India is set to purchase five additional S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia, aiming to strengthen its air defense network and enhance national security. Senior Indian defense officials are scheduled to meet Russian counterparts this week to finalize whether the missiles will be jointly produced or directly purchased. Officials anticipate signing the deal during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit in early December. India also plans to involve the private sector to develop local maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities for the S-400 systems. The country has already received three systems under a $5.43 billion contract, with two more expected in 2026. The S-400s played a critical role during the May border conflict with Pakistan. Additionally, India intends to procure 200 km range R-27BV missiles to strengthen its Su-30MKI fighter fleet, while gradually boosting domestic defense manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative.

In a plot that sounds straight out of a movie, a jeweler in Manikganj staged a fake robbery at his own store to deceive everyone. Police said that 35-year-old shop owner Shubho Das of Abhi Jewellers, located in the Swarnakar Patti area, hired three men—Sohan, Amanat, and Sharif—for Tk 5 lakh to act out a robbery. On the night of October 4, the hired men entered the shop wearing caps, held Shubho at knifepoint, and took away 22 bhori (around 40 lakh taka worth) of gold ornaments. To make the act convincing, they even injured Shubho before fleeing. Locals rushed him to the hospital, believing it was a real attack. However, police investigation later revealed that Shubho had orchestrated the entire event. All four suspects were arrested from Shailipara, Pouli area, and police are now probing possible financial motives and other hidden agendas.

The price of gold in Bangladesh has surged to an all-time high, with 22-carat gold exceeding 200,000 taka per vori for the first time. The Bangladesh Jewelers Association (BAJUS) announced that starting Tuesday, October 11, the new rate for 22-carat gold will be 200,726 taka per vori, marking an increase of 3,150 taka within 24 hours. Other gold carats have also seen price hikes: 21-carat at 191,605 taka, 18-carat at 164,229 taka, and traditional method gold at 136,445 taka per vori. The rise is attributed to the increase in pure gold prices in the local market. Buyers are required to include a 5% government VAT and a 6% minimum labor cost, though labor charges may vary depending on design and quality. Silver prices remain unchanged with 22-carat silver at 3,628 taka per vori.

The admission test for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course in Bangladesh’s government and private medical colleges for the 2025-26 academic year will be held on December 12. The Ministry of Health, Education, and Family Welfare finalized the date in a meeting on Monday. Professor Rubina Yasmin, Additional Director General (Medical Education) of the Directorate General of Health Services, confirmed preparations are underway. The exam is being scheduled earlier than previous years due to the national parliamentary elections in February 2026 and the month of Ramadan. Bangladesh currently has 110 medical colleges, including 37 government colleges with 5,380 seats and 67 approved private colleges with 6,293 seats, along with one Armed Forces Medical College and five private army colleges. Last year’s exam was held on January 17, making this year’s test more than a month earlier.

A Ukrainian drone attack has caused widespread electricity disruption in Russia’s western Belgorod region, leaving nearly 40,000 residents without power as of Sunday evening, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. Hospitals are relying on generators to maintain essential services. The attack also injured at least three people, including a 10-year-old child. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported power disruptions in Lviv near the Polish border due to Russian strikes, claiming four civilians were killed. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that their operations target weapons factories and fuel infrastructure, asserting civilians are not their objective. Since autumn 2022, Russia has regularly attacked Ukraine’s energy facilities, with President Vladimir Putin previously declaring Ukraine’s energy infrastructure a strategic target following the Crimea Bridge bombing.

Liakat Ali, General Secretary of Jhilongja Union BNP in Cox’s Bazar Sadar, was critically injured after a violent attack at his home late Sunday night, October 5. Four youths on two motorcycles entered his house in the Link Road BSCIC industrial area, fired multiple shots, and attacked him with sharp weapons before fleeing. Locals rescued Liakat Ali and admitted him to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, later transferring him to Chittagong Medical College due to his worsening condition. Police are investigating, but no arrests have been made so far. BNP leaders allege the attack was orchestrated by local criminal Abdul Khalek in retaliation for Liakat Ali’s vocal opposition to extortion in the area. A security guard was also injured when attackers severed his leg tendon. Local BNP members staged road blockades and protests, demanding immediate arrest of the perpetrators within 24 hours.

On the eve of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) elections, outgoing president Aminul Islam addressed the media, emphasizing that whether the election is ideal or not will ultimately be decided by the Election Commission. Aminul, who assumed the presidency unexpectedly four months ago, highlighted the board’s visible progress during his short tenure. He denied any undue influence despite allegations that sports advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiya intervened in his favor. The election process has been marked by controversy, government scrutiny, candidate withdrawals—including Tamim Iqbal—and accusations of early voting, leaving little sense of real competition. Aminul maintained that his decision to run again is motivated solely by his commitment to Bangladesh cricket and stated that he respects the constitution and Election Commission rules, leaving non-participation or boycotts as a personal choice for others.

