A dozen prominent figures from around the world, including rights activist Arundhati Roy, have called for the immediate and unconditional release of Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam, who was allegedly detained by Israeli forces while travelling to Gaza as part of the Freedom Flotilla. Drik, the independent media organisation founded by Shahidul, published the statement issued by his friends and family at 9am on Thursday. Drik reported that Israeli forces seized a total of eight ships, including the Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience, at 6am Palestinian time (8am Bangladesh time) on Wednesday. In previous attempts, more than 40 ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla fleet sought to break the blockade and enter Gaza. Another flotilla of 11 ships, organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza, set sail for Gaza on Oct 1.

Paul Kapur, a distinguished Indian-origin academic, has been appointed as the new US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs, a key diplomatic post overseeing relations with countries including India and Bangladesh. Kapur is the second individual of Indian descent to hold this top diplomatic role for the South Asian region, succeeding Nisha Desai Biswal, who previously served as the assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs. He is a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the United States Naval Postgraduate School, specialising in South Asian politics, security, and international relations. Addressing the perennial tensions between India and Pakistan, he said that South Asia had "recently avoided a costly conflict”. He is the author of “Jihad as Grand Strategy: Islamist Militancy, National Security, and the Pakistani State”; “Dangerous Deterrent: Nuclear Weapons Proliferation and Conflict in South Asia”; co-author of “India, Pakistan, and the Bomb: Debating Nuclear Stability in South Asia” and “The Challenges of Nuclear Security: US and Indian Perspectives”.

MUMBAI, INDIA - OCTOBER 9: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi attend the India-UK CEO Forum at Jio World Convention Centre on Oct 9, 2025 in Mumbai, India. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERSMUMBAI, INDIA - OCTOBER 9: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi attend the India-UK CEO Forum at Jio World Convention Centre on Oct 9, 2025 in Mumbai, India. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERSBritain said on Thursday it had signed a 350 million pound ($468 million) contract to supply the Indian army with UK-manufactured lightweight missiles, as part of a deepening weapons and defence partnership between the two countries. The announcement came as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was visiting Indian Prime counterpart Narendra Modi in Mumbai, where the pair hailed the potential of the commercial links from their months-old trade deal. "The deal paves the way for a broader complex weapons partnership between the UK and India, currently under negotiation between the two governments," it said.

The hostel authority interrogated her and then assaulted her, the plaintiff, a Swapnonibas resident, complained.The victim told bdnews24.com that she had gone to her friend's place as her university residential hall was closed. "The hostel director abused me verbally. My brother informed the police about the incident and the police rescued us. "She said she had filed a case following the incident, but the perpetrators were attempting to force her and her friend to withdraw it. �"bdnews24.com

If there is consensus, how prepared is EC to hold referendum with parliamentary polls in February? As the Election Commission (EC) advances preparations for the parliamentary election, debate has returned to the national conversation over a referendum to implement the July Charter. Some parties propose holding the referendum and the parliamentary election on the same day, while others propose holding the referendum a month before the general election. The parliamentary election, costing around Tk 25 billion, will engage more than one million personnel. If the government decides to hold a referendum, we will hold it.”He believes significant savings would be made if it is held together with the parliamentary election.

As the world transitions toward cleaner, renewable sources of energy, lithium-ion batteries have become increasingly important. "By 2040, the volume of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries is expected to reach 20,500 kilotons, emphasizing the need for effective waste management strategies." Therefore, extending the life of and properly disposing of lithium-ion batteries will be key to the success of any cleaner-energy future. Still, the team envisions a future wherein battery-rejuvenation stations are widely available, allowing EV drivers to periodically restore their lithium-ion batteries. With lithium-ion batteries accounting for as much as 40% of the cost of a new EV, the ability to restore spent batteries could save consumers considerable amounts of money, as well.

The hilsa fish, known locally as the "Ilish," is an extremely popular fish within Bengali culture. According to Infofish, it started on Oct 4, and there will be a 22-day ban on catching, selling, hoarding, and transporting the fish. The hilsa, an ocean fish that visits the river to lay eggs, has a very limited time frame with which to breed. Plus, during Prime Big Deal Days you’ll save 30% off women’s probiotics, multivitamins, grass-fed collagen, organic protein, and more. According to bdnews24.com, Bangladesh Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said: "This decision is based on scientific grounds and considers the breeding timeline of female hilsa.

