Despite the peak season, the Meghna River in Tajumuddin, Bhola, is not yielding the expected hilsa catch, leaving more than 5,000 fishers unemployed and over 300 boat owners frustrated. The report, published on August 16, said catches are so low that fishers cannot recover their boats’ fuel costs, making it difficult for them to support their households.

According to the upazila fisheries office, Tajumuddin has 19,500 registered fishers, including more than 7,000 directly involved in catching fish. Nearly 5,000 of them are currently without work. At Sluice Gate, Gurinda Bazar and Choumuhani landing points, traders and fishers were seen passing idle time at fish depots. Supplies of other fish have also fallen, prompting many people to close their businesses.

Teacher and fish trader Md Monir said he stopped sending his three boats out after low catches, despite investing about Tk 2 million in boats and nets. Upazila Fisheries Officer Md Amir Hossain said underwater sandbars are disrupting the normal movement of hilsa coming from the sea. He said higher authorities have given assurances about pursuing dredging to remove the sandbars.

Indonesia’s North Sumatra province was struck by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Saturday evening, 12 hours after a powerful magnitude 7.7 quake hit the country’s east. The new tremor occurred at 5:54 p.m. local time, with its epicentre 7 kilometres northwest of Pematangsiantar, one of North Sumatra’s largest cities. The US Geological Survey said it originated at a depth of 183.2 kilometres.

No major damage or casualties had been reported from the latest quake, and no tsunami warning was issued. Earlier on Saturday, at 5:58 a.m., the magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck offshore, 68 kilometres northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province. That quake originated just 10 kilometres below the surface and was followed by 341 aftershocks of comparatively lower magnitude.

Indonesia’s weather agency initially issued a tsunami warning after the earlier offshore earthquake but withdrew it after three hours when no tsunami signs were detected. The magnitude 7.7 quake caused reported deaths and damage across eastern Indonesia and other areas, with 47 people killed, at least 54 buildings completely collapsed, and several hundred homes partially damaged.

Residents in the Banshkhali hills of Chattogram say gas bubbles are emerging from leaks around three old wells and from cracks in the surrounding hillsides, renewing discussion about possible oil and gas reserves. The wells were drilled about six decades ago at Do-Chailla hill, in forest between the Jaldhi Range and Lohagara Chunati Range, about two kilometres east of Jaldhi municipal headquarters. The report was published on August 16, 2026.

Local sources and elderly residents said the then Pakistan government drilled three wells in 1960 through the Oil and Gas Development Corporation. They also said five more wells were later drilled with assistance from Korean and Russian experts. Locals claim surveys identified large reserves and that experts extracted about 300 barrels of crude oil, but these claims have not been independently verified.

Bapex geology department manager Alamgir Hossain confirmed that three wells had been drilled in Jaldhi hills. No effective extraction initiative has been taken since the 1960 survey, according to the report, and the reason the wells were sealed with lead remains unclear. Former Banshkhali mayor Kamrul Islam Hossaini called for new scientific exploration to assess the potential.

Bangladesh’s garment exports to the European Union fell sharply in the first half of 2026, with EU imports declining 16.43% year on year to €8.6448 billion from €10.3444 billion. The decline of about €1.70 billion came as the EU clothing market weakened between January and June, adding pressure to Bangladesh’s competitive position in the European market.

Eurostat data showed the EU’s total garment imports from global suppliers fell 9.70% to €41.10 billion during the six-month period, while import volume dropped 6.40% and average unit prices declined 3.53%. Bangladesh’s supplied volume fell 8.22%, while its average unit price dropped 8.94% to €13.88 per kilogram. Most major suppliers, including China, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Indonesia, also recorded negative growth.

There were signs of a limited recovery in June. EU garment imports from Bangladesh rose 0.87% that month to €1.3674 billion, as supply increased 6.53% despite a 5.31% fall in average prices. Vietnam was the exception over the six months, posting 0.36% growth as its average unit price rose 13.43% to €29.32 per kilogram.

Bangladesh’s banking sector recorded excess liquidity of more than Tk408,000 crore at the end of June, as private investment and demand for loans weakened. Bangladesh Bank data showed surplus funds rose from Tk327,877 crore in May and Tk378,135 crore at the end of March. Deposits continued to increase, but banks struggled to deploy the additional money because new investment activity remained slow.

Banking-sector sources cited gas and electricity shortages, high interest rates, political uncertainty and law-and-order conditions as factors reducing appetite for new investment. Greater caution by banks in lending has also slowed private-sector credit flow. Deposit growth stood at 10.74 percent in June from a year earlier, while private-sector credit growth fell to 4.47 percent, described in the report as a historic low.

Banks are placing funds in treasury bills and bonds, the call-money market, deposits with other banks and Bangladesh Bank’s Standing Deposit Facility. Bangladesh Bank recently reduced the repo rate from 10 percent to 9.5 percent and announced a Tk60,000 crore incentive package to support economic recovery and reopen closed factories. Banks holding excess liquidity are expected to provide Tk41,000 crore under the package.

