Dismissed Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said widespread corruption is blocking efforts to end the war and rebuild Ukraine. In a television interview, he said the country’s current government structure, decision-making methods and level of corruption make it impossible to effectively end the conflict or create conditions suitable for reconstruction.

Fedorov said the problem was not confined to any one person. He alleged that hundreds of people in the Ukrainian government were connected to corruption networks and had benefited from public funds for years. According to him, this has slowed the process of making proper decisions.

He also said a recent anti-corruption operation in Ukraine targeted an organized corruption ring. The group was alleged to involve several members of parliament and several members of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office. The source did not provide further details on the operation, the allegations or any responses from those accused.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman said international cooperation is needed for a permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis, alongside building national consensus. He made the remarks as chief guest at a discussion titled “Rohingya Crisis: Current Reality and Future Actions,” organised by the Policy Research Centre at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon.

The minister said the crisis should not be viewed only through a security lens, as it also involves humanitarian, social, diplomatic and international legal issues. He said Bangladesh must protect its security and stability while ensuring the Rohingya people’s humanitarian and fundamental rights. He noted that Rohingyas sought refuge in Bangladesh after facing persecution and human rights violations in their own country.

Asaduzzaman said conditions must be created for their safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation to their homeland. He called for effective international cooperation, diplomatic engagement and public support within Bangladesh, and urged researchers, experts, civil society and media to contribute constructively. Participants also discussed Myanmar’s situation, repatriation prospects and actions needed at national, regional and international levels.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran is facing a “full-scale war” across economic, military and security spheres, according to a televised address broadcast by state news agency IRNA on Sunday. He said the government was trying to overcome multiple crises and expressed shame over the country’s economic problems.

Pezeshkian said Trump had spoken of imposing the most oppressive or severe sanctions on Iran. He said Tehran was standing firmly and seeking to serve the Iranian people despite what he described as an unequal war. He also said Iran’s adversaries had expected the country to collapse and become like Venezuela, but that Iran had instead surprised the world through resistance, cohesion and unity.

The president said Tehran was working with all its strength to avoid division, conflict and personal ego. The source said Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding in June, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, to end a conflict that began in February and continue talks toward a final agreement. Negotiations later stalled over implementation issues and a dispute over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said holding elections while the war against Russia continues would be highly risky and could divide the country. Speaking to journalists at a briefing on Saturday, he described an election during the conflict as a “tsunami” for Ukraine and said pursuing one now would put the country on a path toward destruction.

Ukraine has kept elections suspended under martial law imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion. Zelensky cited obstacles including voting rights for military personnel, voting by millions of Ukrainian refugees abroad, participation by people in Russian-occupied areas, and concerns over Russian disinformation. A survey found that only 15 percent of Ukrainians want elections before the war ends.

Former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov recently called for finding a way to hold elections, without giving a detailed plan. Zelensky criticized that position, saying Fedorov was taking, or being pushed toward, the wrong path. Russian missile and drone attacks continue across Ukrainian cities, particularly Kyiv. International leaders are expected to visit for Ukraine’s Independence Day on Monday, while allies are also due to discuss strengthening air defences.

The National Citizen Party’s Policy and Research Affairs Subcommittee has called an urgent press conference to present what it describes as the ruling BNP government’s “picture of failure” over 180 days. The briefing is scheduled for Monday at 11am at the party’s central office in Rupayan Tower, Banglamotor, in the capital.

NCP convener and opposition chief whip Md Nahid Islam is expected to attend the event. Political Council member Saleh Uddin Sifat and other senior party leaders are also scheduled to be present, according to the announcement.

The notice did not specify the individual issues, allegations or evidence that the subcommittee plans to raise regarding the government’s record. It identified the NCP Policy and Research Affairs Subcommittee as the body convening the press conference and gave the venue as the 15th floor of Rupayan Tower.

