The interim government is considering advanced surveillance measures for the upcoming national parliamentary elections, including the use of drones, installation of CCTV cameras at polling centers, and equipping police officers with body cameras. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced the plans during a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. He said legal aspects are under review to ensure the measures comply with regulations. The proposals were discussed earlier in the day during an advisory council meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. In another announcement, the government decided to open a new Bangladeshi consulate in Detroit, Michigan, to expand diplomatic and consular services. The Chief Adviser directed that all operations be managed online, ensuring full digital capability from the consulate’s inception.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially announced the schedule for the 2025-26 academic year cluster admission tests. The examinations will begin on March 27, 2025, with the ‘C’ Unit test, followed by the ‘B’ Unit on April 3 and the ‘A’ Unit on April 10, allowing a one-week interval between each test. The meeting deciding the schedule was held on Thursday afternoon in the UGC conference room at Agargaon, Dhaka. Professor Dr. Tanzim Uddin Khan, UGC member in charge of public universities, delivered the welcome speech, while Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam and vice-chancellors of the cluster universities attended the meeting. The date for opening applications has not yet been announced and will be finalized in a subsequent meeting. Students across the country are now preparing to apply and sit for these highly competitive admission tests.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 of Bangladesh has set November 13 as the date for announcing the verdict in a war crimes case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and one other accused. The charges stem from alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July–August 2024 movement. The three-member bench, headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mozumdar, confirmed the date after concluding hearings on October 23. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman presented final arguments on behalf of the prosecution, while state-appointed defense counsel Md. Amir Hossain argued for the absconding accused, seeking acquittal. The defense challenged witness testimonies, claiming bias and coercion. The prosecution insisted the evidence proved command responsibility and direct involvement. The verdict is expected to have significant political and legal ramifications in Bangladesh’s ongoing accountability process.

In a major financial restructuring move, the Bangladesh government has approved the merger of five struggling Islamic banks—First Security Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank—into a new state-owned entity named Combined Islami Bank. The initiative, approved by Bangladesh Bank, the Finance Ministry, and the Advisory Council, aims to stabilize the Islamic banking sector, which has been plagued by liquidity shortages and allegations of mismanagement. The new bank will start with a paid-up capital of Tk 35,000 crore and authorized capital of Tk 40,000 crore, making it the largest bank in the country. The government will contribute Tk 20,000 crore, partly through sukuk bonds. A significant portion of the capital will go toward repaying depositors. Officials hope the merger will rebuild public trust, attract new deposits, and enhance remittance inflows under government ownership.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has publicly issued an unconditional apology on behalf of his party for any pain or harm caused by Jamaat since 1947. Speaking at a discussion with journalists in New York on October 22, he said that previous Jamaat leaders, including Ghulam Azam and Motiur Rahman Nizami, had also offered similar apologies. Dr. Rahman emphasized that as humans, Jamaat members could make mistakes and that acknowledging and apologizing for them was a moral responsibility. He reiterated that the apology extended up to October 22, 2025, covering all who may have suffered due to the party’s actions. The Jamaat chief also called for a referendum on political reforms, including proportional representation, before the upcoming national election. He assured that minorities would live safely under Jamaat’s rule and said the party seeks an equal, respectful relationship with India.

The interim government has initiated the formulation of a new national pay scale for government officers and employees, with the process led by a dedicated pay commission. In a significant development, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) announced that it is preparing a proposal to include private-sector salary recommendations in the same commission. FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir stated that the proposal, to be submitted soon, suggests setting a minimum monthly salary between Tk 25,000 and Tk 30,000 for all workers to ensure a humane standard of living. The government has confirmed that the pay commission’s work is progressing, and the final report will be submitted within the scheduled timeframe. Early indications suggest government salaries may nearly double. Alamgir emphasized that wages should uphold human dignity, reduce inequality, and prevent corruption across both public and private sectors.

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam stated that an atmosphere is developing in Bangladesh for the formation of a caretaker government ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Speaking at a training workshop for Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) in Dhaka, he emphasized that government officials should perform their duties with honesty, courage, and neutrality, without fear or political influence. Anwarul recalled that officials had the most freedom during previous caretaker governments and suggested a similar situation might be unfolding now. Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin attended the event as the chief guest, while other commissioners and the EC’s senior secretary were also present. Another commissioner, Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah, described the upcoming election as one of the most consequential in the country’s history, urging UNOs to remain impartial. The national election, announced by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is scheduled for early February 2025.

