Health Minister Sakhawat Hossain informed the National Parliament on Wednesday that 9,407 of the 41,806 approved doctor positions in Bangladesh’s government hospitals remain vacant. He also said 5,032 nursing posts and 8,784 other health staff positions are unfilled. The information was provided in response to questions from lawmakers during a parliamentary question session presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister detailed that at upazila health complexes, 5,782 doctor posts are vacant out of 13,211, while 1,663 nursing posts and 1,066 other staff positions remain open. At union sub-health centers, 670 doctor posts and 466 midwife posts are vacant. Across the country, 14,460 community clinics are currently operational, each receiving an annual medicine supply worth 247,900 taka.

Hossain also warned that poultry and fish feed made from tannery waste pose serious health risks, including cancer and liver disease, due to toxic chromium compounds. He said the government has relocated tanneries from Hazaribagh to Savar’s leather industrial park to reduce public health hazards.

A journalist in Pabna’s Bhangura upazila has been sued for alleged extortion after publishing a report about a BNP leader accused of fraud. The case was filed on Tuesday in the Pabna Senior Judicial Magistrate’s Court by Shikha Khatun, wife of the accused BNP leader Sohel Rana. The journalist, Masud Rana, is the joint general secretary of Bhangura Press Club and a correspondent for the daily Kaler Kantho.

Earlier, on Friday night, Sohel Rana was beaten and tied up by locals who accused him of defrauding them of large sums of money by promising government benefits such as VGD cards, tube wells, latrines, and houses. The next day, 35 victims filed a fraud case against him at Bhangura Police Station. Sohel Rana, a ward-level BNP vice president from Rangalia village, was later sent to jail after seeking bail in court.

Following the lawsuit against Masud Rana, Bhangura Press Club leaders and local journalists expressed deep concern, condemning the case as false and demanding its withdrawal.

A child named Tamim went missing in the Meghna River on Tuesday afternoon while delivering lunch to his fisherman father in Sonadia Union’s Paschim Charchenga village under Hatiya upazila of Noakhali. According to local sources, Tamim, the only son of fisherman Shahadat Hossain, accidentally fell into the river while playing with a cousin after his father had finished eating. Family members and locals searched for hours but failed to locate the child.

Fire Service and Coast Guard personnel later arrived at the scene, but the rescue operation could not begin immediately as Hatiya lacks a diving team. The absence of divers sparked frustration among residents. Local official Abdul Mannan Rana said no effective rescue effort was visible for a long time. The Coast Guard announced that a diving team from Bhola would arrive the following morning to start a full-scale search.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Russell Iqbal confirmed that the Coast Guard is maintaining surveillance at the site until the divers arrive.

The health department has formed a three-member investigation committee following the rape of a child patient’s mother at Natore Modern Sadar Hospital. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within five working days. Civil Surgeon Dr. Mohammad Moshior Rahman confirmed the formation of the committee on Wednesday but declined to disclose the members’ names for the sake of the investigation. He stated that two members are officials from outside the health department and one is from the hospital.

According to reports, the incident occurred on Sunday night when a hospital cleaner named Amit allegedly lured the mother of a two-year-old patient to the lift area under the pretext of giving medicine and raped her. Two other cleaners, Anil and Prangan, reportedly recorded the assault and later tried to coerce her again using the video. Security personnel detained the suspects after reviewing CCTV footage, though allegations emerged that authorities initially released them.

Police have since arrested the three accused and recorded the victim’s statement. The case is being treated with high priority, and CCTV footage has been seized as evidence.

A police sub-inspector named Moinul Islam was injured in a knife attack by unidentified miscreants in Shahjahanpur upazila of Bogura on Tuesday night. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. near the Pepsi Company area between Banani and Phultala. According to police and local sources, the officer was returning to the Kaigari police outpost after completing an investigation when several attackers intercepted him and attempted to snatch important case documents. During a verbal altercation, the assailants stabbed him and fled the scene.

Sub-inspector Moinul Islam sustained a serious injury below his right knee. A local autorickshaw driver rescued him and took him to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura for treatment. The officer-in-charge of Kaigari police outpost, Sufian, confirmed the incident and said that Moinul Islam is currently under medical care.

