A group of Dhaka College students held a human chain on Sunday, August 9, demanding construction of a new hall to address the institution’s housing shortage. The programme took place at noon in front of the college’s Shaheed Minar, with about 50 students participating. They chanted slogans calling for new residential facilities, legal seat allocation and a solution to the accommodation crisis.

Student Hasan Al Mamun said obtaining a hall seat is a basic right for students, particularly those newly arriving in Dhaka who face financial and other difficulties. Another student, Samrat Jahangir, said most students are forced to live in outside messes because hall seats are insufficient, bringing extra costs and other problems. The participants called for a permanent solution.

Vice Principal Anwar Mahmud said the college administration fully agrees with the students’ demand and has repeatedly informed relevant authorities. He said the principal had written to the relevant minister, Sheikh Rabiul Alam, highlighting the need for a 10-storey academic building and residential building. He expressed hope that effective action would be taken quickly.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated government rehabilitation activities for families affected by recent flooding in Baharchhara village, Banshkhali, Chattogram. Speaking at a house handover, grant and relief distribution event on Sunday afternoon, he checked on flood-hit families and called for vigilance against those who disrupt social order. He said all promises could be implemented with public support.

The prime minister said factories would be built along the coast to create employment. He also said the government would ensure fair prices for salt farmers. Rahman said a 10-year energy plan would be presented in parliament.

He urged the opposition not to create confusion. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, State Minister for Relief and Disaster Asadul Habib Dulu and others were present at the event.

Citizen Initiative has expressed deep concern over expanded private-sector involvement in fuel oil imports and marketing, as well as recent changes to price controls for essential medicines. In a report published on August 9, 2026, the organisation called for the policies to be reassessed through meaningful consultation with relevant stakeholders, with public interest given top priority.

The group said it does not oppose private-sector participation. However, it warned that without effective competition and strong regulation, the fuel sector could become concentrated in the hands of one or a few companies, creating a private monopoly in place of state control. It said this could worsen public hardship over fuel prices and supply and create additional dependence on the government.

Citizen Initiative also raised concerns over the interim government's 2026 decision to cancel price-control measures for 295 essential medicines and return to an earlier system covering 117 medicines. It said weaker controls could raise the cost of life-saving drugs and increase treatment expenses, particularly for poor and lower-middle-income people. The organisation urged effective competition, price regulation, market monitoring and accountability in both sectors.

Prosecutors presented a call recording in a crimes against humanity case in which former road transport minister Obaidul Quader is heard asking former state ICT minister Junaid Ahmed Palak to slow the internet during the July mass uprising. The recording was submitted on Sunday during the third day of prosecution arguments before International Crimes Tribunal-2.

The matter emerged before a three-member judicial panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with judges Md. Manzurul Bashid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir. Quader, general secretary of the activities-banned Awami League, is among seven accused in the case. The prosecution said the alleged purpose was to disrupt protesters' communications during the uprising.

In the published transcript, Quader says, “Slow the net a little,” then clarifies, “Internet.” Palak replies that he should obtain the leader's permission, and Quader tells him to do so. Prosecutorial arguments in the case began on August 4, continued for a second day on August 6, and proceeded for a third day on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a NATO-style mutual defense agreement in Mecca on Friday, amid tensions from the ongoing war with Iran moving closer to Saudi Arabia. Under the pact, an attack on any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack on all. The agreement raises the possibility that Turkey and Pakistan could become involved if Saudi Arabia faces a major attack.

The stated aim is to strengthen collective deterrence and deepen defense cooperation among the three countries. For Saudi Arabia, the agreement is described as creating a new, strong defense structure alongside its longstanding security reliance on the United States. The report identifies Turkey as NATO’s second-largest military power and Pakistan as the Muslim world’s only nuclear-armed power.

All three countries said the agreement is not a military alliance against any specific country or an effort to create religious divisions, and it leaves room for other countries to join in the future. Iran expressed dissatisfaction, with Iranian parliamentarian Ebrahim Rezaei saying a paper agreement with Turkey and Pakistan would not provide Saudi Arabia security. Analysts said the pact sends Iran a clear warning about a wider conflict.

Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Dinesh Trivedi said many problems could be resolved if Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sit together. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon at the inauguration of a children’s play area at an Indian visa application centre.