Three distinguished researchers—Mary Branco and Fred Ramsdell from the United States, and Shimon Sakaguchi from Japan—have been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their pioneering work on peripheral immune tolerance. This vital mechanism helps the immune system avoid attacking the body’s own cells or harmless external elements such as food components and beneficial gut bacteria. The announcement was made by Sweden’s Karolinska Institute in Stockholm at 3:30 PM Bangladesh time on Monday. The laureates will receive a medal, a certificate, and a total prize of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately 1.2 million USD or 146 million BDT), to be shared among them. The discovery has major implications for autoimmune disease treatment and immune regulation research, shaping the future of medical science.

The Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal has announced a one-day program on October 7 to mark the 6th martyrdom anniversary of Abrar Fahad, a talented and patriotic student of BUET’s Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department who was brutally killed by the ruling party’s student wing, Chhatra League. The announcement was made on October 5 by Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. As part of the program, a discussion session titled “From Expression to Death: The Spread and Resistance of Fascism in Educational Institutions” will be held at the TSC Auditorium of Dhaka University at 2:00 PM. On the same day, Milad and prayer gatherings will be organized across educational institutions nationwide, seeking forgiveness for Abrar Fahad’s soul. Top leaders have instructed all university and college branches to actively participate and ensure proper observance of the program.

In a newly released Gaza Government Media Office report marking two years since Israel began its military campaign on 7 October 2023, it is alleged that more than 200,000 tons of bombs and explosives were dropped on the densely populated enclave. Over 76,000 Palestinians are reported killed or missing, including more than 20,000 children and 12,500 women. Over 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure—homes, hospitals, schools, mosques—has been damaged or destroyed; 38 hospitals and 96 clinics are non-functional. More than 2 million people have been forcibly displaced, with many forced to move repeatedly under siege and aerial assault. The report accuses Israel of pursuing policies amounting to starvation, ethnic cleansing, and continuing genocide, citing repeated bombings even of “safe zones” like al-Mawasi. International agencies warn the enclave faces a collapse of basic services, famine, and mass suffering unless urgent action is taken.

A devastating school building collapse in Indonesia’s East Java province has left at least 50 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas). The collapse occurred as construction workers were adding a new floor to the existing structure without sufficient foundation support. Rescue operations are ongoing, with 18 people still missing. Around 60 percent of the debris has been cleared, though an adjacent building also collapsed, worsening the devastation. Teachers reported that authorities ignored structural warnings before the expansion project began. Emergency crews continue to search for survivors amid fears that the death toll could rise. The government has ordered a full investigation into the incident, focusing on safety violations and negligence in the school’s expansion project.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Malaysia for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties in trade, investment, education, tourism, and defense. He was received at Kuala Lumpur International Airport by Malaysia’s Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil with a formal guard of honor. On Monday, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will host an official welcome and hold talks at the Perdana Complex in Putrajaya. Both leaders are expected to witness the signing of five MoUs and one training-related Exchange of Note covering tourism, higher education, halal certification, anti-corruption, and SME development. Shehbaz will also present an Urdu translation of Anwar’s book “Script: For a Better Malaysia.” The visit will conclude with a business and investment conference expected to expand trade opportunities and deepen Malaysia–Pakistan strategic cooperation amid evolving regional and global challenges.

In an exclusive interview with BBC Bangla after almost twenty years, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman revealed his intention to return to the country soon and actively participate in the upcoming national elections. Speaking to BBC Bangla Editor Mir Sabbir and Senior Journalist Kadir Kallol, Rahman discussed BNP’s electoral strategy, his views on the ruling Awami League, and the state of democracy in Bangladesh. He stated that despite living abroad for 17 years, his “mind and spirit have always remained in Bangladesh.” Rahman claimed that previous governments had legally restricted his right to speak to the media, which limited his public communication. However, he asserted that he continued to engage with citizens through alternative means, including social media. Expressing optimism, he said the “time has come” for his return, affirming his commitment to stand with the people during the anticipated election.

The Teesta River has risen 20 centimeters above the danger level due to heavy rainfall and mountain runoff in India’s Sikkim and adjoining regions. The Water Development Board (WDB) reported that at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, water at the Teesta Barrage in Dalia was flowing at 52.35 centimeters, prompting the opening of all 44 sluice gates to control pressure. Authorities have issued loudspeaker warnings urging residents of low-lying areas in Lalmonirhat to move to safer ground. Locals have begun evacuating with livestock and valuables amid fears of prolonged flooding. Officials have also expressed concern about possible damage to the flood bypass road near the barrage. Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner H.M. Rakib Haydar said all five upazila executive officers have been instructed to remain alert and extend assistance to affected residents. Authorities remain on high alert as water levels continue to rise.

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Hamas and Israel to take swift action as both parties hold emergency peace talks in Egypt to end the Gaza conflict. In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said discussions with Hamas had been “positive” and involved several Arab and Muslim nations working toward a ceasefire and the release of hostages. He noted that strategic teams would reconvene Monday to finalize terms, hoping to conclude the first phase this week. Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump hinted that hostages could soon be freed, describing his plan as a “great deal” for Israel, the Arab world, and global peace. Meanwhile, Israel continued airstrikes in Gaza, including on Al-Mawasi, killing at least 24 people, despite Trump’s proposed peace roadmap.