A missile attack struck an oil tanker off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden on Saturday, igniting a massive fire aboard the vessel, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center. The incident occurred about 210 kilometers east of Aden while the ship, sailing under the flag of Cameroon, was en route from Sohar, Oman, to Djibouti. Maritime security firm Ambrey reported that the crew issued a distress call from about 60 nautical miles south of Yemen’s Ahwar coast, with rescue operations currently underway. Although the Houthi rebels have not claimed responsibility, the attack follows a series of similar strikes on Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea. Ambrey noted that the targeted tanker was not among the vessels usually attacked by the Houthis. Investigations into the cause and source of the missile are ongoing.

Teacher leaders of the “Nationalization Movement Unity Alliance” have expressed satisfaction following a meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. During the meeting, held on Sunday (October 19) at BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Fakhrul assured that if BNP assumes power, all MPO-listed private educational institutions will be nationalized. Following the discussion, Member Secretary Delwar Hossain Aziz said Fakhrul had listened carefully to their demands and had also consulted BNP’s financial advisor over the phone to discuss the teachers’ proposals and related fiscal issues. The teacher delegation proposed a 20% increase in house rent allowance as an interim measure. Aziz added that the BNP leader’s sincerity and attention to implementation had given new momentum to their ongoing movement for nationalization. The teachers also plan to form a broader political unity to urge the government to consider their demands.

The Delhi High Court has ruled that a financially independent or self-sufficient wife cannot claim permanent alimony under Section 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act. The bench, comprising Justices Anil Kshetrapal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, observed that permanent alimony is a measure of social justice, not a means of creating financial equality or redistribution of wealth between capable individuals. The ruling came while upholding a Family Court’s decision to dismiss a woman’s alimony claim and grant divorce to her husband, a lawyer. The wife, a senior Indian Railway Traffic Service officer, had demanded ₹50 lakh as a settlement. The court noted her substantial income and professional status, ruling that she was not entitled to financial support. The bench also cited evidence of the wife’s verbal and mental abuse toward her husband, affirming that the lower court’s decision was fair and legally justified.

Election Commissioner (EC) Anwarul Islam Sarkar stated that it is not legally possible to allocate the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) symbol as it does not appear in the Election Commission’s official list of approved electoral symbols. Speaking to journalists on Sunday (October 19) after attending a police training session in Sylhet Police Lines aimed at enhancing election-related duties, he emphasized that the upcoming national election faces no significant challenges. Anwarul confirmed that the election will be held before Ramadan and dismissed any possibility of irregularities similar to previous elections. He asserted that controversial individuals will not be appointed for election duties and reaffirmed the EC’s neutrality, stressing that the commission answers only to the law, not to any political party or individual. The event was also attended by senior police officials, including the Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner and the District Superintendent of Police.

An Iranian news agency, Mehr, has reported that hacker collective Handala has released the identities and personal information of 17 senior Israeli military scientists. The group described this act as an “unprecedented leak,” claiming these individuals—both men and women—are the core architects of Israel’s “Zionist war machine.” According to Handala, the scientists are not unknown employees but designers of weapons that have caused immense suffering and death among innocent civilians. The hackers published the confidential details as part of what they call a campaign for accountability and resistance against Israeli military aggression. As of now, Israeli authorities have made no official comment, and the authenticity of the leaked information has not been independently verified. The revelation has drawn significant attention amid ongoing cyber confrontations linked to the Israel–Iran conflict.

In Kishoreganj’s Hossainpur upazila, a young man named Sarowar Hossain Rabbi vented his frustration in an unusual way after failing to secure a loan to travel abroad for work. On Friday (October 17), Rabbi rented a loudspeaker and used vulgar language to verbally lash out at his community, recording and posting the video on Facebook. The clip went viral within hours. In the video, he claimed that despite months of effort to go to Saudi Arabia, he couldn’t arrange the required Tk 100,000, and local people sabotaged his loan applications by spreading negative remarks. He also alleged that officials at the Probashi Kallyan Bank demanded Tk 25,000 in bribes for loan approval. Later, Rabbi apologized in a Facebook post, explaining that his outburst came from desperation to secure a better future for his young son and family.

The United States witnessed massive nationwide protests under the banner “No Kings,” opposing former President Donald Trump’s alleged authoritarian behavior. Beginning at 11 a.m. in New York City, demonstrations quickly spread to over 2,500 locations across the country, drawing millions of participants. Organizers stated their mission is to resist “tyranny, corruption, and cruelty,” emphasizing that “America has no king.” The movement has now crossed the Atlantic, with solidarity rallies erupting in Berlin, Madrid, and Rome. Meanwhile, Republican-led states like Texas and Virginia have placed the National Guard on alert, citing potential unrest. Texas Governor Greg Abbott linked the protests to leftist Antifa groups—an accusation lacking evidence—while Democratic leaders criticized the deployment of troops as an act of repression. In Washington D.C., Senator Bernie Sanders addressed the main rally, joined by celebrities including Jane Fonda, Kerry Washington, and John Legend. Trump, responding to criticism, said, “I’m no king.”