Newly appointed Food Minister Afroz Khanam began her first day in office at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Food on Sunday, August 23, 2026. She held an exchange meeting with senior officials from the ministry and its subordinate offices in the ministry’s conference room.

Officials briefed the minister on the ministry’s overall activities, ongoing programmes, food grain procurement, stockpiling and supply management, government food distribution, and future work plans. A PowerPoint presentation outlined efforts related to food security, public food stock management, procurement from farmers and food supply for consumers.

Khanam said the ministry has an important responsibility in ensuring food security and called for government food programmes to be implemented more effectively, transparently and in a people-friendly manner. She stressed accountability, efficiency and discipline across food collection, storage, transport and distribution, and said benefits must reach genuine recipients. Officials welcomed her and pledged full cooperation. State Minister for Food Md Abdul Bari, Food Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana, the Directorate General of Food chief and other senior officials attended.

Newly appointed Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moin Khan said several national elections under the previous Hasina government failed to reflect the people’s true will. Speaking to journalists after an exchange meeting with ministry officials at the Secretariat on Sunday, he said representation of the people had been established through the 2026 election after a long period.

Moin Khan said the BNP does not believe in retaliatory politics and instead supports the politics of law. He said the government would rely on legal and judicial processes rather than take retaliatory action against political opponents. He also alleged that the judiciary was damaged during the previous government’s tenure and that there had been political interference involving court verdicts.

On local government polls, the minister said elections would be held by following the constitutional process and existing laws strictly. He declined to announce a date, saying there is a constitutional procedure for holding elections and that the BNP government would make an announcement at the appropriate time. State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam, Secretary Md Shahidul Hasan and senior ministry officials attended the meeting.

Kazakhstan is holding parliamentary elections under a new constitution, with voting beginning at 7 a.m. local time and scheduled to continue until 8 p.m. The new system will replace the former bicameral parliament with a 145-member unicameral legislature. All seven registered political parties are participating in the election.

Analysts say the ruling Adilet party, led by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, is almost certain to win. They describe the vote as an effort to further consolidate Tokayev’s power and reduce the remaining political influence of former president Nursultan Nazarbayev. Concerns persist over the future of democracy because independent candidates cannot contest the election and genuine opposition parties are effectively absent.

The source says the European Union is unlikely to react harshly to Kazakhstan’s deteriorating political situation. Central Asia has gained importance to Europe as an alternative trade route and energy source following the Ukraine war, and Kazakhstan was the EU’s second-largest oil supplier in 2025. Analysts expect Kazakhstan to balance ties with the EU, Russia and China while expanding relations with Arab and East Asian countries.

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said the government is working in line with international law and the constitution to address the Rohingya crisis, while stressing that national unity has no alternative in protecting the country’s sovereignty. He made the remarks at a discussion on the Rohingya issue at the National Press Club on Sunday at about 11:30am.

He described the Rohingya crisis as Myanmar’s internal matter and said Bangladesh had provided shelter to Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds. Bangladesh has repeatedly sought an international solution to the problem, he said, adding that Myanmar must make decisions regarding its own internal affairs.

The minister said safeguarding the country’s territory is among the government’s most important responsibilities. He also said the current government is working to ensure the security of the country and its people. The report did not provide further details about the discussion meeting or any additional measures announced by the government.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has moved into Bangabhaban after taking office as Bangladesh’s 23rd president. He entered the presidential residence at about 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2026, according to the report. On arrival, a smart contingent of the President Guard Regiment gave the president a guard of honour.

Fakhrul was sworn in as president on Friday evening at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban. He took the oath before Acting Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Kaiser Kamal, formally completing his assumption of the state’s highest constitutional office.

He was elected in a contested presidential election held in the Jatiya Sangsad on August 20, receiving 255 votes. Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmad, chairman of the LDP and candidate of an 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami, received 88 votes. The report described the vote as the country’s first contested presidential election since 1991.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not allow the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in Gaza or the occupied West Bank for as long as he remains in office. He made the remarks in response to comments by Mansour Abbas, leader of Israel’s Arab Muslim United Arab List party, according to the report published on August 23, 2026.

