United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh and South Korea have agreed to form a government-private sector working group to identify new trade and investment opportunities following the conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The decision was taken at a bilateral meeting between Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and South Korean Trade Minister Jung-sung Park in Seoul on Monday. The proposed working group, according to a press release issued on Tuesday morning, involving relevant government agencies and chambers of commerce, will identify priority reforms, investment opportunities and business facilitation measures, including public-private partnerships (PPPs). Amir Khosru said the conclusion of CEPA negotiations had created an opportunity to expand bilateral economic relations beyond the traditional textile and garment sectors towards a broader, technology-driven partnership. He identified electronics and semiconductors, shipbuilding, maritime industries, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, digital and creative industries as potential areas of cooperation. Energy, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, agro-processing, logistics, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure were also discussed as promising sectors. The minister briefed the Korean side on Bangladesh’s efforts to improve the investment climate, including automation of capital repatriation, reducing customs duties on raw materials for electronics from 26 percent to zero, and streamlining customs and port procedures. He also encouraged Korean companies to explore government-to-government and PPP models for strategic infrastructure and energy projects. Jung-sung Park reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to its longstanding partnership with Bangladesh and raised concerns and issues faced by Korean businesses operating in the country. The Korean side agreed to provide a consolidated list of these matters for consideration and follow-up by Bangladesh. Korean firms explore investment opportunities During the visit, the Bangladesh delegation also held meetings with Hyundai Glovis, Hanwha Ocean and Samsung Electronics to explore investment and technology cooperation.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday joined the inauguration of Bangladesh Solar Expo-2026 at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital. Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud presided over the programme, organised under the theme “Make Every Inch of Rooftop Useful, Increase Income through Solar Power”. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Majumder and Power Division Secretary Mirana Mahrukh were present on the stage. Several ministers, state ministers, members of parliament, secretaries and senior government officials also attended the event. The Power Division, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) jointly organised the first-ever solar expo. Modern solar technologies, including panels, inverters, smart-grid systems and advanced battery storage, are being showcased at the expo. Financial institutions, project developers and service providers are also presenting financing options, loans and technical assistance for solar projects.

The president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has accused the Trump administration of attempting to undermine international justice through sanctions against the tribunal, vowing that the measures would not prevent it from carrying out its duties. Judge Tomoko Akane of Japan, who addressed the United Nations General Assembly remotely on Monday because of US sanctions, urged all 193 UN member states, including those outside the ICC, to take collective and individual steps to protect the court. "To take concrete action, individually and collectively, in defense of the court," she urged the member states, which include 125 countries that are parties to the ICC. President Donald Trump's administration has imposed a series of sanctions on ICC officials before extending the measures to the entire court last month as part of its campaign to dismantle the tribunal over its investigations involving the United States and its allies, including Israel. Akane said her decision to address the General Assembly remotely reflected the "extraordinary" and "unprecedented" US measures targeting judges, prosecutors and the ICC as an institution. She also drew attention to the timing of Washington's announcement of sweeping new sanctions on October 9, the same day the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to South African jurist Navi Pillay, a former ICC judge, for her efforts to advance peace and international law. "The contrast could not be starker," Akane said. "On the one hand, global recognition of the value of international justice, on the other, an attempt to subdue the institution that embodies it." Established in 2002, the ICC prosecutes individuals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide when national authorities are unwilling or unable to do so. The United States is not a member of the court. The US State Department did not immediately comment on Akane's remarks. Announcing the latest sanctions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would prohibit transactions with the court to cut off its resources and undermine its ability to operate against the United States. Responding to the measures, Akane said the court would continue to fulfil its responsibilities independently and impartially. "Let me be clear: The court will continue to fully discharge its mandate with independence and impartiality, acting only on the basis of the law and the evidence, for the sake of the countless victims of grave crimes," she said. The European Union and other ICC supporters also addressed the UN General Assembly, expressing strong backing for the court and its efforts to ensure justice for victims of some of the world's most serious crimes.

Russian forces bombed a humanitarian aid distribution centre and an adjoining shelter in southern Ukraine on Monday, killing 26 people, Ukrainian officials said, as Moscow's attacks continued despite recent efforts to ease the fighting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on X that the strikes initially hit a school building being used to distribute humanitarian assistance before targeting a nearby shelter. "This is further proof that Russia wants no de-escalation," Zelenskyy said. The attacks took place in the village of Komyshuvakha in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, coinciding with the expiry of a limited ceasefire in the Kherson region, also in southern Ukraine. The temporary truce had facilitated humanitarian aid deliveries and evacuation missions in frontline areas of Russian-occupied territory. "There was a moment when the next steps could have shown that progress toward peace was possible," Zelenskyy said. "With these killings, Russia is sending an entirely opposite signal: Russia is counting on more killings." In a subsequent address to the nation, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was expecting an escalation of Russian attacks at a time when the country was facing a shortage of missiles needed for its air defence. As darkness fell in Komyshuvakha, emergency workers searched through the rubble of collapsed buildings using flashlights, according to photographs and videos shared by local officials. Around 20 people remained missing, raising fears that the death toll could increase, officials said. Rescue operations on Monday evening faced further difficulties as Russian drones launched additional attacks in the same area, according to Mykhailo Semikin, a military official in Zaporizhzhia. Elsewhere in Ukraine, authorities reported several Russian drone attacks that left at least 17 people injured. Cyberattacks trigger fake emergency alerts in Ukraine, Russia Meanwhile, residents in Ukraine and Russia received false emergency notifications through government-operated mobile applications after the systems were hacked, authorities in the two countries said. In Ukraine, the fake messages included warnings of an imminent nuclear threat. It remained unclear whether the cyberattacks, which occurred late Sunday in Ukraine and early Monday in Russia, were connected. Ukraine said its emergency alert application, which residents use to receive warnings about Russian missile and drone attacks, had resumed operations after being temporarily suspended. Russian authorities, however, said efforts to restore their emergency alert application were still underway. A Russian Telegram channel linked to the country's security services reported on Monday that a hacking group called Hitcore had claimed responsibility for breaching Ukraine's emergency alert system. The Associated Press could not independently verify the claim, while the hackers' affiliations and motives remained unknown. The fake notifications sent to Ukrainian users contained false warnings about high radiation levels, a chemical threat and public disturbances in Kyiv. The messages were written in English, Russian and Ukrainian, with spelling and grammatical errors in the English-language versions. One message in Russian read: "Hi! There will be a nuclear threat across Ukraine. Do not worry, the Oreshnik is incoming," referring to a Russian ballistic missile. There were few indications that the false alerts had caused widespread panic. Instead, social media users responded with humorous posts, sharing pictures of their relaxed pets and artificial intelligence-generated images depicting apocalyptic scenes. Yurii Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine's air force command, said in a television interview that the cyberattack had not affected the country's security and defence operations. The government urged people to follow other emergency information channels on social media while efforts to address the breach were underway. In Russia, the Emergency Situations Ministry said hackers had distributed a false alert through its mobile application at around 2:45 am Moscow time on Monday, affecting 33 of the country's 89 regions. The ministry did not identify those responsible for the attack. It sought to reassure the public, saying the country's broader emergency warning system remained operational through SMS notifications, media broadcasts, municipal sirens and loudspeakers. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called on government agencies to strengthen the protection of their digital systems. "All government bodies must take steps to improve the cybersecurity of our digital resources," he said. Limited ceasefire expires in Kherson As the temporary ceasefire in Ukraine's Kherson region expired on Monday, Ukraine's General Staff accused Russian forces of using the pause in fighting to strengthen their drone defences and replenish ammunition supplies. The brief truce, which began on October 27, was part of a humanitarian aid and evacuation operation in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. It marked the most significant ceasefire arrangement between Kyiv and Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly five years ago. Meanwhile, emergency services reported that Russian drone strikes in the eastern Kharkiv region injured 12 people and damaged a refrigeration facility, greenhouses and residential buildings. Five more people were injured in the Black Sea port city of Odesa, where a warehouse was targeted and several homes were damaged. Russia's Defence Ministry said on Monday that its air defences had intercepted 212 Ukrainian drones overnight. Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, governor of Russia's Samara region, said local air defence systems were responding to an aerial attack but provided no further details. Independent Russian media outlets later reported that Ukrainian drones had targeted one of Europe's largest oil transportation hubs in the Samara region. US-mediated Russia-Ukraine talks planned for next week Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, to be mediated by Washington, were scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11. In a post on X, Witkoff said the discussions would focus on postwar security arrangements, de-escalation and humanitarian issues. Russia agreed last month to resume trilateral negotiations with the United States and Ukraine aimed at ending the war, paving the way for the first such talks since February. However, no date had been announced at that time. Witkoff also said US mediators would meet officials from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union and NATO in Brussels this week. The discussions would focus on security guarantees for Ukraine and the wider region, as well as assistance for rebuilding the war-ravaged country.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco in Washington on Monday as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on the country's interim government and opposition groups to accelerate preparations for elections expected to be held next year. The meeting at the State Department came just two weeks after Venezuelan authorities and opposition representatives agreed on a framework to reform the country's electoral system to facilitate free and fair elections in 2027. Neither Rubio nor Blanco made any comments as they posed for photographs ahead of their talks. According to a written statement from the State Department, the two officials discussed progress in Venezuela-led reconciliation efforts, including institutional reforms aimed at laying the groundwork for free, fair and credible elections. Rubio also called for the release of the remaining political prisoners in Venezuela, the department said. In his latest major remarks on Venezuela last week, Rubio said the Trump administration would closely monitor developments and urge all parties to follow the newly agreed process. He said Washington's objective was to help establish a sustainable electoral framework that would give all sides confidence in the voting process. Monday's talks marked one of the highest-level meetings between a senior Trump administration official and a representative of the government led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez. Blanco also met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who shared a photograph of the meeting on social media, saying the US administration was committed to supporting Venezuela's economic recovery and expanding its energy production. Rodríguez met with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September. Earlier, Energy Secretary Chris Wright travelled to Caracas in August and held talks with Rodríguez and senior Venezuelan officials, leading to the conclusion of a major oil deal. Rodríguez assumed power in Venezuela following a surprise US military operation in January that captured then-President Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the United States to face drug trafficking charges, which he denies. Rubio has also held meetings with the speakers of Venezuela's current and former parliaments, as well as opposition leader María Corina Machado, who returned to the country last month.

Apple Inc. has reported stronger-than-expected revenue for its fiscal fourth quarter, marking an encouraging start for new CEO John Ternus, who took over the company's leadership in September. The upbeat results came as several major technology companies, including Alphabet, Amazon and Intel, reported disappointing quarterly performances. The California-based technology giant earned $30.71 billion, or $2.10 per share, during the July-September quarter, up 12 percent from $27.47 billion, or $1.85 per share, in the same period last year. Apple said the latest earnings included 5 cents per share from tariff refunds. Revenue also increased 12 percent to $114.5 billion from $102.5 billion a year earlier. According to a FactSet poll, analysts had projected earnings of $1.99 per share on revenue of $113.4 billion. Jacob Bourne, an analyst at Emarketer, said Apple's strong performance came amid a recent sell-off in technology stocks, as investors questioned the huge costs and uncertain returns associated with the artificial intelligence boom pursued by other major technology companies. He said record iPhone revenue and strong growth in China demonstrated the resilience of Apple's business. While competitors face investor concerns over their massive AI investments, Bourne said Apple's relatively modest spending on AI infrastructure was helping it preserve cash flow. He added that partnerships with companies such as Alphabet could strengthen Apple's AI capabilities without exposing it to the same level of financial risk faced by its rivals. Despite the strong quarterly performance, Apple warned that its closely watched gross margin, which stood at 47.9 percent in the fourth quarter, would decline to between 45 percent and 46 percent in the December quarter. The company attributed the expected decline mainly to higher memory costs and expenses associated with the release of its AI-powered Siri. Apple shares were initially little changed after the earnings announcement but fell 2.6 percent to $329.60 during the earnings call. The stock had already closed down 1.8 percent at $338.32 in regular trading.

A powerful Haitian gang leader has confirmed that he wrote to the United Nations Secretary-General seeking dialogue and mediation, as escalating clashes involving security forces and armed groups raise fears of further violence in the Caribbean nation. Wilson Joseph, widely known as Lanmò Sanjou and leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, told The Associated Press on Monday that he had requested the UN to send a delegation to Haiti to facilitate talks. In his first interview with a major international media outlet, Joseph claimed that four Salvadoran aviation technicians who went missing in an attack on October 18 had been killed while they were in the territory controlled by another gang, Chen Mechan. He, however, provided no evidence to support the claim. The Haitian government has said the four Salvadorans were abducted, while El Salvador believes they are still alive. Joseph expressed anger over drone strikes that he said were killing civilians, including children and elderly people, as fighting has intensified in Plaine du Cul-de-Sac, near Port-au-Prince. The clashes began after a UN-backed gang-suppression force, working alongside Haitian police and soldiers, and Vectus Global, a private security company founded by former US Navy SEAL and Blackwater founder Erik Prince, launched operations against armed groups following the attack on the Salvadoran technicians. Joseph accused Haitian politicians, whom he said had armed the gangs, of bringing foreign troops into the country "to destroy us". He also addressed El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, who recently deployed 2,000 troops to Haiti, saying, "The Haitian politicians are the father of the gangs and the rebels. ... The politicians don't want this to stop." In his letter, Joseph warned that Bukele's statements and threats could fuel further bloodshed. "Given Mr. Nayib Bukele's vengeful remarks, expectations, and threats, I fear this situation will lead to an escalation of violence and a logic of reprisals, of which the Haitian people would be the first victims," he wrote. Questions raised over oversight of Salvadoran troops Joseph alleged that politicians were informing him in advance about security operations targeting his group. He said he had no objection to security forces arresting gang members but accused them of using drones in attacks that killed children and elderly civilians. Joseph claimed he was willing to engage in dialogue and surrender his weapons. However, when asked what he wanted in return, he declined to disclose his demands, saying he would discuss the matter with a peace commission. He also rejected allegations that members of 400 Mawozo had killed innocent Haitians. In a statement late Monday, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that the organisation had received a letter bearing Joseph's signature. "However, receipt of such a letter does not constitute endorsement of its contents, recognition of its author, or a position by the United Nations," he said. Dujarric noted that the vast majority of Salvadoran military personnel deployed in Haiti were not operating under the UN-backed gang-suppression force and therefore fell outside its mandate and reporting framework. He stressed that the UN remained concerned about the impact of the violence on local communities, adding that all security operations must comply fully with applicable international law. Gang leader calls for peaceful solution In his two-page letter, sent on November 1, Joseph said the recent developments in Plaine du Cul-de-Sac, particularly in areas controlled by the Chen Mechan gang, were a matter of serious concern. He said he had "officially raised the white flag" on August 20 and was seeking a peaceful resolution to Haiti's national crisis through dialogue between international forces operating in the country and the 400 Mawozo group. Joseph said he was ready to receive the UN delegation and participate in any meeting aimed at reaching a peaceful settlement, establishing dialogue and ensuring sustainable stability. "I remain convinced that dialogue must prevail over force," he wrote, stressing that protecting civilians, particularly children and vulnerable families, should be central to any international initiative. According to the UN, more than 5,700 people were killed or injured across Haiti between January and mid-September. The 400 Mawozo gang, whose name roughly translates as "400 Simpletons", operates mainly in Croix-des-Bouquets, a community near Port-au-Prince. A gang spokesperson, who declined to be identified, accused the government of abandoning the area and claimed that Joseph took control of it as a result. The group is notorious for kidnappings, including the abduction of 17 missionaries in October 2021, 16 of them from the United States and one from Canada. The group included five children, and all the hostages were eventually released. The spokesperson denied that the incident constituted kidnapping, describing it instead as a measure of "justice" in response to sexual abuse allegations against a former missionary. The spokesperson also rejected the description of 400 Mawozo as a terrorist organisation, claiming that young people with limited access to education were being exploited by politicians and killed. The US government has announced a $1 million reward for information leading to Joseph's capture. He was indicted in the United States in 2022 on charges of hostage-taking and conspiracy to commit hostage-taking.

The government-set price of a 12-kg LPG cylinder has risen gradually in 2026 to reach Tk 2,060 in November, which is 57.73 percent higher than at the start of the year, while  consumers apprehend paying Tk 2500 or more in the absence of strict market monitoring. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Monday raised the price of a 12-kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder by Tk 223 to Tk 2,060. In January the price stood at Tk 1,306, meaning the cost per cylinder has gone up by Tk 754 in 11 months. Criticising the government's decision, AHM Shafiquzzaman, president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), told UNB that LPG prices have been raised in succesive rounds since April, with some token reductions in between, and the overall increase far outweighs the occasional reductions in between. The government, through BERC, sets the price of LPG at the start of each month. On top of that it is a given that the price the consumer pays at the retail level will exceed that by at least a few hundred taka.   "The price of a 12-kg cylinder has now crossed Tk 2,000, which is deeply distressing for ordinary consumers," Shafiquzzaman said. "On behalf of consumers, we repeatedly urged the government not to raise LPG prices in November under any circumstances. More than 80 percent of LPG is used by ordinary consumers. But disregarding consumers, the government has raised the price to protect the interests of businesses," he said. BERC held a public hearing on LPG pricing on October 29. At the hearing, CAB submitted a written complaint saying traders were seeking a price hike by citing supply shortages. The BERC however, would seem to have sided with them anyway. CAB alleged that, despite import records and available stocks, businesses were creating an artificial crisis by withholding supply from the market, yet no one was holding them accountable. It also said importers cited higher shipping charges, dollar exchange rates and other costs, but the actual documents behind those claims were not being verified. The organisation demanded that the public be told how much costs had actually risen in terms of the Saudi contract price, freight and trade premiums, insurance and exchange rates. "The price was raised on the pretext of rising costs, but the public never learned how much costs had actually gone up. Pressure on consumers has increased, while businesses are happy. This decision is entirely to please businesses. In the name of a public hearing, consumers have been outright deceived this time," Shafiquzzaman said. He said the hike would hit small hoteliers and salaried consumers hard and push up their monthly expenses. "A family of four to five members needs one and a half 12-kg cylinders a month. Traders will sell LPG at prices even higher than what the government has set, and the government will be unable to do anything about monitoring this. A small family will now spend Tk 3,500 to Tk 4,000 a month on LPG alone," he said. Consumers said that they have to buy LPG at prices above the government-set rate. They fear that after the latest increase, a 12-kg cylinder will take the price they have to pay close to Tk 2500. Moinul Hasan, an employee of a private company, said that although the October price of a 12-kg cylinder was Tk 1,837, he had to pay Tk 400–500 more. "In reality, the price of a 12-kg cylinder has been above Tk 2,000 for a while. The last time I bought one, I paid Tk 2,350. Now that the price has gone up, I am sure I will have to pay more than Tk 2,500," he said. Another consumer, homemaker Fahmida Akter, voiced her frustration. "To cut LPG costs, I bought an electric cooker two months ago. But as the electricity bill came in higher, I increased my LPG use again. Now the LPG price has gone up again. We consumers are just swinging like a pendulum at the mercy of market prices," she said. It is not only households that are affected. Imran Hossain, general secretary of the Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association, warned that the price hike would become a huge burden for small restaurant operators. "The condition of restaurant businesses in the country is already dire. People do not have money to eat out. If food prices are raised in line with rising costs, restaurants will be empty. On top of that, the government keeps raising LPG prices. The entire restaurant-based food chain will come under threat," he told UNB. BERC has been setting LPG prices since April 2021, when the price of a 12-kg cylinder was first fixed at Tk 975. There are currently 35 actively registered LPG importing companies in the country, of which 23 have the infrastructure and capacity to import. Despite 23 companies having the capacity, only 10 firms imported LPG in September, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR). At the BERC public hearing, these companies had sought to raise the existing commission of Tk 200 per 12-kg cylinder: Omera proposed Tk 478, Petromax Tk 349 and Delta Tk 360, while Meghna Group proposed Tk 300. "These corporate businessmen and distributors are holding the people hostage, and this time the government has made a decision on their behalf," M Shamsul Alam, CAB's energy adviser, told UNB, expressing anger. He said oligarchs were running rampant in the LPG import market, and the government, having yielded to them, was repeatedly putting ordinary people under pressure. Unless the energy policy is overhauled, he said, people-friendly energy decisions cannot be made. The energy expert called for a complete overhaul of the entire energy policy and expressed hope that the government would make BERC effective in setting people-friendly energy prices.

Four people suffered burn injuries in a fire following an air compressor explosion in Rupganj of Narayanganj on Monday night, with one of them in critical condition. The incident occurred around 8pm, and the injured were later admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. Dr Sultan Mahmud Sikder, resident surgeon at the institute's emergency department, said Naimul, 30, suffered burns to 42 percent of his body, while Ismail, 30, sustained 20 percent burns. Kamrul, 55, suffered burns to 25 percent of his body, and Tapan, 38, sustained 12 percent burns. Naimul also suffered injuries from inhaling smoke, while the other three are suspected to have similar injuries. All four have been admitted to the institute and are receiving necessary treatment, but Naimul's condition is critical, the doctor added.

UNESCO has called on governments and all relevant stakeholders to prevent attacks against journalists, protect those at risk and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, stressing that journalist safety is essential to freedom of expression and the public’s right to know. In a statement marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on Monday, Dr Susan Vize, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, said evolving threats against journalists and the persistent lack of accountability for crimes against them remain major concerns. Under this year's theme, “Threats Evolve. Impunity Endures,” the day draws attention to the growing challenges facing journalists and the need to end impunity, she said. UNESCO recorded 189 killings of journalists, media workers and social media producers engaged in journalistic activity in 2024 and 2025, with 67 percent of the killings occurring in countries experiencing armed conflict. Globally, the impunity rate stands at 86 percent, meaning approximately six out of seven cases remain unresolved, Vize said. She stressed that ending impunity requires accountability when attacks occur, alongside effective prevention, timely responses to threats and protection for journalists. Highlighting UNESCO's initiatives in Bangladesh, Vize said the organisation is strengthening journalist safety through the United Nations Electoral Assistance Project, BALLOT, in collaboration with implementing partners and with generous donor support. According to BALLOT records, journalist training activities conducted nationwide recorded almost 3,000 attendances through September 2026, with each training programme including a full-day module on the Safety of Journalists. The initiatives included dedicated training for around 200 women journalists and training for 24 photojournalists. Ahead of the national elections, UNESCO distributed 60 protective vests, 4,000 Journalist Resource Cards and 7,500 Election Reporting Manuals, she said. Training and dialogue have also strengthened engagement between the Bangladesh Election Commission and the media, as well as police-media cooperation, with journalist safety remaining central to these efforts. The Bangladesh Journalism Conference brought together 500 participants, while youth initiatives are supporting visual literacy and safe and responsible digital engagement, Vize said. “Protecting journalists strengthens accountability and protects everyone’s right to know,” she said.

