Kakoroch Janata Party (CJP) said it has raised four demands for the family of Sheikh Mohammed Mafi, who it alleges was killed in Indas, Bankura. At a press conference outside Kolkata Press Club on Tuesday, party spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the demands include security for family members, the swift arrest of those accused in the killing, necessary assistance for the family, and fundraising in Abdul’s name.

The party said Mafi was killed after his son, Sheikh Abdul Hafiz, posted photographs of a local primary school on social media as part of CJP’s “Fix the School” campaign. Ranka appealed to students and members of the public for financial assistance for the family. The report presents these allegations and demands as claims made by the party.

Ranka also alleged that a planned CJP meet-up at Bharat Sabha Hall in north Kolkata was cancelled at the last moment under pressure from the BJP. He said about six other Kolkata auditoriums had declined bookings. Ranka said the party would soon organize a larger meet-up and would continue as a pressure group rather than enter electoral politics or contest student-union elections.

Newly appointed Barishal Range DIG Md Zulfikar Ali Haider said police have not met the expectations people hold for the force and that work is under way to improve officers’ behaviour and service quality. He made the remarks at a media exchange meeting organized by the Barishal Range DIG office at the Police Lines on Tuesday afternoon. He said allegations of harassment in accepting cases and general diaries at police stations would be treated seriously.

The DIG said initiatives would be taken to establish media wings at the Barishal Range DIG office and in each of the division’s six districts. A spokesperson would also be assigned in each area to provide journalists with necessary information promptly. He called on journalists to publish responsible and objective reports, saying stronger mutual cooperation between police and the media is needed to maintain normal law and order.

Haider also said school-based community policing would be introduced to raise students’ awareness of digital crime and help create a safer digital environment. Police will place special surveillance on robbery and banditry in the division’s six districts, he said. A special cell will be formed to prevent such crimes, with measures to be decided after analysing crime patterns and trends.

Fifty-seven political and social leaders in Bangladesh have called for the presidential election not to become a test of party loyalty in the post-uprising period. In a joint statement sent to the media on Tuesday, they issued four demands, including an end to what they described as misinterpretation of Article 70 of the constitution in relation to the presidential vote.

The signatories said Article 70 should be reformed so that its application is limited to money bills and no-confidence votes. They also opposed any attempt to expand its current scope and apply it to the presidential election in a manner they said conflicts with commitments in the July National Charter and the 31-point programme.

They urged the Election Commission to immediately provide a clear, neutral and constitutional interpretation on whether Article 70 applies to the presidential election, and to make that explanation public. The statement also called on all members of the 13th parliament to vote according to constitutional conscience, independent judgment and responsibility to the republic, free from party pressure, fear and loyalty.

Barishal City Corporation (BCC) has ordered construction to stop at a high-rise building under development in the Jordan Road area of Barishal city. The directive was issued on Tuesday afternoon in an order signed by BCC Chief Executive Officer Rezaul Bari, according to the report published on August 19, 2026.

The action followed a report published by Amar Desh on Monday alleging that the developer, Green City, was constructing the multi-storey building in a protected area without approval. BCC instructed the company to submit its corporation-approved plan within the next three working days.

The BCC administrator said the matter was treated seriously after the newspaper report. He said construction was halted immediately after officials learned that Green City was building in the protected Jordan Road area without any plan. The administrator also said he has been working to keep the corporation free of corruption and that necessary action will be taken if any BCC officer or employee is found involved in irregularities.

A local Jamaat-e-Islami leader, Inamul Molla, 26, was temporarily relieved of his party post in Boalmari, Faridpur, after allegations of an improper relationship with the wife of an expatriate Bangladeshi. The action was taken on Tuesday afternoon, according to party sources, and an internal investigation has begun. Molla had served as ameer of Jamaat’s Ward No. 9 unit in Boalmari municipality.

Local and party sources said Molla had long maintained close contact with a woman from the Kutipara area of Kushadanga village, whose husband is currently abroad. The alleged relationship recently became known to both families and local residents, prompting discussion and criticism in the area. Molla also works as a receptionist at Molla Doctor K Halim Hospital in Boalmari market.

Molla could not be reached for comment because his phone was switched off, and he was not present at his workplace. Municipal Jamaat ameer Syed Niamul Hasan said the allegation was being investigated and further decisions would follow after consultation if it is found true. Party sources said the allegation remains an allegation until the investigation is completed.

Four newly appointed members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s national standing committee met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his office in the Secretariat on Tuesday evening, August 18. The participants were Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, Md Amanullah Aman, Farhad Halim (Donor), and Md Ismail Zabiullah. Standing committee member and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed was also present, according to the prime minister’s deputy press secretary Zahidur Islam Roni.

