Italian coach Gennaro Gattuso has expressed deep sorrow for the people of Gaza as Italy prepares to face Israel in a World Cup qualifier in Udine next Tuesday. Amid escalating violence in Gaza and worldwide protests, Gattuso acknowledged the moral conflict of playing against Israel while atrocities continue. Calls to cancel the match have grown, with Udine’s mayor urging a suspension, but Italy must play to avoid a default 0-3 loss and preserve their World Cup aspirations. Gattuso described the situation in Gaza as “extremely painful,” particularly for innocent civilians and children, and admitted that while his heart aches, the team has no choice but to compete in the match.

In a major operation supervised by the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court of Dhaka, narcotics valued at Tk 135 crore were destroyed on Tuesday, October 7. The destroyed items included 8 kilograms and 550 grams of cocaine, 144,500 yaba tablets, over 50 bottles of foreign liquor, and half a kilogram of cannabis. The destruction took place within the court premises under the supervision of Metropolitan Magistrate Saifuzzaman, following a special disposal procedure ordered by the court. Metropolitan Magistrate Minhajur Rahman, investigation officers from different police stations, and members of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Narcotics Control Division were present during the event. Court officials said the drugs had been confiscated from various parts of Dhaka over time. After the completion of legal proceedings in the related cases, the court issued the order to destroy the seized narcotics, marking a strong stand against illegal drug trade in the capital.

In a significant relief for aspiring Hajj pilgrims, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that expired passports can now be used for Hajj registration. The ministry’s Hajj-1 section issued an official circular on Tuesday, October 7, easing the passport validity requirement to simplify the 2026 Hajj registration process. However, the ministry clarified that pilgrims or Hajj agencies must update the renewed passport details in the system before visa processing begins; otherwise, the visa will not be issued. This decision aims to ensure that no eligible pilgrim faces registration hurdles due to expired passports. According to the Saudi government’s Hajj roadmap, registration for the 2026 Hajj will officially close on October 12, 2025. The move has been widely welcomed by Hajj agencies and prospective pilgrims across the country for reducing bureaucratic complications and time constraints in completing registration formalities.

The United States has approved the sale of advanced AIM-120D-3 medium-range air-to-air missiles to Pakistan, signaling a significant renewal in military cooperation between the two countries. Valued at approximately USD 2.5 billion, the deal will provide the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with state-of-the-art missiles by 2030, enhancing the combat capability of its F-16 fleet. The contract has been awarded to American defense manufacturer Raytheon, which will also supply similar systems to Turkey and other allied nations. Defense analysts say the AIM-120D-3 — the latest version in the AMRAAM family — offers greater accuracy and extended range, giving Pakistan a decisive edge in aerial warfare. The approval follows recent high-level visits by Pakistan’s top military officials to Washington, including meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and senior defense leaders, indicating a fresh phase in bilateral defense ties.

