Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said neighboring countries have sent Iran multiple messages about building a new regional security framework and expanding economic cooperation. In a post on X on Saturday, he said the region needs an independent, homegrown system to ensure peace and security. The report was published on August 23, 2026.

Ghalibaf sharply criticized US policy, accusing Washington of prioritizing Israel’s interests while neglecting those of its allies. He said this approach had placed the security of several Middle Eastern countries at serious risk and, for a period, threatened the existence of some states in the region.

He wrote that only a domestic and independent arrangement could genuinely guarantee peace and security. Ghalibaf also said Washington had not succeeded in military confrontation with Iran and had failed to demonstrate an ability to reach a diplomatic understanding with Tehran. The report cited Press TV as its source.

Saudi Arabian security forces arrested 14,260 people accused of violating residency, border security and labour laws during joint operations across the country from August 13 to 19, the Interior Ministry said Saturday. The ministry said 13,724 undocumented residents were deported during the same period.

Of those arrested, 6,900 were accused of residency-law violations, 3,982 of border-security violations and 3,378 of labour-law violations. Authorities also detained 1,524 people while they allegedly attempted to enter Saudi Arabia illegally through its borders. Yemenis accounted for 36 percent of those detainees, Ethiopians for 63 percent and people from other countries for the remaining 1 percent.

The ministry said 18,808 people were referred to their countries’ diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while 5,386 were sent to complete ticketing and other travel arrangements. It also reported 38 arrests over alleged attempts to leave the country illegally and 24 arrests for alleged involvement in transporting, sheltering or employing undocumented residents. Legal proceedings are under way against 31,922 foreign nationals.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, discussed regional security and strategies to strengthen peace and stability in the region during a phone call, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday. The ministry disclosed the conversation in a statement but did not identify further details of the exchange.

According to the statement, the officials addressed challenges to regional security and ways to reinforce stability across the region. No immediate additional information was released about specific proposals, agreements, or outcomes from the discussion.

Pakistan is serving as a major mediator between Iran and the United States during the war, according to the report. It is maintaining close contact with both sides. The report cited Iran’s Foreign Ministry statement and Mehr news agency as its source.

Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department said Sunday morning that a low-pressure area has formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent coastal areas. Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra seaports have been instructed to continue displaying Local Warning Signal No. 3. The notice was published on August 23, 2026.

According to the warning, the low-pressure system remains over the northwest Bay of Bengal and nearby coastal region. Its influence may cause squally weather over the seaports, the northern Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh.

All fishing boats and trawlers operating in the northern Bay of Bengal have been advised to move close to the coast and navigate cautiously until further instructions are issued. The weather department’s warning applies to vessels in the affected northern bay area and the four named seaports.

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.

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Japan early Sunday, injuring at least 23 people in and around Tokyo, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The quake originated in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of about 70 kilometres. No tsunami warning was issued. The US Geological Survey measured the earthquake at magnitude 5.8.

Nine people were injured in Saitama and nine in Kanagawa, while four were hurt in Chiba and one in Ibaraki. Most injuries occurred when people, startled from sleep, fell or were struck by furniture or doors. In Yokohama, a woman in her 80s suffered a serious hip injury after falling from her bed.

Some rail services, including rapid trains serving Tokyo and Narita airports, were disrupted, though Shinkansen bullet train operations remained normal. A damaged underground water pipe flooded a road in Tokyo's Koto area before being repaired. Power was temporarily cut to about 460 homes and later restored. Nuclear regulators reported no abnormalities at nuclear plants or related facilities, while the government formed a special task force to assess damage.

A cyberattack believed to have been carried out by Iran-linked hackers forced a power plant in the United Kingdom to shut down for four days in July. The incident, described as unprecedented, became public only recently, according to a report by The Telegraph cited by Al Jazeera. The UK government has not named the affected facility, citing security reasons.

The plant was reportedly relatively small, among many similar facilities across the country that are activated intermittently as needed. At the same time, a series of cyberattacks targeted US water infrastructure, affecting 12 states and raising concerns at the White House, The Telegraph reported.

The shutdown has renewed concern over cyber risks to Britain’s critical infrastructure. The source notes that previous major cyberattacks in the UK disrupted systems within the National Health Service, cut schools off from IT services and affected commercial manufacturing. Production at major industrial companies, including Jaguar Land Rover, has also been affected by cyberattacks in the past.

Pakistan and Malaysia agreed to strengthen intelligence sharing to counter terrorism, drug trafficking and human trafficking during a meeting in Islamabad on Saturday. Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail made the decision, according to the report published on August 23, 2026.

The ministers discussed expanding cooperation on counterterrorism operations, preventing drug and human trafficking, tackling illegal immigration and addressing cybercrime. They also agreed to increase training and skills exchanges between Pakistan’s National Police Academy and the Royal Malaysia Police College.

Both countries additionally agreed on coast guard cooperation and the formation of a joint working group on security issues. The meeting also covered increasing tourism and simplifying visa procedures. Naqvi expressed hope that Malaysia would raise worker quotas to create more legal employment opportunities for Pakistanis.

Pro-Palestinian activists in the Netherlands protested imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Demonstrators gathered outside the Israel Product Center, a distribution centre run by the Dutch evangelical organisation Christians for Israel, and called for a ban on products made in what they described as illegal Israeli settlements. The report was published on August 23, 2026.

