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.

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said Iran’s defense industry has become a major pillar of national security despite years of sanctions and external pressure. In a message marking National Defense Industry Day, he said the country had chosen to rely on domestic capabilities, domestic knowledge and national will. The report was published on August 22, 2026.

Irani said Iran had built a defense industry that is among the principal pillars of the country’s security and strength. He presented the development as a result of an approach centered on internal resources rather than outside support.

According to Irani, Iran’s domestic defense capabilities have played a decisive role in maintaining the balance of power. He said those capabilities increased Iran’s offensive capacity and frustrated the intentions of its adversaries. The source attributed the report to Al Jazeera.

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.