The United States is preparing to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, focusing on critical sectors like banking and oil infrastructure, as part of efforts to pressure President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Officials involved in U.S. internal discussions say this move complements the European Union’s plan to use seized Russian assets for Ukraine’s defense fund. Washington is also exploring the possibility of deploying Russian assets held in the U.S. to support Kyiv. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing his role as a global peacemaker, admitted that ending the conflict has proven far more complicated than expected and said he would not meet Putin until a real prospect of peace emerges. Recent sanctions on Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft triggered global market reactions, with China reducing purchases and India halting them entirely, pushing oil prices higher.

The Gazipur–Airport Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, initiated in 2012, remains incomplete despite taking six times longer and costing four times more than similar projects worldwide. Officials from the caretaker government determined that the project suffered from a flawed corridor selection, resulting in nearly Tk 30 billion already spent. Due to these issues, the government has decided to discontinue the BRT plan, converting the corridor into a standard four-lane roadway for general traffic. Experts note that unnecessary flyovers and poor technical planning worsened congestion in this industrial route. A technical committee, led by a transport specialist, will conduct an overall assessment. The decision aims to prevent further financial losses, ease traffic, and avoid unsafe construction risks. Authorities also stress that those responsible should face legal accountability to prevent future mismanagement.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has updated its visa policy, now requiring citizens from 107 countries, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, to obtain a visa prior to entering the country. This extensive list also covers nations from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, aiming to streamline travel procedures and enhance security monitoring. Notable countries on the list include Afghanistan, Nigeria, the Philippines, Kenya, Vietnam, and several Caribbean and Pacific nations. Additionally, UAE authorities have temporarily imposed a ban on tourist and work visas for citizens of nine countries—Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Liberia, Benin, Congo, and Burundi—citing administrative and policy-related reasons. Officials emphasized that this is a temporary measure and may change after policy review. Travelers are strongly advised to check visa requirements before planning trips to the UAE to avoid disruptions.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that efforts to bring stability to the Gaza Strip are progressing rapidly, with an international peacekeeping force expected to be deployed soon. He made the announcement on October 25 after meeting Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during a refueling stop in Doha. Trump emphasized that the objective should be lasting peace and noted that Qatar is willing to contribute peacekeeping troops if needed. He issued a stern warning to Hamas, insisting that the bodies of hostages—including two Americans—be returned immediately, or there will be serious consequences. Trump highlighted that while returning some bodies may be challenging, others could be sent back easily, but Hamas is reportedly withholding them. He added that both sides will be treated fairly if they meet their responsibilities, and stressed close monitoring of developments in the next 48 hours.

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return to Bangladesh in November, ending years of exile in London since 2008. Multiple party sources confirmed his decision, citing his acquittal in ongoing legal cases, which removes any barriers to his return. The party has formed a security committee to coordinate with the government, and preparations include a bulletproof vehicle from Japan. Tarique Rahman is expected to stay at House No. 196 on Avenue Road, Gulshan-2, previously allocated to Khaleda Zia after Ziaur Rahman’s death in 1981. Party leaders emphasized his active role in candidate selection and election strategy, while BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia may decide on her participation depending on her health. Tarique Rahman’s return is seen as a pivotal move to energize the party ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an additional 10% tariff on goods imported from Canada, citing anger over a controversial “anti-tariff” advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan. The decision follows Canada’s alleged failure to remove the advertisement, which Trump called misleading and hostile. On social media, he emphasized that the new tariff would be added to existing duties due to what he described as Canada’s distorted information and unfriendly behavior. Earlier, Trump withdrew from trade negotiations with Canada, prompting Ontario Premier Doug Ford to suspend the ad’s broadcast in the U.S. while keeping it on air during the World Series games between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers. Currently, U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods average 35%, with 50% on metals and 25% on automobiles. The new measure is expected to add an extra 10 percentage points to these existing tariffs.

The National Consensus Commission has announced that its comprehensive recommendations on the methods and framework for implementing the July National Accord will be submitted to the government “very soon.” The announcement followed a detailed review meeting with experts on October 25, continuing discussions from previous sessions. Although 24 political parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, have signed the accord, some parties, including the National Citizens’ Party and four leftist parties, participated in dialogue but did not sign. Disagreements still exist regarding the implementation process and the possibility of a public referendum. The Commission, tasked with determining the implementation procedures, emphasized various proposals, including the issuance of a constitutional order. The meeting involved retired judges, legal experts, university faculty, and advisors, aiming to create a clear and actionable roadmap for the accord’s execution. No specific timeline for submission has been disclosed yet.

Russia’s nuclear envoy Mikhail Ulyanov has blamed Israel and the United States for complicating the ongoing Iran nuclear issue, ahead of the next IAEA Board of Governors meeting. He noted that, for the first time in a decade, discussions on Iran’s nuclear file will not be under the monitoring framework of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which recently lapsed. Ulyanov stated that the IAEA Director General will present only a report on Iran’s implementation of the Additional Safeguards Agreement, attributing this limited scope to aggressive U.S. and Israeli actions. The historic 2015 JCPOA had limited Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanction relief, but the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 and subsequent European mechanisms failed to deliver promised economic benefits. Ulyanov described the current situation as a direct consequence of these aggressive policies, further complicating Iran’s nuclear issue.