The Trump administration on Monday appealed to the US Supreme Court in an attempt to set aside around 20,000 disputed mail-in ballots in California, just a day before the crucial midterm elections that will determine control of Congress. The emergency appeal came after a divided federal appeals court rejected the administration's request to segregate the ballots cast by voters whose citizenship status the federal government has questioned. The Justice Department argued that the ballots should not be counted until the voters' eligibility is verified. California officials, however, said the list was highly unreliable and likely included many US citizens. The Republican administration has made identifying potential noncitizen voters a priority this year, although voting by noncitizens is rare. A district court judge had firmly rejected the Justice Department's request, warning that the move could disenfranchise eligible American citizens in Tuesday's midterm elections. The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to issue a limited injunction directing California to keep the disputed ballots separate while the legal proceedings continue. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that once the disputed ballots are mixed with other valid ballots, it would be impossible to identify and retrieve them. Voting has been underway in California, a predominantly Democratic state, since early October. The state mails ballots to all of its approximately 23 million registered voters, and hundreds of thousands have already been processed. California election officials said identifying and separating the disputed ballots at this stage would be practically impossible. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, described the appeal as an act of desperation and another attempt to undermine elections and violate the rule of law. Lower courts have repeatedly sided with California. The district judge warned that separating the ballots could cause major disruption to the midterm elections and undermine public confidence in the democratic process. In his ruling, US District Judge David O. Carter said that allowing the executive branch to reject votes and threaten an ongoing election based on unproven allegations would put American democracy at risk. A three-judge appeals court panel upheld his ruling by a 2-1 vote. The majority included judges appointed by former President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden. The dissenting judge, who was also appointed by Trump, argued that California's refusal to separate the ballots encouraged violations of federal law. The Justice Department had earlier sought expedited intervention from the appeals court but failed to secure it. Trump's administration has secured several victories through emergency appeals before the Supreme Court during his second term. However, the justices previously rejected his attempt to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the midterm elections.

Traffic fines can now be paid instantly through the bKash app in just a few taps, without any hassle. It can also be paid from more than 350,000 bKash agent points across the country. The service, launched jointly by Community Bank and bKash, allows users to clear fines for all types of traffic cases filed by the Bangladesh Police. Whenever needed, customers can instantly pay traffic fines from anywhere in the country using the ‘Pay Bill’ option from the home screen in the bKash app. They can also avail instant traffic fine payment services from any nearby bKash agent points. The service aims to enable on-the-spot settlement whenever a case is filed for violating traffic rules. After receiving the traffic fine slip, customers can pay the fine anytime and from anywhere using the bKash app. Alongside, they get the opportunity to quickly retrieve seized documents from the concerned law enforcement officer by showing the payment receipt. How to pay traffic fines through the bKash app: To use this service, a customer needs to tap the ‘Pay Bill’ icon on the home screen of the bKash app. The ‘Traffic Fine’ feature can be found under the ‘Government Fee’ option or by typing into the search bar. Next, entering the specific case number written on the traffic case slip will automatically show the fine amount on the screen. After checking all details, the customer confirms the transaction by entering their PIN, and the fine is cleared instantly. Upon successful payment, a confirmation SMS and in-app notification will be sent to the customer’s mobile number. A fee is applicable. After completing the payment, downloading the digital receipt enables swift recovery of seized documents. Details regarding this traffic fine payment feature are available at: https://tinyurl.com/4udymf5p. To pay traffic fines at nearby agent points, customers need to provide the case ID and their mobile number to the agent. Once the fine is settled, the customer will receive a digital receipt directly from the agent.

The government has set a target of generating 3,000 to 4,000 megawatts of electricity from solar power ahead of next summer to keep power shortages at a tolerable level, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit said on Monday. He said rooftop solar systems were being considered an effective and practical way to achieve the target. Speaking at a meeting organised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) at its Agargaon office, Amit said the government was working to prevent a repeat of the sufferings people faced during the last summer due to power shortages. He said the government had formulated a policy on expanding solar power use within just two months, which could be revised based on stakeholders’ feedback. The state minister said solar installations at public universities would not be imposed, and decisions would be made considering each institution’s needs and capacity. He also said the Power Division would help universities earn carbon credits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through solar power generation. UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed said the commission had conducted a survey and formed a team to assess the feasibility of installing solar systems at 31 public universities. He said universities could begin the process within a month if they took initiatives immediately, adding that the UGC would provide technical support. He also stressed adopting the operational expenditure (OPEX) model to reduce universities’ electricity costs, citing an initiative at Jashore University of Science and Technology as an example. The meeting was attended by vice-chancellors of public universities, senior officials of the Power Division and UGC members.

Acting Foreign Minister Humaiun Kobir met with UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Ed Miliband on Monday on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in St John's, Antigua and Barbuda. During the meeting, both ministers expressed satisfaction over the growing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the UK, marked by robust exports of Bangladeshi goods to the UK market and British investment in Bangladesh. They also discussed Bangladesh's agreement to purchase Airbus aircraft for its national flag carrier, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

The British government on Monday announced plans to double the period many immigrants must wait before becoming eligible for permanent residency, while exempting key workers and high earners from the extended requirement. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said people arriving in the UK on work visas will generally have to wait 10 years to qualify for permanent settlement, which allows them to work, study, access free healthcare and claim benefits. However, those earning at least 50,000 pounds ($67,000) annually, along with public-sector workers such as doctors, nurses and teachers, will remain eligible after five years. Immigrants earning more than 125,000 pounds a year will be able to apply after just three years. Mahmood said the changes would be introduced in 2027 and were intended to make the immigration system fairer by linking permanent residency rights to migrants' contributions to the country. Addressing lawmakers, she referred to her parents' arrival from Pakistan around 50 years ago, saying they had come to Britain because they believed in its commitment to fairness. The revised plan is a relaxation of proposals she presented last year, which faced opposition from some members of the governing Labour Party. The earlier proposal would have required lower-paid migrant workers, including those employed in care homes, to wait 15 years for permanent settlement. Care workers will continue to qualify after five years, provided they earn at least 25,000 pounds annually. The median annual salary in the UK is around 39,000 pounds. Immigration has remained a contentious political issue in Britain for decades and was a major factor behind the 2016 Brexit referendum, which led to the country's departure from the European Union and ended the bloc's freedom of movement arrangements. The arrival of tens of thousands of asylum seekers in small boats across the English Channel each year has also kept immigration at the centre of political debate. Politicians, including Nigel Farage of the right-wing Reform UK party, have portrayed the crossings as a crisis, while anti-immigration protests have targeted Channel ports, asylum accommodation facilities and even a lifeboat charity involved in rescuing people at sea. Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Labour government said stronger law enforcement cooperation with France had helped reduce small-boat arrivals by more than 40 percent so far this year compared with 2025. Mahmood also announced tougher settlement requirements for refugees who did not arrive through safe and legal routes, such as government-sponsored programmes. They will have to wait up to 20 years for permanent residency, while those arriving by small boats will face a waiting period of up to 30 years. Although small-boat arrivals account for only a fraction of overall immigration, most migrants enter Britain legally on visas, the growing popularity of Reform UK has pushed both Labour and the Conservative Party towards tougher immigration policies. Conservative immigration spokesman Chris Philp criticised the revised plan, calling it a “U-turn” and claiming it would cost 10 billion pounds by allowing more people to access benefits than under the original proposal. Liberal Democrat lawmaker Max Wilkinson said the government was prioritising tough rhetoric instead of developing an effective immigration system. Critics of the changes argue that the government is responding to an immigration surge that has already subsided. Net migration, which measures the difference between the number of people entering and leaving the UK, exceeded 900,000 in the year ending June 2023. The increase was partly driven by people fleeing the war in Ukraine and China's crackdown in Hong Kong. According to the Office for National Statistics, net migration fell to 649,000 in the year ending June 2024 and 204,000 in the year ending June 2025. The figure stood at 171,000 in the latest available period, the year ending December 2025.

A court on Monday sent a man to jail in connection with a case filed over raping a 10-year-old girl in Jhenaidah Sadar upazila. The order was passed by the Jhenaidah Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court against Enamul Hossain, 25, a resident of Porahati union under Sadar upazila. The case statement says Enamul lured the child to a paddy field on Sunday on the pretext of catching fish and allegedly raped her. The girl returned home bleeding and informed her family, who admitted her to Jhenaidah 250-bed General Hospital. Officer-in-Charge Md. Asaduzzaman, of Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station, said the victim's father lodged a complaint on Sunday, leading to Enamul's immediate arrest.

Jatiya Shramik Shakti on Monday demanded a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000 for garment workers and warned the government against using force to suppress the ongoing workers' movement. “If attempts are made to suppress the movement, the situation could take a turn in which Tarique Rahman will find no way to flee,” the organisation’s Member Secretary Riyaz Morshed said at a press conference at Gazipur Chowrasta. He alleged that Tarique Rahman had returned to Bangladesh from London riding on the student-worker-public movement, yet workers were now facing force for taking part in peaceful protests. Jatiya Sramik Shakti is the Labor wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP). Morshed also expressed dissatisfaction with the appointment of workers’ representatives to the wage board, claiming that the selected representatives would fail to protect workers’ interests. Jatiya Shramik Shakti Chief Organiser Arman Hossain said Tk 30,000 was not a luxury but a necessity for workers to maintain a healthy life amid rising living costs. “If there were an effective rationing system, we would not have had to take to the streets demanding higher wages,” he said. Abdullah Al Muhim, joint member secretary of the Gazipur metropolitan unit of the National Citizen Party (NCP), urged the authorities to focus on preventing public processions by Awami League supporters rather than looking for alleged links to the party in workers’ legitimate movement. The organisation called on the government to accept workers’ demands without delay and take effective measures to increase wages through peaceful means. Central and local leaders of Jatiya Shramik Shakti attended the press conference.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Monday strongly condemned and rejected a Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report, terming its claim of zero female participation in the party's central leadership “false and misleading”. In a statement, he refuted TIB's research report titled “Institutional Governance of Political Parties in Bangladesh” published on November 1. Porwar clarified that Jamaat practised internal democracy in accordance with its constitution across all organisational levels, with active female participation and designated women's committees. He highlighted that the party's Central Working Council currently included 21 women members, while the Central Majlis-e-Shura comprises 122 women members. Additionally, female members account for nearly 43 percent of the party's total Rokons (Members). Terming the report from a responsible organisation like TIB unwanted and irresponsible, the Jamaat leader urged the anti-corruption watchdog to exercise greater caution and responsibility in future publications regarding the party.

Students of Notre Dame College blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway for three hours on Monday, protesting the death of a former student in a road crash and demanding the cancellation of Rajib Paribahan's route permit. The blockade from 1:30pm to 3:30pm at the Bypass area near the college halted traffic connecting Dhaka with Mymensingh, Sherpur, Jamalpur, and Netrokona, causing severe commuter suffering. Protesters also detained three Rajib Paribahan buses. Demonstrators gave an ultimatum until 11:00am Tuesday to cancel all Rajib Paribahan route permits, prosecute the drivers, and ensure road safety, warning of a larger movement otherwise. Ex-student Jakirul Islam was run over and killed by a Rajib Paribahan bus at Churkhai on Sunday. Earlier on October 2, seven people, including a child, died in another crash by the same operator near Akua Bypass. Officer-in-Charge Shibirul Islam of Mymensingh Kotwali Model Police Station, said they visited the spot and assured students of prompt legal action, leading them to postpone the protest.

A 26-foot-wide road is being constructed in the Ghuntighar area of Gandaria in the capital following the eviction of drug dens, with the removal of illegal structures along the railway line progressing rapidly, Dhaka-6 MP Ishraque Hossain said on Monday. He expressed hope that the road would ease movement for local residents and help law enforcement agencies strengthen patrols to control drug-related activities in the area. Ishraque made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting Ghuntighar in Gandaria at noon. He said drug dens had developed across an area of nearly 2.5 kilometres along the railway line, where illegal structures had been built on railway land. Drug consumption, sale and various other illegal activities were carried out there. The eviction drive began in the Shyampur section, he said. Ishraque said the two weeks of eviction activities had nearly cleared the way for constructing the 26-foot-wide road, with only a few structures yet to be removed. Most of those structures are illegal and temporary, he added. Once built, the road would open up connecting routes to different neighbourhoods, making movement easier for residents. It would also facilitate the entry and exit of ambulances and other emergency vehicles, he said. He said there were also plans to install streetlights and CCTV cameras in the area alongside the road construction. These facilities would make regular patrols by law enforcement agencies easier and help curb drug-related activities. Reiterating his commitment to continuing the anti-drug drive, Ishraque said residents of the wider Gandaria area under his constituency, would benefit from the initiative. He said several important educational institutions were located in the area, where drug-related activities had been spreading and affecting nearby residential neighbourhoods. The MP said drug spots across his constituency would be dismantled completely in phases, stressing that residents, public representatives and law enforcement agencies must work together to achieve the goal. He said the fight against drugs would not be limited to a single eviction drive, adding, “I had announced that this fight against drugs would continue.” Ishraque also said State Minister for Railways and Dhaka-9 MP Habibur Rahman Habib was assisting with the road construction work. Dhaka South City BNP Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin, Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Wari zone, officers-in-charge of Gandaria and Shyampur police stations, and other concerned officials were present during the visit.

Police arrested four members of a robber gang while they were attempting to commit a robbery posing as Detective Branch (DB) officers at Dakshin Bazar in Daganbhuiyan upazila of Feni on Monday noon. The arrestees were identified as Mohammad Gias Uddin, 52, and Md. Rezaul, 50, from Madaripur; Gopal Sarkar, 45, from Munshiganj; and Yousuf Howlader, 40, from Madaripur. Locals detained the suspects near Kamrul’s shop area in Dakshin Bazar after noticing their suspicious movements. Locals tied them with ropes and interrogated them, during which the suspects allegedly confessed to attempting robbery under the guise of DB police. Upon receiving information, police arrived at the scene, rescued the four suspects, and brought them to the police station. Officer-in-Charge Muhammad Faizul Azim Noman of Daganbhuiyan Police Station, said the arrestees are being interrogated at the station and legal action is being taken against them.

Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) detained 12 buses of Itihas Paribahan on Monday over allegations that a bus worker tried to physically harass a female student and behaved rudely with her. The student's classmates stopped the buses at the university's Dairy Gate, beside the Dhaka-Aricha Highway, around noon, demanding action against the accused worker. The victim, a student of the 2024-25 academic session (54th batch), said she boarded a bus on Sunday to go home but returned to campus following disruptions caused by garment workers' protests. She later boarded an Itihas Paribahan bus after crossing the road. She alleged that the conductor charged her Tk 20 instead of the fixed student fare of Tk 10 for the Hemayetpur-JU route. He also asked her to get off without stopping at the designated point. When she asked him to stop the bus, he behaved rudely and tried to touch her, she said. He stopped after she shouted. She further alleged that he verbally abused her and another person accompanying her after they got off the bus. Following the incident, her classmates detained the buses and demanded punishment for the accused worker. Assistant Proctor Shayla Sharmin Setu visited the spot after being informed. "Such incidents are not new. We receive similar complaints frequently despite repeated warnings to bus operators. We will take action under the existing rules and seek police assistance if necessary," she said. JU Proctor Prof Md Abdul Halim said the university authorities had called the bus owner and the accused helper for talks. "The student wants the helper to apologise and ensure that he does not behave this way with any female student in future. She does not want anyone to lose their livelihood over the incident," he said.

Acting Foreign Minister Humaiun Kobir on Monday joined the Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegation of Commonwealth nations to discuss progress made by different Commonwealth bodies and forums and provide guidance on the organisation's future action plans. He led the Bangladesh delegation to the opening session of the pre-CHOGM Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting at the American University of Antigua in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda. On Sunday evening, the Acting Foreign Minister arrived in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda, to lead the Bangladesh delegation to the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which has the theme "Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth". He is expected to make interventions at the high-level executive session of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the Heads of Government-level meeting.

Two young men were killed and two others injured in a head-on collision between two motorcycles on the elevated section of the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur on Monday evening. The deceased were identified as Ejajul, 20, son of Dulal Mia from the Hajrahati area under Nagarkanda municipality, and Swadhin, 20, son of Shahadat Sarkar from Jiakhuli area of the same upazila. The injured are Nasim, 20, son of Rahman Matubbar from Jiakhuli, and Rajon, 21, son of Shawkat from Bharaidanga area under Nagarkanda upazila. According to police and locals, the collision took place around 7:30pm, leaving Ejajul and Swadhin dead on the spot and injuring two others. The bodies were taken to the highway police station, while the injured were admitted to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex. Officer-in-Charge Md Touhid Ahmed of Bhanga Highway Police Station said legal procedures are currently underway.

Nearly six out of every seven journalist killings worldwide go unpunished, with global impunity rising for the first time in more than a decade, while the increasing use of drones has emerged as a new threat to journalists reporting from conflict zones, according to a latest report by UNESCO. “Journalists are increasingly paying with their lives for reporting from the frontlines of war and far too often those responsible for their killings are not held accountable,” said UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany. UNESCO, the UN's cultural organisation, said the rate of impunity for journalist killings reached 86 percent in 2024-2025, up one percentage point from the previous two-year period. A total of 189 journalists and other media workers were confirmed killed during the 2024-2025 period, marking a 20 percent increase from the previous biennium and the highest figure since 2014-2015. Of them, 127, or 67 percent, were killed in conflict zones. The findings were published in the Director-General’s Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity, released every two years to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, observed on November 2. In a message marking the day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at least 34 journalists had been killed over the past year, with six out of every seven such killings going unpunished. In conflict zones, the impunity rate was close to 100 percent, he said. Guterres described the failure to bring those responsible to justice as a grave affront to victims, their families and everyone who relies on journalists for information. Killings recorded across regions The report said journalist killings during 2024-2025 were recorded in all regions of the world, making impunity a global concern. The Arab States recorded the highest number of verified killings at 97, followed by Latin America and the Caribbean with 37, Asia-Pacific with 34, Central and Eastern Europe with 14, Africa with six, and Western Europe and North America with one. The State of Palestine recorded the highest number of journalist killings in both years, with 30 in 2024 and 32 in 2025. Drones emerge as new threat UNESCO identified the growing use of drones to kill journalists as a disturbing new threat.During 2024-2025, drone strikes killed 50 journalists, accounting for 40 percent of all journalist deaths in conflict zones. The report documented seven incidents in which multiple journalists were killed in single attacks, including strikes on media offices and temporary reporting centres. Fifteen journalists were reportedly killed while wearing press vests or travelling in vehicles clearly marked with the word 'Press'. El-Enany called for compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2222, unanimously adopted in 2015, which recognises journalists, media professionals and associated personnel as civilians entitled to protection during armed conflicts. He also referred to the commitment reaffirmed in the Pact for the Future. Progress in non-conflict countries The report also highlighted some progress, noting that impunity for journalist killings in countries not experiencing conflict has continued to decline. The rate fell from 94 percent in 2012 to 77 percent in 2026, representing an average annual reduction of one percentage point. The number of journalists killed in non-conflict zones stood at 85, the lowest figure in 18 years.UNESCO said the progress demonstrated that improvements were possible when governments invested in investigations, prosecutions and measures to protect journalists. Women journalists face particular risks The report also highlighted the specific threats faced by women journalists, both in conflict zones and online. Of the 14 women journalists killed during 2024-2025, 13 were in countries experiencing armed conflicts. A 2025 study by UN Women and the International Center for Journalists found that 75 percent of women journalists had experienced online or offline abuse and harassment. More than 40 percent reported experiencing offline violence linked to online attacks, compared with 20 percent in a UNESCO survey conducted in 2020. “Across the world, journalists continue to pay an outrageous price for telling the truth,” Guterres said. Marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, he called for justice, warning that attacks on journalists and the silencing of their reporting affect society as a whole. Source: UN News 

The Cabinet on Monday gave approval to the draft of the Public Procurement (Second Amendment) Act, 2026, aiming to ensure greater transparency, accountability, equal treatment and open competition in government procurement. The approval – both in principle and final – came at the 26th Cabinet meeting of the current government, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani briefed reporters after the meeting. The Public Procurement Act, 2006, which serves as the principal legal framework for government procurement, has so far been amended six times. The latest amendment was made through the Public Procurement (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, promulgated on September 21, 2026. The ordinance was issued to introduce updated provisions aimed at protecting local industries and creating greater competition in procurement activities. The proposed amendment includes special provisions for new, micro and small, women and disadvantaged bidders to ensure their participation in government procurement. It also seeks to modernise the procedures under the open tendering method and expand the application of the limited tendering method to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources. The draft law also aims to clarify provisions relating to professional misconduct and introduce alternative procurement arrangements to meet urgent state requirements. The draft of the Public Procurement (Second Amendment) Act, 2026, was published on the websites of the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) and the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) for public opinion. An ordinance promulgated under Article 93(1) of the Constitution must be placed before Parliament at its first meeting following the promulgation, as stipulated in Article 93(2). The Cabinet gave final approval to the draft law, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.

The cabinet on Monday approved the list of public holidays for 2027, with 15 days of general holidays and 14 days of holidays under executive orders. However, the actual number of holidays will be 22 days as seven of the total fall on weekends. Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani disclosed the decision at a briefing after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat in the evening. He said the proposed calendar includes 15 general holidays on the occasion of national days and important religious festivals of different communities. Four of these holidays will fall on weekly holidays – two Fridays and two Saturdays. The calendar also includes 14 days of holidays under executive orders on the occasion of Bangla New Year and various important religious festivals. Three of these holidays will coincide with weekly holidays, one Friday and two Saturdays. Government employees will also be allowed to enjoy up to three days of optional leave during the year on the occasion of their respective religious festivals. Besides, employees belonging to small ethnic communities working in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and elsewhere will be entitled to two days of optional leave to celebrate their principal social festival, such as Biju, Boisabi or similar festivities.

The Cabinet on Monday gave approval – both in principle and final – to the draft Special Solar Power Installation Act, 2026, aimed at expediting the expansion of solar power installations across the country. The approval came at the Cabinet meeting held at the Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. The draft law was placed to turn the Special Solar Power Ordinance, 2026, already promulgated, into an act. “The draft law was placed before the Cabinet meeting for the approval. The Cabinet cleared it subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division,” Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani said while briefing reporters after the meeting. He said the Special Solar Power Ordinance, 2026, was promulgated under Article 93(1) of the Constitution to expedite the expansion of special solar power installation activities. Explaining the rationale for the draft law, Nasimul Ghani said an ordinance promulgated under Article 93(1) of the Constitution must be placed before Parliament at its first meeting following the promulgation, as stipulated in Article 93(2). Following the Cabinet's approval, the draft law will be placed before Parliament as a bill. Once passed by Parliament and assented to by the President, it will turn into an act. The Cabinet Secretary said the proposed law would undergo parliamentary debate, during which changes could be made if necessary.

Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid on Monday warned that licences of newly appointed fertiliser dealers would be cancelled if irregularities were found in fertiliser distribution, while officials involved in such practices would face departmental action. He issued the warning at a meeting on fertiliser supply for the upcoming Rabi season at the conference room of his ministry, according to a PID handout. Emphasising transparency and accountability, the minister said dealership areas must be determined when licences were issued, based on the amount of cultivable land, the number of farmers and cropping intensity. He also directed officials to take legal action against dealers violating the rules and ensure that fertiliser was sold at government-fixed prices. “Every dealer's shop must display price lists and stock information,” he said. Aminur instructed the authorities to conduct mobile court drives and regular operations against artificial shortages, overpricing, hoarding and illegal fertiliser smuggling across the border. He also directed officials to use farmer cards and farmers' lists to ensure that fertiliser reached genuine farmers fairly. The minister said fertiliser allocations and supplies were being increased ahead of the Rabi season and the government was prepared to meet any rise in demand. He called for strict surveillance, particularly in border districts, to prevent fertiliser smuggling. Stressing that the government provided substantial subsidies on fertiliser, Aminur said genuine farmers must receive the benefits. He also asked officials to monitor the use of urea as an industrial raw material and take swift action against textile and dyeing factories if evidence emerged that they were using it. Deputy commissioners of all districts and deputy directors of the Department of Agricultural Extension attended the meeting virtually, which was chaired by Agriculture Secretary Md Selim Khan.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Monday expressed deep concern over a hike in the price of a 12kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder by Tk 223, warning that the hike would cause fresh hardship for people already struggling with rising living costs. In a statement, he said the latest hike, which has raised the price of a 12kg LPG cylinder to Tk 2,060, would further increase household expenses, particularly for low- and middle-income families. Porwar said ordinary people were already struggling to cope with rising prices of essential commodities, and another sharp increase in LPG prices within just a month would add to their financial burden. He also criticised the government's failure to ensure that LPG was sold at officially fixed prices, alleging that cylinders had long been sold at rates much higher than the government-fixed prices. The Jamaat leader said there were allegations that 12kg LPG cylinders were being sold for Tk 2,200 to Tk 2,300 even in the capital before the latest hike, while effective market monitoring and accountability remained absent. He urged the government to immediately withdraw the LPG price hike, ensure sales at officially fixed rates, take effective measures to stop syndicates and excessive profiteering, and strengthen regular market monitoring to protect consumers' interests.

Am Janatar Dal General Secretary Md Tarek Rahman on Monday proposed fixing garment workers' wages at an amount equivalent to the international market price of six shirts. He made the proposal in a post on his verified Facebook page. In the post, Tarek said his party had earlier proposed that workers receive wages equivalent to the price of at least six shirts in the international market during a previous wage movement. “Even if the price of six shirts in the international market is considered now, it will amount to around Tk 20,000 at Tk 3,500 per shirt. With overtime, a worker can earn Tk 25,000,” he wrote. Responding to questions about garment workers demanding Tk 30,000 a month despite some graduates earning Tk 12,000, the Am Janatar Dal leader said skilled workers should receive wages commensurate with the value they produce. “An electrician charges Tk 500 for an hour's work, while a sanitary worker charges at least Tk 1,000 for two hours. Those who produce value through their labour deserve proper remuneration if they have the required skills,” he said. Referring to the recent arson attacks on factories, Tarek said he did not believe any worker would set fire to their own workplace. He called for bringing those responsible to justice, saying the incidents had jeopardised the jobs of thousands of workers. The Am Janatar Dal general secretary also welcomed the government's formation of a minimum wage board, describing it as good news for workers. He said both workers and factory owners should have the opportunity to participate in the board's discussions and express their views. “Representatives of international buyers should also be included.”

Afghan authorities destroyed around 1,000 tonnes of expired and substandard medicines and cosmetics in southern Kandahar province on Monday. The confiscated products, valued at over 20 million US dollars, had accumulated at border crossing points across the province over the past 18 months after being illegally imported. Mawlawi Mansoorul Haq Zakir, head of Kandahar Customs, said the goods were outdated, low-quality, and failed to meet national quality standards. The destruction is part of intensified nationwide efforts to protect public health and enforce quality controls. Earlier in late October, authorities in northern Balkh province similarly destroyed 142 tonnes of expired and substandard medicines and food products.

Experts and policymakers on Monday called for subsidies to encourage the production and use of organic fertiliser, warning that prolonged reliance on chemical fertilisers was damaging soil health and undermining sustainable agriculture. They made the call at a round-table titled “Subsidising and Promoting Organic Fertiliser for Healthy Soil, Crops and Environment” at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital. Speakers urged simpler registration for organic fertiliser entrepreneurs, effective quality monitoring and coordinated action to protect soil health and promote sustainable agriculture. They noted that Bangladesh ranked 84th among 122 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2026, pointing to a gap between food production and nutrition. ActionAid Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) jointly organised the event in association with 20 national and international development organisations and five universities. Agricultural experts, government and non-government representatives, farmers and organic fertiliser entrepreneurs discussed barriers to production, registration, marketing and use, as well as ways to make subsidies easier to access. Marginal farmers and entrepreneurs spoke of administrative hurdles in registering organic fertiliser products. They also pointed to the lack of effective quality assessment and monitoring. Speakers acknowledged that organic fertiliser may lower crop yields in some cases compared with chemical fertilisers. But they stressed its importance for soil health and crop quality, and called for a balanced approach based on soil conditions and crop requirements. Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) Abdus Salam, who attended the first technical session as the chief guest, outlined the existing registration process for organic fertiliser entrepreneurs and invited recommendations on how to simplify it. Anwar Faruk, director of Bangladesh Krishi Bank, attended the second technical session as the chief guest, proposing a district-level registration system to ease the process for entrepreneurs. "There is no alternative to natural methods if we are to make agriculture sustainable," he said. "Maintaining soil health and the desired pH level requires a balanced use of organic pesticides and organic fertilisers. However, one of our major challenges is the inability to deliver accurate, science-based information to farmers in a timely manner," Faruk added. He also called on research institutions to develop clear standards for organic fertiliser application rates according to soil conditions and crop requirements. Special guest Mst. Sabira Sultana, MP, said she would take the proposals to the relevant parliamentary standing committee, Parliament and the Prime Minister if they were submitted to her. She urged participants to prepare specific proposals and an action plan for the balanced use of organic and chemical fertilisers. Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, stressed the need for coordinated action to strengthen quality control, address marketing irregularities and reduce administrative barriers faced by entrepreneurs. In her closing remarks at the first session, she expressed ActionAid Bangladesh's willingness to work with the government on the necessary policy changes. Discussions also covered the availability of raw materials, soil testing to determine application rates, fair prices for farmers and curbing the influence of middlemen. Speakers emphasised the need for effective mechanisms to regulate fertiliser quality.

Filmmaker Tanvir Mokammel is bringing Pollikobi Jasimuddin’s celebrated narrative poem ‘Sojan Badiar Ghat’, a poignant tale of love across religious divides in rural Bengal, to the big screen, with 70 percent of the shooting of the two-hour feature film already completed. Mokammel, who has also written the screenplay, shared the latest update on the film's production through a social media post. First published in 1933, ‘Sojan Badiar Ghat’ is among Jasimuddin's most celebrated literary works. Set against the backdrop of rural Bengal, the narrative revolves around the tragic love between Sojan, a Muslim boy, and Duli, a Hindu girl, whose relationship faces the constraints of religious identity and social divisions. Through the fate of the two lovers, Jasimuddin explores communal harmony, human relationships and the barriers created by religious and social conventions. Rich in the folk traditions, language and landscape of rural Bengal, the work remains a significant expression of the poet's humanist vision and his deep connection with village life. In the film, Tanoy Biswas plays Sojan, while Radifa Narmin portrays Duli. Dihan and Shreya Baidya appear as the childhood versions of the two central characters. Rakibul Hasan is handling cinematography, while Mahadev Shi is responsible for editing. Uttam Guha is overseeing art direction, and Syed Shabab Ali Arzu is composing the background score. Aside from acting in this film, Chitralekha Guha is also overseeing  the costume planning and casting. Syed Shabab Ali Arzu, Sagir Mostafa, Sandip Mistry and Aparajita Sangeeta are working as assistant directors. Jasimuddin's daughter Hasna Jasimuddin Moudud is the co-producer of the film. The cast also includes Chitralekha Guha, Kazi Raju, Zubayer Zahid, Ahsanul Haque Minu, Swapna Baidya, Shah Alam Dulal and Rezaul Karim Reza, among others.

Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Monday said education has no gender, questioning whether anyone in the world has ever said that people of a particular gender cannot receive education. “Does education have any gender? Has anyone ever said that people of a particular gender can study while others cannot? I believe education has no gender,” he said. The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the certificate distribution and closing ceremony of the 210th Basic Training Course at the National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM) in Dhanmondi. Referring to criticism over his earlier remarks on gender, Milon said a particular online newspaper had accused him of believing in transgender identity. He said he had been discussing the representation of different gender identities in education and had cited data showing that the proportion of transgender people among those who qualified was less than one percent in that event. The minister criticised what he described as the tendency of some media outlets to distort speakers' remarks and divert their intended meaning without listening to the full context. “People should listen and understand before making comments. Creating panic in this way is very detrimental,” he said, urging the media to highlight positive developments alongside negative issues. Speaking about the results of the SSC and HSC examinations, Milon said the country's education system had suffered a setback since the Covid-19 pandemic. He said the practice of passing students without proper assessment had gradually weakened academic standards. He also referred to the impact of political developments and what he described as a growing tendency among students to become involved in politics instead of concentrating on their studies. The minister said the BNP government is working to improve students' learning and writing skills, adding that weaknesses in higher education also needed attention. Milon stressed the need for proper training and orientation for teachers, saying that unlike other cadres of the Bangladesh Civil Service, education cadre officers generally join their jobs without undergoing a structured training programme beforehand. He said administrative cadre officers receive training after joining the service, while members of the armed forces and police also undergo professional training before taking up their responsibilities. “Training makes people better. But teachers do not have that kind of training arrangement,” he said. The minister said the government wanted to introduce a merit-based approach in training programmes, giving priority to those who perform well in presentations, classroom activities and assessments. He said the basic training course needed to be made more comprehensive, as teaching models, modules and pedagogical approaches were gradually changing. He said the government is considering how to make the best use of resources allocated to education. The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had allocated the highest amount to the education sector, while the ministry was also working to ensure that the available resources were used effectively. “We are working to build a future Bangladesh. The Prime Minister is working relentlessly towards that goal, and I have been given responsibility for this ministry to contribute to that effort,” he said. He called upon everyone involved in education to think critically and analyse how the country's education system could be developed. “The collective thinking of all of us will be the driving force behind building the future Bangladesh,” he added. Professor Prem Rizvi, Director (Training and Implementation) of NAEM, course adviser and convener of its Central Evaluation Committee, was also present at the event. The programme was chaired by NAEM Director General Professor Dr Wasim Md Mezbahul Haque.

Prime Minister’s Political Assistant Rashed Khan on Monday demanded the arrest of Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, accusing him of instigating the arson attack on a police vehicle in Mirpur amid the garment workers’ demonstrations over wages. “A police vehicle was set on fire in Mirpur. The Jamaat ameer should be arrested and brought to justice for this act of arson. As an instigator, he cannot evade responsibility for the incident,” Rashed said. He made the demand while talking to reporters after a programme at the Jatiya Press Club. Rashed alleged that Shafiqur had recently said if the people stood with Jamaat, the party would implement its seven-point demand and “smash everything of the government”. “Awami League is hatching conspiracies, and Jamaat is behind these conspiracies. It is instigating them. So, I believe the Jamaat ameer should be arrested over this arson attack and legal action should be taken against him,” the PM’s political assistant said. Referring to the Jamaat ameer’s remarks at a recent long march and a subsequent Facebook post, he questioned the call for the government to take a tough stance. “You said at the long march that everything would be smashed. Now you have posted on Facebook that the government must be tough. When you made that remark at the long march, did you not think about this?” Rashed said. He further alleged that the Jamaat chief could not evade responsibility for the alleged acts of anarchy, arson and violence being carried out by the “Awami League” across the country. Meanwhile, garment workers continued demonstrations and blocked highways and major roads in Gazipur, Savar and Narayanganj on Monday, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000. At least two vehicles, including a police vehicle, were set on fire in Gazipur and Savar, while a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) member and an Industrial Police officer were injured in clashes with workers. The unrest continued despite the government's formation of a six-member minimum wage board on Sunday to review the wage structure for garment workers amid widespread protests in the country's industrial belts.

Consumers are set to face further financial pressure as the price of a 12kg Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder has been increased by Tk 223 to Tk 2,060, adding to their woes amid persistent overpricing in the market. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) issued a notification regarding this price hike on Monday evening. The new rate will come into effect after 8:00 pm tonight. Although the price was raised by Tk 252 to Tk 1,837 in October, the product is currently being sold for between Tk 2,200 and Tk 2,300, even within the capital itself. The price of autogas, used mainly in motor vehicles, has also been raised significantly. BERC fixed the consumer-level price at Tk 91.95 from Tk84.62 per litre for November. The BERC notification said Saudi Aramco had set its November contract price at $720 per tonne for propane and $780 for butane. Based on a 35:65 propane-butane mixture, the average Saudi Contract Price (CP) for LPG stands at $759 per tonne, up from $712.50 in October. The increase of $46.50 per tonne in the international benchmark has added around Tk74, including VAT, to the price of a 12kg LPG cylinder, according to the BERC calculation.  Alongside the rise in international prices, the commission has revised charges for LPG storage, bottling, distribution and retail sales. For the latest price calculation, it considered $250 per tonne for shipping costs and importers' premiums, while the exchange rate was set at Tk123.46 per US dollar.   The storage and bottling charge for private-sector LPG has been fixed at Tk23.48 per kg, including transportation costs from bottling plants to distributors' warehouses. The BERC said LPG cannot be sold at any stage of the supply chain above the prices fixed by the commission. The directive applies to bottling companies, distributors and retailers. Bottling companies must deliver cylinders to distributors' warehouses at their own expense and cannot impose any additional charges beyond the prescribed transportation costs. A writ petition was filed with the High Court in 2016 over the determination of consumer-level LPG prices in Bangladesh. Following the petition, the court issued an order on August 25, 2020.  The BERC subsequently fixed prices for government and private-sector LPG on April 12, 2021. Since then, private-sector LPG prices have been adjusted every month in line with Saudi Aramco's announced propane and butane prices on the international market.

Replacing energy-inefficient household fans with energy-efficient brushless direct current (BLDC) models could reduce Bangladesh’s summer peak power demand by up to 2,590 megawatts (MW) and avoid over US$4 billion in future investments for coal-fired power plants, according to a new report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). The report, titled ‘Household space cooling in Bangladesh: Role of energy-efficient fans’ and authored by Shafiqul Alam, Lead Energy Analyst-Bangladesh at IEEFA, is based on a comprehensive survey of 435 households across 26 districts. According to the study, household fans dedicated to space cooling account for up to 5,212MW of Bangladesh’s summer power demand, with usage peaking around 9 PM. On August 27, 2026, the country’s peak electricity demand reached 19,027MW at 9 PM. While BLDC fans operate at 35 watts (W) compared to 70W or more for traditional inefficient models, they currently account for a mere 1.4 percent of household fans in use. Wider adoption of these efficient fans could save 6,913 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually, valued at BDT 89.87 billion (USD 0.73 billion). Awareness and Upfront Cost Barriers: The study reveals that 75 percent of surveyed households are unaware of the availability of BLDC fans in the market. However, once informed of their energy-saving potential, 96 percent of respondents expressed a willingness to switch. High upfront costs remain a primary deterrent: while a conventional inefficient fan costs around Tk 2,000 ($ 16.3), a BLDC fan is priced between Tk 5,000 ($ 40.7) and Tk 6,300 ($51.3). For households earning up to Tk25,000 ($ 203.42) a month—making up about 40 percent of total households—the investment takes between 7.7 and 9.6 years to pay back without financial assistance. Policy Recommendations: To overcome financial and informational hurdles, IEEFA has called on the government to adopt a structured, seven-step approach: Design a national programme for energy-efficient household fans and establish a super energy service company (ESCO) to drive implementation. Raise public awareness regarding energy-efficient fans and their long-term cost-saving benefits. Finalise standards and labelling for fans through the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) to help consumers identify efficient models. Implement a cost-reduction strategy via bulk-purchase mechanisms and the utilization of future carbon revenue, which could reduce the payback period for low-income households to 4.8 years. Establish accessible financing mechanisms for low-income families, such as utility-supported on-bill financing. Develop a robust quality control and monitoring framework. "As Bangladesh’s energy sector challenges mount, the country must prioritise measures that can provide quick relief by curbing demand growth," said Shafiqul Alam, emphasizing that energy-efficient fans reduce power demand immediately upon installation.

The US Army and the Bangladesh Coast Guard on Monday launched Exercise Guardian Shark in Chattogram.  The exercise runs through November 25 and focuses on swift water rescue and medical training, said acting U.S. Mission Spokesperson Mara Bird. It intends to improve both forces' readiness and build a shared approach to planning and carrying out emergency and crisis responses. Bird said participants will share best practices and work through realistic scenarios to improve their ability to save lives during floods, cyclones, and other emergencies. Exercise Guardian Shark shows the US commitment to working with Bangladesh on shared security concerns in the region, said the US official. Through exercises like this one, Bird said the two countries deepen their cooperation and their shared commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous region.

Two children drowned in a pond at Berilabari village under Lalpur upazila of Natore on Monday noon. The deceased were identified as two-and-half-year-old Sheuly Khatun, daughter of Serajul Huq, and Afia Khatun, 2, daughter of Anarul Islam, of the village. According to police and locals, the two children were playing near their home around 12:00pm when they slipped into the nearby pond unnoticed. After a search, family members rescued them from the water and rushed them to the neighbouring Bagha Upazila Health Complex in Rajshahi, where attending doctors declared them dead. Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam of Lalpur Police Station said the bodies had been handed over to their families without autopsies.

Outsiders and miscreants, rather than genuine garment workers, were involved in violence and vandalism in the name of movement in Savar and Ashulia to destabilise the country, Dhaka Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police Mostafizur Rahman said on Monday. “Some miscreants have infiltrated the workers’ movement and are creating disorder to destabilise the country. We are collecting information about them, and those involved will be brought to justice. They will not be spared,” he said. The DIG made the remarks while talking to journalists after visiting several factories in Savar in the afternoon. He urged all to remain alert, saying no genuine worker would vandalise their own workplace. Mostafizur said the overall situation in Savar was relatively calm on Monday compared to the previous two days, although sporadic incidents of unrest were reported. Police remained vigilant and brought situations under control promptly, he said, adding that additional police personnel had been deployed at different points in Savar and Ashulia to maintain law and order. "Industrial establishments are public assets, and they will be protected at any cost," the DIG added. More than 100 garment factories in Savar and Ashulia declared a general holiday on Monday amid fresh unrest over workers' demand for a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000. Protests erupted in Ashulia in the morning when workers of New Age factory in Narsinghapur came out of their workplace after suspending work and staged demonstrations on the road. The protests later spread to workers of nearby factories, prompting the authorities of several establishments to declare a general holiday. Police fired tear gas shells in front of the Ha-Meem Group factory to disperse the protesters, triggering clashes when chases and counter-chases took place between the two sides. Around 11:15am, miscreants set fire to a covered van belonging to Ha-Meem Group while it was refuelling at Nadi Filling Station. In another incident, several garment factories in Hemayetpur, Tetuljhora, Fulbaria and Ullail areas of Savar municipality declared holidays amid the unrest. Most workers returned home following the announcements. However, some workers continued demonstrations on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway. They also visited different factories and brought workers out of their workplaces. Additional police and members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) were deployed to maintain law and order, said Superintendent of Ashulia Industrial Police-1 Mominul Islam Bhuiyan. At least 15 people, including workers and police personnel, were injured in several rounds of clashes between workers and police in Narsinghhpur on Monday afternoon. The clashes began around 1pm in front of the Ha-Meem Group factory when workers demanding implementation of the minimum wage were involved in a confrontation with law enforcers. The SP said at least 10 police personnel, including Assistant Superintendent of Police Shoaeb Ahmed, were injured in the brick-throwing. Two people were detained over allegations of attacking police, he added. Vehicular movement on the Dhaka-Ashulia-EPZ regional highway resumed after the situation returned to normal in the afternoon. Meanwhile, senior police and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) officials visited AKH Garment, a 100 percent export-oriented factory in the Hemayetpur bus stand area, which was damaged in an attack on Sunday.

