Eight political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Khelafat Majlis, have demanded that a national referendum be held by November. On Thursday (October 30), leaders and activists from these parties gathered in front of the Election Commission (EC) to submit a memorandum to Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal. The demonstration was part of their campaign for a five-point demand centered on implementing the “July National Charter” and organizing a referendum within November. During a brief rally, the leaders urged the EC to ensure a fair and equal environment for all political parties in the upcoming national election. They warned that if the EC fails to meet their demands, it would face the same loss of credibility as the previous commissions. Later, a delegation of senior leaders entered the EC office at noon to formally submit the memorandum. The parties’ five-point demand includes: implementing the July National Charter, holding a referendum by November, introducing proportional representation in parliament, ensuring a level playing field, prosecuting corruption and oppression under the current government, and banning activities of the ruling alliance and its associates.

In a dramatic policy shift, U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time since 1992. Citing the need to keep pace with rival powers like Russia and China, Trump announced the decision on social media ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. He claimed the U.S. nuclear arsenal remains the largest and most advanced in the world, followed by Russia and then China, which he described as “far behind.” The United States halted nuclear testing in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush, marking the symbolic end of the Cold War era. However, Trump emphasized that he had already modernized America’s nuclear stockpile during his first term, arguing that the decision to resume testing was unavoidable despite acknowledging the “immense destructive power” of such weapons. Trump’s announcement came shortly after he criticized Russia for testing a nuclear-powered missile, signaling a stark reversal from long-standing U.S. policy. Warning that China could achieve nuclear parity within five years, Trump said the testing process would begin “immediately,” though he provided no operational details. The Nevada Test Site, where the last U.S. test was conducted, remains under government control.

Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul stated that the Chief Adviser will soon make a final decision on the proposed referendum as intense disagreement persists among political parties. Speaking at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Thursday (October 30), he described the ongoing discord as disappointing, especially after 270 days of dialogue among parties. Nazrul noted that the initial disputes were about the agenda, but now divisions over the referendum have intensified tensions. He revealed that the issue was discussed in the Advisory Council meeting. The law adviser also warned that if any political party tries to impose its stance unilaterally on the government, it would undermine the spirit of July’s unity. He reaffirmed that the national election will be held in the first half of February and emphasized that maintaining a peaceful environment is a shared responsibility of both the government and political parties.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has asserted that the current interim government lacks the constitutional authority to give legal status to the “July Charter.” Speaking at a press conference on Thursday (October 30) at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka, Fakhrul said that any executive order must be signed by the President, and therefore the interim administration cannot provide legal legitimacy to such a document. He described the year-long activities of the Reform Commission and the National Consensus Commission as meaningless, terming them a waste of time and an act of deception against the nation. Fakhrul alleged that the commission’s proposals and recommendations are one-sided and being imposed on the people without proper political consensus. He also claimed that some agreed-upon clauses were secretly altered. The BNP leader further criticized the clause stating that the commission’s recommendations would automatically become part of the constitution within 270 days, calling it undemocratic. Senior BNP leaders, including Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman, Salahuddin Ahmed, and Maj (Retd.) Hafizuddin Ahmed, were present at the press conference.

Israel’s government has approved the construction of 1,300 new homes in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, located south of occupied East Jerusalem, according to Israeli media outlet Channel 14. The decision was reportedly made unanimously by Israel’s Special Planning and Building Committee earlier this week. The new housing plan, centered in the Har Harushim area near Alon Shvut, includes residential buildings, schools, public facilities, parks, and a large commercial center meant to serve surrounding settlements. The approval comes amid renewed international criticism of Israel’s settlement activities. U.S. President Donald Trump recently commented that Israel was “not taking any action” in the West Bank, despite ongoing developments that contradict his statement. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been accelerating settlement expansion ahead of next year’s Knesset elections, aiming to establish facts on the ground that hinder the creation of a future Palestinian state. Since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government took office in late 2022, approximately 48,000 settlement units have been advanced in the West Bank, averaging about 17,000 units annually. The United Nations has repeatedly condemned Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories as illegal under international law and a serious threat to the two-state solution.

