Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, member of BNP’s National Standing Committee, emphasized that whether a political party signs the July Charter is entirely its own decision. Speaking on Friday morning at an event organized by the newly formed convening committee of the Diploma Medical Association of Bangladesh (DIMAB), he paid tribute at Ziaur Rahman’s grave. Dr. Zahid highlighted the sacrifices and participation of countless citizens, warning that hesitation or doubt over the July Charter could jeopardize Bangladesh’s credibility on the global stage. He stressed that since the state has undertaken the responsibility of signing and implementing the charter, no disagreement should arise, and all parties should participate. He also cautioned that refusal to sign could create uncertainty and concern among the public. Today, the July National Charter signing ceremony is scheduled at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building, with top leaders of various political parties attending, though the NCP will not participate.

Hamas, the Palestinian resistance movement, has stated that it cannot immediately return the bodies of the remaining hostages due to the absence of specialized machinery needed to remove rubble caused by Israeli airstrikes. Many of the bodies are reportedly trapped inside destroyed tunnels or buried beneath collapsed buildings. The group emphasized its commitment to the Gaza agreement and its willingness to hand over all hostages’ remains but blamed Israel for the delay, saying the necessary equipment is being blocked from entering Gaza. Last Monday, Hamas returned 20 living hostages along with the bodies of four deceased hostages. The Red Cross confirmed that 45 Palestinians who died in Israeli custody were also returned to Gaza. Israel and Hamas had agreed to implement the first phase of a U.S. peace plan, which included transferring all remaining hostages, but delays have led Israel to limit humanitarian aid and postpone reopening the Rafah border crossing.

Sujan Chandra, a student of the 2022-2023 batch in the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Rajshahi University, has been elected as an executive member of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU). Contesting from the combined student alliance panel supported by the student wing, Sujan received the highest number of votes in the election. The official results were announced on Friday, October 17, at 8:30 AM by Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. F. Nazrul Islam at the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium. Sujan, who hails from Ghoraghat Upazila in Dinajpur District, stated that his decision to join the panel was inspired by its strong principles and commitment to humanitarian values. “The student wing focuses on student-friendly initiatives and education-driven programs. Being elected from this platform is an honor, and I am deeply grateful to them,” he said.

As a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect, displaced Palestinians are cautiously returning to their homes in Gaza, including areas like Jabalia, Sheikh Radwan, and Abu Iskandar. Amid the rubble, many are discovering unexploded Israeli “explosive robots,” which remain silent but highly dangerous. First deployed in Jabalia refugee camp in May 2024, these armored, remote-controlled vehicles filled with explosives have caused widespread destruction in northern Gaza, destroying hundreds of residential buildings daily. Civil defense officials report that the blast radius can reach up to 500 meters, leaving severe infrastructural damage. Survivors recount terrifying experiences of being buried under rubble within seconds of explosions. Human rights monitors have condemned the use of such weapons in densely populated areas as “war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Health experts warn that toxic gases and heavy metal smoke released from explosions are causing severe respiratory and neurological problems among the affected population.

A massive fire that broke out in the warehouses of Adams Caps and Textile Limited and Zhihong Medical Company in Chittagong’s Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) has been brought under control after nearly 17 hours. The fire, which began around 2:00 pm on Thursday, spread rapidly due to highly flammable materials stored in the warehouses. Twenty-five units, including 23 from the Fire Service and two from the Air Force and Navy, joined the firefighting operation, with additional support from the Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). A firefighting robot was also deployed to spray water automatically on the flames. Preliminary reports indicate the fire originated in the top-floor warehouse. While the fire is under control, authorities caution that complete extinguishment will take more time. The incident has caused significant concern over industrial safety standards in the zone.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to the Palestinian nationalist group Hamas, stating that if they continue killing civilians in Gaza, he would be “forced to eliminate” them. This warning comes amid reports of renewed clashes between Hamas and Israel-backed local groups, following a two-year ceasefire that began on October 10. The prolonged conflict has left Gaza in ruins, with roughly 70 million tons of debris reported by the United Nations — equivalent to 13 pyramids. Official Gaza media report that many bodies and unexploded bombs remain buried under the rubble. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli attacks have continued, claiming additional Palestinian lives. In a social media post on October 16, Trump reiterated that any violation of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas would compel the U.S. to take decisive action. No specific incidents or evidence were cited to support his warning.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) have successfully solved the high-profile theft of 500 vori of gold jewelry from Shampa Jewellers in Malibagh’s Fortune Shopping Mall, just days after the incident. Three gang members were directly involved: two entered the building using a rope while wearing burqas, and one waited below on a motorcycle. After stealing the jewelry, they fled and divided it among themselves. Utilizing advanced investigative techniques, the DB identified the main suspects and conducted nationwide operations, arresting four members. Over 150 vori of gold were recovered from one member’s home, along with additional gold and cash from others. The theft, reported on the night of October 8, involved breaking the store’s shutter and stealing jewelry from display cases. Police credit the prompt recovery as a major success, preventing the gang from selling the stolen gold. A detailed briefing will follow at a DB press conference.

