Bangladesh’s mass typhoid vaccination program for children and adolescents has been delayed due to health assistants’ strikes. Initially scheduled to begin on September 1, the campaign will now start on October 12.
The program will run for 18 working days: the first 10 in schools and the following eight at vaccination centers for out-of-school children. Around 50 million children aged 9 months to 15 years 11 months will receive the injectable single-dose vaccine, which provides 3–7 years of protection.

Fresh intelligence reports have revealed explosive claims about the publication of The Unfinished Memoirs, attributed to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and released in 2012.

According to the findings, the book was in fact compiled by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) and later ambassador Javed Patwary, who was promoted to IGP in return. A total of 123 individuals allegedly assisted in the project, each receiving one crore taka and an apartment in Dhaka.

The revelations raise questions about the authenticity of the publication, long championed by Sheikh Hasina as an authoritative source on Mujib’s life. The documents related to the compilation have reportedly been destroyed, sparking calls for investigation.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reportedly directed diplomats to remove President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s portraits from all embassies, consulates, and diplomatic residences abroad.

Unlike standard practice, the order was not issued through formal letters or emails but communicated via telephone to select ambassadors, who were then asked to inform other missions. While some diplomats confirmed receiving the directive, others said they had not yet been officially notified.

One diplomat revealed that instructions were relayed indirectly through another nearby mission.

Filmmaker and adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, who fell ill while attending a ministry workshop in Cox’s Bazar, has been brought to Dhaka for treatment. His wife, actress Nusrat Imroz Tisha, confirmed he is currently out of danger.
Tisha said: “Farooki suddenly became unwell during the workshop. He is now under hospital care, and doctors have said he is stable. Please keep him in your prayers.”
Earlier, Cox’s Bazar Civil Surgeon Dr. Mohammadul Haque stated that food poisoning had caused dehydration, which led to his condition worsening. He was flown back to Dhaka around 9:30 p.m. on an Air Force medical aircraft.

Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) has strongly condemned recent remarks by Adviser Asif Nazrul regarding “unnecessary medical tests and treatments” in private hospitals, terming his comments “derogatory” and “disrespectful.”

In a statement, DAB leaders urged Asif Nazrul to reconsider his words and either clarify or issue a public apology in the interest of transparency. They argued that such remarks undermine the dedication, hard work, and sacrifices of physicians, and could erode public trust in healthcare services.

The association highlighted that despite inadequate salaries and allowances, doctors across Bangladesh continue to serve tirelessly. While acknowledging that constructive criticism is a hallmark of democracy, DAB emphasized that such critiques must be fact-based and respectful.

“Casting aspersions on the entire medical community dishonors thousands of honest and devoted doctors, damages the doctor-patient relationship, and discourages future generations from entering the profession,” the statement read.

China’s Director of Political Affairs, Zhong Jing, has said that work on the long-awaited Teesta Mega Project may begin as early as January 2026, provided all preparations stay on track.
A Chinese delegation recently met with political leaders, organizations, and Teesta basin residents.
The Tk 12,000 crore project will span 10 years, focusing in the first phase on irrigation, erosion control, and permanent embankments. Officials say it will bring relief to nearly 20 million people and shield northern Bangladesh from India’s “unjust water policies.”
Currently, annual floods and river erosion cost residents of five northern districts more than Tk 100,000 crore in damages.

Two suspects arrested in the killing of businessman Rahat Hossain Rabbi (31) have confessed that the murder stemmed from a turf war over dominance inside the “360 Degree Shisha Lounge” in Banani.
RAB reported that Rabbi had long-standing disputes with the accused over control of the lounge. The suspects were arrested in Cumilla and placed on remand by a Dhaka court.
Police have confirmed that the accused are linked to the notorious Patali Group, with extensive criminal networks in Mohammadpur.

Azizur Rahman, a rickshaw puller who was beaten while paying respects at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s memorial in Dhanmondi 32, has been shown arrested by police in an attempted murder case.
The case, filed on April 2 at Dhanmondi Police Station, relates to an August 4 shooting incident in Dhaka’s Science Lab area. Following his arrest, Azizur was sent to jail by court order.
Before being detained, Azizur said: “I don’t belong to any political party. I only came because I love Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I did not come for Sheikh Hasina or the Awami League. I brought flowers bought with my own hard-earned money.”

Prominent filmmaker and government adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki suddenly fell ill during his stay in Cox’s Bazar and was flown to Dhaka by helicopter on Saturday night.
According to Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Salahuddin, the helicopter carrying Farooki departed the coastal city around 10:40 p.m. Family sources said he had been suffering from abdominal pain since the afternoon, for which specialists provided initial treatment. Later, on the family’s decision, he was shifted to Dhaka for advanced care.
Farooki had arrived in Cox’s Bazar on Friday afternoon on a private flight to attend several government programs scheduled until Tuesday.

A massive explosion at a gunpowder and ammunition factory outside Moscow has killed at least 11 people and injured around 130, Russian authorities reported. Images shared on social media show severe damage and debris at the site. Emergency services are working to clear rubble and rescue the injured. The blast occurred in Ryazan region, where a similar explosion in 2021 claimed 17 lives. Regional authorities have ordered national flags at half-mast to mourn the victims.

Islamic Foundation’s Director General, A. Salam Khan, has dismissed as “entirely false” the BNP’s claim that employees were told their jobs depended on becoming members of a particular organization.
Khan, a senior district judge and respected Islamic scholar, insisted he never made such statements, suggesting BNP leader Kabir Rizvi was misinformed.
The Foundation condemned the allegations as “malicious and politically motivated.”

During the previous Awami League government, large numbers of foreigners illegally settled in Bangladesh, with Indians forming the majority. Currently, 5,000 of the 7,000 illegal residents are Indian, while 13,500 of 80,000 legally residing foreigners are Indian nationals.

Many work in power plants, garment factories, IT, infrastructure, and education. Authorities have collected nearly BDT 40 crore in fines from foreign nationals over the past seven months. Most illegal residents arrived on on-arrival or tourist visas and are under continuous police monitoring.

Professor Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor to Bernama, stated that Malaysia’s experience as ASEAN chair could help resolve the Rohingya crisis. He highlighted Malaysia’s leadership in refugee support and expressed hope for regional cooperation.

Yunus also noted that ongoing conflicts in Rakhine State continue to push Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh, adding approximately 150,000 newcomers in the past 18 months, bringing the total to around 1.2 million. Funding cuts from the U.S. have increased pressure on Bangladesh’s resources. Three major conferences are planned this year: in Cox’s Bazar in late August, during the UN General Assembly in September, and in Doha, Qatar, at year-end.

In Begumganj, Noakhali, migrant worker Md. Salauddin, also known as Ridan (32), was brutally attacked by drug traffickers for refusing to pay extortion. His left wrist was severed, and attackers stole BDT 500,000, a motorcycle, and a mobile phone.

Police visited the scene and collected video evidence. The victim’s family confirmed prior disputes over property sales had prompted the assault. Legal action will be taken upon formal complaint.

A female statistics student at Rajshahi University has accused Dr. Prabhas Kumar Karmakar of sexual harassment after being summoned to his chamber. The victim’s mother filed a written complaint on August 13.

A departmental committee is investigating the matter. Dr. Karmakar, a former Public Relations Department administrator and president of the Bangabandhu Education and Research Council, has been suspended from all academic duties. The student is reported to be traumatized and receiving psychological care.