Protester Marij van Deutekem told Al Jazeera that it was difficult to believe such goods were still being sold, saying the products were made on occupied land. A recently published study found that Christians for Israel has provided millions of dollars in donations to Israeli settlements.

The Netherlands is among four European Union member states that have moved to prohibit imports from Israeli settlements. Spain has already imposed such a ban, while Ireland and Belgium have enacted legislation on trade restrictions. A decision by EU member states to take collective action has been postponed until later this year. The Dutch ban is scheduled to take effect on September 22.

More than 73,000 Gaza residents have been killed since Israel’s offensive began on October 7, 2023, according to figures from the Palestinian Health Ministry. Gaza’s population was about 2.3 million before the offensive, meaning roughly one in every 33 residents has been killed. The ministry’s latest tally put the death toll at 73,419 and the number of injured at 174,364.

A ceasefire has been in place in Gaza since October 10 last year, but the report said Israeli forces have continued regular attacks targeting local Palestinians. Over the previous 48 hours, Israeli attacks killed two people and injured four, the ministry said. During the 10 months of the ceasefire, at least 1,285 Palestinians were killed and 4,252 injured.

The ministry also reported that 813 bodies were recovered from rubble during the ceasefire period. Many more bodies remain buried beneath debris across Gaza, it said, but cannot be recovered because of a lack of necessary equipment. UNICEF said Israeli attacks killed 20,179 children and injured 44,143 between October 7, 2023 and October 7, 2025.

The United States is moving to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism nearly 50 years after its designation. The step could ease broad US sanctions on Syria and further open a path for the country’s reintegration into the global economy. The article was published on August 23, 2026.

Following a decision by President Donald Trump, the State Department notified Congress on July 8. A legally required 45-day review period ends Saturday. If Congress does not block the move, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will announce the final decision.

Syria was first added to the list in 1979 and later faced several rounds of sanctions, which became more extensive after the 2011 uprising and subsequent civil war. Removal from the list would not end all US sanctions. Targeted sanctions would remain against individuals and entities accused of human rights violations, corruption, and terrorism linked to the former Bashar al-Assad government.

Barishal’s Port Road hilsa wholesale market is receiving far less fish than expected during the peak season, according to a report published on August 23, 2026. While more than 1,000 maunds would normally arrive daily in peak season, current average arrivals are reported at no more than 100 maunds a day. Traders and workers at the market say the shortage has left the major hilsa trading centre largely empty.

Traders and fishers allege that increased tolls charged by leaseholders have encouraged sellers and wholesale buyers to bypass the market. Fishers are said to be selling catches at river mouths and other convenient locations, while buyers send hilsa to Chandpur, Jashore and northern districts. Leaseholder Kamal Hossain said the toll was raised from 280 to 380 taka per maund after a request to cover operating losses, denying that it was imposed forcibly or that anyone was assaulted over the issue.

Fish trader Nasir Uddin said up to 100 maunds arrived on Friday, with prices ranging from 800-900 taka per kilogram for jatka to 2,850 taka for 1.2-kilogram hilsa. District fisheries officer Md Hadiuzzaman said hilsa availability in rivers and estuaries is somewhat lower, citing submerged sandbars and banned nets as factors affecting fish movement, growth and production.

About 560 families in remote hill villages of wards 1, 2 and 3 of Kaptai Union No. 4 in Kaptai, Rangamati, have remained without electricity for 55 years, according to local representatives and residents. The affected areas include Golabarudchhara, Bhaijyatali and Harinchhara, despite Kaptai Hydroelectric Centre supplying power to a large part of the country. The report was published on August 23, 2026.

The villages are near Kaptai উপজেলা headquarters and surrounding areas but are geographically isolated by hills and forests. Uneven mountain routes make conventional electricity connections risky and expensive, leaving residents without a basic modern service. Local people say the lack of power affects household lighting, children’s studies, mobile communication, healthcare and safe-water management.

Reserved woman union parishad member Bhanumati Chakma said she has raised the issue with relevant people and authorities for three years without a permanent solution. Union chairman engineer Abdul Latif said education, healthcare, electricity and clean water are crucial for residents. Locals have called for government-funded household solar systems or a solar power project, saying it could provide electricity more quickly and sustainably than extending the central grid.

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.

Bangladesh’s Forest Department has auctioned and begun cutting about 4,500 trees planted along both sides of the Sunamganj-Sachnabazar road after the social forestry contract expired. The felling is under way across a 20-kilometre stretch, including between Niamatpur and Ichcherchar, where workers have cut species including shilkori, Belgian, raintree and acacia over the past week. Haor and river protection activists have held a human chain protest, while residents have voiced anger over the operation.

The trees were planted around 26 years ago with assistance from local beneficiaries under the social forestry programme. The Forest Department said beneficiaries are entitled to a stipulated share of auction proceeds. Beneficiary Manik Mia said those who cared for the trees should have been consulted before they were cut.

Residents and environmental advocates said simultaneous removal of the mature trees could harm roadside beauty and the environment, urging replanting alongside felling. Range officer Riaz Uddin said the jointly owned trees were planted in 2001, many had died, and others could deteriorate within three years. He said auctioning them would ensure beneficiaries receive their contractual share.