Bangladesh is working toward a target of producing 10,000 megawatts of solar power as part of efforts to address electricity and energy shortages, Commerce, Industries, Jute and Textiles Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said on Saturday. He made the remarks in Sylhet after inaugurating a display and sales centre set up by the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation at Osmani International Airport.

The minister said expanding solar use is necessary for a sustainable solution to power and fuel constraints in industry. Bangladesh can make optimal use of solar energy for about three and a half to four hours daily, he said. Adding storage capacity could allow electricity generated during the day to be used during evening peak hours. He said meeting the 10,000-megawatt target would substantially reduce load-shedding in industry and facilitate more reliable electricity supplies to factories.

The government is also preparing a framework for industrial plots to use rice husk and coal alongside gas as alternative fuels. Muktadir said reducing energy disruptions to industrial production is a priority and that alternative energy could lower pressure on the power sector and dependence on fossil fuels. He also said the CMSME sector contributes about 34 percent to the national economy, with a government target of raising that share to 50 percent.

The Television Playwrights Association announced its new executive committee for the 2026-28 term at its biennial general meeting on Friday, August 21. The meeting was held at the International Mother Language Institute in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. Shihab Shaheen was named president and Mezbah Uddin Suman general secretary of the association.

Zakir Hossain Uজ্জ্বল, Litu Sakhawat and Masum Shahriar were appointed vice presidents. Mansur Rahman Chanchal, Elina Shammi and Bidyut Roy were named assistant general secretaries. Other office-bearers include Prabhat Ahmed as organisational secretary, Pappu Raj as finance secretary and Dayal Saha as office secretary.

Sayem Khan was named events and information technology secretary, Faridul Islam Rubel publicity secretary, Afrin Jessica law and welfare secretary, and Maruf Hossain Sajib training and research secretary. Dr Lipi Monowar, Ahmed Tawqir, Sheikh Hannan and Orko Mostofa were appointed executive members. Speakers said drama is a powerful medium for depicting society, culture and human life, while the new leaders pledged to build a more organised and effective platform over the next two years.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Ottawa would impose equivalent retaliatory tariffs on US goods after last-minute trade negotiations with Washington collapsed. Canada decided on the “dollar-for-dollar” approach after the United States began applying new tariffs on Canadian products from midnight Saturday, according to the report published on August 22, 2026.

Carney said changes to US-proposed terms in the final stage of negotiations appeared unfair and economically unreasonable to Canada, raising doubts about the reliability of a possible agreement. Talks had continued intensively since July. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer countered that Canada declined to finalize an agreement based on terms both sides had accepted earlier in the week.

The discussions had included reducing US tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum from 50 percent to 25 percent, and on Canadian vehicles from 25 percent to 15 percent. Ontario Premier Doug Ford backed retaliatory tariffs. The Trump administration is also planning new 50 percent duties on various Canadian goods, while existing tariffs on steel, aluminum, vehicles and lumber would remain.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said Bangladesh has no opportunity to resolve its energy crisis quickly, despite the government taking all available initiatives to address it. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a seminar in Motijheel, Dhaka, organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the biannual economic situation for fiscal year 2026.

The minister said the solution to the energy crisis would come slowly. He also said the economy cannot emerge from its current crisis without investment, and that the government is working to create an investment-friendly environment to increase both domestic and foreign investment.

Chowdhury said the government aims to ensure three months of reserves in every energy sector. He said all possible efforts are being made by the government to meet that objective.

Gas supplies in Chattogram had not returned to normal by Saturday, August 22, 2026, causing severe disruption at CNG stations, households and industries. Long queues of gas-powered vehicles formed across the city, while residents in several areas reported little or no cooking gas. Most factories could not open on Saturday because of the shortage.

Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited said it received only 170.5 million cubic feet of gas in the 24 hours ending at 8am Saturday, roughly the same as Friday. The amount equals 55 percent of daily demand. The company said Chattogram needs 320 million cubic feet daily and normally receives an allocation of 246 million cubic feet from the national grid.

Queues at many CNG stations exceeded two kilometres, with some stations shutting supply because of low pressure. Factory owners said production at garment and steel plants had fallen to 20 percent, while use of diesel and furnace oil raised costs. Officials said supply may take at least another day to improve, with a new LNG cargo expected Sunday.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney ended trade negotiations with the United States on Friday night, less than an hour before a deadline for new tariffs to take effect, according to the report published August 22, 2026. Carney said Canada would impose equivalent, dollar-for-dollar tariffs on US goods if Washington levies 50 percent duties on C$2 billion worth of Canadian products. He said he sought the best possible agreement for Canada but would not accept a deal at any price or within any deadline.

