Mumbai police have arrested Babu Ayan Khan, also known as Jyoti and popularly referred to as ‘Guru Mata,’ for allegedly trafficking over 200 Bangladeshi citizens into India using forged documents. Living in India for 30 years, Jyoti created fake birth certificates, Aadhaar cards, and PAN cards to claim Indian citizenship. The network reportedly smuggled victims through the Murshidabad border into Kolkata, where fake documents were prepared before moving them to Mumbai and housing them in Shivaji Nagar. Each flat hosted 3–4 Bangladeshis who paid monthly rent to Guru Mata. Disturbingly, many of the trafficked individuals were forced into prostitution. Jyoti also illegally occupied over 200 flats under MHADA, earning lakhs of rupees through rentals. She has around 300 followers among Mumbai’s transgender community and had built a reputation as a spiritual leader over the years.

A massive fire that broke out in the warehouses of Adams Caps and Textile Limited and Zhihong Medical Company in Chittagong’s Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) has been brought under control after nearly 17 hours. The fire, which began around 2:00 pm on Thursday, spread rapidly due to highly flammable materials stored in the warehouses. Twenty-five units, including 23 from the Fire Service and two from the Air Force and Navy, joined the firefighting operation, with additional support from the Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). A firefighting robot was also deployed to spray water automatically on the flames. Preliminary reports indicate the fire originated in the top-floor warehouse. While the fire is under control, authorities caution that complete extinguishment will take more time. The incident has caused significant concern over industrial safety standards in the zone.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) have successfully solved the high-profile theft of 500 vori of gold jewelry from Shampa Jewellers in Malibagh’s Fortune Shopping Mall, just days after the incident. Three gang members were directly involved: two entered the building using a rope while wearing burqas, and one waited below on a motorcycle. After stealing the jewelry, they fled and divided it among themselves. Utilizing advanced investigative techniques, the DB identified the main suspects and conducted nationwide operations, arresting four members. Over 150 vori of gold were recovered from one member’s home, along with additional gold and cash from others. The theft, reported on the night of October 8, involved breaking the store’s shutter and stealing jewelry from display cases. Police credit the prompt recovery as a major success, preventing the gang from selling the stolen gold. A detailed briefing will follow at a DB press conference.

The holy month of Ramadan in 2026 is expected to start on February 19 in the Middle East, according to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, president of the Emirates Astronomical Society. Speaking to Al Arabiya, he said the crescent moon of the Hijri year 1447 will appear on February 17 but set just one minute after sunset, making it invisible to the naked eye. As a result, Ramadan will begin the following day, on February 19, and Eid al-Fitr will likely be celebrated on Friday, March 20. Fasting hours during early Ramadan will last around 12 hours, gradually increasing to 13 by the end of the month. Saudi Arabia’s moon-sighting committee will meet on February 18, though it often relies on the Umm al-Qura calendar. As Ramadan usually begins a day later in Bangladesh, the country is expected to start fasting on February 20 and celebrate Eid al-Fitr on March 21.

MPO-listed teachers and staff have started a hunger strike at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka to press for three key demands, including nationalization of their jobs, salary reform, and an increase in housing allowance. The strike began on Friday afternoon, led by Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi, the member secretary of the alliance demanding nationalization. Teachers from across the country have gathered at the site, braving rain and fatigue while chanting slogans and giving speeches. Many participants expressed frustration over receiving only Tk 2,000 as housing allowance, saying it is impossible to rent accommodation with such a small amount. The protest has continued for six consecutive days, but the government has yet to respond. Six teachers’ organizations have united under a single platform, declaring that they will not end their movement until their demands are met.

In a powerful demonstration of unity, tens of thousands of people from five districts of the Rangpur Division—Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, and Gaibandha—lit torches along a 105-kilometer stretch of the Teesta River on Thursday evening. The symbolic event, organized under the banner of the “Jago Bahe Teesta Bachao” (Rise to Save Teesta) movement, called for the urgent implementation of the long-awaited Teesta Master Plan. Former state minister and BNP central organizing secretary Principal Asadul Habib Dulu inaugurated the program, warning that delays in the project would lead to a massive regional protest. He declared that the Teesta crisis is no longer local but a national issue, accusing the government of negligence and conspiracy. The program saw participation from political leaders, social activists, students, and youth groups, all chanting: “Save Teesta, demand fair water share!”

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has warned students and guardians against enrolling in three fake foreign university branch campuses operating illegally in the country. In a press release issued on Thursday (October 16), the UGC identified the institutions as America World University, USA; Trinity University, USA; and Spiritual Institute of New York (State University of). The commission confirmed that neither the government nor the UGC has granted approval to these universities. The discovery came after Bangladesh Commerce Bank Limited requested verification of certificates issued by these institutions. During the verification process, the UGC found evidence of unauthorized branch campuses operating in Bangladesh. The UGC also cautioned that several unapproved foreign universities, tutorial centers, and study centers across the country are illegally offering undergraduate to PhD degrees, which are entirely invalid under existing laws. Students are urged to verify institutional approval before admission.

