The Dhaka College Heritage and Identity Preservation Committee has issued a stern warning that they will launch strict protests if the proposed draft for Dhaka Central University is not revised. At a press conference on October 12, convener Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, a former Dhaka College Students’ Union VP and BNP leader, said the draft could jeopardize the autonomy of seven prominent government colleges and restrict women’s education at Eden and Badrunnisa Colleges. The committee called for establishing Dhaka Central University following Oxford, Federal, or similar models, while preserving the independence, heritage, and competitive academic programs of these colleges. They presented ten proposals, emphasizing protection of infrastructure, scholarships, faculty ratios, student welfare, and avoidance of hybrid education systems. Human chains and further protests are planned at the National Press Club on October 16 if demands are not met.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran has no confidence that Israel will honor the terms of the newly agreed Gaza ceasefire. Speaking a day after the truce began, he accused Israel of a history of deception and ceasefire violations, referencing past incidents in Lebanon. Araghchi reiterated Iran’s support for any initiative aimed at stopping the violence, ensuring humanitarian aid, releasing Palestinian prisoners, and protecting Palestinian rights. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Tehran backs all efforts to end what it described as a genocidal war. Araghchi also disclosed that Russia conveyed a message from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, assuring that Israel has no intention of starting a new war with Iran. The message followed a recent 12-day conflict between the two nations triggered by Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites.

During the live broadcast of prosecution arguments in the crimes against humanity case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and another accused, the Facebook page of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor’s Office came under a cyberattack. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam revealed the incident during a press briefing on Sunday, October 12, stating that the attackers temporarily disabled the page but it was later restored. Tajul alleged that the perpetrators and their allies aimed to prevent the world from seeing the transparency and strength of the evidence presented in court. Emphasizing the government’s resolve, Tajul said no criminal will escape justice and no attempt to shield offenders will succeed in Bangladesh. He added that the prosecution’s efforts are not driven by revenge but by a commitment to justice and fairness.

Hamas has announced that the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza will begin on Monday morning under a newly implemented ceasefire agreement. In exchange, Israel is expected to free around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners for 20 living Israeli captives. The prisoner swap marks the first phase of the ceasefire, which comes after nearly two years of conflict. Senior Hamas leader Osama Hamdan confirmed the schedule in an interview with AFP. On the same day, world leaders—including U.S. President Donald Trump, Egypt’s Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and UN chief António Guterres—will gather in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh for an international summit aimed at ending the Gaza war and promoting long-term Middle East stability. Hamas has declined to attend, citing its indirect participation through Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

Thousands of MPO-listed (government-subsidized) teachers and employees have announced an indefinite work stoppage beginning Tuesday to press for an increase in house rent and medical allowances. Under the banner of the Alliance for Nationalization of MPO-Listed Education Institutions, teachers gathered in Dhaka on Sunday demanding a 20% house rent allowance based on basic pay, an increase in the medical allowance from Tk 500 to Tk 1,500, and a festival bonus hike from 50% to 75% of basic salary. Alliance member secretary Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi warned that if the government fails to issue an official circular by Tuesday, the teachers will continue their protest and abstain from work at all schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions. The group previously staged protests in August and September over similar demands and vowed not to return home until their demands are met.

A devastating explosion at the Accurate Energetic Systems facility in Bucksnort, Tennessee, has left at least 16 people dead. The blast, which occurred on October 10, was powerful enough to be felt several kilometers away. Initially, 18 workers were reported missing, but authorities later confirmed two were found safe. Sheriff Davis described the tragedy as a “deeply painful moment” for the local community, adding that DNA testing will be required to identify the victims. Rescue efforts have now shifted to recovery operations. Investigators from the FBI and ATF are working at the site, though the cause of the explosion remains unknown. The presence of large quantities of explosives has complicated recovery work. The company called the event a “tragic accident” but has yet to comment on possible causes.

Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus departed for Rome today, Sunday, October 12, to attend the flagship event of the World Food Forum. The Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying Professor Yunus and his delegation left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:30 a.m. During the forum, he is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech as an invited guest at the main session. He will also hold meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and leaders of various international organizations to discuss pressing global issues such as food security, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development. Organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Forum serves as a platform for policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs worldwide to exchange ideas on the future of global food systems. This visit highlights Bangladesh’s proactive diplomatic engagement on the international stage.

In Sudan’s besieged western city of El Fasher, a drone attack by the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a shelter for displaced persons has killed at least 60 people. The shelter, located on a university field, continues to have victims’ bodies unrecovered. Local resistance committees have condemned the attack as a “massacre” and urged the international community to intervene swiftly. Since April 2023, the ongoing conflict between Sudanese government forces and RSF has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions, and left nearly 25 million people facing extreme famine. El Fasher, the last state capital in Darfur outside RSF control, has emerged as a critical front in the conflict. Human rights organizations have described the city as “an open-air morgue” due to the deteriorating humanitarian conditions and rising civilian casualties. Immediate relief and international attention are considered crucial.

