Speakers at a roundtable in Dhaka said Bangladesh needs a professional, capable and depoliticised bureaucracy to establish good governance. The discussion, titled “State Building and Bureaucracy: Southeast Asian Experience and Bangladesh’s Reality,” was held Saturday at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Hall of the National Press Club, organised by the Center for Policy Analysis and Advocacy. The organisation’s president and former secretary Dr Mohammad Shariful Alam chaired the event.

Rajshahi University public administration professor Dr Shafiul Islam presented a written keynote by civil service expert Dr Yusuf Zarif. Citing research, the paper said professional and politically neutral bureaucracies played a major role in economic development and good governance across several Southeast Asian countries. It referred to the experiences of Japan, China, South Korea and Singapore, arguing that a sound bureaucracy cannot be built while disregarding merit.

The keynote claimed bureaucracy had been legally weakened and politicised by successive rulers since Bangladesh’s independence, and said this policy continued after the July Revolution. Other speakers said past governments used the administration for partisan interests, harming the election system and enabling indiscriminate money laundering. They called for reforms to strengthen accountability, ethical resolve and professional capacity, and urged the government to reverse the appointment of political leaders to various state corporations.

Indiana Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith has opposed public broadcasting of the Islamic call to prayer, saying it is not part of American culture or history. The remarks were reported on August 16 after Beckwith answered a viewer’s question in his “Ask Micah Anything” video series about why adhan should be silenced if church bells are allowed. He did not identify a specific mosque, local dispute, or proposed ban.

Beckwith suggested that people who want to hear the adhan should go to countries where the practice is part of local tradition and history. He also said mosques could send text messages to members when it is time for prayer instead of broadcasting the call publicly. The report describes the comments as part of his broader criticism of Islam, which intensified from May.

Maliha Jafar, executive director of the Indiana Muslim Advocacy Network, said she knew of no Indiana mosque that broadcasts the adhan outdoors through loudspeakers. She said Muslim communities are concerned about safety amid hostile public rhetoric and reported increased mosque security and active-shooter training. The report also cited museum and Library of Congress information indicating Muslims have been present in North America since the 1500s.

Authorities in Patiya, Chattogram, face demands to investigate the appointment of Ashhab Uddin as an enumerator for the government’s Family Card Census-26 project. He was assigned to collect information in Ward 6 of Habilashdwip Union. Local Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal activists alleged that he had been associated with Chhatra League and called for his appointment to be cancelled after the enumerator list was published.

According to upazila administration sources, lists of supervisors and enumerators were published after written and oral examinations for implementation of the priority project in Patiya. Local activists said photographs circulating on social media show Ashhab Uddin attending Chhatra League programmes and events. Jubo Dal organiser Mohammad Jewel said politically neutral people should be assigned to information-collection work and requested an investigation.

South District Chhatra Dal joint convener SM Nayan said several other people on the list also faced allegations, and the administration had been informed. Ashhab Uddin’s response to the allegations and questions about his political affiliation was not available. Patiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farhanur Rahman said action would be taken against people facing complaints following an investigation.

Speculation is growing in the United States over whether New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could seek the presidency in 2028. The 36-year-old progressive has not stated whether she will run. But at a recent speech at the University of Chicago’s Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, she said her ambition was not to hold an office or seat but to “change the country,” renewing discussion of a possible candidacy.

A July University of New Hampshire poll placed Ocasio-Cortez ahead among potential Democratic candidates, the report said. She has nearly 10 million Instagram followers and support ranging from the Democratic Socialists of America to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. DSA co-chair Ashik Siddiqi said her candidacy would generate strong enthusiasm among the group’s members and give working people a powerful voice in the Democratic primary.

Potential Democratic rivals could include Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom, Jon Ossoff and Representative Ro Khanna. The report also cites criticism from some left-wing activists over her Gaza-related positions and comments. Analysts said she would need to address Black voters’ concerns and communicate on healthcare, living costs and economic security. Republican and right-wing media attacks could also present a major obstacle.

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said the Labour Ministry will form a special investigation committee to assess conditions at tea gardens across the country. He made the announcement on Saturday morning, August 15, 2026, during a meeting with Bangladesh Tea Workers Union leaders at his residence in Kumarpara, Sylhet city. The minister said further action would be considered after discussing the committee’s report with all relevant parties.

Union leaders sought high-level government intervention to implement an eight-point demand, including setting daily wages at Tk400. They submitted a memorandum seeking an increase from the current Tk187.43 daily wage, permanent ownership of homestead land, affordable housing, and the prompt completion of long-suspended union elections.

