Hamas, the Palestinian nationalist group, said it would disarm only if Israeli occupation ends and a sovereign Palestinian state is established. Senior spokesman Khalil al-Hayya said decisions about the movement’s weapons are tied to the presence of Israeli occupation and aggression. AFP reported Israel has demanded Hamas disarm as part of ending the two-year war, and the United States has made progress on a twenty-point plan conditional on surrendering arms. Al-Hayya said that if occupation ends, weapons could be transferred to a state authority, though he did not name one. Hamas also signalled it will not resume direct governance of Gaza after the conflict and rejected Western calls for fighters to disarm immediately. The group insists fighters would surrender arms only after an independent Palestinian state is formed and be integrated into its military. Separately, Hamas agreed to hand administration to a proposed technocratic committee but refused to relinquish weapons.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) will not be granted the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) symbol in the upcoming elections, as it is not listed in the current schedule of approved election symbols. Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced that the EC will issue a new public notice determining an alternative symbol at its discretion. He confirmed that the commission’s stance on the matter remains unchanged and that no new proposals have been received regarding the Shapla issue. Meanwhile, NCP’s northern regional chief organizer, Sarjis Alam, has warned that the party may take to the streets if denied the Shapla symbol. He claimed that legal experts see no obstacle to granting the emblem and criticized the EC’s decision as a threat to electoral independence. Alam added that if protests begin, NCP will also demand the reformation of the current Election Commission.

After a gap of two decades, Bangladesh and Pakistan held the long-awaited Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting on Monday, October 27, at the NEC Conference Room in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, while Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Parvez Malik headed the Pakistani side. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing trade volume, and promoting cooperation in key sectors including agriculture, information technology, food processing, aviation, and maritime transport. Both sides emphasized the revival of SAARC as part of broader regional cooperation. A key outcome was the signing of an agreement between BSTI and Pakistan’s PHA, allowing mutual recognition of halal certifications, which is expected to boost exports of halal products. Pakistan also expressed keen interest in importing Bangladesh’s famous jute products. The leaders expressed optimism that the renewed collaboration will benefit both nations economically and strategically.

The interim government has clarified that ongoing reform and policy formulation initiatives will continue beyond November, refuting earlier remarks made by Information Advisor Mahfuz Alam. In a statement released on Monday, October 27, the government explained that Mahfuz’s comments during the “Meet the Reporters” event at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Sunday caused some confusion in the media. Contrary to Mahfuz’s claim that the reform and policy work must be completed by November, the official statement affirmed that reform activities are in full swing and will remain active. The chief adviser’s press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, shared the statement on his verified Facebook page. The clarification aims to reaffirm the government’s commitment to continued reforms, even as the advisory council’s activities may slow down closer to the election period.

Global scientists are closely monitoring a newly discovered asteroid named ‘2024 YR4’, which is projected to pass near Earth in December 2032. Though the probability of impact is relatively low at 2.1 percent, the potential consequences are catastrophic if it strikes. Measuring between 130 and 300 feet in diameter, the asteroid could release energy equivalent to 8 million tons of TNT—about 500 times stronger than the Hiroshima bomb—affecting areas within a 50-kilometer radius. Possible impact zones include parts of South America, the Pacific Ocean, South Asia, the Arabian Sea, and Africa, with Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and several others on the watchlist. NASA’s Catalina Sky Survey and the United Nations Planetary Defense Protocol are tracking the object. Experts assure that if the impact threat increases, there will be enough time to evacuate populations and possibly alter its course using kinetic impact technology tested in NASA’s DART mission.

In a groundbreaking achievement for Bangladesh’s medical sector, doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital have successfully performed the country’s first Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) battery replacement surgery. The operation was led by Professor Dr. Zahid Raihan, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery, on Monday, October 27. The patient, 39-year-old Zakir Hossain, had his DBS system originally implanted in 2017 to treat a movement disorder. The replaced device was a non-rechargeable battery type. The procedure was conducted during a special workshop organized by Credible Solution, the authorized distributor of Beijing PINS Medical in Bangladesh. PINS Medical is one of the world’s leading companies in DBS technology. Experts believe this milestone marks a major step forward in providing advanced neurological treatments within the country, reducing the need for patients to seek such complex interventions abroad. DBS is widely used to treat Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and other movement disorders.

