Police in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur arrested Md. Leon Mia on allegations that he used a false identity card claiming to be an officer of the National Security Intelligence agency to marry Mahfuza Akter Ria Moni. The incident occurred in the upazila’s Kachua area, and a case has been filed under multiple provisions of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act and the Penal Code. The report was published on August 19, 2026.

According to local and family sources, Leon introduced himself as an NSI officer and presented documents under the name “Somrat Hossain Samim,” leading the woman’s family to accept the marriage proposal. The purported card identified its holder as a “Junior Field Officer,” displayed the NSI name and emblem, and showed an issue date of July 8, 2021.

Police records identify the accused as Md. Leon Mia, who admitted concealing his identity in connection with the marriage. He is also accused of making a forged national identity card for concealment and fraud. The complainant said the family discovered the alleged deception after becoming suspicious following the marriage.

Iran has warned Gulf countries not to provide support or facilities to the US military. The warning was issued on August 19, 2026, by Ali Abdollahi, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, according to a statement published by Iran’s Fars news agency.

Abdollahi said the presence of a large number of military aircraft at regional bases, particularly refuelling aircraft, would be difficult without approval from the countries concerned. He said Iran had visibility into these developments, declaring that “nothing is hidden from us.”

He said any form of assistance or provision of facilities to what he described as the “aggressive US military” would be equivalent to participation alongside US forces. The source did not identify specific Gulf countries, bases, aircraft numbers, or any response from the United States or regional governments.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the country’s capital-market regulator, has ordered the compulsory retirement of 17 officials and reduced the salaries of five others to the lowest level. The decisions were taken at a BSEC commission meeting on Tuesday, August 18, according to the report published on August 19, 2026.

Those sent into compulsory retirement include Executive Director Rezaul Karim; directors Abul Hasan and Mohammad Fakhrul Islam Mazumdar; additional directors Nazrul Islam and Molla Md. Miraj Us Sunnah; and Joint Director Rashedul Alam. The list also includes several deputy directors, assistant directors and personal officers.

The five employees whose pay was downgraded are Assistant Directors Johnny Hossain, Raihan Kabir, Tariqul Islam and Maksud Mila, along with librarian Selim Reza Bappi. Earlier, on July 23, BSEC issued show-cause notices asking the accused officials why disciplinary action should not be taken. The commission had also sent Director Abu Raihan Md. Mohtasin Billah into compulsory retirement earlier this year.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for stronger national defense self-reliance after US President Donald Trump decided to significantly reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. Lee said Seoul should expand its own defense capabilities while maintaining its strong military alliance with the United States. He identified the return of full wartime operational control, or OPCON, of South Korean forces from the United States as an important objective.

Trump recently ordered a substantial reduction in joint drills with South Korea, citing his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and saying the exercises could be limited under current circumstances. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise involves about 18,000 South Korean troops as well as personnel from the United States and the UN Command.

One purpose of the exercise is to prepare for the transfer of wartime operational control and assess military capabilities. Lee said the US alliance and independent defense capacity are not contradictory, and that both are needed to make South Korea stronger and more self-reliant. Analysts fear reduced drills could affect joint readiness and the ability to address threats from North Korea.

Israel carried out an airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur air base in northwestern Syria on August 19, 2026, according to the report. The attack damaged the base’s runway and several facilities, while no casualties were reported. Syria and Turkey strongly condemned the strike.

US special envoy Tom Barrack described the attack as an unnecessary escalation and voiced concern that such actions could harm regional stability. The United States is seeking to establish a coordination mechanism involving Turkey, Israel and Syria to prevent misunderstandings and unintended clashes.

Israel said Syria was moving toward violating an existing security understanding by allowing Turkish troops to be deployed at the air base. Turkey did not confirm that allegation. Syria, meanwhile, called the attack a violation of its sovereignty.

India’s rapid expansion of private higher education has widened access for young people but also increased student debt, unemployment and uncertainty about future earnings. In Greater Noida’s planned Knowledge Park, near New Delhi, about 100,000 students attend universities, colleges, management institutes and technology and research centres. Many families use savings or bank loans to enrol children in private colleges.

The number of private colleges in India has nearly tripled over the past decade. Higher-education enrolment reached 45 million in 2024, up 41 percent in a decade, with more than two-thirds of students studying at private institutions. Yet well-paid jobs have not grown at the same pace. Research by Azim Premji University found that nearly 40 percent of graduates under 25 are unemployed, while only about 250,000 new jobs paying more than $500 annually are created each year.