Education Secretary Rehana Parvin has assured that a national pay scale for teachers will be implemented in the near future, aiming to address longstanding issues related to salaries and house rent allowances. Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Education on October 16, she highlighted that teachers under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) system have been demanding an increase in house rent. Rehana Parvin confirmed that the Ministry of Education has sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance regarding the matter and emphasized that officials are working tirelessly, even while some key advisors are abroad. She expressed optimism that discussions will lead to a resolution, and the new national pay scale will have a positive impact on teachers’ financial well-being. The Secretary called for cooperation from all stakeholders and noted that it may take some time to observe the full benefits.

The 2025 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examination results reveal a steep decline in student performance across Bangladesh. Out of about 1.25 million candidates, more than 500,000 failed, bringing the national pass rate down to 58.83%—the lowest in the past ten years. The Dhaka Education Board led with a 64.62% pass rate, while Cumilla lagged behind with only 48.86%. Other boards scored between 50% and 62%. A total of 69,097 students secured GPA-5, but 202 institutions saw no students pass, a significant rise from 65 last year. Female students continued to outperform males, achieving a 63% pass rate compared to 55% for boys. The data reflect a concerning downward trend in educational outcomes, raising questions about teaching quality, exam standards, and post-pandemic recovery in the education sector.

The Bangladesh Bank has released a directive reminding citizens that 1 and 2 taka coins remain valid legal tender across the country. The central bank observed that in several areas, people are unwilling to accept or use these small-denomination coins in financial transactions. In its statement issued on Wednesday (October 15) by the Department of Communications and Publications, the bank emphasized that refusing to transact with legal currency constitutes a violation of existing monetary laws. Bangladesh Bank urged all individuals, businesses, and institutions to treat both paper notes and metal coins equally in cash dealings. The bank further requested public cooperation to maintain trust and efficiency in the nation’s financial system, ensuring the smooth circulation of all valid currency.

The results of the 2025 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations have been published, revealing a dramatic drop in the overall pass rate across Bangladesh. According to data from 11 education boards, only 58.83 percent of students passed this year, marking an alarming decline of 18.95 percentage points compared to last year’s results. A total of 1,251,111 students participated in the examinations under all boards. The results were officially released at 10:00 a.m. on October 16, 2025, through education board websites, exam centers, institutions, and SMS services. Education analysts and teachers expressed concern over the steep fall, pointing to possible reasons such as syllabus changes, post-pandemic academic disruptions, and stricter evaluation standards. Authorities have promised to analyze the situation and take measures to improve the pass rate in the coming years.

At least five people were killed and 35 others injured in a powerful explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, just before a 48-hour ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan was due to take effect. According to AFP, which cited an Italian NGO operating a hospital in Kabul, emergency services received multiple casualties, including women and children. Dejan Panic, the NGO’s Country Director, reported that many of the wounded were brought in by ambulance and that the blast occurred just a few kilometers from their facility. Witnesses described hearing twin explosions and seeing thick black smoke rising above the city. Streets near the blast site were littered with shattered glass and debris from damaged buildings. The incident comes amid escalating border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which both sides have vowed to resolve through dialogue during the temporary ceasefire.

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has clarified that the government has not raised edible oil prices, countering public confusion after refiners announced new rates. Speaking to reporters in Purbachal on Tuesday (October 14), he emphasized that traders cannot increase prices without the Commerce Ministry’s approval and warned that the government will take necessary action against unauthorized changes. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association had earlier stated that, following discussions with the ministry, prices were adjusted in line with the international market. Their announcement raised the prices of bottled and loose soybean and palm oils effective from October 14. Following this, many assumed that the government had approved the hike. However, the adviser stressed that no such directive had been issued and that the government is maintaining strict market monitoring to prevent arbitrary price increases by traders.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Bangladesh’s GDP growth to reach around 4.9% in the current fiscal year—slightly higher than last year’s 3.97%, but still below the government’s 5.5% target. According to the IMF’s World Economic Outlook 2025, inflation, which had declined in recent months, is likely to rise again due to higher commodity prices. Economic activity and import costs are also expected to increase, widening the current account deficit as dollar spending outpaces earnings. Despite these challenges, the IMF predicts steady growth over the next few years, reaching 6.5% by 2029–30. Bangladesh’s current account deficit, once 4% of GDP in 2021–22, has since dropped to 1.4% in 2023–24, though further pressure on foreign reserves remains likely.

Bangladesh’s National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) is set to introduce a new interoperable payment system on November 1, 2025, allowing seamless transactions across mobile financial services (MFS) such as bKash, Nagad, and Rocket, as well as banks and payment service providers (PSPs). Under this system, bank-to-MFS transfers will cost Tk 1.50 per Tk 1,000, MFS-to-bank transfers Tk 8.50 per Tk 1,000, bank-to-bank transfers Tk 1.50 per Tk 1,000, and bank-to-PSP transfers Tk 2 per Tk 1,000. Recipients will not be charged any fees. The move aims to reduce reliance on cash and promote digital transactions across the country. The service will operate within existing transaction limits of banks, MFS operators, and PSPs. For internet banking transfers between banks, previous rules will remain in effect. The circular was issued by Bangladesh Bank’s Payment Systems Department on October 13, 2025.