State Minister for Health Dr. M A Muhit said the ready Health Management Institute in Savar will be launched quickly to improve management skills among health administrators at upazila and district levels. He also instructed the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, or NIPSOM, to provide management training to field-level health officials during the interim period before the institute receives its institutional form. He spoke on Tuesday at NIPSOM’s auditorium in Mohakhali at an event releasing results from research activities conducted under the 2025-26 revenue budget.

Muhit said the government has placed its greatest emphasis on primary healthcare and reaching marginalised people through the public health system. Calling upazila health complexes the foundation for solving problems across the health system, he said all 30-bed and 50-bed upazila health complexes in Bangladesh would be converted into 101-bed facilities.

He described health services at upazila and union levels as being in poor condition because of inadequate investment, failures to develop and deploy appropriate personnel, and neglect of supply and logistics. Praising NIPSOM research for its objectivity, he urged use of field-level data for local health planning at upazila level and suggested mentoring selected medical students for three to six months to encourage research.

Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain said canal restoration and regular maintenance are being given the highest priority to reduce waterlogging, preserve environmental balance and ensure sustainable urban management. He made the remarks while inspecting Chaktai Canal in the city on Tuesday, August 4. The mayor said keeping the canals’ water flow active is among the corporation’s key commitments.

Shahadat said ensuring the natural flow of canals is essential to transform Chattogram into a clean, safe and waterlogging-free city. He described canals as more than drainage routes, saying they are also an important part of the city’s environmental balance. He called for uninterrupted canal restoration, routine cleaning and development work.

The mayor said progress in ongoing excavation and cleaning at Rasulbagh, or Chaktai, Canal was satisfactory. He added that every project funded by public money must ensure transparency, accountability and quality. Chattogram-9 lawmaker Abu Sufian and City Corporation Chief Cleanliness Officer Captain Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury were present during the inspection.

Police in Chandpur have submitted a charge sheet against 378 people in a case filed over alleged attacks, vandalism and explosives offences linked to the student-public movement of July and August 2024. The charge sheet was recently filed in court in connection with a case registered at Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station. Officer-in-charge Fayez Ahmed confirmed the filing on Tuesday afternoon.

Police said this was the first charge sheet submitted in cases filed in Chandpur over the movement. The original complaint named 350 people and listed another 250 as unidentified accused. Investigating officer Sub-Inspector Md Nurul Alam said 378 people were included after verification and investigation.

Investigators excluded 52 named people for lack of involvement, 13 whose full addresses were unavailable, and 10 suspected accused. Twenty names were removed because they appeared more than once in the complaint, while three named accused had died. Those charged include former social welfare minister Dr Dipu Moni, Dr J R Wadud Tipu, former minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Dr Selim Mahmud and Advocate Nurul Amin Ruhul. The regular court date is August 23.

Bangladesh Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid met Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh H. E. Mohammad Shuhada Osman at the Secretariat on Tuesday. They discussed strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in fisheries, livestock and agriculture, including trade, investment, technology transfer and joint initiatives.

The talks emphasized halal meat export prospects, ensuring international standards for animal products, technology and knowledge exchange, research cooperation, skills development and increased investment. Export potential for Bangladesh’s Black Bengal goats to Malaysia received particular attention, alongside possible exports of fish, meat, milk and other animal products.

The two sides exchanged views on animal health certificates, halal certification, quarantine arrangements, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and stronger cooperation between relevant agencies to expand markets. The minister sought Malaysian experience and technical assistance to improve Bangladesh’s capacity in the international halal meat market. The high commissioner praised Bangladesh’s progress in agriculture and livestock and expressed Malaysia’s interest in expanding trade in promising agricultural and animal products.

The Burichong উপজেলা administration has formed a nine-member conservation committee to protect a migratory bird habitat in Kishore Nagar village, Cumilla. The initiative was announced after উপজেলা নির্বাহী কর্মকর্তা Md Tanvir Hossain visited the site on Monday afternoon and met local residents, landowners, representatives and community figures. The administration said it aims to ensure safe movement for the birds and protect the natural environment.

The habitat spans about three acres of bamboo groves, ponds and trees of various species owned by four families. It hosts five to six species of migratory birds each year, with the birds staying for around three to four months from Jyaishtha to Shraban. The meeting noted that hunting is not common locally, though some people occasionally try to catch birds.

