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.

At the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Orakzai district, 11 Pakistani soldiers, including two officers, were killed in a coordinated attack by the banned militant group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to Pakistani security officials, the militants had been lying in wait and opened heavy gunfire on a military convoy. Shortly after, a roadside bomb was detonated, destroying a vehicle carrying the officers and targeting another carrying additional soldiers. The soldiers had been returning from an operation in which 19 TTP militants were killed, and the attack is believed to be retaliation for that operation. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences for the slain soldiers and praised the courage of the security forces. The incident underscores ongoing cross-border security challenges and the persistent threat posed by militant groups in the region.

The United Nations has announced plans to reduce about 25% of its peacekeeping troops and police across nine global missions in the coming months due to financial shortfalls and uncertainty over U.S. funding. Approximately 13,000–14,000 military and police personnel, along with significant civilian staff, will be affected. The reductions will impact missions in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Kosovo, Cyprus, the Central African Republic, Western Sahara, the Golan Heights, and Abyei. The cuts follow the U.S. canceling nearly $800 million in peacekeeping funds for 2024–2025 and proposals to withhold 2026 funding. Bangladesh, one of the top troop contributors, could face disruptions in its deployments. Experts warn that these reductions could severely undermine the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions, with critics calling the U.S.’s unilateral decisions a major setback for global peace efforts.

Over a thousand Iranians were killed during Israel’s 12-day war in June, with reports claiming German soldiers actively participated in the conflict. According to Tehran Times, Germany, a key Western supporter of Israel, not only provided political backing but also assisted militarily by deploying troops and aiding operations in occupied areas. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly endorsed Israel’s attacks, asserting prior knowledge and framing the actions as self-defense. Despite Israel’s justification that the strikes aimed to prevent Iran’s nuclear program, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has found no supporting evidence. The deployments were reportedly carried out under secret agreements between German and Israeli commanders, with parliamentary approval unclear. Iranian authorities now possess the names of German soldiers, details of their cooperation, and related documents, complicating Israel’s security and intelligence situation further.

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.

Israel has continued air and artillery strikes on Gaza City and Khan Younis despite a ceasefire agreement meant to end two years of war with Hamas. Local officials report at least nine Palestinians killed since Thursday morning. Witnesses say Israeli drones and tanks have targeted civilian areas, blocking displaced residents from returning home. The ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, includes prisoner exchanges, humanitarian aid entry, and phased Israeli withdrawal. In the first phase, Hamas will release 20 Israeli hostages in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Around 400 aid trucks are expected to enter Gaza soon. The war, sparked in October 2023, has killed over 67,000 Palestinians and destroyed much of Gaza’s infrastructure, prompting the UN to call it a humanitarian catastrophe.

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.

Bangladeshi photojournalist and activist Dr. Shahidul Alam has been detained by Israeli authorities and transferred to Ketziot prison in the Negev Desert, along with other members of the Gaza-bound “Global Sumud Flotilla.” According to Drik, Shahidul’s organization, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel – confirmed that all journalists, healthcare workers, human rights defenders, and crew members aboard the flotilla were taken to Ashdod port before being sent to prison. Activists reported facing violence during the seizure of their ship by Israeli forces. Drik’s statement condemned the arrests, noting that around 10,000 Palestinians are already imprisoned in Ketziot under Israeli occupation. The organization demanded the immediate release of all flotilla activists and Palestinian detainees, reaffirming its solidarity with the Palestinian people and their struggle for freedom.