What began as an act of frustration turned into a life-changing opportunity for Kishoreganj’s young autorickshaw driver, Rabbi. Earlier this month, he rented a microphone for 500 taka and roamed around his neighborhood shouting insults after repeated failures to secure a bank loan for his trip to Saudi Arabia. His video quickly went viral on social media, sparking laughter, debate, and eventually compassion. Following widespread media coverage, the Probashi Kallyan Bank contacted Rabbi and approved a loan of 200,000 taka. With the funds in hand, he is now set to fly to Saudi Arabia on October 30 to start a new job. Grateful for the unexpected turn of events, Rabbi apologized for his earlier actions and asked for everyone’s prayers. The bank confirmed the loan and encouraged other aspiring migrant workers facing financial struggles to seek official assistance.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has suspended Md. Reshad Khalifa, president of Ward No. 9 under the Chhotobaishdia Union BNP in Rangabali upazila, Patuakhali. The decision came after allegations surfaced that he ordered the forced shaving of five young men’s heads, including a student, during an arbitration session. A press release issued Monday night by the Union BNP stated that Reshad Khalifa’s position and all organizational activities have been suspended for violating party discipline and engaging in unethical activities against party ideals. The statement was signed by Union BNP President Md. Zakir Hossain Nowab Hawlader and General Secretary Md. Tariful Islam Tarek. Following the incident, which gained media attention through a report in Jugantor, the upazila administration formed a three-member inquiry committee led by the UNO Rajib Das Purkaystha. Locals have welcomed both administrative and party action, hoping for fair investigation and justice.

A small tourist aircraft flying along Kenya’s coast has crashed, raising fears that all 12 people on board have perished. According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the aircraft was en route to the private Kichwa Tembo airstrip near Masai Mara National Park when it went down early Tuesday morning, around 5:30 a.m. local time. The plane had departed from Diani, a popular tourist destination, before losing contact with air traffic controllers. Rescue teams and government agencies have rushed to the crash site to investigate the cause of the accident. While officials have not released further details, authorities have confirmed that all passengers were aboard the ill-fated flight. This tragedy comes just months after another deadly crash in August, when an Amref aircraft went down near Nairobi, killing six people and injuring two others.

Elon Musk has unveiled Grokipedia, an artificial intelligence-based online encyclopedia designed to rival Wikipedia. Developed under his AI startup xAI, Grokipedia operates through Musk’s AI chatbot Grok, which verifies and compiles all content without human editors or volunteers. According to Musk, this new encyclopedia is “vital for civilization” and offers information that aligns more closely with his right-leaning worldview. Reports from The Guardian suggest that much of Grokipedia’s content draws heavily from Wikipedia but reframes topics through a conservative perspective. For instance, articles discussing the January 6 Capitol Hill riot describe it as a “controversial protest” against alleged election irregularities, downplaying former President Donald Trump’s role in the violence. Critics have accused Grokipedia of spreading misleading or biased information, such as claims that pornography worsened the AIDS epidemic—an assertion widely disputed by journalists. Musk attributes the concept of Grokipedia to David Sacks, a former Trump administration official involved in AI and cryptocurrency policy. This launch reflects Musk’s ongoing criticism of mainstream media and Wikipedia’s editorial stance, promoting his social platform X as an alternative hub for “free thought” and information.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered immediate, large-scale air and ground attacks on Gaza following allegations that Hamas violated the ongoing ceasefire agreement. According to Israeli authorities, Hamas has failed to return the bodies of 13 Israeli hostages still believed to be trapped under rubble in Gaza, an act they describe as a direct breach of the truce. Hamas, however, stated that the recovery of those bodies requires heavy machinery and expert teams due to the extensive destruction in the area. Although Israel allowed limited humanitarian assistance for rescue efforts, the retrieval of all remains remains incomplete. Mediators—including U.S. officials and former President Donald Trump—had reportedly warned earlier that recovering the hostages’ remains from the ruins would be extremely difficult. Under the ceasefire deal, Hamas was supposed to return the bodies in exchange for Israel partially halting its military operations. With progress stalled, the situation has once again escalated sharply. Analysts believe Netanyahu’s renewed offensive may serve as a strategic response to justify continued military actions, further complicating peace prospects. Observers also fear the new strikes could severely worsen Gaza’s already dire humanitarian crisis.

Police in Laksam have arrested three members of a teenage gang accused of creating panic among locals while roaming the streets with locally made weapons, allegedly preparing for robbery and theft. The arrests were made on Tuesday afternoon in front of the Laksam Upazila Parishad gate. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Naznin Sultana of Laksam Police Station confirmed the matter in the evening. The detainees were identified as Kamrul Hasan Fahim (17), son of late Ershad Mia of Fatehpur area; Minhajul Abedin Naim (15), son of Abul Kalam of Dhamaicha area; and Ziadul Islam Hridoy (18), son of Sahidul Islam of Uttarkul area—all residents of Laksam Municipality. According to OC Naznin Sultana, locals became suspicious when they noticed several teenagers loitering near shops in front of the Upazila Parishad. Upon confronting them, the locals discovered the trio carrying sharp, locally made weapons. They were detained by the public and later handed over to the police. Police have initiated legal proceedings against the arrested individuals. The incident has heightened concerns over the growing presence of teenage gangs and their involvement in criminal activities in Laksam and surrounding areas.

