A federal judge in New York has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended immigrant-visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, including Bangladesh. In a ruling issued Friday, Judge Jeannette Vargas of the Southern District of New York said the policy was plainly unlawful and conflicted with federal immigration law. The policy had taken effect in January this year.

Judge Vargas said a blanket halt on immigrant visas for citizens of specified countries based on nationality directly violated the existing legal framework. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by immigrant-rights groups Catholic Legal Immigration Network and African Communities Together, visa applicants, and US citizens seeking to bring family members from the affected countries to the United States.

The suspended-visa policy covered countries including Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay in Latin America; Bosnia and Albania in the Balkans; and Pakistan and Bangladesh in South Asia, alongside many countries in Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Trump’s administration said its broader immigration-control measures were intended to strengthen domestic security. The US State Department had not commented on the ruling.

Supporters and local residents distributed sweets across Palash in Narsingdi after BNP Standing Committee member and Narsingdi-2 lawmaker Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan was sworn in as a full minister on Friday evening. He took the oath at Bangabhaban as minister for local government, rural development and cooperatives, according to the report published on August 22, 2026.

After news of his appointment spread during the day, party leaders, activists and people from different professions in the Narsingdi-2, or Palash, constituency showed widespread enthusiasm. At 9pm on Friday, sweets were distributed among party workers and people from various professions in the Ghorashal municipal area of Palash upazila.

Party workers also distributed sweets in other parts of Palash upazila. Local people described Moyeen Khan as an experienced and clean political figure, saying he had not encouraged unethical conduct during his teaching and political careers. They also said he had previously served successfully as a minister and state minister in several important government ministries.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said newly imposed US economic sanctions on Iran amount not only to an illegal economic war against one country but also to a “declaration of war” against all governments. His remarks, reported by Al Jazeera citing Iran’s Fars News Agency, were published on August 22, 2026, after the United States announced fresh economic sanctions against Tehran.

Baghaei said Washington was seeking to establish its jurisdiction over all independent United Nations member states through the sanctions announcement. He described this as an attempt to impose extraterritorial sovereignty. He argued that no government has the right to force foreign banks, institutions or airports operating under another country’s sovereign jurisdiction to avoid lawful trade with a third country.

The spokesperson said such secondary sanctions have no basis in international law and violate the principle of sovereign equality recognized in Article 2, Paragraph 1 of the UN Charter. He called economic coercion an international crime and wrongful act, warning that adding a naval blockade would make other states’ sovereignty dependent on another power’s wishes. Tehran has long described US sanctions as unilateral and contrary to international law.

An article published by Amar Desh on August 22, 2026 alleges that documents recovered from Ganabhaban included a “target profile” on Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and his family. The report says the file recorded his biography, education, political career, election history, legal cases and detailed family relationships, including his parents, siblings, wife and children. It describes the document as evidence that he and his family were treated as political targets under Sheikh Hasina’s government.

The article cites remarks by Chowdhury’s son, Hummam Quader Chowdhury, in a Culture Ministry documentary titled “Aynaghar Files.” He said decisions concerning his father’s execution and burial came from Ganabhaban. The report also alleges that defence witnesses connected to Chowdhury’s studies at Punjab University were prevented from testifying and that four Pakistani witnesses were denied visas under a Foreign Ministry cipher message.

It further recounts Hummam Quader Chowdhury’s allegation that he was taken by people identifying themselves as DB officers on August 4, 2016 and held for seven months in a Joint Interrogation Cell. The article says the recovered documents are now displayed at the July Museum.

Bangladesh’s Cabinet Division issued a notification on Friday night assigning portfolios to newly sworn ministers and state ministers, followed by publication of an official gazette. Abdul Moyeen Khan was appointed minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives after the post became vacant when Mirza Fakhrul Islam became president.

Rashiduzzaman Millat, previously state minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, was promoted to minister of the same ministry. Afroz Khanam Rita, who had served as civil aviation and tourism minister, was made food minister. Bandarban lawmaker Saching Prue Jerry was appointed minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs.

Bangladesh Jatiya Party chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho was assigned the information and broadcasting portfolio. Mohammad Shamim Kaiser was named state minister for religious affairs, while Humayun Kabir received responsibility as state minister for foreign affairs. The notification was issued by the Cabinet Division after the new ministers and state ministers took their oaths.

China, India, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Germany and Nepal sent congratulations to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir after he was elected Bangladesh’s 23rd president in a parliamentary vote on Thursday. According to the report, messages began arriving from foreign embassies in Dhaka and international leaders shortly after his victory.