The Ministry of Social Welfare has launched a technology-driven initiative to update the list of senior citizens receiving allowances under its social safety programs, describing it as a milestone for the caretaker government. Advisor Sharmin S. Murshid emphasized that for the first time, an accurate and transparent database will identify genuine beneficiaries through verification, biometric registration, and the Proxy Means Test (PMT) score. The project, currently piloted in eight upazilas including Mehendiganj, Shyamnagar, Tahirpur, Gouripur, Taraganj, Niamatpur, Ramgarh, and Kapasia, aims to eliminate irregularities and ensure that only eligible elderly citizens receive the allowances. The exercise will gradually expand nationwide, allowing the government to strengthen administrative capacity, maintain financial transparency, and provide timely social safety benefits to millions of senior citizens. Officials, beneficiaries, and local administrators participated in discussions via Zoom.

Hurricane Melissa, described by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as the most powerful and slow-moving storm of the century, has left a trail of destruction across Jamaica and is now heading toward Cuba. The Category 5-equivalent hurricane made landfall near New Hope in southwestern Jamaica with wind speeds reaching 185 miles (295 km) per hour. Prime Minister Andrew Holness confirmed severe damage to hospitals, homes, and infrastructure, especially in the St. Elizabeth region, where widespread flooding has submerged entire communities. Over 500,000 people remain without electricity. The WMO reported that rainfall could reach up to 700 millimeters in some areas, raising the risk of catastrophic floods and landslides. So far, at least seven deaths have been confirmed across the Caribbean—three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns that Melissa maintains Category 4 intensity as it approaches southern Cuba, bringing threats of life-threatening winds, storm surges, and heavy rainfall. Cuban authorities have begun mass evacuations and placed disaster response teams on maximum alert.

Hurricane Melissa, a Category-5 storm packing winds up to 250 km/h, has battered the Caribbean, leaving at least seven people dead—three in , three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic. The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned of catastrophic flooding, landslides, and storm surges that have submerged coastal regions and disrupted communication networks. More than 1.5 million people have been directly affected, according to the Red Cross. Jamaica has suffered severe power and communication outages, prompting the government to launch emergency operations and an online aid portal. Cuba has begun evacuating coastal residents as Melissa approaches its shores, expected to make landfall early Wednesday. Meteorologists attribute the storm’s extreme intensity to rising sea temperatures driven by climate change, signaling a deepening humanitarian crisis for the entire Caribbean region.

The Parents’ Unity Forum has called on the government to introduce a fully lottery-based admission system for all classes in private educational institutions, especially at the school level, for the 2026 academic year. In a joint statement, the organization’s president, valiant freedom fighter Md. Ziaul Kabir Dulu, and general secretary Md. Selim Mia said that implementing lottery-based admissions would make the process transparent, accountable, and free from irregularities, discrimination, and corruption. They emphasized that it would also protect young students from the stress and financial burden of admission coaching. The leaders warned that reinstating admission tests would revive the coaching business and increase pressure on parents. They further demanded the cancellation of all quotas, including those under the Education Ministry, to ensure fairness and remove controversy from the admission process. The Forum also urged authorities not to impose excessive admission fees on students.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has announced that individuals involved in extortion, looting, harassment of ordinary citizens, or those affiliated with fascist and terrorist groups will not be allowed to join the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Speaking as the chief guest at the Narsingdi District BNP’s membership drive program held on Wednesday (October 29) at the Heritage Resort Auditorium in Madhabdi, Rizvi emphasized the need to transform the BNP into a well-organized and ideology-driven political force representing all segments of society. He stated that teachers, professionals, rickshaw-pullers, small traders, and common citizens should join BNP to build it as a true party of the people. Rizvi reaffirmed that under the leadership of Tarique Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia, the BNP would continue to move forward despite conspiracies to divide it. The event was presided over by Narsingdi District BNP President and Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon, with General Secretary Manjur Elahi conducting the session. Hundreds of leaders and activists from various levels attended. Leaders at the program stressed that the ongoing membership campaign will strengthen the party at the grassroots and that the people's participation will be BNP’s greatest strength.

At least 100 Palestinians were killed overnight in renewed Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, according to hospital and civil defense sources. The attacks, launched between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, reportedly targeted residential areas, refugee shelters, and makeshift tents, killing at least 91 people initially, later confirmed to have risen above 100, including 35 children. Gaza’s hospital authorities said emergency medical teams continue to treat hundreds of wounded civilians amid severe shortages of medical supplies. The strikes have been widely condemned as a violation of the fragile ceasefire agreement. International calls for intervention to protect Palestinian civilians have grown louder, as global organizations and governments urge Israel to halt the bombardment. U.S. President Donald Trump commented that Israel “retaliated after a soldier’s death,” but claimed the response “would not endanger the ceasefire.” He also urged Hamas to “act responsibly.” The latest escalation follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s direct order for intensified operations after a gunfire exchange in Rafah killed an Israeli soldier. Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have reportedly killed around 70,000 Palestinians and injured over 170,000, underscoring the catastrophic humanitarian toll of the conflict.

