Train services between northern Bangladesh and the rest of the country resumed around noon on 22 August 2026, about three hours after the Barendra Express became stranded at Puranapail in Joypurhat. A coil spring and part of the train body were damaged after the Rajshahi-bound train reached the area, disrupting broad-gauge rail communication with the northern region.

A relief train from Santahar Junction Station was sent to the scene after the incident was reported. The rescue team carried out temporary repairs to the damaged spring and moved the train to Joypurhat railway station. Services on routes to Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Panchagarh and Chilahati restarted at about 12pm.

Train director Chanowar Hossain said the fault was detected quickly and the train was stopped, preventing a major accident. Several passenger trains were held at stations including Joypurhat, Santahar, Parbatipur and Phulbari during the disruption. Long-distance passengers experienced some inconvenience before operations returned to normal.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said Bangladesh has no opportunity to resolve its energy crisis quickly, despite the government taking all available initiatives to address it. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a seminar in Motijheel, Dhaka, organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the biannual economic situation for fiscal year 2026.

The minister said the solution to the energy crisis would come slowly. He also said the economy cannot emerge from its current crisis without investment, and that the government is working to create an investment-friendly environment to increase both domestic and foreign investment.

Chowdhury said the government aims to ensure three months of reserves in every energy sector. He said all possible efforts are being made by the government to meet that objective.

Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) dismissed eight building inspectors on July 6, five months after they joined in February, declaring them ineligible. The 18 recruits had passed written and oral examinations held in January and were assigned to departments after joining at grade 16. The dispute centres on the eligibility terms in CDA’s recruitment notice and whether the authority’s 1990 service rules had been updated.

The affected workers say they held four-year diplomas in engineering, surveying technology, which they contend are equivalent to higher secondary education. They say their certificates were reviewed several times before appointment, and some had left jobs at the city corporation, WASA and elsewhere to join CDA. Nine recruits had also faced delayed salaries, while one worker from Kurigram left after not receiving pay.

Bangladesh Survey Institute principal Mobarak Hossain told CDA that institutions have not issued a “Survey Final” degree since 2004, instead awarding four-year diplomas in engineering. CDA Chairman Engineer Belayet Hossain said the dismissals followed ministry instructions and that the eight appointments were illegal because the candidates lacked required qualifications. He said an investigation committee has been formed to identify those involved and take action.

Portugal has enacted a ban on covering the face in public, with fines ranging from €150 to €3,000 depending on the offence. The law took effect after President António José Seguro approved it, according to the report published on August 22, 2026. Locally described as the “burqa law,” it prohibits clothing that fully covers the face or obstructs identification.

The law provides exemptions for health needs, professional duties, artistic activities and weather-related reasons. It does not apply in places of worship, diplomatic missions or aircraft. It also prohibits forcing someone to cover their face because of their gender, religion, age or ancestral identity. Seguro said the face plays an important role in identity and interpersonal communication, and that keeping it visible is a basis for mutual trust in Portuguese society.

The proposal, introduced by the right-wing Chega party, was approved by parliament in July. The governing right-wing coalition and far-right parties supported it, while left-wing parties opposed it. Legal groups questioned its legal and constitutional aspects, and left-wing leaders warned it could increase Islamophobia and discrimination. The report places Portugal alongside several European countries that have imposed restrictions on face-covering clothing.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is changing his social media approach to reach younger audiences, particularly Gen Z voters, through Instagram. The shift includes more relaxed and seemingly spontaneous content on an account previously dominated by carefully curated posts, including a “Get Ready With Me” reel, selfie videos and references to young people as friends. The report was published on August 22, 2026.

The Bharatiya Janata Party became more active on the platform after the recent Cockroach Janata Party movement, which spread through memes, livestreams and Instagram reels before affecting street politics and contributing to a central minister’s resignation. More than 60 percent of India’s population is under 35, and Gen Z could become a major voting bloc in the 2029 election. BJP social media pages are also using memes, slang and pop-culture references.

Many young users have treated Modi’s new videos as humorous or “cringe” content rather than political messaging, with his first selfie video widely mocked and edited for circulation online. Analysts say Instagram’s focus on engagement, shares, comments, repeat viewing and watch time makes message control harder. They add that online popularity and electoral victory are different, while BJP’s organisation and voter base remain central to its electoral strength.

