Elon Musk has unveiled plans to create Grokipedia, a new open-source digital encyclopedia designed as an alternative to Wikipedia. Built on XAI’s chatbot Grok, the platform aims to provide “more neutral, intelligent, and limitless” knowledge, according to Musk. He invited users on the X platform to contribute, promising a collaborative space where information is free from political bias. Musk has often criticized Wikipedia for left-leaning tendencies and even offered $1 billion to acquire it in 2023. The announcement comes amid renewed controversy around Wikipedia, as co-founder Larry Sanger called it “a propaganda machine” and accused administrators of censoring conservative and libertarian perspectives. With Grokipedia, Musk seeks to position his platform as a major competitor in the global knowledge and technology space, sparking curiosity and debate among tech enthusiasts and information seekers alike.

In Raipur, Laxmipur, a tragic accident occurred on Monday evening when 15-month-old Jannatul fell off her father’s motorcycle and suffered fatal head injuries. The incident took place around 7:00 PM on Haidarganj Road, Amtoli area. The child’s father, Shipon Hossain, who recently returned from abroad, and her mother were injured when the mother’s scarf got entangled in the motorcycle wheel, causing both to fall. Jannatul was seated in front on the motorcycle and hit her head in the accident. She was rushed to Raipur Government Hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Following a written request from the family, the body was handed over without a post-mortem. The child was laid to rest in the family cemetery after the Asha prayer, leaving the family devastated by this unexpected tragedy.

Mirza Yasir Abbas, son of BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, has decided to gift approximately 31.3 million shares of Dhaka Bank PLC, valued at around 360 million Taka, to his mother Afroza Abbas. The shares will be transferred outside the stock exchange trading system as a gift. Afroza Abbas, a founder of Dhaka Bank but not a current board member, will now hold around three percent of the bank’s shares, exceeding the regulatory two percent requirement for a director set by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). This strategic gift will make her eligible to join the bank’s board in the future. Sources indicate that the primary purpose of the gift is to facilitate her appointment as a director, strengthening her formal involvement in the bank’s management.

Three American scientists — John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis — have been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for their pioneering research on macroscopic quantum tunneling and energy quantization in electrical circuits. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced their names on Tuesday, noting that their discoveries have opened a new frontier in quantum physics by linking microscopic quantum behaviors to large-scale physical systems. Their experiments demonstrated that superconducting circuits can transition between energy states via quantum tunneling — a phenomenon resembling an object passing through a wall. They also proved that such systems absorb and emit energy in discrete quantities, perfectly aligning with quantum predictions. Each laureate will share the 11 million Swedish kronor prize equally. The Nobel season will continue with announcements for chemistry, literature, peace, and economics throughout the week.

At least fifteen people were injured in a violent clash between two rival groups in Rajoir upazila of Madaripur on Sunday evening, reportedly triggered by a long-standing dispute over a teenage love affair. The conflict erupted around 7 p.m. at Pakhulla Bazar in Amgram Union, where both sides engaged in attacks using local weapons. According to police and local sources, an eighth-grade boy and girl had been in a relationship, which ended after the girl’s family arranged her marriage three months ago. The situation worsened when the boy was allegedly beaten by the girl’s relatives, sparking months of animosity between the families. Seven of the injured have been admitted to Faridpur Medical College Hospital in critical condition. Police intervened to bring the situation under control, with authorities confirming that legal action will be taken after investigating the complaints.

Cuttack city in Odisha remains tense after violent clashes erupted during Durga Puja immersion processions. The violence began Friday night in Dargah Bazaar when loud music triggered disputes between groups, escalating into stone-pelting that injured several people, including Deputy Police Commissioner Rishikesh Dnyandeo Khilari. Police have arrested six individuals and are reviewing CCTV and drone footage to identify others. Following the unrest, authorities imposed a 36-hour curfew and suspended internet services across Cuttack and nearby areas to prevent misinformation. Despite restrictions, members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) organized a motorcycle rally on Sunday, allegedly vandalizing shops and setting fires before police intervened with baton charges. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi condemned the violence, vowing strict action and free medical care for the injured. Former CM Naveen Patnaik blamed administrative failure, while VHP announced a 12-hour shutdown demanding justice.

Acting on precise intelligence, Bangladesh Army conducted a raid at dawn on October 6 in a remote forest area of Juvaneshwar Para, Panchhari, Khagrachhari, discovering a secret hideout belonging to the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF). According to an ISPR press release, the operation began around 5 a.m., but UPDF’s top commander Sumen Chakma managed to flee the scene before the troops arrived. During the search, the army recovered one pistol, a magazine, two rounds of ammunition, fifteen banners, two walkie-talkie chargers, two mobile phones, sharp weapons, and other materials. Reports indicate that UPDF members forced locals, including students, to chant anti-army slogans in an attempt to obstruct the operation. The army continues combing operations to locate the fugitive members. ISPR reaffirmed that the Bangladesh Army remains steadfast in safeguarding national sovereignty and ensuring the security of all ethnic communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Bangladesh’s inflation rate edged higher in September, heightening consumer discomfort as both food and non-food prices saw increases. According to data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) on October 6, overall inflation rose to 8.36%, up from 8.29% in August. Food inflation climbed to 7.64%, while non-food inflation reached 8.98%. Rural areas experienced slightly higher inflation at 8.47%, compared to 8.28% in urban areas. In rural regions, food inflation was 7.54% and non-food inflation 9.40%, while in cities, the figures stood at 7.94% and 8.51%, respectively. The continued rise in prices across sectors suggests sustained economic strain on households, particularly amid rising living costs and declining purchasing power.