Engineer Tofazzal was named convener and the উপজেলা forest officer member secretary of the committee. Plans include installing warning signs, using fencing or barbed wire in vulnerable areas where necessary, and planting more trees. The administration also plans awareness activities involving local people. Residents welcomed the effort, while Hossain said the administration would take necessary measures with public cooperation.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam called on residents to act responsibly in building a clean, environmentally friendly and livable Dhaka. He spoke on August 3 at a RAJUK-organized consultation at Gulshan Society Park in the capital, involving society members from Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Niketan on sewage management.

Shah Alam said activities were under way to improve greening, cleanliness and modern urban management in Dhaka under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He said active public participation was vital alongside government agencies for those initiatives to succeed. The minister said the government would seriously consider problems and suggestions raised by society representatives and take steps toward practical and sustainable solutions, while seeking patience and cooperation.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher assured participants that sewerage networks in the four areas would be connected in phases by pipeline to the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant. Representatives raised issues concerning sewage management, environmental protection and other civic services during an open discussion. Five private companies also gave brief presentations on sewage treatment plant technology and modern sewage management.

The 11-party alliance plans nationwide sit-in demonstrations on Thursday to protest oil and gas shortages, alleged ghost electricity bills, deteriorating law and order, and steep rises in essential commodity prices. In all metropolitan areas and districts, the alliance will hold demonstrations outside district administration offices and submit memorandums to the prime minister.

In Dhaka, the alliance will stage a sit-in at Muktangan at 11 a.m. on the same day before proceeding toward the Secretariat of the relevant ministry. The program was announced following a meeting of senior leaders of the 11-party alliance on Monday.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar called on people across the country to implement the announced program. He made the appeal in a statement sent to the media on Tuesday. Hamidur Rahman Azad, the alliance coordinator and Jamaat assistant secretary general, informed the media about the statement.

Bangladesh Railway has formed a five-member inquiry committee after a coach of the Silkcity Express derailed near Shaheed M Mansur Ali station in Sirajganj. The train was travelling from Rajshahi to Dhaka on Tuesday morning when a wheel of its j coach came off at about 11:15am on the Dhaka-Ishwardi route, causing the derailment.

Western Railway’s Pakshi divisional manager Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal will lead the committee, which has been asked to submit its report within seven working days. Western Railway manager Farid Ahmmed confirmed the development. The report said passengers pulled the train’s emergency chain to stop it, helping avert a major accident.

A rescue train arrived from Ishwardi at 2:45pm and began recovery work. The derailed train was removed at about 3:30pm, but rail services had not resumed when the report was filed. Ahmmed said the line must be repaired before operations can restart and could not say when services would resume. Passenger Arifa Khatun said she waited at the station for about five and a half hours.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for increased Saudi investment in Bangladesh, with particular emphasis on the solar power sector. He made the appeal during a courtesy meeting with Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Engineer Waleed El-Khereiji at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday. Rahman said Bangladesh has created a favourable investment environment and is implementing extensive programmes to expand the use of clean energy.

The prime minister said investment by Saudi companies in clean energy would benefit both countries. Both sides agreed to take Bangladesh-Saudi bilateral relations to new heights. El-Khereiji described Bangladesh’s current investment environment as positive under Rahman’s leadership and said Saudi Arabia was sincerely interested in strengthening relations and expanding cooperation and investment in promising sectors.

The Saudi deputy foreign minister said Saudi Arabia was interested in investing in processed food, seafood, tropical food, agro-based industries, information technology, artificial intelligence and renewable energy. He also praised the important contribution of Bangladeshi workers to Saudi development. El-Khereiji invited Rahman to visit Saudi Arabia, and the prime minister thanked him and expressed hope of making the trip at a convenient time.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said coordinated action by ministries, agencies and local government institutions is needed for sustainable pollution control, effective waste management and environmental protection. He made the remarks while chairing a ministerial discussion on waste management, water pollution and other pollution controls at the Local Government Division’s meeting room in the Secretariat on Tuesday.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu and State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam attended the meeting. Alamgir described environmental pollution as one of the country’s major challenges, citing urbanisation, unplanned waste management, dumping waste into rivers and water bodies, and the use of single-use plastics and polythene as growing pressures on the environment. He said the problems require planned, integrated measures rather than isolated initiatives.

The minister said government action alone would not be sufficient, stressing public awareness and environmentally friendly behaviour. He called for measures to reduce harmful polythene bags and expand use of environmentally friendly alternatives. Participants discussed water pollution, solid-waste management, pollution control, river conservation and polythene regulation, while speakers emphasised stronger inter-ministerial coordination.

