BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has announced the launch of a National Green Mission, outlining a bold environmental and urban reform agenda aimed at creating a sustainable Bangladesh. In a Facebook post on Sunday night (October 5), he pledged to plant 250 million trees, restore rivers, transform waste into resources, modernize agriculture, and expand investment in renewable energy. He also highlighted the importance of developing coastal economies to empower youth and reduce Dhaka-centric growth by promoting balanced urbanization across regions. Emphasizing housing as a fundamental human right, he underscored that environmental stability is essential for national prosperity. On World Habitat Day, Rahman reaffirmed BNP’s 31-point plan as a roadmap for solving national challenges, particularly focusing on climate protection and planned urban decentralization. He urged collective effort to safeguard the nation’s environment and future.

The government has raised the housing allowance for MPO-listed teachers and staff by just Tk 500—from Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500—through a new directive issued by the Finance Division. However, teachers’ associations have rejected this increase as insufficient and announced a continuous protest in front of the National Press Club beginning October 12. They demand that housing allowances be set at 20% of basic pay and that medical allowances rise from Tk 500 to Tk 1,500. The Finance Division’s order, signed by Deputy Secretary Sharifunnesa, states the change will take effect once the relevant administrative ministry issues its approval. It also warns that any irregularities in payments will hold the disbursing authority accountable. Despite the official adjustment, teachers argue the increase fails to reflect rising living costs.

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has alleged that fascist collaborators, aided by foreign influence, attempted to create communal tension during the recent Durga Puja festival by portraying demons with beards resembling the Chief Adviser’s face. Speaking to reporters after a core committee meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs, he said the conspiracy was designed to provoke religious division and violence. He credited law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and Puja organizers for foiling the plan through close coordination and vigilance. Jahangir claimed that a neighboring country was involved in a campaign to humiliate the Chief Adviser by manipulating the design of idols, linking it to the controversial demon depiction. The meeting also reviewed national law and order, drug trafficking, extortion, Rohingya issues, and upcoming election preparations. He urged journalists to act patriotically, emphasizing that such divisive plots are part of a broader fascist attempt to destabilize Bangladesh’s communal harmony and democratic progress.

The National University of Bangladesh has introduced new rules for its Degree (Pass) and Certificate course students, requiring regular class attendance to obtain in-course examination marks. According to an official notice issued on October 4 by the university’s examination controller, students will be assessed based on 15% in-course exam marks and 5% class attendance marks. Those missing either component will not be allowed to fill out final exam forms. The 2024 second-year in-course exams will begin on October 12 and be held in two phases, ending on November 27. Private students will be assessed out of 20% marks based solely on the in-course exam. Colleges must conduct exams, evaluate answer scripts, and enter marks online within the stipulated period. Once entered, marks cannot be changed. All evaluated documents must be sealed and submitted by December 9 to the Gazipur campus or respective regional centers.

The newly formed National Pay Commission has begun work to propose a new salary structure for government employees, with recommendations expected within six months. A key focus is adjusting the current 20-grade system, potentially reducing the number of grades and aligning salaries proportionally. The commission is also taking inflation and ongoing discussions about salary ratios for lowest and highest grades—such as 12:1, 10:1, and 8:1—into consideration. Officials have hinted that under the new scale, basic salaries could nearly double, with Grade 1 reaching up to 156,000 BDT and Grade 20 starting at 16,500 BDT. Economic advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed that the new pay structure will be implemented during the current interim government’s term and will not wait for the next political administration. The last pay scale, introduced in 2015, saw significant increases, with top-grade salaries rising 195% and lowest-grade salaries by 201%.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has revealed a draft design for a one-dollar coin featuring former President Donald Trump, as part of plans to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026. The proposed design shows Trump’s profile on the front, with the word “Liberty” above and the years “1776–2026” below. The draft image was first shared on social media platform X by U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beech, later officially confirmed by the Treasury Office. This proposed coin would be part of a limited-edition series recognizing figures linked to the nation’s political and historical legacy. The idea has sparked both interest and debate across political circles, as Trump’s inclusion on currency would mark an unprecedented move in modern U.S. history.

Teachers recommended by the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) are set to announce a strict program demanding the prompt initiation of transfer procedures. A press conference will be held tomorrow, October 5, at 10:00 a.m. at the Maulana Mohammad Akram Khan Hall of the National Press Club under the banner of Bangladesh Unity of Teachers. Spokesperson A.H. Bablu stated that despite the policy requiring vacancy data collection from September, the process has not been followed. He emphasized that teachers prefer not to take strict action but will escalate if the government fails to respond to their ultimatum. Long-standing stagnation of teachers at single institutions has hindered professional development, prompting the government to introduce an automatic transfer system. However, software control issues and court petitions have stalled transfers. NTRCA-recommended teachers are now mobilizing again to press for immediate resumption of the transfer process.

Saudi Arabia has announced sweeping changes to the Umrah pilgrimage process, introducing ten new rules to ensure transparency and order. Pilgrims must now apply for a dedicated Umrah visa through the Nusuk platform and book approved hotels and transport during the visa process. Staying with relatives requires linking the host’s Saudi ID, while tourist visas can no longer be used for Umrah. Authorities will verify bookings at airports, and only authorized taxis, buses, or trains may be used. The Haramain train will not run after 9 PM, requiring advance transport arrangements for late arrivals. Some travelers from the UK, US, Canada, and Schengen nations may receive visas on arrival under specific conditions. Travel itineraries submitted with visas cannot be altered, and overstaying will incur heavy fines. Both pilgrims and agents face strict penalties for violations, with fines starting from 750 riyals. The new rules aim to streamline the Umrah journey and prevent misuse of the system.

