Rising tensions between Russia and NATO have prompted France to instruct hospitals to be ready for major emergencies by 2026. The directive emphasizes maintaining medical supplies, trained personnel, and rapid response capabilities. Other European nations, including Germany, Italy, and Spain, are strengthening border security and emergency services. Experts warn the situation may be long-term, highlighting the need for vigilance in health, safety, and citizen services. France’s Health Minister Catherine Vautrin calls the preparations a normal, strategic readiness measure.

Facing a 50% U.S. tariff on its goods since August 27, India has chosen diplomatic and strategic measures over direct retaliation. Experts warn prolonged tariffs could cost up to 0.8% of GDP and threaten millions of jobs in textiles, leather, and jewelry. India is focusing on diversifying export markets, strengthening trade with Mexico, Canada, China, Europe, and Latin America, while supporting exporters with technology and tax relief to maintain competitiveness against rivals like Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Russia’s Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev reacted strongly after Western countries transferred seized Russian assets to Ukraine. He stated that even if legal recovery fails, Russia will reclaim the assets “in kind” through land, property, and other resources. Medvedev criticized Britain’s $1.3 billion transfer to Kyiv as supporting “neo-Nazis” and claimed it gives Russia a legal right to demand compensation. He clarified this excludes Donbas and Novorossiya, which he said are already Russian territories.

The government plans to give the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) the power to recommend appointments of principals, head teachers, and assistant head teachers in private educational institutions. Previously managed by school committees prone to corruption, these appointments will now prioritize qualified candidates based on NTRCA recommendations. A committee under the Ministry of Education will finalize selection procedures and ensure transparency. Parents and teachers have long demanded this reform to prevent mismanagement and favoritism in school leadership appointments.

Bangladesh is set to become the first country in Asia to introduce AI-powered portable ultrasound machines, in what is being hailed as a major leap for the nation’s healthcare sector.

The initiative comes from US-based company Exo Imaging, whose co-founders Yusuf Haque and Sandeep Akkaraju met with the Chief Adviser on Thursday.

The devices—already FDA-approved and in use in the United States—will first be rolled out in top hospitals before expanding to rural and community health centers.

“This technology will make advanced diagnostics accessible even in remote areas,” Haque said. Akkaraju added that Bangladesh’s adoption of the technology marks a pioneering step for the region.

The Chief Adviser welcomed the move, calling it a “significant milestone towards universal healthcare.”

Russia has announced the expulsion of an Estonian diplomat in Moscow after Estonia declared a Russian envoy persona non grata last month. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Estonia’s chargé d’affaires Marek Uhtegi was summoned and informed of the decision. The ministry condemned Tallinn’s “hostile” step, stressing that any unfriendly actions would draw reciprocal measures. The move marks the latest escalation in tense relations between the two countries, as both sides continue to trade diplomatic expulsions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that single dominance in world politics will no longer continue, indirectly pointing at the United States. Speaking in Beijing, he stressed equal rights for all nations and balance in international relations. Putin cautioned against punishing powers like India and China, recalling the West’s colonial past. His comments coincide with Donald Trump’s administration imposing double tariffs on Indian goods over Russian oil imports, drawing criticism from New Delhi and heightening tensions in U.S.–India relations.

The National Consensus Commission on Thursday continued discussions on finalizing and implementing the July National Charter 2025.

The meeting, chaired by Vice-Chairman Prof. Ali Riaz, reviewed linguistic accuracy, analyzed political party feedback, and considered practical strategies for execution.

The Commission is expected to hold expert consultations next week before sending the finalized charter and recommendations to political parties for endorsement.

Union Bank has agreed to a merger plan amid ongoing restructuring efforts in Bangladesh’s troubled banking sector. However, EXIM Bank has sought more time, saying it needs to focus on its recovery plan first. Bangladesh Bank is holding a series of meetings with weak banks, including Union, EXIM, First Security Islami, Global Islami, and Social Islami. Officials revealed that S. Alam Group withdrew hundreds of billions of taka from some banks, worsening their crises and delaying depositor repayments.

The government has approved the Telecommunication Network and Licensing Policy, aimed at reducing monopoly control and eliminating middlemen in the sector to ensure affordable, high-quality services.

According to Faiz Ahmed Tayyab, the new framework consolidates licensing into just three tiers, with an additional license for satellite-based telecom services.

“This will promote competition and help keep voice and data services within people’s purchasing power,” he said, adding that operators can now provide multiple services under a single license.

The policy also opens the door for new entrants to Bangladesh’s mobile telecom market and enables technologies like private 5G, Voice over WiFi, WiFi-6, and WiFi-7.

The interim government may declare a new pay structure for government employees before the February national election if time allows, according to Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. A pay commission, formed in July, is preparing recommendations considering inflation and socio-economic realities, with its report due within six months. However, the implementation will be carried out by the next elected government. Meanwhile, employees will continue to receive dearness allowance until the new structure is finalized.

Ukraine has declined Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer for peace talks in Moscow. Putin suggested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could attend if he wished, but Ukraine noted at least seven other countries—including Hungary, Switzerland, and Turkey—have offered to host negotiations. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized Zelensky is ready for talks anytime but accused Putin of making deliberately unacceptable proposals. Putin, meanwhile, questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy as president, citing the end of his five-year term and lack of elections due to martial law.

French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the U.S. decision to deny visas to Palestinian officials, calling it “unacceptable.” Speaking at a UN meeting on the Israel-Palestine conflict, he urged the reversal of the decision and stressed Palestinians’ right to representation. Macron discussed the upcoming Two-State Solution Conference with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasizing international support for a two-state solution, humanitarian aid in Gaza, disarming Hamas, and strengthening the Palestinian Authority to achieve sustainable peace.

Asaduzzaman Fuad, a leader of AB Party, has issued a stark warning to the interim government, saying it will face “grave consequences” if the attack on Nurul Haque Nur goes unpunished.

“Before stepping onto the gallows, the advisers of this government should take care of their own nooses,” Fuad said while visiting Nur at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

He claimed that names of several advisers were already on “assassination plans” lists, adding that justice must be swift and exemplary.

Fuad alleged that senior army officers gave the command for the attack, yet no action has been taken against them. He further linked the incident to “a long-term conspiracy against Bangladesh’s sovereignty under Indian dominance.”

U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at possible new sanctions on Russia if the war in Ukraine continues. Speaking with Polish President Andrzej Duda in the Oval Office, Trump said that if he is dissatisfied with Vladimir Putin’s response, “something will happen.” He denied being soft on Moscow, citing sanctions on India for Russian oil as proof of his firm stance. Trump plans to speak with Ukrainian President Zelensky soon to determine the next steps.