Trivedi said the behaviour of Bangladesh’s people is very good and that relations between the people of the two countries are good. He said these relations should also be maintained at the government level, stressing continuity between public ties and official engagement.

The high commissioner also said there are plans to reduce the cost of obtaining visas for ordinary people. He added that plans include increasing the number of visa centres and expanding visa-processing capacity. The report did not specify a timeline or implementation process for those measures.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen said he was impressed by Barishal’s natural beauty and the warmth of its people during his first visit to the region on Sunday. After arriving in the morning, he travelled by boat and launch and visited a floating market. Speaking to journalists, Christensen described Barishal as a very beautiful place and said he greatly enjoys boat travel. He said the area is defined by rice, rivers and canals, and praised the beauty of Barishal city.

The Barishal Press Club organised a launch trip on Sunday afternoon to mark the ambassador’s arrival. Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, Barishal City Corporation administrator Bilkis Akhtar Jahan Shirin, Barishal University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Mamun Or Rashid, officials and journalists attended. The minister said Bangladesh and the United States have close relations, including economic ties, and expressed hope that Christensen would return to Barishal.

During the visit, Christensen toured the historic Miyabari Mosque in Raypasha-Karapur Union of Barishal Sadar and viewed its architecture. He also visited the adjacent Uttar Karapur Government Primary School, observing classes and asking about the learning environment. Before arriving in Barishal, he visited the Bhimruli floating guava market and guava orchards in Jhalakathi, learning about local life, guava cultivation and river-based livelihoods.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a courtesy meeting with Hefazat-e-Islam amir Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari at Al-Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Uloom Babunagar Madrasa in Fatikchhari, Chattogram, on Sunday. The two later joined a brief exchange meeting following their courtesy call.

Earlier, the prime minister arrived in Fatikchhari by helicopter from Banshkhali in Chattogram at 3:20 pm. Local leaders and activists welcomed him after the helicopter landed at Pelagazi Dighi field. He then travelled by road to the Babunagar madrasa.

Thousands of people standing on both sides of the road greeted the prime minister during his journey. Students at the madrasa became enthusiastic on seeing him, and he responded by waving and exchanging greetings. Madrasa officials also welcomed him. After the exchange meeting, the prime minister left by road for Hathazari upazila in Chattogram.

Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that unidentified attackers threw bricks and stones at her car in Halisahar, North 24 Parganas, while she was travelling to meet the family of a party worker who died in police custody. In remarks to journalists, she said she could have been killed and that her head might have been injured if her vehicle’s windows had not been closed.

According to the report, protesters surrounded Banerjee’s car, smeared it with mud and threw shoes and water bottles. They were also seen chanting “chor bhagao” as police tried to push them away. Banerjee accused outsiders of throwing stones in front of police and said officers did not protect her. MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Dola Sen also criticised the administration.

Banerjee had travelled to meet the family of Birju Keot, husband of former Trinamool councillor Jenny Sharma. Keot was sent to five days of police custody after an extortion-related arrest and was later alleged to have died in custody. Sharma alleged torture and beating, while police had not responded. The BJP condemned the incident, denied involvement and called for action against those responsible.

Four civil rights, lawyers’ and labour organisations have alleged that hundreds of migrant workers were detained in Bengaluru, India, during a purported operation to identify Bangladeshis. The groups said women and children were among those held and submitted a complaint to Karnataka’s home minister, director general of police and Bengaluru police commissioner. The report was published on August 9, 2026.

The complainants alleged illegal detention, beatings and inhuman treatment during the police operation. They said police went door to door in slums and working-class neighbourhoods early Saturday, seeking identity documents, but forcibly detained many people despite documents being shown. Those detained were allegedly taken in police jeeps or buses to police stations, convention centres, marriage halls and other locations.

The organisations alleged that more than 200 people were detained in Bandepalya, about 150 in Hebbagodi and over 400 in Parappana Agrahara, with further detentions reported elsewhere. They also alleged beatings at Varthur police station, damage to doors and CCTV cameras in Hebbagodi, and the seizure of more than 50 phones. They demanded immediate release, medical treatment for injured people, an independent investigation, action against officers, preservation of evidence and compensation.