China said it expected the strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation with Bangladesh to reach new heights under the new president’s leadership. The United Kingdom said it wanted to work with him on climate change, trade and resolving the Rohingya crisis. Indian President Droupadi Murmu described bilateral ties as rooted in shared history, culture and friendship, and voiced hope for stronger partnership.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari invited the new president to visit Pakistan at a convenient time and called for expanded cooperation in areas of mutual interest. France highlighted his political career and referred to economic prosperity and human rights. Switzerland stressed friendship and sustainable development, while Germany cited exports to Europe and technical assistance. Nepal expressed optimism about regional connectivity and trade between the two SAARC countries.

Bandarban member of parliament Rajputra Saching Prue Jerry has been sworn in as a full minister for the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, prompting celebrations across the district. The appointment was reported on August 21, 2026, and has raised expectations of development and public welfare among people in Bandarban’s seven upazilas and 34 unions.

Jerry was elected to parliament for a second time in the February 2026 election as a BNP nominee, after a long political career. He previously won the February 1996 election as a BNP candidate, but Bir Bahadur U Shwe Sing won the rerun held in June that year. Jerry later lost as an independent candidate in 2001 and received 51,540 votes in the 2008 national election, losing by about 19,000 votes.

Local BNP leaders welcomed the appointment, saying it had energized residents and party workers. They expressed hope that Jerry would promote communal harmony, treat all ethnic groups equally and ensure development benefits reach no community. His father, Aung Shwe Prue Chowdhury, had served as deputy minister for food, civil aviation and tourism under Ziaur Rahman’s government.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir after he took the oath as Bangladesh’s 23rd president at Bangabhaban on Friday, August 21. In a message published on the verified Facebook page of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Murmu said she was interested in working with Bangladesh’s new president to further advance relations between the two countries.

Murmu said Fakhrul’s long political career and leadership experience would, she hoped, begin a successful chapter for the welfare of Bangladesh’s people. She described India-Bangladesh ties as being founded on a shared history of sacrifice, close cultural links and mutual friendship.

The Indian president said bilateral cooperation has expanded over time in areas including energy, technology, connectivity, youth development, health and education. She expressed willingness to work jointly with Fakhrul to strengthen the partnership between the two neighbouring countries. Murmu also wished him good health and happiness, success in carrying out his presidential duties, and continued progress and prosperity for Bangladesh’s people. Fakhrul assumed the presidency after taking the oath before acting parliamentary speaker Kaysar Kamal.

Former NCP senior joint member secretary and independent candidate for the 13th parliamentary election Dr Tasnim Jara praised Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir after he was sworn in as president. In a Facebook post published Friday night, she said people like him are rare in Bangladesh’s political arena and expressed hope that his conduct would restore the presidency’s dignity, prestige and stability.

Jara recalled casting her first vote in 2018 after watching a video in which Fakhrul addressed first-time voters and urged them to show they were the country’s owners. She said she saw alleged irregularities at her Khilgaon polling centre that morning. Despite winning his own seat, she wrote, he did not join parliament because he did not want to sit in a legislature formed through a rigged vote.

She described Fakhrul as a strong speaker whose earlier career as a teacher was apparent in his words. Jara said he openly shared political lessons, suggested books and gave her his own books. She also said that, despite imprisonment and efforts by the Awami League government to destroy him, no corruption case had been established against him over 15 years.

Bangladesh Jatiya Party chairman Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha was sworn in as a new minister at Bangabhaban on Friday evening, according to the report published on August 21, 2026. The Bhola-1 lawmaker has been assigned the information and broadcasting ministry. His appointment prompted celebration marches and sweet distribution among party activists in Bhola.

Residents and political leaders in Bhola said they expect Partha to contribute to local development after becoming a minister. Their stated priorities include a Bhola-Barishal bridge, measures against river erosion, establishment of a medical college and university, and wider infrastructure development. Leaders also said they expect him to coordinate with BNP politics in the district on development and political understanding.

Bhola BNP convenor Alhaj Golam Nabi Alamgir and general secretary Raisul Alam congratulated Partha and repeated the district’s development demands. Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh’s Bhola district amir Master Zakir Hossain and secretary Maulana Harunur Rashid, along with district BJP president Amirul Islam Ratan and general secretary Mutasim Billah, also offered congratulations and raised similar demands. The report says Partha was elected to parliament from Bhola-1 for a second time in 2026, by a margin of nearly 30,000 votes.