The International Hope School Bangladesh (IHSB) in Uttara has officially launched a Young Learner English Center in collaboration with the British Council, aiming to expand high-quality English education for children and adolescents aged 7 to 17. The inauguration took place at the school’s main Uttara campus on October 11, with school leaders highlighting the center as a vibrant learning hub. The initiative offers a structured, internationally recognized curriculum designed to enhance students’ communication skills, creativity, and confidence while preparing them for global opportunities. Cambridge-certified teachers will conduct specially designed courses, and parents can track their children’s progress regularly. This new center complements the British Council facility on Fuller Road in southern Dhaka, allowing northern students easier access to world-class English education. The project reflects IHSB’s commitment to integrated education, academic excellence, and global readiness.

Wall Street experienced a historic plunge as major U.S. stock indices suffered their largest drop since Donald Trump took office. The sudden market crash was triggered after President Trump announced the cancellation of a high-profile meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit, citing escalating trade tensions. In addition, Trump hinted at imposing significant tariffs on imported Chinese goods, fueling fears of a renewed trade war between the world’s two largest economies. U.S. media reports indicated that by Friday’s close, all weekly gains were erased as investors reacted to the news with panic selling. Analysts attribute the rapid decline to growing uncertainty in global trade relations and potential economic repercussions. The announcement sent shockwaves across financial markets worldwide, creating heightened volatility and investor anxiety.

Global health authorities warn that typhoid, once easily treated with antibiotics, is returning in a far more dangerous form. Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains, particularly spreading from Pakistan, no longer respond to traditional or even newer antibiotics. In the UK alone, 702 confirmed cases were reported in 2024, an 8% increase from the previous year, mostly among travelers returning from high-risk countries. Research from Stanford University shows that resistant bacteria are rapidly replacing normal strains and spreading internationally. Experts warn that data from Africa and Oceania is limited, suggesting the real scale may be underestimated. Oral antibiotics still work in some cases, but their effectiveness is declining. Health authorities emphasize urgent global surveillance, new treatment development, and vaccination programs to curb this escalating threat. Typhoid is quietly becoming a major global health emergency.

Pakistan’s military has claimed the capture of 19 Afghan border posts following overnight clashes on October 11. Pakistani forces reportedly attacked Afghan positions, including Durran Mela, Turkmenjai, Shahidan, Kunar, and Chagai, causing several Afghan soldiers to flee, with dozens killed or injured. Pakistan said its retaliatory strikes involved artillery, tanks, drones, and aircraft, targeting Afghan posts and armed groups along the international border. Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of a previous airstrike on Kabul, prompting the recent clashes. Both sides reported fatalities, with Taliban and Afghan forces confirming fighting in Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktika, Khost, and Helmand provinces. Islamabad denied the airstrike but warned Kabul to stop sheltering Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Neighboring countries, including Qatar, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, have urged both nations to exercise restraint amid escalating border tensions.

Intense fighting erupted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border after Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan attacked several Pakistani military posts, claiming to have captured two of them. Pakistani security forces reported clashes at at least five border points and responded with heavy artillery, tanks, and light weapons. The fighting follows Taliban accusations that Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika province, which Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied. Afghan officials said the Taliban engaged in retaliatory attacks against Pakistani forces. Clashes were reported from Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktika, Khost, and Helmand provinces. Pakistani forces also shot down three Afghan drones suspected of carrying explosives. No casualties have been reported yet. Tensions between the two countries remain high, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of sheltering the Pakistan-based militant group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The European Union has officially launched the new “Entry/Exit System” (EES) from October 12, 2025, marking a major shift in how non-EU travelers enter and leave Europe. The system, designed to strengthen regional security, streamline immigration, and replace manual passport stamping, will digitally record travelers’ biometric data—including fingerprints and facial images—along with the time and location of their entry and exit. This innovation aims to combat illegal overstays, identity fraud, and cross-border crimes by enabling authorities to monitor travel in real time. Portugal and several other EU countries are coordinating the rollout through national security agencies and airport authorities. Although implementation will continue until December, the EES promises faster, safer, and more transparent travel management under strict EU data protection laws, representing a new era for Schengen border control.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a new policy to regulate the refund value of damaged, torn, or burnt currency notes, ensuring fairness and uniformity across all banks. According to the circular issued Thursday, the directive takes immediate effect. Under the policy, if more than 90% of a note remains intact, customers will receive its full value. Notes with 75–90% of their surface will be refunded at 75%, and those with 51–75% at 50%. Notes with less than 51% remaining will not be eligible for compensation. The new “Note Reimbursement Regulations 2025” replaces the previous 2012 framework, introducing precise and transparent guidelines. Customers can appeal unresolved cases through their bank’s head office and ultimately to Bangladesh Bank. The initiative aims to strengthen consumer confidence, enhance transparency, and modernize the country’s currency management system.