US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order guaranteeing Qatar’s security after last month’s unprecedented Israeli attack on Doha. The order pledges that any future assault on Qatari territory will be treated as an attack on the United States itself. The September 9 Israeli strike sparked outrage across the Middle East and beyond, raising doubts about Washington’s stance on Qatar’s security. Following the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare apology to Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani during a joint call with Trump. Qatar has been playing a crucial role in mediating between Israel and Hamas alongside the US and Egypt. However, Doha had warned it would withdraw from mediation efforts if Israel did not apologize for the attack that killed Qatari civilians.

A Bangladeshi national, Badar Ali (38), was detained by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday morning near the Jibannagar frontier in Chuadanga. Witnesses say he was caught and beaten near the zero line in Benipur Schoolpara field. Family members expressed deep concern, as his wife stated she has no information about his condition or safety. Locals confirmed that Ali had returned home Tuesday night but was seized the following morning while returning from the border area. Jibannagar police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have verified the incident. BGB has formally requested a flag meeting with BSF to resolve the matter, but no official response has yet been received from the Indian side. The incident has created anxiety in the local community amid ongoing border tensions.

Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma assured that ongoing visa complications will be resolved soon once conditions improve. However, medical visas remain available. Speaking after visiting the historic Randa Prasad Saha Durga Temple in Mirzapur, Verma highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between Bangladesh and India, saying cultural and religious exchanges will further strengthen ties. Earlier, he was welcomed by Kumudini Homes officials, who briefed him on the temple’s history and renovation work.

British High Commissioner Sarah Cook assured full UK support in training polling agents and ensuring impartiality in Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections. Speaking after a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner, Cook described the discussion as “productive” and reaffirmed Britain’s support for the February election declaration by the Chief Adviser. Meanwhile, an EU pre-election expert delegation met Election Commission officials, expressing plans to send 150 observers for the 13th National Election. A memorandum of understanding between the EU and EC is expected to follow.

The Private University Students’ Alliance of Bangladesh (PUSAB) has held a high-level meeting with Education Adviser CR Abrar to address the pressing need for reforms in the private university sector. Student leaders presented a 25-point reform charter titled “Private University Liberation Declaration,” highlighting issues such as teacher-student welfare, quality assurance in higher education, and the formation of a dedicated reform commission. PUSAB leaders stressed that with proper government support, private universities could become more student-friendly and capable of delivering world-class education.

Information Advisor Mahfuz Alam has alleged that since August 5, BNP and Jamaat have divided administrative control among themselves. He argued that without freeing the civil and military bureaucracy from fascist dominance, ensuring a free press will be impossible.

Speaking at a discussion, Mahfuz said the media still operates to protect business interests, while national interests must take priority over group or partisan agendas. He urged political parties not to obstruct freedom of expression and to reach consensus on safeguarding press independence.

Other participants accused successive governments of allowing irregularities in the media, with some outlets shifting loyalties whenever power changes hands. They also alleged that news agencies often exercise undue control over reporting. Speakers stressed that establishing the rule of law is essential to curb yellow journalism.

A strong earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck Pakistan on Friday morning, with its epicenter in Afghanistan's Hindu Kush mountains. Tremors were felt across Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Swat, Charsadda, Buner, Lower Dir, and Mardan, causing residents to rush outdoors in fear. Several aftershocks were reported in Khyber District’s Landikotal. Experts warned that the Hindu Kush region is earthquake-prone, and residents of mountainous areas expressed concern over potential further tremors. No immediate casualties have been reported.

Professor Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York. The meeting was confirmed Wednesday night by Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar, the Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser.

Earlier, Yunus attended a reception hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, where he invited Trump to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time. During the event, he exchanged greetings with Trump and held discussions with several world leaders.

Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam has called for journalists’ wage determination to be shifted from the Information Ministry to the Labour Ministry, where journalists are officially registered.
Speaking at a discussion on the Draft Journalism Rights Protection Act 2025 and the formation of the Wage Board, Mahfuz said:

“Journalists have long demanded a wage board. Owners must come to the table.”

A 10-day window has been set for proposals, counterarguments, and consultations on the draft law.

He warned that stagnant salaries could push journalists toward corruption.
Mahfuz also criticized newspaper owners, saying their reluctance has stalled implementation of the 9th Wage Board.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has rejected a headline published by Kolkata-based daily Ei Samay, which quoted him as questioning why India places BNP and Jamaat “in the same bracket.”

Fakhrul said he never made that statement, though the interview did highlight his criticism of India for adopting the Awami League’s narrative.

“BNP is a secular, centrist democratic party. Jamaat and BNP’s politics are not the same. We fought against anti-liberation forces, and our leftist allies remain with us,” Fakhrul clarified.

Meanwhile, Jamaat has condemned as “false and vindictive” another claim in the report—that the party pressured BNP for more seats in past elections.

Prime Adviser Yunus met with Sergio Gor, U.S. Special Envoy for South Asia and Ambassador to India.

During the meeting, Yunus assured that the interim government is making extensive preparations to hold a free, fair, and peaceful national election in early February.

The two sides also discussed bilateral and regional issues. Gor praised Yunus’s leadership and reaffirmed U.S. support for Bangladesh’s democratic efforts. Yunus invited Gor to visit Bangladesh.

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka has issued a warning against illegal border crossings into the United States, calling them a threat to international security.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the embassy said that securing borders helps prevent displacement, exploitation, and loss of life. It emphasized that ending illegal migration ensures greater safety for all.

Marking the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent 500 kilograms of premium aromatic Chinigura rice as a gift to India.
On Monday afternoon, a pickup truck carrying the rice crossed into Agartala, Tripura, through the Akhaura land port. The rice, branded as Chashi, will be distributed from the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi to distinguished recipients.
Rajib Bhuiya, owner of Suyeib Trade International, which handled the customs clearance, confirmed that the rice would be presented as gifts to notable figures in India.

The United States has set its sights on a Bangladeshi port as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy, according to a report by The Economic Times.
The initiative falls under the Quad’s “Ports for the Future” program, aimed at balancing China’s growing presence in the Bay of Bengal. Washington has already held preliminary talks in Dhaka with local stakeholders.
The report also noted that the US military is active in strategically vital Chattogram. Notably, India has no role yet in Washington’s plan, although New Delhi is considering a public-private partnership to develop a Bangladeshi port. Meanwhile, Japan is building a deep-sea port at Matarbari, and India previously secured operational rights for a Mongla port terminal in 2024 under Sheikh Hasina’s government.

The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee has suspended its earlier decision to introduce the EQ-2 quota for Class XI admissions in the upcoming 2025–26 academic session.

The suspension follows a High Court stay order (Writ Petition No. 13780/2025, dated September 4, 2025). The quota was originally outlined in an August 10 directive, granting admission privileges to children of teachers, officials, and staff employed under the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education in government schools, colleges, and education offices.

The EQ-2 quota was meant to cover children of employees working across 28 offices, directorates, and agencies under the Education Ministry. With the court’s intervention, the policy is now on hold.