Police in Meherpur detained a man identified as Sayan on Wednesday morning after he was accused of attacking his former wife, Sanjida Rahman Smriti, and her parents following a divorce. The attack occurred around 1:30am on Tuesday night at the family home above Selim Electronics near Lord Market, a busy area of the town. Smriti’s right hand was severed in the assault, according to the report.

When Smriti’s parents, Selim Hossain and Rebeka Sultana, rushed from another room after hearing her cries, they were also allegedly attacked with a sharp weapon. Local people took all three victims to Meherpur 250-bed General Hospital. After initial treatment, doctors referred them to Dhaka Medical College Hospital because of the severity of their conditions, where they are now receiving treatment.

Smriti’s family said the couple married 10 days earlier and that she divorced Sayan three days before the incident, alleging he was addicted to drugs. Sayan’s mother denied that he was drug-addicted or that she knew of a divorce, saying her son was mentally distressed. Police said several teams conducted raids and took Sayan into custody, while legal proceedings and an internal investigation continue.

Malaysia’s Human Resources Ministry has issued guidance requiring Malaysian employers to follow an eight-step process for recruiting foreign workers, including those from Bangladesh. The directive, issued on Sunday, is seen by the Bangladesh government as an indication that Malaysia may soon reopen its closed labour market. As of Tuesday, however, Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry and its High Commission in Kuala Lumpur had not received a formal announcement on when the market would reopen.

The process requires employers to seek approval and advertise vacancies, apply for worker quotas through the ministry’s one-stop centre, pay levies, obtain conditional approval and complete embassy formalities. Workers must then be recruited and sent through recruitment agencies, obtain a Visa With Reference, and enter Malaysia. Employers were advised to use the Foreign Workers Centralized Management System portal for information and approved agency lists.

Malaysia previously published lists of 25 Bangladeshi recruitment agencies and more than 40 medical centres, prompting objections from manpower exporters and political parties alleging a syndicate. Bangladesh has written to Malaysia seeking clarification. The existing 2021 memorandum of understanding remains valid until December, while recruitment from Bangladesh was halted in June 2024 amid allegations of irregularities and corruption.

Bangladesh Coast Guard recovered a foreign G-3 rifle, ammunition and 5,000 yaba tablets during two separate operations in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon disclosed the information on Wednesday afternoon. A joint Coast Guard and police operation was conducted near Damdamiya No. 14 Bridge at 5am on Wednesday after intelligence indicated a robbery group was gathering there.

The suspected group fled into the hills after detecting the joint force’s presence. Searches of the area recovered the G-3 rifle with a magazine, two locally made firearms, three locally made weapons, 13 rounds of live ammunition and one litre of locally made liquor. Authorities said the group had allegedly been positioned there for kidnapping and robbery.

In a separate special operation in the Sabrang area of Teknaf, Coast Guard personnel searched a suspicious residence at 8pm on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. They seized 5,000 yaba tablets, estimated in the source to be worth about Tk25 lakh. Legal action concerning the recovered weapons, ammunition and seized drugs is under process.

China-made humanoid robot Tiangong Ultra ran 100 metres in 8.86 seconds during the large-size robot division semifinal at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. The time was reported as a new record and was 0.72 seconds faster than Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second human world record set in 2009.

Tiangong Ultra had already broken its own earlier record on the opening day of the event, when it completed the distance in 9.39 seconds. Developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, the robot is also reported to have achieved 38.15 seconds over 400 metres, two minutes 21.64 seconds over 1,500 metres, and a 2.88-metre high jump.

After its semifinal run, the robot was unable to control its speed beyond the finish line and struck a heavy safety mat. It fell after the collision and a small fire started in its internal components. The source says China is treating humanoid robotics as a strategic industry, combining artificial intelligence, powerful motors and advanced semiconductor technology. Tiangong Ultra was developed through a joint effort involving Chinese technology firms including Xiaomi and Baidu.

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman called for a roadmap to prevent the rehabilitation of fascism in the country, alleging that many masked individuals are still conspiring to restore fascists. He made the remarks on Wednesday, August 26, at an event in Banani, Dhaka, marking Eid-e-Miladunnabi (PBUH).

The minister said people must remain alert to those seeking to bring back what he described as a fascist government that killed thousands and left 30,000 people disabled or blind. He said a roadmap was necessary to ensure that no one could become fascist again.

Asaduzzaman said the country should leave a livable nation for future generations. He acknowledged that mistakes can happen in work but said they should be corrected before moving forward. He urged progress guided by the ideals of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), toward democracy and the rule of law, so fascism does not return and those working against it do not themselves become fascist. He also called for moving beyond a culture of opposition for opposition’s sake and working for national welfare.

