Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will formally launch the second phase of the Family Card distribution programme on August 16, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister A Z M Zahid Hossain said. The inauguration will take place in Latifabad, Kishoreganj.

Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat on Thursday, Zahid Hossain said beneficiaries for the Family Card would be selected transparently. He announced both the date and location for the formal opening of the second-phase distribution programme.

According to the minister, Family Card holders will receive multiple services. These include the ability to withdraw money from the state-owned Sonali Bank, Janata Bank and Krishi Bank.

Police stopped leaders and activists of an 11-party alliance as they marched toward the Secretariat on Thursday to protest fuel and gas shortages, disputed electricity bills, worsening law and order, and rising prices of essential goods. The group reached the area near the Secretariat at about 12:45 p.m. and staged a sit-in after police blocked its advance. They later left at around 1:30 p.m. without meeting any government representative.

The alliance had begun its march from Muktangan in the capital at 12:40 p.m., following an earlier sit-in programme. Police erected barricades after the procession crossed Zero Point. Jamaat-e-Islami chief and opposition leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman addressed the gathering near the Secretariat, saying the group had come with public demands rather than to disrespect anyone.

Rahman called for a responsible minister or representative to receive the demands and said further protests and programmes would continue if they were not met. He also asked police officials to convey the alliance's message to the appropriate authorities. Senior alliance figures present included Nahid Islam, Oli Ahmad, Mia Golam Porwar and Rashed Pradhan.

The Election Commission has announced the schedule for the presidential election, setting voting for August 20 from 2pm to 5pm. Senior Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed disclosed the information to journalists on Thursday afternoon. The election follows the resignation of Md Shahabuddin from the presidency on July 24.

Under the announced timetable, the deadline for submitting nomination papers is August 13. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on August 16, while candidates may withdraw their candidacy until August 18. The Election Commission Secretariat has already received the voter list for the presidential election from the Parliament Secretariat after requesting it.

Rules require the Election Commission to arrange a new presidential election within 90 days of a president's resignation. On July 26, the Commission met acting Speaker of the National Parliament Kaiser Kamal to discuss arranging the election. During that meeting, the Commission requested that the voter list be provided.

Students in Jharkhand, India, have held widespread protests for several days over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The movement began in Ranchi on July 25, raising allegations concerning JPSC and JSSC recruitment tests. Congress said it stands with the protesting students and described ensuring justice for them as its main priority.

A delegation led by Jharkhand Congress acting leader K Rauj met Chief Minister Hemant Soren and submitted a memorandum. Congress welcomed the decision to form a cabinet committee to hold discussions with the students. Protesters have demanded cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination, an investigation by the CBI or retired High Court judges, and reforms to the recruitment system.

As the movement intensified, five students began a hunger strike, including Devendranath Mahato, a leader of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha. Soren said the students' allegations were being examined seriously, action was being taken against those involved in irregularities, and efforts were underway to find a permanent solution. Congress said it would continue discussions with the government over the students' demands and justice.

Ousted former prime minister Hasina, sentenced to death in Bangladesh in a crimes against humanity case, has said she wants to return to the country by December this year. She left for India amid the 2024 anti-government uprising, and legal proceedings against her continued in her absence. Hasina did not announce a date or plan for how she would return.

In an audio address at Delhi’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club marking the second anniversary of her ouster, Hasina said anything could happen to her if she returned but that she would not abandon the decision. She has denied the allegations against her as politically motivated. United Nations investigators said her government had systematically used lethal violence to retain power.

Bangladesh’s government expressed anger toward India for allowing Hasina to participate in a public media event. Analyst David Bergman said she could be arrested immediately if she returned, while political groups might demand implementation of her sentence. The Awami League’s activities were banned after Hasina left, and it was not allowed to contest February’s election.

Prosecutors submitted an alleged phone recording involving Awami League General Secretary and former road transport minister Obaidul Quader to International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Thursday. The recording was presented on the second day of arguments in a crimes-against-humanity case against Quader and seven senior leaders over events during the July uprising.

