Renowned Bangladeshi photographer, writer, and human rights activist Dr. Shahidul Alam has been released from Israeli custody after being detained along with other journalists, medics, and crew members aboard the Conscience, a ship of the Freedom Flotilla bound for Gaza. The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces on October 8, and all aboard were taken to Ashdod Port and later transferred to the Ketziot Prison in the Negev Desert, known for harsh conditions. His release was confirmed by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, which also announced that he boarded a flight from Israel to Istanbul with Turkish assistance. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for facilitating Alam’s release. Shahidul Alam is expected to return home soon, marking the end of his brief but intense detention that sparked international concern and renewed calls for humanitarian access to Gaza.

The International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh has issued arrest warrants against 30 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the Awami League’s 15-year rule. Among the accused are 14 active and 10 retired army officers, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, ex-Police Chief Benazir Ahmed, and two former RAB directors. The tribunal has ordered authorities to arrest and present all accused before the court by October 22. Legal experts note that such a large number of military officers being charged simultaneously in criminal and war crimes cases is unprecedented in Bangladesh. The interim government recently amended the tribunal law, barring government officials from retaining their posts once formally charged. Lawyers say military officers may face either military or civilian trials depending on the nature of their alleged offenses.

The Bangladesh Commission on Enforced Disappearances has released a groundbreaking documentary revealing detailed information about individuals who went missing, the methods used in the disappearances, their detention, and the ultimate fate of the victims. The documentary also identifies those directly involved in these actions. According to the commission, the investigation included data collection from police, RAB, intelligence agencies, and other government institutions, alongside continuous research to trace missing persons. The commission has recommended issuing “Disappearance Certificates,” suggested legal amendments, and provided policy advice to law enforcement. The documentary aims not only to document the investigation but also to restore public trust and establish justice. It is available on the commission’s official YouTube channel. Over 300 individuals remain missing, and initiatives are underway to support families in conducting basic financial transactions.

The government has approved a new policy to provide a monthly state allowance to senior journalists aged 65 and above. Under the initiative, eligible journalists will receive 10,000 taka each month as financial support, especially aimed at those facing economic hardship. The policy was finalized during a meeting at the Secretariat, chaired by Md. Kawser Ahmad, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Initially, the allowance will cover senior journalists in divisional and district towns, with plans to expand both coverage and the honorarium amount gradually. The draft policy, prepared by the Journalists’ Welfare Trust, had proposed 15,000 taka, but the ministry finalized it at 10,000 taka. Journalists with at least 25 years of experience can apply once the advisory approval and official gazette notification are issued. The scheme is seen as a recognition of lifelong contributions to journalism and media.

The Bangladesh Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, approved the “Personal Data Protection Ordinance, 2025” during a meeting held on October 9 in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The ordinance aims to ensure confidentiality, security, integrity, and safety in personal data processing, while promoting fairness, interoperability, digital economy growth, and responsible innovation. Special Assistant Foyez Ahmed Tayeb emphasized that the law will maintain international standards in data collection, processing, storage, use, transfer, disclosure, and destruction, playing a crucial role in protecting citizens’ data rights and developing the country’s digital sector. The government also plans to release individuals convicted under the previous Digital Security Act.

The International Crimes Tribunal has issued arrest warrants against 30 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in connection with two enforced disappearance cases. The warrants have been forwarded to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and 12 key government and military departments, including the Chief of Army Staff, DG of DGFI, and Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division. Earlier, arrest warrants were issued against 17 people, including Hasina, in one case, and 13 people in another, with formal charges filed the same day. The accused include several senior military officers, some of whom are still in service. According to the Chief Prosecutor, under the amended International Crimes Tribunal law, no individual can remain in office once formal charges are submitted.

The United Kingdom has announced that Bangladeshi products will continue to enjoy full duty-free access to its market until 2029 under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). The announcement was made on October 9 during a meeting at the Secretariat between UK Trade Envoy Baroness Rosie Winterton and Bangladesh Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin. Discussions focused on strengthening trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries. Baroness Winterton emphasized that maintaining duty-free access will help Bangladesh sustain export competitiveness as it transitions from a Least Developed Country to a developing country in 2026. She also highlighted the UK’s interest in forming new partnerships in Bangladesh’s infrastructure, green energy, technology, and education sectors. The meeting addressed progress on Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal, with the Bangladeshi government aiming for a swift launch. The UK High Commissioner Sarah Cooke and Commerce Ministry officials also attended the meeting.

The historic July National Accord signing has been officially scheduled for 15 October at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. The ceremony will be led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government, and will see participation from representatives of various political parties and alliances across the country. The date was confirmed during a meeting of the National Consensus Commission, where expert opinions and feedback from five prior political consultations were analyzed to finalize the process. The Commission aims to submit detailed implementation recommendations to the government soon, based on these analyses. Key members attending included Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz and other commission members, along with Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, highlighting a collaborative approach to achieving national consensus.