A major fire broke out on Saturday afternoon at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, disrupting flight operations. Several domestic and international flights bound for Dhaka were diverted to Chattogram, Sylhet, and Kolkata. According to Muhammad Kausar Mahmud, Assistant Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, passengers on these flights will be flown back to Dhaka once the airport resumes operations. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism announced that flight operations are expected to restart from 9:00 PM. So far, eight flights have been diverted, including flights from Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Bangkok, Delhi, and Riyadh. Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Advisor to the Ministry, inspected the fire site and assured that the airport will reopen as soon as possible. Firefighters deployed 36 units to control the blaze. Passengers and airport operations are expected to normalize shortly.

Flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were temporarily halted after a fire broke out at the Cargo Village at 2:15 PM on Saturday, 18 October. The Fire Service and airport authorities responded quickly, bringing the fire completely under control. No casualties have been reported. An advisor from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is personally monitoring the situation, while the ministry coordinates with all relevant agencies to ensure smooth operations. All flights are scheduled to resume from 9 PM. An investigation into the cause of the fire has already begun, with measures planned to prevent similar incidents in the future. The ministry thanked passengers and the public for their patience and cooperation during the disruption.

A fire broke out at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, October 18, at 2:15 PM, prompting a swift response from the airport authorities and the Fire Service. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism confirmed that the fire has now been completely brought under control and that no casualties have occurred. Sheikh Bashiruddin, Advisor to the Ministry, personally monitored the situation at the airport, ensuring close oversight and coordination among all relevant agencies. Authorities are working to restore normal operations at the airport and maintain safety standards. The ministry has announced that an investigation into the cause of the fire will begin shortly. Measures will be taken to identify the origin of the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future. The coordinated efforts have been praised for containing the situation quickly and effectively.

A fire broke out at the Cargo Village of Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, October 18, prompting the deployment of 36 fire service units to control the blaze. Muhammad Kausar Mahmud, Assistant Director of Public Relations at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, stated that the fire is largely under control thanks to coordinated efforts. Meanwhile, Sarjis Alam, chief organizer of the northern region of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has raised concerns that these fire incidents are not isolated but part of a larger conspiracy. In a Facebook post, he criticized the interim government for failing to identify and punish the accomplices of authoritarianism, calling it one of its major shortcomings. Alam urged authorities to uncover the real causes behind the incidents, rather than relying on theatrical investigations, suggesting that these acts are aimed at creating instability in the country.

A Kremlin envoy has proposed constructing a 112-kilometer (70-mile) tunnel under the Bering Strait to connect Russia and the United States, potentially with the help of Elon Musk’s The Boring Company. The project, described as a “railway and freight connection,” aims to foster joint resource exploration and economic cooperation between the two nations. During a recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump called the idea “interesting,” though Zelensky expressed his disapproval. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, also suggested U.S.-Russia-China collaboration on Arctic hydrocarbon projects, highlighting growing opportunities as melting ice opens the region for mining and energy ventures. Dmitriev called the tunnel a “symbol of unity” and shared historic maps of a Cold War-era proposal for a similar project. The idea revives decades-old discussions of linking continents and enhancing global connectivity.

Russia has warned the United States and other foreign powers against establishing military bases in Afghanistan, emphasizing that the country should remain fully independent. Speaking in Samarkand during a CIS security and intelligence meeting, SVR Director Sergei Naryshkin stated that Afghanistan has long been a focal point of international interest, and ensuring no foreign military presence is crucial for both regional stability and the welfare of the Afghan people. Russia advocates for open, equal, and mutually beneficial dialogue and cooperation with Afghanistan, including plans for economically advantageous projects. Naryshkin called on all nations to adopt a similar approach, noting that genuine peace in Afghanistan is only possible through collective efforts. Russia had previously recognized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and lifted restrictions on Taliban activities, paving the way for full diplomatic and economic engagement with Kabul.

Iran has expressed serious concern over recent border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan and has offered to help ease tensions. During a phone conversation on October 18, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged both countries to exercise restraint, stop military confrontations, and resolve disputes through dialogue. He warned that continued tension could not only result in humanitarian losses but also threaten the stability of the entire region. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi briefed Araghchi on the situation, emphasizing that the Islamic Emirate prioritizes peaceful solutions over military action. The ministers also discussed the Helmand River water-sharing agreement, stressing adherence to existing treaties, technical cooperation, and joint management to prevent water wastage and ensure Iran receives its rightful share. Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral relations, maintain border security, prevent foreign interference, and continue close consultation for lasting peace and stability.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism that the Abraham Accords, which previously normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab nations, will soon expand to include Saudi Arabia. In an interview on Fox Business Network, Trump said many other countries are likely to follow once Saudi Arabia joins. He revealed that he recently held positive discussions with several nations showing interest in the agreement. The Abraham Accords were first signed in 2020 by the UAE and Bahrain, marking the first Arab-Israeli normalization in 25 years, with Morocco and Sudan joining later. Trump also met with Muslim and European leaders in Egypt to discuss Gaza’s future, suggesting his proposals could lead to a broader Middle East peace. He even hinted at the possibility of a future Iran-Israel peace deal, emphasizing that it could be a transformative step for the region.