The High Court has suspended the upcoming biennial election of the Bangladesh Film Producers-Distributors Association for two months. The vote had been scheduled for August 8. A High Court division bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the order on August 6, directing that all election-related activities remain suspended until a pending case before the FBCCI Arbitration Tribunal is resolved.

Film producer and actor Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Ujjal filed writ petition No. 10856/2026 challenging the decision to hold the election while case No. 08/2026 remained pending before the tribunal. The writ also challenged the inaction of the relevant authorities. Senior advocates Md. Badruddoza and Md. Moniruzzaman Asad, along with advocate Md. Khairul Alam, represented the petitioner.

Following the hearing, the bench issued a rule nisi asking respondents to explain why their inaction should not be declared without lawful authority and ineffective. There had been disputes over the candidacies of Khorshed Alam Khosru and Shamsul Alam. Panel member Tanvir Hasan expressed disappointment. The association made no formal comment and said next legal steps would be determined after receiving the full order.

Oman has begun accepting visa applications to recruit agricultural workers from Bangladesh under an approved labour recruitment programme. The announcement was made by the Al Dhahirah branch of the Oman Agricultural Association, according to a Thursday report by Oman Daily Observer. Omani farmers are now permitted to apply for visas to hire Bangladeshi agricultural workers.

The recruitment process is being run on the basis of approvals issued by Oman’s Ministry of Labour and the Royal Oman Police. Registered farm owners will be able to obtain visas for Bangladeshi workers. Farmers seeking to hire them can submit applications at the association’s Al Murtafa office from August 9 to August 20. Applications containing any discrepancies will not be accepted.

Applicants must provide proof of annual fee payment, an agricultural holding certificate, a national identity card, a valid approval letter from the Ministry of Labour and other documents. An owner of a government service centre, Sanad, said approval has been granted to recruit 5,000 Bangladeshi workers in total. The facility is limited to registered agricultural association members, and each association may recruit no more than 330 workers.

Bangladesh Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle stressed broader, more institutional cooperation in trade, investment, skills development and research. At a Thursday meeting at the Commerce Ministry in the Secretariat, they discussed expanding cooperation in trade-negotiation capacity, education, agriculture, livestock and investment to deepen bilateral economic ties. Commerce Ministry Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan attended the meeting.

The minister said the government plans long-term institutional training to strengthen officials’ skills in international trade, particularly World Trade Organization law and trade negotiations. He said an initiative has been taken to establish a research and study centre, envisioned as a future regional hub for knowledge and skills exchange. He also cited planned specialised training for project directors.

Ryle said Australia was interested in supporting such long-term capacity-building programmes, including trade negotiations, legal aspects of international agreements and policy skills. The sides also discussed post-LDC trade benefits and future market access. Bilateral trade is about $5.5 billion and growing, she said. An Australian business delegation is planning a Bangladesh visit, while beef exports, halal certification, animal traceability and livestock management were also discussed.

The Bangladesh government has begun work on a draft revised Gold Policy 2018, aiming to move the country’s gold sector from an informal condition into a legal, recognized and accountable business sector. At a meeting at the Commerce Ministry in the Secretariat on August 6, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir instructed relevant government agencies and stakeholders to submit written opinions on the draft by next Sunday.

The meeting was chaired by Commerce Ministry Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan and included Bajus President Enamul Haque Khan, Export Promotion Bureau Vice Chairman Mohammad Hasan Arif, and representatives of the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh Bank and the gold sector. The minister said the sector had not become fully institutional because of inadequate policy and regulatory structures, and that regulatory weaknesses should also be considered rather than placing responsibility solely on businesses.

The proposed framework calls for every stage of purchasing, selling and storing legally imported gold to be recorded and monitored by regulators. The government is also considering employment, lawful imports, revenue collection, transparency and the potential for value-added jewellery exports. After stakeholder views are compiled, another meeting may be held if needed before work proceeds to finalize the revised policy quickly.

Record drought has caused an unprecedented deterioration in France’s small rivers and waterways, with water flow disrupted or channels completely dry in 43 percent of them, according to the French Biodiversity Office. As of August 1, 1,373 small waterways across mainland France and Corsica were affected, a situation the agency described as the most critical seen at this time of year.

The assessment was based on data from the National Low Water Observatory Network, which operates 3,230 monitoring stations nationwide. Local broadcaster BFMTV reported that the number of affected waterways had increased by 554 since July 1. The French Biodiversity Office said all regions were affected, with rapid deterioration from the western Vendée department to the eastern Grand Est region and a spreading impact in south-central France.

The agency said conditions had surpassed the severe drought of 2022, with 112 more waterways experiencing disrupted flow or drying up. Compared with the same period in 2025, the situation had worsened by more than twice. France’s geological survey classified 60 percent of groundwater levels as moderate to very low as of July 15.