The memorandum also called for changes to discriminatory labour-law provisions on leave, gratuity and eviction, technical educational institutions in tea-growing areas, and priority for tea communities in government jobs. Leaders requested cultural academies in 21 upazilas, gazette recognition for 67 remaining tea communities as small ethnic groups, and official recognition of May 20 as Tea Workers Day. The minister promised to raise legitimate demands at higher government levels.

A report published on August 15, 2026 alleges that deep divisions have emerged among Awami League central leaders and former ministers who took shelter in India after Bangladesh's July 2024 mass uprising. It says frustration has grown among grassroots and veteran figures because Sheikh Hasina remains in India without public appearances, despite issuing instructions and alleged press conference or audio messages.

The report says tensions intensified after Anandabazar published an interview with presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak, who was said to have claimed he would return to Bangladesh before Hasina and take revenge. Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal questioned Nanak's ability to return, citing his own death sentence, restrictions by Indian authorities, fear of being handed over to Bangladesh, financial hardship and declining health.

The article also describes Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader as sidelined and says no public mourning event was held in Kolkata or elsewhere by his side on August 15. It further alleges that veteran ministers and lawmakers are isolated, face financial strain and fear arrest, while Hasina maintains contact with only selected loyalists.

Jagannath University barred journalists from an emergency meeting on August 15 despite formally inviting media outlets a day earlier to cover it. The meeting, held at 3:30pm in the vice-chancellor’s office conference room, concerned clashes and tensions involving supporters of Shibir and Chhatra Dal during an August 4 July Uprising Day 2026 event.

The university’s public relations, information and publication office had asked editors to send one reporter and one cameraperson. Its letter said local members of parliament, prominent and leading figures from Old Dhaka, and senior law-enforcement officials were expected to attend. It also said participants would discuss the incident and exchange views on steps toward a resolution.

Journalists who arrived were told the meeting was not open to them. Press club official Md Rokonuzzaman Golam Rabbi and other reporters criticized the decision as disrespectful to the media and indicative of poor coordination. Public relations director Dr Mohammad Anwarus Salam described the situation as a “misunderstanding,” saying the meeting was closed-door and journalists could not enter. Attempts to contact Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rais Uddin were unsuccessful.

Mufti Ali Hasan Usama, a Jamaat-e-Islami rukun and Islamic scholar, has claimed that many scholars from the Qawmi tradition have recently joined the party. In a Facebook post cited in a report published on August 15, 2026, he said Qawmi scholars would soon outnumber Alia-stream scholars within Jamaat. He also said two speakers from the Sylhet division would formally join the party on Saturday.

Usama attributed the alleged increase in joining Jamaat to what he described as excessive opposition, abuse and falsehoods from opponents. He said opposition was rising on the advice of those in power, while participation in the party was also increasing. According to him, a larger number of religious scholars in Jamaat would expand intellectual practice and advance processes of correction and reform.

He called for constructive criticism of real mistakes but urged critics not to spread falsehoods, saying people can now verify original sources and references online. Referring to 1983, when he said Jamaat's rukun membership had not reached 1,000, Usama claimed the party is now in a stronger position. He contrasted this with Qawmi-oriented political parties, which he said had been weakened by divisions and internal disputes.

A Mecca joint defence pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan is signalling a new geopolitical alignment in the Middle East, according to a report published on August 15, 2026. The report says Saudi financial capacity, Turkish military technology, and Pakistan’s large, experienced military force and nuclear capability could alter the regional balance of power. India is described as particularly concerned about the potential effects of this emerging arrangement.

The agreement includes a commitment to treat an attack on one member as an attack on all three, though doubts remain over whether members would directly join each other’s wars. Some analysts view it as a defence-cooperation framework rather than a full military alliance. Former Pakistani ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani said it could expand intelligence sharing and joint weapons and ammunition production, but should not be regarded as a “Muslim NATO.”

The report highlights Turkey’s drones, electronic warfare systems and defence technology as a potential boost to Pakistan’s military modernisation. Saudi Arabia’s major investment, energy and expatriate links with India complicate New Delhi’s calculations. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has visited Saudi Arabia three times in the past six months. Analysts also suggest the pact may be an alternative security arrangement amid uncertainty over the US role, while possible Egyptian membership could expand its reach.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman will distribute current fiscal year honoraria to mosque imams, muezzins and workers serving other places of worship in Kishoreganj on Sunday. He will also distribute family cards as chief guest at the Old Stadium in the district headquarters at 4 pm. The Social Welfare Ministry and the Religious Affairs Ministry are jointly organising the event.

Social Welfare Minister Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain will chair the programme. Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad), the prime minister’s public administration adviser Md Ismail Jabiullah, State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin and local members of parliament are expected as special guests.

