Venezuela’s death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck near its coast in June has risen to 6,438, authorities said Monday. The updated figure was announced nearly two months after the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes struck on June 24. Parliament Speaker Jorge Rodriguez said the toll had increased from 6,301 reported last week.

At least 190 buildings collapsed in the earthquakes, according to the reported official information. About 60,000 homes were damaged, including roughly 24,000 that have become uninhabitable. Relatives and rescue workers are still searching through rubble for missing people despite the time that has passed since the disaster.

Thousands of people remain in temporary camps, where living conditions are described as extremely difficult. Heavy rain in Caracas over the weekend damaged several tents used by earthquake survivors. The government of interim President Delcy Rodriguez has promised to provide new homes for those affected, aiming to deliver 4,000 homes by the end of the year. So far, only 335 homes have been prepared for victims.

At least three people were injured after two factions of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, or JCD, clashed over a room-seat exchange at Noakhali Science and Technology University. The violence occurred in phases from late Monday night into the early hours of Tuesday, August 18, at Abdul Malek Ukil Hall and the Pocket Gate area. One injured student was admitted to Noakhali General Hospital.

The injured were branch JCD student welfare affairs secretary Anisur Rahman Sifat, former Anti-Discrimination Student Movement coordinator Jahidul Islam Hasan, and agriculture student Samiul Islam. Witnesses said an argument between senior and junior activists began around 2am over a seat exchange. About an hour later, supporters of the branch president and general secretary allegedly attacked Sifat. Samiul was later attacked near Pocket Gate, suffering a split lip, while Hasan was beaten while trying to stop the incident.

Sifat and senior vice-president Sabbir Hasan alleged the attack was planned, while general secretary Hasibul Hossain said he was not aware of the matter and would look into it. Proctor A F M Arifur Rahman said the hall provost body and university administration had been informed, Ansar members were alerted, and a proctorial body meeting would be called. Action would follow university rules if a formal complaint is submitted.

A series of strong earthquakes in Indonesia, Colombia and Mexico over the past month has raised questions about whether the world is experiencing more earthquakes than before. Three earthquakes of magnitude 7 or higher struck those countries, while Venezuela had two major earthquakes within seconds of each other in June. However, data available through mid-August 2026 indicate that recent activity remains within normal fluctuations rather than showing an unusual long-term increase.

From 2016 to 2025, the world recorded an average of 133 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher each year. There were 99 such earthquakes in 2024, compared with a high of 157 in 2021. By mid-August this year, 91 magnitude-6-or-higher earthquakes had been recorded worldwide, including 11 of magnitude 7 or above. Scientists say the pace is slightly higher than the recent decade but not abnormal, and no magnitude 8 or 9 mega-earthquake has occurred this year.

USGS data show that about 20,000 earthquakes are recorded globally each year, or roughly 55 a day, though most are too weak to be felt. Damage also depends on depth, proximity to populated areas, building quality and soil conditions. Scientists cannot precisely predict timing, but risk assessment, stronger construction and early-warning systems can help save lives.

Rob Arlett, Delaware chairman for Donald Trump’s 2016 election campaign, said the main challenge in US-Israel coordination over Gaza is accountability for Israeli military actions and transparency in intelligence information. In comments published on August 18, he raised the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu genuinely wants peace.

Arlett said Netanyahu and the Israeli military are willing to launch strikes at any time based on their own intelligence. He said this has become a problem for President Trump, who believes unilateral Israeli military operations could obstruct broader peace efforts in Gaza. According to Arlett, Trump wants Israeli forces to pull back somewhat so Hamas has an opportunity to carry out commitments it has made.

Arlett said Hamas would be held accountable if it breaks those commitments, while the United States would maintain its commitment to Israel’s security and military assistance. He claimed Trump may be more credible than Netanyahu among Israel’s neighboring countries and said Trump’s Board of Peace is seeking an agreement. However, he said the central question remains whether Trump and Netanyahu can agree on a path toward their ultimate goal of peace in Gaza.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the government will create a supportive environment for honest and skilled officials in the revenue sector. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning, August 18, at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital while addressing the Revenue Conference 2026 as chief guest. He said the government’s objective is to move forward by taking everyone along.

The conference was jointly organised by the Internal Resources Division of the Finance Ministry and the National Board of Revenue. Senior officials of the National Board of Revenue and other relevant officials attended the event. The prime minister’s remarks highlighted the government’s stated commitment to supporting integrity and competence among revenue-sector officials.

The report did not specify any new programme, implementation process or timetable for creating the proposed supportive environment. It also did not provide further details of measures to be taken in the revenue sector. The event brought together senior NBR officials and related personnel under the joint initiative of the Internal Resources Division and the NBR.

