Malaysia has confirmed its readiness to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Gaza, with Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasizing the country’s willingness to work alongside the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other like-minded nations. The announcement followed a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Anwar reiterated Malaysia’s firm support for Palestine and welcomed international legal positions condemning Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The discussion also covered Malaysia’s support for UN reforms, including the “Pact for the Future” and “UN80 Initiative,” ASEAN peace efforts in Thailand and Cambodia, inclusive dialogue in Myanmar, and global climate action, including Malaysia’s submission of its NDC 3.0 ahead of COP30. Anwar reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable development and ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

The Ministry of Food has refuted recent claims in a national daily suggesting that Bangladesh is buying U.S. wheat at inflated prices due to government contracts. The ministry emphasized that wheat imports are conducted under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement between Bangladesh and the United States, ensuring full transparency and adherence to international standards. In the first phase, 220,000 metric tons of wheat were imported at $302.75 per ton, followed by the second phase at $308 per ton. Comparisons made with Russian wheat prices in the media were misleading, as U.S. wheat costs include transportation, insurance, and port handling, whereas Russian prices reflect only delivery to the port. U.S. wheat is also nutritionally superior, containing 13.5% protein compared to Russia’s 11%. Considering quality, protein content, and transport costs, the slightly higher price is reasonable. The ministry affirmed that the entire import process remains competitive and fully government-approved.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has officially named Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh as his temporary successor should he be unable to carry out his duties. The announcement, published by the official WAFA news agency, clarifies that Al-Sheikh will oversee the organization of elections according to Palestinian law and hand over power to the elected government. Abbas’s decision effectively cancels Decree No. 1 of the Palestinian constitution, which previously designated the chairman or speaker of the Palestinian National Council as interim president in such cases. Abbas emphasized that the move aims to protect the political system, national security, and constitutional institutions of Palestine. Having led Palestine for over 20 years, Abbas first assumed office in January 2005 after the passing of Yasser Arafat in 2004.

The National Consensus Commission is set to formally submit its recommendations to the government today (October 28) regarding the implementation of the July National Charter. The final meeting of the commission took place on Monday at the chief adviser’s residence, chaired by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Commission Vice-Chair Ali Riaz, six members, and Special Assistant Monir Haidar were present. Members urged the government to also act on other reform commissions’ reports. Dr. Yunus emphasized the preservation of all documents, recordings, and visuals related to the commission’s work. The National July Charter, signed on October 17 by 24 political parties including the BNP-Jamaat alliance, aims to build a permanent culture of accountability and good governance. Gano Forum joined later, while NCP and some left parties are yet to sign. The commission’s recommendations are based on extensive consultations with political leaders, legal experts, and civil society representatives.

Belgium’s Defence Minister Theo Francken warned that if Russia were to launch a missile strike on Brussels — the centre of NATO — the alliance would respond decisively, bluntly saying that “if Moscow fires a missile at Brussels, we will wipe Moscow off the map.” In an interview with Flemish daily De Morgen, reported by international outlets, Francken dismissed European doubts about United States commitment to Article 5, citing President Donald Trump’s pledge of full backing for NATO allies. He announced about 600 F-35 jets would be deployed across Europe, arguing those aircraft pose detection challenges for Russian forces. Francken cautioned against underestimating Russia’s military-industrial capacity and said Moscow has increased munitions production. He warned a potential Russia–China alignment could challenge the West and stressed the need for unity and stronger European defence coordination. His remarks underscore rising tensions, NATO deterrence postures and political debates over defence preparedness in Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially annulled the long-suspended plutonium disposal agreement with the United States by signing a new law on October 27. The agreement, originally signed in 2000, required both nations to eliminate 34 tons of weapons-grade plutonium each — enough to make about 17,000 nuclear warheads — in a way that made it unusable for military purposes. Russia had already suspended the deal in 2016, accusing Washington of violating the terms by adopting an alternative plutonium disposal method. Moscow also cited U.S. “hostile actions” and NATO’s expansion as reasons for the final withdrawal. Analysts warn that the move marks another blow to the fragile framework of nuclear disarmament and may escalate tensions between Moscow and Washington, especially as the New START treaty approaches its 2026 expiry, raising concerns over renewed nuclear arms competition and global security instability.

The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) has presented 15 proposals to the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) demanding reforms to ensure transparency, coordination, and timely recruitment in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examinations. A three-member NCP delegation met the PSC chairman and emphasized addressing long-standing discrimination and inefficiency within the public administration system. The proposals call for amending non-cadre rules, expediting the publication of pending BCS results, and completing each BCS cycle within a calendar year. Other recommendations include publishing exam marks for transparency, reducing police verification delays, and establishing a cluster-based exam system. NCP leaders accused bureaucrats of exploiting the system for personal gain and urged the ministry to prioritize job seekers’ welfare. They warned that continued inefficiency could fuel youth resentment.