The talks collapsed after both sides accused the other of introducing new and unreasonable conditions at the last moment. US President Donald Trump had said on Tuesday that an agreement was nearly complete, while Carney repeatedly maintained that significant work remained. The report says Canada’s economy is deeply connected to the United States and that Ottawa relies heavily on its neighbour in defence, making Carney’s decision risky. He said the government would support Canadian industries and businesses harmed by the tariffs.

Provincial leaders from differing political camps backed Carney, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and British Columbia Premier David Eby. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith urged a return to negotiations. Carney has sought to reduce Canada’s economic dependence on the United States by building partnerships in Asia and Europe, though the report says it remains uncertain whether those markets can quickly offset disruption in US-Canada trade.

The government plans to launch a National E-Health Platform to bring Bangladesh’s health system under an integrated digital framework. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman ordered that operations begin through a pilot project in several districts. The decision was discussed at a meeting on integrated information technology systems in healthcare, chaired by the prime minister on Saturday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon.

Participants discussed the platform’s possible structure, operating method and use in health services. The pilot will assess its effectiveness, potential problems, cost and feasibility before any expansion. Tarique Rahman instructed officials to ensure effective use of information technology so that people can access benefits easily and the process of receiving medical services becomes simpler.

The prime minister stressed secure storage of patients’ necessary health information and timely access for relevant doctors and healthcare institutions. He also called for data security, personal privacy, ease of use, cost efficiency and long-term operational sustainability. Engineer Zakaria Swapan gave a presentation on the platform, while health, ICT and other senior government officials attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has decided to build a highway on the Rahmatpur–Hizla–Mehendiganj–Bhola route to connect island district Bhola with Bangladesh’s main road network. The decision was made at a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Saturday, according to Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. The report was published on August 22, 2026.

The meeting considered three proposals for direct road links between Bhola, Dhaka and Barishal. It selected the Barishal–Rahmatpur–Hizla–Mehendiganj–Bhola route proposed by the Roads and Highways Department. The prime minister stressed an integrated road system to overcome geographical barriers, ensure uninterrupted connectivity and expand trade opportunities, directing officials to advance the initiative quickly.

Project-related officials said existing roads along the proposed route would need widening, while new roads and three small bridges would also be required. Feasibility and implementation prospects will be examined quickly. Officials expect the project to establish direct road connections with Barishal, Dhaka and other areas, reducing travel time and costs and decreasing Bhola’s long-standing reliance on waterways.

Climate change is increasingly an economic crisis as well as an environmental one, with heatwaves, floods, droughts, cyclones, wildfires and rising seas damaging agriculture, industry, infrastructure, health and jobs. The source says poorer and developing countries that emit comparatively less carbon are often more exposed to these losses. World Bank data show that, between 2021 and 2024, 69% of people in low-income countries hit by disasters or extreme weather reported income losses, while 72% reported lost or damaged assets.

Agriculture-dependent economies, small island states, outdoor workers and marginalised groups face particular risks. The World Bank says climate change could push up to 130 million people into extreme poverty by 2030 without effective action. IPCC findings cited in the report say extreme-weather losses can be especially large relative to GDP in small island states, placing pressure on budgets and growth.

Bangladesh is highlighted as a warning case, with cyclones causing average annual economic losses of about $1 billion. By 2050, climate impacts could threaten up to one-third of agricultural GDP and displace more than 13 million people internally. The report calls for climate-resilient infrastructure, early-warning systems, agricultural adaptation, renewable energy and social protection.

Malaysia’s Foreign Worker Centralized Management System (FWCMS) has published a list of 25 Bangladeshi recruiting agencies approved to recruit workers from Bangladesh. The platform posted the names on its official website on Friday, according to a report published on August 22, 2026.

Leaders of a section of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies, known as BAIRA, had long demanded that Malaysia’s labour market be opened to all legally operating recruiting agencies in Bangladesh. However, Malaysian authorities finalised the list of 25 agencies through what the report described as a syndicate.

Malaysia temporarily closed its labour market for Bangladesh on May 31, 2024. At that time, many workers with tickets were unable to travel after the deadline expired, while others returned from the airport disappointed because they could not obtain airline tickets. Discussions and initiatives on sending Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia have continued since then, and FWCMS has now released the approved-agency list.

College student Al Mamun, 18, died after being struck by lightning while cutting grass for cattle in Malliknagar village of Luneswar Union, Atpara upazila in Netrokona. The incident occurred on Friday morning amid light rain, according to the report published on August 22, 2026.

Residents and police said Mamun was the son of Al Amin of Malliknagar village. He had recently sat for the HSC examination and was staying at home after the exams. During his free time, he helped his parents look after their cattle.