Four Americans and one Canadian were among 69 people killed in last Wednesday's high-speed train collision in Spain's Toledo province, authorities said late Sunday. So far, 66 victims have been identified, mostly Spanish nationals, alongside citizens from France, Japan, Argentina, Mexico, Portugal, Tunisia, and the Czech Republic. Three people-two Australians and one Japanese-remain missing. The disaster occurred when a high-speed train slammed into a stopped train on the Madrid-Seville line, just nine months after another collision on the same line killed 46 people. The back-to-back crashes have shaken public trust in Spain's high-speed rail network, which served 45 million travelers last year, including millions of tourists. The incident comes a month before the Nov. 29 general election, where Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is seeking to extend his eight-year tenure. Facing mounting questions over railway safety and infrastructure investments, Sánchez promised a full investigation and system upgrades to restore confidence.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday said Bangladesh will urge developed countries to provide climate finance in the form of grants rather than loans and take responsibility for their contribution to global carbon emissions at the upcoming COP31, scheduled to be held in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20. Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would make a brief visit to attend the two-day high-level sessions of the conference. COP is the annual UN Climate Summit, officially known as the Conference of the Parties. The Prime Minister will participate in the World Leaders’ Summit, scheduled for November 11-12, a senior official told UNB. “The Prime Minister's visit will be formally announced at a press conference, as we do ahead of every foreign visit. You will know the details then,” Shama said. She said Bangladesh would highlight its achievements in climate resilience and its experience in addressing the impacts of climate change across South Asia and the wider Asian region. At the same time, Bangladesh would highlight the support it needs to tackle future climate challenges, particularly the need to ensure that climate finance is provided as grants rather than loans, she said. The State Minister stressed the need for major carbon-emitting countries to take responsibility and ensure accountability during climate negotiations. “Although Bangladesh's contribution to global carbon emissions is almost negligible, we are ultimately among those suffering the consequences,” she said. Shama said the government would also showcase the initiatives taken by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman over the past six months to address climate change and improve the environment. These include canal excavation, tree plantation drives, and greater emphasis on solar power and renewable energy, which directly contribute to tackling climate change, she said. An inter-ministerial coordination meeting chaired by State Minister Shama was held last month to review Bangladesh's preparations for the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31). The meeting reviewed various aspects of the preparations, including the Prime Minister's participation in the high-level segment of COP31. Bangladesh's priorities and concerns at COP31 were discussed at the meeting, which also reviewed possible bilateral meetings and seminars to be held on the sidelines at Bangladesh's pavilions in the Blue and Green Zones, an official told UNB. Asked about the latest developments regarding execution of two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia, Shama said the Bangladesh mission in the Kingdom has been maintaining regular communication with the relevant authorities. “Communication with Saudi Arabia through our mission is continuing. We hope to receive some information from them soon. The process is underway. We hope to hear something from the Saudi government shortly,” she said.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Safiqul Islam Khan on Monday said hawkers would no longer be allowed to set up stalls on the footpaths in Mirpur-10 and Mirpur-1, while the corporation was working to arrange alternative spaces for the evicted vendors. "We are working to arrange alternative spaces for them as soon as possible," he said. The DNCC administrator made the remarks during a meeting with a 10-member delegation of the Bangladesh Hawkers' Union at his office. During the meeting, the hawkers' representatives submitted a memorandum demanding the rehabilitation of vendors evicted from footpaths in Mirpur and other areas. Mentioning that hawkers were also part of the city, the DNCC administrator said the corporation was looking for alternative locations, particularly in Mirpur-10, Mirpur-1 and Uttara, where they could continue their businesses. He, however, made it clear that hawkers will be able to run business on mobile vehicles in the alternative sites, but no makeshift platform or stall would be allowed. Safiqul also said the government had plans to introduce holiday markets for hawkers, adding that the DNCC was trying to arrange such markets for those evicted from the footpaths. "If we can arrange alternative locations for 300 to 500 shops, customers will also visit those places, creating opportunities for better business." He said the authorities had been compelled to remove illegal structures and hawkers from the footpaths, blaming certain syndicates and some vendors for occupying not only the footpaths but also portions of the roads. As a result, pedestrians had been left with virtually no space to walk, and many people were unaware that the footpaths were meant for public use, the administrator said. He added that the public welcomed the eviction drive after the footpaths were cleared.

Garment workers staged demonstrations and blocked highways and major roads in Gazipur, Savar and Narayanganj for the 2nd consecutive day on Monday, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000. At least two vehicles, including a police vehicle, were set on fire in Gazipur and Savar, while a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) member and an Industrial Police officer were injured during clashes with workers. The unrest continued although the government formed a six-member minimum wage board on Sunday to review the wage structure for garment workers amid widespread protests in the country’s industrial belts. In Gazipur, hundreds of workers from different factories took to the streets in the morning and staged protests in Konabari, Mouchak, Palli Bidyut, Chandra, Bhogra, Naojor, Signboard, Naljani and Lakshmipura. Workers from several factories in Palli Bidyut and Mouchak blocked the Dhaka-Tangail Highway, bringing vehicular movement to a halt. Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Md Nurul Karim Bhuiyan said the protesters were dispersed following several rounds of confrontation with law enforcement agencies. Traffic movement returned to normal around 10am, although demonstrations continued in other parts of the industrial city, with protesters blocking sections of the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways. Around noon, protesters set fire to a police vehicle on the Naojor Flyover. A BGB member was also injured after being hit by bricks thrown by protesters. Hiron Mia, an official of the Chowrasta Modern Fire Service, said they were informed about the fire but could not immediately reach the spot as protesters obstructed their movement. The vehicle was later removed using a police recovery truck. Vandalism was also reported in different parts of the industrial city. The deputy commissioner said 10 platoons of BGB personnel had been deployed in Gazipur’s industrial areas alongside police and other law enforcement agencies. The BGB members were working under the supervision of 21 executive magistrates to maintain law and order, he added. More than 100 factories along the highway from Chandra in Kaliakair through Konabari and Naojor to Joydebpur declared holidays amid the unrest. In Savar, workers from several garment factories staged demonstrations on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway in the Narsinghpur area around 9:30am. Police fired tear gas in front of Ha-Meem Group to disperse the protesters, triggering clashes and chases and counter-chases. The workers also hurled brick chips at law enforcers. Assistant Superintendent of Police Shoaeb Ahmed of Industrial Police-1 was injured after being hit by bricks thrown by protesters. Around 11:15am, a covered van belonging to Ha-Meem Group was set on fire while refuelling at Nadi Filling Station. Several garment factories in Hemayetpur, Tetuljhora, Fulbaria and Ullail areas of Savar municipality also declared holidays amid the unrest. Some protesters reportedly went to nearby factories and forced workers to leave their workplaces, disrupting production. Authorities of around 100 factories in Savar declared a general holiday for Monday. Additional police and Armed Police Battalion (APBn) personnel were deployed to maintain law and order, said Superintendent of Industrial Police Muminul Islam Bhuiyan. In Narayanganj, workers from several garment factories blocked the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road. Witnesses said workers gathered in Kutubail Katherpul area of Narayanganj Sadar upazila around 11:30am before moving onto the link road and blocking it around noon, disrupting traffic. A leader of a workers’ organisation, requesting anonymity, said the workers had joined the demonstration spontaneously to press home their wage demand. Workers from Metro Knitting, Palmal Garments, Abir Fashion and Azad-Rifat Dyeing, among other factories in Fatullah, took part in the protest. Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Tarek Al Mehedi said police rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control through discussions with the workers. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to protect garment workers’ interests while ensuring uninterrupted production and exports in the apparel sector. He also warned that those involved in violence, sabotage and attempts to create disorder in the name of workers’ movements would face strict action. Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury announced the formation of a six-member minimum wage board at a press briefing at his ministry on Sunday, urging protesting workers to return to work instead of taking to the streets.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Monday upheld a High Court order granting bail to former lawmaker Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman in a case filed over allegedly obstructing government work and misbehaving with officials at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Md Rezaul Haque passed the order, rejecting a petition filed by the state challenging the High Court bail. With the apex court order, there is no bar to Akhtaruzzaman’s release, said his lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir. Earlier on Sunday, the High Court granted bail to Akhtaruzzaman, who was expelled from BNP several times and joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in December 2025, in the case. On October 26, the Dhaka Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court-5 rejected his bail petition. The Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested the former lawmaker from his residence in the Dhaka Cantonment area on October 2. The following day, a court placed him on a one-day remand for interrogation. After the remand, he was produced before a court on October 4, which rejected his bail petition and sent him to jail. The case was filed over an incident at the airport on October 1, when passengers arriving from Madinah on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight faced a shortage of luggage trolleys and delays in collecting their baggage. According to the case statement, Akhtaruzzaman allegedly verbally abused and threatened Airport Executive Director Group Captain SM Ragib Samad and assaulted security supervisor Warrant Officer Mohammad Kamal Uddin. He was also accused of throwing bottles of Zamzam water from passengers' trolleys and behaving aggressively towards a Biman representative.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members seized 18 kg of hemp, 75 bottles of Indian Fairdeal syrup, and 56 bottles of Indian liquor in separate drives along the Kushtia and Meherpur borders Sunday. The total estimated seizure value of the recovered narcotics is Tk 1.77 lakh. A smart patrol team from Dhola BOP under Kushtia Battalion (47 BGB) conducted a drive at Dholar Math around 2:00 a.m. Saturday, recovering 18 kg of unclaimed Indian hemp valued at Tk 63,000. In another drive around 2:00 a.m. Sunday, a BGB patrol team from Kazipur BOP seized 75 bottles of Indian Fairdeal syrup and 56 bottles of Indian liquor worth Tk 1.14 lakh from Mathurapur Refugeepara field. Kushtia Battalion (47 BGB) Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Rashed Kamal Roni confirmed the seizures, reaffirming BGB's uncompromising stance and continued intelligence surveillance against drug smuggling to establish a safe border.

The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) fined offenders a total of Tk 35.5 lakh and filed 28 cases in October under the Safe Food Act, 2013, through mobile courts and drives across the country. BFSA in a statement on Monday said that it also monitored 1,127 food establishments during the month and issued health certificates for four export-eligible products. In Dhaka metropolitan area, 17 drives were conducted in October. Nine establishments were fined Tk 13 lakh in total, and 11 cases were filed. The common irregularities found at these establishments included food workers lacking health certificates, operating without mandatory registration, preparing food in unhygienic conditions, storing unlabelled fish, meat and other items in refrigerators, having no trade licence, and failing to show pest control documents. Outside Dhaka, drives were carried out on 17 establishments in different districts. These establishments were fined a total of Tk 22.5 lakh, and 17 cases were filed against them for offences including cockroach infestation in kitchens, use of burnt oil, use of unapproved chemical colours and unauthorised products, missing labels on products, and producing food in filthy and unhealthy environments. Overall, 34 drives were conducted in October 2026, resulting in fines worth Tk 35.5 lakh and 28 cases. Alongside enforcement, the authority has stepped up monitoring of food establishments nationwide. In October, it monitored 1,127 establishments, including markets, hotels and restaurants, bakeries, sweetmeat shops, and food producers and processors. Through monitoring, the authority oversees compliance with food safety rules in production, storage, serving, processing and marketing, and issues directives or takes legal action against establishments as needed. Speaking about the ongoing activities, BFSA Chairman Shafiqul Islam said the authority is carrying out multifaceted measures to ensure safe and quality food. "Alongside regular supervision of food businesses, mobile courts, and food sample testing and research, we are putting strong emphasis on raising public awareness," he said. He noted that BFSA has recently taken steps to enforce registration and licensing for food businesses. The chairman said ensuring safe food for everyone in the country is not possible for the authority alone, as it is the collective outcome of many efforts. "If all stakeholders come forward to help, this drive for safe food will become more dynamic and wider in reach," he added.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has detected revenue evasion worth Tk 102.57 crore by two export-oriented garment manufacturers through alleged misuse of bonded warehouse facilities, including illegal removal and sale of duty-free imported fabrics in the domestic market. The NBR’s Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) found revenue evasion of Tk94.73 crore by Riyaz Knitwear Ltd and Tk7.83 crore by Lisha Tex (Pvt.) Ltd following separate investigations into their activities. According to NBR data released on Monday, the two companies allegedly removed imported fabrics from their bonded warehouses and sold them in the local market, while also understating export values and evading value-added tax (VAT). The total detected revenue loss stands at Tk102 crore 57 lakh 13 thousand 128, the NBR said. During its investigation, the CIC teams physically inspected the raw material stocks of both companies and cross-checked import and export records with warehouse inventories and information from relevant organisations. In the case of Riyaz Knitwear, the CIC found that the company had imported 2,862 tonnes of woven polyester fabric under 41 Utilisation Declarations (UDs) through bonded warehouse facilities. However, around 78 percent, or 2,237 tonnes, of the imported fabric was missing from the factory warehouse, with no corresponding export records. The NBR suspects the fabric was illegally removed from the bonded warehouse and sold in the domestic market. The inspection also found discrepancies in export records. Although the company reported exports of yarn and knitwear, significant quantities of imported woven polyester fabric remained unaccounted for. Of the 31 UDs against which no exports were made, imported fabrics under 30 UDs were allegedly removed entirely. In another 10 entries involving partial exports, around 53 percent of the imported fabric remained unaccounted for. The factory inspection found only 69,382 kg of yarn, 845,397 pieces of finished garments and 25,533.50 kg of woven polyester fabric in stock. The remaining fabric accounted for just 0.89 percent of the total imports. The NBR also found inconsistencies between the company’s written statement and import records. While its representatives claimed that no garments had been produced or exported using such fabric during the previous month, bill-of-entry records showed imports of around 390 tonnes of fabric in September alone.   The assessable value of the illegally removed fabric was estimated at Tk134.29 crore, resulting in detected customs duty and tax evasion of Tk94 crore 73 lakh 87 thousand 720. In the case of Lisha Tex, the CIC found that around 174,000 kg of polyester fabric imported under bonded warehouse facilities was missing from the factory. The NBR estimated customs duty and tax evasion at around Tk6.90 crore from the illegal removal of the fabric alone. The investigation also found that the company exported more garments than permitted under its approvals but declared lower export values than the contractual prices. It allegedly procured raw materials locally through local agents outside its approved UDs and failed to meet the mandatory 20 percent value-addition requirement. The company also purchased accessories for more than 400,000 pieces of garments from the local market without paying applicable VAT. Furthermore, it allegedly supplied knitwear worth Tk3.23 crore to an unlicensed company, resulting in additional VAT evasion. The NBR detected total revenue evasion of Tk7 crore 83 lakh 25 thousand 408 by Lisha Tex through these irregularities. The CIC said it would continue its operations to prevent the misuse of bonded warehouse facilities.  

Highlighting the importance of sustained engagement with its neighbour, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday said the government has formed a high-level committee to negotiate a renewed Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India to safeguard Bangladesh’s legitimate rights. Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she said Bangladesh would have to continue discussions with India to pursue its legitimate demands and rights, noting that securing what the country reasonably deserves requires sustained engagement. “If I want to secure what I am legitimately entitled to, I have to fight for it. And if I have to fight for it, I have to talk to them. It’s as simple as that… We hope India will take the right decision,” Shama said in response to a question. The State Minister said the negotiations would be based on Bangladesh’s legitimate demands, which are essential for the country and its people. “We will pursue the best possible outcome for the future, and our decisions regarding the resolution of our water-related issues will be guided by this approach,” she said. Shama said Bangladesh has many issues with India that need to be resolved through dialogue and discussions. Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recently said issues concerning the Ganges treaty and other shared rivers would be discussed through the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC). “On the Ganga Water Treaty, as also other rivers that we share between Bangladesh and India, we have a Joint Rivers Commission. All matters relating to rivers, river-related matters, will be discussed as part of this Joint Rivers Commission,” he said, adding that technical-level meetings on the Ganges treaty had continued. Securing its fair share of water from transboundary rivers is likely to emerge as a major issue for Bangladesh in the coming days, making effective water diplomacy, international cooperation and constructive engagement with India increasingly important, officials and experts have said. The urgency is underscored by the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed on December 12, 1996, which is set to expire on December 12 this year. The government has become increasingly vocal in recent weeks, signalling that Bangladesh will seek a new or revised agreement that safeguards its interests, particularly its share of dry-season flows, with the inclusion of a guarantee clause. Bangladesh and India share 54 transboundary rivers, but the Ganges remains the only one covered by a bilateral water-sharing agreement between the two countries. Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee recently said Bangladesh wants a new or revised Ganges agreement rather than simply renewing the existing treaty, with provisions guaranteeing its required share of water during the dry season. “Our main priority will be to bring back the guarantee clause that was included in the 1977 agreement,” he said on Thursday. The 1977 agreement, negotiated during the tenure of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, included a safeguard stipulating that if the Ganges flow at Farakka fell below the level projected in the agreement for Bangladesh's scheduled share during any 10-day period, the release to Bangladesh would not fall below 80 percent of that share. “We are hopeful that the treaty will be renewed or concluded in a way that safeguards the legitimate rights of our country and its people,” Shama said. On the significant trade deficit Bangladesh faces with India, she said reducing the gap remains a government priority, while stressing that dialogue is essential to resolving bilateral issues. “We have a huge trade deficit with India, and reducing it is one of our goals. But to resolve any problem, we have to sit at the negotiating table,” Shama said. “Even if you have a dispute with a neighbour, you need to maintain at least a minimum level of relations to communicate,” she added.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Monday said parliamentary democratic practices had returned to Bangladesh after a long gap and the government was committed to implementing the July National Charter 2025. “The government held discussions with political parties, constitutional experts, teachers, journalists, July uprising participants and representatives of different sections of society to implement the charter,” he said. The chief whip made the remarks when European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller met him at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Both sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, parliamentary democracy, trade and investment cooperation. During the meeting, Moni said the opposition had repeatedly been invited to join the relevant committees and the door remained open for their participation. He urged the opposition to raise its concerns in Parliament rather than resorting to street movements, saying Parliament was the central platform of democratic practices. Differences could be resolved through parliamentary discussions, which would help strengthen the democratic process, the chief whip added. The two sides also discussed forming a Bangladesh-EU Parliamentary Friendship Group to facilitate exchanges of experience among lawmakers and make parliamentary activities more effective. They also stressed cooperation in parliamentary budget management and strengthening the institutional capacity of democratic institutions. The meeting discussed increasing European investment in Bangladesh, expanding bilateral trade and organising an international investment forum. Moni also outlined the government’s position on amendments to labour laws, protection of workers’ rights, ensuring an effective role for trade unions and maintaining stability in the industrial sector. Both sides discussed the need to strengthen public confidence through democratic continuity, transparency and accountability while maintaining economic development and infrastructure progress. The EU ambassador appreciated the role of the Parliament following the return of democratic governance to Bangladesh after a prolonged period. Moni and Miller expressed hope that friendly relations between Bangladesh and the EU, along with cooperation on democratic values and issues of mutual interest, would be further strengthened.

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) on Monday launched a cleanliness drive at its national headquarters, Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital and surrounding areas to strengthen dengue prevention and control efforts. BDRCS Chairman Barrister Abdus Salam inaugurated the campaign in the morning under the Dengue Response Operation 2026. Brigadier General Dr SM Humayun Kabir (retd), director of the BDRCS Health Department, and representatives of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), American Red Cross and Swiss Red Cross, among others, addressed the programme. Speaking on the occasion, the BDRCS chairman said cleanliness, destruction of mosquito breeding grounds and public awareness were crucial to preventing dengue.

Marking three decades of expanding commercial relations between Bangladesh and the United States, the three-day 30th U.S. Trade Show 2026 is set to begin on November 5 at the InterContinental Dhaka. Organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham), the milestone exhibition will run through November 7, bringing together 43 participating institutions across 63 booths. Organizers expect an influx of 10,000 to 15,000 visitors over the three-day event. Details of the upcoming exhibition were announced on Monday in a press conference held at the InterContinental Dhaka. AmCham President Syed Mohammad Kamal, Advisor Paul Frost, Secretary Chowdhury Kaiser Mohammad Riyadh, and Executive Member Al Amin M Russell, among other leaders, were present at the briefing. Speakers at the press conference noted that the primary objective of the trade show is to showcase diverse U.S. products, services, technologies, and innovations to Bangladeshi buyers and businesses, while fostering deeper trade cooperation, increased investment, and new partnership opportunities. Key Attractions and Sectoral Zones:This year's exhibition features 36 established companies alongside seven emerging startups. For the first time, the event introduces dedicated sector-wise zones covering: Power and Energy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Digital Economy, Banking and Financial Services, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Manufacturing and Logistics, Education and Development,Agribusiness. In addition to the specialized Startup Zone highlighting entrepreneurial innovations, the exhibition will feature a ‘Carnival Zone’—where visitors can purchase products directly from participating entities—and a Heritage Corner celebrating the three-decade legacy of the trade show and its role in strengthening bilateral economic ties. Seminars and International Participation:”Running parallel to the exhibition, six thematic seminars will be held, convening policymakers, business leaders, and industry experts to deliberate on Bangladesh’s economic priorities, investment potentials, and bilateral collaboration. The seminar agenda includes discussions on power and energy, healthcare and medical technology, ICT and digital economy, women’s leadership, U.S. investment opportunities through the SelectUSA program, and the evolving dynamics of Bangladesh-U.S. trade. Furthermore, business delegations representing various U.S. state-level American Chambers of Commerce are scheduled to visit Bangladesh during the event. They will engage with local enterprises, evaluate investment prospects, and explore avenues for commercial cooperation. Visitor Access and Timing:To streamline attendance, organizers have introduced a convenient three-day digital visitor pass, obtainable through online registration. The 30th U.S. Trade Show will remain open to visitors daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the InterContinental Dhaka. AmCham has encouraged all interested participants to complete online registration in advance to secure their passes.

Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin has warned that attempts by banned political groups to create instability by exploiting labour protests will not succeed. The Prime Minister's Office spokesperson also said those involved in violence, vandalism and sabotage would be brought to justice. In a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday, Mahdi urged ordinary workers not to be misled by misinformation, rumours or provocations. He said the government would always support workers in realising their legitimate and fair rights, keeping in mind the realities of the garment sector. The progress of the industry is closely linked to the lives, livelihoods and employment of millions of people, as well as the country's overall economic prosperity, he added. "We believe that constructive and comprehensive discussions can help determine a fair, logical and balanced minimum wage for workers," Mahdi Amin said. "However, it is concerning that, despite positive initiatives to determine wages in a timely manner, certain groups are trying to create instability in the garment industry." He said attempts to divert workers' wage demands towards other agendas through incitement and sabotage by associates of the ousted autocratic regime are unacceptable. Attacks on factories, arson, vandalism of police vehicles and outposts, and assaults on transport and infrastructure are against workers' own interests, he said. He added that evidence emerged of fugitive groups attempting to infiltrate labour movements and create unrest. Mahdi Amin said factory damage or closures would hurt workers the most, leading to increased unemployment, lower export earnings and serious consequences for the national economy. While workers' rights to raise legitimate demands must be protected, no opportunity should be given to terrorism, vandalism or the destruction of the industrial sector, he said.

Owners and workers suspended bus services on six routes from Char Kauwa Bus Terminal in Barishal Sadar upazila on Monday, demanding a ban on three-wheelers and battery-run auto-rickshaws on roads. Char Kauwa Bus Owners’ and Workers' Union enforced the strike in the morning, halting bus operations from the terminal and causing severe hardship for passengers. According to the authorities concerned, around 70 buses operate daily on six routes from the terminal, including DC Road, Laxmipasha, Laharhat, Katadia, Halta and Siddik Bazar. Several thousand passengers use these routes every day. With bus services suspended, many passengers were forced to use motorcycles and rickshaws, paying higher fares. Passengers complained that they had to pay higher fares to reach their destinations using alternative transport. They also urged the authorities concerned to look into the issue of bus strikes occurring every few days. Sohrab Hossain Howlader, a passenger travelling from Barishal to Nehalganj, said he was being asked to pay extra fares because of the suspension of bus services. Another passenger, Amena Khatun, said she arrived at Char Kauwa Bus Terminal to travel to her destination but found that bus services had been suspended, leaving her with no option but to use alternative transport at a higher cost. The dispute reportedly began on Sunday between bus owners and owners of three-wheelers and battery-run auto-rickshaws at the terminal. Bus owners and workers demanded the removal of three-wheelers from the roads, alleging that their growing presence and competition with buses were increasing the risk of road accidents. They also claimed that three-wheelers were operating alongside buses, creating frequent safety concerns, and called for an immediate ban on their movement on the roads. Char Kauwa Bus Owners' Association General Secretary Md Swapan Hossain said they went on the strike as three-wheeler and auto-rickshaw drivers obstructed bus operations. He sought the administration's intervention to resolve the dispute. On the other hand, protesting three-wheeler and auto-rickshaw drivers said they were operating their vehicles in accordance with existing regulations. They alleged that bus drivers were repeatedly making various accusations against them every few days.

