A violent clash erupted at midnight between students of Dhaka University (DU) and Dhaka College in the Nilkhet and New Market areas of the capital. The altercation reportedly began over setting up roadside shops near DU’s Shahnewaz Hall, escalating into stone-pelting and a fierce chase between both groups. The chaotic scene left several people, including a journalist, injured. DU Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadik Kayem and other student leaders rushed to the spot to restore order. Meanwhile, a large police force was deployed to control the situation, which turned the area into a temporary battleground. According to Mohammad Jahangir, Assistant Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) New Market Zone, police successfully dispersed both groups and the situation is now under control. Authorities are investigating the incident and have assured that legal action will be taken if necessary.

The Bangladeshi government has introduced a comprehensive cyber governance framework through three new ordinances in 2025—the Personal Data Protection Ordinance, National Data Management Ordinance, and Cybersecurity (Amendment) Ordinance. Foyez Ahmed Tayyab, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser overseeing the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, stated that these measures aim to enhance digital security, protect citizens’ personal information, and prevent cybercrime. The new framework ensures platform accountability, government supervision of data storage, and clear ownership rights, keeping citizens’ data under their control while restricting commercial exploitation. Tayyab emphasized that the laws are not only administrative but also technically and knowledge-based, building a modern cyber ecosystem in Bangladesh. The ordinances mark a significant step forward in national digital governance, aligning the country with global standards while addressing long-standing gaps in policy and practice. Journalists are encouraged to verify facts before reporting.

The International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh has jurisdiction to try 15 military officers against whom arrest warrants have been issued in three cases, including two enforced disappearance cases, Chief Prosecutor Advocate Tajul Islam said on Sunday. He emphasized that the law requires presenting arrested individuals in court within 24 hours, after which the court will decide on further proceedings. Arrest warrants have been communicated to all relevant departments, including the army, and the tribunal is the proper venue for trying military officers involved in disappearances and killings. On Saturday, Major General Md. Hakimuzzaman briefed that 15 officers listed in the tribunal’s charge sheet have been taken into custody. A total of 25 officers, including former and current personnel, were accused, with 15 ordered to report to army headquarters by October 9; all except Major General Kabir Ahmed complied.

Chittagong Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), Laldiar Char, and Dhaka’s Pangaon terminal are set to be handed over to foreign operators by December, according to Mohammad Yusuf, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping. The move aims to enhance port capacity, improve efficiency, and attract foreign investment. Yusuf noted that while strategic and geographical concerns exist, similar operations have succeeded in ports across India, Sri Lanka, and other countries. The decision comes despite some opposition from local business communities. Yusuf emphasized that foreign operators will help streamline operations, reduce delays, and lower damages caused by congestion. Experts also highlighted the potential for the country’s shipbuilding industry to expand, leveraging global trade opportunities, and transforming it into a billion-dollar sector, supported by efficient delivery systems and tailored banking solutions.

Chittagong University (CU) has announced the tentative dates for its first-year undergraduate (honors) admission tests for the 2025–2026 academic year. The decision was made during the first meeting of the Admission Process Management Committee, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yahia Akhter on October 12. Online applications will open on December 1 and continue until December 15. Tests for units ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, and ‘D’ will be held at CU, Dhaka University, and Rajshahi University centers, while sub-units B1, B2, and D1 exams will be conducted exclusively at CU. Tentative exam dates include January 2 for ‘A’ unit, January 3 for ‘B’ unit, January 9 for ‘C’ unit, and January 10 for ‘D’ unit. Detailed information will be available on the university website.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) is set to be divided into two distinct entities: the Directorate of Secondary Education and the Directorate of College Education. The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the Principal Advisor has approved this plan. A six-member committee has been formed to prepare comprehensive proposals for the two new directorates, including separate organograms, work allocations, and the Table of Officers & Equipment (TO&E). The committee, led by the Joint Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, has been instructed to submit the organograms within 30 days. Members include senior officials from the Ministry of Education, Finance Division, Public Administration Ministry, and the current DSHE leadership. This restructuring aims to streamline administrative processes and improve the governance of both secondary and higher education in Bangladesh.

The Dhaka College Heritage and Identity Preservation Committee has issued a stern warning that they will launch strict protests if the proposed draft for Dhaka Central University is not revised. At a press conference on October 12, convener Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, a former Dhaka College Students’ Union VP and BNP leader, said the draft could jeopardize the autonomy of seven prominent government colleges and restrict women’s education at Eden and Badrunnisa Colleges. The committee called for establishing Dhaka Central University following Oxford, Federal, or similar models, while preserving the independence, heritage, and competitive academic programs of these colleges. They presented ten proposals, emphasizing protection of infrastructure, scholarships, faculty ratios, student welfare, and avoidance of hybrid education systems. Human chains and further protests are planned at the National Press Club on October 16 if demands are not met.

