Iran’s embassy in South Africa claimed that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt resigned because of disagreements with US President Donald Trump. The claim was made in a social media post addressing reports about Leavitt’s resignation and included a photograph of her, according to a report published on August 16, 2026.

The embassy suggested that Trump had secured his own safety amid security threats while placing other officials at risk, causing Leavitt to lose confidence in him. The post was believed to refer to reports that Trump was secretly moved to a small military aircraft while returning from Turkey. The White House rejected the embassy’s allegation as directly false and baseless.

US officials said Leavitt was not with Trump during the Turkey trip and denied reports linking her to the alleged transfer of Trump to another aircraft. Trump confirmed Leavitt’s resignation, but the source said there was no independent evidence supporting the Iranian embassy’s assertion that personal or political conflict with Trump caused her departure.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called an urgent press conference over the country’s ongoing energy crisis and the situation arising from it. The briefing is scheduled for Sunday evening, August 16, 2026, at the party’s central office in Moghbazar. The announcement was made through the party’s official Facebook page.

Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar is expected to speak at the urgent press conference, according to the announcement. The event is set to begin at 7pm. The party identified the continuing energy crisis and related developments as the subject of the briefing.

The published announcement did not specify the points Mia Golam Porwar will raise or any proposals that may be presented. It also did not mention any specific demands directed at the government or further details about the party’s position on addressing the energy crisis.

Shishir Monir, a senior Supreme Court lawyer and Jamaat-e-Islami politician, has called for all sides to hold talks on Bangladesh’s gas and electricity crisis. In a Facebook post on August 16, he said the shortages should be treated as a national crisis rather than a problem only for the government, a political party or a group.

Monir said the crisis could have multiple causes and urged stakeholders to sit together, saying everyone wants a solution and there was no need for ego. His remarks stressed coordinated action by the government, opposition parties and other relevant sides instead of mutual accusations, with the aim of reducing public hardship.

The comments came as political pressure over the shortages increased. On Saturday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman challenged opposition parties to submit any plan capable of resolving the crisis within six months and invited them to present it in parliament when the session begins on August 27. He acknowledged hardship in several areas, said a floating LNG terminal accident had disrupted gas supply, and stated that technical faults had been repaired. He expressed hope that the gas shortage would ease substantially within days.

Naila Islam, previously expelled from the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal’s central committee, has faced renewed controversy in Nabinganaj, Brahmanbaria, after allegations that she used abusive language during a phone call with a journalist. An audio recording of the alleged exchange spread on Facebook, prompting condemnation from local journalists and leaders of several organisations.

Dhaka South Mohila Dal general secretary Saleha Akter said Islam was expelled on January 22, 2025, from her primary membership and all party posts over alleged violations of party rules, principles and discipline. She said the expulsion remains in force. Upazila BNP general secretary Nazmul Karim also said he knew of the expulsion. Islam later joined the NCP and sought its nomination for the Brahmanbaria-5 seat, but did not receive it, according to NCP leader Md Ataullah.

Islam, an assistant professor of political science at Demra University College, has also received a show-cause notice over alleged negligence and conduct issues, while an inquiry committee has been formed. Principal Dr Nure Alam alleged irregular class attendance and shortcomings in teaching. Journalists said information may be declined, but personal attacks and abusive language are unacceptable.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the government would not act against the interests of the country and its people, and urged citizens to resist those who create disorder on the streets. He made the remarks on Sunday at about 11:30am during a fish fry release event in the Brahmaputra River in Pakundia, Kishoreganj.

He described the current gas and electricity crisis as the result of the immaturity of a fascist government. Rahman called on people to work together, overcoming obstacles, to repair the state. He said the government wants to establish Bangladesh as a welfare state.

Addressing farmers, Rahman said the government would stand beside them according to its capacity and continue support for agricultural development and the protection of farmers’ interests. He also said education for women would be free through graduation, high-performing female students would receive stipends, and 120,000 poor students nationwide would receive school uniforms and bags. He said improving living standards and changing people’s fortunes were the government’s goals.

