A massive fire gutted the import section of the cargo complex of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Saturday (Oct. 18), burning goods stored at the facility, disrupting flights, and causing long delays and diversions. The fire started around 2:30pm, with thick black smoke engulfing the airport and surrounding areas, visible from afar for hours. At 9:18pm, the Fire Service and Civil Defence announced the flames had been brought under control. Around the same time, airport authorities said flight operations -- including the return of flights diverted to other airports -- had resumed.

The blaze broke out near Gate No. 8 of the import cargo complex and quickly engulfed warehouses packed with imported chemicals, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and garments. As many as 37 units from 13 fire stations, joined by the Air Force, Navy, Army, Civil Aviation Authority, Border Guard Bangladesh, and police, worked for hours to contain the blaze. Industrialists estimated their losses could exceed $1 billion, although this is likely to have been an overestimate.

The High Court issued a rule asking the government to explain why the recently revised tariff schedule of Chattogram Port should not be declared illegal. The HC bench of Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque and Justice Aynun Nahar Siddiqua passed the order following a writ petition filed by the Bangladesh Container Shipping Association, challenging the legality of the tariff revision. The secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and other authorities concerned have been made respondents in the rule.

The CPA announced a 41 percent average hike in port service tariffs to be effective from October 14, 2025. Officials justify the hike on grounds of inflation, rising costs, and the need to modernise infrastructure. The rule asks the respondents to show cause as to why the Statutory Regulatory Order dated September 14 and a subsequent circular dated September 30 should not be declared to have been made without lawful authority and to be of no legal effect.

The Interim Government issued a new set of guidelines containing 12 specific instructions regarding travel to Saint Martin's Island to protect its unique natural beauty, environment, ecosystem, and biodiversity. The Environment-2 Wing of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a notification in this connection. During November, tourists will be allowed to visit only during the daytime, with no overnight stay permitted, the release said, adding that in December and January, overnight stays will be allowed, while February will remain closed to all tourist travel. The daily number of visitors must not exceed 2,000.

According to the government notification, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority cannot permit the operation of any vessel to Saint Martin's Island without prior approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Tourists must purchase tickets through the authorised web portal of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, where each ticket will contain a Travel Pass and QR Code.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has introduced a new facility enabling Bangladeshi taxpayers living abroad to file their income tax returns online with a greater ease and flexibility. According to a special order issued by the NBR, online income tax return submission has been made mandatory this year for all individual taxpayers - except senior citizens aged 65 years and above, persons with disabilities or special needs, Bangladeshi taxpayers living abroad, and foreign nationals working in Bangladesh.

However, those exempted, including expatriate Bangladeshis, are still encouraged to use the e-return system due to its efficiency and convenience. The NBR said that online tax return filing has gained significant popularity as taxpayers can instantly receive an automated acknowledgement slip and download their tax certificate without visiting tax offices or submitting paperwork.