Nepali Muslim Sheikh Rahemullah, who was filmed confronting a group of unruly people to prevent an attack on a mosque in Nepal’s Rautahat district, has been honored with an Umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred in late January, when he was seen standing on one leg with crutches and a stick. After the footage spread on social media, Saudi activists and social media workers sought to identify him.

Rahemullah, a 32-year-old resident of Rampur, arrived in Saudi Arabia on August 5 with his parents to perform Umrah in Mecca. Saudi donors and organizers sponsored the trip in recognition of his stance in defense of the mosque. During their stay, Saudi citizens and local residents welcomed him with gifts and hospitality, the report said.

The Badar Association has also taken responsibility for providing a prosthetic limb for Rahemullah’s missing leg. Kerala-based Muslim content creator Mohammed Rafi met Rahemullah and his family in Saudi Arabia and accompanied them during the visit. Rahemullah and his family left Saudi Arabia for Nepal on August 14, carrying memories of Mecca and Medina and gratitude toward the donors and others involved.

Two ships collided at the Alpha anchorage in the outer area of Chattogram Port around 12:30am on August 15, prompting authorities to begin assessing their condition and possible damage. The Liberia-flagged bulk carrier MV Anasa struck the Bangladeshi-flagged MV Jahab Jahan, which was anchored after unloading cargo.

Port authorities said MV Anasa arrived at Chattogram Port on August 12 carrying 35,350 tonnes of slag. MV Jahab Jahan, owned by SR Shipping of local company KSRM Group, was anchored at Alpha anchorage. Anasa was operating with local navigation and pilotage assistance when its forward section made slight contact with the forward section of Jahab Jahan.

After the incident, both vessels moved to safe distances and anchored. Port Secretary and spokesperson Syed Refayet Hamim said tugboats Kandari-8 and BLV Lusai were at the scene to assist. He said there were no casualties, water ingress or environmental pollution, all 21 crew members were safe, and vessel movement remained normal. A full damage picture will follow investigation and assessment. Another collision occurred at the outer anchorage the previous day.

Two vessels lightly collided at Chattogram Port’s Alpha Anchorage after a strong current affected a bulk carrier entering the area, port authorities said. The incident occurred around 12:35am on Saturday night, when MV Anassa struck the front section of the anchored MV Jahab Jahan. Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim confirmed the incident on Sunday afternoon.

No one was injured, and all 21 crew members aboard MV Anassa were safe, according to the authority. The bulk carrier was transporting slag. Authorities said neither vessel took on water and that the collision caused no environmental pollution.

The two vessels separated safely and re-anchored immediately after the incident, while vessel movement at the port remained normal, Hamim said. The collision followed a separate incident on Friday involving the diesel-carrying tanker MT Sea Spike and an anchored bulk carrier. That tanker’s engine room cracked and took in water, causing a temporary power disruption, but its cargo tank remained intact and no oil spilled into the water.

Severe river erosion in the Sandwip Channel in Chattogram has exposed two submarine cables that supply electricity from the national grid to Sandwip. A report published on August 16 said about 50 feet of the cables become visible at low tide. The affected site is about 1.5 kilometres from the landing station in Ward 5 of Bauria ইউনিয়ন, and the condition has persisted for three months. Failure of the cables could leave the island upazila's roughly 450,000 residents without power for an extended period.

The Water Development Board placed geobags in June to prevent erosion, but they did not hold, and stronger tides exposed more of the cables. Electricity has been supplied to Sandwip through the cables since 2018. The cables have a 50-megawatt capacity and a stated 50-year service life, while 10 megawatts are currently being supplied initially. The Bangladesh Power Development Board has not yet conducted a risk assessment and is awaiting specialists from Chinese contractor Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology Co. Ltd., or ZTT.

Chief Engineer Kamal Uddin Ahmed said work was being coordinated among three parties, including the Water Development Board and the foreign contractor, but the contractor had not yet visited. The Institute of Water Modelling said BPDB had not contacted it and that changing local conditions should be assessed. It recommended regular monitoring of the cable's entire length.

A sailor has gone missing after falling into the water from a cargo ship at the outer anchorage of Chattogram port. The incident occurred at about 12:15pm on Sunday, according to the report. Initial information indicated that the sailor fell overboard accidentally and could not be located.

Relevant authorities have launched a search operation to find the missing sailor. Two Bangladesh Navy vessels and one boat from SWADS have joined the rescue effort. Search teams are conducting operations at sea in an effort to locate and recover the sailor.

Immediate details were not available on which cargo ship the sailor fell from. The identity of the missing sailor was also not disclosed. The report said the search operation was continuing, without providing any further update on whether the sailor had been found.

National University will establish a subject-based pool of part-time teachers to reduce staffing shortages at colleges across the country. The pool will include qualified, experienced retired teachers and specialists skilled in relevant subjects. The decision and related policy were approved at the university’s 103rd Academic Council meeting on Saturday at its main campus in Gazipur, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A S M Amanullah.