Dhaka has put Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit to Delhi on hold, saying conditions must first be created for the trip. On Sunday, the Foreign Ministry said those conditions include India’s swift return of Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive offenders, as well as the handover to Bangladesh of suspects accused in the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Bangladesh had requested Indian authorities to return Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives under the bilateral extradition treaty. Bangladesh has also sought the transfer of those accused in the Hadi killing and is awaiting India’s response. The government reiterated its “Bangladesh First” policy, citing sovereign equality, national dignity, non-interference in internal affairs and mutually beneficial friendly bilateral relations with neighbouring and other countries.

Bangladesh has already sent India the necessary legal documents seeking the return of suspects in the Hadi murder case. In July, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said extradition documents had been submitted for principal suspect Faisal Karim Masud and two other suspects. He said they were undergoing legal proceedings in India, while the treaty could allow transfer during trial if needed.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar demanded the arrest and exemplary punishment of those accused of attacking the convoy of Kushtia-3 lawmaker Mufti Amir Hamza. In a statement sent to the media on August 16, he said the convoy was attacked on Saturday evening in Kushtia city while Hamza was returning home after public outreach, despite being under police escort.

Parwar alleged that activists he described as terrorists from Gono Odhikar Parishad used hockey sticks and brickbats in an attempt to kill Hamza. He said Hamza, family members and travel companions were among seven people seriously injured. He described the incident as a planned attack on an elected representative and said it reflected a severe deterioration in the country’s law-and-order situation.

The Jamaat leader said Hamza had earlier informed law-enforcement agencies about provocative statements and the possibility of disorder. He alleged that police at the scene remained inactive and silent, arguing that a timely and firm response could have prevented the attackers from acting. Parwar also wished the injured a speedy recovery and urged the administration to take impartial and effective measures to maintain peace and order in the area.

The nomination papers of BNP nominee Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Colonel Oli Ahmed, candidate of the 11-party alliance, have been declared valid for the presidential post. Chief Election Commissioner and returning officer A M M Nasiruddin made the declaration. The report was published and updated on August 16, 2026.

After scrutiny on Sunday, the returning officer declared valid the nomination papers of the candidates nominated by the BNP and the 11-party alliance. The source does not provide further details about the scrutiny process or the nomination documents.

The final date for withdrawal of candidature is set for August 19. Voting for the presidential post will take place on August 20.

The Taliban has completed five years since returning to power in Afghanistan, with the period marked by improved security and stability but major failures on women’s education, human rights, inclusive governance and international recognition. The group regained control of Kabul in 2021 after the withdrawal of United States and NATO forces. The report says travel has become comparatively safer in areas that were previously dangerous for civilians, while threats from armed groups including IS-Khorasan have been significantly weakened.

Despite difficult economic conditions and reduced international assistance, the Taliban administration has sought to keep the economy functioning through stronger tax and customs collection, remittances, natural-resource extraction and increased trade with neighboring countries. Infrastructure efforts involving the Qosh Tepa canal, the TAPI gas pipeline and power-transmission projects are also advancing. However, a lack of transparency in public finances and allegations of corruption remain major challenges.

Girls remain barred from formal modern education after sixth grade, raising concerns over future shortages of female doctors, teachers and other professionals. Power has become concentrated in a limited group led by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, while broad recognition remains elusive. The report says public dissatisfaction and growing alienation could become longer-term challenges.

India’s courts will make the final decision on whether to return former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh, senior Indian officials told The Indian Express. The report, published on August 16, said the request made by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government must proceed through India’s judicial process rather than be settled politically or diplomatically.

Officials said the court process would examine whether the offences alleged by Bangladesh against Hasina are also recognised as offences under Indian law. Another Indian official said Bangladesh’s request could not be viewed separately from ongoing diplomatic discussions between Dhaka and New Delhi. India’s foreign ministry has said the matter is being examined under established procedures, while officials said Bangladesh submitted required legal documents under the 2013 extradition treaty.

Bangladesh is relying on a November 2025 International Crimes Tribunal death sentence that found Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity. Awami League leaders said they would challenge that verdict if extradition proceedings begin. The treaty and India’s 1962 extradition law provide for examination of requests and possible investigation by a magistrate, who may recommend extradition if preliminary grounds are found or allow release if evidence is insufficient.

Student protesters in India’s Jharkhand state have demanded Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s resignation over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and announced plans to surround his official residence on August 20. The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Forum said accountability must be ensured and responsibility fixed over the alleged scandal.

