Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran is committed to defending its borders but has no intention of further expanding the ongoing war. Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported his remarks on August 4, 2026. He spoke at the launch ceremony for the second phase of the national family medicine and referral system plan.

Pezeshkian said Iran should place greater emphasis on internal strength and national unity under the current circumstances. He said the country should seek to build a society in which enemies cannot exploit temptation, infiltrate, or divide and destroy the social structure. He also described public unity as important to preserving national security and stability.

His comments came amid continuing tensions between Iran and the United States. Tehran has previously said it will take action to defend its territory and interests, while maintaining that it does not seek to spread regional conflict further. The report did not provide further details about specific measures Iran may take or any immediate diplomatic steps.

Captain Ibrahim Traore, the 38-year-old military officer who took power in Burkina Faso through a 2022 coup, faces growing scrutiny despite his popularity beyond the country. Supporters portray him as a symbol of national sovereignty and resistance to foreign influence, while questions persist over restrictions on political activity, an ongoing security crisis and the delivery of his national renewal promises. In April, Traore told Burkinabe people to “forget democracy,” arguing the country was in a revolutionary period rather than a democratic phase.

His government has withdrawn French troops, strengthened ties with Russia and prioritised local industry and agriculture. It says it has increased investment in rice and maize production, promoted local manufacturing and processing, and expanded state participation in infrastructure and strategic economic sectors. The government has also expanded the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland, a civilian force supporting the army.

Armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and IS continue to threaten the country, according to security expert Mustafa Bature Sallama. More than two million people have been displaced and millions need humanitarian assistance, he said. Independent verification of official security claims is difficult because journalists, researchers and humanitarian organisations face limited access. Authorities dissolved political parties and suspended political activities in January, while an extended military transition has delayed a return to civilian rule.

Jamuna Fertilizer Company Limited in Jamalpur has remained without urea production for about two and a half years, with operations halted since early 2024 because of a gas supply shortage. The plant, once a key producer and supplier for farmers in 19 districts, is now storing and distributing imported urea and fertilizer produced at other domestic factories. The report was published on August 4, 2026.

General Manager for Operations Fazlul Haque said production has been stopped because of the gas crisis and he could not confirm when the factory would receive a gas connection again. Commercial General Manager Abdul Hamim said fertilizer imports are necessary because production is suspended. He said BCIC supplies fertilizer to buffer warehouses and consignments arriving at the Jamuna plant identify it as a buffer warehouse.

Registered dealer Chan Mia Chanu called for gas supplies to be restored quickly so the plant can resume production. Local businesspeople and concerned residents warned that a prolonged shutdown could affect equipment effectiveness, skilled personnel and technical capacity. Attempts to reach Managing Director Afaz Uddin by phone for comment were unsuccessful.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam called for removing vulgar and indecent practices from politics and culture at Jagannath University’s sixth Recitation Festival 2026. The daylong event was held on the university campus on August 3 and included an interdepartmental Nazrul recitation competition, honours, prize distribution, a discussion meeting and cultural performances. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Reza Uddin inaugurated the programme.

The minister said crises in recent years had created institutional capacity gaps across politics, culture, the economy and other sectors. He said the current government was working to build a secular, non-discriminatory and democratic state regardless of nation, religion or group. He stressed maintaining civility in political culture and avoiding indecent language, warning that otherwise the country’s image and future could be harmed.

The minister pledged government support for Jagannath University’s overall development and cultural activities. Poet Abdul Hai Shikder and recitation artist Munshi Md. Rezaul Hossain Tito received honours. H M Fahim won the interdepartmental competition, while Khizir Fayaz received a prize as champion of the inter-university recitation competition.

Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the July Uprising Memorial Museum on Wednesday, August 5, at 9am. He announced the plan at a Tuesday briefing at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs conference room. The museum will be reserved for special guests and families of martyrs on inauguration day, before opening to the general public on Thursday, August 6.

Rahman will unveil the museum plaque as chief guest and then visit its galleries and exhibitions. He is scheduled to inspect preserved artifacts, photographs, documents and memorial items related to the July Uprising. The minister described the museum as an institution established to preserve the uprising's memory, present its history to younger generations, and commemorate the sacrifices of martyrs and July fighters.

July fighters and relatives of martyrs will speak about the uprising's courage and sacrifice at the opening event. A documentary on its events, public participation and victory history will be shown, while the cultural segment will include patriotic songs, recitations and performances. Online tickets will be available, priced at 50 taka for adults and 25 taka for children.

