Gas supplies have been fully shut off to 171 industrial factories in Habiganj, Bangladesh, halting production and leaving more than 150,000 workers idle, the report said. Supplies had been limited for the previous 20 days before being cut completely from Wednesday. The disruption is causing reported daily losses of more than Tk1,000 crore, while foreign orders are being cancelled or face cancellation because export shipments cannot be completed on time.

Managers at Jamuna Industrial Park, Badsha Pioneer, SM Spinning, Sayham Group, Habiganj Industrial Park and Square Denim said their factories had stopped operating after gas supplies ended. Several companies are fully export-oriented and rely on captive power systems for electricity, meaning production and internal power generation have both been affected. Officials cited idle workers, stopped output and risks to existing orders.

Jalalabad Gas T&D System Limited Deputy General Manager Md Ruhul Karim Chowdhury said the shortage is a national problem that began in late July. He said gas supply to power-generation centres was increased to maintain electricity production, forcing supplies to industries to be curtailed. He said the problem could be resolved within three to four days.

Social media platform X plans to end its current Creator Earnings program and introduce a replacement called Original Content Rewards for content creators. Creators can continue earning under the existing system until September 7, while eligible users will be able to apply for the new program from September 8.

Applicants must have an X Premium subscription, at least 500 verified followers, and a minimum of 500,000 views from verified users during the previous 90 days. The program will prioritize original material, including creators’ own photos, videos, reports, analysis, comments, memes, and graphics.

Content that makes only minor changes to others’ material will not be treated as original. Users who copy posts from other accounts or download and repost content will not qualify for earnings. X said some incentives in the old system had become less effective than expected. Allegra Zakia said creators should focus on producing new, valuable content rather than only earning more money. X may revise the program’s rules later based on user experience and circumstances.

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores Island at 5:58 a.m. local time on Saturday, killing two people and injuring one, according to the country’s disaster agency. Authorities issued a tsunami warning for affected coastal areas after the quake, which occurred off the coast of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province.

The United States Geological Survey said the epicentre was about 68 kilometres north and northwest of Ende city, at a depth of 10 kilometres. Three aftershocks were felt within half an hour of the initial quake, with magnitudes of 5.9, 5.6 and 6.1.

Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, BNPB, said a man and a woman were killed at Maumere port, where another person was injured. Local media footage showed extensive damage to the port and other buildings, while areas around Maumere were reported to be severely affected. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, BMKG, urged residents to stay away from beaches and riverbanks and move to higher ground.

Farmers in five villages across Cumilla’s Adarsha Sadar and Burichang upazilas say nearly 500 acres of agricultural land remain underwater for most of the year, causing major crop losses. The report, published on August 15, 2026, identified affected land in Maheshpur and Palpara of Amratali, and in Sholonal, Chhoygharia and Bhorasar. Farmers who once cultivated three crops annually now struggle to produce even one crop.

Residents alleged that influential people have narrowed the drainage canal by filling sections with soil in an attempt to create plots, while waste from Bhorasar market is regularly dumped into it. The canal runs from Maheshpur through Sholonal to the Payater water body. It has not been properly dredged or cleaned for a long time, they said. Recently planted transplanted Aman rice has submerged, and replanting would double farmers’ costs.

Agriculture officer Mohammad Nizam Uddin said drainage had previously been arranged by cutting soil in several places and that necessary measures would be discussed with the upazila executive officer. Executive officer Fatematuz Johra said an official had been sent for an on-site inspection, with canal excavation and action against those responsible for filling it to follow soon.

An LNG-related gas shortage disrupted CNG filling stations, transport services and household cooking gas across Bangladesh on August 15. Supply was limited or suspended at stations in several areas, leaving most stations effectively idle in Narayanganj and all filling stations shut in Brahmanbaria town. Long queues formed at filling stations in Dhaka, while reduced CNG vehicle operations contributed to passenger hardship and allegations that bus fares rose by Tk5 to Tk10 on some routes.

Drivers said they waited hours for limited fuel, while station operators cited inadequate pressure for normal filling. Operators also said they still had to run equipment despite reduced sales, raising electricity costs and financial losses. On the Araihazar-Madanpur route, passengers alleged fares had nearly doubled, with disputes and physical altercations reported amid fewer CNGs and buses.

CNG drivers and workers blocked roads in Chattogram and Sylhet in protest. Jalalabad Gas attributed low pressure to a technical fault at an LNG terminal and asked consumers to limit use to 50 percent. Petrobangla operations director Md Shoaib said winds near Maheshkhali were about 38 knots, preventing an LNG vessel from berthing; he said supply could normalize quickly once weather conditions allow docking.