Iran has said the strategic Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States changes its policies and conduct. Mohammad Baqer Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued the warning in a message for Journalists’ Day on August 9, 2026. According to Press TV, he said Iran would not move from its position in either war or negotiations while discussing the regional situation.

Iran listed several conditions for reopening the waterway. It said the United States must stop threatening Iran and cease insulting the Iranian people’s sacred values. Tehran also demanded a permanent end to war and aggression against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen and Iraq.

Other demands include lifting the maritime blockade and removing all US military presence, including naval and air forces, from areas around Iran. Tehran also called for full compensation for what it described as two past aggressions and imposed wars, the removal of all sanctions, and the unconditional return of frozen or seized Iranian assets. Zolghadr said ordinary Iranians had raised these demands continuously for 160 days, and said the council would not compromise on securing these rights.

In Gangachara, Rangpur, Tk 597,542 was allocated under the 2025-26 Annual Development Programme for sports equipment distribution through three projects intended to support students’ physical and mental development. Although project documents show the funds as spent, teachers and heads of institutions said footballs, handballs and other equipment had not yet been distributed at the field level.

One ADP general PIC project received Tk 197,542 to distribute footballs and handballs among secondary institutions. Two revenue development transferred PIC projects allocated Tk 200,000 for footballs at Dakhil madrasas and another Tk 200,000 for primary schools and Ebtedayee madrasas. Heads of Gangachara Adarsha High School, Gangachara Senior Alim Madrasa and Nagar Baraibari Alambiditor Primary School said their institutions had received no sports equipment.

The upazila primary education officer said she was unaware of football or sports-equipment distribution. The secondary education officer said he had provided a requested list but knew nothing further. LGED Upazila Engineer Joya Sanyal said distribution was not yet complete and would follow the master roll. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jesmin Akter said the equipment had not yet been distributed but would be delivered.

Rajshahi University authorities sent Jahidul Islam Saimon, a first-year Institute of Business Administration student seriously ill after a brain stroke, to Dhaka by air ambulance for advanced treatment. He was flown from the playground beside the hostel of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital at about 10:30am on Sunday. The university said it arranged the transfer to ensure rapid access to advanced care in an emergency.

According to classmate Saurav, Saimon fell from his bed while asleep at the student residence on Saturday night. His body later became rigid, and fellow students took him quickly to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where he was admitted to the emergency unit. His condition deteriorated during treatment. Saurav said Saimon had suffered two strokes previously.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Faridul Islam said the university arranged an ICU bed immediately after being informed, while doctors assessed the student. Doctors concluded that he needed urgent transfer to Dhaka for more advanced treatment, he said. The authorities chose an air ambulance because road travel was considered risky. Saimon was taken to the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka.

Houthi rebels carried out a drone attack on a Saudi Aramco oil refinery in the Jizan region of Saudi Arabia. Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree said in a statement that the refinery was struck “accurately and successfully” with a drone on Sunday. Al Masirah TV reported that a fire broke out at the oil refinery early Sunday.

Saree said Saudi Arabia had flown intelligence and surveillance drones over the airspace of Saada and Hajjah provinces in northern Yemen in recent days. He described those activities as “provocative” and said the refinery attack was carried out in response.

Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said firefighters had extinguished the early-morning fire at one facility of the Aramco refinery. The ministry said there were no casualties in the incident.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is pursuing sustainable rather than cheap development, citing an initiative to plant 250 million trees across Bangladesh over the next five years. Swapan made the remarks on Sunday morning while inaugurating a tree-planting campaign and tree fair at Bells Park field in Barishal city. The plan calls for planting 50 million trees annually, with tree fairs being organised nationwide to support the target.

The minister said people in the southern region understand the effects of climate change, pointing to changes in rainfall, sunshine, temperature and water levels. He described Bangladesh as one of the world’s most vulnerable countries and said coastal areas would face the greatest risks. He also said the problem requires a global solution.

Swapan warned that temperatures could become unsuitable for habitation if people are not conscious about energy use. He urged public cooperation with Forest Department initiatives and called for greater recognition of afforestation and greening. He later visited nurseries participating in the fair, where 50 nurseries from different districts are taking part. The Barishal divisional tree fair will run daily from 9am to 10pm.