On Saturday, the protesters held a Tiranga Yatra during the 22nd day of their indefinite movement. Forum spokesperson Piyush Singh said students had previously appealed to the government through Gandhian methods, but their demands were not being heard. He said they would move toward the chief minister’s residence and remain there until their demands were met if the government did not act.

The students reiterated demands to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination and order a CBI investigation. They have also sought a full inquiry either by the CBI or by a committee of retired judges from outside Jharkhand. Forum leader Ravindra Paswan accused the JMM and Congress of politicising the issue and urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to withdraw support from the JMM-led coalition if their demands were ignored.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has pledged to accelerate reforms, take tougher action against corruption and strengthen anti-corruption operations after his coalition suffered a setback in recent state elections. The report, published on August 16, 2026, said political observers believe the speed of implementation will help determine the future acceptability of Anwar’s government among Malaysian voters.

Political analysts described the election outcome as an important message for the government. Anwar’s reform programme had already faced criticism for moving slowly, while pressure was growing to fulfil commitments on anti-corruption measures and institutional reform. Public pressure also increased after controversy involving Malaysia’s anti-corruption commission earlier this year, prompting protests demanding reforms. The government later decided to replace the commission’s chief.

Anwar had announced reforms including a proposal to limit a prime minister’s tenure to a maximum of 10 years or two terms. In March, however, a constitutional amendment on term limits failed by two votes to secure the required two-thirds support in parliament. A plan to separate the powers of the attorney general and public prosecutor was also delayed. Analysts had warned that a major state-election defeat could weaken the government before the next national election, due by 2028.

Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit to Delhi has been put on hold for now because a favorable environment is needed. Ministry spokesperson A K M Shahidul Karim announced the position at a press briefing in Dhaka on August 16. Indian media had earlier suggested that Rahman might travel to India for two days in the third week of August.

Karim said the two countries had remained in contact for several weeks over the potential trip. However, Bangladesh said the process was undermined after Sheikh Hasina, described by the ministry as convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity, spoke at a public news conference in New Delhi on August 5. The government said it had made its position clear.

Bangladesh has asked Indian authorities to promptly return Hasina and other fugitive offenders under the bilateral extradition treaty, and to hand over those accused in the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. It is awaiting India’s response. Rahman had received a formal India visit invitation on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and another invitation to a BRICS summit in New Delhi in September as BIMSTEC’s current chair.

Stephen Zunes, a professor of international relations at the University of San Francisco, said the US war with Iran is further weakening Washington’s already declining influence in the Middle East and worldwide. In an interview with Al Jazeera published on August 16, 2026, he said US global dominance was contracting and that the level of influence the country had exercised since World War II was coming to an end.

Zunes said the United States had gained notoriety for launching illegal wars whose “terrible humanitarian consequences” destabilize the Middle East. He argued that even Washington’s closest regional allies are questioning how far they can rely on it to protect their interests. According to Zunes, dependence on the United States can sometimes backfire severely, prompting those allies to seek alternative alliances and partnerships.

He also pointed to growing domestic opposition to the war against Iran and to other so-called endless wars in the Middle East and Asia in the recent past. Zunes said these conflicts divert large sums from essential domestic needs, including healthcare, housing, education and public transportation. He said more than half of the United States’ discretionary government budget is spent on the military each year, calling that allocation unreasonable.

Katiadi in Kishoreganj has seen a festive atmosphere ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit for National Fisheries Day on Sunday. He is scheduled to attend an event at Achmita George Institution School field, where crowds began gathering from the morning to catch a glimpse of him. The venue and surrounding areas gradually filled to capacity.

Local residents, political activists and members of the public from different districts gathered for the programme, according to the report. Attendance also increased on roads and highways across Katiadi as the prime minister’s arrival approached. The report described strong enthusiasm among people travelling from nearby and distant areas.

Under the announced itinerary, the prime minister is expected to visit the Katiadi Carp Hatchery Complex at about 12:30 pm. He is then due to join the National Fisheries Day inauguration and award distribution ceremony at the Achmita George Institution field at about 1 pm as chief guest. Security has been strengthened around the venue, with law enforcement personnel deployed at important points.