Bangladesh’s Middle East-bound air ticket market is again facing allegations of syndicate activity as ministry directives on booking transparency and ticket disclosure are reportedly not being enforced. The report, published on August 15, 2026, says tickets often omit travel agency names, licence numbers and actual prices, while magistrate-led monitoring at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka has largely stopped.

A February 11, 2025 circular required bookings to include passengers’ names and passport numbers, and required Middle East group bookings to be confirmed with names within 72 hours. Investigators had found allegations that tickets were blocked indefinitely through unnamed group bookings and later sold at high prices through unauthorised agents. A government investigation reportedly found evidence of misconduct involving 11 international airlines, their GSAs and 30 travel agencies.

The report says the task force created to protect passengers is not visibly active, despite government promises of zero tolerance. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afrosa Khanam Rita said fares are set through dynamic pricing based on demand, time, season, seat availability and market conditions. She said ticket prices, agency names and licence numbers must be displayed, and agencies involved in abnormal charges or syndicates could face strict action, including cancellation of registration.

An Iranian supertanker began loading crude oil at Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, despite a US naval blockade, according to vessel-monitoring firm TankerTrackers. The loading was detected on Friday, the first such case involving an Iranian supertanker at the island since late July. The report was published on August 15, 2026.

TankerTrackers said a Very Large Crude Carrier operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company was loading at the Azarpad jetty on Kharg Island. About 2 million barrels of crude oil were being loaded onto the vessel. Kharg Island normally handles about 90 percent of Iran’s total crude oil exports, making the activity significant for the country’s export operations.

The United States reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports in mid-July, creating uncertainty over Iran’s oil exports and maritime traffic. TankerTrackers said Iran’s overall oil production is currently broadly aligned with domestic demand. The firm said Iran may therefore not need to export very large volumes of oil.

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Flores region near Naggeokeo in East Nusa Tenggara province at about 4:58 a.m. local time on Saturday. Residents were initially instructed to move to safer places because of tsunami concerns following the quake. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, known as BMKG, later withdrew the tsunami warning.

The earthquake had a shallow depth of 15 kilometres and was centred about 30 kilometres northeast of Mbay town in Naggeokeo. BMKG said the strong quake created the possibility of a tsunami, prompting warnings for East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara provinces.

People in vulnerable areas had been told to evacuate quickly. BMKG said the initial tsunami concern was linked to the earthquake’s shallow depth. After reviewing conditions, the agency issued updated information and formally cancelled the warning, ending the tsunami alert imposed after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake.

International crude oil prices rose by more than $1 a barrel on Friday as fresh tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and stalled peace talks between the United States and Iran heightened supply concerns. Brent crude gained $1.45, or 1.67%, to $88.52 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate rose $1.15, or 1.42%, to $82.40 a barrel.

For the week, Brent was on track to rise about 6%, while WTI was heading for a gain of about 5.4%. On August 14, two UAE oil tankers were hit by drones. No casualties were reported, but both vessels were damaged. The United Arab Emirates blamed Iran for the attack.

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen well below normal levels, increasing concerns over international oil supplies. Analyst Andrew Lipow said the situation could become more serious if transit restrictions persist, noting that about 20% of global oil supplies are transported through the strategic waterway. The strait’s security situation, progress in US-Iran talks and tanker movements are expected to influence the market’s next direction.

Major wildfires spread across Europe amid record heat, with France detaining 474 people since July 1 over fire incidents, the Interior Ministry said Friday. The European Union described wildfire conditions in several parts of the continent as “extremely extreme.” Fires have also affected Croatia, Germany, Spain, Greece and the United Kingdom, burning homes and prompting evacuations of residents and tourists.

French authorities said 183 of those detained were minors, and about 70 percent were suspected of deliberately starting fires; the remainder faced allegations of unintentionally causing them. More than 525 people were evacuated from Luglon in the Landes department, where a new blaze burned about 1,100 hectares of dry pine forest in less than 24 hours. Around 500 firefighters and six water-dropping aircraft were deployed.

In western Germany, more than 2,000 people left homes near the Huertgen forest fire, while unexploded Second World War ammunition hindered firefighting. Spain evacuated people from 16 towns and villages and moved the remains of three 11th-century Aragon kings from a monastery. Greece evacuated about 500 tourists by small boats. Scientists said climate change is making extreme weather more frequent and intense, increasing wildfire risk through dry soils, heat and strong winds.