A tragic incident at Rajshahi University has sparked widespread protests after Sociology student Saima Hossain died while swimming in the university pool on Sunday evening (October 26). The Physical Education Department’s acting director, Rokhsana Begum, initially claimed that Saima’s death resulted from a heart attack. However, students rejected this explanation, alleging negligence by the university administration, Physical Education Department, and Medical Center. Tension escalated across the campus as students organized processions and a sit-in in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, demanding a fair investigation and justice for Saima. Protest leaders, including RUCSU Vice President Mostakur Rahman Zahid and General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar, accused the administration of delaying their response and failing to ensure safety and medical preparedness. They called for accountability, safety reforms at the swimming pool, and improvement of emergency healthcare facilities on campus.

In a shocking sequence of events, a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet and an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter crashed within only thirty minutes over the South China Sea on Sunday afternoon. Both aircraft had launched from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which is currently returning to Washington State’s Naval Base Kitsap after completing its final mission. According to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the two pilots of the Super Hornet ejected safely, while three crew members from the Seahawk were quickly rescued. All five servicemen are reported to be in stable condition. The Navy has begun a detailed investigation into the causes of both incidents. The Nimitz, one of the oldest operational U.S. aircraft carriers, had previously been deployed to the Middle East in response to Houthi attacks on commercial vessels. This is not the first such accident aboard a U.S. Navy carrier.

A violent clash broke out late Sunday night between students of Daffodil International University and City University in the Khagan area of Ashulia, Savar, following allegations of an attack by City University students on their Daffodil counterparts. The conflict reportedly began after an incident of indecent behavior involving a Daffodil student near a building called “Bachelor Paradise.” The altercation escalated around 9 PM when around fifty City University students allegedly attacked the area with local weapons and bricks. The situation worsened as fires were set on the City University campus, with several vehicles, including buses and a private car, torched. Over fifty students from both universities were injured as crude bombs exploded and chaos spread. Despite the hours-long unrest, witnesses claimed police assistance was delayed. Law enforcement later deployed teams to restore order, and authorities stated that the situation is now under control.

In a groundbreaking achievement for Bangladesh’s medical sector, doctors have successfully implanted an artificial heart valve using the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure—without performing open-heart surgery—for the first time in the country. The operation was carried out at Lubana General Hospital and Cardiac Center in Uttara on a 60-year-old patient suffering from liver cirrhosis, for whom traditional open-heart surgery was deemed too risky. During a press conference, Professor Dr. Md. Aslam Hossain, Chairman of the Cardiac Department at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, announced the success. The valve was inserted through the patient’s groin artery using a catheter, based on detailed CT and echocardiogram analyses. Dr. Hossain noted that previously, Bangladeshi patients had to travel abroad for such procedures. The successful TAVI operation marks a new milestone in the country’s cardiovascular treatment capabilities. The patient is now recovering well and walking normally.

A tragic accident occurred on Sunday noon (October 26) when a bearing pad from the Farmgate Metro Rail station fell, killing a pedestrian. Investigations reveal that concerns over the quality of these bearing pads had already been raised in 2020 by BUET’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. Their tests found that some imported pads used in the Uttara-Agargaon section of the Metro Rail project failed to meet safety standards. The rubber-based pads, supplied by the Italian-Thai Development Company, play a crucial role in maintaining the structure’s balance and durability. Despite warnings and test results, reports suggest that defective pads were used in parts of the construction, potentially endangering public safety. BUET experts had cautioned that poor-quality pads could cause structural instability. Authorities now face criticism for negligence and lack of timely replacement despite early red flags.

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.