Law enforcement agencies have launched an operation to identify and arrest the attackers, according to police sources.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) conducted extensive operations across border areas and other regions in May 2026, seizing smuggled goods valued at Tk 177.78 crore. The confiscated items included 3.6 kilograms of gold, 4.1 kilograms of silver, thousands of clothing items, cosmetics, imitation jewelry, fireworks, electronics, and vehicles. BGB also recovered various weapons, including pistols, rifles, rocket launchers, and ammunition.

In addition to contraband goods, BGB seized a large quantity of narcotics and intoxicants during the same period. These included over 1.6 million yaba tablets, nearly 4 kilograms of crystal meth, cocaine, heroin, phensedyl, foreign liquor, cannabis, and other drugs. The force detained 188 suspected smugglers, along with 92 Bangladeshi, 6 Indian, and 392 Myanmar nationals accused of illegal border crossings.

Legal actions have been initiated against those arrested, according to the report, as part of BGB’s ongoing efforts to curb cross-border smuggling and drug trafficking.

Tension erupted along the Ramrampur border in Bakshiganj upazila of Jamalpur after members of India’s Nandirchar BSF camp allegedly tried to push an elderly man into Bangladesh early Wednesday morning. Members of Bangladesh’s 35 BGB battalion and local residents resisted the attempt, forcing the 60-year-old man to remain in the no man’s land area. A flag meeting between BGB and BSF was held for 30 minutes but failed to resolve the issue.

The situation escalated when a BSF subedar reportedly ordered his troops to open fire, prompting BGB personnel to warn that they would not remain idle and were ready to respond. Local residents also joined the protest, shouting and brandishing sticks in support of BGB. The elderly man remains stranded in no man’s land as both sides maintain heightened alert.

Lieutenant Colonel Hasanur Rahman, commanding officer of Jamalpur 35 BGB, confirmed that the force, along with locals, resisted the push-in attempt and that efforts to resolve the matter through discussion are ongoing. BGB remains on maximum alert to prevent further incidents.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized the need to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability in administrative operations. He made the remarks on Wednesday during a question-and-answer session in the 13th National Parliament’s second and first budget session, responding to a query from Comilla-9 Member of Parliament Abul Kalam. The session, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, began at 3 p.m.

In his response, the Prime Minister said that during the inauguration of the 2026 Deputy Commissioners’ Conference, several directives were issued to district commissioners and divisional commissioners. These included adopting a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, avoiding unnecessary bureaucratic delays, and ensuring integrity, merit, and competence in recruitment, transfer, and posting. He also called for reform initiatives to strengthen administrative effectiveness and accountability.

The Prime Minister further stressed accelerating digital transformation to make service delivery timely, efficient, and transparent. He directed immediate action against law violations, effective control of law and order, and strict monitoring to ensure that public services remain free from harassment, delay, and corruption.

Mohammad Selim Uddin, central executive council member of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dhaka North city unit chief, and DNCC mayoral candidate, praised journalists for their contribution in addressing national crises. Speaking at a meeting with print media journalists at a restaurant in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, he said that objective reporting helps expose irregularities and plays a vital role in urban development.

The meeting was organized by the publicity and media division of Dhaka North Jamaat and presided over by Dr. Muhammad Rezaul Karim, a central executive council member and secretary. Selim Uddin highlighted Jamaat’s support for students during the July movement and its assistance to families of those killed or injured. He criticized the government for inaction over border push-in attempts and instability in the financial sector, particularly concerning Islamic Bank. He asserted that public deposit institutions should not be handed over to corrupt interests.

Rezaul Karim expressed confidence that Selim Uddin would gain strong public support in the upcoming Dhaka North City Corporation election and provide capable leadership to meet citizens’ expectations.

A fire was set at the July Memorial in Moktarpara area of Netrakona town late Tuesday night, reportedly by individuals chanting slogans in support of Sheikh Hasina. Police suspect kerosene was used to ignite the fire at the steel-made structure near the Mogra River bridge. The incident caused minimal damage, and a 25-second video of the event circulated on social media the following day, showing three young men leaving the site while shouting political slogans.

Fahim Rahman Khan Pathan, a central member of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and resident of Netrakona Sadar, alleged that members of the banned Chhatra League were involved. He suggested the act was intended to demonstrate political activity ahead of a possible reformation of the district committee. Pathan described the memorial as an emotional site linked to the July Movement and accused the banned group of trying to create unrest.