Police rescued a 35-year-old man with his eyes gouged out after tying his hands and legs, from the bank of Baitkumari beel in Sadar upazila of Faridpur district on Sunday night. The victim was identified as Delwar Hossain, son of Anwar Hossain of Madhabpur area of the upaizla. Local people spotted Delwar in a blood soaked condition with his hands and legs tied, in the area and informed his family members who took him to a local hospital. Local people said, a group of miscreants picked up Delwar sometime on Sunday night and took him to an isolated spot beside the beel. Later, they allegedly tied his hands and legs and tortured him before gouging out his eyes. Believing him to be dead, the attackers left him on the bank of the wetland. AKM Badsha Mia, chairman of Krishnanagar Union Parishad, said he went to the spot after receiving the news in the morning, but the victim's family had already rescued him and taken him to the hospital. Delwar was involved in thief gang, said the chairman. Mamunur Rashid, Sub-inspector of Faridpur Kotwali Police Station, said they were aware of the incident and were investigating it to take necessary action.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday stressed the need for strategic foresight, technological preparedness and institutional resilience to address emerging national and global security challenges. “National security cannot be viewed only through a military lens. It encompasses economic resilience, food and energy security, environmental sustainability, technological capability and the strength of our institutions,” he said. The President made the remarks while addressing the participants of the National Defence Course-2026 and Armed Forces War Course-2026 at Bangabhaban. Highlighting Bangladesh's strategic location in the Bay of Bengal and the wider Indo-Pacific region, he said the changing geopolitical landscape, global power shifts, strategic competition and regional conflicts had added new dimensions to security concerns. Mirza Fakhrul said traditional security threats were now compounded by climate change, cyber threats, transnational crime, terrorism, pandemics, economic uncertainty and disruptive technologies. He said artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and advanced digital technologies were transforming warfare and security, while misinformation, disinformation and cyber threats were posing growing challenges to national security and democratic institutions. The President called for developing leaders with strategic foresight, sound judgement, intellectual openness and the ability to work across institutional and national boundaries. In this context, he said, the National Defence College played an important role by bringing together senior officials from the Armed Forces, civil administration, law enforcement agencies and friendly countries to exchange ideas and develop a shared understanding of contemporary security challenges. Addressing the Bangladeshi participants, Mirza Fakhrul urged them to put the interests of the country and its people above all else and uphold professionalism, integrity, discipline and accountability in their respective positions. He said Bangladesh's journey towards becoming a more prosperous, inclusive and resilient nation would depend on the quality of its leadership, the strength of its institutions and national unity. “Our national security and international engagement must be guided by the principle of Bangladesh First – safeguarding our sovereignty, independence, national dignity, security and people's welfare while pursuing constructive relations based on sovereign equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit,” the President said. He said prioritising national interests should not come at the cost of friendship and international cooperation. Mirza Fakhrul also called upon the international course members to act as bridges of friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and their respective countries, saying their participation had added an important international dimension to the National Defence College. Bangladesh remained committed to peaceful coexistence, friendship among nations and constructive engagement with the international community, he said. “Let us reaffirm our shared commitment to cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over discord and peace over conflict,” he added. At the outset, the President paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 War of Liberation, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, those who sacrificed their lives during the July 2024 mass uprising and the long struggle for democracy over the past 17 years. He also paid tribute to members of the armed forces who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the country, including in United Nations peacekeeping missions. Mirza Fakhrul congratulated the participants of the National Defence Course and Armed Forces War Course-2026 and commended the commandant, faculty members and staff of the National Defence College for their role in developing capable and forward-looking leaders.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Monday urged Singaporean companies to explore and extract oil and gas in Bangladesh’s coastal areas, including Bhola, as he sought greater Singaporean investment in the country. He made the call when Non-Resident High Commissioner of Singapore to Bangladesh Derek Loh paid a courtesy call on him at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The Speaker said Bangladesh and Singapore enjoy warm and friendly relations, with Singapore being one of Bangladesh’s important economic partners. The country’s economic progress was hampered during the 17 years of authoritarian rule, Hafiz Uddin said, adding that Singapore could make significant contributions to Bangladesh’s investment and economic development.

Authorities in Ukraine and Russia have reported cyberattacks on their emergency alert mobile applications, with Ukrainian users receiving fabricated warnings about dangerously high radiation levels in the capital, Kyiv, late Sunday. Ukraine's air raid alert channel said in a Telegram post late Sunday that "unauthorized parties" had disrupted the app's operations, forcing a temporary suspension of the service. It also advised users against clicking links contained in suspicious notifications. Ukrainian authorities said the app, widely used by residents to seek shelter during daily Russian missile and drone attacks, was restored overnight. The fake notifications included warnings of elevated radiation levels, chemical threats and public disturbances in Kyiv. They contained spelling and grammatical errors and were written in English and a mixture of Russian and Ukrainian. One of the fraudulent messages referred to the hacking group Hitcore. Russian Telegram channel Mash, which has links to security services, reported that the group had claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the claim could not be independently confirmed. Ukraine's state-run Center for Countering Disinformation confirmed the breach and urged people to follow emergency updates through social media channels and rely on physical warning systems while the issue was being resolved. Yurii Ihnat, spokesman for Ukraine's air force command, said the incident had not affected the country's security or defence operations, as the application operates independently of military command systems. Speaking to private television channel 1+1, Ihnat said the air force continued to communicate real-time threat information through separate channels, including widely used social media platforms. In Russia, officials said Monday that hackers had gained access to the Emergency Ministry's mobile application and distributed fake emergency notifications. The ministry did not identify those responsible but assured the public that the country's broader emergency alert system remained operational. It said the mobile application was only an additional service, while warnings were also delivered through SMS messages, media broadcasts, municipal sirens and loudspeakers. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russian government agencies faced a constant threat of cyberattacks, including an increasing number involving artificial intelligence. "All government bodies must take steps to improve the cybersecurity of our digital resources," Peskov said. Limited ceasefire expires in Kherson region Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities in the war-divided Kherson region reported several Russian drone attacks early Monday, hours after a temporary humanitarian ceasefire expired. The regional administration said a 62-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man were taken to hospital with blast injuries in Kherson city, located across the Dnipro River from Russian-occupied territory. The localised truce ended at midnight as Monday began. The temporary suspension of fighting had been arranged to facilitate a humanitarian aid operation in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. The ceasefire, which took effect on Oct 27, was the most significant pause in hostilities between Kyiv and Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly five years ago. The White House said US First Lady Melania Trump had helped negotiate the limited truce. Civilian representatives from both Russia and Ukraine also contributed to the agreement, which enabled residents trapped in Oleshky to leave in an unusual joint evacuation operation that concluded Saturday. Around 2,000 civilians were estimated to be in Oleshky when the temporary ceasefire began. They were given the option of evacuating to Ukrainian- or Russian-controlled territory or remaining in the city with additional food and medical supplies. Authorities withheld the exact number of evacuees to protect those who remained. Ukraine's General Staff said Monday that Russian forces had strengthened their drone defence capabilities and replenished ammunition supplies in the region during the ceasefire. Elsewhere, emergency services reported that Russian drone attacks injured 12 people in the eastern Kharkiv region and damaged a refrigeration facility, greenhouses and residential buildings. Another five people were reported injured in the Black Sea port city of Odesa, where a warehouse was struck and several homes were damaged. Russia's Defence Ministry said Monday that its air defences had intercepted 212 Ukrainian drones overnight. Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, governor of Russia's Samara region, said local air defence units were responding to an aerial attack but provided no further information. Independent Russian media outlets later reported that Ukrainian drones had targeted one of Europe's largest oil transportation hubs in the Samara region. 

BNP-nominated Eliza Zaman has been declared elected in the by-election to reserved women’s seat No. 23 in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, as she was the sole candidate for the seat. The Election Commission published a gazette notification in this regard on Monday. As there was only one candidate for the reserved seat, the balloting, scheduled for November 12, won’t longer be required. Eliza Zaman is also a joint convener of Pirojpur district BNP and the organising secretary for the Barishal division of the party’s women’s wing, Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal. Earlier, on October 1, BNP reserved-seat MP Ferdousy Ahmed Mishti resigned as per instruction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman amid allegations of her involvement in an attack, vandalism, looting and demolition at the Radda MCH-FP Centre, a maternal and child healthcare facility in Mirpur. The health centre was attacked and vandalised around midnight, with allegations that ruling party leaders and activists at different levels were involved. Mishti, however, denied any involvement in the incident.

A French-Bangladeshi theatrical production blending Bengali ghost stories, body puppetry and live music inspired by the Sundarbans will be staged at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on November 6 and 7. Titled ‘Invisible Stories’, the production is jointly presented by Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD), Compagnie Graine de Vie and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Created and directed by French puppeteer Laurie Cannac, the production draws inspiration from Bangladesh’s oral traditions, cultural heritage and the deep-rooted presence of supernatural beliefs in everyday life. Inspired by her encounters with Bangladeshi artists and communities, Cannac has developed the performance as an artistic tribute to the resilience, humour, optimism and wisdom of the people of Bangladesh. The story follows two scientists investigating the influence of ghosts on everyday life in Dhaka. As their investigation unfolds, they embark on an extraordinary journey where the boundaries between the human and supernatural worlds gradually dissolve, taking them beyond the urban landscape into the mysterious wilderness of the Sundarbans. Through traditional Bengali ghost stories, the production reimagines Dhaka as a surreal metropolis, offering supernatural explanations for familiar urban realities, including notorious traffic congestion and rapid urban transformation. Bringing ancient beliefs into conversation with contemporary challenges, the performance explores cultural memory, ecological awareness and humanity’s enduring relationship with nature. Featuring Laurie Cannac and Swatee Bhadra, the production will also include live music by Nonabhumi Organisation, highlighting an artistic collaboration between French and Bangladeshi performers. The performance on November 6 will be presented in English and Bangla, while the November 7 show will be staged in French and Bangla. Both performances will begin at 6 pm at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, located at 14/3 Segunbagicha Road in Dhaka. Admission is free and open to all, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain on Monday stressed the need for greater public awareness of thalassaemia, warning that the inherited blood disorder could pose a serious health risk to future generations. “Thalassaemia will be a very dangerous disease for the next generation,” he said, underscoring the importance of educating people about the disease, its risks and ways to prevent it. He made the remarks at a discussion organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Sandhani Central Council and Sandhani National Eye Donation Society at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) in the capital, marking National Voluntary Blood and Posthumous Eye Donation Day. Sandhani, a pioneer of the voluntary blood and eye donation movement in Bangladesh, also operates an eye bank and encourages people to pledge their eyes for donation after death to help restore sight to others. The Minister called for regular seminars and awareness programmes to educate the public about thalassaemia and the importance of prevention, saying such initiatives should continue beyond special occasions. He said he had also tried to raise awareness about the disease during visits to his constituency and urged others to spread the message in their respective communities. The Minister also stressed the importance of promoting voluntary blood donation by addressing misconceptions about its effects on donors' health. Urging doctors to use their professional and social interactions to motivate people, he said blood donation was a humanitarian act that could save lives. He also called for highlighting the religious significance of blood donation to encourage more people to come forward. The Minister said greater awareness of thalassaemia could help reduce the disease burden while ensuring an adequate supply of blood for patients who require regular transfusions.

Garment workers in Savar industrial belt area staged a fresh demonstration on Monday in Ashulia area of Savar demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000. Witnesses said workers of different garment factories took to Dhaka-Aricha highway around 9:30am in Narsinghpur and staged a demonstration. Around 11:15am, miscreants set fire to a covered van belonging to Ha-Meem Group while it was refuelling at Nadi Filling Station. Police fired tear gas in front of Ha-Meem Group office to disperse the protesters, triggering a clash. Chases and counter-chases took place during the clash as the worked hurled brick chips targeting police. Assistant Superintendent of Police Shoaeb Ahmed of Industrial Police-1 was injured after being hit by bricks thrown by protesters. Several garment factories in Hemayetpur, Tetuljhora, Fulbaria and Ullail in Savar municipality also declared holiday. The protesters also visited several garment factories and forced workers to leave their workplaces, disrupting operations in the area. Additional police and members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) have been deployed to maintain law and order, said Superintendent of Industrial Police Muminul Islam Bhuiyan.

Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University on Monday vandalised temporary structures set up for the Asia International Trade Fair on the university’s research field, demanding that the land be returned for academic and research activities. The protest comes after the Cabinet on October 18 approved in principle a proposal to relocate the Bangladesh Secretariat from Abdul Gani Road to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, with the government targeting to begin office operations at the new site by 2029. Over 150 students entered the fairground around 1:15 pm and damaged several temporary installations, according to eyewitnesses. Two agricultural tractors were brought to the site to demolish the structures, while a microphone-equipped pickup van was used to give instructions to the students. The students first attempted to bring down the main entrance gate around 12:45pm using a tractor. When that failed, they joined forces, using large bamboo poles to pull it down. They eventually demolished the gate around 1:15pm, chanting slogans such as “Our campus, let it remain ours” and “We want the bureaucrats and secretaries out”.    

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that conspirators and opportunists are trying to destroy the garment industry by fuelling unrest in the sector. In a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday morning, he said, “Conspirators and opportunists appear to be trying to destroy the garment industry by fuelling the situation. The government must take a firm stance on this.” Shafiqur said unrest in the garment sector was continuing, with incidents of vandalism and arson reported at industrial establishments in different areas. “Neither owners nor workers can establish their rights by destroying industrial establishments. We believe no worker would be involved in such acts,” he said. Mentioning that around 600 factories have already been declared closed, the Jamaat chief said the possibility of a deep-rooted conspiracy to undermine the garment industry's prospects ahead of the winter could not be ruled out. He urged all stakeholders, including factory owners and workers, to remain sincere and vigilant.

Pacific Jeans Limited (Unit-1), one of Bangladesh's leading ready-made garment (RMG) manufacturers located in the Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ), has decided to stop production and demolish one of its factory buildings due to structural safety concerns. In a statement on Sunday, the company  clarified that the decision to stop production applies only to the particular factory building. Production at other units of Pacific Jeans Limited and other factories under the Pacific Jeans Group continues at their existing capacities, the statement said. A special structural safety audit conducted by the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC), followed by a Detailed Engineering Assessment (DEA), found a risk of potential structural failure in the approximately 34-year-old building. Prioritising workers' lives and safety, the company decided to halt production in the affected building, it said. In line with the Bangladesh EPZ Labour Act, 2019, the company began the phased termination of workers assigned to the building on October 31, 2026. The company ensured full payment of all legally required compensation and benefits, including outstanding wages, overtime and other allowances, payment for unused earned leave, notice pay, service benefits and provident fund contributions, including accrued interest. Final payments are being made directly into workers' individual bank accounts on their respective termination dates, it said. The workers are also being provided with detailed pay slips, experience certificates and testimonials to help them secure future employment, the statement added. New Factory Planned with Employment Opportunities for 10,000 Despite the need to halt production over safety concerns, Pacific Jeans Limited remains committed to its long-term industrial development plans and the welfare of its workers. After production stops and the employment termination process is completed, the company plans to demolish the building, subject to directives from the RSC's Remediation Coordination Cell and approval from the relevant authorities. Once the demolition is completed and all necessary clearances are obtained, the company plans to construct a new, environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art multi-storey factory on the same site. The proposed factory is expected to create employment opportunities for 10,000 workers, contributing to industrial development, job creation and economic growth. The company also plans to give priority to existing workers when recruiting for the new facility. Pacific Jeans Limited expressed its gratitude to the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), relevant government authorities, business partners, buyers and other stakeholders for their continued cooperation, guidance and support.

Human-caused climate change contributed to nearly 1,500 additional preterm births in Bangladesh during the extreme heat event of April 2024, according to new analysis by Zero Carbon Analytics (ZCA), an international research group providing insights and analysis about climate change and the energy transition. The research estimates that 1,479 preterm births in Bangladesh during April 2024 would not have occurred without the additional warming caused by human-induced climate change.  The heat event was made around 45 times more likely by human-caused climate change, according to World Weather Attribution. In a separate analysis, ZCA estimates that the April 2024 heat event was associated with approximately 5,515 excess preterm births in Bangladesh compared with a typical April over the 1991–2020 period. This represents an 11.9% increase in preterm births, equivalent to approximately 19 additional preterm births per 1,000 births – the highest rate among the three countries examined in the study. The findings highlight the growing threat that climate-driven extreme heat poses to maternal and newborn health in Bangladesh, which already has one of the highest preterm birth rates in the world. Bangladesh had an estimated preterm birth rate of 16.2% in 2020, the highest national average globally. South Asia, as a region, recorded a preterm birth rate of 13.2%. Preterm birth, defined as birth before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy, is the leading cause of neonatal mortality globally. Babies born prematurely face increased risks of death and longer-term physical, neurodevelopmental and socioeconomic challenges. Dhaka and Chittagong carry almost half of the burden The research reveals that the impact of extreme heat was not evenly distributed across Bangladesh. Dhaka and Chittagong, the country's two most populous divisions, together accounted for 47% of the estimated 5,515 excess preterm births associated with the April 2024 heat event. However, the analysis also identifies Mymensingh as a particularly important area of concern. Temperatures there averaged 3.59°C above the division's typical April baseline, the largest temperature increase among Bangladesh's divisions. The rise in preterm birth risk was estimated at approximately 10–15% across every division. Mymensingh recorded the highest rate of excess preterm births, at 24 per 1,000 births, despite ranking sixth among the eight divisions in the total number of excess cases. Sylhet recorded the lowest rate, at 16 per 1,000 births. These findings demonstrate why national averages alone cannot adequately capture the health burden of extreme heat. While more populous divisions account for a greater number of cases, smaller divisions can experience particularly sharp increases in risk. An ordinary April could bring 1,500 additional preterm births by mid-century The research also warns that Bangladesh's heat-related preterm birth burden is likely to increase as global temperatures continue to rise. Under moderate and higher future warming scenarios, ZCA projects that Bangladesh could experience approximately 1,500 excess preterm births during a typical April by mid-century (2041–2060), compared with the 1985–2014 climate baseline. The estimated range is 630–2,900 cases. This projection reflects an estimated 1.1°C increase in April temperatures by mid-century. Dhaka Division is projected to experience the largest burden, followed by Chittagong and Rajshahi. The projections assume that no additional adaptation measures are implemented and that the relationship between temperature and preterm birth risk remains consistent with current evidence. They also account for projected changes in the number of births. Heat protection must become part of routine maternal healthcare Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat because of the physiological demands of pregnancy. Heat exposure can contribute to dehydration, reduced blood flow to the placenta, inflammation and the activation of pathways that initiate labour. Cumilla Sadar South Health Complex Medical Officer Dr. Ummay Hafsa Mazumde said intense heat can pose serious risks to pregnant women. Excessive sweating can cause significant loss of electrolytes, potentially leading to serious health complications for both the mother and her unborn child. The risks can be compounded by poverty, nutritional anaemia, strenuous physical work, limited access to antenatal care and inadequate access to cooling. Poorly ventilated homes and housing materials that trap heat can also increase exposure, even when women are indoors. Bangladesh has already taken an important step towards addressing these risks. In 2024, the Directorate General of Health Services, working with UNICEF, launched national guidelines specifically aimed at protecting children and pregnant women from heat stress, recognising the risk of preterm birth. However, heat protection is not yet systematically integrated into routine maternal healthcare programmes. The challenge now is to translate guidance into practical protection for pregnant women and newborns, particularly in communities facing the greatest heat exposure. Measures such as integrating heat-risk information into antenatal care, strengthening community-based maternal health services, improving access to cooling and hydration, and expanding heat early-warning systems could help reduce the risks. The research also highlights the importance of strengthening healthcare preparedness in divisions with the largest estimated burden, while ensuring that areas experiencing the sharpest increases in risk are not overlooked. Dr Joanne Bentley-McKune, Lead Author of the report and Senior Research Analyst at Zero Carbon Analytics, said: “Climate change is making extreme heat more frequent and intense, raising the risk of preterm birth and the potentially lifelong health impacts associated with it. Bangladesh has contributed relatively little to the historical emissions driving climate change, yet are disproportionately affected by climate-driven extreme weather compared with high-income, high-emitting countries, which also have more resources to adapt. Our estimates can help identify where greater health service capacity is needed, and adaptation measures - such as better antenatal care and early warning systems – should be prioritised. However, these could prevent only some of the preterm birth burden imposed by climate change, so limiting further warming remains crucial.” Prof Dr Iqbal Kabir, Climate and Public Health Expert, Director, Center for Climate Change and Public Health stated “These findings are a wake-up call for Bangladesh. Extreme heat is an urgent public health threat for pregnant women and newborns in Bangladesh. The estimated 5,515 excess preterm births during the April 2024 heat event highlight the need to integrate heat protection into maternal healthcare. We need to strengthen heat-risk screening and counselling through antenatal care, equip frontline health workers, improve early-warning systems and ensure access to safe, cool environments, particularly for vulnerable communities. Protecting mothers and newborns from extreme heat requires coordinated action across the health system, climate policy and communities.”

Labour leaders have demanded that the new minimum wage for ready-made garment (RMG) workers be implemented from January 2027, urging the Minimum Wage Board to expedite its meetings and finalise the wage structure without delay. They called for consecutive meetings of the board, with only one or two days between sessions, suggesting that members even hold overnight discussions if necessary to reach a decision quickly. The demands were made at a press conference at Labour Bhaban on Monday by Babul Akhter, workers' representative on the Minimum Wage Board and a labour leader. Explaining the proposed timeline, Akhter said the last minimum wage was announced in December 2023, meaning three years would be completed by December 2026. "Discussions should not be postponed on excuses such as holding meetings every 15 days or the absence of a representative who is abroad. Meetings should be held continuously, with only a one- or two-day interval between them. If necessary, we should hold all-night sessions to finalise the wages promptly." Speaking about the formation of the board, Akhter said although the law requires the Minimum Wage Board to be constituted within a specific timeframe, it was formed much later than scheduled. He also alleged that labour union leaders and workers were being indiscriminately arrested and implicated in harassment cases to suppress the workers' movement. Demanding the immediate release of detained workers and the withdrawal of what he described as false cases against them, Akhter also urged workers to return to their workplaces and refrain from staging sudden protests or agitations. Several other labour leaders were also present at the press conference.