France's Macron will appoint new prime minister in next 48 hoursFrench President Emmanuel Macron will appoint a new prime minister in the next 48 hours, his office said on Wednesday, adding that a majority of lawmakers were against holding a snap parliamentary election amid France's worst crisis in decades. Sebastien Lecornu, France's fifth prime minister in two years, tendered his and his government's resignation on Monday, just hours after announcing the cabinet line-up, making it the shortest-lived administration in modern France. "On this basis, the President of the Republic will appoint a Prime Minister within the next 48 hours." Lecornu did not say who that next prime minister could be, making clear his job was done and it was up to Macron to decide. "I told the President of the Republic ... that I believe the situation allows for him to appoint a prime minister in the next 48 hours," Lecornu said.

Eight Bangladeshi migrant workers have died in a road accident in Oman. The crash occurred around 3pm local time, on Wednesday when a microbus carrying the workers collided with a fish-loaded container truck, state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported. “Nine Bangladeshis, including the driver, were heading towards Dukum Sidra, about 650km from Muscat, in a microbus when the accident occurred,” Asadul Haque, first secretary (Labour) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Muscat told BSS. A representative from the Bangladesh Embassy has already reached the scene to provide “necessary” support. Asadul added that the embassy will take the steps to repatriate the bodies to Bangladesh in line with proper procedures.

Ali Riaz, vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission, has said the commission received “expert opinions” on issuing an ordinance for holding a referendum on the implementation of the National Charter, also known as the July Charter. Riaz said the agreement over holding a referendum was reached “in the previous four meetings”. The National Consensus Commission has already finalised a draft of the Charter, incorporating proposals on state reforms that political parties have agreed on, along with a pledge for its implementation. Differences, however, persist among the political parties over the process of implementation. This disagreement has led to a deadlock, prompting Jamaat and like-minded parties to propose a referendum.

Soft state paradigm: According to Myrdal, the soft state paradigm shows two types of statehood. As contributory factors for the emergence and continuance of soft state, both the role of elected representatives and bureaucracy have to be taken into account. Is Bangladesh a soft state: The hallmark of soft states is weak and unstable political institutions. All told, Bangladesh has become a poster-child of soft state with politics in turmoil and democracy in peril. Moves are now afoot to help Bangladesh and its people to come out of the soft state trap.

Former Chhatra League leader Ajoy Kar claims he stayed home during July protestsFormer Bangladesh Chhatra League leader Ajoy Kar Khokon has told a Dhaka court that he remained at home throughout the July protests. He also said he did not hold any position in the Awami League and was “denied” a party nomination despite applying. Police secured permission to hold Ajoy for questioning under an Anti-Terrorism Act case filed at Gulshan Police Station. He said: “No accusations have ever been levelled against me while I was a student leader. On Apr 22 he was shown arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act over a march and demonstration by Awami League and Chhatra League members in Gulshan.

Afghan Taliban foreign minister heads for first visit to India to foster ties abroadAfghanistan's Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi attends the Tehran International Conference on Palestine in Tehran, Iran, Dec 23, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERSAfghanistan's Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi attends the Tehran International Conference on Palestine in Tehran, Iran, Dec 23, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERSAfghanistan's Taliban foreign minister left for New Delhi on Wednesday, his ministry said, in what would be the first visit to India by a Taliban leader since the group seized power in 2021. The trip highlights Taliban efforts to expand engagement with regional powers in a quest for economic ties and eventual diplomatic recognition. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will hold talks with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and other officials on political, economic and trade issues, the Afghan foreign ministry added.

With visa rejections for Bangladeshis rising sharply across many countries, Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain has admitted his own concern over the issue while suggesting that Bangladeshis themselves bear much of the responsibility. He said the country’s reputation had been undermined by fraudulent documents and irregular migration, making visa approvals increasingly difficult. Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, Touhid said: “Let me give you an example. Still, discussions on this issue continue at the official level.”On the rise in visa refusals, Touhid was blunt. Responding to a separate question about reports of Bangladeshis dying while fighting for Pakistan’s Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP), Touhid said such cases were isolated.

National Board of Revenue Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan has complained that many field-level officers at customs houses, VAT commissionerates, and tax zones do not follow directives issued from the board. They are paid with your money, yet they do not follow government instructions, and you keep accepting it? You must stop tolerating and start complaining.”Rahman urged businesses to take on the role of “whistle-blowers” and report misconduct online. He noted that customs houses continue to use outdated valuation records instead of applying the “transaction price” method as instructed. “I have told tax commissioners and customs houses that I will not ask how much money they collect, nor do I want to know.