Bangladeshi actress Jaya Ahsan’s appearance at the West Bengal government–organized Durga Puja Carnival has sparked controversy and political backlash. BJP leaders in Durgapur, Bardhaman district, staged a protest questioning why a Bangladeshi artist was invited to perform at a state-sponsored religious event. Though Jaya had already left the venue after performing a Rabindra Sangeet, BJP members accused the organizers of “insulting Goddess Durga” by including her in the program. The controversy follows earlier criticisms by Trinamool Congress councillor Jui Biswas, who had opposed Bangladeshi actors working in Indian films. The incident adds a new dimension to the growing cultural and political debate over cross-border artistic collaboration between India and Bangladesh, particularly during religious and state events.

At least fifteen people were injured in a violent clash between two rival groups in Rajoir upazila of Madaripur on Sunday evening, reportedly triggered by a long-standing dispute over a teenage love affair. The conflict erupted around 7 p.m. at Pakhulla Bazar in Amgram Union, where both sides engaged in attacks using local weapons. According to police and local sources, an eighth-grade boy and girl had been in a relationship, which ended after the girl’s family arranged her marriage three months ago. The situation worsened when the boy was allegedly beaten by the girl’s relatives, sparking months of animosity between the families. Seven of the injured have been admitted to Faridpur Medical College Hospital in critical condition. Police intervened to bring the situation under control, with authorities confirming that legal action will be taken after investigating the complaints.

A new report from Brown University’s Cost of War Project reveals that the United States has spent nearly $34 billion on military operations and aid in the Middle East over the past two years. Of this, Israel alone has received more than $21 billion in support—fueling its continued offensives in Gaza, Yemen, and tensions with Iran. Analysts argue that without U.S. funding, weapons, and political backing, Israel could not sustain prolonged conflicts across multiple fronts. The report, titled “U.S. Military Aid and Arms Transfers to Israel, October 2023–September 2025,” underscores Washington’s central role in the region’s instability. Critics in the U.S. note growing frustration among taxpayers, who bear the cost of these wars. Meanwhile, public opinion among American Jews is shifting, with many acknowledging Israel’s actions in Gaza as war crimes. Experts warn this support may reshape U.S. politics ahead of the 2028 elections.

The Bangladesh government has decided to officially recognize October 7, the death anniversary of BUET student Abrar Fahad, as a national day of observance. The move comes six years after Abrar was brutally killed by members of the banned Chhatra League for posting an anti-India status on Facebook. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs will also observe February 25 as BDR Massacre Day. On the eve of Abrar’s sixth death anniversary, a documentary titled “You Failed to Kill Abrar Fahad” will be screened simultaneously across all Shilpakala Academies, with Abrar’s father attending the Dhaka screening. The government is also preparing a national calendar highlighting significant political and cultural dates, where both days will be commemorated annually. Abrar’s murder in 2019 sparked nationwide outrage and renewed debate over student politics, freedom of expression, and justice in Bangladesh’s higher education institutions.

In Chattogram’s Lohagara upazila, over a hundred impoverished families of Amirabad Union’s Jaladash Para have been trapped for 30 years after their only access road was blocked by the family of late former upazila chairman Ziaul Haque Chowdhury Babul. Locals allege that using political influence, Babul’s family built a wall across the public land, cutting off all passage to the community. On October 6, hundreds of affected residents staged a human chain and protest rally at Bottoli Motor Station, demanding restoration of the road. Local leaders, including former Jubo Dal joint convener Muslim Hossain, accused Babul’s heir, Yuvraj, of threatening villagers who demanded access. After the demonstration, residents submitted a memorandum to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), who called the road closure “a heinous crime” and promised immediate action following a site inspection. The community warned of intensified protests if the blockade remains.

Cuttack city in Odisha remains tense after violent clashes erupted during Durga Puja immersion processions. The violence began Friday night in Dargah Bazaar when loud music triggered disputes between groups, escalating into stone-pelting that injured several people, including Deputy Police Commissioner Rishikesh Dnyandeo Khilari. Police have arrested six individuals and are reviewing CCTV and drone footage to identify others. Following the unrest, authorities imposed a 36-hour curfew and suspended internet services across Cuttack and nearby areas to prevent misinformation. Despite restrictions, members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) organized a motorcycle rally on Sunday, allegedly vandalizing shops and setting fires before police intervened with baton charges. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi condemned the violence, vowing strict action and free medical care for the injured. Former CM Naveen Patnaik blamed administrative failure, while VHP announced a 12-hour shutdown demanding justice.

Palestinian resistance group Hamas has strongly denied media reports claiming it agreed to surrender its weapons under international supervision as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. According to a report by Anadolu Agency on October 5, Hamas described the claims as “fabricated” and aimed at distorting its stance on the ongoing ceasefire discussions. Senior Hamas member Mahmoud Mardawi stated that the group categorically rejects the false allegations circulated by several media outlets, which, he said, are designed to mislead public opinion. He urged journalists to verify facts before publishing any information. The denial comes after recent reports suggested Hamas had agreed to hand over its weapons to a joint Palestinian-Egyptian authority. While Hamas has reportedly accepted most elements of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace proposal, including prisoner exchanges and reconstruction, the organization remains firm on refusing disarmament.

