Colonel (retd.) Oli Ahmed, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party and candidate of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance, said the president has no constitutional scope to act independently beyond visiting shrines and praying at a mosque within Bangabhaban. He made the remarks at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, according to the report published on August 21, 2026.

Ahmed said Bangabhaban currently contains three shrines and one mosque. He expressed hope that a future sitting of parliament would bring a balance of power to the state. His comments framed the president’s role as constitutionally constrained and linked expectations for institutional balance to the convening of parliament.

At the press conference, Ahmed congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on becoming president. He said they had worked together for a long time and that he expected positive contributions from him. Ahmed said he hoped the president would rise above all considerations and work for the country’s welfare. He also thanked those who supported him in his election assessment.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sworn in as Bangladesh’s 23rd president on Friday evening at Bangabhaban. Acting Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal administered the oath. The prime minister, cabinet members, civilian and military officials, and other distinguished guests attended the ceremony. The report was published on August 21, 2026.

The presidency became vacant after former President Md. Shahabuddin Chuppu resigned on July 24, citing health reasons. Under constitutional provisions, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed assumed presidential duties on the same day. Mirza Fakhrul was elected president by members of parliament on Thursday.

In the parliamentary vote, Mirza Fakhrul received 255 votes out of 349, while the 11-party candidate, retired Colonel Oli Ahmed, received 88 votes. Six lawmakers from the government and opposition did not vote. The ruling BNP held more than a two-thirds majority in parliament, making its candidate’s victory certain, although voting was held because there was a challenger. The report says this was the first presidential election vote in 35 years, after presidents had previously been elected unanimously.

Bangladesh’s BNP-led government is set to make changes to its cabinet, with a swearing-in ceremony for new ministers scheduled for Friday evening at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban. The Government Transport Department has prepared six vehicles for incoming cabinet members, according to a senior official who confirmed the arrangement to media.

The official said the Cabinet Division had requested six vehicles and that they had been sent accordingly. However, the Cabinet Division alone could confirm how many of the vehicles would be used on the day. At least four prospective new cabinet members have been identified: BNP standing committee member and lawmaker Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Jatiya Party chairman Barrister Andaleeb Rahman Partha, Bandarban lawmaker Saching Prue Jerry, and Gaibandha-4 lawmaker Mohammad Shamim Qaiser Lincoln.

Cabinet Division sources said the new members’ oath-taking would take place immediately after the newly elected president is sworn in on Friday evening. BNP formed the government after winning an absolute majority in the 13th national parliamentary election, initially establishing a 50-member cabinet including the prime minister, 25 ministers and 24 state ministers.

Veteran Bollywood actor Sharmila Tagore said the first two verses of India’s national song, “Vande Mataram,” are sufficient when considering people of all religions in the country. In an interview with news agency IANS on Thursday, she said some portions of the song may be difficult and uncomfortable for people who believe in one creator, and may not align with everyone’s religious beliefs.

Tagore said India is home to people of different faiths, including many who believe in one God. She noted that later verses of the song mention several Hindu deities. For such believers, she said, phrases including “Bande Kali” or “Bande Durga” can be uncomfortable to recite. She argued that using the first two verses would be better and more acceptable if all religious communities are to be included.

Her comments have added a new dimension to an ongoing political debate over “Vande Mataram.” The Congress party supports singing the song’s first two verses at party events, while BJP leaders have criticised Congress over the issue. Debate over the song’s performance and historical interpretation intensified after India’s Independence Day celebrations.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has called on Iran to prepare to confront and overcome what he described as cruel sanctions, following a United States announcement of its toughest sanctions against Iran. Speaking during a visit to Iraq on August 21, 2026, Ghalibaf said Iran needed a plan to deal with the current situation.

According to remarks published on Ghalibaf’s Telegram channel, he said Muslim countries’ resources and raw materials were being targeted by their enemies. He said Iran must plan for harsh sanctions in order to overcome them. Ghalibaf also urged greater cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad.

Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Washington would impose its most severe sanctions yet on Iran. Recent reports said the United States was planning to increase economic pressure on Iran. Against the backdrop of the ongoing war, Ghalibaf renewed his call for stronger cooperation between Iran and Iraq during his visit.

US President Donald Trump has expressed interest in meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year, but Pyongyang has responded coolly, according to Reuters. Trump said on Wednesday that he expected to meet Kim within the year after reducing the scale of joint US-South Korean military exercises, which he described as hostile to North Korea.

A source familiar with US and South Korean discussions said Trump wants to restart talks with North Korea and secure a diplomatic achievement internationally. South Korea has privately shown a positive attitude toward the approach, the source said, although officials in Seoul remain doubtful about reducing the joint drills. Trump may attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, later this year, where a meeting could be possible if North Korea becomes interested in renewed talks.

The US State Department said Washington was prepared to talk with North Korea without preconditions. Kim Yo Jong rejected the view that scaled-back drills represented goodwill, said US policy remained hostile, and denied recent contact between the leaders. South Korea's military said North Korea launched about 10 ballistic missiles toward its eastern coast on Thursday.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in at Parliament Marg police station in Delhi on Friday, accompanied by student Sahil Lochab, who was allegedly injured by pellet shots during a July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar. Gandhi demanded that police register an FIR and investigate allegations that pellet guns were used against protesters. He said he would not leave the station until a case was filed.

Priyanka Gandhi, a Congress member of parliament, joined Gandhi at the police station. They visited the office of the deputy commissioner of police to ask about progress in an inquiry into the alleged use of pellet guns. Congress said an earlier complaint filed on behalf of the injured student had not resulted in an FIR.

Speaking to journalists, Gandhi said Lochab was injured while protesting peacefully. He showed reporters injury marks on the student’s body by lifting his T-shirt. Gandhi alleged that Lochab had more than 200 pellets in his body and three pellets in his eye.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Public Administration has appointed A J M Salahuddin Nagari as secretary of the Public Division at the President’s Office on a contractual basis. Nagari had been serving as chairman, with secretary status, of the Land Reform Board. The appointment was announced in a notification issued on Friday, August 21, 2026.

The notification was issued by the Senior Appointment Branch-1 of the Ministry of Public Administration. It states that Nagari has been posted to the President’s Office as Public Division secretary under a contractual arrangement.

Senior Secretary Md. Barman Hossain signed the order on behalf of the President. According to the notification, the order was issued in the public interest and will take effect immediately.

Four new members are set to join the cabinet led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Bangladesh, according to Cabinet Division sources cited on Friday. President-elect Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is scheduled to administer their oaths at Bangabhaban’s Durbar Hall tonight. The incoming members are BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan MP, Jatiya Party chairman Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partha MP, Bandarban lawmaker Saching Prue Jerry, and Gaibandha-4 MP Mohammad Shamim Kaisar Lincoln.

Cabinet Division sources said further changes to the cabinet may follow. Possible changes were indicated in the ministries of aviation, agriculture, food, power and energy, local government, and information and broadcasting.

Preparations at Bangabhaban’s Durbar Hall have been completed for the president-elect’s swearing-in ceremony. Presidential Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam said all arrangements were complete and the Cabinet Division was managing the event. More than 1,200 guests have been invited. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is due to take the presidential oath at 7:30 pm, administered by acting Speaker Kaisar Kamal, while Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani will conduct the ceremony.

Former BNP central joint secretary general Professor Aslam Chowdhury said there is no opportunity to become a public representative without the people’s votes. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at a public reception and rally at LK Siddiqui Square in Sitakunda municipality, Chattogram, marking two years since his release after a lengthy imprisonment.

Chowdhury said a case filed against him by an opposing candidate had been withdrawn but was later revived under what he described as mysterious circumstances. He alleged that funds had come from an unspecified source for the case to be recalled, but did not name any individuals or identify the source of the money.