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban and ordered the blocking of the National Identity (NID) card of retired Brigadier General Shamsur Rahman in connection with corruption allegations. The order was issued on Tuesday (October 7) by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez following an application from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). According to ACC spokesperson Akhtarul Islam, the commission’s Deputy Director, Alamgir Hossain, sought the order amid concerns that Rahman might transfer illegally acquired assets. The ACC investigation revealed allegations that Shamsur Rahman and his family accumulated significant immovable and movable assets both domestically and abroad through abuse of power and undisclosed income sources. Intelligence reports suggested he was attempting to transfer or conceal these assets. To prevent evidence tampering and ensure accountability, the court restricted his foreign travel and suspended his NID privileges pending further investigation.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a public warning urging citizens not to provide personal details such as name, address, phone number, or national ID to suspicious websites or mobile apps claiming affiliation with the bank or the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The alert follows reports of several fraudulent platforms, including dbbloan.com, bblloan.com, and bdloan71.com, which falsely use the names and logos of Bangladesh Bank and the IMF to lure people with fake loan offers. The central bank clarified that it has no connection with these entities and warned that such scams could lead to financial losses or legal risks. It also reminded the public that operating or participating in unauthorized online or offline loan platforms violates the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2024, and offenders may face up to five years in jail or fines up to 5 million taka.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Bangladesh has officially enforced a ban on single-use plastic (SUP) inside the Secretariat. On Tuesday, October 7, three monitoring teams from the ministry, along with law enforcement agencies, conducted special drives at gates 2 and 5 to ensure compliance. Visitors and officials carrying banned plastic or polythene items had them confiscated and were instead provided with eco-friendly cloth bags. Authorities also issued strict instructions prohibiting future entry with plastic items. Law enforcement members stationed at all entry points are conducting regular checks to prevent SUP from entering the premises. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic and encourage the use of sustainable alternatives. Ministry officials confirmed that this campaign marks the beginning of a nationwide expansion to eliminate single-use plastic from all government offices, promoting environmental protection and sustainable living.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced a significant reshuffle involving five officers holding the rank of Additional Deputy Police Commissioner (ADC). According to two official orders signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali, NDC, on Monday, October 6, the reassignments were made to enhance efficiency and strengthen various operational wings of the DMP. As per the order, ADC Moeed Mohammad Rubel from the City Administration and Logistics Division has been transferred to the Public Order Management (East) Division. Mohammad Belayet Hossain, previously an Assistant Police Commissioner in the Detective Branch’s Motijheel Division, has been promoted to ADC in the Detective Branch. Meanwhile, Md. Akhtaruzzaman, who served as Assistant Police Commissioner of the Traffic-Wari Division’s Jatrabari Zone, has been reassigned as ADC of the Prosecution Division. These new appointments reflect DMP’s ongoing efforts to ensure effective leadership across its departments.

Bangladesh has been elected as the president of UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference, marking a historic diplomatic and cultural achievement for the nation. Interim government’s Cultural Affairs Adviser, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, announced the news on social media, revealing that Bangladesh secured victory over Japan by a margin of 30–27 votes. Initially, South Korea and India were also in the running but later withdrew their candidacies in the final stage of the election. The upcoming 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference will take place from October 30 to November 13 this year in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, at the Silk Road Conference Center. This election result is widely viewed as a recognition of Bangladesh’s growing international presence and contribution to global cultural diplomacy. Presiding over such a prestigious event underscores the nation’s role in shaping international policies on education, science, and culture.

Interim government’s financial adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed announced that financial benefits for officials and employees of government, semi-government, autonomous, and state-owned organizations are being increased. Alongside, the government plans to introduce a new pay scale soon. He also stated that arrears related to subsidies are being cleared. Following an advisory council meeting on public procurement, he dismissed reports suggesting the government is worried about financing the increased expenditure due to stagnant revenue collection. Dr. Ahmed emphasized that while the economy remains stable, challenges such as poverty reduction and food price inflation persist. To ensure food security, the government decided to import 50,000 metric tons each of wheat and rice—wheat from the United States and rice from India. He added that there is no shortage of rice in the country, but maintaining adequate reserves is essential. The Open Market Sale (OMS) program has also resumed to control prices.

Amid a prolonged drought in South Sudan, remote villages like Lohobohobo rely on traditional rainmakers to secure crops and livelihoods. Solomon Atur, a local rainmaker, was blamed for failing to bring rain and fled in fear, but was forcibly returned and buried alive by villagers. This tragic event underscores the deadly consequences of extreme superstition compounded by food insecurity and climate stress. Over the past four decades, several rainmakers in the disappearing mountain ranges have faced similar fates, including burial, burning, or exile. Experts say the climate crisis, recurring droughts, and rising frustration among agrarian communities are fueling violence against traditional practitioners, reflecting the dangerous intersection of environmental hardship and local beliefs. Al Jazeera confirmed the incident through multiple sources, including family members and local officials.

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.

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.