Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in Mashhad that Tehran will not return to talks with the United States so long as Washington maintains what he called "unreasonable" and "additional" demands. Araghchi blamed the collapse of previous negotiations on American demands that Iran considers unrealistic, saying such conditions preclude meaningful progress. He reaffirmed Tehran's refusal to accept talks framed around predetermined outcomes, echoing earlier comments by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that negotiations with the U.S. are futile when the other side seeks to dictate Iran's nuclear activities and even its missile capabilities. Araghchi warned that accepting such pressure would amount to surrendering Iran's right to self-defense. The remarks, reported by Mehr News on October 22, underscore Tehran’s insistence on negotiating without external preconditions and signal continued resistance to U.S. demands perceived as infringing on national sovereignty. Tehran indicated it remains open to dialogue only if demands become mutually acceptable.

The government has called upon the National Citizen Party (NCP) to sign the July Charter, a political framework aimed at ensuring stability and cooperation ahead of the upcoming elections. NCP Convener Nahid Islam revealed the government’s proposal after a meeting with the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, at his Jamuna residence. The NCP delegation included Nahid Islam, Chief Organizer for the northern region Sarjis Alam, Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin, and Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah. The government’s invitation marks a significant move to bring smaller political parties on board with the July Charter initiative. A day earlier, a BNP delegation led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also met Professor Yunus, urging the interim administration to act impartially and remove any partisan members from the interim setup to ensure fair and credible elections.

North Korea conducted its first ballistic missile test in several months on Wednesday, launching multiple short-range missiles from areas near Pyongyang toward the northeast. South Korea’s military reported that the missiles traveled approximately 350 kilometers (217 miles) and landed on land rather than in the sea. The launch comes just a week before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, which will host leaders from the United States, China, and South Korea. The test violates United Nations sanctions and has prompted immediate intelligence sharing between South Korea, the United States, and Japan. In response, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol convened an emergency security meeting with military and intelligence officials. Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the launch posed no immediate threat to Japan, though Tokyo is monitoring developments closely. Analysts view the missile test as a potential political signal ahead of the APEC summit.

Mizanur Rahman Bulu, the Kotalipara Upazila correspondent for Kaler Kantho and a digital reporter for NTV, was arrested on Monday night in Gopalganj on suspicion of involvement in violent incidents during a National Citizens’ Party (NCP) rally. Police apprehended him around 9:00 PM near Kotalipara police station. On Tuesday, he was presented before the Gopalganj Chief Judicial Magistrate, who ordered him to be sent to jail.
According to the investigating officer, Saddam Hossain Khan (Dipto), leaders of the Awami League and its affiliated groups staged a protest in the Wapdarhat area of Kotalipara Upazila on July 16, felling trees on roads and disrupting public movement, causing panic among residents. Bulu’s alleged involvement in the unrest prompted the arrest. The case lists 155 named individuals and 1,500 unidentified suspects, filed under the Special Powers Act at Kotalipara police station.

The International Crimes Tribunal has directed 15 military officers currently in custody to be sent to prison for their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and killings at the TFIC-JIC cell during the Awami League government. The officers appeared before the tribunal on Wednesday, 22 October, ahead of the formal hearing of charges, which will be conducted by Tribunal-1 under Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mazumder. All 15 officers had earlier applied for bail. The accused include senior military officials such as Brigadier General Md. Jahangir Alam, Major General Mostafa Sarwar, and others. A total of 30 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, are named in the two cases, with 17 accused in one case and 13 in the other. Security forces, including the army, police, BGB, and RAB, were deployed at multiple points around the tribunal in Dhaka to maintain order during the proceedings.

The Pay Commission of Bangladesh has announced that its work on designing a fair and effective new salary structure for officers and employees of government and autonomous institutions is progressing as planned. According to a government press release issued on Tuesday (October 21), the Commission is currently analyzing and verifying opinions and recommendations collected through four online questionnaires. These inputs came from general citizens, government officials, autonomous bodies, and various associations during October 1–15. The Commission has also held meetings with several associations and organizations that have already submitted formal proposals. It expressed optimism about completing and submitting the final report to the government within the stipulated timeframe. The initiative aims to ensure an equitable pay system reflecting the cost of living and economic realities, bringing transparency and fairness to public sector remuneration.

Saudi Arabia is seeking to formalize a defence treaty with the United States, modelled after the agreement signed between Washington and Qatar that treats any armed attack on Qatar as an armed attack on the U.S.

According to reports, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will travel to Washington next month and meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, with the objective of securing stronger military and intelligence cooperation.

With U.S. bases in the Gulf and growing regional instability — including in the Arabian Peninsula and Red Sea region — Riyadh sees the pact as a strategic hedge and stepping-stone for deeper defence ties with Washington.

Pending details remain “in flux” as discussions continue, but the significance of such a deal could reshape Gulf security architecture and renew the long-standing U.S.–Saudi strategic partnership.

The anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, intended to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, has become uncertain. The Kremlin announced on Tuesday that no specific timeline has been determined for the talks, indicating that further preparations are required. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that “significant groundwork” is necessary before any meeting can take place. U.S. media reports suggest that Washington and Moscow still differ on the terms of a ceasefire. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that it is “too early” to discuss detailed arrangements for the summit. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently held a phone conversation with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, during which some disagreements reportedly surfaced. Moscow maintains that the understandings reached during the earlier Alaska summit remain valid and emphasizes the importance of implementing those agreements to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine.

Pakistan has partially reopened the Chaman–Spin Boldak border with Afghanistan for trade after weeks of closure, allowing the movement of empty trucks carrying commercial goods under strict supervision. The decision comes amid Pakistan’s ongoing nationwide campaign to repatriate Afghan refugees, with over 67,000 Afghans leaving the country in October alone. Officials confirmed that only trucks carrying Afghan refugees or goods are being allowed to pass, while pedestrian and regular traffic remain suspended for security reasons. Afghan drivers must hold valid passports and visas. Reports suggest that the Torkham border may also reopen under similar conditions soon, though other crossings—Ghulam Khan, Angoor Adda, and Kharlachi—will stay closed. In Azad Kashmir, authorities have ordered all Afghan nationals to leave by November 18. Meanwhile, 17 Afghans have been arrested in Islamabad following an attack on police, signaling heightened tensions as deportations continue nationwide.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the future of the newly signed “fragile ceasefire” between Pakistan and Afghanistan depends entirely on whether the Taliban government can prevent cross-border infiltration and attacks by armed groups, particularly the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The ceasefire, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, came after a week of deadly clashes along the border. Asif emphasized that any threat from Afghan soil would be treated as a violation of the agreement. He accused the Afghan Taliban of collaborating with the TTP, an allegation the Taliban has denied. Meanwhile, Kabul accused Islamabad of spreading misinformation and harboring ISIL-linked militants. Both countries have agreed in writing to avoid any hostile actions against each other’s security forces, civilians, or infrastructure as they seek to maintain fragile peace amid rising regional tensions.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has clarified that the recent social media claims stating that 10 agreements between India and Bangladesh have been canceled are inaccurate. Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, he confirmed that only one agreement—the tugboat supply deal with Indian defense company GRSE—has been officially canceled. The majority of the agreements listed on social media do not exist. The adviser also noted that various agreements with India are still under review. The claims originated from Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiya, who posted a list of canceled and under-consideration agreements, including railway projects, economic zone collaborations, water management initiatives, and pipeline expansions. The government emphasizes careful verification before making any official announcements regarding bilateral agreements.

The Ministry of Finance has approved the Education Ministry’s plan to increase house rent allowance for teachers and staff listed under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) by 15 percent in two phases. From November 1, 2025, employees will receive 7.5 percent of their basic salary (minimum BDT 2,000), followed by an additional 7.5 percent from July 1, 2026. The approval comes with six conditions, including adjusting benefits in future pay scales, strict adherence to MPO rules for private schools, colleges, madrasas, and vocational institutions, ensuring no arrears, compliance with financial regulations, accountability for any future irregularities, and issuance of a Government Order to be recorded in the Finance Division. This marks a significant move to enhance the welfare of private educational staff while aligning with budget limitations.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasized that the interim government must function as a true caretaker administration to ensure a free, fair, and meaningful national election. Speaking to journalists after a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna on Tuesday evening, he said that it is vital to convince the public that the administration will remain neutral before the election. Fakhrul demanded the removal of those in the bureaucracy who are identified as loyalists of the previous authoritarian regime, stressing that impartiality in government institutions is essential for credible polls. He urged the chief adviser to exclude politically affiliated individuals from government positions and ensure neutrality in police recruitment and promotions. The BNP delegation included senior leaders Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed.

The final signature on the file concerning amendments to the 44th BCS repeat cadre rules has reportedly been delayed in the office of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, sparking criticism and public concern. Retired Additional Secretary Md. Mahbub Kabir Milon first highlighted the issue on social media. The post was later shared by Sargis Alam, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party in northern Bangladesh, who urged the Chief Adviser to release the file immediately. Alam expressed frustration that while the file has remained pending for a long time, the Chief Adviser has traveled abroad twice, yet the file has not moved. The amendments aim to allow candidates next in merit to be recommended instead of those already appointed in repeat cadre positions. The delay has caused uncertainty and anxiety among candidates whose future careers depend on timely decisions.

The Officers and Staff Welfare Association of the Finance Division has proposed a new salary structure called “Total Salary” or “Remuneration” to the National Pay Commission. Under this system, all existing financial and non-financial allowances, including housing, tiffin, and transport, would be merged into a single consolidated salary. The association suggested a minimum salary of BDT 25,000 and a maximum of BDT 150,000 under a 1:6 ratio, replacing the current 1:10 scale. The proposal also includes periodic grade promotions every four years, new allowances for secretariat staff, and reinstatement of select benefits such as health insurance and New Year allowance. Officials highlighted the insufficiency of current allowances for daily needs, emphasizing fair compensation and a unified pay system. The plan aligns with practices in many developed and developing countries.