A severe storm on Monday night flattened most of a 30-decimal sugarcane field owned by farmer Md Jahangir Alam in Balikhara village of Burichang upazila, Cumilla. Alam said the damage has shattered his hopes of a good harvest after a year of work and borrowed investment. He fears losses exceeding Tk 100,000 after finding much of his crop lying on the ground the following morning.

Alam said he had taken loans of more than Tk 100,000 to cultivate the sugarcane, expecting crop sales to repay the debt and cover family expenses. On Tuesday afternoon, he was trying to raise the fallen stalks in his field. Local farmers Solaiman and Sohel Rana said he would face substantial losses because the crop had been planted with borrowed money, and called for government support.

Burichang Upazila Agriculture Officer Afrina Akter said officials would inspect the damaged field and assess the losses. She said the relevant authorities would be informed about providing agricultural advice and bringing the affected farmer under government assistance, depending on the situation. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tanvir Hossain also said the administration would seek information about the farmer and try to provide necessary assistance.

The government of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched a pilot project to collect cow urine from farmers in 15 villages in Buland city. Published on August 12, 2026, the report said roughly 500 litres are currently being collected each day. The villages have also received tanks with a capacity of 200 litres.

The government plans to collect cow urine at 20 rupees per litre in the future. The project is intended to provide farmers with additional income, create employment for rural women and help support the upkeep of non-milking cattle. About 300 women have joined the initiative and have been made shareholders of an FPO.

Women assisting with collection receive a commission of two rupees per litre. The collected material is planned for use as an agricultural raw material to develop alternatives to chemical fertilisers and farm inputs. If the pilot succeeds, a separate policy will be formulated for statewide implementation. The Samajwadi Party called the initiative a scam and alleged it was aimed at raising election funds, while the BJP rejected the charge.

Local firefighters and residents have accused the Israeli military of deliberately causing wildfires in southern Lebanon through attacks and shelling. The Guardian reported on August 12, 2026, that fires have spread through forests, olive groves and farmland despite a ceasefire, allegedly due to drones, incendiary shells and flares.

Hussein Fakih, head of Civil Defense in the Nabatieh area, said most recent operations had become limited to firefighting. He said about 30 to 40 percent of land in border areas had been damaged by fire. Environmentalists described the fires as part of a long-running pattern of environmental destruction in southern Lebanon.

They said damage to forests, ancient olive trees and wildlife habitats threatens biodiversity and local livelihoods. Hafez Ghasham of Yaroun alleged that after Israeli forces destroyed most homes in his village, they also set fire to remaining olive trees and fruit orchards. Local residents say the actions seek to make the area uninhabitable and erase signs of their history, culture and livelihoods. The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment on the recent fire allegations.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir has called on Bangladesh to reduce reliance on conventional export products and pursue the halal economy as a major new opportunity. Speaking as chief guest at a Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies seminar titled “Halal Ecosystem in ASEAN Region: Prospects for Bangladesh,” he urged the country to use ASEAN experience to build a strong, internationally compliant halal ecosystem.

The minister said the halal economy now extends beyond food and beverages to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, modest fashion, tourism, logistics, technology, finance and international certification. He stressed that higher exports require greater domestic production capacity, domestic and foreign investment, and a safe, attractive environment for investors. He also said Bangladesh is pursuing FTA, PTA and EPA initiatives to retain export benefits after LDC graduation.

Speakers highlighted the need for an internationally accepted national halal assurance framework, specialized halal industrial clusters with modern laboratories and logistics, and upgrades to existing production sectors. Malaysia’s integrated approach to production, research, certification, marketing and exports was cited as a relevant example for Bangladesh.

Wildfires across Indonesia have burned more than 107,000 hectares and sent smoke into neighboring Malaysia, where air pollution has reached unhealthy levels in parts of Sarawak. In the small Sarawak town of Serian, the air pollution index measured 195 on Wednesday morning, according to the report published on August 12. At least nine areas of Sarawak recorded unhealthy air quality as haze from the Indonesian fires spread across the border.

Indonesian authorities are using aircraft for cloud seeding to create artificial rainfall as they struggle to contain the fires. Response efforts are being prioritized in six provinces: Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and Riau. These regions contain extensive peatlands that can burn easily during dry seasons. Schools in several fire-hit provinces have been closed for three days.

In Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, resident Darwin Romi said fires had persisted for more than a month, with dense smoke causing eye irritation and a strong odor. A water shortage has also hampered firefighting. About 550 hectares burned in East Java’s Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park before the fire was controlled on Monday, while the area has remained closed to tourists since August 8 amid renewed fire concerns.

Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department has instructed four seaports to display local warning signal No. 3 after a low-pressure area formed over the northern Bay of Bengal and the adjoining West Bengal-Bangladesh coast. The information was issued in a notice signed by meteorologist Dr Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik at about 10:15am on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

The notice said the low-pressure system may intensify. Gusty winds could sweep across the northern Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh’s coastal areas as a result. The warning was issued because of the risk of such winds affecting maritime and coastal conditions.

The directive applies to the seaports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra. Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the northern Bay of Bengal have also been asked to remain close to the coast and move carefully until further instructions are issued. The notice reiterated the possibility that the low-pressure area could become more concentrated and bring gusty winds over coastal areas.

Business leaders and entrepreneurs in Chattogram have welcomed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s plans for industrialisation, investment and employment during his visit to the city. Speaking on Sunday at a rehabilitation programme for flood-affected people in Banshkhali, he said the government planned to establish industries from Mirsarai to Matarbari and attract Chinese investment to develop Chattogram as an economic hub. They said implementation could benefit both Chattogram and the national economy.

Chattogram Chamber President Amirul Haque described the plan around maritime resources as a potential source of new investment and expanded trade. Entrepreneurs, however, stressed the need for uninterrupted gas and electricity supplies, citing low gas pressure, fluctuating power and fuel shortages that disrupt production. On July 8, the Chattogram Chamber sent separate letters to two ministers seeking special concessions for industrial owners over gas and electricity issues.

Business representatives also called for local entrepreneurs to participate alongside foreign investors. They raised concerns about delayed customs assessments, demurrage charges, cargo clearance costs and time, port capacity, and road and rail links. They emphasised policy continuity, faster approvals, land and utility facilities, and law-and-order assurances to strengthen investor confidence.

Consumers in Matlab Uttar, Chandpur, have alleged that they are receiving unusually high or “ghost” electricity bills despite severe load shedding. The report, published on August 12, says customers face hardship and dissatisfaction as power outages during hot weather coincide with higher bills. Residents allege that abnormal bills have been issued for the past two months even though electricity supply has remained limited.

Dulal Darji of Islamabad village said his household bill, previously below Tk2,000 a month, reached Tk5,000 in July. Nayan Das of Sujatpur said his bill rose from Tk300–350 to Tk650. Small business owner Ankan Das said his shop bill increased from Tk1,300–1,400 to Tk2,200, while electricity is unavailable for about 18 hours in a day.

Customers allege bills are prepared and distributed without meter readings, and claim nearly 80 percent of consumers are facing harassment. They also allege harassment when contacting the Matlab Uttar zonal office. Chandpur Palli Bidyut Samity (2) AGM Md Naim said load shedding results from receiving 10–12 megawatts against demand of 27 megawatts, and maintained that bills reflect customers’ actual usage.

Bangladesh’s government is preparing to introduce a cashless system for land-acquisition compensation, aiming to reduce alleged harassment, irregularities and bribery linked to compensation cheques at district commissioner offices. Land Ministry officials said the Land Acquisition and Requisition Management System, or LRMS, could be fully launched by December this year. Under the government-funded initiative, landowners would no longer need to visit district offices in person to collect cheques.

Applicants and relevant administrative officials will be able to log into the system online using designated IDs and passwords. After applications are reviewed, compensation will be transferred directly to recipients’ bank accounts through electronic fund transfer, using the government’s integrated financial management platform, iBAS. Additional Secretary Emdadul Haque Chowdhury said the cashless service is intended to stop bribery allegations surrounding cheque handovers and limit the role of intermediaries.

The LRMS project is on the priority list under the prime minister’s 180-day work plan. Its core structure and business logic are nearing completion, while coordination with the Finance Division, iBAS integration and e-challan-related technical work continue. Development Design Consultants Limited is building the software at an estimated cost of about Tk 3.44 crore. Where there are no ownership disputes or court stays, the law requires compensation within 120 days of notice issuance.

The government is advancing a process to place Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal, or NCT, under Dubai-based ports and logistics company DP World, according to Amardesh. The Public-Private Partnership Authority is working on behalf of the government. The report says NCT was built with the port authority’s own funds, with total public investment reaching about Tk2,712 crore by January this year. The PPP Authority website says DP World would invest $205 million, but does not specify investment sectors.

Former port member Jafar Alam said the modern terminal already has nearly all required equipment, leaving limited scope for major new investment beyond software, IT upgrades and skilled staffing. Former Chattogram Port chairman Mohammad Shahjahan said the arrangement was initially intended to make DP World an operator paid a service charge, but was later framed as a concession. He warned that this could shift a large share of terminal revenues to the company.