Mamun went to cut grass in front of his home as light rain continued in the area. At about 8:45am, lightning struck and he died at the scene. Atpara police station officer-in-charge Zobaidul Islam confirmed the incident and said an unnatural death case had been filed. Netrokona Deputy Commissioner Khandaker Mushfiqur Rahman said the government would provide Mamun’s family with Tk20,000 in immediate financial assistance for funeral arrangements.

Farmers in Sherpur, Bogura, alleged on August 22 that TSP and DAP fertilizer are being sold above government-set prices and are unavailable at official rates. They said retailers and dealers often claim stocks are exhausted when farmers seek fertilizer at fixed prices, but supply becomes available if they agree to pay more. Farmers in several unions said the situation is causing concern during the cultivation season.

According to the complaints, TSP, officially priced at Tk1,350 per bag, is being sold for Tk1,700 to Tk1,800, while DAP, set at Tk1,050, is reportedly sold for up to Tk1,600. Farmers also alleged that shop memos are often not provided. Some anonymous retailers said they must buy fertilizer from BCIC and BADC dealers at an extra Tk200 to Tk300 per bag and receive memos showing the official price. Dealers denied the allegations.

One dealer said there was no fertilizer shortage and attributed temporary demand pressure to advance purchases by farmers, though he acknowledged some shortage of DAP. Upazila agriculture officer Farzana Akhtar said sufficient fertilizer was available and legal action would follow if proof of overcharging emerged. Upazila executive officer Saiduzzaman Himu said dealers have no scope to charge above official prices.

China is preparing to launch its uncrewed, robot-based Chang’e-7 mission to search for ice in permanently shadowed craters at the Moon’s south pole. The launch window runs from August 24 to 31, with a possible launch as early as Monday. China’s seventh lunar mission will target the rim of Shackleton Crater, near the lunar south pole.

The mission includes an orbiter, lander, rover and solar-powered hopper. The orbiter will map and image the lunar surface while relaying communications. The lander will carry scientific instruments, and the rover will examine rocks, soil and local conditions. The six-legged hopper is designed to enter and exit deep, dark crater areas that conventional rovers cannot reach.

Chang’e-7 will investigate where water ice is located, how deep it lies, its condition and whether it can be collected. The source says lunar ice may preserve records of volcanic activity and provide clues about how water entered the Earth-Moon system. Accessible water could also support future human missions through drinking water, cooling, hydrogen fuel and oxygen production.

The World Bank forecasts that Lebanon’s economy will shrink by 6.4 percent in 2026 as the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah war severely disrupts the country’s recovery efforts. In a report released Friday, the bank cited a collapse in tourism, lower consumer spending, disrupted goods supply chains, heightened insecurity and prolonged displacement as major drivers of the projected contraction. Lebanese authorities say more than 4,300 people have been killed in Israeli air strikes and ground operations.

Lebanon has faced a severe financial crisis since 2019. Before the latest conflict, the World Bank’s preliminary estimate had suggested real GDP could grow by 4.2 percent in 2025, which would have been the country’s fastest economic growth since the financial crisis began. The bank also expects inflation to reach 17.5 percent this year, driven by supply disruptions, higher transport costs and rising oil prices, further reducing purchasing power.

World Bank Middle East director Dalia Khalifa said reforms must advance to restore confidence, preserve economic stability and secure financing for reconstruction and recovery. She highlighted banking-sector restructuring and public financial-management reform. Lebanon’s parliament last week approved amendments to a bank restructuring law, which the IMF praised as an important step. Lebanon is discussing economic assistance with the IMF, with talks set to resume in Beirut next month.

Farmers in Khetlal, Joypurhat, have alleged that some dealers and traders are selling fertilizer above government-set prices during the current Aman rice season, despite claims of adequate supply. The report, published on August 22, 2026, says growers are paying an extra Tk400 to Tk600 per 50-kilogram bag and in some cases are being denied receipts. Farmers say the higher costs are raising production expenses and increasing fears of losses.

Government prices are listed at Tk1,350 for urea and TSP, Tk1,000 for MOP and Tk1,050 for DAP per 50-kilogram bag. Farmers allege urea is selling for Tk1,900 to Tk1,950, TSP for Tk1,900 to Tk2,000, DAP for Tk1,500 to Tk1,600, and MOP for around Tk1,400. They say posted price lists do not match actual sales prices.

The agriculture department has set an Aman cultivation target of 10,850 hectares in Khetlal, with transplanting completed on about 97% of land. Dealers and officials said action would follow verified complaints, while an agriculture official said some pressure may stem from excess fertilizer use and advance storage for the potato season.