A 14-member delegation of business leaders, including representatives from FBCCI, BGMEA, BKMEA, and BTMA, met with Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur on October 9 to demand a reduction of interest rates to single digits. The delegation highlighted that current bank loan rates, exceeding 14%, are not conducive to business growth, especially for small and medium enterprises earning only 10–11% profit in a competitive market. They emphasized that high interest rates make it extremely difficult for businesses to survive in the global market and urged the central bank to gradually lower rates in the upcoming monetary policy. The delegation also requested a six-month extension for a committee handling financial restructuring for businesses affected by COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, floods, and political instability. A new committee has been proposed to provide policy support for loans under BDT 50 crore. The governor assured that these measures would continue without issues.

The Advisory Council of Bangladesh has approved a proposal to merge five private Islamic banks—First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, Exim Bank, and Social Islami Bank—into a single Shariah-compliant bank, which will be named United Bank. The decision was made at a meeting chaired by Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus on October 9. Initially, the new bank will remain under state ownership, managed by the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance, with plans for eventual privatization. The council confirmed that no employees of the merged banks will be laid off, and all customer deposits will remain fully protected. In addition, the Advisory Council approved amendments to modernize the Deposit Protection Act in the banking and insurance sectors, aiming to ensure stronger financial security and depositor confidence in the evolving banking landscape.

The Bangladesh Advisory Council has approved amendments to the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025, resulting in the cancellation of all cases filed under the Digital Security Act 2018. This decision was announced after a council meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on October 9. Following the amendments, all individuals previously convicted or accused under the 2018 law have been released. The ordinance specifies that pending cases, ongoing investigations, or legal actions under Sections 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 31 of the Digital Security Act, including aiding offenses, will be annulled. Alongside the cyber security amendment, the council also approved the Personal Data Protection Ordinance 2025 and the National Data Protection Ordinance 2025, aimed at enhancing the security of citizens’ personal information and digital rights.

The government is finalizing a multimodal transport master plan aimed at developing an integrated and efficient nationwide transport network combining road, rail, and waterways. Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Sheikh Moinuddin stated that around 70–75% of the work is expected to be completed before the end of the current tenure. The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges is leading the initiative with support from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank to ensure international standards. The plan emphasizes connecting ports, trade centers, export processing zones, and tourism hubs while identifying infrastructure gaps and investment priorities. Although the aviation sector has not yet been fully integrated, future expansion is planned. The initiative seeks to eliminate coordination problems among transport agencies and ensure all future infrastructure projects align with the national master plan.

The results of this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations are likely to be released on October 16, pending approval from the Ministry of Education. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee held on October 9, where all board chairmen agreed on the proposed date. An official confirmed that the proposal would be sent to the ministry for final approval, after which results from all 11 education boards will be announced simultaneously. This year, a total of 1,251,111 students appeared in the examinations—618,015 boys and 633,096 girls—across 2,797 exam centers nationwide. The written exams concluded on August 19, while practical tests were held from August 21 to 31. According to the Public Examination Act, results must be published within 60 days of the written exams’ completion.

The government is expected to finalize the date for a national referendum that may coincide with the upcoming parliamentary election to implement the “July Charter 2025.” Sources indicate that before announcing the date, the government will consult the Election Commission and political parties due to their direct involvement. The referendum will feature two sections on the ballot—one for proposals with unanimous agreement among parties and another for those with recorded dissent. The National Consensus Commission, led by interim head Dr. Muhammad Yunus, will submit its recommendations to the government, integrating expert and political feedback. A signing ceremony for the Charter is scheduled for October 15 at the National Parliament’s South Plaza. Political parties, however, remain divided over the timing of the referendum, with the BNP favoring it on election day and Jamaat preferring November. The Charter includes 84 reform proposals, some requiring constitutional amendments.

Following widespread public anger over a report alleging that the Bomang King’s Office in Bandarban sells “King’s Certificates” for inflated prices, the Parbatya Chattogram Nagorik Parishad (PCCP) and local citizens have announced a dawn-to-dusk hartal on October 13. The protest demands the immediate cancellation of the King’s Certificate and fulfillment of eight key demands, including equal rights for Bengali settlers and indigenous residents. At a press conference held on October 9, PCCP Chairman Kazi Mojibur Rahman said that requiring a King’s Certificate to buy land, get a job, or attend school in the three hill districts is discriminatory and unconstitutional. He called for a unified administrative system under the Constitution to eliminate inequality and double standards in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Journalists from print and electronic media attended the event, which highlighted long-standing grievances over regional governance and land rights.