Bangladesh is experiencing a severe outbreak of dengue fever, exacerbated by monsoon rains, high temperatures, and humidity, which have increased the mosquito population. Government figures report almost 90,000 cases and at least 426 deaths by mid-August, marking the deadliest year since 2000. The Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit dengue, have mutated and become resistant to common insecticides. The health care system, already weakened by mismanagement and corruption, is struggling to cope with the surge in severe dengue cases. Experts attribute the outbreak to climate change, unplanned urbanization, and inadequate anti-mosquito drives. The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, is conducting a clinical trial for a single-dose dengue vaccine. Meanwhile, hospitals are overwhelmed, with patients like Saleha unable to receive the necessary intensive care due to a lack of available beds.

Shahidul Islam, a prominent trade union leader of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF), was murdered in Gazipur, Bangladesh, after attempting to resolve a dispute over unpaid wages at the Prince Jacquard Sweater factory. Despite promises made by factory authorities to pay workers before Eid, the wages were not disbursed, leading to Islam's intervention. He was attacked by a group of assailants and later pronounced dead at the hospital. The attack also injured Ahmed Sharif, another union organiser. Labour rights activists and colleagues have protested and demanded justice for Islam's death. Police have one suspect in custody and are conducting a thorough investigation. The incident has highlighted the dangers faced by trade union activists in Bangladesh.

The article discusses the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Muslim-majority countries in Asia, particularly Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It highlights the story of Abir, a gay doctor in Bangladesh, who lives in fear of coming out due to the risk of violence and social ostracism. The article notes that same-sex relationships are criminalized in Bangladesh and that conservative religious values are increasingly influential. It mentions the murders of LGBTQ activists Xulhaz Mannan and Mahbub Tonoy by extremists. The article also covers the situation in Malaysia, where LGBTQ-themed products were confiscated, and in Indonesia, where conversion therapy is common and recent laws could target the LGBTQ community. Despite these challenges, the article notes that discreet gatherings and online meet-ups provide some support for LGBTQ individuals in these countries.

Bangladesh's Health Minister Dr. Samanta Lal Sen expressed a desire to elevate the country's healthcare to a globally commendable level, emphasizing the role of healthcare workers in achieving this goal. The remarks were made during a meeting commemorating Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birthday. The health sector aims to adopt a 'less talk, more work' approach, with future conferences named after Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib and held at the convention hall rather than five-star hotels. Meanwhile, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader criticized the BNP for seeking power through foreign influence, contrasting it with the Awami League's vision of a non-sectarian Bangladesh inspired by historical leaders. Additionally, the article discusses the importance of Boro rice to Bangladesh's food security and the farmers' current need for dry weather to ensure a successful harvest. In Sylhet, 20 students missed their BCS preliminary exam for arriving a minute late, as the center adhered strictly to the Public Service Commission's rules.

A devastating fire swept through the Cox's Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh, killing at least 15 people and displacing around 45,000. Marium Khatun, a resident of the camp, narrowly escaped with her baby, while her other family members were elsewhere. They were later reunited but found their home destroyed. The World Food Programme provided aid, and the Bangladeshi government, along with the UNHCR, is assisting the affected Rohingya refugees. Eyewitness Mohammad Selim described the chaos and the community's efforts to control the fire. Bangladesh hosts over a million Rohingya refugees, who fled Myanmar following a military crackdown in 2017, which the UN has labeled as having genocidal intent, a claim Myanmar denies.

Abrar Fahad, a 22-year-old engineering student at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, was beaten to death after criticizing the government on Facebook. His father, Barkat Ullah, demands justice as nationwide protests erupt against politically motivated campus violence. Fahad's death, linked to the Bangladesh Chhatra League, a student wing of the ruling Awami League, has sparked outrage and condemnation from human rights groups. Despite previous incidents of violence, authorities have been accused of inaction. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed justice, with 11 students arrested in connection to the murder. Students at Buet express fear and frustration over the persistent issue of bullying and beatings.

A study by Save the Children revealed that half of the Rohingya children who arrived in Bangladesh without parents were orphaned by violence in Myanmar, challenging the belief that they might be reunited with their parents. Over 6,000 children are known to aid workers in the camps, with some estimates suggesting higher numbers. The study, which is the largest of its kind, indicates that many of these children witnessed the murders of their parents. The Rohingya crisis has disproportionately affected children, with 60% of the refugees being minors. UNICEF warns of the risk of a 'lost generation' due to the lack of opportunities in the camps. Orphans and unaccompanied children are at high risk of abuse and neglect, often relying on extended family for care.

Rohingya refugees in the Cox's Bazar district of Bangladesh are facing the imminent threat of monsoon season, which poses serious risks of landslides and flooding. The camps, housing around 700,000 refugees who fled Myanmar, are on unstable hills with inadequate shelter. Despite efforts to fortify the area, including levelling hills and improving drainage, the recent death of a girl in a landslide has heightened fears. With limited safe land for relocation and restrictions on shelter materials, the refugees are vulnerable to the upcoming heavy rains and cyclones, which have historically caused devastation in the region. Aid groups are preparing for the possibility of restricted access to the camps, which could impact food and supply distribution.

In the world's largest refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, 700,000 Rohingya Muslims face the imminent threat of monsoon season after fleeing violence in Myanmar. The camps, made of bamboo and plastic shacks on unstable hills, are at risk of landslides and flooding. Despite efforts to fortify the area, only 21,000 of the 200,000 refugees in direct danger have been relocated. The UNHCR and other aid groups are working to prevent disaster, but the Rohingya, restricted by military checkpoints and unable to leave, have limited options for safety. The monsoon could bring over 2.5 meters of rainfall, and the community is bracing for potential devastation.

Aid workers and Rohingya volunteers are searching for pregnant Rohingya rape victims in the world's largest refugee camp, anticipating a surge in births nine months after the Myanmar military's sexual violence campaign. Many women are hiding their pregnancies due to shame, and there is concern for the health of these women and potential abandonment of newborns. The UN and NGOs like Doctors Without Borders are providing assistance, but the stigma and lack of resources make it challenging to reach all victims. The Myanmar army denies using rape as a weapon, but the UN has listed it for using sexual violence in conflict. Aid workers are preparing to support abandoned children and ensure they grow up in a nurturing environment.

Bangladesh has postponed the repatriation of Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in Myanmar, originally scheduled to start on January 23, due to lack of preparation. The process, agreed upon with Myanmar for a two-year period, has been delayed as transit centers and a rigorous approval process for returnees are still in development. Since August, approximately 655,000 Rohingya have sought refuge in Bangladesh, escaping a military campaign in Rakhine State described by the UN as 'ethnic cleansing.' Rights groups and the UN insist repatriation must be voluntary amidst reports of destroyed Rohingya settlements. Bangladesh aims to involve the UN's refugee agency in the process, ensuring only willing individuals return to Rakhine. No new start date for repatriation has been provided, but two sites near the border are being considered for transit. The deal includes 750,000 refugees since October 2016 but excludes 200,000 who fled earlier. Rohingya refugees have protested the return, demanding citizenship and security guarantees.