Four French lawmakers detained in Israel after participating in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have begun a hunger strike in solidarity with Palestinians, according to their party, France Unbowed. The group’s leader, Manon Aubry, told French radio that the detainees — François Piquemal, Marie Mesmayer, Rima Hassan, and Emma Fourreau — are being held in harsh conditions, with over ten people in a single cell and limited access to water. Aubry said communication has been minimal, only through lawyers and the French consul. France Unbowed urged the French government to secure the lawmakers’ release. The four were among 30 French nationals arrested when Israel intercepted the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” a convoy of 45 ships attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza in defiance of the blockade. The hunger strike highlights growing international concern over Israel’s treatment of pro-Palestinian activists and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The government has raised the housing allowance for MPO-listed teachers and staff by just Tk 500—from Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500—through a new directive issued by the Finance Division. However, teachers’ associations have rejected this increase as insufficient and announced a continuous protest in front of the National Press Club beginning October 12. They demand that housing allowances be set at 20% of basic pay and that medical allowances rise from Tk 500 to Tk 1,500. The Finance Division’s order, signed by Deputy Secretary Sharifunnesa, states the change will take effect once the relevant administrative ministry issues its approval. It also warns that any irregularities in payments will hold the disbursing authority accountable. Despite the official adjustment, teachers argue the increase fails to reflect rising living costs.

Former adviser and National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has alleged that several members of the current interim government’s advisory council have secretly aligned themselves with various political parties. In an interview with a private television channel, he said many advisers are now thinking about their own “safe exit” instead of serving the public interest. Nahid Islam criticized his past trust in civil society and political leaders, calling it a mistake, and argued that student leadership should have been strengthened instead. He accused some advisers of betraying the people’s movement and acting for personal benefit. According to him, certain advisers believe their power depends on political party support and fear they cannot sustain the government without it. He also mentioned that conspiracies to overthrow the interim government still exist. Nahid insisted that the presence of student leaders within the government prevented it from collapsing in its early months.

To address Sylhet city’s chronic traffic congestion, the National Citizen Committee (NCP) has presented a 27-point proposal aimed at ensuring safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible urban transport management. During a press conference, NCP Divisional Organizational Secretary Ehtesham Haque emphasized the need for the government to seek public and stakeholder opinions before finalizing the “Electric Three-Wheeler Management Policy 2025.” The proposals include forming passenger and goods transport committees, enforcing driving licenses, providing driver training, displaying fare charts, ensuring garage safety, creating designated parking areas and charging stations, and encouraging renewable energy use. Additional points highlight the importance of expanding roads, relocating institutions and terminals, managing hawkers and shrine areas, restricting high-rise construction, and introducing digital traffic systems and separate lanes. The NCP also urged for strict measures against underage and unlicensed drivers, alongside promoting traffic education and respect for transport workers.

In Chattogram, a court has sent a man named Majedul Islam (45) to jail after he surrendered in a case involving extortion of Tk 1.2 crore from a businessman and social worker, Moslem Uddin. According to the case, Majedul and another accused, Iftekharul Karim, allegedly posed as journalists of different TV channels and online portals to demand the money and threaten the businessman by labeling him as a political affiliate. The incidents occurred between February and March this year. Frustrated by repeated threats, Moslem Uddin filed a case on March 13. After an investigation, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) submitted a charge sheet against both men in July. When Majedul sought bail from the High Court, it was denied, and he was asked to appear before the lower court. Upon surrendering on Sunday, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate rejected his bail plea and ordered his imprisonment.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a warning, saying “this time, God willing, India will be buried under the wreckage of its own jets,” in response to recent provocative remarks by Indian military and political leaders. His comments echoed social-media claims and past May clashes in which each side has traded accusations about downed aircraft, deepening mistrust between New Delhi and Islamabad. The military’s Inter-Services Public Relations office cautioned that inflammatory statements could be used as a pretext for aggression and warned that renewed hostilities might bring catastrophic destruction to South Asia. Asif framed Pakistan as a state built in Allah’s name and described its defenders as ‘soldiers of Allah’, language that analysts say raises the stakes of rhetoric and complicates diplomatic de-escalation. Both sides’ recent public exchanges — including unverified claims about losses and threats to alter borders — have renewed fears of miscalculation; international observers urge restraint and independent verification to avoid an irreversible spiral.

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has alleged that fascist collaborators, aided by foreign influence, attempted to create communal tension during the recent Durga Puja festival by portraying demons with beards resembling the Chief Adviser’s face. Speaking to reporters after a core committee meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs, he said the conspiracy was designed to provoke religious division and violence. He credited law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and Puja organizers for foiling the plan through close coordination and vigilance. Jahangir claimed that a neighboring country was involved in a campaign to humiliate the Chief Adviser by manipulating the design of idols, linking it to the controversial demon depiction. The meeting also reviewed national law and order, drug trafficking, extortion, Rohingya issues, and upcoming election preparations. He urged journalists to act patriotically, emphasizing that such divisive plots are part of a broader fascist attempt to destabilize Bangladesh’s communal harmony and democratic progress.