Abbas told his party’s general conference in the Arab city of Tayibe on Saturday that his party was working to establish peace between Israel and Palestine. He said Palestine already exists as a state and is recognized by most countries, and urged the United States and Israel to recognize it as a state.

Netanyahu said no Palestinian state “under Iranian control” would be established while he is prime minister, neither in Gaza nor in what he called Judea and Samaria, a biblical term he used for the West Bank. His statement came ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27, as opinion polls showed his coalition trailing. Likud currently holds 32 seats, while a poll published Friday projected the party would win 20 seats.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to intensify economic pressure on Iran, describing a possible move as an “economic D-Day,” according to an Al Jazeera report published on August 23, 2026. The report says Washington is considering further measures despite the extensive sanctions already imposed on Iran.

Analysts cited several possible options: sanctions on Chinese independent oil refineries that buy Iranian crude, measures against major Chinese banks processing Iranian transactions, disruption of goods entering Iran by land, and additional tariffs on products from countries trading with Iran. The United States has already sanctioned one Chinese “teapot” refinery over Iranian oil purchases, though such firms have limited direct links to the US financial system.

Targeting two major Chinese banks could significantly affect China’s financial system and invite retaliation against the United States. A land blockade would require cooperation from all seven of Iran’s neighbouring countries, making it difficult to implement. Tariffs on countries trading with Iran could also face legal obstacles in Congress and US courts, while broader actions risk commercial and diplomatic consequences for Washington.

US President Donald Trump again portrayed the Strait of Hormuz as American territory by posting a map on his Truth Social platform, according to an Al Jazeera report published on August 23, 2026. The map showed a Middle East outline with the strait circled and the words “New US Territory” displayed above it.

The post was the second time in a week that Trump shared the same image. On this occasion, he attached no caption or comment. A day earlier, during a rally in South Carolina, Trump said he now viewed the Strait of Hormuz as American territory.

The Strait of Hormuz is described as one of the world’s most important sea routes. A large share of oil transported from the Middle East passes through the waterway, giving it significant importance for international trade and energy supplies.

Rajshahi district BNP activists say frustration is growing because a convening committee formed for three months has remained in place for nearly eight years. The 41-member committee was announced on July 6, 2019, with Abu Sayeed Chand as convener and Bishwanath Sarkar as member secretary. Grassroots leaders fear the prolonged absence of a full committee or a replacement convening body could weaken the party ahead of upcoming local government elections.

Party sources say the district BNP has 23 organisational units. Although 17 units have held conferences, full committees have not been announced for all of them, while several units have not held conferences for years. Sources also allege differences between Chand and Sarkar over organisational matters, including union committees, though Sarkar denied any significant dispute.

Chand said the committee had played an important role in political movements and that committees had been formed through councils in nearly all 23 units, with the rest to be completed soon. Central BNP organiser Syed Shaheen Shawkat said organisational activity was disrupted by cases, attacks, harassment and mass arrests from 2019 to 2024, and that decisions on expired committees would be made after discussions with central leaders.

Former president Md. Shahabuddin Chuppu said he was saddened and embarrassed after not receiving an invitation to the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s 23rd president, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, at Bangabhaban on August 23, 2026. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, former chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, cabinet members, diplomats and senior officials, but Chuppu was absent.

A senior Cabinet Division official said there had been no government instruction to invite the former president. A Bangabhaban official said the Cabinet Division organized and managed the oath-taking event, while Bangabhaban acted as host. The official said no instruction had been received to reserve a seat for Chuppu.

Chuppu told the newspaper that his health had worsened, with swollen legs and difficulty walking, and sought prayers from the public. He resigned on July 24, citing serious illnesses including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney complications and autonomic neuropathy. He had served as president since April 2023.