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have signed an upgraded “3.0” version of their free trade agreement, aiming to deepen economic cooperation across infrastructure, digitalization, green transition, trade facilitation, and people-to-people exchange. The agreement was signed on October 28 during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Trade between China and ASEAN has steadily grown despite global trade tensions, reaching $785 billion in the first nine months of 2025, a 9.6% increase from last year. The rise reflects both industrial supply chain products and an increasing share of Chinese consumer goods in Southeast Asian markets. Officials expect the new agreement to broaden and enhance high-quality economic collaboration between the two regions.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Tauhid Hossain has stated that the government has taken legal steps to request the return of Sheikh Hasina following court directives, and the matter now awaits India’s response. Speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 28 October, he criticized Bangladeshi journalists who visited India, saying that when India’s Foreign Secretary emphasized the need for an inclusive and transparent election, no journalists asked critical questions regarding the last 15 years or the previous election formula. Hossain expressed surprise that senior and experienced journalists missed the opportunity to raise relevant issues. He also commented on the appointment of the new UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka, assuring that no candidate who could create controversy or problems would be appointed.

Dhaka Special Tribunal-2 has handed down a life imprisonment sentence to Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat, widely known as the “Casino King” and former president of Dhaka Metropolitan South Jubo League, in an arms-related case. The verdict was announced on Tuesday, 28 October, by Judge Md. Ibrahim Mia. Samrat remains absconding, and a warrant for his arrest has been issued. He was originally arrested on 6 October 2019 in Chauddagram, Comilla, by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), following which a raid at his Kakrail office uncovered large quantities of foreign liquor, pistols, and skins of rare wildlife. Earlier, he received a six-month sentence for possession of wildlife skins. The formal case was filed on 7 October 2019, and after investigation, a charge sheet was submitted in November 2020. The trial included testimony from 10 of 14 witnesses, with arguments concluded on 7 October 2025.

At the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, China clearly signaled its support for open trade and regional economic cooperation. Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the need to safeguard East Asia’s peace and stability, uphold free and multilateral trade systems, and reject protectionism—remarks widely seen as a subtle critique of U.S. high-tariff policies. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump signed new trade framework agreements with four countries but avoided meeting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who had offered dialogue to ease trade tensions. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reported that his meeting with Trump resulted in more favorable trade terms for Brazil, easing previous tensions. The China-led RCEP bloc, representing nearly 30% of global GDP, called for rapid expansion, while Europe and Japan expressed concern over China’s rare earth export controls affecting global supply chains. China’s message at ASEAN was clear: positioning itself as a global free trade advocate.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned Md. Moazzem Hossain, APS to Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, and Tuhin Farabi, PO to Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, over serious corruption allegations, including bribery, favoritism in contracts, and commission in procurement. The ACC’s intelligence unit found preliminary evidence, including irregular bank transactions, yet public investigation remains stalled more than seven months after the inquiry began. Investigators cite influence from powerful quarters and fear of repercussions as reasons for the delay. Both officials were removed from their posts earlier this year. Experts and activists have criticized the ACC’s slow response, noting a pattern of selective enforcement that targets opposition figures while high-profile individuals aligned with past governments face little action. Meanwhile, cases against former ministers and MPs have already progressed.

Pakistan is reportedly considering sending troops to Gaza as part of the proposed International Stability Force (ISF), a multinational peacekeeping mission backed by the United States to ensure stability in the war-torn region. According to Islamabad officials, talks between Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership are in advanced stages, and a formal announcement could come soon. The ISF, expected to comprise soldiers from Muslim-majority countries, aims to enforce a fragile ceasefire, disarm Hamas, secure Gaza’s borders, and assist in humanitarian relief under an interim Palestinian authority. The U.S. has denied plans to deploy its own troops but is engaging with Indonesia, the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Azerbaijan for contributions. Pakistani officials cite moral and diplomatic obligations as reasons for joining the mission, while Israel has opposed Turkish participation in the force.

Former England cricketer and long-time ICC match referee Chris Broad has accused the International Cricket Council of showing open favoritism toward India during his 21-year career. In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Broad claimed that he received direct phone calls instructing him not to impose penalties on the Indian team for offenses like slow over rates. He said that despite wanting to act impartially, he was pressured to overlook violations because of India’s influence in world cricket. Broad also alleged that similar interference occurred in matches led by former India captain Sourav Ganguly, suggesting deep-rooted politics within the ICC. Having officiated over 600 international matches since 2003, Broad said that working under such political and administrative pressure was one of his toughest challenges. His ICC contract was not renewed in 2024, ending more than two decades of service as an international match referee.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has announced that 13 Ansar members will be stationed at each polling center during Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. Four of them will carry firearms, while one armed member will be specifically assigned to protect the presiding officer. Speaking at a vehicle handover ceremony organized by the Bangladesh Ansar Welfare Trust in Khilgaon, Dhaka, he emphasized that this will be the largest deployment of Ansar personnel in any national election. The adviser noted that Ansar members will serve for nine days during the election period to ensure security and order. Praising their contribution, he said Ansar and VDP play a vital role in maintaining national peace and stability. Responding to a question about weapons looted during the July uprising, he said recovery operations are ongoing and intensifying as the election draws closer.

U.S. Senator Rick Scott has declared that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s rule is nearing its end, urging him to flee the country before it’s too late. In an interview with CBS, the Florida Republican warned that Maduro’s “days are numbered” and suggested he should seek refuge in Russia or China. Scott dismissed the likelihood of a U.S. military invasion but predicted that “something will happen—either internally or externally.” His comments came amid escalating regional tensions, following the arrival of a U.S. warship in Trinidad and Tobago and renewed pressure from the Trump administration on Venezuela. Earlier, President Donald Trump had authorized CIA operations in the country. Scott suggested that ousting Maduro could signal the eventual downfall of Cuba, a longtime adversary of U.S. influence. Meanwhile, Venezuela has accused Washington of trying to ignite a “new endless war” and deployed 5,000 Russian-made Igla-S missiles to boost its air defense.