.6250. Since the start of the Iran-Israel war, the rupee has depreciated by about 5.2 percent. The Reserve Bank of India intervened in the market to stabilize the decline, but analysts noted that rising global oil prices continue to strain India’s import-dependent economy.

Brent crude prices have risen by nearly 46 percent, affecting other Asian currencies such as the Philippine peso and Indonesian rupiah. So far this year, the rupee has dropped around 6.5 percent, marking the worst performance among Asian currencies. Analysts warned that a prolonged US-Iran conflict could keep oil prices high, widening India’s current account deficit and further pressuring investment inflows.

ANZ Bank revised its December forecast for the rupee from 93 to 97.5, while BMI cautioned that the currency could approach 100 if conditions worsen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to reduce energy use, travel, and imports to conserve foreign reserves.

Observers report that the ongoing war in Iran is now directly affecting ordinary citizens’ livelihoods and the national economy. The U.S. naval blockade has disrupted import operations at Iranian ports, compounding the broader impact of the conflict. Analysts note that psychological stress, repeated clashes, and uncertainty are undermining market stability and increasing pressure on household expenses.

The conflict has also led to an attack on a major Iranian steel plant, disrupting supply chains and creating shortages in sectors such as household appliances and automobiles. As a result, prices of various goods are rising rapidly, reducing consumers’ purchasing power.

Despite these challenges, a sense of resistance and solidarity is emerging across cities, with gatherings held to express unity since the war began. Overall, the situation reflects a mix of anxiety, uncertainty, and social resilience, according to observers.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the government is taking steps to strengthen Bangladesh’s stock market, investment environment, and overall financial sector. He made the remarks on Tuesday, May 12, at a hotel in Dhaka during the announcement of the inaugural fund of Bangladesh Start-up Investment Company. The minister noted that foreign investors have shown interest in entering the Bangladeshi market.

He emphasized that the government will not interfere in the financial sector and that there will be no political influence in the allocation of investments. The statement reflects the government’s intention to promote transparency and investor confidence in the country’s financial system.

The announcement comes amid broader efforts to attract foreign investment and ensure a stable financial environment, as highlighted by the minister during the event.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) will be transformed into an effective, modern, and sustainable institution. Speaking at the 62nd board meeting of BFTI held at the Ministry of Commerce conference room on Tuesday, he said the institute would be developed to achieve financial independence and become a self-reliant knowledge center supporting the country’s international trade capacity.

The minister emphasized that Bangladesh must enhance its preparedness to face the complexities of global trade. To support this, a permanent expert panel will be formed under BFTI to assist in WTO dispute resolution, trade policy analysis, and bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations. The panel will include experienced trade experts, legal professionals, and researchers from both public and private sectors.

The meeting also recommended appointing a qualified Chief Executive Officer for BFTI and launching a postgraduate diploma program with University Grants Commission approval to develop skilled human resources in international trade, trade law, and policy research. Expanding research activities, strengthening training capacity, and building national and international research networks were also prioritized.

Bangladesh Railway has announced that all advance and return tickets for Eid-ul-Azha travel will be sold exclusively online. According to a notice issued on May 12, advance tickets for Eid journeys will be available from May 13 to May 17, while return tickets will be sold from May 21 to May 25. The tickets can only be purchased through the official Bangladesh Railway website and the 'Rail Sheba' mobile app.

The railway authority has urged passengers not to buy or sell tickets through any other individuals, organizations, or social media pages. It also warned travelers against making financial transactions outside the designated platforms, emphasizing that attempts to purchase tickets through unauthorized channels could lead to fraud.

This move aims to ensure transparency and prevent ticket-related scams during the busy Eid travel period, as the railway expects a high demand for tickets across the country.

Bangladesh’s first institutionally managed venture capital platform has been launched jointly by 39 commercial banks. The Bangladesh Startup Investment Company PLC (BSIC) inaugurated its first fund, “Onkur Bangladesh Fund 1,” at an event in Dhaka’s Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel. The platform begins with a committed capital of about Tk 425 crore (US$35 million). Each participating bank will contribute one percent of its annual net profit to the fund, creating a continuous capital structure. The fund will invest in seed, late-seed, and Series A stage startups.

The initiative stems from a long-term policy effort by Bangladesh Bank, which allowed banks to invest one percent of their average net profits from the past five years into the fund. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostakur Rahman attended the launch, emphasizing innovation, transparency, and financial inclusion. BSIC Chairman Masrur Arefin described the platform as a bridge between local trust and global venture standards.

BSIC announced plans to complete its first three investments by the end of 2026 after appointing key executives and forming an investment committee by the third quarter of the year.

US President Donald Trump will be accompanied by leading figures from the technology and business sectors during his upcoming visit to China, according to a White House official cited by Reuters. The delegation includes Tesla’s Elon Musk, Apple’s Tim Cook, GE Aerospace’s Larry Culp, Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg, Meta’s Dina Powell McCormick, BlackRock’s Larry Fink, Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman, and Mastercard’s Michael Miebach. Executives from Simon, Qualcomm, and Visa will also join, while Cisco’s Chuck Robbins will not attend due to business commitments. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was not invited.

The visit is expected to focus on easing trade and investment between the two countries. China may announce major purchases of Boeing aircraft, US agricultural products, and energy supplies. Sources indicate discussions are underway for a potential order of about 500 Boeing 737 Max and several dozen widebody jets, possibly the largest single aircraft deal in history.

Both sides will also discuss extending the suspension of their ongoing trade war, which could ensure continued Chinese exports of rare earth minerals to the United States. The White House said the trip will emphasize agriculture and commercial aviation as key areas of cooperation.