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.

In a major anti-drug operation in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area, the Bangladesh Army arrested notorious drug dealer Shis Nabi, 35, seizing a total of 345 yaba tablets. Acting on confidential information, a special army patrol from Kamrangirchar Army Camp conducted the operation on Wednesday, October 8, between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Initially, 200 yaba tablets were recovered from Nabi himself, followed by a search of his residence, which yielded another 145 tablets. Sources indicate that Nabi had long been involved in the supply and wholesale distribution of yaba, spreading drugs throughout Kamrangirchar and surrounding areas. After initial questioning by the army, he was handed over to Kamrangirchar Police Station. Police have filed a case against him under the Narcotics Control Act. Authorities say the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to curb drug distribution in Dhaka’s capital region.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met with the newly appointed German Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr. Rüdiger Lotz, on Thursday at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The meeting began at 10:30 a.m. and included senior BNP leaders such as Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moin Khan, Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, International Affairs Advisor Humayun Kabir, and Organizational Secretary Shama Obaid. The discussions reportedly focused on Bangladesh’s current political climate, the state of democratic processes, preparations for the upcoming national elections, and potential avenues for international cooperation. Sources indicate that the dialogue aimed at fostering mutual understanding between BNP leadership and the German diplomatic mission, highlighting the party’s interest in strengthening democratic institutions and international relations. No immediate statements were released, but the meeting is seen as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement by BNP.

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to appoint a new prime minister within the next 48 hours to restore political stability, following the resignation of Sébastien Lecornu on October 6. Lecornu, a close ally of Macron, had been serving as caretaker prime minister but stepped down after facing ongoing protests from radical left-wing parties and trade unions. The unrest was fueled by public anger over significant budget cuts passed by the French Cabinet in early September, which reduced allocations from welfare and public-interest sectors by $44 billion as part of debt-reduction efforts. Prior to Lecornu, François Bayrou also resigned after losing a parliamentary confidence vote triggered by opposition MPs reacting to public discontent. Macron’s swift move to appoint a new prime minister aims to stabilize the parliament ahead of the scheduled adoption of a new national budget by December 31.

Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, advisor to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, cited traffic mismanagement as the main reason for his extended delay on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway on Wednesday, October 8. He was inspecting the progress of four- and six-lane construction when a severe traffic jam forced him to resort to riding a motorcycle to continue his journey. Khan clarified that the road’s condition was not the issue; rather, the lack of proper traffic discipline and management by the highway police caused the problem. He noted that if traffic rules had been enforced effectively, the delay might have been slightly longer, but the severe inconvenience could have been avoided. Khan emphasized that human behavior and the shortcomings in traffic control were the primary concerns. Brahmanbaria District Commissioner Muhammad Didarul Alam, Superintendent of Police Ehteshamul Haque, and others accompanied him during the inspection.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur has shared positive developments in the country’s economy, highlighting a significant drop in inflation from 12.5% to 8.3%. Speaking at a high-level National Steering Committee meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, he emphasized ongoing banking sector reforms and gradual progress in restoring overall financial stability. The governor noted that rice prices have started to fall again, which could further reduce inflation in the coming months. Addressing non-performing loans, Dr. Mansur revealed that the current ratio stands at 24% and set a target to bring it down to 4–5%. Key measures include merging five Islamic banks, gradually closing nine non-banking financial institutions, and creating a BDT 9 billion venture capital fund to encourage entrepreneurship. A cashless transaction system is also being promoted to improve revenue collection.

The six-party coalition Democracy Platform, consisting of leftist and progressive parties including JSD, Revolutionary Workers Party, Nagorik Oikko, Ganashonghoti Andolon, Bhashani Janashakti Party, and Rashtra Songskar Andolon, has provisionally finalized a list of 108 candidates for the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections. The formal announcement will take place today at a press conference at the Reporters’ Unity in Dhaka. Top leaders from each party, including A. S. M. Abdur Rab, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Saiful Haque, Jonaid Saki, Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, and Hasnat Kaium, are featured on the list, with provisions for substitutions in case of health issues. After several rounds of internal meetings, the coalition plans to submit the finalized list to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, in line with ongoing seat-sharing discussions ahead of the elections.

Iranian President Masoud Pajehsikian has reaffirmed that Iran has never attempted to develop nuclear weapons, citing the country’s fundamental principles. Speaking during a meeting with Switzerland’s newly appointed ambassador to Iran, Olivier Bangarter, Pajehsikian emphasized Iran’s dedication to stability, peace, and security in West Asia. He highlighted Switzerland’s historic role as a communication bridge between Tehran and Washington since the Islamic Revolution. The president also praised Switzerland’s neutral and constructive stance in international disputes and expressed gratitude for its assistance in medicine and food, despite challenges arising from U.S. and European sanctions. Ambassador Bangarter expressed his enthusiasm for his mission, promising to strengthen bilateral ties between Tehran and Bern and reinforce Switzerland’s role as a reliable channel of dialogue with Washington, while respecting Iran’s rich culture and hospitality.

