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.

Canada has stepped back from finalising a trade agreement with the United States after last-minute negotiations failed, according to the report published on August 22, 2026. The Trump administration is preparing to impose new tariffs of up to 50 percent on nearly $20 billion in Canadian goods, representing about 5 percent of Canada’s total exports to the United States.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Canada had refused to finalise the agreement under terms agreed earlier in the week. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said last-minute changes to the proposed US terms were unfair and unprofitable, raising questions about the reliability of any agreement. He said his government would soon announce measures to support Canadian workers and businesses.

Annual goods and services trade between the two countries totals about $880 billion, while their border stretches roughly 5,525 miles. About 72 percent of Canada’s goods exports depend on the US market, meaning tariffs could pressure Canadian businesses and employment. The report also said higher costs for US importers could raise consumer prices and pose a political risk for the Trump administration before November’s midterm elections.

Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry is facing declining exports in its two major markets, Europe and the United States, contributing to factory closures and job losses in Chattogram. Eurostat data showed Bangladesh exported garments worth €8.6448 billion to Europe in the first six months of 2026, down 16.43% from €10.3444 billion a year earlier. Exports to the United States fell 5.75% to $4.0078 billion over the same period.

Chattogram Industrial Police said 50 factories closed during the past six months, including 25 permanently, leaving more than 7,000 workers unemployed. Analysis cited in the report indicates at least 20,000 workers nationwide were dismissed or laid off in the first half of the year, most of them from the garment sector. Workers reported hardship after closures and alleged unpaid dues.

Industry representatives cited weak orders, energy shortages, raw-material constraints, rising costs and global competition. They said gas-dependent textile factories were particularly affected, while operating factories were running at low capacity. Economists urged swift action to protect investment and sustain production, warning that lower exports could reduce foreign earnings and state revenue.

An opinion article by Chittagong University economics professor Dr Mohammad Saiful Islam says Bangladesh has formally asked the United Nations General Assembly to remain in the least developed country category for three more years. Bangladesh had been due to graduate from LDC status on November 24 this year under three UN criteria, but the article says the country has not completed the preparations needed for transition to upper-middle-income status.

The article contrasts the request with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s 2021 declaration that Bangladesh had become a developing country. It alleges that many economic indicators presented by the previous government were inaccurate, citing interim government finance adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed’s criticism of statistical manipulation. It says Bangladesh’s export base remains heavily dependent on ready-made garments, which account for about 82 percent of export earnings.

According to the article, graduation could end duty-free export preferences, pharmaceutical-sector TRIPS benefits, concessional lending and foreign grants. It cites estimates of average annual export losses of $17.5 billion and says Bangladesh plans revenue and financial-sector reforms during the requested extension. If planned measures are implemented, the article says Bangladesh could take on developing-country status in November 2029.

Samsung is reportedly developing a new foldable phone with a relatively wider screen as it seeks to strengthen its position in the foldable smartphone market. The South Korean technology company is considering a display better suited to video viewing following the commercial success of the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The report says the potential device could reach the market in 2027.

According to Engadget, citing South Korean outlet ET News, the device may use a display aspect ratio different from Samsung's existing Fold series. It could move away from the Galaxy Z Fold 8's 4:3 ratio toward a format closer to 16:9 or 16:10, although Samsung has not officially announced details. The redesign is intended to reduce the large black bars visible above and below widescreen videos on a 4:3 display.

ET News also reported that Samsung may plan to release five foldable devices by 2027, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, a successor to the Galaxy Z Flip 8, and a new-generation Galaxy Z TriFold. Their official announcement could come at a Samsung Unpacked event in July 2027, based on the company's recent launch schedule.

Recent severe flooding, persistent heavy rain and hill runoff have damaged 58 rural roads and 60 bridges and culverts in Banshkhali, Chattogram. The damage became clear after flood and rainwater receded, leaving the upazila’s rural and main transport network in severely disrupted condition. Upazila Engineer Ifrad Bin Munir said 109 kilometres of roads, including road surfaces, were affected.

Internal roads in Saral, Katharia, Shekerkhil, Chambal, Shilkhup, Jaldi municipality, Puichhari, Napora, Bailchhari, Kalipur, Sadhanpur and Pukuria have been washed away in places, with carpeting and bricks removed. Earthen roads have developed large holes and become unusable. Parts of Banshkhali’s only main road were submerged by runoff, making vehicle travel risky and causing daily accidents and damage to vehicles, according to drivers and passengers.