Gas supply to the national grid has resumed from the Excelerate Energy-operated floating LNG terminal in Maheshkhali after a two-week shutdown. From 3:10am on Thursday, the terminal began supplying 115 million cubic feet of gas a day, Petrobangla officials said. Total gas supplied to the grid from imported LNG has consequently risen to 660 million cubic feet daily.

Officials of Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited said one unit of the terminal was restarted early Thursday and supply began on a limited scale. Operations are being restored gradually, with the terminal expected to deliver gas at greater capacity within four to five days. Grid supply could increase further if sufficient LNG cargoes are available.

The terminal was completely shut down after a fire on July 21 was followed by technical problems. The outage created a daily shortfall of about 500 million cubic feet of gas in the national grid, while imported LNG supply fell by nearly half. Residential consumers, industrial operators and CNG users faced the greatest disruption, and load-shedding increased in several areas as gas-fired power plants received less fuel.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman ordered the rapid preparation and effective implementation of an integrated action plan to prevent pollution in rivers surrounding Dhaka. He issued the instruction at a meeting on Buriganga River water and environmental improvement at the Cabinet Division conference room in Bangladesh Secretariat on the morning of August 6.

The meeting discussed the environmental condition, pollution sources, challenges and long-term remedies for the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, Shitalakkhya and other rivers near the capital. Untreated industrial discharge, inadequate sewerage and drainage, reduced canal navigability, and weak solid-waste management were identified as major causes. The prime minister stressed effective operation of effluent treatment plants, improved canals and drainage, regular drives against polluters, strict enforcement of environmental laws, stronger coordination and public awareness.

The meeting decided to form an inter-agency coordination committee under the Prime Minister’s Office to prepare and implement the plan. It will coordinate ministries, divisions and agencies, review progress at set intervals and submit reports to the Prime Minister’s Office. Environmental groups, voluntary organizations, educational institutions and local residents were also directed to be involved.

Bangladesh’s government has launched a seed incentive programme to encourage flood-affected marginal farmers to resume cultivation in seven of the hardest-hit districts: Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Habiganj and Moulvibazar. The programme is set to cover 61,747 farmers, with an allocation of Tk 22.383 million and distribution of 3.87 tonnes of seed. Each listed farmer will receive up to five kilograms of seed for one bigha of land, regardless of total landholding.

Union- and upazila-level agricultural rehabilitation committees assessed losses and finalised beneficiary lists, prioritising the most marginal farmers. Farmers considered able to recover with their own resources were excluded from the initial list. Agricultural officials said those left out would receive priority in a future incentive programme.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, crops on 66,231 hectares were damaged in the seven districts. Farmers said the assistance was too limited compared with their losses and that many were seeking high-interest loans from non-governmental organisations to restart cultivation. The programme aims to rehabilitate affected farmers, sustain aman cultivation, raise production and support food security.

At least 14 people were killed by lightning in India’s Jharkhand state on Tuesday, August 4, amid ongoing monsoon rains. Local police said at least 10 of those killed were farmers in Giridih district who were working in crop fields in the open when lightning struck. Seven other people were injured in the incident.

The Indian Meteorological Department said heavy rainfall is likely in Jharkhand over the next several days, meaning the risk of lightning and adverse weather may continue. According to the department, more than 200 people died in Jharkhand alone in 2025, with most of those deaths caused by lightning.

Heavy seasonal rain has also increased casualties elsewhere in India this year. Severe flooding in the northeastern state of Assam has killed about 90 people so far. In the southern state of Kerala, at least 15 people have died in heavy rain, while thousands have been forced to leave their homes and move to safer shelters.

Active monsoon conditions kept rain falling in Dhaka from early Thursday and brought varying rainfall across Bangladesh, according to the Meteorological Department. In the 24 hours ending around 6am, Dhaka received 50 millimetres of rain, while Hatiya in Noakhali recorded the highest total at 198 millimetres. The agency said rain could continue nationwide through Thursday.

The department said a new low-pressure area may form over the central Bay of Bengal on August 10 and develop into a depression. Its effects could bring heavy to very heavy rain across the country from August 14. Meteorologist Dr Omar Faruk said rainfall may ease from Friday, with a possible break lasting until August 9, before increasing again from August 10 or 11.

Rain or thunderstorms with gusty winds are forecast in parts of all eight divisions on Thursday, with isolated heavy to very heavy falls possible. At 9am, the Teesta at Tarapur in Gaibandha and the Kushiyara at Fenchuganj in Sylhet were above danger levels. Water rose at 88 of 127 monitored stations.