Earlier in the day, the four leaders paid tribute by laying wreaths at the graves of martyred president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman appointed them to the party’s national standing committee on August 15.

BNP said the appointments were made under party decisions to increase organizational dynamism. It said the four leaders would contribute advice and help the party’s highest policymaking forum take important decisions for the party and the people. With their addition, the 19-member standing committee now has 17 members. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, nominated as the party’s presidential candidate, is expected to resign from his party post after the August 20 presidential election.

A group of assailants attacked Professor Dr Md Asadur Rahman of Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s ear, nose and throat department over treatment-related issues. The incident occurred on Tuesday outside Popular Diagnostic Centre in Shantinagar, Dhaka. Medical organisations condemned the attack and called for exemplary punishment for those involved.

Doctors Association of Bangladesh president Professor Dr Harun Al Rashid and secretary general Dr Md Zahirul Islam Shakil denounced the incident. National Doctors Forum president Professor Dr Md Nazrul Islam and general secretary Professor Dr Mahmud Hossain also issued condemnation. In separate statements, the organisations said the attack had deeply hurt the medical community.

The leaders said doctors work continuously, often at personal risk, to provide patients with the best possible care, and that assaulting or physically humiliating them is a condemnable offence. They warned that threats to doctors’ safety could disrupt quality and uninterrupted treatment for patients. They urged authorities to quickly identify the attackers, bring them under the law, ensure exemplary punishment, and establish effective security for doctors and health workers at hospitals and healthcare facilities.

A Seeratunnabi (PBUH) gathering was held on Tuesday afternoon at the Shaheed Shafiur Rahman Hall of the Supreme Court Bar Association, organised by the Seeratunnabi Mahfil Celebration Committee, Supreme Court branch. Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abul Hasnat Md Abdul Halim attended as chief guest, while Islamic thinker Mufti Ali Hasan Usama was the chief discussant.

Speaking at the event, Abdul Halim said human rights and justice are important matters for lawyers and urged the legal community to help ensure both by following the ideals of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He said lawyers could play an important role in establishing human rights and justice based on those ideals.

Mufti Ali Hasan Usama cited Quranic verses and called on lawyers not to fight cases for traitors or strengthen falsehood. He said livelihood should not be used as a reason to compromise with injustice, urging lawyers to stand for justice and assist oppressed people. The programme was chaired by Supreme Court advocate Md Mosiul Alam and conducted by advocate Saifur Rahman, with several lawyers and senior advocates attending.

Khelafat Majlish called on the government to uphold public expectations, democratic rights, justice and accountability at a public rally in Birmingham, United Kingdom, marking the second anniversary of the July Revolution. The event was held Monday under the initiative of the organisation’s Birmingham branch and chaired by branch president Maulana A. F. M. Shuaib.

Chief guest Professor Maulana Abdul Kader Saleh, the party’s naib-e-amir, said a government that comes to power through the public verdict cannot disregard people’s expectations and opinions. He said the public is the state’s main strength and that no government can survive for long by ignoring the public mandate. Speakers also said failures to meet public expectations and departures from the ideals of the July Revolution were creating political disappointment.

Main speaker Sylhet-5 lawmaker Mufti Abul Hasan stressed citizens’ respect for law and responsible conduct as important for national development and stability. He also discussed expatriate concerns, including applications, airport and flight-related difficulties, and said he would discuss solutions with other Sylhet lawmakers and raise legitimate demands with relevant authorities.

Bangladesh Navy and Fire Service and Civil Defence conducted a joint situational training exercise at BNS Isa Khan in Chattogram on Tuesday to strengthen the operational capability and preparedness of the Chemical Disaster Response Team. The Navy managed the exercise, with 41 members of Agrabad Fire Service and Civil Defence and 455 Navy personnel taking part.

The drill practised responses to chemical accident emergencies, including securing incident sites, controlling hazardous areas, preventing the spread of chemicals, rescuing affected and at-risk people, providing first aid and moving them to safe locations. Participants also rehearsed fire control and firefighting, while emphasising damage assessment, responder safety and continuity of emergency services.

Members of participating agencies practised communication, task allocation and coordinated decision-making in a realistic chemical emergency scenario. The Bangladesh National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention regularly organises the Basic Assistance and Protection Course for Responders to develop stakeholder skills. The exercise was described as important for swift rescue and control during potential chemical accidents or fires at ports, ships, industrial facilities and other key installations.