A 55-year-old passenger, Chhanowara Begum of Chattogram, died after falling ill aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight travelling from Jeddah to Chattogram on Wednesday. Flight BG-136 diverted to Muscat while in the air and made an emergency landing at Muscat airport in Oman. She was taken quickly to a local hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines General Manager for Public Relations Mohiuddin Ahmed confirmed the incident. He said the passenger’s body was kept in Muscat while BG-136 continued its journey to Chattogram. The flight landed at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram at about 2:47pm on Wednesday.

Ahmed said arrangements are being made to bring Chhanowara Begum’s body back to Bangladesh on a subsequent flight after completion of legal procedures. The Bangladesh Embassy is working on the matter. BG-136 had been scheduled to depart Jeddah at 11am on Wednesday and travel to Chattogram before continuing to Dhaka.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has protested the appointment of chairmen and members to interim councils in the three Chittagong Hill Tracts districts—Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban—formed on August 20. In a Wednesday statement signed by office cell member Sadia Farzana Dina on behalf of its central convening committee, the party demanded the dissolution of the current councils and immediate direct, free elections.

The NCP alleged that the councils effectively lack representation from political views, social forces and people outside political identities other than the BNP. It said such one-sided political representation raises questions about the councils’ neutrality, inclusiveness and public trust. The party argued that hill district councils are public institutions, not organisational bodies of any political party, and warned that excessive politicisation could obstruct development and deepen discrimination and distrust.

The statement said that although the Hill District Council Act was enacted in 1989 and an election was held that year, the institutions have long been run through government-appointed or interim councils rather than regular direct elections. Until elections are held, the NCP called for any interim arrangement to ensure competence, neutrality and participation by different ethnic groups instead of party loyalty.

RAB arrested Rabiu Islam, 36, vice president of Nandigram upazila Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, with 1,200 yaba tablets in Nandigram, Bogura, on Tuesday night. Officers also seized Tk 3,150 described as proceeds from drug sales. The arrest followed a RAB-12 operation based on information that a person was travelling by CNG auto-rickshaw carrying yaba toward Nundah village.

RAB personnel on patrol set up a checkpoint on the road in front of Mozammel’s house in Nundah village. At about 9pm, they stopped an unnumbered passenger auto-rickshaw. Rabiu, the vehicle’s only passenger, was questioned after arousing suspicion. He reportedly admitted that yaba was kept in a zipper bag in his left trouser pocket, from which the tablets were recovered.

Nandigram upazila Chhatra Dal general secretary Mostafizur Rahman Tarek said the party would not accept responsibility for an individual’s offence and that steps had already been taken to expel Rabiu. Nandigram police station officer-in-charge Tarikul Islam said a case was filed under the Narcotics Control Act and the accused was sent to Bogura court custody.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent statement describing Taiwan as part of China has renewed debate over whether Kuala Lumpur is moving closer to Beijing. In an Al Jazeera interview earlier this month, Anwar said the position was universally recognised. Asked about possible Chinese use of force, he compared it with Malaysia using force to preserve its own territorial integrity if a state sought secession. He later said Malaysia respects China’s position but wants a peaceful resolution of tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

China welcomed the remarks, reiterating that Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory. Taiwan’s government condemned them, warning that what it called Anwar’s one-sided support for China could undermine Taiwanese companies’ confidence in investing in Malaysia. Taiwan-linked firms have significant investments in Malaysia’s semiconductor industry, while China is Malaysia’s largest trading partner and a major investor.

Analysts say Malaysia’s recognition of Taiwan as part of China is not new, tracing it to a 1974 joint statement establishing diplomatic relations. They also point to Malaysia’s continuing defence and trade ties with Western countries, including the Five Powers Defence Arrangements. Anwar’s calls to strengthen Sabah’s defence amid concerns over military developments in the Philippines may reflect border-security concerns rather than a pro-China strategic shift.

National Parliament Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said parliamentary committees will receive top priority during the third session of parliament, due to begin Thursday. Speaking to reporters at the parliament building on Wednesday, he said relevant committees would be finalized as soon as opposition parties submit their nominees. He said the session could last five, seven or 10 days, with an extension possible if necessary.

Moni said about six important bills could be introduced during the session, including measures concerning property transfers, enforced disappearances and human rights protection. Under the proposed property-transfer law, parents who transfer property to children would retain rights to possess and use it while alive. He said the measure aims to prevent children from neglecting parents after receiving transferred property.