A Dhaka court has ordered the imprisonment of North South University student Apurba Pal, who was arrested on charges of desecrating the Holy Quran. On Sunday, October 5, Metropolitan Magistrate Saifuzzaman issued the order after the investigation officer informed the court that the accused had confessed to trampling on the Quran. Following a police petition, the court approved his detention. Apurba was arrested on Saturday night by Vatara police in the capital. In response, North South University’s disciplinary committee convened an emergency meeting on Sunday and decided to permanently expel him from the university. The administration has also decided to file a separate case regarding the incident. Witnesses had earlier reported seeing Apurba desecrate the Quran on campus, prompting intervention from the university’s proctorial and security departments. The university commended its students for maintaining peace and restraint during the tense situation and reaffirmed its commitment to communal harmony and campus discipline.

The National University of Bangladesh has introduced new rules for its Degree (Pass) and Certificate course students, requiring regular class attendance to obtain in-course examination marks. According to an official notice issued on October 4 by the university’s examination controller, students will be assessed based on 15% in-course exam marks and 5% class attendance marks. Those missing either component will not be allowed to fill out final exam forms. The 2024 second-year in-course exams will begin on October 12 and be held in two phases, ending on November 27. Private students will be assessed out of 20% marks based solely on the in-course exam. Colleges must conduct exams, evaluate answer scripts, and enter marks online within the stipulated period. Once entered, marks cannot be changed. All evaluated documents must be sealed and submitted by December 9 to the Gazipur campus or respective regional centers.

Georgia erupted in protests on Saturday as citizens expressed outrage over alleged fraud in last year’s parliamentary elections and the suspension of EU accession talks. Demonstrators in the capital, Tbilisi, attempted to enter the Presidential Palace, clashing with police, who used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse the crowd and arrested many. The unrest comes after the ruling party, Georgian Dream, claimed victory in elections widely criticized by opposition parties for irregularities. Most opposition groups boycotted the local elections in protest, with prominent figures, including opera singer Pata Burdzhuladze, calling for the arrest of top ruling party leaders. The government has intensified crackdowns on opposition activists, independent media, and Western-leaning politicians, resulting in numerous detentions. Authorities also fined hundreds of protesters approximately $1,835 for participating in illegal activities like road blockades. Thousands marched with Georgian and EU flags demanding respect for citizens’ will and political accountability.

The newly formed National Pay Commission has begun work to propose a new salary structure for government employees, with recommendations expected within six months. A key focus is adjusting the current 20-grade system, potentially reducing the number of grades and aligning salaries proportionally. The commission is also taking inflation and ongoing discussions about salary ratios for lowest and highest grades—such as 12:1, 10:1, and 8:1—into consideration. Officials have hinted that under the new scale, basic salaries could nearly double, with Grade 1 reaching up to 156,000 BDT and Grade 20 starting at 16,500 BDT. Economic advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed that the new pay structure will be implemented during the current interim government’s term and will not wait for the next political administration. The last pay scale, introduced in 2015, saw significant increases, with top-grade salaries rising 195% and lowest-grade salaries by 201%.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has agreed to an initial phase of troop withdrawal from Gaza. He emphasized that a ceasefire would come into effect immediately once Hamas confirms it. Hamas has also accepted parts of Trump’s 20-point proposal, signaling progress toward halting the Israeli offensive. The White House had earlier released a map indicating the boundaries for the initial withdrawal, which would still leave Israel controlling approximately 55 percent of Gaza according to BBC Verify. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope that hostages held in Gaza could be released soon and stressed that Hamas has no choice but to accept the U.S. proposal under combined diplomatic and military pressure. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to ending Hamas’s control over Gaza and disarming the militant group, marking a potential turning point in the conflict.

Greta Thunberg, leading the Global Sumud Flotilla on a humanitarian mission to Gaza, was allegedly subjected to abuse by Israeli forces, according to fellow international volunteers. Reports indicate Thunberg was reportedly dragged on the ground and forced to kiss an Israeli flag, while other participants experienced similar mistreatment. Activists from Malaysia, the U.S., Turkey, and Italy described being paraded, denied water and medicine, and treated “like dogs” over several days. Italian journalist Lorenzo Agostino called Thunberg “a brave 22-year-old woman” who was humiliated publicly. Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was also accused of shoving Thunberg into a room. Israel detained over 450 activists from 40 vessels attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, prompting global criticism. Turkish officials confirmed 137 detainees were sent to Turkey, including 36 Turkish citizens. Israel announced the remaining activists would be returned to Europe soon.

Awami League Advisory Council member and former Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed is in a critical state at Square Hospital in Dhaka, where he has been on life support for several days. His condition worsened on Saturday night when his blood pressure and pulse dropped significantly before stabilizing again. Family sources report that doctors have not issued any formal statement, though his heart remains functional. The veteran politician, aged 81, has long battled health issues, including paralysis on one side of his body following a stroke, and has relied on a wheelchair for years. Born in Bhola in 1943, Ahmed was a student leader during the 1969 mass uprising, serving as DUCSU vice president and convenor of the All-Party Student Action Council. His contribution to Bangladesh’s political landscape spans decades, and his current health condition has drawn concern from colleagues and supporters nationwide.

Israel has carried out fresh airstrikes across Gaza, killing 46 Palestinians, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive to halt bombings following Hamas’s agreement to a ceasefire. The latest attacks, which continued from early Saturday to evening, included a deadly strike on a home in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood that killed 17 people from one family, among them women and children—the youngest just eight months old. Al Jazeera reports that three of the dead were waiting for aid. Gaza’s Health Ministry says the death toll since the war began on October 7, 2023, has now reached 67,074. The enclave faces severe famine, with two more people dying from hunger in the past 24 hours, raising starvation-related deaths to 459, including 154 children. The Israeli military has not commented on the recent operations.