The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation have sued US President Donald Trump, seeking to stop a plan that would let paying customers see his social media posts before publication. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday local time and is set to be heard in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The plaintiffs argue that the service would restrict public access to important information of public interest. They describe the plan as corrupt, alleging that the president could financially benefit his private company by providing market-moving government information to people willing and able to pay. They also say the arrangement would undermine equal access to information for news organizations.

The complaint says Trump’s company offers Truth API subscriptions costing $60,000 to $100,000 per month, with advance access to important government announcements. The plaintiffs contend the system is unconstitutional and violates the First and Fifth Amendments. Truth API launched on August 1 and had attracted more than 10 customers by August 10, according to the lawsuit. The subscription service is run by Trump Media & Technology Group.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized France and other Western countries for condemning Tehran’s handling of internal protests, according to a report published on August 13. In a post on X, Araghchi said countries such as France should stop lecturing the world about human rights and international law, calling their double standards clear and embarrassing.

He accused Western governments of speaking out about Iran’s human rights situation while taking no effective action over what he described as Israeli war crimes and human rights violations in the Middle East. Araghchi also said Western support for Israel’s alleged “genocide” in Gaza and aggression against Iran had undermined their claims to moral standing.

His comments followed a French announcement on Wednesday that the European Union and 20 other countries had issued a joint statement condemning death sentences for protesters in Iran. The statement urged Iran to take meaningful measures to respect human rights, end the use of the death penalty, and release people arbitrarily detained. The remarks came amid tensions between Tehran and Western countries over internal protests and the government’s response.

A formal International Crimes Tribunal charge sheet over killings and violence during the July mass uprising in Rajshahi has prompted anger after several prominent names were not included. The prosecution submitted the charge sheet against 38 people, including former Rajshahi city mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, to the tribunal registrar on July 30. The report was published on August 13, 2026.

Local activists say former MPs Shafiqul Rahman Badsha and Fazle Hossain Badsha, former councillor Tarikul Alam Poltu, and several others were omitted. Witnesses and residents alleged that Poltu was seen carrying a weapon during the August 5 movement and led multiple attacks. The report says he is in jail as an accused in the murder cases of Ali Raihan and Sakib Anjum.

According to the prosecution, Raihan Ali was shot dead near Lobongo Restaurant in Sheikh’s Chak on August 5, while Anjum Sakib was killed in front of Shah Makhdum College. At least 45 others, including Salman alias Shimul, were injured. Legal experts said supplementary charges or other legal action remain possible if new evidence emerges. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam said names can be added later upon new evidence.

Long-running internal conflict in Jhalokathi district BNP has become increasingly public, with leaders from rival groups airing grievances on social media, according to a report published on August 13, 2026. One bloc includes Jhalokathi-1 MP Rafiqul Islam Jamal, Jhalokathi-2 MP Israt Sultana Elen Bhutto and their followers. The other is led by district convening committee convener Syed Hossain and member secretary Shahadat Hossain, along with leaders under committees controlled by the convening body.

Tensions intensified after photographs showed Kirtipasha Union chairman and Union Awami League vice-president Abdur Rahim Miah giving flowers to BNP leaders at a union BNP meeting. Grassroots activists alleged that he was being brought into BNP for money, an allegation denied by Sadar Upazila BNP president Professor Ejaj Hasan, who said the chairman offered flowers as a courtesy because the event was held at the union council office.

Jamal then posted allegations on Facebook against party activists, including claims involving Awami League figures and money. Shahadat Hossain responded in a post later deleted, saying it was not directed at anyone. Central leader Mahbubul Haque Nannu said differences among leaders should not appear on social media and would be resolved soon.

Hand in Hand Foundation and affiliated groups linked to Bangladesh’s banned Awami League have planned a seminar in Delhi titled “Euro-Asia Relations: Partnership for Peace, Prosperity and Sustainable Development.” The event is scheduled for August 29 at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, South Asia, according to the report published on August 13, 2026.

Delhi diplomatic sources said former foreign minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and several Awami League leaders who have taken refuge in Europe were behind the initiative. The report said the Indian government had no direct involvement, while sources alleged indirect support from part of an Indian intelligence agency.

Although the theme highlights peace, cooperation, human rights and economic development between Europe and Asia, the seminar may focus on Bangladesh’s current situation and the Awami League’s political future. The party is seeking to raise internationally the ban imposed on it and rulings against Sheikh Hasina and other leaders, the report said. Expected participants include Bangladeshi politicians described as fugitives, diplomats, alleged rights activists and former Indian diplomats. Sources said fresh efforts to normalize Dhaka-Delhi relations have created doubt over whether the seminar will ultimately take place.

