Bangladesh has reported a sharp rise in dengue hospital admissions, with nearly 11,000 patients admitted by August 19, exceeding July’s total of more than 9,200. Since January, more than 26,500 people have been hospitalized with dengue and 76 have died, according to Directorate General of Health Services data. The increase is no longer concentrated only in Dhaka, raising concern about faster transmission in districts outside the capital during the monsoon season.

Dhaka recorded more than 7,000 hospital admissions and 34 deaths, remaining the most affected area overall. Outside Dhaka, Khulna reported more than 1,600 patients and 14 deaths, followed by Chattogram with 1,391 admissions and three deaths. Pirojpur recorded more than 1,200 cases and one death, while Mymensingh reported 924 admissions and six deaths. Gazipur had 720 admissions with no reported deaths.

Experts cited standing water, rain, dense settlements, poor sanitation and water storage as factors supporting Aedes mosquito breeding. They said coastal salinity can require households to store rainwater in containers, while urbanisation and increased use of disposable containers have expanded breeding sites in rural and urban areas. They also pointed to high temperatures, frequent rainfall and gaps in mosquito-control work as contributing factors.

Bus services on the Rajbari-Daulatdia-Faridpur route resumed at 8am on Thursday after being suspended for about 44 and a half hours. The disruption began after noon on Tuesday following a dispute between Golden Line Transport and owners of local buses. Services restarted after the administration assured operators of security, though the underlying dispute remains unresolved.

The stoppage caused severe hardship for passengers in Rajbari and Faridpur districts, with many using three-wheelers, Mahendras and autorickshaws at higher fares. The conflict concerns Golden Line’s operations through Rajbari. A previous decision made at the Dhaka divisional commissioner’s office allowed the company to operate a maximum of four trips through the district.

Rajbari transport owners allege Golden Line increased its buses and trips after the government changed on August 5, at times operating nearly 28 trips a day. Local workers blocked extra buses on Tuesday, while Rajbari buses were reportedly stopped in Faridpur. The district administration said it would hold talks with the parties soon to seek a permanent solution.

Acting Speaker Kaiser Kamal will administer the oath of office to Bangladesh’s newly elected president, according to the Law Ministry’s interpretation of relevant constitutional provisions. Voting for the country’s 23rd presidential election is scheduled for Thursday from 2pm to 5pm at the Jatiya Sangsad, marking the first presidential election by vote in 35 years.

The Cabinet Division sought the Law Ministry’s opinion on who should administer the oath. The ministry said Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram is serving as acting president under Article 54 of the constitution. Under Article 74(3), the deputy speaker is therefore carrying out the speaker’s duties and is constitutionally the appropriate authority to administer the oath.

BNP nominee Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will contest the election against Colonel (Retd) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram, candidate of an 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami. Of the 349 lawmakers eligible to vote, 50 hold reserved seats for women; the Chattogram-4 seat is vacant. The oath ceremony is scheduled for 7:30pm Friday at Bangabhaban’s Darbar Hall.

A commentary published by Amar Desh on August 20, 2026, questioned the delayed commissioning and operations tender for Bangladesh’s Single Point Mooring (SPM) project off Maheshkhali-Matarbari. The article says the offshore facility is intended to transfer oil from large tankers through pipelines to storage at Maheshkhali and then to Chattogram’s Eastern Refinery. It argues that the project remains uncommissioned after unsuccessful testing and calls for government intervention.

According to the article, the project was contracted in 2015 for about Tk4,936 crore and was due for completion by 2018. After three extensions, its cost reportedly rose to about Tk8,341 crore. The writer says a June 24, 2024 test involving roughly 82,000 tonnes of Saudi crude encountered a pipeline leak, spilling oil at sea. The article states that successful testing, commissioning and the project completion report have not been finalized.

The commentary alleges that the December 2025 operations and maintenance tender was restrictive, leaving one technically responsive bidder from three submissions. It urges a full independent test run, defect assessment, determination of prior contractor liabilities, review under procurement rules and, if needed, an open international retender for an experienced operator.

Ansar personnel rescued dentist Hasibur Hasan, 43, unharmed from a secluded forest in Sector 19 of Purbachal on Wednesday night, according to the Ansar and Village Defence Force. Hasan was allegedly abducted from Kuril Bishwaroad in the capital while waiting to travel to Jalsiri Master Pharmacy to see patients.

The report said a driver of a white microbus offered to take him to Jalsiri, after which people inside the vehicle tied his hands, legs, eyes and mouth. The alleged kidnappers demanded Tk100,000 in ransom from his family and took Tk12,000 through mobile banking using his Android phone.

The group later left Hasan bound in the forest and fled. A Rajuk Ansar Guard patrol led by PC Md Siddiqur Rahman heard groaning and found him, with Hafizur Rahman, Md Sakibul, Ratan Mia and Md Jubayer taking part in the rescue. Ansar members then took him safely to his destination. Hasan expressed gratitude for their humanitarian, prudent and responsible role.