Union representatives said many roads, bridges and culverts remain damaged and hazardous. In Chhanua, roads in Madhukhali, Chhoto Chhanua and Khudukkhali have largely disappeared, while Khankhanabad faces river erosion. Roads and Highways sub-assistant engineer Didarul Islam said six kilometres of road were damaged. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ruhul Amin said engineers and Roads and Highways officials were directed to repair affected roads quickly.

Industrial factories in Bangladesh are facing severe disruption from shortages of gas and electricity, with output reportedly falling by 25% to 30%. Factory owners and workers in Savar, Gazipur, Narsingdi and Narayanganj said unreliable energy supply is interrupting production, increasing costs and raising fears of missed deliveries and lost markets. The report was published on August 22, 2026.

Textile and garment businesses said repeated power outages and low gas pressure have particularly damaged gas-dependent dyeing operations. Some firms are using diesel generators or other fuels, but owners said this adds substantial expenses and cannot sustain full operations. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said factories are extending work to 12 to 13 hours to maintain production and avoid order cancellations.

Petrobangla data cited daily gas demand of about 3.8 billion cubic feet, while supply recently fluctuated between 1.73 billion and 2.44 billion cubic feet. The power board said 21 gas-based plants were fully shut and eight partly operating because of gas shortages. Workers reported longer unpaid stays at factories and concern about job losses as some plants reduce output or close.

Bangladesh’s industrial factories are facing severe disruption from inadequate gas and electricity supplies, with production reported to have fallen by 25% to 30%. Factory owners and workers in Savar, Gazipur, Narsingdi and Narayanganj described interrupted operations, rising costs and concern over delayed deliveries and lost markets. The report was published on August 22, 2026.

Textile and garment producers said repeated power cuts and low gas pressure have particularly hurt gas-dependent dyeing operations. Sadama Fashionwear in Gazipur said its dyeing unit had been shut for a week, while Mosharraf Composite Textile said output had fallen to 30% to 35% of capacity. Entrepreneurs said factories are buying additional diesel, costing an average of Tk3 crore to Tk10 crore monthly per factory in some cases.

Petrobangla data cited daily gas demand of about 380 crore cubic feet, while supply recently fluctuated from 173 crore to 244 crore cubic feet before dropping to 218 crore cubic feet. The Power Development Board said 21 gas-fired plants were fully shut and eight partly operational because of gas shortages, while average daily load-shedding in August exceeded 2,000 megawatts.

China’s decision to draw on its strategic oil reserves has helped limit pressure on global oil markets after the Strait of Hormuz was closed, according to the report published on August 21, 2026. Six months after the closure, an estimated 10 to 14 percent of global oil supplies still cannot reach the market, yet oil-market volatility has remained lower than in several previous Middle East crises.

Before the war, about 20 million barrels of oil a day passed through the strait, roughly one-fifth of global daily consumption. International oil prices have risen about 50 percent in the current crisis, with Brent crude increasing from around $60 a barrel at the start of the year to a stable range of about $85 to $90.

The report contrasts the situation with the 1973 Arab oil embargo, when a 7 percent supply disruption was followed by a near fourfold price increase. Supply disruptions of 6 to 7 percent during the 1979 Iranian Revolution and Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait also drove prices to more than double. China has avoided buying large additional volumes of crude, preventing extra demand from adding market pressure.

The 2026 Mekong-Lancang Fruit, Coffee, Flower and Beer Carnival has opened at Hello World Living Mall in Kunming, capital of China’s Yunnan province. Bangladesh’s stall has drawn strong interest from local visitors and businesspeople, according to a Commerce Ministry press release issued Friday. The Yunnan Provincial Department of Commerce is organizing the international event, which features 94 stalls displaying fruits and agricultural products from Mekong-region countries.

China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, Bangladesh and Thailand are participating, with countries displaying and selling a range of fruits, agricultural and food products. Bangladesh is also participating as a co-organizer. The event is intended to strengthen regional agricultural and trade cooperation while presenting Bangladeshi agricultural diversity to international markets and creating potential new business links with China.

At the opening, Bangladesh Consul General in Kunming Shahnaz Ranu said agricultural trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and China had reached new heights. She said Bangladesh’s mango has already entered the Chinese market, while jackfruit export protocols were signed during Prime Minister Tareque Rahman’s China visit. Organizers expect the festival, running until August 23, to expand markets and agricultural cooperation.

