In a groundbreaking achievement for Bangladesh’s medical sector, doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital have successfully performed the country’s first Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) battery replacement surgery. The operation was led by Professor Dr. Zahid Raihan, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery, on Monday, October 27. The patient, 39-year-old Zakir Hossain, had his DBS system originally implanted in 2017 to treat a movement disorder. The replaced device was a non-rechargeable battery type. The procedure was conducted during a special workshop organized by Credible Solution, the authorized distributor of Beijing PINS Medical in Bangladesh. PINS Medical is one of the world’s leading companies in DBS technology. Experts believe this milestone marks a major step forward in providing advanced neurological treatments within the country, reducing the need for patients to seek such complex interventions abroad. DBS is widely used to treat Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and other movement disorders.

A tragic incident at Rajshahi University has sparked widespread protests after Sociology student Saima Hossain died while swimming in the university pool on Sunday evening (October 26). The Physical Education Department’s acting director, Rokhsana Begum, initially claimed that Saima’s death resulted from a heart attack. However, students rejected this explanation, alleging negligence by the university administration, Physical Education Department, and Medical Center. Tension escalated across the campus as students organized processions and a sit-in in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, demanding a fair investigation and justice for Saima. Protest leaders, including RUCSU Vice President Mostakur Rahman Zahid and General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar, accused the administration of delaying their response and failing to ensure safety and medical preparedness. They called for accountability, safety reforms at the swimming pool, and improvement of emergency healthcare facilities on campus.

In a shocking sequence of events, a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet and an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter crashed within only thirty minutes over the South China Sea on Sunday afternoon. Both aircraft had launched from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which is currently returning to Washington State’s Naval Base Kitsap after completing its final mission. According to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the two pilots of the Super Hornet ejected safely, while three crew members from the Seahawk were quickly rescued. All five servicemen are reported to be in stable condition. The Navy has begun a detailed investigation into the causes of both incidents. The Nimitz, one of the oldest operational U.S. aircraft carriers, had previously been deployed to the Middle East in response to Houthi attacks on commercial vessels. This is not the first such accident aboard a U.S. Navy carrier.

A violent clash broke out late Sunday night between students of Daffodil International University and City University in the Khagan area of Ashulia, Savar, following allegations of an attack by City University students on their Daffodil counterparts. The conflict reportedly began after an incident of indecent behavior involving a Daffodil student near a building called “Bachelor Paradise.” The altercation escalated around 9 PM when around fifty City University students allegedly attacked the area with local weapons and bricks. The situation worsened as fires were set on the City University campus, with several vehicles, including buses and a private car, torched. Over fifty students from both universities were injured as crude bombs exploded and chaos spread. Despite the hours-long unrest, witnesses claimed police assistance was delayed. Law enforcement later deployed teams to restore order, and authorities stated that the situation is now under control.

In a groundbreaking achievement for Bangladesh’s medical sector, doctors have successfully implanted an artificial heart valve using the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure—without performing open-heart surgery—for the first time in the country. The operation was carried out at Lubana General Hospital and Cardiac Center in Uttara on a 60-year-old patient suffering from liver cirrhosis, for whom traditional open-heart surgery was deemed too risky. During a press conference, Professor Dr. Md. Aslam Hossain, Chairman of the Cardiac Department at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, announced the success. The valve was inserted through the patient’s groin artery using a catheter, based on detailed CT and echocardiogram analyses. Dr. Hossain noted that previously, Bangladeshi patients had to travel abroad for such procedures. The successful TAVI operation marks a new milestone in the country’s cardiovascular treatment capabilities. The patient is now recovering well and walking normally.

A tragic accident occurred on Sunday noon (October 26) when a bearing pad from the Farmgate Metro Rail station fell, killing a pedestrian. Investigations reveal that concerns over the quality of these bearing pads had already been raised in 2020 by BUET’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. Their tests found that some imported pads used in the Uttara-Agargaon section of the Metro Rail project failed to meet safety standards. The rubber-based pads, supplied by the Italian-Thai Development Company, play a crucial role in maintaining the structure’s balance and durability. Despite warnings and test results, reports suggest that defective pads were used in parts of the construction, potentially endangering public safety. BUET experts had cautioned that poor-quality pads could cause structural instability. Authorities now face criticism for negligence and lack of timely replacement despite early red flags.

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 Gazipur–Airport Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, initiated in 2012, remains incomplete despite taking six times longer and costing four times more than similar projects worldwide. Officials from the caretaker government determined that the project suffered from a flawed corridor selection, resulting in nearly Tk 30 billion already spent. Due to these issues, the government has decided to discontinue the BRT plan, converting the corridor into a standard four-lane roadway for general traffic. Experts note that unnecessary flyovers and poor technical planning worsened congestion in this industrial route. A technical committee, led by a transport specialist, will conduct an overall assessment. The decision aims to prevent further financial losses, ease traffic, and avoid unsafe construction risks. Authorities also stress that those responsible should face legal accountability to prevent future mismanagement.

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.

Russia’s nuclear envoy Mikhail Ulyanov has blamed Israel and the United States for complicating the ongoing Iran nuclear issue, ahead of the next IAEA Board of Governors meeting. He noted that, for the first time in a decade, discussions on Iran’s nuclear file will not be under the monitoring framework of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which recently lapsed. Ulyanov stated that the IAEA Director General will present only a report on Iran’s implementation of the Additional Safeguards Agreement, attributing this limited scope to aggressive U.S. and Israeli actions. The historic 2015 JCPOA had limited Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanction relief, but the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 and subsequent European mechanisms failed to deliver promised economic benefits. Ulyanov described the current situation as a direct consequence of these aggressive policies, further complicating Iran’s nuclear issue.

The National Consensus Commission has expressed its inability to present the draft order for implementing the July Charter, according to National Citizens’ Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain. Following a meeting on Saturday, Akhtar said the commission acknowledged it was preparing the order but could not yet share its contents. He welcomed the initiative as progress but voiced concern that the July Charter might become another symbolic document like the July Declaration if political pressure influenced the process. The NCP urged the commission to ensure transparency and inclusivity by sharing the draft before finalization. Akhtar emphasized that the NCP has been actively engaged in the national consensus process, striving to keep reform discussions within the mainstream political framework. He reiterated the party’s demand for a strong legal foundation for the July Charter to prevent it from turning into a hollow or deceptive political gesture.