The council also decided to allow students who failed one or more subjects in bachelor’s honours courses from the 2013-14 to 2017-18 academic sessions another examination opportunity under special consideration. It approved the university’s mission, vision, goals and objectives after 34 years. Syllabuses and regulations were approved for Applied ICT courses for second-year bachelor’s pass and honours students and Functional English courses for first-year students.

The meeting approved adding freelancing, culinary science and human resource management to skill-based PGD programmes. It also made a policy decision to treat three-year degree pass and one-year master’s preliminary certificates as equivalent to four-year degrees, with a high-level committee to contact relevant government offices for final approval.

Two foreign commercial vessels collided at Chattogram port’s outer anchorage at about 2 pm on Friday. The Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Sunshine, carrying 52,000 tonnes of wheat for a private importer, was anchored when the Sea Spike tanker struck it while moving to anchor. Sea Spike was carrying 33,000 tonnes of gas oil, or diesel, for the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation.

The collision damaged part of Sunshine’s hull, and water began entering its engine room. Port pilots, the rescue tug Kandari-8 and a Coast Guard rescue team were sent to the site. They were working to pump water from the vessel and bring the situation under control.

Port Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim said a powerful port tugboat, Bangladesh Navy personnel and Coast Guard teams had been deployed, with necessary measures underway. Questions were raised over the use of a hired bay pilot rather than a port pilot for Sea Spike, but its local agent Pride Shipping denied wrongdoing, saying port pilots are not mandatory for vessels at the outer anchorage. The cause of the accident and the extent of damage to both vessels were not immediately confirmed and are being examined.

University Grants Commission member Professor Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun said the government is planning to update university curricula in line with the needs of industrial and commercial institutions. Speaking on August 14 at a workshop organised by Rabindra University, Bangladesh, he said the measures aim to strengthen industry-academia links, improve student skills, expand employment opportunities and reduce unemployment.

Mamun said the government is working to create internship and placement opportunities for students and to involve experienced industry professionals in classrooms as resource persons. He said these steps would help students gain practical workplace experience and directly understand industrial work, technology and market demand. He added that 12 universities have already taken steps to strengthen industry-academia relations, with Rabindra University participating in the effort.

He also said the government is working to make university research and innovation suitable for industrial and commercial use. At a separate event, he mentioned initiatives for a Tk500 crore startup fund, Tk800 crore for creative sectors and training for 500,000 students. Rabindra University signed memorandums of understanding with owners and representatives of 10 local industrial establishments.

The Russian House in Bangladesh has expressed interest in working with the National University to improve higher education, expand skills-based learning, research and technical cooperation. Russian House director Alexandra Khlevnoy met National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A S M Amanullah at the university’s city office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, on August 13. The discussion also addressed new academic cooperation opportunities for students and teachers.

Both sides discussed creating new areas of mutual cooperation, including skills-based education, research activities and future technical collaboration. Amanullah said effective partnerships with universities and educational institutions internationally could create new opportunities for students and teachers. He said Russia could support Bangladesh in skills-based and technical education at the higher education level, while stressing broader cooperation to improve education and research quality.

Khlevnoy expressed interest in engaging with the National University’s education and research activities and emphasized stronger Bangladesh-Russia educational and cultural ties. The parties voiced optimism about identifying areas of shared interest and taking effective initiatives. Discussions included expanding international networks in technical education and research, exchanging academic experience, and creating international opportunities for students. Officials from the Russian Embassy, Russian House and National University attended the meeting.

Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have signed a new aviation memorandum that raises the approved number of weekly passenger flights between the two countries from 49 to 84. Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq announced the details during a media meeting at the CAAB headquarters on August 13. The agreement also permits 21 weekly cargo flights and includes fifth freedom traffic rights, code-sharing, co-terminalization and aircraft leasing opportunities.

The chairman said designated airlines from both countries can operate up to 84 passenger flights a week, creating capacity for 35 additional weekly services. He said the arrangement would help address passenger pressure and seat shortages during the Hajj season and benefit Umrah travelers. About 4 million Bangladeshis living and working in Saudi Arabia would also gain greater travel options. Increased airline competition could give passengers access to comparatively lower fares.

The memorandum allows expanded Saudi connections from Chattogram and Sylhet alongside Dhaka. Weekly cargo services could speed exports including garments, fresh vegetables and fruit. Designated Bangladeshi airlines may operate cargo services via Saudi Arabia to specified destinations including Spain and Germany.

CNG-powered autorickshaw drivers blocked the Jamalpur-Tangail highway on Thursday, August 13, demanding a new gas station and a permanent solution to the ongoing gas shortage in Jamalpur. The protest began at 6am and caused long queues of vehicles on both sides of the highway, disrupting passengers and other drivers.

