Chinese President Xi Jinping marked the 50th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations by sending a congratulatory message to President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Xi emphasized that despite global and regional shifts over the past five decades, both nations have remained steadfast partners guided by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. He praised the countries’ mutual respect, equality, and “win-win” cooperation, noting deepened collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative. Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to advancing traditional friendship, enhancing cooperation, and promoting shared development for the benefit of both peoples and global peace. In response, President Shahabuddin expressed gratitude for China’s enduring support in Bangladesh’s sustainable development and regional stability. He emphasized the strong trust and friendship built over fifty years and expressed confidence that future cooperation will yield even greater achievements for both countries.

Dismissed and OSD-designated employees of Islami Bank have withdrawn their blockade from the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Faujdarhat, Chattogram. The protest, which began around 11:30 a.m. and caused a three-kilometer-long traffic jam, ended at about 1:00 p.m. as traffic gradually normalized. The demonstrators claimed that around 5,500 employees were dismissed or made OSD for boycotting the bank’s Special Competency Assessment examination. They issued a 24-hour ultimatum to meet their six-point demands, including immediate reinstatement. The earlier blockade had caused severe suffering for commuters.

Photographer-director Shahidul Alam posted on Facebook that all vessels of the Freedom Flotilla are now sailing together toward Gaza after the ship Conshans made contact with eight earlier boats. Alam said Conshans, the largest vessel in the convoy which departed Italy on September 30, had been moving faster than the other ships and briefly touched those ahead; its speed was reduced and the fleet is now proceeding as a single formation. Conshans belongs to international initiatives including the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madelins to Gaza, aiming to challenge Israel’s maritime blockade and highlight the humanitarian crisis. Alam emphasized the flotilla carries no food aid, described the Thousand Madelins idea as symbolic yet unprecedented, and argued global leaders’ inaction has compelled civil society to act. He affirmed the crew’s determination to break the siege, warned that if any vessels are stopped others will press on, and expressed confidence that repression cannot withstand popular resolve; Palestine will ultimately be freed soon.

Israel’s government has directed its military to halt its operation to seize Gaza following Hamas’s positive response to a U.S.-proposed peace plan. Army Radio reported that Israel’s political leadership instructed the military to scale down activities to a minimum and focus solely on defensive measures. Hamas has agreed to release all Israeli hostages, living and deceased, and expressed willingness to discuss a ceasefire and administrative handover. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated Israel is ready to implement the first phase of President Trump’s plan for immediate hostage release. Meanwhile, Trump urged Israel to stop bombing Gaza to ensure the safe evacuation of hostages, emphasizing that the ceasefire proposal aims not only to stabilize Gaza but also to achieve long-term peace across the Middle East. Talks on details and implementation have already begun.

Hamas has agreed to release all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 20-point Gaza peace plan. The group has also expressed willingness to engage in discussions on a ceasefire and administrative handover. Following Hamas’s positive response, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is ready to implement the first phase of Trump’s plan, aimed at immediately freeing all hostages. Israel emphasized cooperation with the U.S. to end the conflict in line with its policies, although the statement did not reference Trump’s call to halt deadly bombing in Gaza. Meanwhile, Trump urged Israel to stop airstrikes to ensure the safe release of hostages and expressed optimism about Hamas’s readiness for long-term peace. Detailed discussions on a ceasefire are underway, with the broader goal of achieving lasting peace across the Middle East.

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered Israel to immediately stop airstrikes in Gaza after Hamas partially agreed to conditions in the U.S. plan to end the ongoing conflict. Trump had set a Sunday evening deadline for Hamas to accept his proposal, warning of severe consequences otherwise. Hamas announced it is willing to release all hostages, both alive and deceased, but requested further discussions on several key conditions. The White House had unveiled a 20-point plan last Monday, approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for an immediate ceasefire, return of 20 living hostages within 72 hours, and handover of deceased hostages’ remains, in exchange for releasing hundreds of Gaza residents held by Israel. Trump emphasized that talks continue on unresolved issues, highlighting that the plan aims not only to stop the violence in Gaza but also to advance long-awaited peace in the Middle East.

Activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, detained by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, have launched an indefinite hunger strike. The international organization To Break the Siege of Gaza confirmed the strike, stating it will continue until the detainees are released and aid reaches the besieged territory. Israel has intercepted nearly all 44 ships of the flotilla, detaining over 450 human rights activists from more than 50 countries. The flotilla aimed to provide aid and challenge the Israeli blockade, but reports indicate the ships were stopped in international waters. Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed over 66,200 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children. The UN and human rights groups warn that the ongoing violence and blockade are making Gaza increasingly unlivable, with severe shortages of food and medicine, spreading famine, and rising disease.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has accused Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) of bias and arbitrariness after being denied the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) symbol, despite being granted registration as a political party. NCP stated that the EC initially assured them of including Shapla in its list of election symbols, and the flower has since gained widespread recognition as the party’s emblem. The EC later reversed its position, claiming Shapla is a national emblem, though NCP argued legally it is only one component of the emblem, as seen with other symbols like ‘paddy sheaf’ and ‘star’ already allocated to parties. The party further alleged that powerful political actors influenced the EC’s decision, questioning the commission’s neutrality. NCP warned that such inconsistency undermines free and fair elections. The party has urged the EC to amend rules if necessary and allocate Shapla, White Shapla, or Red Shapla to ensure an equal playing field for all.

Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued four fishermen who had been held captive for ten days by notorious Sundarbans bandit Jahangir’s gang. Acting on secret intelligence, the Coast Guard launched an operation in the Arabauni canal area near the Shibsha River. During the raid, Coast Guard members fired two blank rounds, prompting the bandits to flee. A search of a gang boat led to the recovery of a single-barrel gun, two airguns, and three live cartridges. The rescued fishermen—Mofizul Islam, Habibur Rahman, Habibur, and Shahjahan Gazi—reported they were tortured while being held for ransom. No arrests were made during the operation, but legal proceedings are underway. Lt. Ikra Mohammad Nasim, Executive Officer of Coast Guard warship BCGS Tawhid, confirmed preparations are ongoing to return the freed fishermen to their families. Authorities emphasized that efforts to eliminate piracy in the Sundarbans will continue to protect fishing communities from repeated abductions and extortion by armed gangs.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has stated that the 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan announced by U.S. President Donald Trump is not identical to the draft proposed by Arab and Muslim countries. Speaking to local politicians, Dar emphasized that modifications were made to Pakistan’s original draft and that he possesses evidence of these changes. The White House plan calls for a ceasefire, return of prisoners, disarmament of Hamas, and a new political structure in post-war Gaza, excluding Hamas entirely. Trump presented the plan alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and initially gave Hamas 72 hours to respond, later extending it by a few days. Hamas officials said they are reviewing the proposal without feeling pressured. Reports suggest Netanyahu requested significant changes to the original draft during a six-hour meeting with Trump’s team. Pakistan maintains that the Trump-Netanyahu version differs considerably from the original Arab-Muslim draft.

Several leftist and progressive political parties in Bangladesh are preparing to unite under a common platform before the next parliamentary election. The Left Democratic Alliance and the Democracy Platform, along with other parties such as Gono Forum, Bangladesh JASAD, Samyabadi Dal, Oikya NAP, and NAP (Bhasani), are holding talks to strengthen their position both in elections and in movements. The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) is set to organize a major rally in Dhaka on November 14, likely to bring leftist forces together on one stage. Meanwhile, both the Left Democratic Alliance and the Democracy Platform are separately drafting candidate lists and considering expansion by including more like-minded parties. While the Democracy Platform plans to negotiate seat-sharing with the BNP, the Left Democratic Alliance intends to contest independently but may coordinate in some constituencies. Leaders say the full picture of unity will become clearer once the official election schedule is announced.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that businesses in the U.S. and other countries are bearing the major burden of retaliatory tariffs. IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack said global growth remained steady in the first half of the year despite tariff uncertainties, but early signs of a slowdown are now visible. Inflation trends remain mixed: tariffs have pushed up some U.S. goods prices, while inflationary pressures are still low in China and parts of Asia. Although U.S. companies are absorbing part of the tariff costs, it is unclear how long this can continue. The IMF will publish its next World Economic Outlook on October 14, addressing the impact of tariffs on U.S. inflation and growth, followed by further discussions in November’s Article IV consultation. Kozack also noted that the Federal Reserve’s September rate cut, aided by labor market flexibility, carries inflationary risks, urging the Fed to closely monitor upcoming data.

A 12-day holiday for Durga Puja, Fateha-i-Yazdaham, Prabarana Purnima, and Lakshmi Puja is scheduled from September 28 to October 7 for secondary schools and colleges. Academic activities were set to restart on October 8. However, confusion has arisen after the Ministry of Education directed institutions not to hold exams on October 8 and 9. Some school authorities misinterpreted the directive and announced extended holidays until October 9, causing uncertainty among students, parents, and teachers. Officials from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) have clarified that the official holiday ends on October 7, and schools must reopen on October 8. Classes will continue as usual, though no exams can be scheduled on October 8 and 9. The ministry emphasized that the directive was meant only to ensure exam-free days, not to prolong the holiday. Authorities urged institutions to follow instructions strictly and seek clarification if in doubt.

Police in Comilla’s Burichang upazila have arrested two influential Awami League figures, including Akhlak Haider, the general secretary of the local unit and former upazila chairman. Haider, wanted in several cases related to past violence and anti-government movements, was detained from his home in Sinduriapara, Moynamati Union, during a joint police and DB raid. He had been in hiding since August last year but reportedly re-emerged to organize opposition activities. He was also known for his close ties with former MPs Bahar Uddin Bahar and Abu Zaher, and previously held a dominant role in local administration. In a separate raid in Abidpur village, police also arrested youth leader Abu Musa, accused in multiple recent cases. Both were notorious for alleged control over tenders, extortion, and criminal networks in the area. Authorities confirmed legal action is underway, and the suspects are being processed for court. Their arrests have stirred significant attention in the region.

From October 4 midnight to October 25, the government has imposed a strict 22-day ban on hilsa fishing across rivers and seas in Bangladesh to safeguard the prime breeding season. The prohibition covers not only catching hilsa but also the trading, transportation, storage, and marketing of all types of fish. Fishermen in Kuakata, Mahipur, and Alipur have secured their trawlers and plan to carry out necessary repairs during the ban. Each registered fisherman will receive 25 kilograms of VGF rice for sustenance. Authorities have announced strict monitoring through coordinated drives involving the fisheries department, administration, coast guard, naval police, RAB, and army. In Lakshmipur, more than 34,000 registered fishermen in Kamalnagar and Ramgati will face unemployment during the ban. The government has declared a 100-kilometer stretch of the Meghna River as a hilsa sanctuary, with drones deployed for surveillance to ensure full compliance.