Education entrepreneur Akshay Saxena said students were sold the mistaken belief that a degree guarantees employment. He estimated that about 400,000 students annually spend more than $20,000 on private engineering colleges, while graduates’ median annual salary is about $3,000. Students are increasingly focused on earning enough to repay loans and reduce family pressure.

Bangladesh’s eighth Anti-Corruption Commission formally began operations on Wednesday after the commission had remained vacant for five months. Newly appointed chairman retired Justice A K M Asaduzzaman, along with commissioners Jahangir Alam Khan and Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan, started work at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, on 19 August 2026.

The three members had formally assumed their responsibilities at the Cabinet Division on Tuesday. Their arrival marks the end of a prolonged wait for a functioning commission, according to the report.

With the new chairman and two commissioners joining, the ACC’s activities have officially resumed. The report did not provide details about the commission’s immediate priorities, planned cases, or any public remarks from the newly appointed members.

Jared Kushner, an adviser to US President Donald Trump, indicated that US support for further Israeli military operations in Gaza could increase if Hamas does not voluntarily hand over its weapons and tunnels. He made the comments in a Fox News interview after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a report published on August 19, 2026.

Kushner said significant progress in Gaza could be possible soon if Israel and Hamas cooperate. He said Hamas handing over its weapons and tunnels voluntarily within the next 60 to 90 days would be an important achievement in removing what he described as a major security threat for Israel.

He said that if Hamas fails to implement its commitments, the United States and others would conclude that the group is not serious about peace. In that case, he suggested Israel could receive greater international backing for military operations in Gaza. Kushner also said the United States wants to give Hamas leaders an opportunity to demonstrate sincerity, but that this must be shown through concrete action rather than words.

At least 30 people, including police personnel and madrasa students, were injured in clashes over loud music during a cultural programme at the Police Lines in West Medda, Brahmanbaria, late Tuesday night. The incident occurred around 11:30pm on August 19, 2026, and disrupted the district police’s programme. Police used baton charges to control the situation, while both sides chased each other amid the unrest.

The programme had been arranged by district police to mark the visit of Chattogram Range DIG Md Abdul Kuddus Chowdhury. It continued after the DIG had left. Students from nearby madrasas entered the Police Lines and asked organisers to reduce the volume, triggering an argument with police. Tensions escalated after more than 100 students entered the premises, and students began throwing bricks and stones, according to police, students and local sources.

Several students of Darul Arkam Islamia Madrasa said they had examinations the following day and that loud music was disrupting their studies. They said the volume was briefly lowered but later increased, and alleged police baton-charged them during the argument. The students demanded justice and warned of protests otherwise. District Police Superintendent Shah Mohammad Abdur Rauf did not answer repeated phone calls for comment.

Rajshahi University has permanently dismissed four teachers and a deputy chief physician over allegations including sexual harassment, academic irregularities, workplace absence and forgery during the past five years. The latest decision was taken at the university’s 548th syndicate meeting last Thursday, when Statistics Professor Probhas Kumar was dismissed over sexual harassment and academic corruption allegations.

University authorities said multiple committees investigated allegations that Kumar sexually harassed a student in his chamber last August. Following the reports and a higher-level investigation committee’s recommendation, the syndicate approved his dismissal. Law Associate Professor Sadikul Islam Sagar was dismissed in January after an investigation found a sexual harassment allegation against him proven; authorities said he would not receive pension or other government benefits.

In 2022, Psychology Assistant Professor Umme Habiba Jesmin was dismissed over unauthorized absence, leave without permission and staying abroad without clearance. Islamic History and Culture Professor Salma Khatun was dismissed after forgery allegations involving supervisor and doctor signatures were proven. Deputy chief physician Dr Raju Ahmed was dismissed in 2024 after a sexual harassment complaint involving a teenage girl was substantiated. Vice-Chancellor Faridul Islam said action follows investigation and applicable rules.

A study by Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute and icddr,b found that 82 percent of children who died after contracting measles had not received exclusive breastfeeding during their first six months. The findings were presented on Wednesday morning, August 19, 2026, at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in the capital. Researchers also reported that 65 percent of the children who died were malnourished, including 12 percent with severe malnutrition and 53 percent with moderate malnutrition.