Former Bangladesh cricket captain and Awami League lawmaker Shakib Al Hasan has said he has “no regrets” about his role during the mass uprising of July–August last year that ended Sheikh Hasina’s long rule. Shakib was elected to parliament in a controversial January election but stayed abroad in the U.S. while violent crackdowns on protesters unfolded at home. Critics accused him of remaining silent despite being part of the ruling party. Speaking recently, Shakib acknowledged the criticism but defended his stance, saying he respects people’s opinions but feels no remorse. He claimed that over time, the public has started to “understand the real situation,” suggesting that the Awami League was not as bad as portrayed and that the July movement was misguided. Since the government’s fall, Shakib has been living abroad in what many describe as self-imposed exile.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to hear the prosecution’s final arguments today in the crimes against humanity case against Sheikh Hasina and two other accused. Following the defense’s closing arguments on Wednesday, the prosecution began its rebuttal, which concludes today. Chief Prosecutor and the Attorney General are expected to present their statements before the tribunal reserves the case for verdict. Earlier, 54 witnesses — including victims’ families, survivors, and medical professionals — testified in connection with the July Movement incidents, describing acts of genocide, enforced disappearances, and killings allegedly carried out during Hasina’s rule. Among the witnesses, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun appeared as a state witness, shedding light on the directives and those responsible for implementing the atrocities. The prosecution claims that the evidence presented is sufficient to establish the defendants’ guilt beyond reasonable doubt in any international court.

Fifteen army officers accused in two cases of enforced disappearance and torture during the Awami League government, as well as one case related to the anti-discrimination movement in Rampura, have been transferred from prison to a sub-jail located inside the Dhaka Cantonment. The Ministry of Home Affairs declared the “MES Building No. 54” on Bashar Road as a temporary jail on October 12. According to prison regulations, their care remains under the Department of Prisons, with 35 security personnel assigned to the sub-jail. Each officer has a separate room equipped with basic furniture, a fan, and a daily newspaper. Meals are provided from the central jail, including bread and vegetables for breakfast; rice, lentils, vegetables, and fish or meat for lunch; and fish or meat with vegetables for dinner. Oversight will be conducted by senior prison officials, ensuring all operations comply with official prison rules.

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has entered the third consecutive day of final appeal hearings regarding the reinstatement of the caretaker government system. The hearing began Thursday morning (October 23), led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and a seven-member appellate bench. Earlier, on Wednesday, the legal team representing Badiul Alam Majumdar completed their arguments seeking restoration of the caretaker government from the 14th national election onward. During the session, the Chief Justice questioned whether reinstating such a system might undermine parliamentary authority. Lawyers for the petitioners argued that the verdict should clarify the constitutional position of an interim government in relation to upcoming elections. The review appeal follows the August 27 decision granting permission for appeal against the earlier verdict that annulled the caretaker system. The caretaker government provision was first introduced through the 13th Amendment in 1996 and declared valid by the High Court in 2004.

The U.S. Department of State has once again excluded Bangladesh from the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program for 2026, continuing a multi-year restriction that prevents Bangladeshi citizens from applying. This means Bangladeshis, like in previous years, will not be eligible to participate in the lottery that offers permanent residency in the United States. According to the official DV-2026 guidelines, countries with high immigration rates to the U.S.—including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China, and South Korea—are not eligible this year. The Diversity Visa program is designed for countries with historically low U.S. immigration levels, providing up to 55,000 green cards annually. While 31 Asian countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka remain eligible, Bangladesh’s continued exclusion highlights its significant immigration rate to the U.S. and brings disappointment to thousands hoping for a chance at the American dream.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges has announced a significant policy change regarding driving licenses in Bangladesh. Advisor to the ministry, Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan, revealed that all drivers must complete a mandatory 60-hour training program at an approved training center before receiving a driving license. Additionally, trainees will receive a stipend during their training period. The announcement was made on Wednesday (October 22) during a discussion marking National Road Safety Day 2025 in Tejgaon, Dhaka. Khan emphasized that untrained drivers are one of the main causes of road accidents and traffic congestion. He added that the existing licensing committee system will be abolished and replaced with a training-based model. The new approach aims to align Bangladesh’s system with international standards and ensure safer, more skilled drivers on the roads.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will engage in discussions with Bangladesh’s next elected government before releasing the next tranche of the $5.5 billion loan package, scheduled for December, according to Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur. Speaking from Washington, where he is attending the IMF–World Bank annual meetings, Mansur explained that the IMF made this decision in light of the upcoming national elections. Bangladesh has neither objected to nor endorsed the decision, as it currently faces no financial pressure. The Governor emphasized the importance of maintaining policy continuity rather than focusing solely on disbursement. He added that conducting a full review now would be premature, given the election period. The IMF’s Article IV mission will arrive in October for a partial assessment, with the final review expected in February, following the elections. So far, Bangladesh has received $3.6 billion of the pledged loan.

A young man was killed on Wednesday morning after Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel opened fire during a clash with suspected smugglers in Sylhet’s Jaintapur upazila. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. in the Suraighat border area under Charikata Union, within the jurisdiction of BGB’s 19 Battalion. According to BGB officials, a patrol team intercepted a pickup truck carrying smuggled goods when a group of armed men attacked them with local weapons, including machetes and sticks, attempting to snatch the seized items. BGB claimed they fired several blank rounds in self-defense to protect government property and their own lives. One BGB member sustained serious injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. The deceased was identified as 35-year-old Almas Mia of Nayakhel village. Police have recovered the body and sent it to the morgue, though no formal complaint had been filed as of Wednesday evening.