The government has taken an initiative to ensure the safe return of Bangladeshis stuck in troubled Lebanon in phases, with the first batch numbering around 50 slated to arrive home on October 21. They are likely to come to Dhaka via Jeddah, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Around 1800 Bangladeshis have so far shown an interest to return and registered to do so with the Bangladesh Embassy.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment are working together to ensure their safe return. An inter-ministerial meeting was held with the participation of Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, Expatriates' Welfare Secretary Md Ruhul Amin and Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited Dr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman. Bangladesh Mission Heads assigned to the Middle East joined the meeting via Zoom. A notification was issued to enrol Bangladeshis who wish to return from the embassy. There are an estimated 150,000 economic migrants from Bangladesh in Lebanon.

The Army witnessed a major leadership reshuffle. Two major generals were promoted to lieutenant general, including Faizur Rahman, the director general of Defense Intelligence (DGFI). Rahman has now taken on the role of QuarterMaster General (QMG) at Army Headquarters. The 24 Infantry Division (Chittagong Cantonment) GOC, Major General Md Mainur Rahman, has been promoted to lieutenant general and appointed as the GOC of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC).

In addition, Major General Mohammad Jahangir Alam has taken over as the new Director General of DGFI, succeeding the GOC and area commander of the 33 Infantry Division. Promotions to major general have been awarded to Brig Gen Sayed Sabbir Ahmed, Brig Gen Md Sajedur Rahman, Brig Gen Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, and Brig Gen Mohammad Moazzem Hossain. Major General Mohammad Asadullah Minhazul Alam, currently the Commandant of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), has been posted to the 10th Infantry Division as GOC.

Deaths from dengue crossed the 200 mark for only the third time (all since 2022) since it became endemic in Bangladesh, as the mosquito-borne viral disease continued its late-year surge. After September's 80 fatalities nearly doubled the annual count, October looks on course to surpass that number, with 60 deaths recorded in just the first 16 days of the month, taking the total for the year to 226. A total of 45,950 dengue cases have been reported since January 1, 2024 (till Oct. 16).

One of the notable features of this year's epidemic is the fact that a large number of cases, often more than half, are occurring outside Dhaka City. From 2000-2019, dengue was largely confined to the bustling capital. This year, till October 14, of the 42,470 cases reported till then, 24,169 were outside the capital. Most of the deaths however are still occurring in Dhaka. Till October 14, of the 214 deaths reported till then, 67 were from outside Dhaka.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed barred 12 High Court judges from all judicial activities, after over a thousand students besieged the HC premises demanding removal of "pro-Awami League fascist judges" on Wednesday (Oct. 16). "The 12 judges will not be given benches for now, which means they will not be taking part in judicial activities when the court reopens on October 20," Supreme Court Registrar General Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan told the protesting students, after which they agreed to postpone their demonstrations until Sunday.

Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, two key coordinators of the students movement against discrimination, had called for the protests demanding resignations of "Awami League's fascist judges". A section of lawyers marched in support of the students' demands, calling for the resignation of "corrupt and biassed" judges. The legal wing of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee also held a rally there with the same demands.