Ahmad Rafique, noted poet, essayist, Rabindra researcher, and veteran of Bangladesh’s Language Movement, passed away at 96 in Dhaka’s BIRDEM Hospital on Thursday night. He had been suffering from kidney complications and several mild strokes in recent weeks, eventually placed on life support before his death. Born in Brahmanbaria in 1929, Rafique lived alone in Dhaka after losing his wife in 2006. Childless, he leaves behind a vast personal collection of books as his lasting legacy.

India and China will restart direct passenger flights in late October 2025, five years after services were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing tensions. India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced the move as a major step toward normalizing bilateral ties. Discussions earlier this year included resuming flights and updating air service agreements. Designated airlines from both countries will operate under the winter schedule. Officials say the decision will boost people-to-people connectivity and help restore bilateral exchanges.

Amnesty International has condemned Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, calling it “illegal” and an attack on a peaceful humanitarian mission. The group’s chief, Agnès Callamard, said Israeli authorities had long threatened participants and even tried to sabotage ships. Israel detained 443 activists from countries including Spain, Italy, Brazil, Turkey, the U.S., Germany, and the UK, seizing 43 of 44 aid vessels. Amnesty accused Israel of genocide and of deliberately blocking life-saving relief for Gaza.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has directed the National Citizen Party (NCP) to select an alternative election symbol by October 7, as their preferred “lotus” symbol is not included in the official electoral guidelines. The NCP initially applied for registration with a list of three preferred symbols: lotus, pen, and mobile phone. However, under the 2008 electoral conduct rules, the lotus cannot be allotted since it is not on the approved list of 115 reserved symbols. In response, NCP leaders accused the Commission of unconstitutional and discriminatory practices, alleging favoritism and bias in symbol allocation. The Commission insists NCP must choose from the 50 available unallocated symbols, which include items like ostrich, cupboard, football, sewing machine, and helicopter. Out of 143 applications for registration, only two parties, including NCP, met preliminary conditions.

Hamas has denounced Israel’s attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a Gaza-bound humanitarian mission carrying aid workers, journalists, and volunteers from 44 countries. The group described the interception and detention of civilians as “piracy” and “a crime against humanity.” At least one vessel has entered Gaza’s waters, with 23 more advancing, though Israel’s role in intercepting them remains unclear. The flotilla, which set sail from Spain with over 40 ships, has drawn widespread global attention and calls for international protection.

Cyclone Shakti has formed over the Bay of Bengal after intensifying from a deep depression. While not expected to cross Bangladesh directly, its impact is already being felt with heavy rains and strong winds in the south. The storm may make landfall in India’s Andhra Pradesh–Odisha coast tonight. Bangladesh, along with India’s West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya, could face heavy to very heavy rainfall until October 5. Flood warnings have been issued for seven low-lying districts in Bangladesh.

French MEP Rima Hasan, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, declared she will not give up in the fight for Palestinian independence. Hasan called for worldwide protests against Israel and shared a video holding the Palestinian flag after her ship was attacked near Gaza. The flotilla, consisting of over 40 civilian vessels from 44 countries, aims to deliver aid to Gaza. Israel claims links to Hamas but has provided no evidence. The fleet was scheduled to reach Gaza Thursday morning.

The United States has imposed sanctions on 38 entities and individuals for supplying defense equipment to Iran. Networks linked to Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organization and Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group are accused of acquiring military technology domestically, while others operating across Iran, Hong Kong, and China supplied U.S.-made electronics to Shiraz Electronics Industries. Another network provided equipment for helicopters used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. All listed assets under U.S. jurisdiction will be blocked, with U.S. citizens and foreign banks restricted from significant transactions.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ordered all Israeli diplomats to leave the country after Israeli forces detained two Colombians aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying aid to Gaza. The flotilla, made up of around 45 vessels, came under Israeli attack, with several ships seized. Petro condemned the action as a violation of international law and canceled Colombia’s free trade agreement with Israel. He had already cut diplomatic ties in May but escalated measures with this expulsion order.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, and Turkey after Israel intercepted several ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla. In Naples, protesters blocked train services, while in Rome, police surrounded demonstrators near Termini station. Videos on social media showed mass rallies in Berlin, Athens, and Istanbul. The flotilla, with more than 45 vessels carrying 500 parliamentarians, lawyers, and activists, aims to break the Gaza blockade with food and medical supplies despite Israeli warnings.

Israel has blocked the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, with reports of its navy boarding some ships, including Alma and Sirius. Italy’s largest labor union has announced a nationwide strike in protest, following demonstrations in cities such as Naples. Organizers say broadcasts from most vessels stopped as Israeli forces surrounded them. While some ships were halted, others continue toward Gaza. The flotilla includes 45 civilian vessels with 500 people, among them lawmakers, activists, and Greta Thunberg.

Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhter said this season’s hilsa production has been lower than expected due to jatka catching, widespread use of current and Chinese nets, and blocked river routes. A 22-day fishing ban from October 4–25 will be strictly enforced with police, navy, air force, and drones to protect spawning hilsa. Last year, 52.5% of mother hilsa were safeguarded, and greater success is expected this year. Diplomats also joined cultural events at Kumudini Welfare Trust in Tangail.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh soon, with the exact date to be announced personally by him, according to his foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir. Speaking at a press briefing upon his return from the UN General Assembly session, Kabir accused Awami League of engaging in political terrorism by attacking opposition leaders abroad. He assured that the upcoming national elections will take place on time under the caretaker government, without fear of disruption. However, the briefing turned chaotic when NCP activists shouted slogans, leading to clashes with journalists. In protest of misbehavior by party activists, journalists boycotted statements from senior NCP leaders Akhtar Hossain and Tasnim Zara. The situation underscored growing political tensions as Bangladesh braces for elections.

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has publicly questioned why well equipped state navies cannot break the Israeli maritime blockade of Gaza when ordinary civilians in small, low resource boats are reportedly managing to deliver humanitarian aid. Her remarks followed coverage of a civilian flotilla comprised of dozens of vessels that departed from multiple countries, with some boats said to have reached within sixty nautical miles, roughly one hundred eleven kilometres, of Gaza. Albanese asked whether the inability or unwillingness of powerful countries to use their naval capabilities reflects political choices, legal constraints, operational limitations, or failures of international will. Posting on social media, she urged the flotilla to continue safely, expressed solidarity with volunteers risking passage, and called on states and international institutions to act decisively to secure reliable humanitarian access for civilians in Gaza. The appeal intensified global scrutiny.

Police have filed three cases over recent violent incidents in Khagrachhari’s Guimara and Sadar upazilas, accusing over a thousand unidentified individuals. Two cases were filed at Guimara Police Station and one at Sadar Police Station. The clashes broke out after Section 144 was defied, resulting in attacks on law enforcers, arson, vandalism, and the recovery of three bodies from a paddy field. In Guimara, over 350 unnamed individuals were accused across two cases, including murder and violence charges. In Sadar, up to 800 unnamed individuals were accused in connection with violent clashes. Police confirmed that cases were filed by law enforcement officials as no victims’ families came forward. The unrest began following protests over a rape allegation against a minor girl, which was later found unsubstantiated by a medical team.