Bangladesh plans to establish specialized outpatient, inpatient and operating-theatre facilities for eye care at 151-bed hospitals to be built at the upazila level, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr M A Muhith said on Tuesday. He made the announcement at the launch of the World Health Organization’s SPECS 2030 initiative at a hotel in the capital on 18 August 2026.

Muhith said the government is finalizing an integrated national eye-care plan targeting about one million cataract surgeries, distribution of several crore pairs of glasses, and expanded treatment for diabetic retinopathy. Nearly 500 upazilas are expected to receive enhanced eye-care services, reducing the need for patients to travel to district towns or Dhaka. Primary eye care will also be included in training for about 100,000 health workers currently under recruitment.

The government aims to expand regular cataract surgery and refractive-error correction services in at least half of the country’s districts by coordinating existing district-hospital infrastructure. Officials and stakeholders called for stronger primary care, trained personnel, referrals, affordable glasses, reliable data and collaboration across government, WHO, NGOs, professional bodies, development partners and private-sector actors.

Former Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Umar Khalid has remained in Delhi’s Tihar Jail for nearly six years after his September 2020 arrest in a “larger conspiracy” case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots. He has not been convicted of any offence, and the main trial remains at an early stage. Khalid faces charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, along with allegations including criminal conspiracy, rioting and promoting enmity between groups.

Delhi Police allege that Khalid and others conspired to incite violence during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, including during then US President Donald Trump’s visit to India. Khalid denies involvement in the riots or any conspiracy. His supporters have also questioned some evidence and videos in the case. The February 2020 violence killed 53 people, most of them Muslims, according to the report.

Khalid has returned to the Delhi High Court in what is described as his eighth bail attempt, with a hearing expected in late August after police were asked to respond. The Supreme Court granted bail to five co-accused on January 5, 2026, but not to Khalid or activist Sharjeel Imam, saying their positions differed. Rights groups have raised concerns about lengthy pretrial detention and UAPA’s strict bail provisions.

Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Mohammad Hatem said gas and electricity shortages are currently a major challenge for the country’s industrial sector. In a statement sent to the media on Tuesday, he assessed the first six months of the BNP government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, saying the energy problems cannot be resolved in the short term because they were inherited from the previous government.

Hatem said the prime minister and energy minister have taken several immediate initiatives and consulted business organisations and leaders on possible solutions. He said the government has also pledged a long-term solution to the energy crisis. BKMEA welcomed central bank measures aimed at refinancing sick, partially closed and closed factories, as well as a decision allowing certain exporters to import raw materials duty-free against bank guarantees.

He said the government imported some LNG from the international spot market. According to the finance minister, a new floating LNG terminal would take about two years to install. The government has decided to establish another FSRU and expects the gas shortage could be resolved within two years. Hatem added that banking-sector problems remain unresolved and overall law and order has somewhat deteriorated.

Police recovered the bodies of three people, including a BRAC programme assistant, a homemaker and a three-year-old child, in separate incidents in Subarnachar upazila of Noakhali on Tuesday afternoon. The deceased BRAC employee, Daudul, was found hanging in a guest room above his office at the Kanchan Bazar branch in Charjabbar union.

Police said Daudul had told a BRAC manager on Monday night that he was feeling unwell and would stay overnight in the office guest room. At about 9am Tuesday, an office peon went to the room for the key and found his hanging body. Daudul was the son of Abul Kalam of Ehiyaganj Bazar in Feni Sadar upazila.

In another case, Tamanna Akter, 23, wife of Ripon from Jahাজmara village, died while being taken to Dhaka after allegedly hanging herself at home. Separately, Hamim, 3, son of Jasim Uddin of Nayapara village, drowned in a pond beside his home. Police sent the bodies of Daudul and Tamanna to Noakhali General Hospital morgue and registered unnatural death cases.

Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson claimed that nearly 30 sailors aboard the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln attempted suicide amid a prolonged Iran war. Johnson made the remarks on Monday night during Al Mayadeen’s program “The Great Standoff: Iran and the World,” in a discussion with Tehran University professor Mohammad Marandi. The article was published on August 18, 2026.

Johnson said a report had cited six sailors attempting to jump into the water, but a recently retired US military officer told him the actual number might be closer to 30. He also alleged that morale and suicide-related concerns extend to other branches of the US military. Johnson further claimed the United States faces growing constraints in advanced weapons stocks, supply systems and naval logistics.

Marandi said Iran may be better able than the United States to withstand a long war, while rising fuel costs could intensify US public opposition. Both speakers described disruption in the Strait of Hormuz as a major economic risk. They also discussed Iran’s ties with Russia, China and Pakistan, and potential Iran-Oman arrangements concerning the waterway.