Bhairab municipal executive officer Md Faruk Hossain has alleged that a courier parcel containing burial cloth, rose water, incense sticks and a threatening note was sent to him. The parcel was delivered on July 19 through SA Paribahan to Fatan Homeo Clinic in Madhyapara, Brahmanbaria town, an address owned by his wife. It listed Haridas, Ashuganj, and a mobile number as sender.

Hossain's son, Muntasir Mahmud Eshan, received the package while his father was occupied with official work. Inside were one yard of white burial cloth, a bottle of rose water, a packet of incense and a note ordering Hossain to leave Bhairab within one month or face a severe consequence. Concerned about security, Hossain filed a general diary at Bhairab police station and informed municipal and upazila authorities.

Three master-roll municipal employees—computer operators Al-Mamun and Al-Amin, and librarian Rakib Mia—have been accused of involvement. Sources claimed they admitted involvement during questioning by two senior municipal officials and have since been absent from work. Hossain linked his suspicion to employee lawsuits seeking job regularisation. Upazila executive officer and municipal administrator K. M. Mamunur Rashid said administrative and legal action would be taken.

Police recovered the bodies of three members of one family from their home in West Chanderkola village, Raripara Union, in Kachua upazila of Bagerhat on Tuesday morning. The dead were identified as Monira Begum, 55, wife of the late Abdar Ali Howlader; their son Ahad Howlader, 22; and Monira Begum’s mother, Rashida Begum, 85.

Police and local sources said several neighbouring women saw Rashida Begum’s body on the house veranda at about 1pm on Tuesday. After calling for family members, they entered the home and found the bodies of Monira Begum and Ahad Howlader inside. Police later arrived and recovered the bodies. Police and representatives of the Police Bureau of Investigation were at the scene.

Kachua police station officer-in-charge Harun Or Rashid said there were injury marks on the victims’ heads, leading police to initially suspect murder. He said the incident may have occurred two to three days earlier and had not been noticed because few people visited the house. Preparations were under way to send the bodies for autopsies to determine the exact cause of death, while police began investigating the case and seeking to identify those involved.

The government has reconstituted a 17-member National Civil Aviation Security Committee to raise airport security across the country to international standards, improve coordination among agencies and ensure overall civil aviation safety. According to a Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism notification, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita will chair the committee. The state minister will serve as vice-chair, while a Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh security member will be member secretary.

The committee includes representatives of major intelligence agencies, ministries and the armed forces. Its first meeting is scheduled for next Thursday at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh headquarters. The notification says the body will analyze intelligence information, recommend technological upgrades and strategic measures, and strengthen aviation security against potential threats.

Its duties include ensuring security infrastructure in new airport construction, following International Civil Aviation Organization standards, adding modern equipment and reviewing existing security policies. The committee may include expert members and form subcommittees when necessary. The chair is required to convene meetings at least twice a year, according to the notification.

The Chattogram Education Board has released a new timetable for postponed 2026 HSC and equivalent examinations, which were suspended because of adverse weather and heavy rainfall. The schedule was published on Tuesday. Exams for the postponed subjects will begin on August 20 with compulsory English second paper and conclude on September 9.

The revised routine includes examinations in information and communication technology, physics, chemistry, biology, higher mathematics, accounting, history, geography, Islamic history and culture, production management and marketing, Arabic and agricultural education, among other subjects. Arabic, agricultural education, home management and family life education examinations are scheduled for September 9.

Controller of Examinations Professor Dr Parvez Sazzad Chowdhury said practical examinations will be held from August 9 to August 18. The board authorities may change the timetable if necessary. Candidates have been asked to take their seats in their designated examination rooms at least 30 minutes before the start of each exam and to follow all instructions set by the board.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to prepare a complete, accurate and transparent list of farmers across the country by December. He issued the instruction at a farmer card-related meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Secretariat on Tuesday, according to Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. The list is to be compiled through verification and scrutiny to safeguard farmers’ rights.

The prime minister said farmer cards, carrying photographs and QR codes, should store information on each farmer’s identity, agricultural production, government assistance and agricultural markets. He instructed officials to design the cards with these requirements in mind. The meeting was told that work to open bank accounts for farmers has already begun.

The farmer card programme was introduced to help subsidies, easy-term loans, incentives and other government benefits reach genuine farmers quickly and easily. After necessary preparations are completed, cards will be distributed to farmers in phases. The scheme is set to benefit 4.3 million farmers in the current fiscal year, with plans to bring about 20 million farmers under the programme within the next three years.