The chief whip also outlined a proposed 17-member committee for constitutional amendments, with seven members from BNP and five from Jamaat proposed. He said opposition parties should raise public concerns, identify government errors and seek solutions through parliamentary debate. Moni said major infrastructure problems, including power plants, require time to address, and criticized past power-sector contracts, including the Adani agreement, as creating long-term economic pressure.

Bangladesh and China discussed expanding higher education opportunities for talented Bangladeshi students and strengthening cooperation between universities and research institutions in the two countries. The discussions took place at the China-Bangladesh Education Cooperation Luncheon in Guangzhou, China, on Wednesday.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon attended the event as chief guest. Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin and Technical and Madrasa Education Division Secretary Md Daud Mia attended as special guests.

Senior representatives from several Chinese universities also joined the programme, including vice presidents of Anhui Normal University and Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University. Participants additionally discussed increasing China-Bangladesh cooperation in technical education to develop skilled manpower.

Bangladesh is developing a standardized, evidence-based national framework to assess climate change-related loss and damage, including both economic and non-economic impacts. An interim workshop on the initiative was held Tuesday at the Department of Environment auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, under a project to formulate a National Framework for Loss and Damage of Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund is financing the project, while the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services is providing technical support.

The proposed framework will measure losses affecting livelihoods, health, education, culture and displacement alongside financial damage. Officials said Bangladesh previously had no standardized national method for assessing climate-related losses, leaving major non-economic impacts outside formal calculations. The government will own the framework, which is being designed using existing knowledge, data and institutional capacity.

Speakers stressed reliable data, institutional coordination, local participation and a strategy for climate finance. They said the framework could support evidence-based national planning and budget allocations, as well as post-disaster recovery. It is also expected to provide a reliable basis for Bangladesh to seek its fair share of international climate funding, including the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka North unit has begun a weeklong cleanliness campaign in Ward 6, covering Rupnagar, Eastern Housing and extended Pallabi in Mirpur. The programme was inaugurated on Wednesday in Eastern Housing by Advocate Md Hasanul Banna Chapal, the party-nominated councillor candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation’s Ward 6.

Chapal said the initiative was taken under the direction of Selim Uddin, Jamaat’s nominated mayoral candidate for Dhaka city corporation and amir of the party’s Dhaka North unit. He urged the city corporation to perform its responsibilities properly, saying Jamaat had joined the effort despite not being in office out of civic, humanitarian and moral responsibility.

He called for participation from residents to build a clean, traffic-free and waterlogging-free ward, while stressing qualifications, competence, honesty and public-service commitment in choosing representatives. The campaign was attended by Rupnagar police station secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiya, executive council member Latiful Kabir, Eastern Housing organisational ward president Hafez Mahbub and local residents and party activists. The special campaign runs from August 25 to 31.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said the government has initiated a plan to send 10,000 workers to Malaysia without any official cost. He made the announcement as chief guest at a discussion meeting on safe migration and preventing illegal overseas travel at the Sunamganj deputy commissioner’s conference room on Tuesday.

The information was published on the BNP media cell’s Facebook page. The minister stressed that workers need necessary training and language skills before going abroad, saying it is essential not only to send workers overseas but also to make them skilled.

He said there are plans to establish five training centres across Sunamganj’s five electoral areas. Elected representatives and the administration will need to work together to ensure trainers and trainees at those centres. He also called on prospective migrant workers to receive training in English, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese and Korean, and to travel abroad through legal channels after acquiring the required skills.

President Donald Trump has sent a proposed civil nuclear technology assistance agreement with Saudi Arabia to the US Congress for final review, while making its implementation conditional on Saudi normalization of relations with Israel. A senior US administration official, speaking anonymously to Reuters on Tuesday, said the agreement will not proceed unless Riyadh joins the US-mediated Abraham Accords and formally recognizes Israel.

The 30-year agreement was finalized in July and would allow US technology companies to help develop Saudi civilian nuclear infrastructure and export technology. Westinghouse, jointly owned by Canada-based Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management, is expected to benefit from a project worth tens of billions of dollars involving construction of US AP1000 nuclear reactors. The proposal was sent to lawmakers on Monday and is expected to reach the relevant committee on Wednesday.

Congress will have 90 session days to review the agreement. It will take effect automatically if Congress passes no objection or resolution, while Trump could veto a congressional rejection. Saudi Arabia says it will not recognize Israel until an irreversible and clear path toward an independent Palestinian state is ensured. Democratic lawmakers and non-proliferation analysts have raised concerns over the absence of a direct legal ban on uranium enrichment.