Efforts are under way, with Turkey’s assistance, to secure the release of Bangladeshi photographer and activist Shahidul Alam, who was detained by Israeli forces from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla earlier this week, the Chief Advisor's Office (CAO) has revealed. In a statement issued on Friday morning, the CAO said the Turkish authorities had expressed hope that Alam could be flown to Ankara later in the day. Citing Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Ankara Amanul Haque, the CAO said the Turkish authorities had indicated that there was "a strong possibility" of bringing Alam to Ankara on Friday by a special flight. “The embassies have been maintaining constant communication with local authorities regarding Shahidul Alam’s release,” it said. Israeli forces reportedly seized more than 40 vessels and detained over 400 activists on board.

An earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck offshore in the southern Philippines on Friday morning, the country's seismology agency said, with tsunami warnings issued in several countries and people in nearby coastal areas urged to move to higher ground. It revised down the magnitude from an initial reading of 7.6 to 7.5, and put the depth of the quake at 20 km (12 miles). The US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami threat, saying hazardous waves were possible for coasts within 300 km (186 miles) of the earthquake's epicenter. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves of 1 to 3 metres above tide level were possible in the Philippines. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre put the quake's magnitude at 7.4 and its depth at 58 km (36 miles).

Nahid wants arrest of military officers linked to ‘crimes against humanity’ during UprisingNahid Islam, the convenor of the National Citizen Party, has called for the swift arrest and prosecution of military officers implicated in “crimes against humanity” during the July uprising. His statement follows the recent issuance of arrest warrants for 30 individuals involved in two cases of crimes against humanity. Among the 30 arrested individuals, 17 were linked to “torture” under the TFI, and 13 were tied to similar crimes in the JIC. Among the suspects, 22 individuals are Army officers ranging from the rank of colonel to lieutenant general. He added, “The long-standing failure of democracy has led to political interference in state institutions.

When gold glitters too much: Bangladesh feels the sting of global price surge as sales slumpAs global uncertainty drives investors toward safe-haven assets, gold prices in Bangladesh have surged sharply while jewellery sales have slumped. On Wednesday, global gold prices hit an all-time high, crossing US $4,000 per ounce for the first time in history. WHY GOLD PRICES ARE CLIMBINGHistorically, gold has served as a safe store of value in times of economic or political instability. This year alone, global gold prices have galloped about 54 percent, compared with 27 percent in 2024. Masudur, owner of World Gold Jewellers in Gulshan, said: “We estimate annual gold consumption in Bangladesh at around 40 tonnes, but there’s no reliable data.

Michael Chakma, a leader of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), has been sentenced to 8 years of rigorous imprisonment in an extortion case. Judge Tawhidur Haque of Rangamati Special Judge Court-2 and Additional District Judge passed the order on Wednesday (8 October), confirmed the court's bench assistant Prosadeb Chakma. According to court sources, a case was filed by Longadu police of Rangamati regarding an extortion incident, naming three accused on 30 October 2007. Michael Chakma, the central organiser of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), had been missing for a long time and was released from the secret prison "Aynaghar" following the fall of the Awami League-led government on 5 August 2024. Commenting on the court's recent verdict, Niron Chakma, head of UPDF's publicity and publication department, wrote on Facebook, "Michael Chakma endured torture during more than five years of enforced disappearance.

The US-based human rights organisation says the UN human rights team in Bangladesh should immediately demand the release of those detained arbitrarily and encourage authorities to prosecute anyone involved in unlawful political violence. The event, held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, was surrounded by a “mob” accusing participants of supporting the Awami League. This government seems to be just like the Awami League government after all.”Enacted in 2009 under the Awami League government, the Anti-Terrorism Act has been significantly amended under the interim government to hold Awami League members accountable for alleged abuses during their time in power. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), a human rights group, reported that at least 152 people have been killed in “mob” attacks since January. In July, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with Bangladesh, promising to support the promotion and protection of human rights.

Joint forces have arrested more than 200 people across Bangladesh in week-long operations, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). In a media statement on Thursday, the military’s media wing said the operations were conducted from Oct 2 to Oct 9. “During the joint drives, 224 individuals -- including smugglers, illegal arms holders, those involved in looting weapons from police stations, drug dealers, and addicts -- were arrested red-handed,” the statement read. The ISPR said the Army has been carrying out regular patrols and security operations in different areas to ensure public safety across the country. It added that the troops are also directly involved in maintaining order in industrial zones amid ongoing labour unrest.

