More than half of Americans believe their financial situation is deteriorating, according to a Gallup survey released on Tuesday. The 2026 poll found that 55% of respondents said their finances had worsened, up from 53% in 2025 and 47% in 2024. Gallup described the current situation as historically poor, marking the fifth consecutive year that more Americans reported financial decline. A similar trend was last seen during the 2007–2009 global recession.

The survey also revealed that 62% of Americans are worried about having enough savings for retirement, while 60% fear they could not afford medical costs in case of serious illness or accident. Additionally, 54% expressed concern about investment returns and maintaining their standard of living. Nearly half are anxious about regular healthcare expenses, 41% about paying monthly bills, and 40% about higher education costs.

Gallup attributed these concerns mainly to inflation and rising costs of energy, housing, and healthcare. It added that college, transportation, and childcare expenses are also creating significant financial pressure for households.

Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie announced that the government plans to plant 2.5 billion trees over the next five years to protect coastal communities from natural disasters. The initiative aims to create a strong green belt along the coastline to mitigate the impacts of cyclones, tidal surges, and floods. The minister made the announcement while addressing a national seminar titled “If the Coast Survives, Bangladesh Survives,” organized by the Coastal Development Foundation at the National Press Club on Wednesday.

He said Bangladesh is among the six most disaster-prone regions in the world and recalled the devastating cyclone of April 29, 1991, which struck several coastal districts. The government also plans to construct sustainable embankments, establish sufficient cyclone shelters, and take coordinated measures for disaster management. Additionally, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government will revive the canal excavation program initiated by former President Ziaur Rahman, targeting 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, ponds, and reservoirs for excavation and re-excavation.

The seminar was chaired by Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamal Hossain, with several members of parliament from Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram attending as special guests.

Severe river erosion has struck Babuganj upazila in Barishal even before the monsoon season has fully begun, with the Sandhya, Sugandha, and Arial Khan rivers eroding rapidly. The erosion has placed homes, farmland, educational institutions, and key infrastructure at serious risk, with the century-old Babuganj market facing the greatest threat. Areas near the Barishal airport, Bakultala station, and parts of Dakshin Bhuterdiya are also in danger.

Local residents report that river erosion has been a persistent problem for decades, swallowing hundreds of acres of farmland and displacing families. Temporary measures by the Water Development Board, such as placing sand-filled geobags, have proven inadequate. Residents are demanding a permanent solution as more homes and institutions, including Char Sadhukathi Islamia Fazil Madrasa, face imminent danger.

Barishal-3 MP Zainul Abedin stated that preventing river erosion in Babuganj is his top priority, and a Tk 550-crore project proposal to protect Babuganj and Uzirpur is awaiting approval by the Planning Commission. Officials believe the project could safeguard Babuganj market and nearby critical areas from further destruction.

The United Arab Emirates has decided to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a move analysts describe as a major setback for Saudi Arabia and a political gain for U.S. President Donald Trump. The decision, set to take effect next month, marks a significant shift in Middle Eastern energy alliances.

According to the report, the UAE’s departure stems from long-standing policy differences with Saudi Arabia. While Riyadh favors production cuts to maintain high oil prices, Abu Dhabi prioritizes maximizing output and export volumes for greater profit. Energy analyst Arne Lohmann Rasmussen noted that the UAE focuses on production levels, whereas Saudi Arabia emphasizes price stability.

Analysts suggest the decision is driven more by political motives than economic ones. Ellen Wald of the Atlantic Council indicated that the UAE may be seeking to weaken OPEC, historically viewed as hostile by Trump, in exchange for U.S. security assurances against Iran. The exit of OPEC’s third-largest producer raises questions about the 65-year-old alliance’s future and signals intensifying regional competition between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced an increase in edible oil prices on Wednesday during a press conference at the ministry’s conference room. The price of bottled soybean oil has been raised by four taka per liter, from 195 to 199 taka, while loose soybean oil will now sell for 179 taka per liter, up from 175 taka.

The minister explained that the adjustment reflects global market conditions, as product prices at the source have risen worldwide. He expressed hope that consumers would understand the decision in light of the global situation and that the supply situation in the domestic market would become more stable as a result.