An evaluation committee estimated that if gross revenue reaches $120 per 20-foot container under the proposal, the port’s net margin could fall to $17.18, compared with $65.25 under the current model. The PPP Authority said the government’s decision remains under discussion and review, and that specific details cannot be provided before a final decision.

Global fuel oil prices rose, with Brent crude nearing $90 a barrel. Reuters data showed Brent crude gaining 72 cents, or 0.81%, to $89.63 a barrel on Wednesday morning. At the same time, US West Texas Intermediate, or WTI, crude rose 71 cents, or 0.85%, to $83.91 a barrel.

On Tuesday, benchmark contracts for both Brent and WTI ended the day more than $1 higher. Reuters said both benchmarks reached their highest levels since July 31 that day. Oil prices had already increased by nearly 5% on Monday.

The rise was linked to expectations that the prospect of a peace deal between the United States and Iran had diminished. Industry data also showed an increase in US crude oil inventories. Despite the inventory increase, uncertainty surrounding the possibility of a US-Iran peace agreement continued to support the upward trend in oil prices.

Advocate Atikur Rahman, central president of the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Federation, demanded cancellation of a decision to privatise six distribution regions of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). He made the call on Tuesday while speaking as chief guest at a human chain organised by the BPDB Workers-Employees Union in front of the National Press Club. Rahman said electricity is a service sector and the authorities must withdraw from the privatisation decision.

He said those who made the decision would have to answer to the public. Rahman alleged that the move was a conspiracy to award work to the S Alam Group, and questioned the power minister’s role. He urged officials to stop what he described as playing with institutions funded by public taxes. He also warned of a protest encircling the Power Bhaban with ordinary people if inflated bills were collected through “ghost bills.”

The human chain presented eight demands to the government, including modernising existing power companies, ensuring accountability, filling vacant posts quickly, employing eligible dependents of deceased workers, holding CBA elections and implementing the pay scale. Participants also sought permanent jobs for outsourced workers and construction of modern, non-discriminatory residential buildings for board offices.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said a state becomes stronger when its people are economically empowered, describing the government’s goal as moving the country toward greater economic and social strength. He made the remarks on Tuesday, August 11, at Bangladesh Secretariat during a contract-signing ceremony to lease three closed state-owned jute mills to two private institutions.

Rahman said political rights must be accompanied by economic capacity for citizens. He argued that no state can become strong by leaving ordinary people in deprivation or silencing them. Pledging support for genuine domestic entrepreneurs, he said the government would provide necessary policy assistance to encourage investment and job creation.

The prime minister stressed the importance of domestic investment alongside foreign investment, saying the government wants foreign investment while also encouraging local investors and entrepreneurs. He thanked the two business groups taking responsibility for the three mills and expressed hope that the new investment would make the institutions successful, create jobs and contribute to the economy. Ministers, officials and business representatives attended the event.

Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department said rainfall is likely to increase across the country from August 13 to 19 as a new low-pressure area may form over the northwestern Bay of Bengal by Wednesday. Meteorologist AKM Nazmul Haque said Wednesday may be relatively dry, though rain will continue in varying amounts during the monsoon season. Heavy rain is possible in some areas.

Coastal areas are expected to receive more rainfall during the period. Haque said heavy to very heavy rain may occur, but the likelihood of prolonged very heavy rainfall similar to earlier episodes is lower. In the 24 hours ending at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dhaka recorded 35 millimetres of rain, while Gopalganj recorded the highest total, 61 millimetres.

Lower rainfall contributed to warmer, humid conditions nationwide on Tuesday. Rajarhat in Kurigram recorded the highest temperature at 36.4 degrees Celsius, while Dhaka recorded 35.5 degrees. Forecasts said several divisions could receive rain or thunderstorms with gusty winds on Wednesday and Thursday, with moderate heavy rainfall possible in isolated places. The department also said rainfall tendency may rise over the following five days.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said the Teesta Master Plan is closely linked to the prosperity of Bangladesh’s northern region and could eliminate disasters such as floods and drought if implemented. He made the remarks on August 11 at a progress briefing workshop in the capital’s BIAM auditorium, saying the current patriotic democratic government is committed to implementing the plan.

Dulu said people in the six-season country have grown up alongside disasters, which strike in various forms regularly. He said the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry stands beside people who lose everything during such crises. The minister described the Teesta plan as important to the fortune and development of the northern population.

The workshop concerned a project to improve flood early-warning and communication systems at the local level, implemented by the Department of Disaster Management under the Prabhati project. It is being carried out in 19 flood-prone upazilas of Gaibandha, Kurigram and Jamalpur in the northwest. According to Dulu, the initiative helps local communities address flood risks through improved seasonal flood forecasting and the dissemination of advance warnings.