Rashiduzzaman Millat said he is committed to carrying out whatever ministerial duties the government assigns him with sincerity and dedication. He made the remarks to journalists after taking oath as a minister on Friday night, August 21, at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban before newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The oath elevated him from state minister to full minister.

Millat said he would perform his new responsibilities in the same way he had fulfilled his oath. Addressing journalists, he also said he would provide information on matters they seek, particularly those related to his ministry. Before the promotion, he had served as state minister for the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

The cabinet reshuffle and expansion came about six months after the formation of the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Four new ministers and two state ministers were added. Alongside Millat, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Andalib Rahman Partha and Saching Prue Jerry took oath as ministers, while Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln and Humayun Kabir took oath as state ministers. Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan is set to receive the local government portfolio, and Andalib Rahman Partha the information and broadcasting portfolio.

Bangladesh’s cabinet has expanded with four new ministers and two state ministers, who were assigned portfolios after taking oath on Friday evening at Bangabhaban. President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir administered the oath, according to the report. BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan received the Local Government Ministry, while former state minister for aviation M Rashiduzzaman Millat was elevated to a full ministerial role.

Jatiya Party (BJP) chairman Andaleeb রহমান Partha was assigned the Information Ministry, and Bandarban lawmaker Sachin Prue Jerry received the Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry. Humayun Kabir became state minister for foreign affairs, while Gaibandha-4 lawmaker Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln was made state minister for religious affairs.

Jahir Uddin Swapan was appointed an adviser to the prime minister with ministerial rank. The report also says Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sworn in as the country’s 23rd president, with acting Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal administering that oath. The prime minister, cabinet members, civilian and military officials, and other distinguished people attended the ceremony.

NCP central joint chief coordinator and Noakhali-6 lawmaker Abdul Hannan Masud called for abolishing Article 70 and establishing upper and lower houses to enable a directly elected, neutral president. He made the remarks as chief guest at a prize-giving ceremony for the July Memorial Football Tournament at Lakshmipur Stadium on Friday evening, August 21, 2026.

Masud said Bangladesh had moved beyond the “Shahabuddin” of the fascist era but had not escaped its governing system. He argued that Article 70 had trapped the country in that system and said people had been compelled to congratulate a partisan, one-party president, which he described as contrary to the aspirations of July.

He said electing a new president through a direct secret ballot, after forming upper and lower chambers, reflected both the July mass uprising’s aspirations and those of all parties. Masud also said the struggle was against Indian dominance, alleging Sheikh Hasina represented India. The NCP district unit organized the tournament, attended by party figures, local journalists and others.

Newly appointed State Minister Humayun Kabir said he views his new role as another opportunity to serve the people of Bangladesh and will carry out any assignment given by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with dedication. Speaking to journalists at Bangabhaban on Friday evening after receiving the responsibility, Kabir said the prime minister’s confidence in him was his foremost concern.

Kabir said the government had been formed under Rahman’s leadership with a two-thirds vote and had reached a positive position within six months. He described the appointment as a new assignment from a new party and said he was proud to receive another chance to work for the country. He also said he had worked as his leader’s adviser for about 15 years.

Calling the post an executive responsibility, Kabir said he regularly interacts with the prime minister and that they make many decisions jointly. He said the Prime Minister’s Office, Foreign Ministry and other ministries work closely together to advance the prime minister’s foreign-policy vision. Kabir said positions may come and go, but conduct, service and commitment to the country are important, pledging not to compromise national interests.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir after he was elected president of Bangladesh. The organisation’s amir, Allama Muhibbullah Babunagari, and secretary general, Allama Sazedur Rahman, conveyed their greetings in a statement sent to the media on Friday. The report describes Fakhrul as a former BNP secretary general and former minister.

In the statement, Hefazat leaders said they hoped he would uphold faith in Allah, justice, fairness and public welfare while carrying out his constitutional responsibilities. They also said they expected him to play a positive and responsible role in protecting the religious sentiments of the country’s Muslim majority, Islamic values, and the dignity and rights of religious scholars.

The leaders expressed hope for more cordial relations between the state’s highest level and Islamic scholars, with their views on religious matters receiving due importance. They said his presidency could strengthen justice, peace, mutual respect, religious harmony and public welfare, while protecting sovereignty and fostering political goodwill. Hefazat also wished him good health, long life and success.