The U.S. Department of State has once again excluded Bangladesh from the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program for 2026, continuing a multi-year restriction that prevents Bangladeshi citizens from applying. This means Bangladeshis, like in previous years, will not be eligible to participate in the lottery that offers permanent residency in the United States. According to the official DV-2026 guidelines, countries with high immigration rates to the U.S.—including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China, and South Korea—are not eligible this year. The Diversity Visa program is designed for countries with historically low U.S. immigration levels, providing up to 55,000 green cards annually. While 31 Asian countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka remain eligible, Bangladesh’s continued exclusion highlights its significant immigration rate to the U.S. and brings disappointment to thousands hoping for a chance at the American dream.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges has announced a significant policy change regarding driving licenses in Bangladesh. Advisor to the ministry, Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan, revealed that all drivers must complete a mandatory 60-hour training program at an approved training center before receiving a driving license. Additionally, trainees will receive a stipend during their training period. The announcement was made on Wednesday (October 22) during a discussion marking National Road Safety Day 2025 in Tejgaon, Dhaka. Khan emphasized that untrained drivers are one of the main causes of road accidents and traffic congestion. He added that the existing licensing committee system will be abolished and replaced with a training-based model. The new approach aims to align Bangladesh’s system with international standards and ensure safer, more skilled drivers on the roads.

India has firmly denied U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to halt oil imports from Russia. The controversy follows Trump’s earlier statement crediting himself for de-escalating India-Pakistan tensions, which New Delhi also dismissed. India’s Ministry of External Affairs clarified that no phone conversation took place between Modi and Trump, countering Trump’s assertion. Experts view this as a rare public diplomatic contradiction between the two nations, reflecting a shift toward more open and unpredictable diplomacy. Analysts suggest Trump’s remarks aim to pressure India to reduce its energy ties with Moscow, though India maintains that decisions will prioritize national interests. Despite U.S. pressure, India continues to buy about 35% of its oil from Russia. Observers note this episode highlights New Delhi’s balancing act between U.S. and Russian relations amid evolving global power equations.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will engage in discussions with Bangladesh’s next elected government before releasing the next tranche of the $5.5 billion loan package, scheduled for December, according to Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur. Speaking from Washington, where he is attending the IMF–World Bank annual meetings, Mansur explained that the IMF made this decision in light of the upcoming national elections. Bangladesh has neither objected to nor endorsed the decision, as it currently faces no financial pressure. The Governor emphasized the importance of maintaining policy continuity rather than focusing solely on disbursement. He added that conducting a full review now would be premature, given the election period. The IMF’s Article IV mission will arrive in October for a partial assessment, with the final review expected in February, following the elections. So far, Bangladesh has received $3.6 billion of the pledged loan.

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.

A young man was killed on Wednesday morning after Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel opened fire during a clash with suspected smugglers in Sylhet’s Jaintapur upazila. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. in the Suraighat border area under Charikata Union, within the jurisdiction of BGB’s 19 Battalion. According to BGB officials, a patrol team intercepted a pickup truck carrying smuggled goods when a group of armed men attacked them with local weapons, including machetes and sticks, attempting to snatch the seized items. BGB claimed they fired several blank rounds in self-defense to protect government property and their own lives. One BGB member sustained serious injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. The deceased was identified as 35-year-old Almas Mia of Nayakhel village. Police have recovered the body and sent it to the morgue, though no formal complaint had been filed as of Wednesday evening.

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.

Job-seeking persons with disabilities once again staged a sit-in protest in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, Dhaka, on Wednesday (October 22), under the banner of the “Job-Seeking Disabled Graduates Council.” Their protest centered around five key demands: special recruitment under the Chief Adviser’s executive order based on disability type, implementation of a 2% quota in first and second-class jobs and 5% in third and fourth-class posts, policy updates ensuring independence in appointing scribes, guaranteed recruitment for visually impaired candidates, and extending the government job age limit to 35 years for disabled persons and 37 for general candidates. Around noon, the protesters began marching toward the Jamuna River but were stopped by police at Shahbagh intersection. A brief scuffle ensued before the police dispersed them. The protesters claimed they have been demanding inclusion and quota enforcement since 2018 without meaningful results.

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.

Ukraine carried out a major missile strike on Russia’s Bryansk Chemical Plant on October 22, using British-made Storm Shadow missiles. Ukrainian military officials described the operation as a “successful strike,” claiming the attack penetrated Russian air defenses and targeted a key facility in Russia’s military-industrial complex. The plant reportedly produces gunpowder, explosives, and rocket fuel components, which are allegedly used by Russian forces in attacks on Ukrainian territory. Russia has not yet issued an official response. Kyiv maintains that targeting facilities critical to Moscow’s war machinery is necessary to weaken Russia’s offensive capabilities. The strike coincides with European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announcing plans to intensify pressure on Russia’s economy and defense industry until President Vladimir Putin agrees to peace negotiations. Early Wednesday, Russia launched another air raid on Kyiv, highlighting the ongoing conflict, which began in February 2022 and continues to involve territorial disputes including Crimea.

A gas line explosion during piling work for the Narayanganj–Muktarpur flyover triggered a fire on Tuesday afternoon in Fatullah’s Panchaboti area. The blaze damaged a nearby glass shop and left one pedestrian injured. Firefighters and Titas Gas officials quickly intervened, sealing the main gas line to prevent further leaks. As a result, gas supply to Narayanganj city, Fatullah, and surrounding areas was suspended, disrupting industrial production and daily life. Many factories in the BSCIC Industrial Area and Fatullah Industrial Zone, including garment and spinning mills, were forced to shut down operations. Titas Gas engineers are working to repair the damaged pipeline and expect to restore supply by night. Residents also reported severe gas shortages at home, compounding the disruption across the city.

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.