Police recovered the body of a 25-year-old man, identified as Nazmul, after he was shot in the Harintana 80 Bigha culvert area under Khulna city’s Labanchara police station on Wednesday night. The shooting occurred around 9:30pm. Nazmul reportedly ran into an alley beside a house after being shot, where he collapsed and died.

Labanchara police station Officer-in-Charge Md Syed Mosharraf Hossain confirmed the incident and said police were at the scene. He said it was not yet known who shot Nazmul. Police had confirmed only the victim’s name at that stage.

Earlier the same day, at about 5:45pm, 23-year-old construction worker Md Manzurul Islam was attacked in front of Sujan Hawladar’s tea stall in the same area. Locals alleged that a group of eight to 10 attackers led by Alamin Hasan Saifi shot and assaulted him with sharp weapons. The two shooting-related deaths within hours caused fear among residents, while police worked to determine the motive and identify those involved.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir completed the final and prize-giving ceremony of its July Martyrs Memorial Football Tournament 2026 on Wednesday at the A and AMS Ground in Lake City, Khilkhet, Dhaka. Narsingdi district branch defeated Noakhali city branch in the final to become champions of the competition organized by the group’s central sports department.

The tournament began on June 15 with participation from 138 branches nationwide under the theme, “July’s commitment, building a Bangladesh of justice.” It used a knockout format. Noakhali city branch reached the final after facing Dinajpur city branch in the semifinal, while Narsingdi district branch advanced after playing the Islamic University branch.

Central Shibir president Nurul Islam attended as chief guest and thanked participants in the organization’s month-long July-related programmes. He said the programmes aimed to ensure justice for killings associated with the July mass uprising. Champion Narsingdi received Tk50,000, while runner-up Noakhali received Tk30,000; both teams were also awarded medals and trophies.

Abul Kalam Azad, a Godagari resident in Rajshahi accused in a case over attacks on students and civilians during the July movement, was granted bail by the Rajshahi District and Sessions Judge Court on August 12 after two certificates were submitted with his bail petition. One certificate identified him as an active BNP worker and bore the purported signature and seal of former Godagari municipal BNP general secretary and former mayor Anwarul Islam. Islam said both the signature and seal were forged.

A second certificate was signed by Hanif Ali, president of BNP’s municipal ward 2 unit. Hanif acknowledged issuing it after Azad’s wife approached him as a neighbour, but called the decision a mistake. Azad’s lawyer, Tawsik Ahmed Masum, said relatives had brought the documents and he had certified and submitted them without knowing whether they were genuine. The state lawyer described filing forged certificates as deception of the court.

Police and local sources allege Azad has long been involved in heroin trafficking and faces seven narcotics cases. Student movement leaders demanded his re-arrest. Godagari police said he had been arrested on specific evidence of links to attacks on students and civilians, and that he would be arrested if involvement in any offence is established.

Police arrested two alleged active members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, including commander Mohammad Alam, also known as Musa, in a raid at Rohingya Camp 6 in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Wednesday night. The second detainee was identified as Abdul Hafez, 22. Police said both men were detained while allegedly staying secretly at a house in the camp’s D/1 block for the purpose of organising criminal activities.

Police identified Musa as an accused in the murder case involving Kofayet Ullah, also known as Abdul Halim. They said Musa, a resident of Camp 6’s D/4 block, faces multiple cases at Ukhiya police station under narcotics control and arms laws, as well as cases involving murder and attacks on police. He has been charge-sheeted in several cases, including a murder case, which are pending before court.

According to police, Musa had been absconding for a long time and was preliminarily found to be involved in murder, abduction, drug trafficking and arms trading. The operation was led by Inspector Mohammad Masudur Rahman of the Naukarmath Police Camp-3, with police and intelligence personnel. APBn-14 commander Riaz Amin said operations and intelligence activities against terrorist and criminal activity in the camps would continue. Legal action against the detainees is under process.

Bangladesh Nizam-e-Islam Party Secretary General Maulana Musa Bin Izhar condemned alleged police attacks, baton charges and gunfire involving madrasa students in Brahmanbaria. In a statement sent to the media on Wednesday, he said the clash began after students protested loud music, and described reports of students being injured as deeply regrettable and concerning.

He said complaints raised by students should be addressed through dialogue and responsible conduct rather than the alleged use of state force. Musa said law-enforcement agencies are responsible for protecting people’s lives, property and security, and that any allegations of excessive force must be subject to accountability. No individual or institution exercising state power is above the law, he added.

The party leader called for a transparent and impartial inquiry to establish how the confrontation began, what force was used against students and whether law-enforcement measures were lawful. He demanded treatment for injured students and legal action if wrongdoing is proven. He also urged the administration to act with greater restraint, responsibility and humanity to protect students’ safety and civic rights.