Authorities in Kurigram say they will take legal action against people accused of posing as journalists to harass and extort money from primary schools. A report published on August 4, 2026 said individuals using the names of obscure newspapers, unregistered news portals and Facebook pages entered schools, took photos and recorded videos without permission. Teachers said the visits disrupted classes and unsettled students.

Teachers alleged that the visitors requested documents, asked irrelevant questions and later demanded money for motorcycle fuel or lunch. Some teachers reportedly paid between Tk500 and Tk1,000, fearing reports that could damage their schools’ reputations. At Sonaripara Government Primary School in Chilmari, head teacher Regina Sultana said two men identifying themselves as journalists demanded money for lunch after asking unrelated questions.

Teachers’ association leader Rowshan Ara Begum said some people threatened to publish reports if not paid. Kurigram Journalists’ Union member secretary Manowar Hossain Liton said the activity was also harming the reputation of legitimate journalists. District Primary Education Officer Swapan Kumar Ray Chowdhury said several alleged fake journalists had been identified and legal measures would be taken soon.

Twenty-five US states have sued to challenge the legality of President Donald Trump’s decision to impose new additional tariffs on 60 trading partners. The case was filed Monday in the US Court of International Trade. The Trump administration imposed duties ranging from 10% to 12.5%, alleging that the targeted partners produce goods through forced labor or import such goods.

The plaintiff states include New York, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, with 17 other states joining the case. In July, the administration imposed the tariffs on 59 countries, including India, Canada, Japan, Norway, Taiwan and China, as well as the European Union. The measure was taken under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said imports from the 60 partners account for 99.4% of total US imports. Governor Kathy Hochul said the tariffs raise costs for consumers and small businesses. White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended the policy, saying action was needed to stop imports of goods made with forced labor and that Section 301 tariffs remain a legally effective tool.

The Katiadi upazila administration demolished a limestone factory allegedly built around an attempt to obtain an illegal gas connection from a high-pressure Titas Gas transmission pipeline in Kishoreganj. The operation took place Monday afternoon in Kazirchar village of Masua union, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Laboni Akter Tarana. Officials demolished three kilns and seized a large quantity of limestone from the facility, which had not yet begun operations.

The pipeline runs beneath the Arial Kha riverbed, and gas was still escaping from the leakage point during an on-site visit. Residents initially saw small bubbles in the water but became alarmed as the bubbles increased. Titas began an investigation after local complaints and found evidence of an attempted illegal connection. Its preliminary assessment is that the leak occurred while gas was being stolen from the pipeline for the factory. Union chairman Mohammad Abu Bakar Siddique said no trade licence had been issued for the factory.

Titas engineers are repairing the leak. The seized limestone and bricks from the kilns were placed in the custody of the union parishad chairman. Officials said preliminary information indicates involvement by several local people, while the landowner allowed the land to be used without legal approval or licence. Legal action is being prepared, and Titas is preparing a case.

The 24-Hour CNG Gas Supply Implementation Unity Council has issued five demands, including keeping all CNG filling stations open around the clock and ensuring uninterrupted gas supply. The demands were announced at a Tuesday press conference at the National Press Club, where the group also called for an end to illegal gas supply to covered vans and trucks carrying cascade cylinders.

Member secretary Md Golam Faruk said official Energy and Mineral Resources Division data show daily gas demand of 3,800 million cubic feet against supply of 2,700 to 2,800 million cubic feet. He said damage to the Maheshkhali LNG terminal has worsened the shortage, affecting CNG-powered transport. He also said the sector faces about Tk125 crore in daily economic losses and nearly 90 million wasted work hours.

The council sought dedicated gas lines for filling stations, supply of vehicle-allocated gas only to legal CNG vehicles, and regular monitoring and mobile courts to prevent irregularities. It plans a roundtable at Dhaka Reporters Unity on August 16, followed by a gathering outside the National Press Club and submission of a memorandum to the ministry on August 24.

A tense situation prevailed at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur on Tuesday as Chhatra Dal held a sit-in programme. University-unit Chhatra Dal members, along with leaders and activists from Rangpur metropolitan Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal, staged the programme at 4pm. Activists were seen positioned at several points on campus, while the university unit also held a protest march. Students reported anxiety amid fears of further clashes.

The programme followed repeated clashes on Monday night between Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir activists, in which five people were injured. Tensions have persisted across the campus since then. Chhatra Dal activists raised slogans referring to Chhatra Shibir. Chhatra Dal university president Yamin said the organisation would protest and resist anyone who mocked 1971 or diminished July.

