State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said that “true democracy” currently prevails in Bangladesh. Speaking on Saturday at the foundation-stone ceremony for the Mokamtala Union Parishad office and a relief distribution event in Mokamtala upazila, Bogura, he said the democratic election of the president was major evidence of democratic practice and development in the country.

Alam thanked the opposition party for taking part in the presidential election. He said democracy is not limited to holding elections, but is expressed through respect for public opinion, political tolerance and ensuring everyone’s participation. He also said politicians should not be arrogant, saying honour can be given or taken away at any time by Allah.

The state minister described Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as a humble and decent politician who is running the country responsibly. He said public welfare and national development are the central aims of the prime minister’s politics. Local elected representatives, political leaders, administrative officials and people from different professions attended the event. Alam later distributed relief materials among families affected by natural disasters.

The deaths of 10 workers after exposure to toxic hydrogen sulfide gas at Ferdous Shipyard in Bhatiary, Sitakunda, Chattogram, have pushed Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry into a multifaceted crisis, according to the report published on August 22, 2026. The workers were affected while working in the ballast tank of the vessel MT Rashi on August 14; one additional worker later died during treatment.

The incident has raised questions about whether gas testing, gas-freeing, ventilation and emergency rescue arrangements were adequate before entry into the tank. The report says hydrogen sulfide dissolved in water accumulated at the tank bottom may have been released into the air during drainage. It also says poor safety standards could discourage international shipowners from sending old vessels to Bangladesh amid obligations linked to International Maritime Organization standards and the Hong Kong Convention.

Industry representatives called the tragedy a warning but opposed shutting down the sector. They urged modern gas detectors, quality protective equipment, ventilation, rescue systems, strict safety audits and training. A yard owner said any proven negligence should be addressed under state law, while warning against unnecessary harassment of entrepreneurs. The sector supplies raw materials for steel, re-rolling and construction and supports wider economic activity, employment and government revenue.

Bangladesh Agricultural University held the AI-focused “Build with AI” hackathon on Saturday, August 22, in the Faculty of Agriculture conference room. The Computer Science and Mathematics Department organized the event, selecting about 100 participants, including master’s and PhD students, from different levels of the university.

The hackathon aimed to move beyond conventional competitive programming by promoting team learning, community building and the use of artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems. Participants received specialized training and sessions on AI topics across three categories. Organizers emphasized developing applications using the APIs of Gemini and ElevenLabs, alongside finding sustainable solutions to existing challenges in agriculture.

Five prizes were announced across the three main categories: two for API-based app development and three for sustainable agricultural solutions. Evaluation will focus on impactful web applications, successful API use and apps capable of contributing effectively to agriculture. All participants will receive digital certificates. Speakers urged students to verify AI-generated information, avoid sharing personal data and prevent excessive reliance on technology from weakening independent thinking and fundamental problem-solving skills.

The Television Playwrights Association announced its new executive committee for the 2026-28 term at its biennial general meeting on Friday, August 21. The meeting was held at the International Mother Language Institute in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. Shihab Shaheen was named president and Mezbah Uddin Suman general secretary of the association.

Zakir Hossain Uজ্জ্বল, Litu Sakhawat and Masum Shahriar were appointed vice presidents. Mansur Rahman Chanchal, Elina Shammi and Bidyut Roy were named assistant general secretaries. Other office-bearers include Prabhat Ahmed as organisational secretary, Pappu Raj as finance secretary and Dayal Saha as office secretary.

Sayem Khan was named events and information technology secretary, Faridul Islam Rubel publicity secretary, Afrin Jessica law and welfare secretary, and Maruf Hossain Sajib training and research secretary. Dr Lipi Monowar, Ahmed Tawqir, Sheikh Hannan and Orko Mostofa were appointed executive members. Speakers said drama is a powerful medium for depicting society, culture and human life, while the new leaders pledged to build a more organised and effective platform over the next two years.

Jumman Tapadar, a Bangladeshi-origin young man from Khatra Bilwai in Ward No. 3 of Hajiganj municipality, Chandpur, has joined the United States Army. The report, published on August 22, 2026, said his achievement has brought joy to his family, relatives and local residents.

Tapadar is the youngest son of Billal Hossain Tapadar and Shahnaz Begum and comes from the Tapadar family of Khatra Bilwai village. His five-member family includes two sisters and one brother. He travelled to the United States in June 2023 in search of a livelihood.

While in the United States, he worked hard and completed the required process to join the US Army as part of efforts to build his future, the report said. Local people described the achievement as a matter of pride for Hajiganj and offered wishes for his future and career. His entire family currently lives in the United States.

