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.

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.

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.