Rangpur Metropolitan Police deployed additional personnel to prevent clashes. The university barred entry of all outsiders, including guests and visitors, until further notice, and also restricted several types of vehicles. Vice-Chancellor Md Shawkat Ali said the programme was organised by Rangpur metropolitan Chhatra Dal and was being held peacefully outside the campus. Police said the situation was calm and under control.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has condemned and protested what it described as a planned attempt by Chhatra Shibir to create disorder and disrupt an official July uprising memorial programme at Jagannath University. In a statement sent to the media on Tuesday, the student organisation said the incident occurred during the event at the university’s central auditorium.

According to Chhatra Dal, 40 to 50 Chhatra Shibir leaders and activists forcibly entered the auditorium while the programme was underway and attempted to derail it. Chhatra Dal said its members intervened to protect the event from being disrupted and to maintain a peaceful campus environment. It alleged that Chhatra Shibir’s provocative conduct subsequently created an unwanted situation.

The statement said Chhatra Dal and other progressive student organisations had led earlier demands to hand second-campus work to the army, while Chhatra Shibir had opposed that movement. It described Shibir’s recent activity, after the tender process had reached its final stage, as an effort to influence the development project and make the memorial event controversial. Chhatra Dal said it would remain firm against terrorism, provocation and disorder on campuses.

A Narayanganj court sentenced Moktar Ali, 47, to death for murdering his second wife, Fatema Akter Rekha. Additional District and Sessions Judge Nivana Khair Jacy delivered the verdict on Tuesday afternoon in the presence of the defendant. The court also imposed a fine of Tk20,000.

Court Police Inspector Abdus Samad confirmed the verdict. He said Moktar Ali killed Rekha in 2022 over an extramarital affair. Ali is the son of the late Mokshed Ali and lives in the Barirtek area of Gognagar Union in Narayanganj Sadar Upazila.

After reviewing evidence and witness testimony in the case, the court found the charge proven beyond reasonable doubt, according to the court police inspector. It then ordered the death sentence and the financial penalty. The report was published on August 4, 2026, and subsequently updated the same day.

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to face international media virtually from New Delhi on August 5, marking two years since she left Dhaka amid a student-public uprising. The South Asia Foreign Correspondents’ Club is organizing the event. Citing organizers, CNN-News18 reported that Hasina will join only through an audio connection from an undisclosed location in India, where she has remained since leaving Bangladesh in August 2024.

Organizers said Hasina may discuss her political future, plans to return to Bangladesh and the country’s current situation. She may also answer journalists’ questions during the event. The report described the appearance as her first direct interaction with journalists since losing power; previously, she had communicated through written statements or recorded messages.

Organizers said an audio-only format was chosen because of security and technical considerations. The report said she may address her wish to return to Bangladesh later this year and ongoing legal proceedings against her. It also said an arrest warrant was issued against her by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal and that she was sentenced to death in absentia. Hasina has denied the allegations and said she intends to fight them legally after returning.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief and opposition leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the public would again build resistance if there were any attempt to establish new fascism. He made the remarks on Tuesday at an award ceremony for the “July Awakening Documentary Competition 2026,” organised by Islami Chhatra Shibir at the National Museum auditorium in Shahbagh, Dhaka. He described the July movement, which took place two years earlier, as a unique chapter in Bangladesh’s history.

Speakers at the event stressed preserving memories of the July movement, the sacrifices of martyrs, and presenting its history to new generations. Rahman praised Shibir’s month-long initiative to preserve those memories and said children and young people should learn this history. Jamaat Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar said people in Bangladesh do not accept autocratic or repressive rule and would resist another effort to establish fascism.

Shibir central president Nurul Islam said the competition aimed to gather documents, memories and information from across the country and present them through documentaries. “Gramer Chokhe July” by Mahmud H M of Noakhali won first place, receiving Tk 200,000, a crest and certificate. Other prizes ranged from Tk 150,000 for second place to Tk 30,000 for fifth place.

Singer Asif Akbar voiced anger over what he described as Bangladesh’s political, economic and social decline in a Facebook post published on Monday. He argued that reports of minor theft and irregularities receive extensive media and social-media attention, while the alleged anti-national activities of looting groups receive far less discussion. The article was published on August 4, 2026.

Akbar wrote that people and animals are beaten to death over allegations of stealing small amounts of food, while those who use politics to hollow out the country can later become public representatives. In his view, ordinary people fall into the trap of promises, follow such figures, and eventually suffer because of leaders they helped elevate. He described this as a continuing cycle within Bangladesh’s politics and social system.

He also criticised the leadership of SAFF football, the elected Bangladesh Football Federation and the sports ministry. Akbar said these were not isolated developments but parts of an older design linked by the same thread. In the post, he referred to the first Bengali sound film, “Mukh O Mukhosh,” released on August 3, 1956, and compared it with a political event from August 3, 2024 while presenting his views.