Kuwait’s oil sector has been largely paralysed for several months as war in the Gulf region disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, sharply reducing oil exports. The disruption has created a major crisis for Kuwait, where oil accounts for more than 90 percent of government revenue and nearly all export earnings. The strait is Kuwait’s main route for oil exports.

Unlike Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait has no alternative pipeline route to transport oil while bypassing the strait. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation chief executive Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah described the situation as the country’s biggest oil-sector crisis since Iraq’s 1990 invasion. While the current war has not caused destruction on that scale, Kuwait’s oil infrastructure has been damaged.

KPC declared force majeure within days of the war’s start because it could not meet contractual obligations, then withdrew the notice in June. Iranian attacks damaged water-treatment and fuel facilities, while KPC headquarters was hit by a drone attack in April. Before the war, Kuwait produced slightly more than 2.6 million barrels daily and planned to reach 4 million barrels by 2040. KPC expects transport to normalise if Hormuz reopens.

At least five people have died in severe storms and flooding in the U.S. Midwestern state of Indiana, according to a report published on August 16. People are being rescued by boat from flooded homes as several rivers, including the White River through Indianapolis, have risen above danger levels and inundated surrounding areas.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett described the event as the area’s worst flooding in more than 30 years. The U.S. National Weather Service said some locations received more than 280 millimeters of rain in only two days. In Delaware County, authorities recovered the body of a 58-year-old woman on Friday; she is believed to have died while attempting to drive through floodwaters.

A four-year-old child died after a tree fell onto a home in Jennings County. Law enforcement also recovered the body of a teenager who had been missing since jumping into a river on Wednesday. Governor Mike Braun requested a presidential emergency declaration on Friday to secure additional federal help. On Saturday, Braun said President Donald Trump had agreed to approve the request and that the federal government would assist those affected.

Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department is operating under severe pressure from staff shortages, a long-running promotion backlog, ageing technology and reduced budget allocations, according to a report published on August 16, 2026. Of 1,338 posts approved under its new organisational structure, only 557 are filled. Many weather observation centres and key divisions are being run by acting officials or extremely limited staffing, affecting the agency’s capacity to provide accurate forecasts and disaster warnings.

The department has 61 observation stations under eight divisional offices, with 24 stations staffed by only one to three people despite round-the-clock operations requiring far more personnel. Officials said recruitment and promotions have been halted since 2013. Stakeholders also raised concerns over the status of the top leadership post and attempts to fill a technical role with administrative cadre officials.

Funding for fiscal year 2026-27 was reduced to Tk 99 crore 51 lakh 72 thousand from Tk 109 crore 19 lakh in the previous year. Three radar systems have become permanently inoperable due to age and maintenance problems, while radar systems in Dhaka and Rangpur remain operational, acting director Mominul Islam said. He said a new organogram and policy had been approved and expressed hope that recruitment, promotions and radar replacement would be addressed soon.

Twenty popular songs by Bangladeshi band music legend Ayub Bachchu are set to be released in new arrangements to mark his birthday. The special album, titled “Uttoradhikar,” will be issued on double CD and digital platforms. Eight bands and 12 artists from the country have reinterpreted the songs for the project.

Dalchhut performed “Rupali Guitar,” Arbovirus recorded “Nil Bedona,” Shonar Bangla Circus performed “Gotokal Rate,” and Shubhojatra recorded “Cholo Bodle Jai.” Calypso performed “Chand Mama,” RockSalt recorded “Ochena Jibon,” Dopamine performed “Madhobi,” and A K Rahul sang “Mon Chaile Mon.”

Other performers include Babna Karim and Russell Ali, Romel Ali, Chandan Jaman Ali-Menon, Kaniz Suborna and Sajjad, Palash, Joy Shahriar, Adit, Bakhtiar Hossain, Atika Yamin, Autumnal Moon, Kanak Acharya, and Taufiq-AB-Menon. Iqbal Asif Jewel mastered all the tracks. Project coordinator Chishti Iqbal said Ayub Bachchu’s wife Ferdous Akhtar Chandana initiated the idea, after which discussions finalized the 20-song album.

Rupali Bank has moved to auction nearly 26 acres of mortgaged land and property belonging to Beximco Limited in Gazipur and Narayanganj to recover defaulted loans. A notice issued by the bank’s head office and reported on August 16, 2026 said the relevant outstanding amount from Beximco Textile was Tk 190.92 crore, excluding unpaid interest. The bank said the scheduled movable and immovable assets would be sold in their existing condition to recover its dues, related costs and court interest.

The notice names Bangladesh Export Import Company Limited as the borrower; the company was previously known as Bextex Limited. Padma Textile Mills and Beximco Knitting have merged with Beximco Limited. Listed properties include land in several Gazipur areas, including Sarabo, and in Tarabo and Jatramura mouzas of Narayanganj. The schedules describe 25.96 acres in total, including 17.41 acres in Narayanganj and 8.55 acres in Gazipur.

Beximco company secretary Asad Ullah said he was unaware of the auction and argued that repayment was difficult while the company remained closed. Bids must be submitted by 2 pm on September 14 and will be opened five minutes later. Economist Abu Ahmed said a negotiated settlement between the bank and borrower would be preferable.