The BNP leader also spoke about business debts, family difficulties and financial strain during his imprisonment, referring to an old social-media post by his daughter. He recalled the Sitakunda movement of 2013 and said he tried to support leaders and activists of opposition political parties after his second arrest in 2016. After the event, activists held a procession from LK Siddiqui Square through Sitakunda’s main road, ending at Uttar Bazar.

President-elect Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir paid tribute at the graves of BNP founder and martyred president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia before taking the presidential oath. After Friday prayers, he laid wreaths at their burial site in Chandrima Udyan, also known as Zia Udyan, in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.

He joined special prayers and munajat seeking forgiveness for the souls of the two leaders, and recited Surah Fatiha. The information was provided by Shayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP media cell.

Mirza Fakhrul is scheduled to be sworn in as the country’s 23rd president at Bangabhaban at 7:30pm on Friday. He won the presidential election as the BNP-nominated candidate with 255 votes in the National Parliament. Voting was held at the Parliament building from 2pm to 5pm on Thursday, and Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin formally announced the result after the count.

Jailed former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan would not seek confrontation with the military or army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir if released, according to close aide and PTI spokesperson Zulfiqar Bukhari. The comments were published on August 21, 2026, after Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered on Tuesday that Khan be moved from prison to a private hospital for treatment within 48 hours.

Speaking to Reuters, Bukhari said Khan would control his anger and suffering and avoid conflict with military leaders in the national interest. He described Asim Munir as Pakistan’s most powerful person and said the army chief could create a path for political prisoners to be freed. Analysts viewed the remarks as a potentially important signal of reduced tension between the military and Khan’s party.

The government and military did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The military has previously said it does not interfere in politics, while the government says Khan’s cases are matters for the courts. Bukhari said no talks with the military are underway, and PTI remains committed to nationwide protests and marches on September 27.

BNP-nominated candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been elected Bangladesh’s 23rd president, according to the report published on August 21, 2026. He is scheduled to take the presidential oath on Friday evening. The article carries a congratulatory personal account by his son-in-law, Faham Abdus Salam, describing Alamgir’s character and political role.

Salam said he had known Alamgir closely for 22 years and portrayed him as highly responsible, useful in any situation and courteous. He said Alamgir viewed securing “Madam’s” release and restoring the country to democracy through an election as the work of his life. Salam also said Alamgir personally regarded the inability to secure her release as a failure.

The writer said many BNP young leaders call Alamgir Bangladesh’s secretary general, reflecting a view that he puts Bangladesh before the party. He described the new president as receiving genuine bipartisan support, including congratulations from Awami League supporters. Salam said Alamgir was not a confrontational politician, was not very wealthy and had no faction within BNP, while expressing concern that BNP would struggle to replace him.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party will contest the upcoming local government elections independently, acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said. He made the announcement on Thursday evening after a meeting with leaders from the Rajshahi division at the party chairman’s office in Gulshan. The report was published on August 21, 2026.

Before the announcement, BNP chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held organisational meetings with leaders of the Pabna and Chapainawabganj district branches in the Rajshahi division. The meetings focused on making the party more organised and stronger at the grassroots level.

BNP sources said Tarique Rahman has been holding successive meetings with leaders of district and metropolitan branches to strengthen grassroots organisational activities. The source did not provide further details about election preparations, candidates, alliances or the schedule for the local government polls.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States is preparing what he described as the toughest sanctions in history against Iran, arguing that maximum economic pressure could reduce the need for another large-scale military operation. In an interview with CNBC, he said details of the new sanctions package would be presented at a Monday news conference.

Bessent said he was unsure why oil was receiving so much discussion and maintained that applying maximum economic pressure could avoid the need to restart broader military action. He said Iran is already under a blockade and referred to a US naval blockade imposed in April, which was suspended for one month in mid-June.

The Treasury chief said the measures would work in Iran and declared that the United States would bring about the fall of the current government. He said allies and the rest of the world now needed to decide their position. Asked whether China could also be targeted because of business ties with Iran, Bessent said many such discussions were better kept private.