Officer-in-Charge Md Al Mamun Sarkar confirmed that senior police officials visited the scene and are analyzing CCTV and video footage to identify those responsible.

A new survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) shows that trust in the United States as a security guarantor has dropped to its lowest level among Europeans. Across 15 European countries, only about 11 percent of respondents view the United States as an ally, and most doubt Washington would come to their aid if attacked. The survey was conducted in May across Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

The report notes that many Europeans expect relations with Washington to improve after Donald Trump’s presidency but are simultaneously preparing to strengthen their own defense systems and reduce reliance on U.S. military support. Factors such as U.S. actions in the Middle East, threats against Greenland, troop withdrawal pledges from European bases, and uncertainty about NATO’s future have encouraged Europe to take more independent security measures.

The survey also found strong support for reducing dependence on U.S. military equipment and prioritizing European-made products, with the highest backing in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Police have detained 19 individuals in connection with an attack on highway police and vehicle vandalism in Burichang, Cumilla, along the Dhaka–Chattogram highway. The incident occurred on Tuesday around 11 a.m. when a group of 30 to 35 people reportedly shouted slogans before attacking a patrol team from the Moynamoti Highway Police Station. The attackers damaged police vehicles, causing temporary disruption to traffic on the highway.

Cumilla Superintendent of Police Md. Anisuzzaman confirmed the arrests on Wednesday afternoon, stating that operations were conducted across various parts of the district from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning. The names of the detainees were not disclosed. A press briefing was scheduled later in the day at the Cumilla police superintendent’s office to provide further details.

The incident followed the seizure of an illegal three-wheeler by the highway patrol team, which reportedly triggered the attack. The situation caused tension in the area but was later brought under control by law enforcement.

The Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB) has expressed deep concern over the ongoing instability surrounding Islami Bank. Following a meeting with the Bangladesh Bank governor on Wednesday, ABB Chairman and City Bank Managing Director Masrur Arefin said the situation at Islami Bank is affecting the entire banking sector. The governor reportedly views the issue as not only a banking matter but also a political one and is seeking a resolution through dialogue among stakeholders.

During the meeting, the governor emphasized strict adherence to good governance and urged bank executives not to yield to political pressure. He also directed banks to ensure accurate reporting to the Credit Information Bureau (CIB). Discussions included plans to boost credit growth through a new government and central bank package worth Tk 60,000 crore, aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises under a refinance scheme.

The governor further noted frequent errors and delays in trade data submissions, particularly in import pricing, and advised verifying prices through global platforms before opening letters of credit to prevent financial losses.

The trial of former Member of Parliament Shamim Osman and 11 others has begun at the International Crimes Tribunal over alleged crimes against humanity linked to killings in Narayanganj during the July uprising. On Wednesday, Abul Bashar Anik, elder brother of slain activist Abul Hasan Swajan, testified as the first witness in the case.

In his testimony, Anik described that after the death of Abu Sayeed, he and his brother participated in anti-discrimination and mass movements. He alleged that on July 19, 150 to 200 armed men led by Shamim Osman, Ayon Osman, Azmeri Osman, and others attacked demonstrators at Jalkuri Link Road, killing two people and injuring several others. He further claimed that on August 5, another armed attack led by the same group left his brother fatally shot.

Anik stated that Swajan was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he underwent surgery but died the next day, August 6. He also said no inquest or autopsy was conducted before burial on August 7.

An eleven-party alliance in Bangladesh has announced protest rallies across all border districts and points on Friday to denounce alleged push-ins and border killings. The coalition also declared a nationwide protest in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area on June 15 against what it described as rising incidents of murder, rape, and deteriorating law and order. The announcements were made at a press conference organized at the central office of Jamaat-e-Islami.

At the event, Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami and coordinator of the alliance, accused the government of authoritarian governance and failing to act against border violence. He claimed that India attempted more than 50 push-ins in the past three months and that 19 Bangladeshis were killed by Indian forces in the last 100 days. He criticized the home minister’s recent comments on border killings as contradictory to national policy and called for a stronger foreign stance.

Nasir Uddin Patowary of the NCP added that the government’s role in border areas was inadequate and urged strengthening the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).