A Dhaka court has directed law enforcement authorities to identify and take legal action against the administrators and financial operators behind online pornography groups. The directive follows a news report titled “Thousands of Young Women’s Nude Videos Sold on Telegram”, published in a national daily. Taking the report into judicial notice under Section 190(1)(c) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jakir Hossain ordered the Deputy Commissioner of DB Police’s Cyber and Special Crime Division to appoint a skilled investigation officer. The court further instructed that a case be filed based on the findings, and progress reports must be submitted every 15 days. Both journalists who published the report have been directed to assist in the investigation. The final report is due by November 30. SI Rukunuzzaman of the prosecution confirmed the court’s order.

Gold prices in Bangladesh have reached a new all-time high following another price hike announced by the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS). The BAJUS Standing Committee on Pricing and Price Monitoring made the decision during a meeting held on Sunday. According to a notice signed by the committee chairman, Masudur Rahman, the price of 22-carat gold—the highest quality available—has been increased by Tk 1,050 per bhori (11.664 grams). With this adjustment, each bhori of 22-carat gold will now cost Tk 217,382. The association explained that the price hike was made in response to the rising cost of pure or raw gold in the local market. The new rates will officially take effect from Monday, October 20. This marks yet another historic peak for gold prices in the country, reflecting ongoing volatility in global and domestic precious metal markets.

MPO-affiliated teachers from private schools have announced an indefinite hunger strike starting Monday, October 20, demanding three major points, including a 20% salary increase and house rent allowance. The announcement was made by Delwar Hossain Azizi, secretary of the education nationalization coalition, at Mazar More near the High Court on Sunday. Following the announcement, teachers started a hunger march from the Central Shaheed Minar, remaining there until 5:00 pm. Meanwhile, the government has approved a 5% house rent allowance for private school teachers under the MPO scheme despite budget constraints, according to Finance Ministry orders issued Sunday. Education advisor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar urged teachers to return to classrooms while accepting the new allowance arrangement. The government’s decision marks a partial response to the teachers’ ongoing demands.

The Advisory Committee on the Review of RAJUK’s Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022–2035 has approved draft amendments that will increase floor area ratio (FAR) and population density across most urban areas under RAJUK’s jurisdiction, while strictly prohibiting construction on agricultural land. The amendments consolidate watercourses into designated flood flow zones, introduce incentives for Transit-Oriented Development and block-based regeneration, and align building regulations with the Bangladesh National Building Code (2020). Additional measures include mandatory sewerage treatment plants for large plots, green building incentives, streamlined approval processes for large projects, and provisions considering disaster management. The amended DAP is expected to be published soon in the official gazette. The committee held extensive consultations with multiple ministries and stakeholders before finalizing the proposals.

Following a massive fire at Dhaka’s Cargo Village, three international flights were forced to land at Sylhet Osmani Airport, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. The district administration quickly arranged a special carriage on the Upaban Express train to transport passengers to Dhaka. On Saturday night, an extra carriage was attached to accommodate those traveling on emergency flights. The first flight from Riyadh carried 396 passengers, followed by flights from Singapore with 153 passengers and Malaysia with 75 passengers. Osmani International Airport Director Hafiz Uddin Ahmed confirmed that the airport can handle multiple flights simultaneously, and stranded passengers are receiving support from both the railway and district administration while waiting in airport lounges. Passengers expressed frustration over canceled flights, citing significant personal and financial inconveniences caused by the incident.

A devastating fire broke out on Saturday night at the Incepta Pharmaceuticals factory in Dhamrai’s Barobaria area, injuring at least ten workers. The blaze started around 8 p.m. on the fourth floor of Building No. 09, reportedly due to an electrical short circuit, and quickly spread throughout the structure, engulfing it in dense black smoke. Three units of the Dhamrai Fire Service rushed to the scene and brought the fire under control after nearly two hours of effort using the building’s hydrant system. No fatalities were reported, though the factory’s IPS power system sustained significant damage. Authorities have yet to determine the total losses. Panic initially spread among employees, but the swift response from firefighters prevented a larger catastrophe.

Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to commend his wartime leadership and Israel’s recent achievements. According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, Machado expressed satisfaction with the agreement leading to the release of hostages and praised Israel’s government for its decisive actions. She also voiced strong support for Israel’s fight against what she called the “Iran-backed axis of evil,” noting that this alliance threatens not only Israel but also the people of Venezuela. Netanyahu, in return, congratulated Machado on winning the Nobel Peace Prize and acknowledged her efforts in promoting democracy and global peace. However, Machado’s office has not yet released an official statement regarding the conversation. Earlier this week, she had stated that former U.S. President Donald Trump deserved next year’s Nobel Peace Prize, but her own win dashed those expectations.