A tragic bus accident in Daganbhuiyan, Feni, claimed the lives of three people when a Sugandha Paribahan bus lost control and hit an electric pole before overturning onto a roadside shop. The incident occurred around 10:15 a.m. on Thursday at Lucky Road in the Silonya Bazar area along the Feni-Noakhali regional highway. The victims were identified as Shamima Ara (50) from Khushipur, Mohammad Shrabon (20) from South Jailskar, and Samira (15) from South Barahi Gobind. At least 20 others were injured and taken to Feni General Hospital, where doctors declared three dead. Police have attributed the crash to reckless speed and rainy conditions. Following the tragedy, Shamima Ara’s son, Nafsi Al Hasan, filed a case against driver Md. Farid of Sugandha Paribahan. Law enforcement confirmed that the bus has been seized and legal proceedings are underway.

Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued four fishermen who had been held captive for ten days by notorious Sundarbans bandit Jahangir’s gang. Acting on secret intelligence, the Coast Guard launched an operation in the Arabauni canal area near the Shibsha River. During the raid, Coast Guard members fired two blank rounds, prompting the bandits to flee. A search of a gang boat led to the recovery of a single-barrel gun, two airguns, and three live cartridges. The rescued fishermen—Mofizul Islam, Habibur Rahman, Habibur, and Shahjahan Gazi—reported they were tortured while being held for ransom. No arrests were made during the operation, but legal proceedings are underway. Lt. Ikra Mohammad Nasim, Executive Officer of Coast Guard warship BCGS Tawhid, confirmed preparations are ongoing to return the freed fishermen to their families. Authorities emphasized that efforts to eliminate piracy in the Sundarbans will continue to protect fishing communities from repeated abductions and extortion by armed gangs.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that businesses in the U.S. and other countries are bearing the major burden of retaliatory tariffs. IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack said global growth remained steady in the first half of the year despite tariff uncertainties, but early signs of a slowdown are now visible. Inflation trends remain mixed: tariffs have pushed up some U.S. goods prices, while inflationary pressures are still low in China and parts of Asia. Although U.S. companies are absorbing part of the tariff costs, it is unclear how long this can continue. The IMF will publish its next World Economic Outlook on October 14, addressing the impact of tariffs on U.S. inflation and growth, followed by further discussions in November’s Article IV consultation. Kozack also noted that the Federal Reserve’s September rate cut, aided by labor market flexibility, carries inflationary risks, urging the Fed to closely monitor upcoming data.

A 12-day holiday for Durga Puja, Fateha-i-Yazdaham, Prabarana Purnima, and Lakshmi Puja is scheduled from September 28 to October 7 for secondary schools and colleges. Academic activities were set to restart on October 8. However, confusion has arisen after the Ministry of Education directed institutions not to hold exams on October 8 and 9. Some school authorities misinterpreted the directive and announced extended holidays until October 9, causing uncertainty among students, parents, and teachers. Officials from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) have clarified that the official holiday ends on October 7, and schools must reopen on October 8. Classes will continue as usual, though no exams can be scheduled on October 8 and 9. The ministry emphasized that the directive was meant only to ensure exam-free days, not to prolong the holiday. Authorities urged institutions to follow instructions strictly and seek clarification if in doubt.

From October 4 midnight to October 25, the government has imposed a strict 22-day ban on hilsa fishing across rivers and seas in Bangladesh to safeguard the prime breeding season. The prohibition covers not only catching hilsa but also the trading, transportation, storage, and marketing of all types of fish. Fishermen in Kuakata, Mahipur, and Alipur have secured their trawlers and plan to carry out necessary repairs during the ban. Each registered fisherman will receive 25 kilograms of VGF rice for sustenance. Authorities have announced strict monitoring through coordinated drives involving the fisheries department, administration, coast guard, naval police, RAB, and army. In Lakshmipur, more than 34,000 registered fishermen in Kamalnagar and Ramgati will face unemployment during the ban. The government has declared a 100-kilometer stretch of the Meghna River as a hilsa sanctuary, with drones deployed for surveillance to ensure full compliance.

Several drones spotted in the airspace over Munich Airport, Germany’s second-busiest airport, forced authorities to suspend all flights late Thursday night, affecting over 30 flights and leaving nearly 3,000 passengers stranded. Flight operations resumed early Friday morning, with Lufthansa confirming that 19 of its flights were impacted—some canceled and others diverted. Police reported multiple drone sightings around 9:30 p.m. and an hour later, leading to a one-hour closure of both runways. The airport provided stranded travelers with camp beds, blankets, food, and drinks. German authorities have launched an investigation to identify the source of the drones, deploying police helicopters, though details on the type and number of drones remain unknown. The incident follows similar disruptions across Europe, including Denmark, Norway, and Poland, and coincides with German Unity Day and the final weekend of Munich’s Oktoberfest celebration.

Chinese researchers have created a new medical adhesive called “Bone-02” that can join broken bones in just three minutes. The glue stabilizes bone fragments and is naturally absorbed by the body after healing, eliminating the need for implant removal surgery. Inspired by how mussels cling underwater, it works even in blood-soaked conditions. Tested on over 150 patients, the glue shows strong bonding and compressive strength, potentially replacing metal plates and screws while reducing complications and infection risks.