Two elderly men were killed and another injured when a dump truck ran over them at Goyatala in Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj district on Monday. The deceased were identified as Nekbar Sarker, 65, and Kaiyum Dewan, 100, of the upazila. The accident occurred around 6:30am in front of a two-storey mosque in Goyatala Dakshinpara when a brick-laden dump truck ran over three people as they were sitting on a bench near a shop after offering Fajr prayers, leaving one dead on the spot and two others injured, said Md Alauddin, officer-in-charge of Sirajdikhan Police Station. Of the injured, Kaiyum died on the way to a local hospital, while Hashem received first aid. On information, police seized the truck, but its driver managed to flee the scene.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday ordered the authorities concerned to take comprehensive preparations to deal with potential earthquake risks, identify vulnerable buildings and strengthen emergency rescue capabilities. He gave the directives at a meeting on earthquake preparedness and response at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Bangladesh Secretariat, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. The Prime Minister stressed the need for a coordinated action plan to ensure public safety in Dhaka and other earthquake-prone areas across the country. He also called for identifying vulnerable and old buildings, ensuring compliance with the National Building Code in construction and enhancing the capacity to conduct swift rescue operations during emergencies. Tarique said effective coordination among all relevant ministries, local government institutions, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), Fire Service and other emergency response agencies was crucial to reducing casualties and damage from natural disasters like earthquakes. He also emphasised ensuring the safety of critical facilities, including hospitals and educational institutions, maintaining adequate rescue equipment, providing training to rescuers and raising public awareness about earthquakes. Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, RAJUK Chairman Engineer Riazul Islam Riju and senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies attended the meeting.

The United Arab Emirates hopes diplomatic efforts led by Qatar can help prevent another confrontation between the United States and Iran, a senior adviser to the UAE president said Sunday, warning that military action would only deepen the crisis. The war, which began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, followed by Iranian attacks on Gulf countries, has made this a turning point for the region and the world, presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said at a security forum in Bahrain. "We don't really want to see another round of confrontation in the region," Gargash told the Manama Dialogue, an annual security summit organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The event brings together regional and international government, defence and foreign affairs officials and experts. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iranian negotiators were in Qatar discussing a proposal that could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz soon. He said no direct talks were taking place with Washington and that progress depended on the US response to Iran's questions. In an interview shared on his Telegram channel, Araghchi said Tehran hoped Washington would choose diplomacy over other options, adding that Iran was prepared for both defence and diplomatic engagement. Escalation fears dominate security forum The possibility of renewed conflict overshadowed the three-day gathering in Bahrain's capital. Gargash said the crisis required political wisdom and diplomatic engagement, warning that military solutions would further complicate the situation without providing a quick way out. He acknowledged that Washington and Tehran remained far apart in their positions, adding that failure to bridge the differences could lead to serious consequences. He said another war would serve neither the interests of Iran nor those of the wider region. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed similar concerns at the forum a day earlier, warning that another escalation would be more dangerous and destructive and would achieve nothing. Gargash, however, said the UAE and other regional countries were preparing for the possibility of renewed hostilities. According to the IISS, the UAE faced the highest number of Iranian aerial attacks before a ceasefire was reached in April, with more than 3,000 drones and ballistic missiles targeting airports, military installations and oil facilities. Most were intercepted. Gulf countries have since spent billions of dollars strengthening their defence capabilities. Gargash said the conflict had further strengthened relations between the UAE and the United States, making the partnership even more important to the country's defence. Bahrain calls for regional cooperation Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said his country welcomed all efforts to ease tensions, prevent further escalation and create opportunities for dialogue. He accused Iran of following a pattern of attacks and threats against maritime, aviation and data infrastructure, putting regional and global stability at risk. Al Zayani said such threats had continued even after the ceasefire, including concerns over underwater data cables last month. He also referred to attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on neighbouring Saudi Arabia. "These attacks are part of one continued pattern," he said. "The hands may change, the approach doesn't." The IISS said Iran fired around 500 drones and nearly 200 ballistic missiles towards Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet, during the height of the war. The attacks struck the naval base, residential buildings, the financial district and a water desalination facility. Houthi rebels also intensified attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and airports during the summer, saying they were responding to Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa airport. Their attacks hit key oil pipelines and disrupted air traffic. The forum also highlighted the lack of a coordinated defence mechanism among the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman. During the conflict, Gulf countries largely responded to Iranian attacks individually, coordinating with US command centres in the region. The IISS said this sometimes weakened their collective defensive efforts. Gargash openly criticised the lack of joint action, saying Gulf countries had responded to the crisis at national and bilateral levels but had failed to meet the challenge collectively.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said that the minimum wage for garment workers will be announced as soon as possible after necessary discussions. The minister said a Wage Board has already been formed with representatives from both workers and employers. “The board may hold its first meeting today. If not, the meeting will take place very soon, and the minimum wage will be fixed within a specific timeframe through discussions,” he added. He made the remarks while talking to reporters at the Secretariat after a meeting with leaders of garment industry associations, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA). Salahuddin Ahmed alleged that some industrial owners, including former MPs, ministers and state ministers, were involved in instigating labour unrest in the garment sector and had links to banned organisations. He warned that those trying to create instability and undermine law and order in the name of labour movements would face firm action. "The Prime Minister has given directives and guidance to ensure that workers' interests are protected and their living standards improved. He has stressed that all relevant factors must be considered with the utmost empathy when determining the wages," he said. The minister noted that the current three-year wage cycle would end in December. The board would consult all stakeholders and determine the minimum wage in line with the current realities. Therefore, he said, there was no reason for unrest, he said. Referring to alleged political instigation behind the labour unrest, the Home Minister said some groups linked to the ousted autocratic regime had been using innocent workers to create instability over the past few days. "Some industrial and mill owners are involved, as are certain groups operating under the banner of labour organisations, although it is questionable whether they genuinely care about workers' welfare. These people have fuelled the unrest and violence. By staging protests on the streets, they are trying to destabilise the country, which does not serve workers' interests in any way," he said. "Just yesterday, we brought some such individuals under the purview of the law. We have also collected video footage and other evidence of their activities. We have audio recordings, video footage and visual clips of various violent incidents," he said. The Home Minister also sought cooperation from employers and asked them to provide a list of industrial owners who had deliberately kept their factories closed. The minister also said some labour leaders were trying to incite instability. Employers had been asked to provide a list of the organisations and individuals involved. "We believe that no genuine worker or labour organisation would engage in activities that go against workers' interests. As you have also pointed out, those instigating the unrest include identified miscreants linked to fallen political forces. They are not workers," he said. He added that genuine workers and labour union leaders would never want to destroy their own livelihoods. The minister urged anyone who might have become involved in such activities, perhaps unknowingly, to stop immediately. Labour and Employment Minister  Ariful Haque Choudhury, Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin, and Advocate Shamsur Rahman Simul Biswas, MP for Pabna-5 and chief coordinator of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, were also present at the meeting.      

Worker representatives of the Minimum Wage Board for RMG sector have said they will initiate talks with all garment worker federations and organisations to prepare a consensus-based wage proposal that ensures fair pay for workers in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector. The announcement was made at a press conference held at Labour Bhaban in the capital this morning. They also demanded the immediate release of workers and labour leaders detained in connection with the ongoing protests, and the withdrawal of what they termed harassment cases filed against them. Anwar Hossain, permanent worker representative on the Wage Board and a leader of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, presided over the event. Board worker representatives and labour leaders Babul Akhter, Nazma Akter, Mosa. Sultana Begum, Lovely Yasmin, Khaliquzzaman Lipu and Sohel Rana, among others, were present. In a written statement, the representatives said the cost of living for workers has risen sharply amid the current market situation. Workers are struggling daily to meet expenses on housing, food, healthcare, education and other family needs, they said, stressing the urgency of framing a fair and realistic wage structure in line with living costs. They said one of the board's first initiatives would be a joint consultation with representatives of all RMG worker federations and organisations. A consensus wage proposal, based on everyone's opinions, experiences, suggestions and the real needs of workers, will be prepared and placed before the board. Setting aside differences, they said, everyone must work together to ensure a wage that is fair, acceptable and implementable. Addressing the agitating workers, they said they understand and respect their demands and sufferings, and that those demands will be duly placed before the wage board. However, in the interest of the industry, they urged everyone to remain patient, maintain a peaceful environment and return to work to keep production running normally. The written statement also said the absence of effective trade unions in garment factories, and the lack of bipartite or tripartite social dialogue between owners and workers, often causes labour unrest to spiral out of control. A third party exploits such situations, it said, adding that responsibility for such incidents should not be placed on labour organisations or the working class. It is the government's duty to identify those behind the unrest and take action, they said. They urged police and the government not to harass ordinary workers and factory-level labour leaders under the pretext of the movement. The representatives said lasting peace in the industry cannot be established by ignoring workers' legitimate demands, and called for prompt consideration of those demands and an early meeting of the wage board. Demanding the immediate release of those detained over alleged involvement in the wage movement, they said anyone held merely for raising the demand for fair wages or taking part in a peaceful movement must be freed. Harassing cases and other measures must also be withdrawn, they added. They further said the government and factory owners must ensure that no worker faces dismissal, harassment, blacklisting or retaliatory action over the movement. The representatives called for taking into account workers' living costs, inflation, families' basic needs and the overall condition of the industry in determining an acceptable wage structure. They pledged to work with the utmost sincerity, honesty and responsibility as workers' representatives, saying they want to build a collective position based on the views of all worker federations, factory-based unions and rank-and-file workers, rather than any single decision.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has sealed a warehouse in Narayanganj after finding around 81.6 tonnes of chemicals, including Sodium Hydrosulfite, whose owner failed to produce documents proving their legal origin and stock. The seizure has raised concerns over the possible misuse of bonded warehouse facilities and large-scale customs duty and tax evasion, according to a press release. Acting on intelligence that chemicals imported duty-free under bond facilities were being illegally sold on the open market, a CIID team conducted a raid at Tanbazar in Narayanganj on Sunday. During the operation, the team found the chemicals and other raw materials stored at the warehouse of M R Traders. The company failed to produce any documents supporting their purchase, import or lawful storage. The authorities subsequently sealed the warehouse along with the stock of chemicals. In a separate operation, CIID officials visited Sim Fabrics Ltd to verify allegations concerning the disappearance of chemicals imported under bond facilities. The company had imported 45 tonnes of Sodium Hydrosulfite from India duty-free under bond facilities through Bill of Entry No. C-1293482, dated October 17, 2026. However, the company failed to produce the imported chemicals during the inspection. The investigators are examining whether the chemicals were diverted to the open market instead of being used in the company's manufacturing activities, as required under the bonded warehouse facility. CIID is also investigating whether there is any connection between the missing chemicals at the bonded factory and the large stock found at the non-bonded warehouse of M R Traders. The investigation will determine the actual source of the seized chemicals, details of their import and purchase, possible misuse of bond facilities and the amount of government revenue potentially evaded. CIID said intelligence surveillance and enforcement operations would continue to prevent the misuse of bonded warehouse facilities, illegal marketing of duty-free raw materials and revenue evasion.

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu over the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining southwest Bay moved northwestwards . The storm is likely to move further northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast of India by tonight as a Severe Cyclonic Storm, the BMD said in a special bulletin issued on Monday morning. It was centred near latitude 14.0°N and longitude 81.8°E at 6am on Monday, it said. At the time, the storm was about 1,440 km southwest of Chattogram, 1,400 km southwest of Cox's Bazar, 1,275 km southwest of Mongla and 1,295 km southwest of Payra port, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The maximum sustained wind speed within 64 km of the storm's centre is about 89 kmph, rising to 117 kmph in gusts or squalls. The sea is likely to remain rough near the storm's centre. The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted distant warning signal No. 2 (R) 2. All fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

Asian shares mostly advanced on Monday, although technology stocks remained volatile amid concerns over heavy artificial intelligence investments, while oil prices dropped more than 3%. US stock futures edged higher after Wall Street recorded its steepest single-day decline since June on Friday, as investors sold off technology and AI-related shares. Japan's Nikkei 225 reversed early gains, falling 0.1% to 63,218.02, as losses among major technology companies weighed on the index. SoftBank Group, an investor in OpenAI, declined 1.8%, while Japanese memory chipmaker Kioxia Holdings plunged around 14% after its earnings forecasts disappointed investors and analysts. In contrast, South Korea's benchmark Kospi climbed 2.3% to 5,859.83. Samsung Electronics gained 1.7%, while SK Hynix surged 4.2%. Technology shares have faced fluctuations amid growing concerns that the massive investment in AI infrastructure could turn into a bubble. Apple was scheduled to release its latest earnings results later Monday. Earnings reports from Google parent Alphabet and Amazon last week unsettled investors, raising questions about whether their substantial AI spending would generate profits as quickly as expected. Over the past month, the Nikkei 225 has lost more than 6%, while the Kospi has dropped over 16%. Elsewhere in Asia, Taiwan's Taiex slipped 0.2%, with leading chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. falling 1.5%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.6% to 23,437.41, while the Shanghai Composite gained 1.2% to 3,640.93. The gains came despite data showing China's factory activity returned to contraction in October as economic growth slowed. China's central bank and securities regulator were scheduled to meet financial institutions on Monday to discuss measures to support the capital market, according to local media reports. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.6% to 8,851.40, while India's Sensex advanced 1.1%. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 dropped 1.8% on Friday, the Nasdaq Composite fell 2.9% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.1%. Investors are also monitoring Tuesday's US midterm elections, with concerns over AI, data centres, inflation and other economic issues drawing attention across the political spectrum. Oil prices fell sharply in early Monday trading. Brent crude, the international benchmark, declined 3.3% to $109.66 a barrel, while US benchmark crude dropped by the same percentage to $100.64. The decline came as Iran's top diplomat said Iranian negotiators were in Qatar discussing a proposal that could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within two days, provided the United States meets several conditions. In an interview shared on his Telegram channel over the weekend, the diplomat said no direct negotiations were taking place with Washington. He added that the outcome of diplomatic efforts to prevent a return to full-scale war would depend on the US response to Iran's questions. In currency trading, the US dollar rose to 157.91 Japanese yen from 157.49 yen. The euro also edged up to $1.1172 from $1.1160. 

More than 50 Commonwealth leaders are gathering on the Caribbean island of Antigua this week to strengthen cooperation and address global challenges amid growing political and economic uncertainty. The biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is expected to produce new agreements and commitments. Leaders representing nearly a third of the world's population are scheduled to attend, alongside officials from Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates. Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey said the discussions would focus on conflict, economic shocks, rising living costs, climate change, trade tensions and the use of tariffs as a political and economic tool. Speaking to The Associated Press ahead of the meeting, she said these challenges were directly affecting people's livelihoods. Leaders representing around 2.7 billion people are expected to explore ways to attract investment and reduce barriers to trade among Commonwealth members. Botchwey said stronger trade links within the group could help member countries reduce their vulnerability to external economic disruptions, particularly following the imposition of higher US import tariffs under President Donald Trump. She described the current trade tensions as an opportunity for Commonwealth countries to strengthen their economies. The organisation also plans to establish a fund to provide digital skills training to around 10 million young adults. Botchwey said contributions would be sought from businesses, foundations and philanthropic organisations. Another proposed fund would support countries in shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Climate change is expected to feature prominently in the discussions, as 49 of the Commonwealth's 56 member countries share coastlines and face growing threats from rising sea levels. The four-day gathering will also include forums on business, women and young people. Richardo Aiken, a civil society governor representing the Caribbean and Americas at the Commonwealth Foundation, said climate justice, freedom of expression and the empowerment of vulnerable communities would be key issues at the people's forum. He said discussions would also address how Indigenous communities could be included in decision-making. Aiken expects the forum to propose practical initiatives to help civil society organisations overcome challenges in accessing funding, including difficulties in preparing project proposals. He described the Caribbean as one of the world's most climate-vulnerable regions. Some Caribbean leaders have also called for discussions on reparations for slavery during the meeting. King Charles III is expected to attend the gathering with Queen Camilla after visiting the Bahamas and Guyana last week. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday morning, while the meeting is due to conclude on Wednesday. 

Hundreds of garment workers continued protests in different parts of Gazipur on Monday, a day after the government formed a wage board to review their minimum pay structure, as they pressed for a monthly minimum wage of Tk 30,000. Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Md Nurul Karim Bhuiyan said workers from several factories in the Palli Bidyut and Mouchak areas blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway, bringing traffic to a halt. After several rounds of confrontation between the protesters and law enforcement agencies the protesters were dispersed and traffic resumed around 10am, he said. Meanwhile, workers from factories in the Naljani and Lakshmipura areas of Gazipur city also took to the streets in the morning and staged demonstrations on the highway. Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed alongside police and other law enforcement agencies to maintain order. The deputy commissioner said 10 platoons of BGB personnel had been deployed in the industrial areas of Gazipur. The BGB personnel are working under the supervision of 21 executive magistrates to bring the situation under control. He said law enforcement agencies remained on high alert to prevent damage to public property and ensure the safety of people and their belongings. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to protect garment workers’ interests and ensure uninterrupted production and export activities in the apparel sector. The PM also warned that those involved in violence, sabotage and attempts to create disorder in the name of workers’ movement will be dealt with strictly.  

Senegal is making history by hosting Africa's first Olympic event, the Youth Olympic Games, but rising living costs, unemployment and financial hardship have left many citizens struggling to share the excitement. Paulina Netinan Nodjibougada, a 26-year-old accounting student, said finding employment and managing family expenses in Dakar were her main concerns. "I'm not very enthusiastic because there are too many problems," she said, adding that her family had too many financial worries. The Games, featuring around 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17, began Saturday and will continue until November 13. Organisers have highlighted opportunities for young people through training and volunteering programmes. However, around 75 percent of Senegal's population is under 35, while youth unemployment stands at approximately 23 percent. Entrepreneur Momar Assane Diouf, 33, said rising electricity, food and education costs had forced him to take several jobs to support his family. Meat prices have increased from 3,000 CFA francs ($5) to 5,500 CFA francs ($9) per kilogramme in recent months. Senegal's financial difficulties have limited government support for struggling households. Following revelations of billions of dollars in previously undisclosed borrowing, the country is seeking a $2.2 billion IMF loan that would require spending cuts. The government has allocated 36 billion CFA francs ($60 million) to organise the Games, including 11.3 billion CFA francs for sports venue renovations. The spending has sparked debate over whether public resources should prioritise urgent economic needs. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has defended the event, citing infrastructure improvements, local business contracts and youth training opportunities. However, preparations have disrupted some livelihoods. Mamadou Wadji, 37, a shoemakers' cooperative leader in Dakar's Medina neighbourhood, said members were relocated from a busy market to an unfinished school building, causing sales to decline. His family's daily expenses have also doubled to 10,000 CFA francs. "We can't go to the stadium to watch the events while our families are waiting for us to put food on the table," he said. Diouf hopes the Games will succeed but warned that the celebrations would not solve the country's economic problems. "Life is expensive. Life will be expensive during the Games, and life will be expensive after the Games," he said. 

An amateur historian has uncovered new evidence that a prominent historical figure associated with one of New York's most popular beaches may have helped notorious English pirate Capt. Henry Every escape authorities after a massive raid on an Indian treasure ship more than three centuries ago. James Bailey, who attracted attention five years ago after discovering ancient coins believed to be connected to Every, says colonial-era documents point to Thomas Jones, the namesake of Jones Beach State Park, as a possible accomplice of the infamous pirate. Jones Beach, one of New York's most visited state parks after Niagara Falls, attracts millions of visitors each year. Bailey said his latest research suggests that Jones played a significant role in what could be considered one of the largest robberies in the history of piracy. His investigation focuses on the 1695 attack on the Ganj-i-Sawai, a royal Indian treasure ship travelling through the Red Sea. Historical accounts say Every and his crew tortured, killed and sexually assaulted passengers and crew members during the raid, triggering international outrage and one of the earliest major international manhunts. Although several members of the pirate crew were eventually captured and executed, Every and many of his associates disappeared. They are believed to have fled to different parts of Europe and the American colonies. According to Bailey, depositions from associates of Every and other historical records suggest that Jones acted as a getaway operator, helping the pirates avoid authorities after they seized gold and silver worth tens of millions of dollars. Additional documents indicate that New York's colonial governor later investigated Jones over suspected links to piracy, even after he had established himself as a wealthy businessman involved in whaling on Long Island's coastal barrier island. Mystery surrounding Jones' past Bailey's findings, which he hopes to publish, offer further insight into the controversial history of Jones, whose possible involvement in piracy has long been mentioned in local historical accounts. John Hanc, author of Jones Beach: An Illustrated History, said Bailey's research sheds light on an aspect of Jones' past that has never been fully established in local history books. Jones previously served as a major in the English military before moving to the American colonies. He initially settled in Rhode Island and later became a prominent businessman and landowner in New York. He owned thousands of acres across Long Island, which was largely rural at the time. However, questions about the source of his wealth continued long after his death in 1713. His deteriorating mansion was associated with ghost stories and strange occurrences before being demolished in the early 19th century. His grave was also repeatedly disturbed by treasure hunters searching for hidden riches before his remains were moved to a family burial ground behind a nearby church. A family history published in 1906 by one of his descendants rejected the allegations, describing the pirate stories as malicious rumours and unlikely inventions. Was Jones involved in piracy? Historians say Jones' possible involvement in piracy cannot be dismissed entirely because he had previously worked as a privateer. Meagan Schulman, a doctoral candidate at Fordham University specialising in 17th-century piracy, explained that privateers were sailors authorised by the English crown to attack commercial vessels belonging to rival countries during wartime. However, when conflicts ended, such authorisation was withdrawn. Those who continued attacking ships could then be regarded as pirates. Schulman noted that privateers and pirates often carried out similar activities, although their legal status depended on whether they had government backing. After allegedly helping Every and his associates escape, Jones briefly returned to Rhode Island, according to documents cited by Bailey. In 1696, his father-in-law, wealthy New Yorker Thomas Townsend, reportedly gave Jones and his wife a substantial piece of land along Long Island's southern coast, according to property records. Bailey believes the land provided Jones with an opportunity to establish a new life while British authorities continued searching New England for Every and his associates. Jones subsequently built a home, raised a family and developed his business interests on Long Island. However, his suspected pirate connections resurfaced in 1698, when New York's colonial governor Richard Coote investigated allegations of piracy. In a report based on witness statements, Coote described how a barrel of money had been transported from New York City to Long Island and delivered to Jones' residence. Jones, whom the governor described as a former pirate, denied having any knowledge of the money. Piracy and colonial-era wealth Although Bailey's research presents an intriguing possibility, historians have cautioned against treating the findings as definitive proof. Richard Blakemore, a maritime history professor at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, said the evidence was compelling but noted that Thomas Jones was a relatively common name, making it difficult to establish the individual's identity conclusively. Kevin McDonald, a history professor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles who has written about piracy during the colonial period, said the alleged connection highlights how piracy helped generate wealth for influential families in northeastern America. Blakemore also noted that pirates were not necessarily social outcasts, as commonly portrayed in popular culture. Historical evidence suggests that piracy was closely connected to the social and economic structures of early British colonies.