Bangladesh’s National Consensus Commission has announced a detailed 315-day timeline for forming a bicameral legislature, introducing an upper house based on proportional representation (PR). According to the commission’s recommendations, elected parliament members must amend the constitution within 270 days of the first session to incorporate the July Charter reforms. If they fail to do so, the proposed provisions will automatically become part of the constitution. Within 45 days thereafter, a 100-member upper house will be established under the PR system. At a press briefing held on October 28 at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, commission vice-chairman Professor Ali Riaz explained the three-phase implementation plan. The first phase involves immediate government actions through ordinances; the second covers changes achievable via administrative orders; and the third outlines constitutional reforms requiring parliamentary and public approval. The commission also advised the government to hold a referendum seeking citizens’ consent on 48 constitutional issues included in the July Charter 2025. Once approved, the 13th Parliament will function simultaneously as the National Assembly and the Constitution Reform Council for 270 days to execute necessary legal amendments.

A violent clash erupted last Monday between students of Daffodil International University (DIU) and City University in Savar over a trivial incident, leading to arson, vandalism, and looting. According to DIU authorities, City University students allegedly detained and brutally tortured several Daffodil students. At a press conference held on Tuesday at DIU’s Smart City Hall, Vice-Chancellor Professor Aminul Islam strongly condemned the violence and announced a six-member investigation committee that will submit a report within seven working days. He demanded immediate justice for the victims and punishment for those responsible. The clash reportedly began after a minor altercation between two students near Bachelor’s Paradise in Khagan, Savar. The situation escalated rapidly, resulting in Daffodil students attacking City University’s campus later that night, vandalizing multiple offices and setting at least ten vehicles ablaze. The rampage continued until early morning, injuring more than 200 people. While the area remains under tight police surveillance, residents expressed deep concern about the violence. City University has remained eerily quiet since declaring a four-day closure. Although City University has not released an official statement, it has reportedly demanded Tk 25 crore in damages from Daffodil University.

In an exclusive interview with Jugantor, Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, Muhajir Farahi, firmly rejected claims that India is Kabul’s “regional boss,” emphasizing that the Taliban government maintains an independent foreign policy guided by Islamic and national values. Farahi stated that Afghanistan wants friendly relations with all neighboring countries, including Pakistan, Iran, China, and Bangladesh, while refusing to be drawn into regional rivalries. Addressing the recent Pakistan–Afghanistan border conflict, Farahi accused Pakistan’s military of violating Afghan airspace and attacking civilians but stressed that Kabul seeks peaceful solutions. He dismissed Islamabad’s claims that the Taliban shelters Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), calling it “Pakistan’s internal problem.” Farahi also defended Taliban governance, saying Sharia-based laws are implemented fairly through qualified judges. On economic issues, he said Afghanistan now runs on domestic revenue without foreign aid and has achieved major success by eliminating opium cultivation. Farahi further expressed optimism about improving ties with Bangladesh, describing it as a “brotherly Muslim nation.” Regarding India, he reiterated that cooperation does not imply subordination. “No one dictates our policies,” he said, adding that Afghanistan wants harmony with all regional powers.

A Union Volunteer Party leader, Masud Sheikh (46), died following a violent attack in Kalia upazila of Narail. Masud, serving as the Member Secretary of Babra-Hachla Union’s Volunteer Party, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday morning (October 28) while undergoing treatment at Khulna Medical College Hospital. The assault occurred on Monday night (October 27) in Shukta village, after a dispute erupted during a local Ha-du-du (Kabaddi) game. Despite an initial settlement by influential locals, Masud was later ambushed and beaten with local weapons and hammers by rival group members while returning home. His brother alleged that the attack was carried out under the leadership of Sujon Khan (18) because Masud had opposed local drug dealings. Police have deployed additional forces to maintain order, and an investigation is underway. The body has been sent for autopsy at Khulna Medical College morgue.