Thailand and Cambodia signed a landmark peace agreement on Sunday in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, marking a major step toward resolving recent border tensions. Trump, who also signed the document as a witness, was joined by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the ceremony. The signing kicked off Trump’s multi-nation Asia tour, which includes visits to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. The trip’s most anticipated moment will be his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where discussions are expected to focus on ending the U.S.-China trade war. Trump also hinted at a possible meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un — their first since 2019. In Japan, he will meet new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi before heading to Busan for the APEC summit and talks with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) will not be granted the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) symbol in the upcoming elections, as it is not listed in the current schedule of approved election symbols. Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced that the EC will issue a new public notice determining an alternative symbol at its discretion. He confirmed that the commission’s stance on the matter remains unchanged and that no new proposals have been received regarding the Shapla issue. Meanwhile, NCP’s northern regional chief organizer, Sarjis Alam, has warned that the party may take to the streets if denied the Shapla symbol. He claimed that legal experts see no obstacle to granting the emblem and criticized the EC’s decision as a threat to electoral independence. Alam added that if protests begin, NCP will also demand the reformation of the current Election Commission.

The United States is preparing to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, focusing on critical sectors like banking and oil infrastructure, as part of efforts to pressure President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Officials involved in U.S. internal discussions say this move complements the European Union’s plan to use seized Russian assets for Ukraine’s defense fund. Washington is also exploring the possibility of deploying Russian assets held in the U.S. to support Kyiv. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing his role as a global peacemaker, admitted that ending the conflict has proven far more complicated than expected and said he would not meet Putin until a real prospect of peace emerges. Recent sanctions on Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft triggered global market reactions, with China reducing purchases and India halting them entirely, pushing oil prices higher.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has updated its visa policy, now requiring citizens from 107 countries, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, to obtain a visa prior to entering the country. This extensive list also covers nations from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, aiming to streamline travel procedures and enhance security monitoring. Notable countries on the list include Afghanistan, Nigeria, the Philippines, Kenya, Vietnam, and several Caribbean and Pacific nations. Additionally, UAE authorities have temporarily imposed a ban on tourist and work visas for citizens of nine countries—Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Liberia, Benin, Congo, and Burundi—citing administrative and policy-related reasons. Officials emphasized that this is a temporary measure and may change after policy review. Travelers are strongly advised to check visa requirements before planning trips to the UAE to avoid disruptions.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that efforts to bring stability to the Gaza Strip are progressing rapidly, with an international peacekeeping force expected to be deployed soon. He made the announcement on October 25 after meeting Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during a refueling stop in Doha. Trump emphasized that the objective should be lasting peace and noted that Qatar is willing to contribute peacekeeping troops if needed. He issued a stern warning to Hamas, insisting that the bodies of hostages—including two Americans—be returned immediately, or there will be serious consequences. Trump highlighted that while returning some bodies may be challenging, others could be sent back easily, but Hamas is reportedly withholding them. He added that both sides will be treated fairly if they meet their responsibilities, and stressed close monitoring of developments in the next 48 hours.

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Bangladesh in November, ending years of exile in London since 2008. Multiple party sources confirmed his decision, citing his acquittal in ongoing legal cases, which removes any barriers to his return. The party has formed a security committee to coordinate with the government, and preparations include a bulletproof vehicle from Japan. Tarique Rahman is expected to stay at House No. 196 on Avenue Road, Gulshan-2, previously allocated to Khaleda Zia after Ziaur Rahman’s death in 1981. Party leaders emphasized his active role in candidate selection and election strategy, while BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia may decide on her participation depending on her health. Tarique Rahman’s return is seen as a pivotal move to energize the party ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an additional 10% tariff on goods imported from Canada, citing anger over a controversial “anti-tariff” advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan. The decision follows Canada’s alleged failure to remove the advertisement, which Trump called misleading and hostile. On social media, he emphasized that the new tariff would be added to existing duties due to what he described as Canada’s distorted information and unfriendly behavior. Earlier, Trump withdrew from trade negotiations with Canada, prompting Ontario Premier Doug Ford to suspend the ad’s broadcast in the U.S. while keeping it on air during the World Series games between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers. Currently, U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods average 35%, with 50% on metals and 25% on automobiles. The new measure is expected to add an extra 10 percentage points to these existing tariffs.

The National Consensus Commission has announced that its comprehensive recommendations on the methods and framework for implementing the July National Accord will be submitted to the government “very soon.” The announcement followed a detailed review meeting with experts on October 25, continuing discussions from previous sessions. Although 24 political parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, have signed the accord, some parties, including the National Citizens’ Party and four leftist parties, participated in dialogue but did not sign. Disagreements still exist regarding the implementation process and the possibility of a public referendum. The Commission, tasked with determining the implementation procedures, emphasized various proposals, including the issuance of a constitutional order. The meeting involved retired judges, legal experts, university faculty, and advisors, aiming to create a clear and actionable roadmap for the accord’s execution. No specific timeline for submission has been disclosed yet.