The cross-examination of chief investigation officer Md. Alamgir continues today (October 8) for the third consecutive day in the crimes against humanity case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. The hearing is taking place before the International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder. State-appointed defense lawyer Md. Amir Hossain is leading the questioning, challenging Alamgir’s testimony regarding the July–August mass killings. The tribunal adjourned Tuesday’s session after a full day of questioning. Alamgir, the prosecution’s 54th and final witness, has previously presented extensive evidence—video footage, reports, and documents—depicting alleged atrocities across 41 districts during the 2024 protests. The tribunal will move to final arguments and verdict once cross-examinations conclude. Prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Gazi M.H. Tamim, and others are representing the state. The case includes five formal charges of crimes against humanity.

At least 18 people have died after a bus was crushed by falling rocks during a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, India. The tragic incident occurred near the Ballu Bridge in Bilaspur’s Jhandutta constituency around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7. The bus, carrying around 30 to 35 passengers from Rohtak in Haryana to Ghumarwin in Bilaspur, was completely flattened by large boulders tumbling down the hillside. Rescue teams from the local administration, police, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rushed to the site and have so far rescued three survivors. Officials fear the death toll may rise as more passengers remain trapped. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed grief and directed rescue efforts, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹200,000 compensation for each victim’s family. Continuous rainfall and multiple landslides have severely affected the region’s transport network.

In a significant relief for aspiring Hajj pilgrims, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that expired passports can now be used for Hajj registration. The ministry’s Hajj-1 section issued an official circular on Tuesday, October 7, easing the passport validity requirement to simplify the 2026 Hajj registration process. However, the ministry clarified that pilgrims or Hajj agencies must update the renewed passport details in the system before visa processing begins; otherwise, the visa will not be issued. This decision aims to ensure that no eligible pilgrim faces registration hurdles due to expired passports. According to the Saudi government’s Hajj roadmap, registration for the 2026 Hajj will officially close on October 12, 2025. The move has been widely welcomed by Hajj agencies and prospective pilgrims across the country for reducing bureaucratic complications and time constraints in completing registration formalities.

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has appointed Army General Ruffin Fortunat Zafisambo as the country’s new prime minister after dissolving the previous government amid intensifying nationwide protests. The demonstrations, now entering their third week, were triggered by widespread electricity outages and water shortages that have crippled daily life across the island nation. Protesters, led by the youth movement “Gen Z Madagascar,” are demanding Rajoelina’s resignation, chanting slogans like “Rajoelina Out” and “We are poor, angry, and unhappy.” Violence has escalated, with police using tear gas and rubber bullets, looting reported in several cities, and a night curfew imposed in the capital Antananarivo. President Rajoelina said the new prime minister’s main task is to restore law and order and rebuild public trust. Analysts say the unrest reflects a broader generational discontent seen in other African nations facing similar crises.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) has announced the tentative schedule for its admission tests for the 2025–26 academic session, marking the 55th batch of students. According to the university’s Central Admission Test Committee, the exams are expected to begin in the last week of December 2025. The decision was made during a committee meeting held on Tuesday (October 7), confirmed Deputy Registrar (Education) Syed Mohammad Ali Reza. He mentioned that the committee, led by the university’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Mahfuzur Rahman, will oversee the coordination of all related activities for the admission process. Professor Rahman, who chairs the Central Admission Committee, stated that while the schedule has been tentatively set, decisions regarding the number of exam centers or changes in unit-wise exams are yet to be finalized. Further details are expected to be announced following the committee’s next meeting.

A 13-year-old student in Florida was arrested after using a school computer to ask OpenAI’s ChatGPT how to kill his friend. The incident occurred at Southwestern Middle School, where the school’s monitoring system, Gaggle, detected the alarming query and immediately alerted authorities. Following standard security protocol, campus police quickly identified and detained the student. During questioning, the boy claimed he was joking, but law enforcement took the threat seriously, citing the long history of school violence in the U.S. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the teen has been sent to a juvenile detention center. Officials urged parents to talk with their children about responsible technology use, emphasizing the potential consequences of such behavior. This case follows an earlier incident in California, where a 16-year-old’s death was allegedly linked to harmful chatbot interactions, leading to legal action against OpenAI.

The United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) has reported that nearly 193,000 buildings in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed or damaged by Israeli attacks, accounting for approximately 78% of all structures. Satellite imagery up to July 8, 2025, reveals that around 102,000 buildings have been completely destroyed. Despite two years passing since Israel’s military operation began in response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault, airstrikes, tank fire, and naval bombardments continue to devastate Gaza. UN data shows that 213 hospitals and 1,029 schools have been targeted, while the World Health Organization reports only 14 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain partially functional. Amid ongoing indirect talks in Sharm el-Sheikh between Hamas and Israel over troop withdrawal and disarmament, fresh Israeli offensives have further worsened the humanitarian crisis. The UN Human Rights Office has expressed grave concern over the extensive destruction in Gaza City.