Haragach municipality BNP has issued a show-cause notice to Saidul Islam Ranju, general secretary of ward 8 BNP in Kaunia, Rangpur, over allegations that he took money by promising government allowances for mosque staff. The notice was signed Friday night by municipal BNP president Monayen Hossain Faruk and general secretary Nurul Amin Daju.

The notice said allegations of financial transactions had emerged involving the imam, muezzin and khadem of Mollatari Jame Mosque in exchange for inclusion in the government allowance scheme. It asked Ranju to explain in writing within three days why organisational action should not be taken, saying the allegations had damaged the party’s image.

Nurul Amin Daju confirmed the notice on Saturday afternoon. He said taking money in the name of government allowances using a party identity was an offence. He said an audio recording involving a refund of money spread on social media, prompting party leaders to investigate and find preliminary evidence. Muezzin Nur Amin alleged that Ranju initially demanded Tk34,000 from the three staff members, later saying Tk30,000 would secure their inclusion. Ranju denied the allegations, saying he was a victim of political vendetta.

Cumilla District Detective Branch police arrested nine alleged members of a motorcycle smuggling ring in Maynamati, Burichang upazila, and seized six unregistered motorcycles. The report, published on August 22, 2026, said the motorcycles were allegedly brought illegally from India without paying government duty.

Police said a DB team detained the nine people on the Sylhet-Cumilla highway during the night of Friday. After checking documents for the motorcycles they were using, officers said the detainees could not provide valid registration or ownership papers.

During preliminary questioning, the detainees allegedly admitted bringing motorcycles into Bangladesh through illegal routes while evading duty, police said. They reportedly said the motorcycles were being transported for sale in Cumilla, Feni, Cox’s Bazar and other parts of the country. The seized vehicles included Yamaha R15 and Yamaha MT15 motorcycles in several colors. Cumilla DB officer-in-charge Shah Alam Shah said a case has been filed at Burichang police station.

Residents of Cumilla’s Burichong upazila say the roughly 10-kilometre road linking Rampur with the upazila headquarters remains badly damaged after years without meaningful repairs. The route is important for connections to Cumilla Cantonment, the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and the Cumilla-Sylhet regional highway. The report, published on August 22, 2026, says passengers, traders, patients, students and transport workers face daily hardship.

Pavement and stone layers have eroded in several sections, creating large potholes, while parts of both road edges have collapsed. Rainwater collects in the holes during even light rainfall, worsening travel conditions for CNG-run autorickshaws and goods vehicles. Regular commuter Monir Hossain called for prompt repairs, while driver Abul Hossain said vehicle parts are repeatedly damaged and much of his income is spent on maintenance.

The poor road condition is also affecting nearby industrial activity. About 12,000 workers of local Jihan Group use the route daily, and owner Shahzada Roni said workers pay double fares while company vehicles suffer damage. Upazila Engineer Alif Ahmed Akshar said the contractor, Jakaullah and Brothers, was penalised and its work order cancelled over delays. UNO Tanvir Hossain said authorities would inspect the road, discuss the matter and take steps for quick repairs.

Imran Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, alleged on Saturday that Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister told her he had been repeatedly physically abused in prison. The allegation came after Khan was taken from Adiala Jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad for medical tests and returned to jail within hours. Uzma Khan, who was present during the examination, said he was physically well but had reported mistreatment in custody.

The Supreme Court had ordered Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital on Friday night, but authorities took him to PIMS, citing security concerns. Doctors declared him medically fit after examinations by an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist and another doctor. Pakistan’s interior and law ministries and prison authorities did not comment on the abuse allegation.

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party filed a contempt petition against the government, saying the court order was not followed and his personal doctor was excluded. Information Minister Ataullah Tarar defended the PIMS transfer. Supporters gathered on Islamabad streets after news of the hospital visit, while PTI leaders said preparations for a September 27 protest march had been strengthened.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson for the National Citizen Party (NCP) and head of its international relations and diaspora affairs subcommittee, has performed Umrah in Mecca. He arrived in the holy city on the night of August 20 and prayed for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh, according to information released by the NCP media cell on Saturday.

Bhuiyan left Dhaka with his wife on a Thursday afternoon flight for the pilgrimage. Other NCP figures accompanying him include central members Ayman Rahad and Yasir Arafat, National Olama Alliance member secretary Maulana Sanaullah Khan, and Dhaka South NCP senior joint convener Tarek E Adil, along with several others.