The 1,320-megawatt Bangladesh-India jointly owned Rampal coal-fired power plant has reportedly shut down 30 times over the past year, including 27 times because of technical faults, according to an August 16, 2026 report by Amar Desh. Power Division sources cited in the report said equipment at the plant has deteriorated within three years, repeatedly failing again soon after repairs and requiring substantial maintenance spending.

The report said the project was developed by Bangladesh Power Development Board and India’s state-owned NTPC through the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company. It said Bangladesh now carries the burden of a $1.6 billion loan from India’s Exim Bank. Power Division officials told the newspaper that although ownership is split equally, Indian parties controlled installation and operations. The report also alleged that nine Indian officials left on January 24 after an Anti-Corruption Commission inquiry began.

Plant spokesperson Anwarul Azim said locally appointed engineers have gradually restored operations following the departure of Indian officials. He said faults had been relatively limited over the past month and that the plant’s two units were now supplying 800 to 900 megawatts daily to the national grid. Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said Bangladesh had raised the technical faults and financial losses with India.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed US sanctions for rising prices in Iran, saying the measures have disrupted goods imports through the country’s ports. In remarks published Friday, he said shipments that previously arrived by sea must now take longer routes to reach Iran, increasing the cost of finished goods and the cost of living.

Pezeshkian said the increase in prices was therefore natural, according to his remarks. He also said Iran’s income had declined because it could no longer sell oil as it had previously. The president linked the country’s financial pressures both to disrupted trade and to reduced oil-sale revenue.

He further said several industrial factories had been destroyed in bomb attacks, reducing the government’s ability to collect taxes from them at previous levels. Emphasizing the need to keep the country functioning despite these pressures, Pezeshkian said Iran’s economic wheel must continue turning.

Extensive jute retting in the Chitra and Nabaganga rivers has caused severe water pollution in Narail, according to a report published on August 16, 2026. Rotting jute has turned previously clear river water black and unusable, while direct connections from Narail town’s drainage system and riverside housing sanitation facilities to the Chitra have compounded the pollution. The foul smell from the stagnant, rotten water has also affected air quality in nearby areas.

Local residents said farmers once retted jute in nearby ditches, canals, ponds, haors and other water bodies that held sufficient water. As those sources disappeared over time, farmers began using the Chitra, Nabaganga and other rivers and canals. Farmers said they know the practice damages river water but lack adequate alternative reservoirs. They also said transporting jute from wetlands to rivers is costly, while river-retted jute is often considered of comparatively better quality.

The report said pollution affects the rivers’ freshwater for about four months from June to September, with low oxygen levels hindering fish reproduction and threatening biodiversity. Environment Banchao Andolon president Shah Alam called for restoring lost water bodies and promoting modern retting methods. Deputy Commissioner Dr Abdul Salam said authorities would coordinate with relevant parties to develop effective alternatives that discourage river retting.

Agricultural losses from Switzerland’s ongoing severe drought could exceed the record 500 million Swiss francs reported during the 2003 crisis, Swiss Farmers’ Union president Markus Ritter warned. In remarks reported on August 16, Ritter said he had never seen such an unprecedented drought in his working life. A shortage of soil moisture from the beginning of summer has created an exceptional situation across the country, while prolonged dry weather is placing heavy pressure on farmers.

Potatoes and sugar beet have suffered the greatest impact, while maize production is also expected to decline significantly. Wheat and barley have been comparatively less affected because much of those crops matured and was harvested before the drought intensified. Livestock farmers are facing feed shortages, with many already using fodder reserved for winter to get through summer. Straw prices have risen by as much as 50 percent, adding financial pressure on livestock and dairy farms as pastures deteriorate.

Ritter opposed declaring an emergency, urging farmers not to panic and saying the union remains in close contact with federal authorities. Swiss authorities are flying water to several Alpine pastures and have removed import duties to reduce the cost of imported animal feed. Ritter said discussions with retailers on sharing costs would take place, but acknowledged farmers may ultimately bear much of the loss.

The death toll from a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake in eastern Indonesia rose to 47 after it struck early Saturday, injuring many others and damaging hundreds of homes and public facilities. The United States Geological Survey said the quake hit the Flores region at 5:58 a.m. local time on Saturday, with a depth of only 10 kilometers. Authorities reported that people in several areas fled their homes and took shelter on streets during the strong shaking.

Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency, BNPB, said 24 deaths were reported in Manggarai Regency, 17 in East Manggarai, three in Sikka, and one each in Ngada and Ende. The earthquake severely damaged 157 houses, moderately damaged 41 and lightly damaged 148. Damage was also reported at 87 educational institutions, 18 health centers, five places of worship and six government offices.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency issued tsunami warnings for several areas before later lifting them. Rescue teams continued recovering and treating injured people, while BNPB sent food and other essential relief supplies to affected areas. Nearly 2,000 people were moved to safer locations. Authorities recorded 111 aftershocks, including one measuring 6.1.