The announcement highlights the government’s effort to align domestic pricing with international cost pressures while maintaining supply stability in the edible oil market.

The ruling party has proposed forming a special parliamentary committee to amend the constitution, with Law Minister Asaduzzaman presenting the proposal in the National Parliament on Wednesday. The government side has prepared a list of 12 members, including representatives from BNP, other parties, and independents, and requested the opposition to nominate five members. The committee is intended to move forward with constitutional amendments in line with the July Charter once the opposition submits its names.

Opposition leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman expressed reluctance to immediately provide names, citing conceptual differences between reform and amendment. He said the opposition would discuss the matter internally before making a decision. The Deputy Speaker and the Law Minister both acknowledged the opposition’s stance, with the minister agreeing to wait until the next parliamentary session for the opposition’s response.

The Deputy Speaker concluded that the ruling party’s 12-member list is ready and that the committee formation will proceed after further discussion with the opposition.

British Ambassador to the United States Christian Turner stated that only Israel has a 'special relationship' with the U.S. He made the remark in February while speaking to a group of students about transatlantic relations. The comment was first reported by the Financial Times on Tuesday, just before King Charles III arrived at the White House for a state visit, at a time of heightened tensions over the Iran war. The UK Foreign Office clarified that Turner’s remarks were personal and informal, not reflective of the government’s official stance.

An audio recording of Turner’s meeting with sixth-form students in the U.S. revealed him saying that the phrase 'special relationship' feels nostalgic and outdated. He added that while the U.K. and U.S. share deep historical and security ties, the nature of their relationship is evolving. Turner noted that Europe cannot rely solely on the U.S. security umbrella and that the partnership must adapt to changing times.

Turner, a career diplomat, was appointed British ambassador to the U.S. in December of the previous year.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that farmers affected by continuous rainfall and crop losses in the Haor region will receive three months of government assistance. He made the statement on Wednesday morning in response to a question from Sunamganj-5 Member of Parliament Kalim Uddin Ahmed during a parliamentary session.

Kalim Uddin drew the Prime Minister’s attention to the severe flooding in Sunamganj and surrounding Haor areas caused by heavy rain, noting that farmers were struggling to harvest their paddy. In reply, the Prime Minister thanked him and said that three days earlier he had instructed local administrations in three Haor districts to take precautionary measures based on weather forecasts.

Tarique Rahman described the farmers’ suffering as deeply painful and said he had already spoken with the Disaster Management Minister to identify affected farmers in the three Haor districts and parts of Mymensingh. He confirmed that these farmers would receive assistance for the next three months.

Iran’s Deputy Chairman of the National Security Commission, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, has warned that the Bab al-Mandeb Strait could face closure, emphasizing that Iran’s position remains strong. In a televised interview, he said the strait’s importance is no less than that of the Strait of Hormuz and suggested that Yemeni forces are prepared to blockade it to strike another blow against the United States. His remarks came as both Iran and the U.S. claim control over the Hormuz Strait.

Boroujerdi added that his participation in recent discussions was under the directive of Iran’s Supreme Leader. Last week, commission member Ali Khazarian stated that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei opposed expanding talks with the United States. Earlier, the IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency cited a military source saying Iran possesses both the will and capability to pose credible threats regarding Bab al-Mandeb.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, located between Yemen and the African coasts of Djibouti and Eritrea, is a vital maritime route connecting the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal, serving as a key link in global trade between Europe and Asia.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mujibur Rahman, representing Rajshahi-1, called for replacing man-made laws with Quranic law during a parliamentary discussion on the president’s address on Wednesday. He urged all parties, including the BNP, not to oppose divine law and proposed forming an Islamic board comprising madrasa-educated MPs and religious scholars to advise on implementing Islamic law nationwide.

Rahman, who also serves as Jamaat’s Naib-e-Ameer, criticized successive governments led by the Awami League, BNP, and Jatiya Party for failing to enact any Quran-based laws. He argued that the Quran should be the source of national legislation, citing verses to emphasize moral and social reforms such as prayer, zakat, and the eradication of corruption, poverty, and unemployment.