At least 79 people were killed and 1,695 injured in political violence in Bangladesh during the first six months of the year, rights group Odhikar said in a report published on August 18. The group attributed most incidents to struggles for dominance, political retaliation, disputes over committee formation, extortion and the takeover of various establishments.

Odhikar presented its assessment of human rights conditions, political violence and institutional reform on Monday evening. It said 52 people were killed in mob lynching during the period. Electoral violence killed 13 people and injured another 1,081, according to the report. The organization said the situation had not improved after the elected government came to power.

The report said eight Bangladeshis were killed and five injured by Border Security Force gunfire in incidents along the India-Bangladesh border, while at least 27 people were pushed into Bangladesh. Seven people were victims of extrajudicial killings and 37 died in custody. It recorded 106 journalists facing attacks, cases, kidnapping threats or harassment, including 21 who were abducted. The report also said 367 women and children, including 223 children, were raped.

Iran targeted Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani with drone strikes, according to a report published on August 18, 2026. One drone crashed at his office and another at the home of Kurdistan’s intelligence chief. Kurdistan’s Counter Terrorism Directorate confirmed that no one was killed or injured in the incident.

In a post on X, Barzani said an investigation by Kurdistan’s counterterrorism unit found that Iranian drones had struck his private office and the intelligence chief’s residence. He described the attack as a “dangerous escalation” and said it threatened peace and stability in the Kurdistan Region.

The report said Iran has targeted Kurdistan several times since its war against the United States and Israel began in February. Iran feared Kurdish fighters could launch ground attacks into Iran from Kurdistan on behalf of the United States and Israel. The UAE condemned the strike, calling it a clear violation of the territorial integrity of Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan.

Bangladesh’s long-awaited ninth national pay scale for government employees has reached its final stage, with reports submitted by a secretary-level committee and a committee preparing recommendations for the Bangladesh Judicial Service Pay Commission. The new structure will be implemented after cabinet approval. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the government aims to put the pay scale into effect within the current year, while noting that further review and discussion are needed before final approval.

The planned rollout will take place in two stages. Basic salaries would be implemented first, followed by possible adjustments to house rent, medical, festival and other allowances. The secretary-level committee recommended increases of up to 100 percent in basic pay, reducing the Pay Commission’s earlier recommendation of increases between 100 and 140 percent. It also proposed comparatively larger pay increases for employees in lower grades.

The proposal would raise the minimum basic salary from Tk 8,250 to about Tk 17,000-20,000 and the top salary from Tk 78,000 to about Tk 160,000, although the figures could change during cabinet approval. The 2026-27 budget allocates Tk 89,836 crore for salaries and allowances and Tk 141,434 crore including pensions and gratuities. Judicial Service pay arrangements will also be coordinated in the decision.

A Jubo Dal union president has been accused of collecting money from residents for electricity pole installation in Islamapur and South Charpara villages of Mithaganj ইউনিয়ন, Kalapara upazila, Patuakhali. The report, published on August 18, said more than 50 customers alleged that they each paid Tk2,000 to Riaz Sikdar, the Mithaganj Union Jubo Dal president. More than 100 families in the two villages reportedly remain without electricity access.

Residents said pole installation began through a contractor under instructions from Patuakhali-4 lawmaker ABM Mosharraf Hossain. Complainants alleged that money was sought for transporting and installing poles, while another Tk2,000 was requested within a week for meter connections. Several residents said they raised the money by pawning nose ornaments, using farm advances, or cutting household expenses.

Sikdar denied collecting money from customers, though he acknowledged taking some funds for workers' meals. Subcontractor Sumon said money taken through Sikdar had been coordinated with the customers. Kalapara Palli Bidyut Samity DGM Sheikh Abdur Rahman said customers should not be charged for work being carried out under government arrangements and that legal action would follow if allegations of collection were received.

Bangladesh’s 11 education boards received more than 1.3 million applications for SSC and equivalent examination answer-script re-evaluation, creating a major operational challenge for the authorities. Applications were accepted from August 11 to 17, following results published on August 10. The boards are preparing additional staffing for the work, while Dhaka Education Board alone received about 400,000 applications, according to Inter-Education Board President and Dhaka Board Chairman Professor Syed Aktaruzzaman.

The SSC and equivalent pass rate this year was 62.25 percent across nine general boards and the madrasa and technical boards. Of 1,829,485 candidates, 1,138,877 passed and 690,608 failed. The number of GPA-5 recipients fell by 22,356 and was lower than in the previous five years. This year introduced answer-script re-evaluation, replacing the earlier review process that mainly checked tabulation sheets.