Bangladesh’s planned Family Card programme for poor households faces allegations of politicisation, nepotism and irregular recruitment before its formal launch on August 16. The report, published August 13, says disputes concern the appointment of data collectors and supervisors in districts and upazilas across the country. The government is scheduled to inaugurate the programme in Ward 8 of Latifabad Union in Kishoreganj Sadar, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman named as the inaugurator.

The programme aims to cover 16 million families within four years, following a pilot phase. The government says beneficiary information will be regularly updated to include genuinely poor households and that oversight committees will operate from union to national level. The report cites allegations involving recruitment lists in Satkhira, Shyamnagar, Kishoreganj, Naogaon, Gaibandha and other areas, including claims about political affiliations and relatives receiving posts. Some appointments were reportedly cancelled after complaints.

Protests, human chains and sieges of UNO offices were reported in Nikli, Fulchhari and Kumarkhali. Results for recruitment examinations in Dighalia, Paikgachha and Terokhada upazilas of Khulna were reportedly suspended amid the controversy. National Citizen Party chief organiser Sarjis Alam also alleged local politicisation in the provision of honoraria for mosque imams and muezzins.

Karoline Leavitt will step down as White House press secretary at the end of this month to spend more time with her family and two young children, according to US President Donald Trump. Leavitt, 28, took the role last year and became the youngest person in US history to serve as White House press secretary.

In a social media post, Trump described Leavitt as one of his most trusted aides. He said she would remain one of his principal advisers after leaving the press secretary post and would continue to play an influential role within the Republican Party. Leavitt gave birth to a daughter in May, her second child with husband Nicholas Riccio; the couple also has a two-year-old son.

Leavitt returned to work last month after maternity leave and said she found it difficult to balance the time, energy and focus required by the press secretary role with giving her children the time they need. She called the decision difficult but necessary. Trump has not announced who will replace her.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Dhaka University unit submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor’s office on August 12, 2026, demanding an immediate election schedule for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union, or DUCSU. The delegation was led by unit president and DUCSU assistant general secretary Muha. Muhiuddin Khan. The organisation presented four demands concerning the next DUCSU election and its administration.

The demands include a prompt schedule, a free, fair, neutral and participatory election at the announced time, a permanent roadmap for regular DUCSU polls, and administrative support and an institutional environment for elected representatives. Shibir said less than a month remained in the current DUCSU term, but the university administration had not announced a clear roadmap or timetable, creating uncertainty among students.

Khan said the administration had informed them that no decision on the election had yet been made. He also said no letter had been sent to the UGC and no DUCSU budget had been allocated. Separately, he said the administration indicated that investigation reports into incidents including attacks at Shahbagh police station and on campus would be released by Sunday and Monday.

A BNP union leader was allegedly beaten in Cumilla after he tried to stop a procession by the banned Chhatra League, police and local sources said. The incident occurred at about 5 pm on Wednesday, August 12, in front of Dhalua High School in Nangalkot. Police detained two people described as members of the banned Chhatra League after the incident.

The procession was led by Hasan Khorshed, a former vice-president of the South District Chhatra League, according to the report. Dhalua Union BNP general secretary Md Azad was injured after being beaten when he obstructed the march. Local sources said Azad received primary treatment and was staying at home. Mahfuzur Rahman, a candidate for president of Nangalkot Upazila Chhatra Dal, alleged that an MP was providing shelter and support to the Awami League.

Rahman also questioned whose instigation enabled such a large procession in one union. Nangalkot Upazila BNP general secretary Kalim Ullah said he was in Dhaka and was looking into the matter. Nangalkot police station officer-in-charge Shahinur Alam said an incident occurred during the procession, two people were detained in a subsequent operation, and the operation was continuing.

National Citizen Party convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam blamed the BNP government’s alleged lack of planning and indecision over energy purchases for the current crisis. In a lengthy statement issued to the media on August 12, he listed six causes and presented 15 immediate, medium-term and long-term proposals. He alleged that moves toward private-sector involvement in fuel imports and power distribution were aimed at benefiting oligarchic business interests.

Nahid said the Energy and Mineral Resources Division gave Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation four days from August 6 to submit a draft policy on private imports, storage, transport, distribution and marketing of refined fuel. He also criticized the reduction of the international tender period for September-December fuel imports from 42 days to 10 days on July 28. Citing figures in his statement, he said load-shedding reached 3,757 megawatts on August 10, 41 power plants were shut, and electricity imports from India had nearly halved.