He further challenged the prime minister to explain why Islamic practices like prayer and zakat have not been institutionalized, and rejected allegations that Jamaat leaders were selling “tickets to heaven,” insisting such claims misrepresented Quranic teachings.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that promising export sectors such as gold and diamond industries will receive the same facilities as the ready-made garment sector. He made the statement on Wednesday at the 46th meeting of the National Board of Revenue’s advisory committee, jointly organized by the NBR and FBCCI at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

The minister said that while Bangladesh’s garment industry has achieved remarkable success, other sectors like gold and diamond remain underdeveloped. From now on, any promising export sector that submits a proposal will be granted equal benefits. He emphasized that fear of theft should not restrict business opportunities, and that corruption and inefficiency at ports will be addressed separately. He also highlighted the government’s focus on reforming the fragile economy through a large, quality budget aimed at poverty reduction and investment growth.

Chowdhury added that revenue collection will be strengthened through full digitization and the “One Citizen One Card” system to reduce direct contact between taxpayers and officials, thereby curbing corruption. He urged business associations to help bring untaxed entities into the tax network and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to democratizing the economy.

Former royal officials have described King Charles III’s recent visit to the United States as a turning point in relations between London and Washington. According to a former close associate of the royal family, the King’s cordial approach during the trip effectively pressed a ‘reset button’ in bilateral ties. The comments were reported by the BBC.

Ailsa Anderson, who served as Queen Elizabeth II’s press secretary from 2001 to 2013, said the visit gave the impression that the two nations’ relationship had started anew. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, she noted that King Charles appeared more confident in delivering major speeches and, being above party politics, was able to convey a special message to the American public. Simon Lewis, the Queen’s former communications secretary from 1998 to 2000, told BBC Radio 4 that the visit came at a time when political relations between the two countries were strained.

Lewis added that the trip was organized in coordination with the government and could positively influence future relations between the British Prime Minister and the U.S. President. Observers believe the visit has created a positive diplomatic mood likely to strengthen ties further.

Extensive farmlands in various areas of Kaliakoir upazila in Gazipur have been submerged due to continuous rainfall, leaving local farmers in severe distress. According to local sources, four days of rain combined with hill runoff from the north have flooded low-lying areas, damaging crops at the start of the Irri-Boro season. Many farmers have been forced to harvest half-ripe paddy early, while others have seen their fields completely submerged.

Farmers from villages such as Rashidpur and Medi Ashulai reported that large portions of their paddy fields are underwater, with some waiting for the water to recede to prevent total crop loss. Abdul Malek of Rashidpur said nearly two bighas of his land are submerged, while another farmer, Mostafa, noted he had to harvest prematurely to save what he could.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Zahid Hasan stated that the situation is being closely monitored and that farmers are being advised to harvest their crops quickly to minimize damage.

French energy company TotalEnergies has announced the restart of operations at the SATORP oil refinery in Saudi Arabia. The facility had been shut down as a precaution after sustaining damage during an Iranian attack on April 8. According to the company, operations resumed on April 14, and the refinery is now running at a capacity of 230,000 barrels per day.

TotalEnergies stated that three units of the refinery were damaged in the incident, prompting a full shutdown for safety reasons. The unaffected units have since been brought back online. The refinery is jointly owned by Saudi Aramco, holding 62.5 percent, and TotalEnergies, with 37.5 percent.

The attack occurred amid ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East, targeting one of the area’s key energy installations. The resumption of operations marks a significant step toward restoring stability in Saudi Arabia’s oil production network.

In Dingapota Haor of Mohanganj upazila, Netrokona, ripe boro paddy fields have gone underwater after continuous heavy rain and water inflow from Sunamganj caused a breach in the haor protection embankment. The harvesting season had begun in early April, but the sudden flooding has submerged large portions of the crop.

Local farmers reported that this year’s yield was abundant, with most fields planted with BRRI-88 rice variety producing 8–10 maunds per katha. However, due to torrential rain and poor road conditions, they were unable to harvest in time. Farmers expressed frustration that despite successive governments, no sustainable embankment or road improvement has been implemented in the haor area.

According to the Mohanganj Agriculture Extension Office, boro rice is cultivated on 6,000–7,000 hectares in Dingapota Haor each year, producing over 6–7 metric tons per hectare. Farmers estimate that more than 50 percent of this year’s crop is now submerged.