Acting on precise intelligence, Bangladesh Army conducted a raid at dawn on October 6 in a remote forest area of Juvaneshwar Para, Panchhari, Khagrachhari, discovering a secret hideout belonging to the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF). According to an ISPR press release, the operation began around 5 a.m., but UPDF’s top commander Sumen Chakma managed to flee the scene before the troops arrived. During the search, the army recovered one pistol, a magazine, two rounds of ammunition, fifteen banners, two walkie-talkie chargers, two mobile phones, sharp weapons, and other materials. Reports indicate that UPDF members forced locals, including students, to chant anti-army slogans in an attempt to obstruct the operation. The army continues combing operations to locate the fugitive members. ISPR reaffirmed that the Bangladesh Army remains steadfast in safeguarding national sovereignty and ensuring the security of all ethnic communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Mohammad Tajul Islam, stated that several significant events will unfold within the next week, including the submission of investigation reports on multiple enforced disappearance cases from the Awami League’s tenure. Speaking to journalists on Monday, he said these cases are nearing completion, and formal charges will follow soon after. Addressing concerns about delays, Tajul Islam emphasized that justice is progressing as expected and that trials against those accused of crimes against humanity are moving toward conclusion. Regarding the case involving Obaidul Quader, he mentioned that proceedings are ongoing and results will be visible in due course. He asserted that no one will escape justice and that all accused will eventually face trial. The prosecutor reaffirmed that the tribunal is on the right path to fulfill the nation’s expectation for justice.

Non-performing loans in Bangladesh’s banking sector have surged to Tk 6.67 trillion, or 33 percent of total loans, according to recent data from Bangladesh Bank. Officials attribute the rise to three main factors: hidden loans issued during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure are now being revealed, the timeline to declare a loan non-performing was shortened from six months to three months to meet IMF conditions, and special exemptions for agricultural and SME loans were removed. For the first time, the central bank disclosed 3,483 deliberate defaulters. Experts warn urgent legal action is necessary to prevent further banking sector collapse. Former officials emphasize that many of these funds have been transferred abroad and demand the creation of special tribunals or dedicated High Court benches to expedite justice.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has held a public hearing on a proposal to nearly double gas prices for fertilizer factories—from Tk 16 to Tk 40 per unit. Petrobangla and six gas distribution companies argued that the price hike would reduce financial losses and help sustain gas supply, while a BERC technical committee suggested Tk 30 as a more balanced rate. Critics at the hearing warned that higher gas costs would raise fertilizer production expenses, potentially driving up prices for farmers and consumers. The Agriculture Ministry stated that the government currently subsidizes Tk 13,000 per ton of fertilizer and intends to maintain stable prices for farmers. However, the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) criticized previous unfulfilled promises of uninterrupted gas supply, noting a drop of 300,000 tons in annual fertilizer production. Stakeholders urged caution, emphasizing that gas supply must be ensured before any price increase.

Bangladesh’s inflation rate edged higher in September, heightening consumer discomfort as both food and non-food prices saw increases. According to data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) on October 6, overall inflation rose to 8.36%, up from 8.29% in August. Food inflation climbed to 7.64%, while non-food inflation reached 8.98%. Rural areas experienced slightly higher inflation at 8.47%, compared to 8.28% in urban areas. In rural regions, food inflation was 7.54% and non-food inflation 9.40%, while in cities, the figures stood at 7.94% and 8.51%, respectively. The continued rise in prices across sectors suggests sustained economic strain on households, particularly amid rising living costs and declining purchasing power.

Mass protests led mainly by Madagascar’s Gen Z youth have continued for a third straight week, demanding the resignation of President Andry Rajoelina. What began as demonstrations over chronic shortages of water and electricity has evolved into a broader movement against corruption, inequality, and government failure. Police in the capital Antananarivo used tear gas to disperse protesters, with clashes also reported in the cities of Toliara and Diego Suarez. According to the United Nations, at least 22 people have been killed and over a hundred injured, though the government disputes these figures. President Rajoelina, who dissolved his cabinet last week, has refused to resign, saying he is open to dialogue but will not step down. Civil society groups have urged authorities to ensure the safety of demonstrators and release detained activists as public anger grows across the country.

Former Bangladesh cricket team captain Aminul Islam Bulbul has been elected unopposed as the President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The election took place on Monday (October 6) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a five-star hotel in Dhaka. Bulbul, who earlier won as a director from the district and divisional category, became president without any rival candidate. A total of 23 directors were elected from three categories — district and divisional representatives, Dhaka club representatives, and former cricketers or institutional nominees. Additionally, the National Sports Council nominated two directors: M. Isfak Ahsan and Yasir Mohammad Faisal Ashiq. Among the notable winners were Khaled Masud Pilot from the ex-cricketers’ category and several prominent cricket figures from different divisions. Bulbul’s unopposed victory marks a new chapter for the BCB under the leadership of a former national captain.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has emphasized that real and lasting peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Speaking amid Egypt’s ongoing mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas, Sisi said that a Gaza ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and the launch of a credible political process are essential steps toward long-term stability. Egypt has been hosting negotiations involving international mediators seeking to end the conflict. However, despite diplomatic efforts, Israeli attacks on Gaza continue, killing at least seven more Palestinians early Monday, including some who were collecting aid. Since the war began, Israeli strikes have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and injured over 169,000 others, with many still feared trapped under the rubble. Observers say Egypt’s strong statement underscores growing regional frustration over the prolonged violence and lack of progress toward a two-state solution.