According to the prosecution, the recording documents a conversation on July 11, 2024 involving Quader, Bangladesh Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain and general secretary Wali Asif Inan. Quader is heard asking Saddam, “Why are you not beating them?” Saddam replies that police had told them not to confront the protesters. Prosecutors said the remarks encouraged Chhatra League activists.

Arguments in the case began on August 4. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim described the July-August events as a planned, organized and nationwide “systematic crime,” alleging coordinated action by Awami League leaders, law-enforcement agencies and affiliated organizations. The other accused are AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Mohammad A. Arafat, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Saddam Hossain and Wali Asif Inan. The report said all defendants are absconding.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will visit Saudi Arabia from August 6 to 8, accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. During the trip, Sharif is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said at a weekly press briefing that the meeting will focus on strengthening Pakistan-Saudi bilateral relations, expanding strategic cooperation, and exchanging views on regional and international issues. He described the visit as highly significant amid continuing tensions in the Gulf region.

Andrabi said the trip would further strengthen the two countries’ longstanding relationship of mutual trust, cooperation and brotherhood. Sharif previously visited Saudi Arabia in April this year. Pakistan has recently supported Saudi Arabia’s proposed multinational maritime defense alliance aimed at safeguarding shipping and energy supplies in the Red Sea, while reiterating its commitment to Saudi security, legitimate maritime trade and strategic cooperation.

The 11-party alliance has announced four long marches and a grand rally in Dhaka, demanding implementation of the referendum verdict. Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman announced the programme on Thursday afternoon from a sit-in at Muktangan in the capital.

Under the schedule, a road march from Dhaka to Chattogram is set for September 5. Further road marches are planned from Dhaka to Rangpur on September 19 and from Dhaka to Khulna on October 10.

The alliance also announced a rail march from Dhaka to Sylhet on October 24 and a grand rally in Dhaka on November 14. Its leaders said active participation and full cooperation from people at all levels are needed to make the programmes successful, describing them as efforts to establish the public's rightful rights and protect the interests of the country and its people.

The Parliament Secretariat has sent the voter list to Bangladesh’s Election Commission for the 23rd presidential election, according to Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. Speaking on Thursday afternoon, he said discussions on the list would take place that day. The commission is expected to discuss the election date and schedule after receiving the voter list.

On August 3, Ahmed said at the Election Building that the Election Commission had requested the voter list from the Parliament Secretariat. He said the secretariat had been asked to provide the list. Only members of parliament vote in a presidential election, and the commission will publish a voter list comprising those lawmakers.

Preparations for the 23rd presidential election began after the country’s 22nd president, Md Shahabuddin, resigned on July 24. The chief election commissioner, A M M Nasir Uddin, has already met the speaker of parliament in accordance with the rules. With the voter list now received, the commission will discuss the election timetable and formal schedule.

US President Donald Trump is growing frustrated after repeatedly failing to reach an agreement with Iran, according to a report published on August 6, 2026. The report says he has used hard-line pressure, maximum pressure and offers of talks without achieving the desired result. On Monday, Trump accused Tehran of showing “incredible duplicity” in its dealings with Washington, a remark analysts view as reflecting limits in his understanding of Iran’s leadership and power structure.

Trump administration officials have expressed hope that an agreement over the Strait of Hormuz could be reached at any time. Iran, however, remains firm on its position of collecting tolls from vessels using the waterway, which Trump has called unacceptable. Former CIA analyst Kenneth Pollack, who has studied Iran for decades, said Trump may be the US president who has understood Iran’s leaders the least.

The report says failure to secure a meaningful agreement could disappoint Trump’s anti-war voters and contribute to higher oil prices if energy transport through Hormuz remains disrupted. After Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike on February 28, Trump urged Iranians to remove their government, but no popular uprising occurred and Iran’s existing power structure remained intact.