Education Minister Ehsanul Hoque Milon said re-evaluating every applicant’s script would be impossible and that a policy would be prepared to determine eligible scripts. Previous examiners and chief examiners will conduct the reviews, with marks added by computer code afterward. The process may take 15 to 20 days. Online applications cost 150 taka per paper.

A seventh-grade student opened fire inside a classroom at Antonio de Zamboanga High School in Zamboanga City, Philippines, on Tuesday morning, killing two people. City Mayor Khaimar Adan Olaso told DZMM radio that both victims were students at the school. The mayor said the student who fired the gun was among those killed.

Regional police spokesperson Shelami Cheng said security personnel were trying to cordon off the school, but provided no further details about the operation or the incident. Witnesses identified the site as Antonio de Zamboanga High School, while journalists at the scene also reported that the alleged shooter was a seventh-grade student.

Authorities have not said how the student obtained the weapon or how it was brought into the classroom. Police have also not provided information on the reason for the shooting or the student's possible motive. The regional police spokesperson said security forces were continuing efforts to surround the school.

Nearly 25,000 students took part in the written examination of a reading competition in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, on Monday as part of the ongoing book reading festival. Organised by the upazila administration under the slogan “Read books, build minds,” the event was inaugurated on July 21 at Sreemangal Government Girls’ High School. It aims to draw students away from mobile phone and internet addiction, build reading habits, and develop knowledge and intellectual capacity.

The festival is being held with coordination from Sreemangal Recitation Festival and reading support from Uttaran. About 25,000 students from 38 secondary-level and higher educational institutions in the upazila are participating. Students from secondary, higher secondary, postgraduate and open university levels are competing in four categories. Alongside prescribed titles, participants can read stories, novels and other types of books.

Based on the written test results, 10 participants will be selected for the second stage, from whom the best three will advance to the final round. Fourteen books have been selected for students at different academic levels. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ziaur Rahman has visited 15 educational institutions and held several meetings with journalists, civil society members and other stakeholders to support the festival.

Meta is set to face a jury trial over allegations brought by 30 US states that it harmed children’s mental health and violated their privacy. Proceedings are due to begin in a California federal court before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. The lawsuit alleges that the technology company violated federal and state child-protection laws through its Facebook and Instagram operations.

The plaintiffs are seeking more than $1 trillion in damages and major changes to how Facebook and Instagram operate. The states allege that Meta’s algorithms and platform design keep children and teenagers on its apps for long periods and foster addiction. Their proposed changes include ending like counts, disabling infinite scrolling and automatic video playback, and removing filters that create unrealistic images.

Other demands include preventing minors from opening multiple accounts, eliminating features that disappear after a set time such as Instagram Stories, and requiring parental verification for children’s accounts. Meta has denied the allegations, saying it has long worked on safety and support for younger users and will present its position in court. A New Mexico court has already fined Meta $942 million in a child-safety case.

Disney has released the first footage from “Frozen 3,” the third installment of the popular animated franchise, with a theatrical release planned for November 24, 2027. The preview was shown recently at Disney’s D23 fan event, attended by Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, the voices of Anna and Elsa. Bell said the two sisters will embark on the biggest adventure of their lives in the new film.

A central attraction of the story will be the long-awaited royal wedding of Anna and Kristoff, bringing a festive atmosphere to Arendelle. The footage also hints at the possibility of romance in Olaf’s life. But the celebration is disrupted when a mysterious new character appears on the way to the wedding in a snow-covered, rugged mountain area.

The character tells the sisters, “The two sisters of Arendelle, at last we meet,” signaling a new conflict. Menzel, Bell, Josh Gad and Jonathan Groff return as Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff. The film was initially planned for release in 2026 but was delayed by a year. Gad said the filmmakers do not want to rush and aim to preserve the story and emotion of the first two films.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will not withdraw its forces from Gaza until Hamas fully disarms, and that military operations there will continue. He restated the position during a three-hour meeting in Israel on August 18 with Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and special envoy. An Israeli official said the meeting produced no agreement.

A day earlier, Kushner met Hamas political chief Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt. Hamas demanded that Israel withdraw from roughly 60 percent of Gaza under Israeli control before implementation of any agreement. Hamas said it accepts the US-backed 15-point roadmap, including disarmament, but said implementation requires all parties to agree to it.

Netanyahu’s office said the sides agreed to create two working groups on demilitarising Gaza and ending its militarisation. Netanyahu also requested the appointment of a US general to oversee Hamas weapons handovers. Officials from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey attended the talks. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and several other countries condemned Israel’s rejection of the roadmap and called for immediate, specific steps to prevent obstruction of the agreement.