On October 15, 2025, President Donald Trump confirmed that he has authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert operations within Venezuela. This decision follows a series of U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean targeting vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking, resulting in at least 27 fatalities. Trump cited two primary reasons for the authorization: the release of prisoners into the United States and the influx of drugs from Venezuela. While he did not specify if the CIA's mandate includes actions against President Nicolás Maduro, the U.S. has offered a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest. In response, Venezuela has appealed to the United Nations Security Council, labeling the U.S. strikes as illegal and a violation of its sovereignty. The situation has led to heightened tensions, with both nations mobilizing military forces in the region.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem declared that neither Israel nor the United States would ever be able to defeat the Lebanese resistance movement. In a message addressed to participants of the “Al-Sayyid Generation” scouting rally, Qassem praised the young scouts as “the bright soldiers of Imam Mahdi” and lauded their role in strengthening Hezbollah’s legacy of resistance. He emphasized that Lebanon’s identity and freedom were built upon the sacrifices of its martyrs and vowed that the group would continue to stand firm against what he described as occupation and oppression. Qassem also reaffirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to Palestine and Jerusalem, calling them symbols of justice guiding the region’s struggle. He concluded by urging perseverance through sacrifice, promising that Hezbollah’s flag would remain “high and unbroken.”

After a long phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans for a face-to-face meeting in Budapest, Hungary. Trump described the call as “tremendously productive,” claiming major progress toward ending the “disgraceful” Russia-Ukraine war. The announcement came a day before Trump’s scheduled White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is expected to seek U.S. approval for Tomahawk missile supplies. This upcoming Budapest summit will mark Trump’s second meeting with Putin since beginning his second term in January. Both leaders agreed to direct discussions, while top officials from the U.S. and Russia are set to hold preliminary talks next week. The Kremlin confirmed a “frank and trustful” phone exchange and said preparations for the summit are underway, signaling a potentially pivotal moment in future diplomatic efforts over the Ukraine conflict.

The holy month of Ramadan in 2026 is expected to start on February 19 in the Middle East, according to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, president of the Emirates Astronomical Society. Speaking to Al Arabiya, he said the crescent moon of the Hijri year 1447 will appear on February 17 but set just one minute after sunset, making it invisible to the naked eye. As a result, Ramadan will begin the following day, on February 19, and Eid al-Fitr will likely be celebrated on Friday, March 20. Fasting hours during early Ramadan will last around 12 hours, gradually increasing to 13 by the end of the month. Saudi Arabia’s moon-sighting committee will meet on February 18, though it often relies on the Umm al-Qura calendar. As Ramadan usually begins a day later in Bangladesh, the country is expected to start fasting on February 20 and celebrate Eid al-Fitr on March 21.

Interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that last year’s July–August student and public uprising had no single mastermind or foreign involvement. During cross-examination on October 16 in a case over the killing of six people in Dhaka’s Chankharpul, Asif said 58 coordinators jointly launched the anti-discrimination student movement after the quota system verdict on June 5, 2024. He asserted that all coordinators held equal status and used Facebook and WhatsApp for communication. Asif also denied any political or foreign influence, saying protesters self-funded the movement. Recalling the Chankharpul shooting on August 5, he testified that police opened fire, killing six protesters, and alleged that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the then Home Minister, senior police officials, and Awami League leaders were responsible. Eight former DMP officials are now facing trial, with four in custody and four reportedly absconding.

In a significant diplomatic meeting held in Kabul, senior Iranian and Taliban officials discussed enhancing security cooperation and ensuring stability along their shared border. The talks, reported by Mehr News on Friday, included Iran’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Alireza Bikdeli, Director-General for South Asia at Iran’s Foreign Ministry Mohammad Reza Bahrami, and Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. The meeting focused on countering cross-border drug trafficking, preventing illegal movements, and reinforcing coordination mechanisms between Iran and Afghanistan. Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining border stability and continuing dialogue to resolve emerging issues through mutual understanding and respect. The Iranian delegation called for sustained cooperation to promote peace and regional stability, while Haqqani reaffirmed the Taliban’s commitment to fostering strong, respectful relations with neighboring countries, particularly Iran. The meeting marks another step in regional efforts to balance security and diplomacy in post-withdrawal Afghanistan.

Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has declared the beginning of a “New Bangladesh” following the signing of the Historic July National Charter 2025. The signing ceremony, held on Friday at 5 p.m., marked a major political milestone, with representatives from various political parties joining in the event. Before the signing, the national anthem was performed at 4:37 p.m. In his remarks, Professor Yunus stated that this Charter symbolizes a new era of transformation made possible by the people’s and students’ uprising. He described the moment as the “second phase of the mass movement,” emphasizing that the nation is discarding old practices and embracing a new framework for governance and democracy—from Parliament to state administration. Yunus expressed optimism that the reforms will lead the nation forward, saying, “Today marks our rebirth; through this signature, we begin a new Bangladesh.”

The National Citizens Party (NCP) chose not to attend the signing ceremony of the July Charter 2025, held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. Earlier, the party announced in a statement that it would refrain from joining the event, arguing that the signing lacked any legal foundation and was merely a symbolic formality. NCP emphasized that without a clear legal basis, the initiative could turn into another one-sided document like the “July Declaration.” However, the party appreciated the Consensus Commission’s decision to extend the timeframe and confirmed that it would participate in future proceedings to express its stance. The ceremony began at 4:30 PM with the national anthem, attended by the Chief Adviser, other advisers, and leaders from several political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Nagorik Oikya, and Ganosamhati Andolon.