The United States has approved the sale of advanced AIM-120D-3 medium-range air-to-air missiles to Pakistan, signaling a significant renewal in military cooperation between the two countries. Valued at approximately USD 2.5 billion, the deal will provide the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with state-of-the-art missiles by 2030, enhancing the combat capability of its F-16 fleet. The contract has been awarded to American defense manufacturer Raytheon, which will also supply similar systems to Turkey and other allied nations. Defense analysts say the AIM-120D-3 — the latest version in the AMRAAM family — offers greater accuracy and extended range, giving Pakistan a decisive edge in aerial warfare. The approval follows recent high-level visits by Pakistan’s top military officials to Washington, including meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and senior defense leaders, indicating a fresh phase in bilateral defense ties.

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban and ordered the blocking of the National Identity (NID) card of retired Brigadier General Shamsur Rahman in connection with corruption allegations. The order was issued on Tuesday (October 7) by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez following an application from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). According to ACC spokesperson Akhtarul Islam, the commission’s Deputy Director, Alamgir Hossain, sought the order amid concerns that Rahman might transfer illegally acquired assets. The ACC investigation revealed allegations that Shamsur Rahman and his family accumulated significant immovable and movable assets both domestically and abroad through abuse of power and undisclosed income sources. Intelligence reports suggested he was attempting to transfer or conceal these assets. To prevent evidence tampering and ensure accountability, the court restricted his foreign travel and suspended his NID privileges pending further investigation.

Thousands of migrants in Portugal, including Bangladeshi expatriates, are facing mounting challenges due to new strict regulations imposed by the country’s Immigration and Asylum Agency (AIMA). These rules now require detailed proof of residence—specifically a declaration from the homeowner—and verified income statements for residency approval or renewal. Many migrants, who have lived in Portugal for years, report being unable to meet these demands, as landlords often refuse to provide the required declarations. Additionally, families must now justify their income according to the number of household members. Bangladeshi residents like Kamruzzaman, who have been living in Portugal for over six years, fear losing their legal status despite having previously renewed their permits without issue. The recent tightening of immigration laws, approved by Portugal’s parliament on September 30, has created widespread anxiety and uncertainty among expatriate communities awaiting final implementation.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a public warning urging citizens not to provide personal details such as name, address, phone number, or national ID to suspicious websites or mobile apps claiming affiliation with the bank or the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The alert follows reports of several fraudulent platforms, including dbbloan.com, bblloan.com, and bdloan71.com, which falsely use the names and logos of Bangladesh Bank and the IMF to lure people with fake loan offers. The central bank clarified that it has no connection with these entities and warned that such scams could lead to financial losses or legal risks. It also reminded the public that operating or participating in unauthorized online or offline loan platforms violates the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2024, and offenders may face up to five years in jail or fines up to 5 million taka.

The U.S. Senate has once again failed to pass a key spending bill required to end the ongoing government shutdown, marking the fifth consecutive deadlock. Both Democratic and Republican proposals were rejected—Democrats’ bill fell short with 45–50 votes, while Republicans’ plan was defeated 52–42, leaving federal operations paralyzed for the fifth straight day. Democrats seek to prioritize healthcare funding and restore Medicaid subsidies, while Republicans demand a “clean” bill without new spending commitments. President Donald Trump expressed willingness to negotiate but insisted that the government must first reopen. Meanwhile, thousands of federal employees continue to work without pay. The White House has begun procedures for potential layoffs if the impasse persists. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer denied claims of ongoing talks with Trump, deepening the political standoff as uncertainty grips Washington.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has praised Chinese-made military platforms used during the May conflict with India, calling them “exceptionally effective.” In an interview last week, he said modern Chinese systems such as the J-10C fighter jets performed outstandingly, helping Pakistan achieve strategic success. Pakistani media reported that the country claims to have downed seven Indian aircraft, an increase from earlier figures. India, however, disputes this, asserting it destroyed around a dozen Pakistani jets. Chaudhry dismissed Indian claims, emphasizing that no Pakistani aircraft were lost. He also stressed that Pakistan purchases both Chinese and Western equipment, prioritizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness over competition. The comments come amid growing regional attention on Pakistan’s deepening defense ties with China, further reinforced by President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit to Chengdu, where Chinese J-10 fighters are manufactured.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Bangladesh has officially enforced a ban on single-use plastic (SUP) inside the Secretariat. On Tuesday, October 7, three monitoring teams from the ministry, along with law enforcement agencies, conducted special drives at gates 2 and 5 to ensure compliance. Visitors and officials carrying banned plastic or polythene items had them confiscated and were instead provided with eco-friendly cloth bags. Authorities also issued strict instructions prohibiting future entry with plastic items. Law enforcement members stationed at all entry points are conducting regular checks to prevent SUP from entering the premises. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic and encourage the use of sustainable alternatives. Ministry officials confirmed that this campaign marks the beginning of a nationwide expansion to eliminate single-use plastic from all government offices, promoting environmental protection and sustainable living.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has claimed that three major world powers are attempting to exert aggression and dominance over Bangladesh. Speaking at a discussion organized by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Dhaka University’s TSC auditorium on Tuesday (October 7), marking the sixth death anniversary of BUET student Abrar Fahad, Salahuddin accused two regional powers and one global superpower of trying to influence the nation’s sovereignty. He also criticized Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, labeling her a subservient leader under whose watch such foreign interference has flourished. Recalling the brutal killing of Abrar Fahad for opposing Indian dominance, he said that incident served as a warning to silence dissent. Salahuddin urged for honest, competent, and visionary leadership to restore healthy political competition and safeguard national integrity from foreign dominance.