An 11-party alliance began a sit-in programme at Muktangan in the capital on August 6, 2026. The programme started at 11am with a recitation from the Holy Quran. The alliance said it organised the protest over shortages of fuel oil and gas, what it described as ghost electricity bills, and price increases.

The organisers also cited a severe deterioration in law and order and unchecked increases in prices of essential goods as reasons for the programme. Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to speak as the chief guest. Senior leaders of the 11-party alliance are also expected to address the gathering.

After the speeches, the alliance said it plans to go to the Secretariat to discuss its various demands with the relevant ministries. The report does not provide a detailed list of the demands or specify the timing of the planned discussions.

Prime Minister’s political adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that India dishonored the July martyrs by allowing deposed and convicted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to speak. He made the remarks on Thursday morning after paying tribute at the graves of Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia for the anniversary of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh, known as DAB.

Rizvi said that despite the existence of laws, not returning a fugitive accused person and instead giving that person political space was an insult to national sovereignty. He described Hasina as a deposed and convicted former prime minister while criticizing India’s role.

He also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was working to resolve crises including gas, measles and dengue in the country. According to Rizvi, Tarique Rahman was prioritizing the public in line with his commitment. Rizvi further alleged that one group was conspiring against the country in an effort to make the government fail.

Clashes involving Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir and other student groups have erupted at several Bangladeshi educational institutions around the second anniversary of the July mass uprising. Incidents were reported at Jagannath University, Barishal University, Begum Rokeya University, Government Madrasa-e-Alia, Dhaka College and the Government Graphic Arts Institute. The report said more than 100 students were injured, while allegations emerged of residential hall takeovers and room vandalism.

At Jagannath University, violence linked to placards displayed at an event left more than 100 people injured, including the JAGSU vice president, general secretary and journalists. At least 70 injured people received treatment at Dhaka National Medical College Hospital, where Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal activists were accused of entering the emergency department and attacking injured people. The vice chancellor said a four-member committee had been formed; the proctor alleged planned actions by JAGSU and Shibir.

At least 15 students were injured at Barishal University and at least seven at Begum Rokeya University. At Alia Madrasa, both sides made differing injury claims amid allegations of explosions, vandalism and evictions from a hall. Two cocktail explosions were reported near Dhaka College, although its principal denied a major clash.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman said Türkiye’s foreign minister told him that Bangladesh had once been fading from the international arena but is now returning. He made the remarks while chairing a discussion at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday, August 5, marking July Mass Uprising Day 2026.

Rahman said the observation underscored a central goal of the July movement: ensuring Bangladesh is never again turned into a dependent state. He said the current government’s foreign policy has been founded on “Bangladesh First” from the beginning, adding that everyone has a responsibility to achieve that objective and preserve the movement’s success.

The minister also said he became deeply concerned about Bangladesh’s situation in early August last year. He contacted several former colleagues working at the office of the UN secretary-general because he believed the United Nations should not remain silent over serious human rights violations in Bangladesh. Foreign Ministry Secretary Nazrul Islam and Foreign Service Academy Rector Mohammad Abdul Muhit also spoke at the event.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority has proposed promoting Saidur Rahman, acting president of its Bangabandhu Parishad, to chief engineer, according to a report published on August 6, 2026. The relevant file was submitted to the BIWTA chairman last Sunday, and Rahman would assume the role if approved. The report describes him as an accused in a case alleging attempted killing during the July movement.

The report says Rahman received promotions from executive engineer to additional chief engineer during the Awami League period and served for years in the dredging division. It also says State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan recently instructed action against Rahman and two other Bangabandhu Parishad leaders, but the authority did not act on the instruction. Shipping Ministry Secretary Zakaria said he was unaware of the reported case and that action would be taken if a complaint was received.

Rahman denied all allegations, saying a conspiracy was being carried out against him because his promotion was imminent. He also denied being an accused in the July killing case. The report says he held posts in the dredging division from July 5, 2010, to January 12, 2025, and is currently director of a river navigability development and restoration project.