Pakistan and Iran have agreed to introduce round-the-clock border operations to increase bilateral trade. The decision was made on Wednesday during a meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and an Iranian delegation led by Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Atabak. The two sides also agreed to improve border infrastructure and logistics and strengthen coordination in customs procedures.

The countries decided to expand cooperation in mining, particularly in processing and adding value to precious gemstones. Sharif said Pakistan would continue diplomatic efforts for regional peace and stability. He expressed hope that joint efforts by both countries could achieve their set target of $10 billion in bilateral trade. He also emphasized expanding trade in food and agricultural products.

Atabak praised Pakistan's hospitality and reiterated Iran's interest in further strengthening economic and commercial ties between the two countries. He said technical-level discussions on a Pakistan-Iran free trade agreement, or FTA, are under way. The reported measures focus on facilitating cross-border commerce through longer operating hours, infrastructure and logistics improvements, and greater customs coordination.

Severe erosion along the Brahmaputra, Dharla, Dudhkumar and Teesta rivers has swept away at least 400 homes in Bangladesh’s Rangpur division over the past 30 days, according to a report published on August 6. At least 50 acres of farmland were also lost, leaving hundreds of families without homesteads. Residents in affected areas are dismantling and moving homes to safer places amid fears of further erosion.

Nearly 200 homes were lost in Nilphamari, 150 in Kurigram, 30 in Gaibandha, 17 in Gangachara of Rangpur, and 15 in Lalmonirhat. Fresh erosion has been reported at at least 40 locations across Gaibandha, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Rangpur districts in the Teesta and Brahmaputra basins. Affected residents alleged that the Bangladesh Water Development Board focused on inspections rather than effective protection measures.

Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ruhul Amin said the LGED had been instructed to quickly repair damaged roads and that authorities had contacted the Disaster Management Ministry for special funding for roads in char areas. Water Development Board Executive Engineer Rabiul Islam said work had begun to place geobags in newly affected locations. Gangachara residents submitted a memorandum seeking road repairs, embankment protection and sustainable river management.

International gold prices rose for a fourth consecutive day, reaching their highest level in seven weeks as prospects strengthened for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen. Reuters reported on August 6 that spot gold gained 1% to $4,285.69 per ounce, its highest level since June 18. US gold futures also climbed 0.9% to $4,345.50 per ounce.

The report linked the rise in gold prices to market expectations surrounding developments in the Strait of Hormuz. The gains marked a continued advance in the precious metal over four straight trading days.

Analysts said a proposed agreement between Iran and Oman could help ease the five-month conflict between Iran and the United States. The prospect of normal shipping resuming through the Strait of Hormuz has raised investor confidence, according to the report.

Bangladesh’s banking sector reforms begun by the interim government after the July 2024 mass uprising are continuing under the current government, but bad loans, capital shortages, provision deficits and liquidity stress remain severe. When the interim government took office, the sector faced falling foreign-exchange reserves, an unstable dollar market, inflationary pressure and banks struggling to repay depositors. Bangladesh Bank responded with investigations, new loan-default policies, board restructuring, legal reform proposals and plans involving five weak Islamic banks.

Gross foreign-exchange reserves rose from $25 billion before the Awami League government’s fall to $36 billion at the end of July, an increase of $11 billion over two years. The report says the dollar market stabilised after Bangladesh Bank introduced a market-based exchange-rate system on May 14, 2025. Remittances reached $35.56 billion in fiscal year 2025-26, up 17.30 percent year on year, while deposit growth rose to 11.5 percent.

At the end of March, classified loans stood at Tk588,704 crore and the provision shortfall at Tk205,665 crore. The banking sector’s capital adequacy ratio fell to negative 2.64 percent last year. Economists say lasting recovery requires loan recovery, return of funds allegedly laundered abroad, capital restoration and restructuring of weak banks.

Heavy rainfall and upstream mountain runoff from India have pushed the Teesta River above its danger level at the Dalia point in Dimla, Nilphamari, on August 6. The Dalia Water Development Board said water was flowing 13 centimetres above the danger mark in the morning. Low-lying areas of Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat have begun to flood, raising fears among residents of river chars.

Nilphamari recorded average rainfall of 132 millimetres for the day, while 44 sluice gates were opened. Floodwater has entered low-lying parts of several unions in Dimla and Jaldhaka upazilas. Riverbank areas in Lalmonirhat also face the prospect of short-term flooding. Roads and cropland in char areas have started to go underwater, making boats and rafts the main means of travel in many places.

Residents said several days of heavy rainfall upstream in India, combined with continuous local rain over the past two days, worsened conditions. Flood-control embankments and elevated riverside roads are under pressure, with locals expressing concern over their durability because of inadequate repairs. Executive engineer Amitabh Chowdhury urged people living along the river and in char areas to remain alert.