Manarat International University held a workshop titled “Preparation for Accreditation to Higher Education of Bangladesh” at its permanent campus auditorium in Ashulia on August 19, 2026. The Institutional Quality Assurance Cell organized the event, which focused on preparations for accreditation in higher education.

Bangladesh Accreditation Council full-time member Professor Dr Md Shah Amran attended as chief guest and main speaker. MIU Vice-Chancellor and environmental scientist Professor Dr Mohammad Abdur Rob was the guest of honour, while BAC Director for Accreditation Professor Nasir Uddin Ahmed attended as a special guest and speaker.

Speakers discussed improving the quality of higher education, meeting required standards for accreditation, and making the university’s academic and administrative activities more effective. They emphasized strengthening internal quality-improvement work to ensure educational standards. Deans, department heads, teachers and officials from MIU joined the workshop. Certificates jointly signed by MIU’s IQAC and the Bangladesh Accreditation Council were distributed among participating teachers and officials.

Shariful Islam Sharif, convener of the Ishwardi upazila Swechchhasebak Dal in Pabna, was seriously injured after unidentified assailants allegedly fired at his private car and attacked him with sharp weapons. The incident occurred around 11:45pm on Wednesday on the road in front of Joynagar Kindergarten as he was returning home in Joynagar. He was initially taken to Ishwardi উপজেলা Health Complex and later referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital after his condition worsened.

Residents and police said several attackers fired from in front of Sharif’s vehicle, causing it to stop, before indiscriminately hacking him. He suffered severe injuries to his face and other parts of his body. Enamul Haque, general secretary of Ishwardi Upazila Jatiyatabadi Jubo Sangskritik Sangsad, said Sharif’s condition was critical and he was being taken by ambulance to Rajshahi.

Police visited the scene after receiving the report. Ishwardi police station officer-in-charge Md Ashadur Rahman said officers had begun efforts to identify and arrest those involved, while investigating the motive. Party sources cited a recent internal dispute involving a school managing committee post, but police said no connection between that dispute and the attack had been confirmed.

A Cumilla court sentenced two members of the banned militant organisation Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh, or JMB, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment each in an explosives law case. The same verdict gave Khaleda Akter Rani, wife of one of the convicts, eight years of rigorous imprisonment. Additional District and Sessions Judge of Special Tribunal-6 Khairun Nesa announced the ruling on Wednesday.

The two JMB convicts are Mostafizur Rahman, also known as Mintu, Samad and Rajib, of Naogaon, and Mohammad Durul Huda, also known as Hasan, from Chakpara in Sreepur police station area of Gazipur. The case concerned a Rab-7 operation at a house in Bishnupur under Cumilla’s Kotwali police station in March 2006.

According to case documents, explosives, chemicals, electrical equipment and materials used to make bombs were listed as recovered during the operation. The raid was conducted on information obtained by questioning Shaykh Abdur Rahman while he was in Rab custody. During trial proceedings, 13 witnesses testified at different times in the presence of lawyers for the complainant and accused. The court reviewed testimony, statements, seizure lists and other records before convicting the three defendants.

A floating LNG terminal operated by US company Excelerate Energy in the Bay of Bengal has shut down after running out of LNG cargo, reducing gas supplies and power generation. The disruption has led to increased load-shedding as electricity demand rises after sunset, according to the report published on August 20, 2026.

Petrobangla sources said the terminal’s stored supply was completely exhausted at about 2:40 pm on Wednesday because of the lack of LNG cargo. With less gas available for electricity generation, the power system has faced greater pressure during evening demand periods.

Residents in different areas of the capital reported multiple electricity interruptions after evening. Conditions were described as worse in rural areas, where load-shedding has added to public hardship during intense heat. The report identified the halted floating storage and regasification unit, or FSRU, as a key factor behind the reduced gas supply.

Gaza was the world’s deadliest place for humanitarian aid workers in 2025 for the third consecutive year, according to United Nations data cited by the report. A total of 186 aid workers were killed in the Palestinian territory during the year. Sudan ranked as the next deadliest country, where 71 aid workers were killed amid the continuing conflict.

United Nations data and the Aid Worker Security Database recorded 907 aid workers killed, injured or abducted worldwide in 2025, a record combined total compared with 833 in 2024. Of those affected in 2025, 350 were killed, down from 387 deaths in the previous year. A separate UN report said at least 326 humanitarian workers were killed globally in 2025, while more than 1,000 have died over the past three years.

The UN said the growing use of cheap, readily available armed drones in conflict areas was among factors increasing attacks on aid workers. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the level of violence as horrific and called for compliance with international humanitarian law and accountability for attackers. In 2026 so far, 82 aid workers have been killed, 97 injured and 39 abducted worldwide.