CPD recommends dropping the idea of a bicameral parliament in BangladeshThe Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has called for strengthening Bangladesh’s unicameral parliament, abandoning the idea of creating a bicameral legislature. At a dialogue on Thursday, the private think tank recommended legal, institutional, and structural reforms to improve the current system and advised dropping the bicameral proposal altogether. The CPD recommendation came before political parties signed the Charter on Oct 15. The report warned that such measures could remain largely symbolic and risk increasing political deadlock and centralisation of power. “Emphasis should be placed on ensuring that members of private parties can bring bills, and committees can work qualitatively.

Modi says he and Trump, in call, reviewed "good progress" in trade negotiationsIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he spoke to US President Donald Trump on Thursday, adding that they "reviewed good progress achieved in trade negotiations" and agreed to stay in close touch over the coming weeks. Indian commerce ministry officials have said after the latest meetings of trade officials in Washington, another round of trade negotiations are expected soon in either countries. Trump imposed a 50% tariff on most exports from India, among the highest for any US trading partner. The move impacts about $50 billion of Indian exports to the US, mainly hurting labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery and the shrimp industry. India had rejected the accusation as a double standard, pointing to US and European trade links with Russia.

Five suspected members of a gang called the “Oggyan Party” or “Malam Party” – known for robbing victims after rendering them unconscious - have been beaten up by bus passengers and handed over to police in Dhaka’s FDC intersection. SI Rajib said that Mannan was travelling on a bus heading from Gulistan to Gazipur when he fell unconscious after being targeted by the gang. Other passengers, realising what had happened, beat up the five suspects and handed them over to police. During the incident, Tk 59,500 and a mobile phone belonging to Mannan were recovered from the suspects and later turned over to police. Upon receiving the report, police arrived at the scene and sent the victim and the five injured suspects to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, one of the key coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, has testified before the International Crimes Tribunal that “orders were issued to kill” the coordinators if they refused to call off the protests. He testified on Thursday before Tribunal-1 as the 19th witness in the case of crimes against humanity related to the killing of six people in Chankharpul. Following the shootings, members of several intelligence agencies contacted the movement’s coordinators, urging them to withdraw the protests. "The instruction was clear -- if we refused to withdraw the movement, we were to be killed. “I believe the former prime minister and the home minister were primarily responsible for these actions,” he said.

Bangladesh’s gross domestic product (GDP) has grown by just 3.69 percent in the fiscal year 2024-25, marking the lowest growth since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to updated data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), this is the weakest growth since the 2019-2020 fiscal year, when GDP growth was 3.45 percent. However, the fourth quarter (April-June) saw a slowdown, with GDP growth dropping to 3.35 percent. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, revised GDP growth targets, initially aiming for 5.25 percent but failing to meet even that. The government is now targeting a 5.5 percent GDP growth for the 2025-26 fiscal year, with hopes for gradual improvement in the coming years.

But Hong Kong struck back on the stroke of half-time, punishing a lapse in defence. His towering header in the 74th minute put Hong Kong 3-1 up and seemingly out of reach. Straight from the restart, Hong Kong broke down the right. Hong Kong now top the group with seven points, followed by Singapore on five and India on two. Nearly 19 years have passed since Bangladesh last faced Hong Kong in an Asian Cup qualifier.

The chiefs of nine Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education have announced Oct 16 as the possible date for the publication of the HSC and equivalent examinations' results.Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board Chairman Mian Md Nurul Haq said the decision was reached during a meeting of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee held on Thursday at the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dhaka. He told bdnews24.com, "All the boards have begun the work of publishing the results, since the rule is to publish the results within two months of the end of the exams. "Controller of examinations at the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dhaka, SM Kamal Uddin Haider said: "The Education Board Coordination Committee will propose the date for publishing the results to the education ministry. The final date will be confirmed once the government approves. "�"bdnews24.com

Sputnik/Kristina Kormilitsyna/Pool via REUTERSPresident Vladimir Putin on Thursday urged the leaders of five Central Asian states to boost their trade with Russia, as Moscow seeks to build back its influence in a region that is also being courted by China. He told a summit in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, that there was therefore good potential for growth. The five Central Asian states were ruled from Moscow until 1991 as part of the Soviet Union, and Russia still regards the region as part of its sphere of influence. Millions of Central Asian migrants are employed in Russia, filling labour shortages there and sending home remittances that help support their economies. A bland joint communique from the summit said the Central Asian states "noted the importance of further strengthening their strategic partnership with Russia".