Dr. Tofail Ahmed, a distinguished local government expert, researcher, and former member and chairman of the Local Government Reform Commission, passed away on Wednesday, October 8, at a private hospital in Dhaka. A retired professor of the Department of Public Administration at Chittagong University and a Syndicate member, Dr. Ahmed was widely recognized for his pioneering research on Bangladesh’s local government system. During the caretaker government of 2024, he served as the head of the Local Government Reform Commission, providing constructive and practical recommendations for improving local governance. He also contributed extensively to academic literature, authoring nearly 20 books in Bengali and English, along with numerous articles in national and international journals. Dr. Ahmed served as a Local Governance Advisor for the United Nations Development Programme in Bangladesh. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed profound sorrow, prayed for the departed soul, and extended heartfelt condolences to Dr. Ahmed’s family, colleagues, and well-wishers.

Italian coach Gennaro Gattuso has expressed deep sorrow for the people of Gaza as Italy prepares to face Israel in a World Cup qualifier in Udine next Tuesday. Amid escalating violence in Gaza and worldwide protests, Gattuso acknowledged the moral conflict of playing against Israel while atrocities continue. Calls to cancel the match have grown, with Udine’s mayor urging a suspension, but Italy must play to avoid a default 0-3 loss and preserve their World Cup aspirations. Gattuso described the situation in Gaza as “extremely painful,” particularly for innocent civilians and children, and admitted that while his heart aches, the team has no choice but to compete in the match.

A recent report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has raised serious concerns over religious freedom in Pakistan, highlighting increasing persecution of the Ahmadiyya community, forced conversions, and violent attacks against religious minorities. Pakistan has been designated a “Country of Particular Concern” due to its systematic discrimination against Ahmadis and the government’s failure to curb related violence. The report notes that Pakistan’s Penal Code openly discriminates against Ahmadis, restricting their ability to identify as Muslims or practice their faith publicly. In 2025, violence escalated with three Ahmadi mosques demolished in Punjab in February, followed by an attack in April where over 400 people assaulted another Ahmadi mosque, brutally killing Ahmadi worker Laiq Chima. Forced conversions of Hindu and Christian girls continue in Sindh and Punjab. The USCIRF urges increased awareness and action by policymakers to protect religious minorities in the country.

Hamas has confirmed that it reached an indirect ceasefire agreement with Israel this week in Egypt, aiming to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Palestinian organization stated the deal allows for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the exchange of prisoners. U.S. President Donald Trump earlier announced that both Hamas and Israel had agreed to implement the first phase of his 20-point plan for a ceasefire and hostage release. Hamas submitted a list of Palestinian prisoners to Israeli authorities, pending final approval, which will be publicly released once authorized. The group called on President Trump to ensure Israel fully implements the agreement without delay, emphasizing the importance of compliance to secure lasting peace in the region.

For the first time, two Bangladeshis are running in Portugal’s local government elections, marking a significant milestone in immigrant political engagement. Shah Alam Kajol is seeking re-election in Porto’s Bonfim Junta area as a Socialist Party candidate, having previously served as a councilor. Meanwhile, Masud Majumdar is participating for the first time in Lisbon’s São Vicente Junta Freguesia area as an independent candidate. Both emphasize their commitment to addressing real local issues and improving citizens’ quality of life. Experts and community leaders note that immigrant leadership is vital, especially amid rising right-wing politics in Portugal. Their active participation is inspiring not only the Bangladeshi diaspora but also other immigrant communities, sending a positive message about inclusion and representation. These developments are strengthening the visibility of Bangladeshis in Europe and enhancing the country’s image internationally.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan is scheduled to testify today before the International Crimes Tribunal against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The testimony also includes allegations against eight others in connection with the killings of six people at Dhaka’s Chankharpul area during the July–August 2024 student protests. The trial is being conducted under the supervision of Justice Md. Golam Murtuza Mojumdar at International Crimes Tribunal-1. Four accused—former Shahbagh Police Station OC Md. Arshad Hossain, constable Md. Sujan Mia, Md. Imaj Hossain Imon, and Md. Nasirul Islam—are in custody, while four others, including former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, remain absconding. The tribunal had framed charges against all eight accused on July 14, 2024. During the protests on August 5, 2024, police fired on students, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries, including six confirmed fatalities.