After completing Umrah, the NCP leaders visited places associated with Prophet Muhammad. Bhuiyan also held a courtesy meeting with Bangladeshi expatriates living in Saudi Arabia. He is currently in Mecca and is scheduled to travel next to Medina Munawara. His return to Dhaka is expected on August 30.

Iraqi President Nizar Amidi said Iraq will not allow its territory to be used to launch attacks against any other country. He made the remarks on the second day of the eighth Baghdad Dialogue conference, according to the report published on August 22, 2026.

Amidi said there is “no justification” for attacks conducted from Iraqi territory against any country in the region. He said only “two or three” armed groups in Iraq have yet to surrender their weapons, and discussions are continuing on bringing their arms under state control.

The president said Iraq’s constitution requires weapons to remain under state control, adding that Najaf’s religious authority has also called for this. He said the ongoing regional war has had a broad impact on Iraq. On the Strait of Hormuz, Amidi said its effects extend beyond Iraq to the whole world, and that Iraq is holding discussions with Iran to address complex issues surrounding the waterway.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has provided financial assistance for the cancer treatment of Laili Begum, mother of student Naim Sikdar, after reports of the family’s situation appeared in media outlets. The aid was handed to Naim’s grandfather, Sattar Sikdar, at an event at Kalidas Kolotan Bidyaniketan in Sakhipur, Tangail, on August 22. Liberation War Affairs Minister Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan MP delivered the cash assistance.

According to the report, Laili Begum was diagnosed with cancer on August 4 and is receiving treatment at Sirajganj Khwaja Yunus Ali Medical College and Hospital. Her family lacks the financial means for treatment, and Sattar Sikdar sold a cow for Tk70,000 to raise funds. Students who passed the SSC examination collected Tk20,000 instead of buying celebratory sweets, while teachers and other students contributed another Tk20,000.

Ahmed Azam Khan said the prime minister directed him to visit the family and school, determine treatment needs and provide immediate support after learning of the case. At the school event, he congratulated 25 students who contributed funds and gave them sweets. উপজেলা administration officials and local political, police and other representatives attended the programme.

Police arrested Awami League leader Md Rashed Ali, also known as Khoka Mia, in Bogura in connection with a July mass-killing case. He was detained from his home on Friday night, according to the report published on August 22, 2026. Rashed Ali, 55, is president of the Nishindara Union Awami League in Sadar upazila.

Rashed Ali is the son of late Ahmad Ali and lives in the Dashtika Sarkar Para area of Sadar upazila. Bogura Sadar police station officer-in-charge Md Ibrahim Ali confirmed the arrest. Police sources said he is a named accused in a case filed at Sadar police station related to the July uprising.

After his arrest from his residence, police took Rashed Ali to Bogura Sadar police station. Legal action against him is currently under process, the report said. No further details about the allegations in the case or the planned legal proceedings were provided.

Unknown perpetrators cut down bottle gourd plants across a 15-katha field owned by farmer Sohag in Amdanga village, Kurulgachhi ইউনিয়ন, Damurhuda upazila of Chuadanga. The incident was reported on August 22, 2026. The entire field was damaged, including numerous gourds that were ready to be sold.

Local sources said Sohag had planned to harvest the gourds on Friday morning and sell them at market to clear outstanding fertilizer payments. He had also expected to use the crop income for household expenses. On reaching the field, he found nearly all plants cut at their bases and left on the ground, with damaged gourds scattered across the plot.

Residents said Sohag had developed the field carefully after arranging fertilizer costs through debt and hard-earned money. Assistant Agriculture Officer Mehedi Hasan Jahid said the loss was unfortunate and would be reported to higher authorities. Sohag and local residents demanded that those responsible be identified quickly and given exemplary punishment.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Ottawa would impose equivalent retaliatory tariffs on US goods after last-minute trade negotiations with Washington collapsed. Canada decided on the “dollar-for-dollar” approach after the United States began applying new tariffs on Canadian products from midnight Saturday, according to the report published on August 22, 2026.

Carney said changes to US-proposed terms in the final stage of negotiations appeared unfair and economically unreasonable to Canada, raising doubts about the reliability of a possible agreement. Talks had continued intensively since July. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer countered that Canada declined to finalize an agreement based on terms both sides had accepted earlier in the week.

The discussions had included reducing US tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum from 50 percent to 25 percent, and on Canadian vehicles from 25 percent to 15 percent. Ontario Premier Doug Ford backed retaliatory tariffs. The Trump administration is also planning new 50 percent duties on various Canadian goods, while existing tariffs on steel, aluminum, vehicles and lumber would remain.