Iran’s navy chief said the country has strengthened its defence industry despite years of sanctions and external pressure. Speaking on National Defence Industry Day, he said Iran chose to rely on domestic capabilities, internal knowledge and national will to build an industry that has become a major foundation of national security and strength. The remarks were reported by Iran’s Mehr news agency and carried by Al Jazeera on August 22, 2026.

The navy chief said Iran had developed its indigenous defence capabilities under prolonged restrictions, increasing self-reliance in the defence sector. He described domestic defence capacity as playing a decisive role in maintaining the balance of power and said it had also enhanced Iran’s offensive capabilities.

He further claimed that these capabilities had helped thwart objectives set by Iran’s adversaries. According to his statement, the continued development of the defence industry through reliance on domestic knowledge and capacity has further strengthened Iran’s national security despite sanctions and outside pressure.

Iranian army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminiah said on August 22, 2026, that the country’s military strategy is gradually moving from a defensive to an offensive posture. He warned that any attack on Iran would receive an immediate response more extensive and powerful than the aggression, citing lessons from two recent wars.

Akraminiah said the policy change does not mean Iran intends to launch preemptive operations against an adversary. Instead, he said Iran would respond immediately to any aggression. He added that military equipment and systems damaged in previous conflicts have been repaired, while new military systems and technologies have been incorporated into the armed forces.

The spokesperson said Iran is working continuously to ensure it can deliver a more destructive response if an adversary miscalculates again. He also said the Strait of Hormuz has gained greater geopolitical importance after the war. Referring to a recent defence partnership involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, he described the initiative as an indication of declining US influence in the Middle East.

In Tongi, Gazipur, Shamim Khan, known as “Cassette Shamim,” and his associates have been accused of collecting about Tk15 lakh monthly from shops occupying footpaths and road space along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway. The report, published on August 22, 2026, says roughly 240 to 250 clothing, nursery, vegetable, shoe, fish and dried-fish shops have been set up near the Tongi-Abdullahpur connecting Bailey Bridge.

Traders said they pay Tk150 to Tk300 daily depending on the shop, with about Tk50,000 allegedly collected each day from the Bailey Bridge area alone. Local residents alleged that Tongi East police were managed through payments, an allegation police denied. Shamim said temporary shops were placed beside the Turag bank to recover lease money and that each shop pays Tk100 to Tk150, not more.

City corporation official Md Jahirul Islam said the highway footpath is not included in the market lease and warned of legal action over public suffering. Roads and Highways official Mohammad Anwar Hossain Khan said notices had been issued repeatedly and an eviction drive would be conducted soon. Police said regular operations remove shops, but they return after a short time.

Iran has authorized several Iraqi oil-carrying vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. The decision was announced during Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s visit to Iraq on August 22, 2026.

IRNA said Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi requested the permission from Iran to safeguard his country’s economic interests. In response, Ghalibaf authorized Iraqi oil vessels to travel through the strait.

The report did not specify how many Iraqi oil tankers would receive permission. It also provided no details on when the authorization would take effect or whether it would have a defined duration. The Strait of Hormuz is described as one of the world’s most important energy transport routes, carrying large volumes of oil and energy products. Restrictions on shipping through the waterway can affect international energy markets.

Australia ended the first day of the Mackay Test 101 runs ahead of Bangladesh after Bangladesh were dismissed for 64 and Australia reached 165 for eight. A total of 18 wickets fell during the day. Australia, having won the toss, chose to bowl on a fast, bouncy surface and dismantled Bangladesh’s batting lineup.

Mitchell Starc took six wickets for 12 runs as Bangladesh collapsed, with four of their first five batters dismissed without scoring. Shariful Islam was Bangladesh’s highest scorer with 14 runs from No. 10, including three boundaries, while no other Bangladesh batter made more than nine. Bangladesh had been reduced to 39 for nine before finishing on 64.

Shariful responded with a career-best six for 35, matching Starc’s wicket tally and providing Bangladesh some consolation. The left-arm pacer, who missed the first Test of the series because of injury, claimed his first five-wicket haul in Tests against Australia. Despite Australia’s sizeable lead, Bangladesh’s bowling effort kept the contest alive at the end of the opening day.

A 45-year-old bank officer, Shahid Hossain, died after allegedly shooting himself in the head at his home in Haji Para, under Chattogram city’s Double Mooring police station area. The incident occurred at about 7:45am on Saturday at the home of Imam Hossain. He was taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where he died during treatment at around 9am.