The National Consensus Commission has expressed its inability to present the draft order for implementing the July Charter, according to National Citizens’ Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain. Following a meeting on Saturday, Akhtar said the commission acknowledged it was preparing the order but could not yet share its contents. He welcomed the initiative as progress but voiced concern that the July Charter might become another symbolic document like the July Declaration if political pressure influenced the process. The NCP urged the commission to ensure transparency and inclusivity by sharing the draft before finalization. Akhtar emphasized that the NCP has been actively engaged in the national consensus process, striving to keep reform discussions within the mainstream political framework. He reiterated the party’s demand for a strong legal foundation for the July Charter to prevent it from turning into a hollow or deceptive political gesture.

The Trump administration has deployed the United States’ most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Caribbean Sea as part of its expanding campaign against drug cartels. According to the Pentagon, the move strengthens U.S. military presence and deterrence capabilities in the Western Hemisphere. The supercarrier, accompanied by stealth fighters, surveillance planes, and several warships, signals a potential escalation in military operations near Venezuela. President Donald Trump has hinted that the next phase of his campaign may involve strikes on land-based targets, though he has not specified any countries or locations. Pentagon officials say the deployment will enhance U.S. ability to detect and disrupt illicit activities threatening national security. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the move, accusing Washington of creating a “war-like situation.” Analysts suggest the deployment reflects growing U.S. pressure on Venezuela and its regional allies amid tightening anti-narcotics operations.

Iran, China, and Russia have jointly sent a letter to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, declaring that all provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 have expired as of October 18. The letter, announced by Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, also condemns the UK, France, and Germany’s attempt to trigger the snapback mechanism as illegal. According to Gharibabadi, the letter emphasizes that the IAEA’s verification and monitoring reports related to Iran, established under Resolution 2231 and the 2015 Board of Governors’ decision, should now cease. He noted that the relevant resolution required the issue to remain on the IAEA’s agenda for a maximum of 10 years or until a final comprehensive report was issued — whichever came first. Thus, from October 18, the matter should be automatically removed from the agency’s agenda, requiring no further action.

More than 20 pro-Ukraine nations have pledged to phase out Russian oil and gas from global markets to curb funding for President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts. Following the “Coalition of the Willing” summit in London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said allies are working to “cut off financing for Russia’s war machine.” The UK and US recently sanctioned Russia’s two biggest oil companies, while the EU targeted its LNG exports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that mounting pressure is the only way to stop the war, though no new missile supply deal was announced. U.S. President Donald Trump has declined to send Tomahawk missiles for now, while Putin warned of a “devastating” response if Russian territory is attacked. The EU will continue financial aid for Ukraine but has yet to decide on using €140 billion in frozen Russian assets.

A tragic accident occurred in Dhaka’s Farmgate area when a bearing pad from the metro rail structure fell and fatally struck a pedestrian. The incident happened around 12:30 PM near the Krishibid Institute, according to Tejgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mobarak Hossain. The deceased has been identified as Abul Kalam Azad, a resident of Naria upazila in Shariatpur. Witnesses reported that Azad was walking along the footpath when the heavy pad suddenly fell from above, killing him instantly. Police arrived promptly at the scene and have sent the body for post-mortem examination. Initial investigations suggest that the bearing pad, which helps control vibrations in the metro structure, detached during train movement. Authorities have temporarily suspended metro operations in the area and initiated an inquiry. The incident has raised nationwide concerns over metro rail safety and maintenance practices.

Malaysian police arrested around 50 demonstrators on Saturday night during a motorcycle convoy protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Kuala Lumpur. The protesters, many carrying Palestinian flags, chanted slogans such as “Malaysia, wake up—chase Trump away!” and condemned America’s pro-Israel policies. The arrests occurred near Menara Tabung Haji, about 100 meters from the U.S. Embassy, where police set up a checkpoint. Protesters were instructed to walk their motorbikes to the Jalan Tun Razak Police Station, where their vehicles were seized. A day earlier, about 700 demonstrators gathered outside the embassy with placards reading “Go Home Trump” amid heavy police presence, including the Federal Reserve Unit. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had earlier defended inviting Trump to the upcoming ASEAN summit, stating Malaysia would continue voicing concerns over atrocities in Gaza. Police have warned that another planned protest near Ampang Park MRT Station is not authorized.

A Bangladeshi woman named Chenuara Begum (35) was seriously injured after being hit by gunfire originating from across the Myanmar border in Teknaf’s Hoikyang area on Saturday evening. The incident took place near the zero line in the Lambabil village of Baghghona. Local sources said Chenuara, wife of Akhtar Hossain, was struck in the leg while returning home. She was initially taken to a nearby health center and later transferred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment. Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Ehshan Uddin confirmed the shooting and said communication with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is ongoing to ensure public safety. Residents report hearing frequent gunfire from the Mongdu region of Myanmar in recent days. Security sources indicate the clashes involve the Arakan Army and Rohingya armed groups, prompting heightened surveillance along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.