Rajinikanth's latest film Jailer 2 continues its successful theatrical run, approaching the completion of three weeks in cinemas with strong box office earnings. The film has now crossed the Rs 450 crore mark in India's net collections, according to trade estimates. The sequel to the 2023 blockbuster Jailer is maintaining its momentum ahead of the release of Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana, with attention now turning to whether the new release will affect its box office performance. Day 18 Box Office Figures According to trade tracker Sacnilk, Jailer 2 earned a net collection of Rs 11.20 crore from 8,906 shows on its 18th day. With this latest collection, the film's total domestic gross revenue has reached Rs 533.75 crore, while its net earnings in India stand at Rs 456.30 crore. The film has also performed strongly in international markets, recording overseas gross earnings of Rs 3 crore and taking its worldwide gross collection to Rs 807.25 crore. On Day 15, the Tamil version contributed the largest share of the film's earnings, collecting Rs 8 crore, followed by the Telugu version with Rs 1.75 crore. The Hindi version also earned Rs 1.75 crore that day. However, the Hindi release faced challenges in northern India, as the PVR-Inox cinema chain did not screen the film in several locations amid disagreements over the OTT release window. Audience and Critical Response The film has received largely positive reactions from audiences and critics, particularly for its action sequences and entertainment value. In her review for NDTV, Latha Srinivasan described the sequel as a commercial entertainer, praising Rajinikanth's screen presence, humour, action and music. However, she noted that the storytelling occasionally loses direction, particularly in the second half. The review also highlighted the possibility of another instalment, suggesting that the story of Tiger Muthuvel Pandian may continue in Jailer 3. About Jailer 2 Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Kalanithi Maran under the Sun Pictures banner, Jailer 2 is the sequel to Rajinikanth's 2023 hit film. The movie also features Ramya Krishnan, SJ Suryah, Mohanlal, Vidya Balan, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Mithun Chakraborty in important roles. Source: NDTV

Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods and mandatory evacuations across parts of the southwestern United States on Sunday, as a Colorado tourist town prepared for its main river to reach potentially historic levels. Authorities in Pagosa Springs, a town in southwestern Colorado known for its hot springs and proximity to ski resorts, warned residents of potentially catastrophic flooding as the San Juan River was forecast to rise above 20 feet late Sunday night. The Archuleta County Sheriff's Office said the predicted level could exceed the river's height during the devastating 1911 flood, when it reached approximately 17.8 feet and destroyed much of the town. By Sunday evening, the river had risen to around 14 feet, according to county spokesperson Vicky Schaffer. Several roads leading into and out of the town were closed, while residents not under evacuation orders were advised to remain indoors. Meanwhile, several communities across Arizona also ordered mandatory evacuations as heavy rainfall caused rivers and streams to overflow and forced the closure of multiple highways. In Sedona, authorities directed residents living near Oak Creek to evacuate immediately after rising floodwaters trapped several people inside their homes. Similar evacuation orders were issued in Yavapai County and Camp Verde for communities near swollen waterways. Further southeast, officials in Gila County ordered the complete evacuation of Gisela, a small settlement along Tonto Creek. Flash flooding and rising river levels also prompted emergency boat rescues in Tucson, about 230 miles south of Sedona. "We are getting two or three months of rain in a span of a couple of days," said Aaron Hardin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tucson. Heavy rainfall overwhelms Arizona communities Rain continued throughout Sunday in Flagstaff, flooding roads and overwhelming drainage systems. Police were searching for a man who reportedly fell into fast-moving floodwaters and was not seen emerging. At Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, people filled plastic bags with sand in an attempt to prevent more water from entering the building. Church representative Luke Willson said floodwater had reached the garage, basement, areas beneath the building and an office containing computers. He said the pumping systems could not remove water quickly enough. In central Arizona's Pinetop-Lakeside area, flooding also caused sewage to back up into homes, while manhole covers were reportedly being forced out of their positions by rising water. The latest round of heavy rainfall began on Saturday evening and was expected to continue across the region until Monday. The National Weather Service forecast up to 4 inches of rain in some areas, driven by successive Pacific storm systems. Flood warnings and watches covered nearly all of Arizona, along with parts of southern Utah, southwestern Colorado, western New Mexico and southern Nevada. Authorities in the Salt Lake City area also warned that earlier rainfall had already saturated areas around Zion and Capitol Reef national parks, increasing the risk of further flooding and making remote roads difficult or impossible to use. Colorado town prepares for severe flooding In Pagosa Springs, officials urged residents living in low-lying areas along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo and Piedra rivers to evacuate to a designated shelter at a local church. Authorities warned people not to delay their departure, saying emergency response services could become severely limited during the worst of the flooding. The highway into the town was closed to incoming traffic, while residents were advised to avoid the San Juan River after sewage was discharged into it. Katie German, owner and chef of Bruin Coffee in Pagosa Springs, said downtown areas had been evacuated and several streets were already flooded. She expressed particular concern that the town's only bridge could be washed away, potentially disrupting supplies of food, fuel and other essential goods. The town had lifted an earlier evacuation order following flooding last week but reinstated it on Saturday after forecasts indicated that the San Juan River could reach 21.9 feet on Sunday night. "I'm worried about my business, worried about my employees, definitely worried for everybody in this town," German said. In neighbouring La Plata County, west of Pagosa Springs, authorities closed all public roads because of flooding. Evacuation orders were also issued in nearby Durango as the Animas River rose rapidly. Rescue operations underway in Sedona In Sedona, residents expressed concern as Oak Creek continued rising towards a pedestrian bridge near the town centre. Michelle Grimm, a longtime resident, said she became worried after seeing floodwaters approaching the underside of the bridge on Sunday morning. She said she had never previously witnessed helicopter rescues being conducted from residential neighbourhoods in the area. Videos released by the Sedona Fire Department showed powerful floodwaters sweeping through streets, inundating vehicles and rushing past houses and other structures. By Sunday afternoon, rainfall had largely eased in the Sedona area. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said state air rescue teams were helping evacuate people from rooftops, while transportation crews were working to clear flood debris. No deaths or injuries had been reported by Sunday, while nearly 20 homes had residents requiring emergency assistance to relocate, said David McAtee, a spokesperson for Yavapai County. 

US President Donald Trump wrapped up the final weekend of a turbulent midterm election campaign with rallies in Iowa and Kansas, two states he has comfortably won in previous elections, as Republicans face tough challenges to retain their majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives. Trump addressed supporters in Salina, Kansas, and Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday, where Republican candidates are facing strong Democratic challenges that could threaten the party's control of the Senate, while its majority in the House is also at risk. During his Iowa rally, Trump expressed confidence that Republicans would secure major victories in Tuesday's elections. "We're going to elect 'America first' Republicans up and down the line," he said during a speech that lasted around two hours. He later arrived in Kansas, where Air Force One made a dramatic flyover before landing for an outdoor rally at an airport. However, hundreds of attendees began leaving before the end of his nearly 90-minute address, which continued until almost 10pm local time. "This is our last stop. We're closing it down tonight," Trump told the crowd. Since October 1, Trump has travelled across the country, holding more than two dozen rallies in 19 states to support Republican candidates. He is scheduled to deliver his final campaign message on Monday at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington. With more than 54 million ballots already cast, Trump's campaign activities highlight the Republican Party's defensive position as the midterm elections increasingly become a test of public opinion on his second-term presidency. Unlike the 2024 presidential campaign, when Trump focused on winning states previously carried by Democrat Joe Biden, he has largely concentrated on states where Republicans traditionally perform well. However, concerns over the economic impact of his tariffs and the war in Iran have raised questions among some voters, including his previous supporters. Democrats face internal divisions in Michigan Meanwhile, Democrats, who have become increasingly confident about their chances of gaining ground, are dealing with internal disagreements in Michigan. Haley Stevens, a congresswoman who previously competed against Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed in the party's primary, appeared alongside Republican candidate Mike Rogers at a church service and subsequently endorsed his campaign. Stevens, who has criticised El-Sayed over his position on Israel, said she decided to support Rogers after an invitation to a Democratic campaign event was withdrawn. In a video announcing her decision, Stevens said El-Sayed had told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign, prompting her to back the Republican candidate. The endorsement prompted senior Democrats to reaffirm their support for El-Sayed. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the party remained united behind its nominee, while Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who heads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, pledged to reject attempts to create divisions within the party. Sen. Bernie Sanders, another prominent supporter of El-Sayed, also played down concerns about the internal dispute, saying Democrats across Michigan were prepared to support their nominee. Michigan is crucial to the Democrats' efforts to regain control of the Senate. Losing the seat could force the party to win additional contests in traditionally Republican states, including Texas, Kansas, Ohio and Iowa. Midterm elections test Trump's influence The final phase of the campaign has also become a measure of Trump's continuing influence over the Republican Party, which he has reshaped over the past decade. Many supporters attending Sunday's rallies said they wanted Republicans to retain control of both chambers of Congress to ensure Trump's policies could move forward. Jon Lutz, a 60-year-old civil engineer from Dubuque, attended his first Trump rally after regularly watching videos of the president. He said he was satisfied with Trump's performance during his second term. Wendy Kuenzler, 44, from Burlington, Iowa, also attended her first Trump rally. She described the state as being at a critical point because of several competitive elections and said she planned to vote for Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson. She also defended Trump against criticism over rising fuel and grocery prices, saying he was taking steps to address the situation. In Kansas, restaurant owner Liz Wagner, 59, travelled 165 miles from Atchison to attend the rally in Salina. She expressed strong support for Trump's policies and criticised Democrats for their approach to government assistance. Trump is relying on repeated appearances before his loyal supporters to counter growing political challenges facing Republicans. However, some of his October rallies attracted attention for lengthy, off-topic remarks and controversial comments about the physical appearance of politicians he supports. Trump took a break from campaigning on Saturday, attending a jungle-themed Halloween party at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where he praised the country's economic condition and dismissed concerns about its direction. However, some Republicans have expressed worries that Trump's policies could hurt the party's electoral prospects. Outgoing Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska warned that tariffs were unpopular across the Midwest and could become a major political issue. He also predicted that significant Republican losses in the elections could trigger a debate within the party over its future direction. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, remained optimistic, expressing confidence that Republicans would retain control of the Senate. He also acknowledged Trump's central role in the election, saying the president's political agenda was clearly at stake.

Three Japanese baseball players infielder Teruaki Sato and pitchers Kaima Taira and Hiromi Itoh have entered Major League Baseball's (MLB) posting system, allowing them to negotiate with MLB clubs from Monday through December 16. South Korean infielder Si-Hwan Roh of the Hanwha Eagles has also entered the system and will be eligible to sign with an MLB team until December 1. Sato, a 27-year-old left-handed batter who plays third base and occasionally the outfield for the Hanshin Tigers, enjoyed an outstanding season. He hit .306 with 39 home runs and 106 RBIs, securing the Central League's Triple Crown. He was also named the league's Most Valuable Player in 2025 after recording 40 home runs and 102 RBIs with a .277 batting average. Taira, who will turn 27 on November 15, returned to the starting rotation this season and posted a 12-5 record with a league-leading 1.36 ERA. He previously recorded 31 saves in 2025 while playing for the Saitama Seibu Lions. Itoh, 29, helped Japan secure Olympic gold in 2021, delivering five scoreless innings across three games. He also represented Japan in this year's World Baseball Classic. Playing for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, he finished the season with a 10-10 record, a 3.18 ERA and 159 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings. He received Japan's prestigious Sawamura Award in 2025, which is equivalent to MLB's Cy Young Award. Meanwhile, 25-year-old Roh, a right-handed hitter, recorded a .283 batting average with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs for the Hanwha Eagles this season. Players from Japanese clubs have a 45-day posting window, while those from South Korean teams have 30 days to negotiate with MLB clubs. The deadline for signing contracts is 5pm EST on the final day of each period. MLB is expected to lock out the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) when the current collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1. During the previous lockout, which began on December 2, 2021, negotiations involving posted players were suspended. Their signing windows resumed after MLB and the players' union reached an agreement on March 10. Under MLB's posting agreements with Nippon Professional Baseball and the Korea Baseball Organization, Japanese and South Korean clubs will receive a posting fee based on the value of a player's major league contract. The fee is set at 20 percent of the first $25 million, including earned bonuses and options, 17.5 percent of the next $25 million and 15 percent of any amount exceeding $50 million. An additional 15 percent will be charged on earned bonuses, salary escalators and exercised contract options.

Dhaka ranked fourth among cities with the worst air quality in the world on Monday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 165 at 10:20am. The city's air quality was classified as 'unhealthy', according to the global air quality and pollution ranking. Pakistan's Lahore topped the list with an AQI score of 535, followed by India's Delhi with 199 and Egypt's Cairo with 186. An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy' while 201-300 is 'very unhealthy' and 301-400 is considered 'hazardous', posing severe health risks to residents. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.

Abul Kalam Azad, Bogura correspondent of the United News of Bangladesh (UNB), died in the early hours of Monday. He was 55. Azad breathed his last at around 2:30am while being taken to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, his family said. He complained of chest pain and was rushed to the hospital where the on-duty doctors declared him dead. His namaz-e-janaza will be held after Zuhr prayers at Baitur Rahman Central Mosque in Station Road area of Bogura Sadar. He will later be buried at Bhaipagla Graveyard. Born in Paschim Bharan Shahi village under Dhunat Municipality, Azad began his journalism career around 30 years ago. He was a senior member of the Journalists' Union of Bogura (JUB) and the Bogura Press Club. He started his career with the Bogura-based daily Satmatha. He later worked for the daily Uttar Kon and served as a staff reporter at the Bogura office of the daily Naya Diganta. He was also associated with the Bogura office of Bangladesh Television and the daily Sangram. Azad served several terms as treasurer of the Bogura Press Club. He left behind a daughter a son and a host of relatives to mourn his death. His colleagues and members of the Bogura Press Club expressed deep sorrow at his death. They prayed for the eternal peace of his departed soul and conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.  

Civilians in Ukraine’s southeastern Kherson region prepared Sunday for the end of a localized ceasefire that has marked the most significant truce between Kyiv and Moscow since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began nearly five years ago. The White House said that U.S. first lady Melania Trump helped to broker the limited truce, which began early Tuesday and is expected to end Sunday evening. The pause in hostilities allowed besieged residents in the front-line city of Oleshky to be evacuated in a rare joint operation that ended Saturday. “The ceasefire across Oleshky and the surrounding Kherson region has provided residents with the freedom to move, access to food, clean water, medicine, plus a renewed sense of dignity without the constant threat of attack," Trump said on social media. "Let Oleshky become the starting point for lasting peace.” An estimated 2,000 civilians were in Oleshky when the temporary truce took hold. They were offered the choice of evacuating to territory controlled by Ukraine or Russia, or remaining in the city with replenished food and medical supplies. For the safety of those who have stayed, exact numbers weren't released after the evacuation. At the Ukrainian border Saturday, family members waited for a glimpse of their loved ones, while residents of nearby villages lined the highway waving flags and flashlights to greet the humanitarian convoy. But Moscow and Kyiv have continued aerial strikes elsewhere, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying Sunday that Russia continues to target Ukraine’s energy systems before winter. Hundreds of thousands of families were left without power overnight as Moscow sought to exploit Ukraine’s shortage of air defenses, Zelenskyy said in a post on social media. “The intensity of the strikes is extremely high, and the Russians are trying to take maximum advantage of the shortage of ballistic missile interceptors,” he said in a post on X. Final day of ceasefire brings some respite Residents in the Ukrainian city of Kherson remained calm Sunday, despite knowing that the quiet of the localized ceasefire would soon end. “Don’t be afraid, keep holding on,” Oleksandr Knyha, head of the Mykola Kulish Kherson Regional Academic Music and Drama Theater, told the audience as he opened a concert. The theater performs every Saturday and Sunday. This weekend’s shows fell during the ceasefire, but the company plans to perform next weekend as usual, even as local officials warn that Russian forces have brought in more weapons and personnel and some residents expect shelling to intensify. “Of course, we want peace to finally come,” Knyha said. But “we’ve been working on the front line for four years,” he added, referring to Kherson itself, and the theater has never canceled a performance. “Whatever happens, the show is not canceled,” he said. The company now performs in a basement and is equipping an additional bomb shelter. About 100 of the theater’s 120 staff members work in Kherson, and none has evacuated. Costume maker Alla Vasylenko, 58, said that the silence of the brief truce still frightens her. “Nothing will change,” she said. “Everything will go back to how it was before the ceasefire, because believing the Russians means not believing yourself.” Vasylenko has no plans to leave. “I have 10 dogs, so I can’t leave,” she said. “They urge us to leave, but you need somewhere to go and the means to get there.” The trip alone would cost 30,000 to 50,000 hryvnias ($650 to $1,080), a significant sum for her, she said. “Until we liberate the left bank, we have no certainty this will end,” Vasylenko said, referring to the Russia-occupied part of the region. For many in Kherson, a city that itself lived through Russian occupation, that belief is the reason they stay. Knyha is from Oleshky, on the occupied left bank, and used to commute from there to work in Kherson. He hasn’t given up hope of returning home. “That’s also what keeps me here,” he said. On the last day of the ceasefire, the theater staged a concert built around a “musical map of Ukraine,” with songs from the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, to the Carpathian mountains in Ukraine's southwest. “This is also our job — to unite people and give them hope,” Knyha said. Russian drone attack kills 3 Elsewhere, a Russian attack killed three people, including a 13-year-old girl, in the Ukrainian region of Vinnytsia when a drone hit the grounds of a vocational school, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said. Four others were wounded, including two 5-year-old girls and a 16-year-old boy. Russian drone attacks also continued to target Ukraine’s Kyiv region for a second consecutive day, wounding a woman and damaging homes, energy infrastructure and a retail establishment, regional authorities said. In its daily report Sunday, Ukraine’s air force said that Moscow's forces attacked Ukraine with 433 drones overnight, of which 371 were destroyed or suppressed. Elsewhere, more than 100 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the skies of Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region east of Moscow, local Gov. Gleb Nikitin said Sunday. Nikitin said an industrial building in the town of Kstovo had sustained “significant damage,” but didn't give further details. Russian media outlets later reported that the attack sparked a blaze at the Kstovo oil refinery, sharing images of black plumes of smoke over the horizon. Local officials later placed limits on gasoline sales in the region after lines appeared at gas stations, Russian media outlets reported, citing Nizhny Novgorod’s regional government. Diesel sales weren't affected, they said. Zelenskyy said Sunday that Kyiv had also struck a factory used to make missile components and air defense facilities inside Russia’s southern Rostov region. “We are justly defending ourselves against Russian aggression and doing everything to reduce Russia’s capability to continue it,” Zelenskyy wrote.

In 2002, Bangladesh made global headlines by becoming the first country in the world to ban thin plastic shopping bags. It was a pioneering step towards environmental protection, driven in part by the role of plastic bags in clogging drainage systems and worsening flooding. Yet, the decision had to be effectively recycled 22 years later from square one, which itself showed the abject failure across governments to implement the 2002 decision. However, following the formation of the interim government in 2024, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan introduced strict measures to reduce single-use plastic, particularly polythene bags. Key initiatives included banning plastic and polypropylene bags in superstores from October 1, 2024, and extending the ban to fresh markets nationwide from November 1, 2024. The government also launched countrywide enforcement drives, mobile court operations and raids on illegal polythene factories. On September 5, 2024, the Cabinet Division directed ministries, divisions and public offices to avoid 17 designated single-use plastic items and replace plastic files, water bottles, banners and bags with paper, glass, cotton or jute alternatives. Although the initiatives had brought success in some places, implementation remained challenging in fresh markets, where vendors and customers continued using inexpensive polythene bags despite the ban. The lack of affordable, water-resistant alternatives for wet goods such as fish and meat also hindered progress. Meanwhile, a comprehensive Extended Producer Responsibility framework to hold major beverage and consumer-goods companies accountable for their plastic packaging remained under development. Today, we are still fighting with plastic hazards and a short spell of rain can leave Dhaka's streets waterlogged, while the Buriganga River continues to bear the burden of pollution. The widespread use of plastic bags, despite the ban, exposes a troubling gap between environmental policy and its enforcement. A material once hailed for its convenience has become a serious threat to our environment. The scale of the problem is alarming. According to the World Bank's 2021 report, Towards a Multisectoral Action Plan for Sustainable Plastic Management in Bangladesh, annual per capita plastic consumption in Bangladesh's urban areas tripled from 3 kg in 2005 to 9 kg in 2020. In Dhaka, the figure reached 22.5 kg per person annually. The report also highlighted the growing challenge of managing plastic waste in the capital. These are historical figures rather than current estimates, but they illustrate the scale of the problem Bangladesh must address. In 2020, Dhaka generated approximately 646 tonnes of plastic waste every day, up from 178 tonnes in 2005, then-World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Mercy Tembon said at a workshop on "Sustainable Management of Plastic to Leverage Circular Economy and Achieve SDGs in Bangladesh". According to the WB, only around 37 percent of the city's plastic waste was recycled. The remainder was disposed of in landfills, leaked into rivers and other water bodies, or otherwise mismanaged. These figures raised a fundamental question that still demands a satisfactory answer today: where does all the plastic we use actually end up? Much of the problem lies in the everyday products we discard without a second thought: thin polythene bags, snack wrappers, food packaging and plastic bottles. When these items enter drains and canals, they obstruct water flow and aggravate urban flooding. Plastic pollution also threatens aquatic ecosystems and contributes to the spread of microplastics through the environment. Poorly managed waste can create stagnant pools of water that provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes, while unsafe recycling practices can expose workers and nearby residents to hazardous fumes.

A plane carrying nine people crashed in a residential neighborhood in Florida on Sunday, killing all those on board, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said. At 12:50 p.m. Eastern Time, a Learjet 60 crashed in a neighborhood near Cresthaven, FLorida, Duffy said in a post on X. "All nine people on board were killed." The aircraft departed from Austin, Texas and was bound for the Bahamas, he added, calling the crash a "horrific tragedy." The Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team to the scene to support the National Transportation Safety Board investigation, Duffy said. It was unclear if anyone was hurt on the ground. Minutes before the crash, the pilot of the plane reported ice accumulating on the aircraft and moderate turbulence, according to a recording of air traffic control radio calls captured by LiveATC.net. Moments later the plane declared an emergency and plunged about 8.2 km in one minute. There were scattered storms in the area at the time of the crash, and the plane passed through a stronger storm cell a few minutes before it began descending, local media reported. Video of the crash showed the aircraft nose-diving from the sky and erupting into a giant flame ball near a major roadway, creating a crater.