His proposals include suspending the privatization process, restoring the 42-day tender period, approving BPC’s purchase schedule, and publishing an independent investigation into the Maheshkhali FSRU fire. He also called for additional LNG terminals, investment and foreign partners for Bapex, and a roadmap for 10,000 megawatts of solar power by 2030.

The Justice and Democracy Party, or JDP, has identified what it calls six major failures by the BNP-led government during its first six months. At a Wednesday afternoon briefing at Madhur Canteen of Dhaka University, JDP convener Naim Ahmad said the government had not made expected progress on fulfilling the aspirations of the July mass uprising, ending campus violence, ensuring economic and energy security, and reducing unemployment.

JDP said a constitutional reform council had not been formed within 180 days and the government had not clarified its position on establishing an upper house. It called for action against Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir activists involved in campus clashes, student-union-centered politics, and transparent appointments of vice-chancellors. The party also demanded parliamentary presentation and discussion of international agreements under Article 145A of the constitution, citing concerns over the US trade agreement.

The party urged professional, politically independent management of financial institutions and measures addressing bank instability, default loans and repatriation of funds transferred abroad. It proposed renewable energy incentives, 90-day oil-storage capacity, domestic gas exploration and coal extraction. JDP also raised concerns over unfulfilled unemployment allowance and job-creation pledges, proposing cooperative education, skills training, new industries and reliable energy supplies.

Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan, a former BNP member of parliament who recently joined Jamaat-e-Islami, urged Jamaat leaders and activists to attend a programme linked to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s planned visit to Katiadi, Kishoreganj, on August 16 for National Fisheries Week. Speaking after Zuhr prayers at Gachihata Bazar Jame Mosque on Tuesday afternoon, he said they should attend whether or not they received an invitation.

Ranjan welcomed the prime minister’s visit and described the event as a government programme. He said Bangladesh’s fisheries sector began its journey from Katiadi in 1991, when then-prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia held a public meeting at Gachihata College field. He claimed Gachihata gradually became a sub-town after her visit.

He said the government should bear the programme’s costs and urged that money not be collected from ordinary people. Ranjan alleged that pressure was being placed on businesses to raise funds through trade licences and other channels for administrative expenses. He asked Kishoreganj state minister Shariful Alam not to impose such costs on the public.

BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called a standing committee meeting for 12 pm Thursday to finalize the party’s candidate for the presidential election. The candidate will be determined at the meeting, after which BNP plans to submit the nomination papers, according to a report published on August 12, 2026.

Party sources said discussions are continuing at the policymaking level over who should be selected as BNP’s presidential candidate. A final decision is expected at Thursday’s standing committee meeting. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s name had previously emerged in discussions as a possible candidate for the post.

However, BNP has not yet made any formal announcement regarding Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s candidacy or any other nominee. August 13 is the final day for submitting nomination papers for the presidential election. The party is therefore preparing to finalize its candidate and file the nomination on the deadline day.

Journalist leaders in Bangladesh said restrictions on media access to the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division and various High Court Division courtrooms are unconstitutional. At a sit-in organized by the Law Reporters Forum outside the Supreme Court’s main gate on August 12, they urged the chief justice to immediately restore access for media workers and warned of tougher action if the demand is not met.

Speakers said journalists have been barred from the Appellate Division and several High Court courtrooms since January 7, preventing direct observation of pending cases and news gathering. Editors’ Council President Nurul Kabir said open-court proceedings are a constitutional obligation and alleged that the public was being denied its right to information.

Dhaka Union of Journalists President Shahidul Islam said journalists would take to the streets if their rights were not secured through the peaceful gathering. Dhaka Reporters Unity President Abu Saleh Akon also called for the restrictions to be lifted. Law Reporters Forum President Muhammad Yasin said the group would soon announce a programme to enter Appellate Division courtrooms if its demand is not accepted. More than 200 journalists joined the sit-in.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur said politicians must become more aware of issues in the hill areas or Bangladesh could face major crises that may threaten its sovereignty. He made the remarks on August 12 at a National Press Club seminar on alleged conspiracies, sovereignty challenges and solutions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, organized by the Ex-Forces Association.

Nur said he had read media reports alleging that weapons were entering the hills through three routes and had been bought from the Arakan Army. He also said armed groups possessed Uzi pistols, and raised India or Myanmar as possible sources of heavy weapons and training. These were presented as his assertions at the seminar.

He criticized calls to withdraw the army from the Chittagong Hill Tracts, while saying some issues could be addressed through dialogue. Prime Minister’s political assistant Rashed Khan said removing the army would increase unrest and create opportunities for extortion. Nur also said intelligence agencies should identify such threats and warned against allowing political interests to override national interests.