Sugarcane harvesting is in full swing in Barura upazila of Cumilla, where farmers report strong yields and higher market prices than last year. The report, published on August 14, 2026, says growers are busy cutting and marketing cane, while interest in cultivation is increasing because farmers see the crop as comparatively profitable with lower costs.

Sugarcane is widely cultivated in Shilmuri North and South, Bhabanipur, Aganagar, Jhalam and Barura municipality. About 350 farmers have planted cane on roughly 147 hectares this season, with a production target of 15,000 to 16,000 metric tonnes. BSR I-47, BSR I-43 and BSR I-46 are the main varieties, with BSR I-47, also known locally as CU-208, most widely grown because of its sweetness and taste.

Wholesale prices now range from Tk65 to Tk70 per cane, while retail prices reach Tk90 to Tk100, depending on size and quality. Upazila agriculture officer Md Zahidul Islam said no special facilities are provided for cane farming, but farmers receive advice on proper use of organic fertilizer and pesticides.

Rising fuel prices linked to the Iran war are increasing demand for electric trucks across Asia and driving a sharp rise in Chinese exports, according to a report published on August 14, 2026. Use of electric trucks, from light vehicles to heavy trailers, is also growing rapidly in China, while domestic sales have increased in the world’s largest car market.

Pakistan-based outlet Dawn reported that in the four months after the United States and Israel began war against Iran in February, China’s exports of heavy electric trucks more than doubled year on year to 16,823 units. Nearly half of those shipments went to countries in South and Southeast Asia. Exports to South Asia rose more than fivefold, while shipments to Southeast Asia increased nearly threefold.

Higher fuel costs are offsetting the disadvantage of electric trucks’ relatively higher upfront purchase prices. The report said rising energy expenses are pushing countries across Asia toward electric transport more quickly. Chinese manufacturers are therefore focusing not only on their domestic market but also on selling electric trucks in newer markets across Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Summit LNG Terminal began supplying gas on Friday, August 14, starting at about 110 million cubic feet at 6:10 pm, the company said in an evening press release. The terminal expects to gradually raise deliveries and reach about 550 million cubic feet of gas, near full capacity, around 2 am on August 15.

Summit said the additional gas would help increase availability for industry, power generation and other customers. The company said the supply could also support economic activity and help reduce pressure on the country’s energy system.

The company said it is committed to delivering the maximum volume of gas while maintaining safe and reliable operations within the technical capabilities of the terminal and the national gas transmission system. Summit LNG described adequate and uninterrupted energy supply as important for industrial growth, employment and economic development in Bangladesh. It also said it would continue working closely with Petrobangla and the Bangladesh government to strengthen energy security and reduce gas shortages.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afrozah Khanam Rita said skilled professionals have an important role in Bangladesh’s economic development and in establishing good governance. She made the remarks on Friday afternoon, August 14, at a reception for chartered accountants and cost and management accountants in Manikganj Sadar’s Gilond Munno Cafeteria.

Rita said chartered accountants and cost and management accountants could further strengthen the country’s economy through professional competence and integrity. She said her father, Harunar Rashid Khan Munno, worked for the country and its people with honesty and dedication. The minister said she was working while carrying those ideals and sought cooperation from the professionals.

FCA Md. Golam Nabi chaired the event, where FCA Abdul Matin, FCMA Jasimuddin, FCMA Yunus Ali and FCA Ekhlas Uddin spoke. Speakers emphasized improving professionals’ skills, ensuring transparency and accountability, and strengthening their contribution to the country’s economic progress. The minister was welcomed with flowers and presented with a commemorative crest at the beginning of the event. Chartered accountants and cost and management accountants from different levels of the district attended.

A severe LNG-related gas shortage has shut all five filling stations in Brahmanbaria for the past three days, disrupting CNG-powered transport and affecting commercial and residential consumers. Gas supply to the stations was fully halted after 11 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the report. The closures have reduced the number of CNG autorickshaws operating on roads and highways, leaving passengers facing long waits and higher fares.

Before the shutdown, Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited supplied the five stations with 50,000 cubic metres of gas daily, although demand was nearly twice that amount. For more than two weeks, gas pressure had remained at 3 to 4 PSI rather than the usual 15 PSI. Supplies were first restricted and then stopped completely as the shortage intensified.

Some autorickshaw drivers have switched to LPG cylinders, increasing operating costs and passenger fares. One passenger paid Tk70 for a trip normally priced at Tk40, while a driver said his fare rose from Tk50 to Tk90 after using LPG. A filling-station manager said supply might resume Sunday or Monday, but Bakhrabad Gas official Md Shafiqul Haque said no definite timeline was available.