For President Donald Trump, this week’s elections are about him. For his fellow Republicans, the risk is voters will agree. Midterms almost always serve as a referendum on the president’s party, and losses typically ensue. But Trump’s decisions to impose tariffs, start a war and oversee extravagant Washington renovations — largely without congressional consultation — have made it harder for Republicans to navigate those historical headwinds. There is a direct connection between his actions and higher gas prices, costlier groceries and persistently high inflation. Republicans cannot blame the fallout from those decisions on past administrations when Trump has owned them so fulsomely. They also cannot easily distance themselves from an unpopular president who demands loyalty and routinely tells voters the economy is just fine. At virtually every juncture before Election Day on Tuesday, Trump has complicated the task of protecting Republican majorities in Congress. The Iran war is “making it exponentially harder for Republicans to keep the House and Senate,” Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, one of the most vulnerable House Republicans, said in a debate while noting his support for the effort. Trump’s late moves to boost GOP may not be enoughRepublicans have had one distinct advantage: money. Trump’s political groups spent nearly $277 million to boost Republicans since September, a staggering amount that puts this year on pace to be the most expensive midterm ever. But it may not be enough to carry the GOP. His import taxes disrupted the agricultural economy and triggered a trade war with Canada, putting Republicans on defense in Senate races from Iowa, Michigan and Kansas to Nebraska, Ohio and Maine. The war in Iran that he said would be over in weeks continues eight months later with no clear strategy for conclusion, starkly at odds with his pledge to not engage in Middle East conflicts. "This administration’s actions are directly responsible for rising costs,” former Democratic President Barack Obama said in Ohio. Trump has shown little sympathy for Americans coping with rising costs. He has dismissed affordability challenges as a “hoax” and told a Georgia rally that he does not “give a damn” about criticism of gas prices — even as he celebrated profits for U.S. oil and gas companies. All the while, he has grown far more wealthy, taking in $1.2 billion from crypto businesses while most investors lost money.

Acting Foreign Minister Humaiun Kobir and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam have expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of eminent educationist Md Nurul Alam, father of Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam. Nurul Alam, a former Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Chittagong, died of old-age complications on October 31 at the age of 86. In a condolence message, Humaiun Kobir said Nurul Alam had served in several important positions during his distinguished teaching career, including as a college principal and university dean. "His contributions as an educationist are immense," he said, paying tribute to the late educationist's dedication and professional achievements. Humaiun Kobir prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his deep condolences to the bereaved family. In a separate condolence message, Shama Obaed Islam said Nurul Alam had made significant contributions to nation-building through his dedication to the noble profession of teaching. "Many of his students are now serving in important positions at home and abroad," she said, highlighting his lasting contribution to society through education. The State Minister also prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and expressed her heartfelt sympathy to the members of the bereaved family. Nurul Alam is survived by two sons, two daughters and numerous admirers and well-wishers.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed willingness to issue a formal apology for the United Kingdom's role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, signalling a significant shift in the country's longstanding position on addressing its historical involvement in slavery. Ahead of his meeting with Commonwealth leaders in the Caribbean this week, Burnham said Britain should openly discuss the lasting consequences of slavery rather than avoid confronting its past. However, he rejected demands for financial reparations, proposing instead to lead an initiative on debt restructuring to help the poorest Commonwealth countries. His position has received a cautious welcome from Caribbean nations, although disagreements over compensation remain unresolved. "An apology is an essential first step," the Caribbean Community (Caricom), a regional trade bloc, said in a statement on Saturday. "But an apology without repair is incomplete." The Netherlands formally apologised for its role in the slave trade in 2022, but no country has paid financial reparations to nations affected by slavery or to formerly enslaved people and their descendants. The UK has never issued a formal apology for its involvement in the trade, although some British institutions, including the Church of England, have begun acknowledging their historical roles. Britain's role in the slave trade and its abolition Britain entered the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the mid-16th century, following Portugal and Spain. At its peak, it became the world's largest slave-trading nation, transporting more than three million Africans across the Atlantic. Captured Africans were traded for goods in West Africa and then transported to British sugar and tobacco plantations in the Caribbean and the Americas. Products from those plantations were subsequently shipped back to England. In the 17th century, the Royal African Company, established under King Charles II and managed by his brother, who later became King James II, trafficked around 80,000 African men, women and children into slavery in the Americas. About 20,000 of them died before the company's monopoly on the English slave trade ended in 1698, allowing other English traders to enter the business. An abolitionist movement emerged in England in the late 18th century, backed by Quakers, some politicians and formerly enslaved people. British politicians have traditionally highlighted the country's role in abolishing the slave trade in 1807 and outlawing slavery throughout the British Empire in 1833, arguing that these moves helped inspire abolitionist movements elsewhere. Burnham, however, said Britain must also acknowledge its involvement in the trade in human lives. In an article published in The Guardian on Friday, he wrote that while Britain was home to courageous people who led the campaign to abolish slavery, it was also a country that participated in the slave trade. Burnham rejects compensation, proposes debt restructuring Caribbean countries have been seeking reparations from Britain for decades. Various studies estimate that the compensation owed could range from hundreds of millions to trillions of dollars. Burnham rejected the demands, maintaining that present-day British citizens should not be held responsible for historical injustices committed under different laws and circumstances. "I do not think that British people today can be held liable for historical wrongs, however heinous, that happened in a different age under different laws and in which they played no personal part," he said. Instead, he proposed working with other wealthy countries and investors to help poorer nations manage their debt burdens by extending repayment periods and reducing interest rates. He said former Prime Minister Gordon Brown would assist him in the initiative. King Charles III, who is currently on a nine-day visit to the Caribbean, acknowledged the "great suffering and injustices of the past" during his visit this week. However, the King, who remains the head of state of several Caribbean countries, did not directly address regional leaders' demands for an apology and reparations. Meanwhile, opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch argued that Britain should not apologise for its historical role in slavery. She said Burnham did not need to apologise, arguing that such an apology could open the door to demands for financial compensation. Caribbean nations welcome apology prospect but insist on reparations Philip J Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia and chair of Caricom, welcomed Burnham's willingness to consider a formal apology and his proposal for structured dialogue with countries affected by slavery. He said no previous British prime minister had gone as far as Burnham in considering such a step and that Caribbean nations were ready to engage in discussions. However, Pierre stressed that a dialogue excluding reparations from the outset could not be considered complete. He reiterated that Caribbean countries were seeking improvements in education and public health, development programmes for Indigenous communities, repatriation and resettlement opportunities for those wishing to return to their ancestral homelands, debt cancellation and financial compensation, among other measures. "Debt relief, however welcome, cannot be offered as a substitute for reparatory justice," he said.

Thousands of students and their supporters gathered in Serbia's northern city of Novi Sad on Sunday to mark the second anniversary of a deadly train station collapse that triggered a nationwide anti-corruption movement and years of student-led protests. The November 1, 2024 collapse of a concrete canopy at the city's railway station killed 16 people and sparked demands for accountability that gradually developed into a major political movement against corruption and negligence under the government of Aleksandar Vucic. The student movement eventually led to the stunning defeat of Vucic's ruling right-wing Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in last Sunday's parliamentary election. Thousands marched through Novi Sad in steady rain and silence to pay tribute to the victims. Unlike last year's first-anniversary commemoration, when huge crowds took to the streets, participants said they now felt hopeful that those responsible for the disaster would finally face justice. Students placed 16 wreaths and 16 red hearts outside the station, one for each victim. The names of the deceased, including children, were inscribed on the tributes. People wept as they laid flowers and lit candles, followed by a moment of silence. Anti-corruption campaign at heart of student uprising Many in Serbia believe the concrete canopy collapsed because of defective renovation work resulting from corruption and negligence in major infrastructure projects promoted by Vucic's government. The station renovation was part of a wider railway reconstruction project involving China and neighbouring Hungary. Vucic and his ally, former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, jointly visited the renovated Novi Sad station in 2022. Addressing Sunday's gathering, a student said the disaster amounted to murder and demanded accountability and justice, pledging that young people would work to build a fairer society. "It was a murder and a murder demands accountability and justice," the student said, adding that the victims would not be forgotten. Following the election victory of the Students' List over Vucic's long-ruling SNS party last Sunday, students have called for reviews of several high-profile investigations, including the probe into the canopy collapse. Thirteen people, including a former government minister, had previously been charged over the disaster, but the investigation stalled without any trial being held. Andreas von Beckerath, head of the European Union mission in Serbia, said in a post on X that the canopy collapse had deeply shaken the country and prompted citizens nationwide to demand transparency and accountability. He said the memory of the victims should continue to inspire a Serbia built on solidarity, public trust and the rule of law. Meanwhile, prosecutors on Sunday ordered the 48-hour detention of Marko Kricak, Vucic's chief of criminal police, and another senior police officer on suspicion of abuse of office in connection with a murder investigation. Kricak had been accused of organising violence during student protests and personally threatening a female student with rape. He has denied the allegations. Since coming to power 14 years ago, Vucic's SNS party gradually established control over all state institutions. The student movement has pledged to restore democracy and the rule of law and eliminate widespread corruption that it says flourished under his government. Station disaster became symbol of fight for rule of law The tragedy occurred at 11:52am on November 1, 2024, when a massive concrete canopy attached to the outer facade of the Novi Sad railway station suddenly collapsed, crushing people waiting for trains on a sunny autumn day. Fourteen people died at the scene, while two others later succumbed to their injuries. A young woman survived but suffered life-changing injuries. Authorities initially claimed that the canopy had not been included in the renovation work and promised an investigation. However, protests erupted almost immediately, with people across the country blocking roads every day at the exact time of the collapse to demand justice. Several student-led demonstrations over the past two years became some of the largest anti-government protests in Serbia's history. Unlike last year, when Vucic was still in power, Sunday's anniversary commemoration was broadcast by state-run RTS television following the resignation of several officials at the broadcaster during the post-election week. Memorial events were also held in cities and towns across Serbia. An independent investigation conducted by a group of experts found that the renovation work had been rushed under political pressure. Its report alleged a systematic deterioration of construction standards and concluded that the Serbian state had violated its citizens' right to life.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members detained two gold smugglers and seized 32 gold bars worth around Tk 7.35 crore while they were attempting to smuggle the gold into India through the Nazirakona border in Mujibnagar upazila of Meherpur on Sunday. The seized gold bars weighed approximately 3.941 kilogrammes and were valued at Tk 7,35,19,355, according to a press release issued by BGB on Sunday. Acting on a tip-off, the members of the Chuadanga Battalion (6 BGB) took a strategic position in the Nagarbil area, about 700 yards inside Bangladesh from border pillar No. 110 under the Nazirakona Border Outpost (BOP). At around 12:40pm, a BGB team led by Habildar Md Shamimur Rahman spotted two people heading towards the border with a bag and challenged them. The two men dropped the bag and attempted to flee, but BGB members chased and detained them from the spot. The detainees were identified as Md Asadul, 50, son of late Abu Bakkar, and Md Juel Hossain, 30, son of Madar. Both are residents of Sonapur Notun Para village in Mujibnagar upazila of Meherpur. Later, in the presence of local people, BGB members searched the abandoned bag and recovered the 32 gold bars. BGB said the process of handing over the two detainees to Mujibnagar Police Station and depositing the seized gold with the Meherpur Treasury Office was underway. Chuadanga Battalion Commander Lt Col Md Nazmul Hasan said the battalion remained vigilant and active in preventing gold and other goods smuggling, drug trafficking and other cross-border crimes along the border.

The authorities of Islamic University in Kushtia have taken disciplinary action against 24 students across 12 departments for resorting to unfair means during examinations. A notification, signed by acting examinations controller Masudul Haque Talukder, was issued in this regard. He confirmed the matter on Sunday. According to the notice, the action was taken following recommendations made at the 76th meeting of the University examination discipline committee. The committee decided to impose various penalties, including cancellation of examinations for different periods, on the students for violating examination rules. According to the notice, five students from the Development Studies and Biomedical Engineering departments, three from Public Administration, two from Dawah and Islamic Studies and Al-Fiqh and Law were among those penalized. Besides, one student each from Accounting and Information Systems, Fine Arts, Finance and Banking, Social Welfare, Law and Land Administration, Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and Electrical and Electronic Engineering departments faced disciplinary action. The notice further stated that the penalties were imposed under Section 5 of the University's examination discipline ordinance. As a result, the current semester's examinations of the students, and in some cases those of subsequent semesters, have been cancelled. Acting Examinations Controller Masudul Haque Talukder told UNB that 24 students had been penalized for adopting unfair means in examinations. "I am not aware of any scope for changing these decisions," he added.

Customs intelligence officials have seized six gold eggs weighing 2.728 kg and worth an estimated Tk 4.91 crore in two separate operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, following an attempt to take the gold back to Abu Dhabi after failing to sell it at the expected price in Bangladesh. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) conducted the operations on Sunday based on confidential information, according to a press release issued this evening. In the first operation, a passenger, identified as Mohammad Minhaj, travelling on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-127 from Dhaka to Abu Dhabi via Chattogram, was offloaded from the flight on suspicion of carrying gold. The flight departed at 7:20pm. Later, with the cooperation of the passenger, customs intelligence officials recovered three gold eggs weighing 1.364 kg. In a separate operation, CIID officials seized three more gold eggs, also weighing 1.364 kg, which had been abandoned in the boarding bridge area of the airport. The six gold eggs together weighed 2.728 kg and had an estimated market value of Tk 4.91 crore. During preliminary questioning, those involved reportedly said the gold eggs had previously been brought to Bangladesh from Abu Dhabi. As they could not fetch the expected price in the local market, attempts were being made to take them back to Abu Dhabi. The incident has raised questions about whether illegally imported gold is being sent back abroad when smugglers fail to secure their expected prices in the domestic market. The CIID is investigating the actual source of the gold, the roles of those involved, possible links to a gold smuggling syndicate and their international connections. Legal proceedings in connection with the seizures are underway, the CIID said.

In the Land of the Rising Sun, Bangladesh looks forward to a new dawn. The hope that comes with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Japan goes beyond the deals signed or the financial support expected. It shows a country that has emerged from authoritarian rule and wants to turn its new political voice into bigger economic chances and freedom of choice. For a government chosen by the people, foreign policy must answer one question: how does it make life better for the people who gave it power? Bangladesh needs employment, steady energy, strong industries and institutions that people trust. Its diplomacy should help those goals while preserving Bangladesh’s ability to decide its path without getting caught in the fights of larger powers. Japan plays a role in that effort. It welcomed Bangladesh soon after independence, when a war‑scarred nation had to rebuild. Over time, Japan helped build the roads, ports and other infrastructure that let the economy grow. Dhaka’s metro, the airport’s third terminal and the development of the Matarbari port show a friendship that has endured across governments and generations. That ongoing partnership is why this visit is so significant. Bangladesh’s return to democracy provides an opportunity to build on the old friendship by being more accountable at home. For Rahman and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the challenge is to turn that trust into tangible outcomes: link roads and ports with factories, match technology with skills and turn that goodwill into companies that can actually compete in the global market. The joint statement from their October 27 meeting gives this ambition a path. The upgraded Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt project – called “BIG-B for Shared Prosperity” – encompasses connectivity, economic strength and public‑private partnership. It imagines Bangladesh as a hub that connects industry, energy and trade around the Bay of Bengal. The success of that vision depends on how all the parts work together. Projected Japanese private investment could reach 1 trillion yen (US$6.3 billion) over five years, potentially creating 200,000 jobs. While it is a projection, that number shows the size of the opportunity. Turning these chances into jobs needs ongoing work on customs, licensing, reliable power and clear rules. Japan can also benefit. A productive Bangladesh offers manufacturing opportunities, market demand and better links between South and Southeast Asia. Japanese companies can bring technology, management know-how and access to established production networks. Bangladesh can offer workers, entrepreneurs and a growing market. A lasting friendship will grow from that exchange and from companies that have reasons to stay after the ceremonial welcome. This partnership fits into a view of the East that also includes China. Bangladesh’s joint statement in June with Beijing pushes cooperation in industry, trade, green energy and connectivity, including modernising the Mongla port and building an industrial zone in Chittagong. Those promises remain important for Bangladesh’s future. Closer ties with Tokyo will not affect Bangladesh’s ongoing friendship with China. There is room for them to complement each other. Better transport and energy supply can help manufacturers no matter where their money comes from. Chinese equipment, Japanese industrial expertise and Bangladeshi enterprise can all feed the same growing economy. That cooperation needs contracts, solid standards and good business sense. When competition occurs, Bangladesh should look at cost, reliability, security and the benefits to workers and suppliers. India continues to shelter former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and allows her to conduct political activities from its territory, which has made Bangladesh more uncomfortable. Lasting friendship must be built with a country’s people, not one leader or party. New Delhi says Dhaka’s extradition request remains under legal examination. Rebuilding trust also needs political sensitivity to Bangladesh’s suffering and its democratic dreams. India’s answer to that will shape the chances for a relationship based on equality, mutual trust and respect. Political will and commitment at home are also very important. A government with the people’s mandate must make contracts open to review, strengthen institutions and ensure economic opportunities extend beyond any privileged interest groups. Investors need confidence in the rules; citizens need confidence that those rules protect the public interest. Democratic renewal can help both when accountability becomes a priority and practice. The priorities are in place. Help domestic firms become suppliers. Link training to employer needs. Use existing infrastructure before you add any new projects whose economic case is still not fully established. Publish the financing commitments and track the actual investment received, actual exports generated and actual jobs sustained. The agriculture co-op framework with Japan has a working group that can take big ideas and turn them into real action. For 17 years, Bangladesh’s foreign policy leaned heavily towards India. Democratic renewal offers an opportunity to redefine Bangladesh’s position in the region around the will of the people themselves. Partnership with Japan can be of immense value in realising those aspirations, as can forging constructive relations with China and the wider region. A new dawn will have meaning when the light of that dawn can be seen in the lives of the people.   Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey is currently attached to the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry as an ambassador

India's opposition parties on Sunday staged fresh protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a controversial revision of voter lists, intensifying their campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi in a rally organised by the opposition INDIA bloc, chanting slogans against the central government's policies and calling for the protection of democracy. Led by Rahul Gandhi, leader of the main opposition Congress party, the protesters were joined by supporters of the youth-led "Cockroach" movement. Several opposition parties in the alliance mobilised their supporters from different states for the demonstration. The rally came weeks after police cracked down on protesters in the capital. The demonstrators assembled at Ramlila Maidan after police removed Jantar Mantar, a historic observatory that had long served as the capital's main protest venue, from the list of officially designated sites for demonstrations last month. Authorities deployed thousands of police and paramilitary personnel and maintained extensive surveillance during the rally. More than 200 CCTV cameras, drones and body-worn cameras were used at the venue and along the protest route, officials said. The controversy centres on an ongoing revision of voter lists that has removed more than 130 million names since last year. Opposition parties and rights groups have alleged that the exercise is politically motivated, could deprive millions of people of their voting rights and has disproportionately affected minority communities, particularly Muslims. The Election Commission and Modi's government have rejected the allegations, saying the revision is aimed at removing duplicate and ineligible entries from the electoral rolls. Human Rights Watch on Thursday said the allegations surrounding the voter list revision raised serious concerns about the fairness of future elections in India. Elaine Pearson, the organisation's Asia director, called on the authorities to immediately scrap the process, saying it had deprived some of the country's most marginalised people of their voting rights and access to other government services. The demand for Kumar's resignation has become a major rallying point for opposition parties and supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party, who are seeking to challenge Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Opposition parties, particularly the Congress, have accused the ruling BJP of systematic manipulation of the electoral process, describing it as "vote chori", or vote theft. Modi has not publicly commented on the latest protests. However, some leaders of his party have branded the demonstrators as "anarchists" and alleged, without providing evidence, that foreign powers were supporting them. In July, protests organised by the youth-led "Cockroach" movement forced Modi's education minister to resign, marking a rare setback for the prime minister, who has been in power for more than 12 years. The movement began as an online satirical campaign earlier this summer after India's chief justice compared unemployed young people to parasites. Suresh Sharma, a protester from the northern state of Haryana, said India's system needed reforms as democracy was being undermined. Calling for the cancellation of the voter list revision, he demanded the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Jagannath University will celebrate its 21st founding anniversary on Monday with a series of programs, including a rally, documentary exhibition, discussion, prayers, cultural performances and a concert. This year’s anniversary theme is ‘Tarunno Dipto Pran—Oikyoboddho Jagannath’. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed is scheduled to attend the program as the chief guest, while Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Rais Uddin will preside over the event, according to a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations, Information and Publication Office on Sunday. The day’s programs will begin at 9:00am with the hoisting of the national flag and the university flag, followed by the playing of the national anthem and the release of balloons and pigeons by the vice-chancellor. A rally will start from the campus at 9:45am, pass through Ray Saheb Bazar and end at Victoria Park before returning to the campus. At 10:15am, a documentary and film exhibition will mark the beginning of the day’s main celebrations. A discussion session will be held at the university’s central auditorium at 10:30am, followed by prayers at the university’s central mosque. The second phase of the celebrations will begin at 2:00pm at the university’s Science Building premises with cultural performances featuring music, dance and other presentations by the university’s cultural centre, Abritti Sangsad, Udichi Shilpigoshthi and other groups. The university’s band music association will perform in the afternoon, with bands including Offside, Komol Ghandhar, Kimbhut, Rangabhumi and Swarup taking part. A Nagarbaul James concert is scheduled for 6:30pm as the day’s main attraction. The university administration has completed the necessary preparations to ensure the anniversary celebrations are held smoothly. The anniversary marks the university’s founding in 2005 as a public university in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday demanded that State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam and the Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) withdraw their remarks about the alleged ownership of 700 e-rickshaws by the party's Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar and apologise to the nation. “We challenge them to prove that Mia Golam Porwar owns 700 e-rickshaws. Far from owning 700, he does not have even a single rickshaw in his name,” Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer said in a statement. He was responding to the State Minister's remarks at a press conference at the Secretariat on Sunday, where he reportedly claimed that Porwar owned 700 e-rickshaws and had been given the opportunity to secure legal registration for five of them. Strongly rejecting the claim, he described it as baseless, fabricated, and misleading, saying it was irresponsible for someone holding a government position to make such allegations against a national-level political leader without evidence. He said the DNCC Administrator had made a similar allegation against Porwar some time ago. Jamaat had then challenged those making the allegations to produce supporting evidence publicly, but no such proof had been presented so far, he added. The Jamaat leader accused the State Minister of repeating an unsubstantiated allegation in an attempt to mislead the public. He urged the concerned officials to refrain from making evidence-free statements aimed at undermining political opponents. He also called on the State Minister and the DNCC Administrator to immediately make public specific and credible evidence supporting their respective claims. Otherwise, they should withdraw the remarks, which he described as false, misleading, and defamatory, and apologise to the nation, he added.