Dilip Kumar Agarwala, a high-profile businessman and one of Sheikh Hasina’s key financiers, has been mysteriously released from Keraniganj Central Jail under strict secrecy, raising questions in legal circles. He was granted bail on September 27 in a Gulshan murder case, and just three days later, on September 30, he was quietly freed without any intelligence reports submitted during the period. Lawyers allege that such a swift release would not have been possible without direct assistance from influential state officials. Dilip had been imprisoned for about a year, spending much of it in a VIP hospital cabin with access to family visits and alleged mobile phone threats to plaintiffs. He faces over a dozen ongoing legal cases, including multiple murder charges, and investigations into massive illegal wealth accumulation and gold smuggling across India, Canada, and the U.S. His current whereabouts remain unknown, with speculation he may have crossed the border.

The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) has announced it will not sign the July Charter unless it can first review the draft of the implementation order. Party Convener Nahid Islam said the order must be made public before signing and issued by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus as head of government, not president. At a press conference on October 16, Nahid alleged that political parties were excluded from reviewing the July Declaration’s content and that several key narratives were omitted. He insisted that 84 unresolved issues be placed under a national referendum and dismissed any “symbolic or dramatic formalities” without a legal foundation. The NCP also demanded elections be held in February, accusing the Election Commission of losing neutrality over the party’s electoral symbol. Nahid warned that any attempt to enforce decisions through pressure would be unacceptable.

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit three Asian countries—Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia—later this month as part of a diplomatic tour. According to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besent, Trump will first travel to Japan before attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea, which begins on October 31. He is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping there amid ongoing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. Prior to that, Trump will participate in the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28, where he will witness the signing of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia following their recent border conflict. The visit underscores Washington’s strategic engagement in the Asia-Pacific region during a period of shifting global alliances and economic competition.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has accused Afghanistan of acting as a proxy for India amid escalating clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. In an interview with Geo News, Asif alleged that Kabul has “become Delhi’s puppet” and is receiving financial support from India to destabilize the region. He warned that while Pakistan remains open to constructive dialogue, it would not tolerate ceasefire violations or attacks on its soil. The recent series of violent exchanges between Pakistani forces and Afghan Taliban fighters began over the weekend and flared up again on Wednesday, October 15. According to Afghan officials, at least 58 Pakistani soldiers have been killed, while Islamabad claims to have eliminated more than 200 Taliban fighters. The growing tension has raised fears of a wider regional conflict, despite both sides briefly agreeing to a 48-hour truce earlier in the week.

The prosecution is set to conclude its final arguments today in the war crimes case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and one other accused, related to atrocities allegedly committed during the July Movement. The hearing is being held at International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar. Over the past sessions, prosecutors presented witness testimonies, phone call analyses involving Hasanul Haq Inu, former Dhaka mayor Tapas, and a former DU vice-chancellor, along with video clips, reports, and other documentary evidence. Once the prosecution wraps up, state-appointed defense lawyers for Sheikh Hasina will present counterarguments. Following rebuttals from both sides, the tribunal will set a date for the verdict. In separate proceedings today, ICT-1 continues hearing testimony in the Chandkharpool six-murder case, while ICT-2 records witness statements in the Ashulia six-body burning case.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him India will no longer purchase oil from Russia. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday (October 15), Trump said he had been unhappy with India’s continued oil trade with Moscow but welcomed Modi’s commitment to halt the imports. He described the decision as a “big step” and added that Washington would now pressure China to take similar action. When asked for confirmation, the Indian Embassy in Washington did not provide an immediate response. Analysts view this move as a potential turning point in global energy diplomacy amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, as the U.S. seeks to curtail Russia’s oil revenue. India, one of Russia’s largest oil buyers, would mark a significant shift in Moscow’s export landscape if the pledge is implemented soon.

In a historic landslide, the Shibir-backed “Sampreeti Students’ Alliance” has won 24 of the 26 positions in the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) election, including the top posts of Vice President (VP) and General Secretary (GS). Ibrahim Hossain Roni and Saeed Bin Habib were elected as VP and GS, respectively. The alliance also secured all five executive member positions. Only two posts went to other groups—Ayubur Rahman Taufiq from the BNP-backed panel won as Assistant General Secretary (AGS), and Tamanna Mahbub Preeti won as Assistant Sports Secretary. The Shibir-supported winners have taken major roles across cultural, welfare, IT, environment, research, and rights portfolios. This result marks a major political shift in the university’s student politics, signaling renewed dominance of Shibir-backed student groups in CU campus affairs.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has instructed the National Citizen Party (NCP) to select a new election symbol by October 19, after deciding that the party cannot use the Shapla (water lily) emblem. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced the decision while speaking to reporters at the EC headquarters on Tuesday, October 14. He stated that if the NCP fails to propose an alternative symbol by the deadline, the Election Commission will assign one on its own. According to the secretary, the commission sees no necessity to include the Shapla symbol in the registration process. He added that if the NCP refuses to accept registration without the Shapla, it will be the party’s own choice. The directive signals the EC’s firm stance on regulating political symbols to maintain clarity and avoid duplication in upcoming elections.

