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.

Several state ministers have emerged as influential figures within the government, according to a report published on August 23, 2026. The cabinet reshuffle following the government’s six-month assessment during the presidential election elevated BNP central treasurer and Jamalpur-1 lawmaker M Rashiduzzaman Millat from state minister to full minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism. Afroz Khanam Rita was moved from that ministry to the Food Ministry.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam is also described as influential. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed called him the “most powerful state minister” at a Cox’s Bazar meeting on June 13. Shah Alam’s ministry has received a new full minister, BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, while sources cited in the report believe Shah Alam’s influence will remain unchanged.

Chittagong Hill Tracts State Minister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin was also portrayed as influential after Minister Dipen Dewan resigned on June 1 amid a dispute linked to a Rangamati district council chairmanship recommendation. Bandarban lawmaker Saching Prue Jerry has taken responsibility for the ministry. Prime Minister’s foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir has been sworn in as a state minister for Foreign Affairs, joining existing state minister Shama Obaed Islam.

The Bangladesh government led by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman expanded and reshuffled its cabinet for the first time 185 days after taking office. Four new ministers and two state ministers took oath on Friday at Bangabhaban’s Darbar Hall before newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The changes included new portfolio assignments and transfers involving existing ministers.

Zahir Uddin Swapan was moved from the information and broadcasting ministry to become an adviser to the prime minister with ministerial status. Andaleeve Rahman Partha replaced him as information minister, while Yasir Khan Chowdhury remained state minister in the same ministry. Rashiduzzaman Millat was promoted from state minister to minister for civil aviation and tourism, and Afroza Khanam Rita was transferred to the food ministry.

Humayun Kabir, the prime minister’s foreign affairs adviser, was appointed state minister for foreign affairs as Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is expected to spend substantial time in the United States after beginning duties as UN General Assembly president in September. Sachin Prue Jerry became minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs. Mohammad Shamim Kaysar Lincoln was appointed state minister for religious affairs, prompting criticism and calls for cancellation of his appointment from Hefazat-e-Islam leader Maulana Junaid Al Habib.

An opinion article published by Amar Desh Online on August 23, 2026 argues that Islamophobia and anti-Arab discrimination have intensified in the United States. It says human-rights and civil-rights groups have reported record complaints of discrimination and harassment, linking negative attitudes toward Muslims to the Gaza war, tensions in the Middle East, and political rhetoric.

The article cites the Council on American-Islamic Relations as saying complaints related to anti-Muslim and anti-Arab discrimination and harassment have reached an all-time high. It recalls a 2008 campaign event in which Republican Senator John McCain responded to a voter describing Barack Obama as an Arab, saying Obama was a decent family man and a US citizen despite their political differences.

It also describes attacks on Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul Al-Sayed, including statements by Republican figures and former CIA director Mike Pompeo. The article argues that criticism of Israel is treated as disqualifying for Muslim politicians, and extends this argument to Jewish critics of Israel, citing comments attributed to Robert Kagan, Alan Dershowitz, Mike Huckabee, Michael Barenboim and the Jewish Chronicle.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Treaty in Mecca on 7 August, according to the report. The trilateral framework treats an armed attack on any one signatory as an attack on all three. The report examines the possibility of Bangladesh joining an economic or defence arrangement involving the three countries and the implications it says this could have for India.

It says Bangladesh has sought to diversify strategic and security partnerships under a declared “Bangladesh First” policy and has warmed relations with Islamabad. Foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir reportedly said this month that Dhaka was positive about participating in a possible economic or defence framework if it aligned with national interests and sovereignty. Bangladesh has not formally announced plans to join any military alliance.

The report says Bangladesh has become a founding member of a 14-country multinational maritime defence alliance established in Saudi Arabia. It also says Turkish media have discussed including Bangladesh in the Mecca security framework. The analysis cites Bangladesh’s Bay of Bengal location and possible Turkish naval or Pakistani military access as factors that could complicate India’s security planning.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed made a surprise visit to Tejgaon Police Station in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon, assessing law and order, infrastructure and the quality of police services for residents. After the visit, the officer-in-charge of Tejgaon station was withdrawn. The officer-in-charge of Paltan Model Police Station was also withdrawn under an administrative order.

During the inspection, the minister spoke with officers on duty and toured administrative rooms, the duty officer’s room, investigation offices, the lock-up, residential barracks and the dining area. He gave directions on housing, meal quality and cleanliness for police personnel, and asked about night-duty and shift schedules. He also heard concerns from citizens visiting the station to file general diaries or complaints.

The minister instructed relevant officers to resolve complaints quickly, transparently and responsibly, stressing that visitors must not face harassment or neglect. The DMP commissioner’s order attached Tejgaon OC Kaishainu and Paltan OC Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Khan to central reserve, headquarters and administration units, effective from August 22. No reason for their withdrawal was stated.

A Dhaka College leader of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, Md Rifat, alleged that activists of Chhatra Dal assaulted and harassed him on Saturday at about 2pm on the college hall field. He said he was later forced to address a Facebook Live broadcast and apologise over an earlier post alleging hall occupation and footpath extortion in New Market.

Rifat alleged that Chhatra Dal leaders Rifat Hossain and Wahid Faraji, along with activist Tamim Hossain and 15 to 20 others, took part in the incident. He said he was slapped, punched and hit with a stump for 10 to 15 minutes while going to eat in the hall area. He demanded exemplary punishment and alleged that the administration had not acted against those involved.

The accused denied any assault. Rifat Hossain said he only broadcast the student’s statement live after asking him about the Facebook post, while Wahid Faraji said he knew nothing of such an incident. Tamim Hossain said they only questioned him over what he described as a false extortion allegation. Chhatra Dal convener Piyal Hasan said he would investigate and seek accountability if evidence is found.