Drivers said Jamalpur has only one gas station, Javed Filling Station, supplying fuel to autorickshaws. About 3,000 CNG vehicles are registered with the BRTA, while the total number operating in the district, including vehicles arriving from outside, is about 5,000. They said the mismatch forces drivers to wait in long lines daily, yet fuel is often unavailable.

Driver Zainal Abedin said he had waited in line since 2am before learning there was no gas, describing the problem as recurring. He said drivers were compelled to block the road because of shortages and prolonged waits. Jamalpur Sadar police station officer-in-charge Nazmus Sakib said police were speaking with the protesters and trying to persuade them to restore normal traffic movement.

The Sylhet-Golapganj-Bianibazar-Jakiganj regional highway has developed numerous potholes after asphalt and stones came off at several points, causing mounting hardship for travelers. Rainwater and mud collect in the holes, obscuring their depth, while heavy vehicles frequently break down and create long traffic jams. The roughly four-kilometre stretch from the Fulbari Union Parishad office to Golapganj Sadar is described as the most vulnerable and accident-prone section.

Residents say prolonged deterioration and the movement of overloaded vehicles have left parts of the road uneven, with some sections raised and others sunken. Trucks carrying Indian stone via Sutarkandi land port also use the route, they said. Vehicles often move along one side to avoid potholes, increasing the risk of head-on crashes. On July 13, a CNG-run autorickshaw and pickup van collided in Fulbari, killing Akhddch Ali and seriously injuring his wife and two children.

Roads and Highways Department brick soling repairs have not lasted because rain and heavy traffic quickly damage or displace them. Businessman Oliur Rahman cited a January 30 fatality involving motorcyclist Shanaz Ahmad near Golapganj MC Academy. Sub-divisional engineer Mohammad Iqbal Ahmed said routine maintenance is under way and emergency repairs are being included in estimates. He said the Sylhet-Sheola project contract has been signed and the contractor will begin work soon.

Students from the 2021-22 academic session at seven colleges demanded their prompt inclusion in Dhaka Central University, or DCU, citing protection of their future and rights. They made the demand at a press conference held on Wednesday, August 12, in front of the Shaheed Minar at Dhaka College. The students said DCU was established to ensure the quality of higher education for running students from the 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 sessions affiliated with Dhaka University.

They referred to information published on July 25 saying the Education Ministry was positively considering migration of students registered under Dhaka University in those three academic years to relevant DCU academic programmes. Titumir College student M A Manik said students had campaigned for a university for a long time but the 2021-22 cohort had not yet received a solution. He called for a rapid roadmap and inclusion without delay.

Dhaka College student Md Hossain alleged that students had faced discrimination under Dhaka University for four years, including the addition of the word “affiliated” to certificates. He said campuses, classrooms, teachers, a vice-chancellor and administrative structures were ready. After the conference, students announced a protest march and press conference the following day over an attack on Titumir College students, warning of programmes towards the Education Building or ministry if no resolution emerged.

Dhaka Central University has decided to collect written opinions from students of seven government colleges affiliated with Dhaka University on migration to corresponding academic programmes at the new university. The decision covers students in the 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic sessions. A press release signed by Registrar Md Shahidur Rahman announced the move on August 12.

The authority said differing views and reactions had emerged among affected students over the proposed migration. It will gather opinions from August 16 to August 20 to understand students’ expectations and make a final decision through what it described as a transparent and participatory process.

Students must submit their views at their respective college principals’ offices within the specified period using a prescribed form. The form asks for a student’s name, department, registration number and college information, and asks whether the student agrees to transfer from Dhaka University to the relevant Dhaka Central University programme. Students may select yes or no. The authority said it will review submissions and decide based on the view of the majority.

The Private Teachers Alliance has formed a partial central convening committee for the next three months, according to a report published on August 13, 2026. Principal Md. Abdur Rahman Rizvi was named convener, while Md. Al Amin was appointed senior joint convener. Md. Sirajul Islam received the role of member secretary, and Sabrina Siddika was named senior joint member secretary.

The committee includes several joint conveners, including Md. Bakul Imam, Md. Hashim Reza, Md. Fazlur Rahman, Tahnia Tasnin and Soheli Rani. Marjana Akhtar, Imrat Jahan, Wahida Sultana and Mohammad Ali are among those appointed joint member secretaries. Md. Saddam Hossain Jibon was made organisational secretary, with separate organisational secretaries assigned for different divisions.

The body also includes secretaries for college, school, madrasa and technical affairs. SM Mostak Ahmed was appointed college affairs secretary, Head Teacher Md. Moslem Uddin school affairs secretary, Dr. Mohammad Ahmadullah madrasa affairs secretary, and Principal Md. Bahauddin Bahar technical affairs secretary. Gazi Mohammad Habib was named office secretary and Shovon Mohammad finance affairs secretary.