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.

Israeli Army Chief Lieutenant General Yaal Zamir has declared that the war in Gaza will continue until Hamas returns the bodies of all Israeli hostages killed during the conflict. Speaking at a conference of IDF lieutenant commanders in Jerusalem on October 27, Zamir emphasized that the mission remains “sacred,” with two key goals — recovering the bodies of Israeli hostages and sustaining the campaign against Hamas. He stressed that the Israel Defense Forces are committed to fulfilling their moral and professional duty with courage and determination. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent offensive in Gaza has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths. Although a ceasefire brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump began on October 10, the issue of returning the bodies of deceased hostages continues to hinder lasting peace.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 will today (Tuesday, October 28) hear defense arguments regarding the formation of formal charges against former Information Minister and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu, Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, and three others in two separate cases of crimes against humanity. The charges relate to killings of six people in Kushtia during the July-August Movement. The hearing will be conducted by a three-member bench headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. On Monday, the prosecution completed its presentation of three specific allegations—incitement, conspiracy, and murder—and sought to proceed with trial. The tribunal appointed state defense lawyers for absconding accused. Inu faces eight charges, while Hanif and others are accused in related cases. Inu was arrested in 2024 and remains in custody. The proceedings mark a major step in Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to try crimes against humanity committed during periods of political unrest.

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.

Teachers from across Bangladesh continued their sit-in protests in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Monday (August 27), pressing for two major demands — MPO (Monthly Pay Order) inclusion for disabled schools and nationalization of Ebtedayee madrasas. Representatives of teachers from schools for students with disabilities said they have been living in dire conditions without regular salaries or allowances, despite the Ministry of Social Welfare announcing a list of nearly two thousand institutions eligible for MPO inclusion. They declared that they would not end their protest until their demands are met. Meanwhile, Ebtedayee madrasa teachers, also staging a continuous demonstration at the same venue, attempted to march toward the Chief Adviser’s Office but were stopped by police at Bailey Road. Following assurances from the Education Ministry’s secretary, they returned to the Press Club and resumed their peaceful sit-in.

Normal trade operations have resumed at the Benapole land port after the customs authority withdrew its temporary restriction that limited import and export activities beyond 6 PM. The decision came following strong objections from traders and reports of commercial stagnation along the Bangladesh–India border. Last week’s unannounced directive by the Customs Commissioner had caused severe traffic congestion at the border, disrupting the flow of perishable goods and reducing the number of trucks entering the port from 400–450 to only 160–180 daily. Business leaders from both countries expressed relief at the withdrawal, saying the earlier decision had increased costs, delayed shipments, and strained cross-border trade relations. Benapole Port officials confirmed that operations are returning to normal, and coordination with customs and related agencies is ongoing to ensure smooth trade.

At a press conference held at Uttara’s Mugdha Mancha on Monday, local students and Islamic scholars strongly protested against labeling a recent rally demanding a ban on ISKCON as a “terrorist activity.” They denounced the subsequent filing of an “anti-terrorism” case against 20–25 unidentified individuals, terming it a fascist and conspiratorial move aimed at harassing peaceful demonstrators. The speakers claimed that the October 24 rally, held after Jumma prayers under the banner of general students, was entirely peaceful and attended by senior police officials. They alleged that a brief incident involving a dummy rifle was misused to distort facts on social media and justify the case. The protesters issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the withdrawal of the “false case,” the exposure of ISKCON-affiliated officials within the administration, and punishment for those spreading misleading information. Failure to meet the demands, they warned, would lead to tougher programs.

Russia has successfully conducted a test of its nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile Burevestnik, President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday. The test, completed on Tuesday, marks a major milestone in Russia’s advanced weapons program. According to Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, the missile covered approximately 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) and stayed airborne for 15 hours. Putin hailed the missile as a “truly unique weapon” that no other nation possesses, highlighting the country’s growing technological and military prowess. Burevestnik, known to NATO as SSC-X-9 Skyfall, first drew attention in 2019 after a failed test caused fatalities in the Arctic. Analysts say the latest success strengthens Russia’s long-range strike capability and advances its nuclear modernization efforts amid rising global tensions.

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.

Hamas, the Palestinian nationalist group, said it would disarm only if Israeli occupation ends and a sovereign Palestinian state is established. Senior spokesman Khalil al-Hayya said decisions about the movement’s weapons are tied to the presence of Israeli occupation and aggression. AFP reported Israel has demanded Hamas disarm as part of ending the two-year war, and the United States has made progress on a twenty-point plan conditional on surrendering arms. Al-Hayya said that if occupation ends, weapons could be transferred to a state authority, though he did not name one. Hamas also signalled it will not resume direct governance of Gaza after the conflict and rejected Western calls for fighters to disarm immediately. The group insists fighters would surrender arms only after an independent Palestinian state is formed and be integrated into its military. Separately, Hamas agreed to hand administration to a proposed technocratic committee but refused to relinquish weapons.

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.

After a gap of two decades, Bangladesh and Pakistan held the long-awaited Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting on Monday, October 27, at the NEC Conference Room in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, while Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Parvez Malik headed the Pakistani side. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing trade volume, and promoting cooperation in key sectors including agriculture, information technology, food processing, aviation, and maritime transport. Both sides emphasized the revival of SAARC as part of broader regional cooperation. A key outcome was the signing of an agreement between BSTI and Pakistan’s PHA, allowing mutual recognition of halal certifications, which is expected to boost exports of halal products. Pakistan also expressed keen interest in importing Bangladesh’s famous jute products. The leaders expressed optimism that the renewed collaboration will benefit both nations economically and strategically.

The interim government has clarified that ongoing reform and policy formulation initiatives will continue beyond November, refuting earlier remarks made by Information Advisor Mahfuz Alam. In a statement released on Monday, October 27, the government explained that Mahfuz’s comments during the “Meet the Reporters” event at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Sunday caused some confusion in the media. Contrary to Mahfuz’s claim that the reform and policy work must be completed by November, the official statement affirmed that reform activities are in full swing and will remain active. The chief adviser’s press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, shared the statement on his verified Facebook page. The clarification aims to reaffirm the government’s commitment to continued reforms, even as the advisory council’s activities may slow down closer to the election period.

Global scientists are closely monitoring a newly discovered asteroid named ‘2024 YR4’, which is projected to pass near Earth in December 2032. Though the probability of impact is relatively low at 2.1 percent, the potential consequences are catastrophic if it strikes. Measuring between 130 and 300 feet in diameter, the asteroid could release energy equivalent to 8 million tons of TNT—about 500 times stronger than the Hiroshima bomb—affecting areas within a 50-kilometer radius. Possible impact zones include parts of South America, the Pacific Ocean, South Asia, the Arabian Sea, and Africa, with Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and several others on the watchlist. NASA’s Catalina Sky Survey and the United Nations Planetary Defense Protocol are tracking the object. Experts assure that if the impact threat increases, there will be enough time to evacuate populations and possibly alter its course using kinetic impact technology tested in NASA’s DART mission.