The hospital-based study included 354 children admitted with measles. Among them, 43 percent were aged between three and nine months, while 38 percent had not been exclusively breastfed for the first six months after birth. The research paper was presented by Professor Mirza Mohammad Ziaul Islam, director of the institute, and Mustafizur Rahman, senior director at icddr,b.

Researchers grouped 341 children by age and vaccination status. They said further research is needed to determine why measles was confirmed among some children who had received two vaccine doses. Possible factors cited included insufficient immune response after vaccination, declining antibody protection over time, malnutrition, or individual differences, but the study did not identify which factor contributed.

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which is protesting Narendra Modi’s government in India, has made conditions in government schools a new focus of its campaign. The group urged supporters to inspect local schools’ infrastructure, educational quality and facilities under a four-point initiative called “Fix the Schools.” On 13 August, 26-year-old Abdul Hafiz visited a primary school in Karisunda village, Bankura district, West Bengal, where he had previously studied.

Hafiz alleged that local BJP workers later went to his home and assaulted him and his father, Mohammad Mofik. Mofik, who was seriously injured, died two days later. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari described the attackers as criminals with no connection to his party and promised action. After his father’s burial, Hafiz said his family would continue seeking justice and demanding better education and facilities in government schools.

CJP’s demands include safe drinking water, usable toilets, electricity, adequate classrooms, boundary walls, security, quality midday meals and teacher attendance. In Rajasthan, authorities restricted outsiders’ entry and unauthorized photography or video recording at government schools. Education expert Samina Bano said structural reforms and stronger institutions are needed for lasting change.

RAB-11 arrested a man identified as Chhoto Nishan in Lakshmipur’s Poddar Bazar area under Chandraganj police station on Tuesday, according to the force. RAB said it recovered a pistol, 12 rounds of ammunition and a folding knife from him. The development was confirmed Wednesday morning by Mithun Kumar Kundu, company commander of RAB-11 in Noakhali.

RAB described Nishan as a life-sentenced convict and a warrant-listed accused in multiple murder cases filed with Chandraganj police station. The force said its members conducted the operation after receiving confidential information. It alleged that Nishan attempted to flee on a motorcycle after noticing the presence of law-enforcement personnel, but was detained.

According to RAB, the recovered pistol was among weapons looted from a police station during the July mass uprising. Commander Mithun Kumar Kundu said the operation targeted the recovery of illegal arms and drugs. He said the accused and the seized pistol and ammunition were handed over to Chandraganj police station for legal action.

Russia is reportedly sending explosives, drone components and missile equipment to Iran to bolster its capacity in conflict with the United States and Israel. The claim was published by NBC News, citing a European government document reviewed by a Western official. The report said the supplies followed recent US and Israeli airstrikes that damaged Iran’s weapons stockpiles and production capability.

NBC News reported that more than two dozen Russian vessels crossed the Caspian Sea and delivered military equipment to Iran’s Amirabad port. Many of the vessels are under US and European sanctions. The ships are alleged to be owned by maritime company MG-FLOT, which Western countries sanctioned in 2024.

Former CIA analyst Jim Lamson said Iran’s procurement of drone parts and small-arms ammunition from Russia suggests attacks significantly weakened its domestic production sites. Russia has long used Iranian-made Shahed suicide drones in the Ukraine war, while Iran aided Moscow with drones and other equipment after Russia’s 2022 invasion. The amount of Russian equipment supplied to Iran remains unclear, and the Kremlin has consistently rejected such allegations as fake news.

A Kushtia court has sentenced Ekram Molla to life imprisonment with hard labour for raping a 15-year-old girl with a mental disability in Bheramara. The judge of the Kushtia Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, H M Shafiqul Islam, delivered the verdict on Tuesday afternoon in the presence of the convicted man. The court also imposed a fine of Tk50,000.

Ekram Molla is the son of the late Majid Molla of Goshaipara village in Bheramara upazila. According to court sources, the incident occurred at around 7am on October 10, 2020, when the girl had taken shelter at the accused’s home. The source said Molla forcibly raped her there.

The girl later told her mother about the incident. Her mother then filed a rape case against Molla with Bheramara Police Station. Public Prosecutor Advocate Abdul Majid said seven witnesses testified in the case, and the court found the charge against the accused proven beyond reasonable doubt after the hearing.