Shahid, son of the late Iqbal Hossain, had worked for Al-Arafah Islami Bank. His death was confirmed by Nurul Alam Ashik, in-charge of the Chattogram Medical College Hospital police outpost, and by his wife, Sharmin Akter. Family members said they heard a loud gunshot in the drawing room and found him bleeding before taking him to hospital.

Sharmin Akter said her husband had faced mental and family pressure for some time. She said he left his job after the bank transferred him from Cox’s Bazar several months earlier, after which family tensions arose. Hospital police said his condition was extremely critical when he arrived. Efforts to contact the Double Mooring police station officer-in-charge about the weapon’s source and further details received no response.

The Muslim World League (MWL) has strongly condemned Israel’s planned expansion of settlements in the E-1 area of the occupied West Bank, warning that it threatens the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The statement followed Israel’s recent call for tenders to build 1,234 housing units in E-1, according to the report published on August 22, 2026.

Israel’s broader plan seeks to create a continuous Israeli settlement corridor between occupied East Jerusalem and Maale Adumim. The MWL described the E-1 project as a dangerous plan and condemned what it called Israel’s illegal settlement policies across the occupied Palestinian territory.

In its statement, the organization said such actions violate international law and United Nations resolutions while obstructing all peace efforts. It urged the international community to immediately halt Israel’s settlement expansion policy and other measures intended to alter the geographic and demographic character of occupied Palestinian territory. The MWL reaffirmed support for Palestinians’ right to an independent, sovereign state, saying a two-state solution is the only path to just and lasting regional peace.

Chattogram district police recently raided the village home of Jobairul Haque Zian, accused of trapping former Chattogram police commissioner Hasib Aziz through a “honey trap.” Police sources alleged that, during the operation in Chhaiyadabad area of Chhadaha union in Satkania, a call from a state minister led to instructions for officers to proceed slowly. The operation allegedly did not advance afterward.

Superintendent of Police Masud Alam said an additional superintendent of police had been assigned two days earlier to arrest Zian and that intensive efforts to detain him were continuing. Police have not officially identified the state minister who allegedly called, nor explained why the operation was reportedly slowed. Sources connected to the raid said there was a noticeable change in arrest efforts after the call.

The report says an examination of Zian’s WhatsApp chats found discussions involving police postings and cases, as well as information on financial transactions and contacts with officers. It named Panchlaish police station officer-in-charge Zahedul Islam and former Chawkbazar officer-in-charge Babul Azad as regular contacts. Hasib Aziz said he communicated with Zian believing the “Sanjida Islam Sayma” identity belonged to a woman, then stopped contact after learning it was false.

RAB-6 arrested alleged top criminal Alamin Hasan Saifi and his associate Rafiqul Islam Rakib over two killings in Khulna city’s Harintana 80 Bigha area. The arrests were made on August 21 from the Majhigati Bazar area under Gopalganj Sadar police station, RAB-6 commander Lieutenant Colonel Nistar Ahmed said at a briefing in Khulna on Saturday morning.

The two victims were Manjurul Islam, 23, and Md Nazmul, 18, who were shot and hacked to death within hours of each other on August 19 in the Labanchara police station area. RAB said it began a shadow investigation after visiting the scene and collecting evidence. The agency said the back-to-back killings spread fear locally and drew national attention.

According to RAB, Saifi and Rakib admitted involvement during preliminary questioning. Saifi said Nazmul belonged to his group, while Manjurul was linked to another group. RAB said the violence was initially believed to stem from internal conflict, territorial control, drug trading and competition to display strength. Officers recovered a shotgun, a pistol and three locally made machetes and said operations to arrest others would continue.

Gas supplies in Chattogram had not returned to normal by Saturday, August 22, 2026, causing severe disruption at CNG stations, households and industries. Long queues of gas-powered vehicles formed across the city, while residents in several areas reported little or no cooking gas. Most factories could not open on Saturday because of the shortage.

Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited said it received only 170.5 million cubic feet of gas in the 24 hours ending at 8am Saturday, roughly the same as Friday. The amount equals 55 percent of daily demand. The company said Chattogram needs 320 million cubic feet daily and normally receives an allocation of 246 million cubic feet from the national grid.

Queues at many CNG stations exceeded two kilometres, with some stations shutting supply because of low pressure. Factory owners said production at garment and steel plants had fallen to 20 percent, while use of diesel and furnace oil raised costs. Officials said supply may take at least another day to improve, with a new LNG cargo expected Sunday.