Farmers in Khetlal upazila of Joypurhat are turning to Philippine Black sugarcane after receiving unsatisfactory prices for rice, wheat and vegetables. The variety can be marketed in about a year and is drawing interest because growers expect strong demand and prices. Farmer Md Zakaria of Raghunathpur village has reported success cultivating it on 19 decimals of land. About eight bighas of Philippine Black sugarcane have been cultivated across the upazila this season.

Several farmers have tested the variety on small plots, including Awal Talukdar, Nurunnabi, Tajel, Idris Mondal, Yasin and Razzak. Growers said their cane is now ready for sale and they expect good returns if each stalk sells for Tk30 to Tk40. Production costs are somewhat higher than for other varieties, as soft cane requires net fencing against foxes and bamboo supports because of its height.

Agriculture officials said Philippine Black cane is soft, sweet and juicy, making it popular for chewing, while many conventional varieties are suited to molasses and sugar production. They advised selecting high or medium-high land without standing water, using good seed and ensuring proper care. The agriculture department is providing advice to help farmers obtain quality seed and expand cultivation.

Bangladesh Garment Workers Solidarity President Taslima Akhter called for an end to worker layoffs blamed on energy shortages at a rally outside the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday. The gathering demanded uninterrupted gas and electricity supplies, full implementation of the Labour Act 2026, a wage board and protection against dismissals. Akhter said workers would suffer most if production declines because of gas and power disruptions.

Akhter, also a member of the 2024 Labour Reform Commission, said the burden of industrial mismanagement or an energy crisis must not be placed on workers. She urged swift action to protect both industry and workers. She also said the Labour Act 2026 would remain limited to paper if its provisions were not implemented, citing union rights, safe workplaces, protection from discrimination and harassment, and workplace justice.

Speakers said more than 100 factories had closed over two years after the mass uprising, leaving about 40,000 workers unemployed. They said the livelihoods of around 4 million garment workers depend on gas and electricity supplies. After the rally, participants marched around the Paltan area. Organizers urged the government to direct owners against layoffs and sought jobs and social protection for displaced workers.

National University has launched a two-day training programme to expand the use of D-Nothi in official work and improve staff skills. The programme was formally inaugurated on Friday morning at the university’s main campus in Gazipur, organised by its Human Resource Development and Integrity Office. The university said it was the first D-Nothi training initiative held under the direction of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ASM Amanullah.

The initiative aims to ensure transparency, speed and accountability in administrative work while advancing a paperless office. Twenty-five officers from different university departments are taking part. After completing the programme, they will serve as master trainers and help introduce and implement D-Nothi activities in their respective offices.

Participants are receiving theoretical and practical instruction on e-Nothi and D-Nothi systems, login procedures, profile management, uploading and managing correspondence, tracking correspondence, online decisions, file presentation, note writing, draft letters, digital file numbers and branch codes. UGC ICT officials Muhammad Nazmul Islam and Dwijendra Chandra Das are serving as experts. The programme will end on Saturday with a final assessment, followed by certificate distribution.

China’s state media reported that the death toll from severe flooding in the country’s south has risen to 159, with 10 people still missing. The updated figure was reported by state broadcaster CCTV on Friday, following damage caused in July by heavy rain and flooding linked to Typhoon Maysak.

Guangxi was among the areas hit hardest by the disaster. State media had previously reported 39 deaths there. CCTV did not explain why the revised overall death toll was released six weeks after the flooding.

According to information presented at separate meetings on post-typhoon recovery and reconstruction in Nanning and Guigang, more than 1.65 million people were affected in the two Guangxi cities. CCTV said both areas have now fully entered the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction phase.

The Panama Canal Authority will reduce the number of ships permitted through the strategic waterway from next month after El Niño-related drought lowered water levels. From September 3, daily transits will fall from a maximum of 36 to 34 vessels, before declining further to 32 on September 15. The canal links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and the restriction follows lower water levels in two artificial lakes that supply it.

Rainfall in the Panama Canal area was 34 percent below its historical average between May and August. Authorities fear El Niño could reduce rainfall further across Central America. They said lower-than-expected rainfall in the canal’s water-collection area made conservation measures necessary to protect the waterway’s long-term operation and sustainability. Authorities have already reduced the maximum permitted draft for large vessels.

About 5 percent of global maritime trade and nearly 40 percent of US container transport use the canal. Authorities said unbooked ships will face longer waiting times, while nine out of every 10 vessels using the canal are booked in advance. Further restrictions may be imposed depending on rainfall in the coming weeks. The lakes supplying the canal also meet water needs for nearly half of Panama’s 4.2 million people.