Interim Government Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has announced a major digital reform that will allow bail orders to be sent directly from courts to prisons with a single click. Speaking at an event at the Supreme Court Auditorium, Dr. Nazrul said that currently, an accused person must go through 12 lengthy and often corrupt steps before being released after securing bail. From Wednesday, the new online bail system will automatically deliver bail documents to the relevant prison, eliminating delays, costs, and harassment. He emphasized that this initiative was developed entirely with government funds, without any external assistance. Dr. Nazrul also revealed that during the interim government’s tenure, several key laws—including those on the judicial secretariat, enforced disappearances, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and human rights—will be finalized soon. Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman chaired the event, joined by Additional Attorney General Arshadur Rauf and Barrister Anik R. Haque.

Dhaka’s former Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, has been temporarily suspended over serious allegations of corruption and misconduct during the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina. According to a law ministry order issued on September 29, the decision was made following consultation with the Supreme Court. Investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) found evidence of bribery, manipulation of bail, and misuse of judicial power. Chowdhury allegedly turned his court into a hub of political favoritism, punishing opposition leaders while profiting from illegal case settlements and auction scams. He is also accused of misappropriating seized vehicles and securing multiple land plots through abuse of authority. Sources claim his misconduct severely damaged the judiciary’s reputation. Chowdhury denies wrongdoing, saying the ACC probe will clear him. The suspension has been widely welcomed within legal circles.

Madagascar is facing a political crisis as President Andry Rajoelina reportedly fled the country amid escalating protests led by the opposition group Zan-Gi. The protests, which began on September 25 over water and electricity shortages, quickly intensified into nationwide demonstrations addressing government corruption, mismanagement, and lack of basic services. According to opposition leaders, some military units rebelled and joined the demonstrators, prompting the President to leave the island nation on a French military plane bound for Paris. The President’s current location remains unknown, and a previously scheduled national address did not take place. French authorities, including President Emmanuel Macron, were reportedly involved in facilitating the move. Madagascar, with a population of nearly 30 million, faces deep economic challenges, with three-quarters of its citizens living below the poverty line and declining per capita GDP.

The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) announced that it will soon publish a list of interim government advisers allegedly seeking a “safe exit” through political deals. The controversy began when NCP Convener Nahid Islam claimed that several advisers were liaising with political parties to secure personal benefits. His remarks sparked intense debate, with at least five advisers publicly responding—some demanding evidence, others condemning his statement. Senior NCP leader Samantha Sharmin defended Nahid, saying he spoke from firsthand observation as a former adviser himself. Party insiders claim some advisers are acting under the influence of a particular political group, undermining the spirit of the student-led uprising that brought the interim government to power. NCP leaders accuse remnants of the previous regime’s “mafia media establishment” of trying to discredit student leadership while ignoring corruption and extortion across the country. The situation continues to fuel divisions within the interim administration.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Russia that the United States could supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles if Moscow refuses to negotiate an end to the war. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One before his trip to Israel, Trump said the Tomahawk is a powerful offensive weapon and its deployment “would not be good for Russia.” Earlier, Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, confirming that the missile issue was raised during their conversation. Russia has condemned the idea as a “serious provocation,” warning it would push U.S.–Russia relations into crisis. President Vladimir Putin said the move would directly involve Washington in the conflict. With a range of 2,500 kilometers, Tomahawk missiles could reach Moscow from inside Ukraine. Zelensky responded that Russia’s fear of such weapons shows growing pressure that could help bring about peace.

Sohail Afridi, nominated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been elected as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 90 votes, securing a clear majority in the 145-member provincial assembly. The opposition boycotted the election, calling it “illegal and unconstitutional,” with leaders including Dr. Ibadullah and JUI-F representatives walking out before voting commenced. Outgoing Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur congratulated Afridi and emphasized the importance of peace and justice, stating that his resignation was submitted following the instructions of PTI’s founder. PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar warned party members against defying the founder’s nominated candidate. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi raised concerns over Gandapur’s resignation letters due to signature discrepancies, instructing him to verify them on October 15. Despite this, the assembly proceeded with the election, meeting the required majority of 73 votes. The ruling party now holds 93 seats, while the opposition has 52.

Jammu and Kashmir PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti has strongly criticized the BJP-led central government for welcoming Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, calling it a display of internal hypocrisy. She argued that while India’s government engages with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan to strengthen diplomatic and strategic ties, it simultaneously marginalizes its own Muslim citizens through policies and rhetoric targeting the community, including initiatives labeled as “Love Jihad,” “Land Jihad,” “Vote Jihad,” and “Cow Jihad.” Mufti highlighted that India’s decision to offer scholarships and developmental support to Afghanistan, while curtailing opportunities for Muslim students and closing madrasas at home, underscores a stark contradiction. Stressing the importance of international relations, she emphasized that the foundation of a stable and harmonious nation lies in building trust, respect, and equality for minority communities within its own borders. Afghan FM Muttaqi’s visit is part of a six-day trip to strengthen bilateral ties.