Following a string of devastating fires across Bangladesh—including a major blaze at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport—the Police Headquarters has directed all police units to maintain the highest state of alert. Officials fear possible attacks targeting key point installations (KPIs), such as government buildings, airports, power plants, and national institutions. In response, additional patrols, checkpoints, and surveillance measures have been deployed nationwide, especially around 587 identified KPIs, including Bangabhaban, Ganabhaban, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the National Parliament. Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam said the directive aims to reinforce year-round security and ensure coordinated action among law enforcement and security agencies. The interim government assured citizens that all fire incidents are under thorough investigation, emphasizing that any act of sabotage or arson will face strong and immediate action. It urged unity and vigilance, asserting that fear must not undermine national stability and democratic resilience.

Teacher leaders of the “Nationalization Movement Unity Alliance” have expressed satisfaction following a meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. During the meeting, held on Sunday (October 19) at BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Fakhrul assured that if BNP assumes power, all MPO-listed private educational institutions will be nationalized. Following the discussion, Member Secretary Delwar Hossain Aziz said Fakhrul had listened carefully to their demands and had also consulted BNP’s financial advisor over the phone to discuss the teachers’ proposals and related fiscal issues. The teacher delegation proposed a 20% increase in house rent allowance as an interim measure. Aziz added that the BNP leader’s sincerity and attention to implementation had given new momentum to their ongoing movement for nationalization. The teachers also plan to form a broader political unity to urge the government to consider their demands.

The Delhi High Court has ruled that a financially independent or self-sufficient wife cannot claim permanent alimony under Section 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act. The bench, comprising Justices Anil Kshetrapal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, observed that permanent alimony is a measure of social justice, not a means of creating financial equality or redistribution of wealth between capable individuals. The ruling came while upholding a Family Court’s decision to dismiss a woman’s alimony claim and grant divorce to her husband, a lawyer. The wife, a senior Indian Railway Traffic Service officer, had demanded ₹50 lakh as a settlement. The court noted her substantial income and professional status, ruling that she was not entitled to financial support. The bench also cited evidence of the wife’s verbal and mental abuse toward her husband, affirming that the lower court’s decision was fair and legally justified.

In Kishoreganj’s Hossainpur upazila, a young man named Sarowar Hossain Rabbi vented his frustration in an unusual way after failing to secure a loan to travel abroad for work. On Friday (October 17), Rabbi rented a loudspeaker and used vulgar language to verbally lash out at his community, recording and posting the video on Facebook. The clip went viral within hours. In the video, he claimed that despite months of effort to go to Saudi Arabia, he couldn’t arrange the required Tk 100,000, and local people sabotaged his loan applications by spreading negative remarks. He also alleged that officials at the Probashi Kallyan Bank demanded Tk 25,000 in bribes for loan approval. Later, Rabbi apologized in a Facebook post, explaining that his outburst came from desperation to secure a better future for his young son and family.

Flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were temporarily halted after a fire broke out at the Cargo Village at 2:15 PM on Saturday, 18 October. The Fire Service and airport authorities responded quickly, bringing the fire completely under control. No casualties have been reported. An advisor from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is personally monitoring the situation, while the ministry coordinates with all relevant agencies to ensure smooth operations. All flights are scheduled to resume from 9 PM. An investigation into the cause of the fire has already begun, with measures planned to prevent similar incidents in the future. The ministry thanked passengers and the public for their patience and cooperation during the disruption.

A fire broke out at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, October 18, at 2:15 PM, prompting a swift response from the airport authorities and the Fire Service. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism confirmed that the fire has now been completely brought under control and that no casualties have occurred. Sheikh Bashiruddin, Advisor to the Ministry, personally monitored the situation at the airport, ensuring close oversight and coordination among all relevant agencies. Authorities are working to restore normal operations at the airport and maintain safety standards. The ministry has announced that an investigation into the cause of the fire will begin shortly. Measures will be taken to identify the origin of the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future. The coordinated efforts have been praised for containing the situation quickly and effectively.

Bangladesh has recorded a foreign exchange surplus of $480 million in the first two months of the 2025-26 fiscal year, more than double the surplus in the same period last year. According to Bangladesh Bank data, imports increased by nearly 10% to $10.88 billion, while exports rose 11% to $7.93 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $2.96 billion, slightly higher than last year’s $2.75 billion. Capital goods imports surged 24.5%, and intermediate goods imports grew by 8.2%. Officials attribute the improvement to reduced opportunities for illicit money transfers following recent government changes. Meanwhile, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have increased by $8 billion, surpassing $32 billion. Sustained growth in exports and remittances continues to support the positive trajectory of Bangladesh’s external sector.

Power generation at the Barapukuria coal-based thermal power plant in Dinajpur has dropped sharply to just 50 megawatts due to mechanical failures. Out of three production units with a combined capacity of 525 MW, only one unit remains partially operational. Chief Engineer Md. Abu Bakkar Siddique said the 275 MW third unit was shut down Thursday night after turbine steam sensor valves failed. Repairs are underway, and the unit is expected to resume operations within a week. The second unit, with a capacity of 125 MW, has been offline since November 2020. The first unit, though functional, is generating only 50 MW instead of its full capacity. Established in 2006 and expanded in 2017, the plant has rarely achieved full production due to recurring technical issues. Currently, the adjacent coal yard holds about 440,000 tons of coal, raising storage concerns as mining continues.