The price of gold in Bangladesh has surged to an all-time high, with 22-carat gold exceeding 200,000 taka per vori for the first time. The Bangladesh Jewelers Association (BAJUS) announced that starting Tuesday, October 11, the new rate for 22-carat gold will be 200,726 taka per vori, marking an increase of 3,150 taka within 24 hours. Other gold carats have also seen price hikes: 21-carat at 191,605 taka, 18-carat at 164,229 taka, and traditional method gold at 136,445 taka per vori. The rise is attributed to the increase in pure gold prices in the local market. Buyers are required to include a 5% government VAT and a 6% minimum labor cost, though labor charges may vary depending on design and quality. Silver prices remain unchanged with 22-carat silver at 3,628 taka per vori.

The admission test for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course in Bangladesh’s government and private medical colleges for the 2025-26 academic year will be held on December 12. The Ministry of Health, Education, and Family Welfare finalized the date in a meeting on Monday. Professor Rubina Yasmin, Additional Director General (Medical Education) of the Directorate General of Health Services, confirmed preparations are underway. The exam is being scheduled earlier than previous years due to the national parliamentary elections in February 2026 and the month of Ramadan. Bangladesh currently has 110 medical colleges, including 37 government colleges with 5,380 seats and 67 approved private colleges with 6,293 seats, along with one Armed Forces Medical College and five private army colleges. Last year’s exam was held on January 17, making this year’s test more than a month earlier.

A devastating school building collapse in Indonesia’s East Java province has left at least 50 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas). The collapse occurred as construction workers were adding a new floor to the existing structure without sufficient foundation support. Rescue operations are ongoing, with 18 people still missing. Around 60 percent of the debris has been cleared, though an adjacent building also collapsed, worsening the devastation. Teachers reported that authorities ignored structural warnings before the expansion project began. Emergency crews continue to search for survivors amid fears that the death toll could rise. The government has ordered a full investigation into the incident, focusing on safety violations and negligence in the school’s expansion project.

The Teesta River has risen 20 centimeters above the danger level due to heavy rainfall and mountain runoff in India’s Sikkim and adjoining regions. The Water Development Board (WDB) reported that at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, water at the Teesta Barrage in Dalia was flowing at 52.35 centimeters, prompting the opening of all 44 sluice gates to control pressure. Authorities have issued loudspeaker warnings urging residents of low-lying areas in Lalmonirhat to move to safer ground. Locals have begun evacuating with livestock and valuables amid fears of prolonged flooding. Officials have also expressed concern about possible damage to the flood bypass road near the barrage. Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner H.M. Rakib Haydar said all five upazila executive officers have been instructed to remain alert and extend assistance to affected residents. Authorities remain on high alert as water levels continue to rise.

The Nobel Prize season has officially begun, with the announcement of this year’s laureates starting today. Following tradition, the Nobel Prize in Medicine will be revealed first, with the winners of Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace, and Economics to be announced on subsequent days. While five of the prizes are declared from Stockholm, Sweden, the Nobel Peace Prize is announced from Oslo, Norway. The awards are presented in the name of Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, and funded through his estate. The Nobel Prizes have been awarded since 1901, making them among the most prestigious and valuable recognitions in the world. The Economics Prize, introduced in 1968, is now awarded alongside the original five categories and holds equal status. Winners receive a gold medal, certificate, and a cash prize of 11 million Swedish kronor. The awards ceremony will take place on December 10, marking Nobel’s death anniversary.

The final witness in the war crimes case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ex–Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal will be cross-examined today (October 6) by state-appointed defense lawyer Md Amir Hossain before the International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder. The witness, chief investigator Md Alamgir, earlier testified about the July–August massacre, claiming killings occurred in 438 locations across 41 districts, with deadly weapons used in more than 50 districts. He cited evidence of 305,000 bullets fired on protesters and video footage documenting the brutality. His statements, broadcast nationally and internationally, implicated Hasina and Kamal as responsible for crimes against humanity. Following this final cross-examination, the tribunal will proceed to arguments and verdict. A total of 54 witnesses have testified in the 25-day-long proceedings, detailing large-scale violence, state involvement, and appeals for exemplary punishment from victims’ families.

A Dhaka court has ordered the imprisonment of Advocate Abu Sayeed Sagar after rejecting his bail plea in a case filed over alleged vote rigging, attacks, and attempted murder of BNP-backed lawyers at the Supreme Court. The order was issued on Sunday by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Sabbir Foyez, following a hearing where the prosecution opposed bail. According to Additional Public Prosecutor Azizul Haque Didar, Sagar surrendered before the court seeking bail but was sent to jail after the plea was denied. The case was filed on August 14 by Supreme Court Bar Association official Md Rabiul Islam, naming former Law Minister Anisul Huq and 74 others as accused. The allegations stem from violent incidents on March 14–15, 2023, where pro-BNP lawyers were reportedly attacked, injured, and subjected to harassment by police and ruling-party supporters inside the Bar Association premises.