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.

Chattogram Port Authority has asked the National Board of Revenue for permission to store empty containers outside port yards and off-docks under the supervision of shipping agents and main line operators. In a letter sent to the NBR chairman on July 26, the authority said empty containers are accumulating because fewer are removed than are emptied each day. The proposal aims to ease congestion and support normal port operations.

Port Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim said more than 3,000 of the slightly over 33,000 containers in different port yards are empty. He said they occupy space, make equipment movement harder, and add operational time and costs. The authority said it had first raised the issue with the NBR on October 13, 2025, but had received no response. It also cited arrangements in neighbouring countries for storing empty containers in non-bonded areas.

Chattogram Customs said empty containers are considered bonded goods and cannot be moved or stored without a bonded warehouse licence. BICDA called the proposal unrealistic, saying 18 off-docks had capacity for more than 30,000 additional containers. It said two new off-docks are expected to add capacity for 18,000 more units.

International oil prices edged lower after reports of progress in talks between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz. By Thursday morning, August 6, 2026, Brent crude futures had fallen 37 cents, or 0.5%, to $79.8 a barrel, according to Reuters.

US West Texas Intermediate crude futures also declined, dropping 53 cents, or 0.7%, to $74.69 a barrel. Investors hope the discussions could help create a path toward a peace agreement between the United States and Iran.

The report said such an agreement could end a conflict that has lasted five months and allow navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to return to normal. At the close of trading on Wednesday, Brent crude had risen slightly, while WTI crude finished the day marginally lower.

Germany’s rivers are seeing steadily falling water levels amid a prolonged heatwave and lack of rainfall, with new record lows reported in many locations. Public broadcaster ARD said on Wednesday that rivers in different regions had reached alarming levels and that new lows were being recorded almost daily. The Federal Institute of Hydrology said many rivers had fallen below their “low-water threshold” unusually early this year.

According to the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration, the Rhine at the Kaub gauge, between Mainz and Koblenz in southwestern Germany, fell to 24 centimetres. That was 1 centimetre below the previous record set in 2018. On Wednesday morning, Rhine water levels in the Cologne and Duisburg areas also dropped below earlier record lows, while Düsseldorf matched its 2018 record-low level.

The situation is also serious in the eastern city of Magdeburg, where the Elbe at the Magdeburg-Strombrück gauge reached its previous record low of 45 centimetres. It was expected to fall further to 40 centimetres by Friday. Forecasts indicated that rainfall shortages could drive the Rhine lower in coming days. Water-cycle and management expert Klaus Retzsch called for fundamental changes in water management to address climate-change-related water scarcity.

Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department said a new low-pressure area may form over the central Bay of Bengal on August 10 and later deepen into a depression. Its effects could bring heavy to very heavy rainfall across the country from August 14. Meteorologist Dr Omar Faruk said rain would continue nationwide on Thursday, then ease from Friday through August 9 before increasing again on August 10 and 11.

Active monsoon conditions brought rain across Bangladesh on Wednesday and may continue on Thursday. The Bangladesh Weather Observation Team said a partial rain belt called “Nirjhar” could make rainfall most intense on Thursday. By 6 pm Wednesday, Netrokona recorded the highest rainfall at 141 millimetres, followed by Hatiya with 140 millimetres and Cox’s Bazar with 136 millimetres.

The department forecast rain or thundershowers with gusty winds in most places across all eight divisions on Thursday, with moderately heavy to heavy falls in some areas. Water levels at Dalia on the Teesta and Fenchuganj on the Kushiyara were above danger levels. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre warned of flood risks in several districts within 24 to 48 hours and possible inundation of low-lying areas in several basins within 48 to 120 hours.

Several hours of heavy rain on Tuesday morning flooded sections of the Dhaka-Bogura highway in Sherpur, Bogura, leaving knee-deep to waist-deep water in Dharmakam, Hamchayapur and Kathaltala under Shahbandegi Union. Traffic on the important northern highway was severely disrupted, with long queues causing hardship for passengers, transport workers and local residents.

Water covered parts of the road so extensively that the boundary between the highway and drains was difficult to identify. Buses, trucks, microbuses, private cars, motorcycles and CNG autorickshaws moved slowly through the water, while several motorcycles and CNG vehicles broke down, worsening congestion. Roads in Sherpur municipal town and homes and rural roads in several villages were also inundated.

Residents blamed uncleaned roadside drains, rubbish blockages, filled canals and inadequate drainage planning for the recurring problem. They called for drains and canals to be cleared and for an effective modern drainage system. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saiduzzaman Himu said the issue was being treated seriously, relevant departments had been asked to act, and steps would be taken for rapid drainage and a permanent solution.

Three female lions died within a week at Tama Zoological Park in Hino, in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area, as severe heat affected parts of Asia. The zoo suspects heat stress as a preliminary cause. Three-year-old Mugi died on July 28, 11-year-old Ichigo died three days later, and 15-year-old Luena died on Sunday.

The zoo closed its lion exhibit in late July after several animals showed symptoms including loss of appetite and lethargy. Staff sprayed water, used large industrial fans and administered intravenous fluids to cool and treat the animals. Ten lions received treatment; four are recovering while three remain ill. Officials said post-mortem examinations will determine the formal cause of death, although dehydration and signs of multiple organ failure were found in all three lions.

Some parts of Japan recorded temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius or higher for five consecutive days in late July. South Korea recorded 42.5 degrees Celsius in Yangsan on Sunday, its highest temperature in 122 years of weather records. The World Meteorological Organization warned that a strengthening super El Niño could raise the likelihood of above-normal temperatures in large parts of the world in coming months.

The world’s eight leading listed oil producers made about $93 billion in profit from April to June amid the Iran conflict and a global energy crunch, according to a Guardian analysis published on August 5, 2026. The report said the US-Israel war involving Iran pushed energy prices higher, with crude oil exceeding $126 a barrel at one point. Their combined profit was nearly double the figure of just under $50 billion recorded in the same period last year.

The companies were Saudi Aramco, BP, Shell, Equinor, TotalEnergies, Eni, Chevron and ExxonMobil. Aramco reported net income of more than $33 billion, up 34 percent. BP reported $5.73 billion in profit, Shell $9.84 billion in net income, Chevron $12.2 billion, and ExxonMobil $14.5 billion. The eight companies’ combined market value also rose by about $600 billion to more than $3 trillion.

Environmental groups said oil companies had profited from supply instability and urged that some earnings be used for climate-damage measures and renewable-energy investment. Global Witness official Patrick Galey called for oil companies to pay their fair share of tax. UN climate chief Simon Stiell said coal, oil and gas use must be reduced rapidly in favour of renewable energy.