During the live broadcast of prosecution arguments in the crimes against humanity case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and another accused, the Facebook page of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor’s Office came under a cyberattack. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam revealed the incident during a press briefing on Sunday, October 12, stating that the attackers temporarily disabled the page but it was later restored. Tajul alleged that the perpetrators and their allies aimed to prevent the world from seeing the transparency and strength of the evidence presented in court. Emphasizing the government’s resolve, Tajul said no criminal will escape justice and no attempt to shield offenders will succeed in Bangladesh. He added that the prosecution’s efforts are not driven by revenge but by a commitment to justice and fairness.

Thousands of MPO-listed (government-subsidized) teachers and employees have announced an indefinite work stoppage beginning Tuesday to press for an increase in house rent and medical allowances. Under the banner of the Alliance for Nationalization of MPO-Listed Education Institutions, teachers gathered in Dhaka on Sunday demanding a 20% house rent allowance based on basic pay, an increase in the medical allowance from Tk 500 to Tk 1,500, and a festival bonus hike from 50% to 75% of basic salary. Alliance member secretary Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi warned that if the government fails to issue an official circular by Tuesday, the teachers will continue their protest and abstain from work at all schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions. The group previously staged protests in August and September over similar demands and vowed not to return home until their demands are met.

Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus departed for Rome today, Sunday, October 12, to attend the flagship event of the World Food Forum. The Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying Professor Yunus and his delegation left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:30 a.m. During the forum, he is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech as an invited guest at the main session. He will also hold meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and leaders of various international organizations to discuss pressing global issues such as food security, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development. Organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Forum serves as a platform for policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs worldwide to exchange ideas on the future of global food systems. This visit highlights Bangladesh’s proactive diplomatic engagement on the international stage.

The International Hope School Bangladesh (IHSB) in Uttara has officially launched a Young Learner English Center in collaboration with the British Council, aiming to expand high-quality English education for children and adolescents aged 7 to 17. The inauguration took place at the school’s main Uttara campus on October 11, with school leaders highlighting the center as a vibrant learning hub. The initiative offers a structured, internationally recognized curriculum designed to enhance students’ communication skills, creativity, and confidence while preparing them for global opportunities. Cambridge-certified teachers will conduct specially designed courses, and parents can track their children’s progress regularly. This new center complements the British Council facility on Fuller Road in southern Dhaka, allowing northern students easier access to world-class English education. The project reflects IHSB’s commitment to integrated education, academic excellence, and global readiness.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a new policy to regulate the refund value of damaged, torn, or burnt currency notes, ensuring fairness and uniformity across all banks. According to the circular issued Thursday, the directive takes immediate effect. Under the policy, if more than 90% of a note remains intact, customers will receive its full value. Notes with 75–90% of their surface will be refunded at 75%, and those with 51–75% at 50%. Notes with less than 51% remaining will not be eligible for compensation. The new “Note Reimbursement Regulations 2025” replaces the previous 2012 framework, introducing precise and transparent guidelines. Customers can appeal unresolved cases through their bank’s head office and ultimately to Bangladesh Bank. The initiative aims to strengthen consumer confidence, enhance transparency, and modernize the country’s currency management system.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 begins hearing arguments on Sunday, October 12, in the high-profile case accusing Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun of crimes against humanity. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim confirmed the schedule through a video statement on Saturday evening. The final witness, investigation officer Md. Alamgir, completed cross-examination last Wednesday, after which the tribunal—led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder—set the date for arguments. The prosecution will start the argument phase today, followed by the defense’s presentation and then the prosecution’s rebuttal. The tribunal completed recording testimonies from 54 witnesses over 28 working days. Once the hearings conclude, the case will proceed to judgment. The prosecution’s arguments will be broadcast live on Bangladesh Television and the prosecution’s official Facebook page.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that the process of bringing certain army officers accused of involvement in enforced disappearances and killings under trial has begun. In a Facebook post on October 12, he acknowledged that some members of the army had failed to uphold human rights and the rule of law but emphasized that these individuals’ actions should not tarnish the entire institution. He said the people of Bangladesh want to remain proud of their patriotic armed forces. Dr. Rahman praised the army’s willingness to cooperate with the judicial process and expressed hope that the trials would be transparent and fair. He added that justice for specific offenders would help restore national trust, erase the burden of past misdeeds, and prevent future misuse of authority, ultimately benefiting the nation in the long term.

A locally produced, science-backed nutritional food from Bangladesh named MDCF-2 (Microbiota-Directed Complementary Food) has been recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the “Best Inventions of 2025.” Developed jointly by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) and Washington University, this affordable food supplement is designed for malnourished children. Unlike conventional nutrition products, MDCF-2 not only fills the stomach but also restores beneficial gut microbiota, enabling children to absorb nutrients naturally. Made from chickpea, soy, peanut, and green banana powders, it strengthens immunity and cognitive development. According to icddr,b Executive Director Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed, this recognition proves that science combined with compassion can solve long-standing global health challenges. MDCF-2 stands as a beacon of hope for millions of undernourished children worldwide, demonstrating how local innovation can bring sustainable global health solutions.