North Korea conducted its first ballistic missile test in several months on Wednesday, launching multiple short-range missiles from areas near Pyongyang toward the northeast. South Korea’s military reported that the missiles traveled approximately 350 kilometers (217 miles) and landed on land rather than in the sea. The launch comes just a week before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, which will host leaders from the United States, China, and South Korea. The test violates United Nations sanctions and has prompted immediate intelligence sharing between South Korea, the United States, and Japan. In response, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol convened an emergency security meeting with military and intelligence officials. Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the launch posed no immediate threat to Japan, though Tokyo is monitoring developments closely. Analysts view the missile test as a potential political signal ahead of the APEC summit.

Mizanur Rahman Bulu, the Kotalipara Upazila correspondent for Kaler Kantho and a digital reporter for NTV, was arrested on Monday night in Gopalganj on suspicion of involvement in violent incidents during a National Citizens’ Party (NCP) rally. Police apprehended him around 9:00 PM near Kotalipara police station. On Tuesday, he was presented before the Gopalganj Chief Judicial Magistrate, who ordered him to be sent to jail. According to the investigating officer, Saddam Hossain Khan (Dipto), leaders of the Awami League and its affiliated groups staged a protest in the Wapdarhat area of Kotalipara Upazila on July 16, felling trees on roads and disrupting public movement, causing panic among residents. Bulu’s alleged involvement in the unrest prompted the arrest. The case lists 155 named individuals and 1,500 unidentified suspects, filed under the Special Powers Act at Kotalipara police station.

The International Crimes Tribunal has directed 15 military officers currently in custody to be sent to prison for their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and killings at the TFIC-JIC cell during the Awami League government. The officers appeared before the tribunal on Wednesday, 22 October, ahead of the formal hearing of charges, which will be conducted by Tribunal-1 under Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mazumder. All 15 officers had earlier applied for bail. The accused include senior military officials such as Brigadier General Md. Jahangir Alam, Major General Mostafa Sarwar, and others. A total of 30 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, are named in the two cases, with 17 accused in one case and 13 in the other. Security forces, including the army, police, BGB, and RAB, were deployed at multiple points around the tribunal in Dhaka to maintain order during the proceedings.

Ukraine carried out a major missile strike on Russia’s Bryansk Chemical Plant on October 22, using British-made Storm Shadow missiles. Ukrainian military officials described the operation as a “successful strike,” claiming the attack penetrated Russian air defenses and targeted a key facility in Russia’s military-industrial complex. The plant reportedly produces gunpowder, explosives, and rocket fuel components, which are allegedly used by Russian forces in attacks on Ukrainian territory. Russia has not yet issued an official response. Kyiv maintains that targeting facilities critical to Moscow’s war machinery is necessary to weaken Russia’s offensive capabilities. The strike coincides with European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announcing plans to intensify pressure on Russia’s economy and defense industry until President Vladimir Putin agrees to peace negotiations. Early Wednesday, Russia launched another air raid on Kyiv, highlighting the ongoing conflict, which began in February 2022 and continues to involve territorial disputes including Crimea.

A gas line explosion during piling work for the Narayanganj–Muktarpur flyover triggered a fire on Tuesday afternoon in Fatullah’s Panchaboti area. The blaze damaged a nearby glass shop and left one pedestrian injured. Firefighters and Titas Gas officials quickly intervened, sealing the main gas line to prevent further leaks. As a result, gas supply to Narayanganj city, Fatullah, and surrounding areas was suspended, disrupting industrial production and daily life. Many factories in the BSCIC Industrial Area and Fatullah Industrial Zone, including garment and spinning mills, were forced to shut down operations. Titas Gas engineers are working to repair the damaged pipeline and expect to restore supply by night. Residents also reported severe gas shortages at home, compounding the disruption across the city.

The Pay Commission of Bangladesh has announced that its work on designing a fair and effective new salary structure for officers and employees of government and autonomous institutions is progressing as planned. According to a government press release issued on Tuesday (October 21), the Commission is currently analyzing and verifying opinions and recommendations collected through four online questionnaires. These inputs came from general citizens, government officials, autonomous bodies, and various associations during October 1–15. The Commission has also held meetings with several associations and organizations that have already submitted formal proposals. It expressed optimism about completing and submitting the final report to the government within the stipulated timeframe. The initiative aims to ensure an equitable pay system reflecting the cost of living and economic realities, bringing transparency and fairness to public sector remuneration.

Saudi Arabia is seeking to formalize a defence treaty with the United States, modelled after the agreement signed between Washington and Qatar that treats any armed attack on Qatar as an armed attack on the U.S. According to reports, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will travel to Washington next month and meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, with the objective of securing stronger military and intelligence cooperation. With U.S. bases in the Gulf and growing regional instability — including in the Arabian Peninsula and Red Sea region — Riyadh sees the pact as a strategic hedge and stepping-stone for deeper defence ties with Washington. Pending details remain “in flux” as discussions continue, but the significance of such a deal could reshape Gulf security architecture and renew the long-standing U.S.–Saudi strategic partnership.

The anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, intended to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, has become uncertain. The Kremlin announced on Tuesday that no specific timeline has been determined for the talks, indicating that further preparations are required. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that “significant groundwork” is necessary before any meeting can take place. U.S. media reports suggest that Washington and Moscow still differ on the terms of a ceasefire. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that it is “too early” to discuss detailed arrangements for the summit. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently held a phone conversation with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, during which some disagreements reportedly surfaced. Moscow maintains that the understandings reached during the earlier Alaska summit remain valid and emphasizes the importance of implementing those agreements to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine.

Dublin witnessed intense violence on Monday as anti-immigration protests spiraled out of control following allegations of the sexual assault of a 10-year-old child. According to Al Jazeera, thousands of demonstrators gathered in the Irish capital’s city center, waving national flags and holding placards reading “Irish Lives Matter” and “Get Them Out.” The protests, initially sparked by outrage over the reported assault, quickly descended into chaos as crowds clashed with law enforcement. Protesters hurled bottles and fireworks at police, setting fire to police vans and blocking key roads. Officers responded with pepper spray and detained several individuals. Authorities have condemned the violence, urging calm and warning against xenophobic rhetoric. The government is expected to launch a full investigation into both the assault case and the subsequent unrest that has shaken Ireland’s reputation for stability and tolerance.

Pakistan has partially reopened the Chaman–Spin Boldak border with Afghanistan for trade after weeks of closure, allowing the movement of empty trucks carrying commercial goods under strict supervision. The decision comes amid Pakistan’s ongoing nationwide campaign to repatriate Afghan refugees, with over 67,000 Afghans leaving the country in October alone. Officials confirmed that only trucks carrying Afghan refugees or goods are being allowed to pass, while pedestrian and regular traffic remain suspended for security reasons. Afghan drivers must hold valid passports and visas. Reports suggest that the Torkham border may also reopen under similar conditions soon, though other crossings—Ghulam Khan, Angoor Adda, and Kharlachi—will stay closed. In Azad Kashmir, authorities have ordered all Afghan nationals to leave by November 18. Meanwhile, 17 Afghans have been arrested in Islamabad following an attack on police, signaling heightened tensions as deportations continue nationwide.

The Bangladesh government has suspended a proposed Tk 1,268.80-crore project aimed at improving climate-resilient livelihoods in the haor (wetland) regions across eight districts, including Kishoreganj. The project, initiated by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, was placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval on October 21. However, the plan faced strong objections from Environment and Forest Affairs Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, who argued that large-scale infrastructure construction could severely damage the delicate haor ecosystem. Following her intervention, ECNEC decided not to approve the project in its current form and ordered a revision of the Development Project Proposal (DPP) by excluding infrastructure components. The project’s proposed funding sources included government allocations, a loan from IFAD, and a grant from Danida. Authorities are expected to resubmit a revised plan focusing on sustainable and environmentally friendly development initiatives.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the future of the newly signed “fragile ceasefire” between Pakistan and Afghanistan depends entirely on whether the Taliban government can prevent cross-border infiltration and attacks by armed groups, particularly the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The ceasefire, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, came after a week of deadly clashes along the border. Asif emphasized that any threat from Afghan soil would be treated as a violation of the agreement. He accused the Afghan Taliban of collaborating with the TTP, an allegation the Taliban has denied. Meanwhile, Kabul accused Islamabad of spreading misinformation and harboring ISIL-linked militants. Both countries have agreed in writing to avoid any hostile actions against each other’s security forces, civilians, or infrastructure as they seek to maintain fragile peace amid rising regional tensions.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has clarified that the recent social media claims stating that 10 agreements between India and Bangladesh have been canceled are inaccurate. Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, he confirmed that only one agreement—the tugboat supply deal with Indian defense company GRSE—has been officially canceled. The majority of the agreements listed on social media do not exist. The adviser also noted that various agreements with India are still under review. The claims originated from Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiya, who posted a list of canceled and under-consideration agreements, including railway projects, economic zone collaborations, water management initiatives, and pipeline expansions. The government emphasizes careful verification before making any official announcements regarding bilateral agreements.

To make up for instructional days lost during the recent teacher movement, MPO-listed teachers in Bangladesh have decided to hold classes on Saturdays until the upcoming annual examinations. Principal Delawar Hossain Azizi, president of the MPO-listed Education Nationalization Aspirants’ Alliance and general secretary of the Bangladesh Madrasah Teachers and Employees Forum, confirmed the decision. Teachers had been unable to attend classrooms for eight days due to the movement. The initiative aims to ensure students complete the full syllabus on time. The government recently announced a 15 percent increase in house rent allowance for MPO-listed teachers working in private institutions, fulfilling a key demand of the teachers’ movement. With the official notification received, teachers will now resume classes from tomorrow, compensating for the lost days and withdrawing their movement.

The Ministry of Finance has approved the Education Ministry’s plan to increase house rent allowance for teachers and staff listed under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) by 15 percent in two phases. From November 1, 2025, employees will receive 7.5 percent of their basic salary (minimum BDT 2,000), followed by an additional 7.5 percent from July 1, 2026. The approval comes with six conditions, including adjusting benefits in future pay scales, strict adherence to MPO rules for private schools, colleges, madrasas, and vocational institutions, ensuring no arrears, compliance with financial regulations, accountability for any future irregularities, and issuance of a Government Order to be recorded in the Finance Division. This marks a significant move to enhance the welfare of private educational staff while aligning with budget limitations.