In fiscal year 2026-2027, 256,074 religious leaders from 86,709 religious institutions will receive the state benefit. Selected institutions include 82,656 mosques, 3,000 temples, 752 Buddhist monasteries and 301 churches. During the visit, the prime minister is also scheduled to release fish fry in Pakundia, inspect the Katiadi Carp Hatchery Complex, open National Fisheries Week activities, inaugurate development work at Sholakia Eidgah ground and join a tree-planting programme.

Mufti Md Amir Hamza, the member of parliament for Kushtia-3 (Sadar), described himself as the “prime minister” for Kushtia Sadar for the next five years. The remark was heard in a video circulating on social media, where he was addressing people in his electoral area, according to a report published on August 15, 2026.

In the video, Hamza said the government would provide budgets and hand them to him, asking whether the funds should be given to an angel instead. The report said it could not immediately confirm when the video was recorded or at which event he made the remarks.

The report also said tensions have been reported between Hamza and Principal Sohrab Uddin, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party central committee’s local government affairs secretary and administrator of Kushtia District Council, over participation in development activities and other matters in the Kushtia-3 constituency. Hamza had previously spoken publicly about development at Kushtia Medical College and allegations of various irregularities.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad MP said he would make all-out efforts to implement a demand to declare the Qadiani community non-Muslim at the state level. The commitment appeared in a written statement for a National Ulama Mashayekh Conference organised Saturday by International Tahaffuz-e-Khatme Nabuwat Bangladesh. He could not attend in person because of illness, and the statement was read by the organisation's secretary general, Maulana Muhiuddin Rabbani.

The conference was organised around demands for a state declaration and the confiscation of all Qadiani publications. Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh chief Allama Muhibbullah Babunagari was the chief guest. The minister said he fully agreed with the belief concerning the finality of prophethood, describing it as an article of faith not only for religious scholars but for every monotheistic Muslim.

Kaykobad said he would pursue the demands raised at the conference both in his capacity at the Religious Affairs Ministry and personally. He described the current government as respectful of Islamic values and religious scholars, and said he hoped the demands would receive special consideration. In his written message, he also asked attendees to pray for his recovery.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung called for talks with North Korea to secure peaceful coexistence and formally end the Korean War. In a Saturday speech marking Korea’s independence anniversary from Japanese colonial rule, Lee said the armistice on the Korean Peninsula should be replaced with a “peace system.” He said Seoul would take necessary security measures to avoid conflict.

Lee urged dialogue among North Korea and relevant parties to achieve a formal end to the 1950-53 war. He said talks could also examine effective steps to limit North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. Seoul would take proactive and sustained measures to reduce tensions and prevent conflict from spreading, he said, including building multilayered security arrangements.

The war was halted by an armistice agreement on July 27, 1953, but no formal peace treaty has been signed between the two Koreas. North Korea rejected Lee’s dialogue proposal, criticized South Korea’s plan to build nuclear-powered submarines, and condemned joint US-South Korean military drills as provocative. A roughly 160-mile demilitarized zone separates the countries, where both sides have deployed large numbers of troops.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on opposition parties to submit an effective plan to resolve Bangladesh’s gas and electricity shortages within the next six months. He said the government would accept such a proposal if it proved workable. Rahman made the remarks on Saturday at the T&T Colony field in Banani, in the capital.

He was speaking as chief guest at an event providing financial assistance to poor and vulnerable people to mark the 82nd birth anniversary of late former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Rahman said the government was working to address power and gas problems and would positively consider implementing any effective opposition proposal.

Criticising the Awami League government, Rahman said the previous “fascist” government had left the country’s health system weakened. He said this had forced people to seek medical care in a particular country. Addressing Jamaat, he noted that the national parliament session would begin on August 27 and urged opposition parties to present any sound plans there. He said the government would implement good proposals submitted in parliament.

Faham has called for an end to abuses against Awami League leaders, activists and supporters, citing an alleged assault on a person who went to lay flowers at Dhanmondi 32. In a Facebook post on Saturday, August 15, 2026, he said oppression was unacceptable and that the Awami League could be defeated by establishing justice.

He said he saw several people slapping the individual, while adding that he did not know how authentic the incident was. Faham nevertheless said the people involved were likely from “our side” and urged them to stop such actions. He said it had been two years and that beating an Awami League member whenever something happened should not continue.

Faham argued that nobody can be defeated through beatings and that oppression erodes moral standing. He said there was no need for blind affection toward the Awami League, but described attacking ordinary people as a very bad act. According to him, oppression would make the Awami League more resistant and make those carrying out such attacks look ridiculous.