Jamalganj assistant commissioner (land) Arifur Rahman transferred to Sylhet Divisional Commissioner's office

If the Government Approves, Police Will Not Hesitate Even to Use Crossfire When Needed: IGP

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir has said that if the government gives its approval, the police will not hesitate even to resort to crossfire when necessary.

He made the remark on Monday (October 26) at the formal inauguration ceremony of Community Bank's Islamic banking service in Dhaka's Chawkbazar.

The IGP said the police are needed if people are to live in peace and comfort. But, he said, having freedom does not mean one can do whatever one wishes.

Urging people not to take the law into their own hands, the IGP said it is also not right to lay the blame on the police at every turn.

At the event he also raised the spread of drugs in neighbourhoods. The IGP raised allegations that, alongside the fallen Awami League, some members of the police are also involved in the drug trade.

He also said that 27 police members have been suspended over the past two months.

On Sheikh Hasina's return to the country, the IGP said when Sheikh Hasina will come back is not a matter for the police. But he said the police will take lawful action if anyone creates any kind of instability in the country.

Jahangirnagar University Professor Shamima Sultana Appointed a Member of the PSC

Professor Dr Shamima Sultana, a professor in the Bangla Department of Jahangirnagar University (JU) and director of the university's Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture, has been appointed a member of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The appointment was announced in a notification issued on Sunday (October 25), signed by Al-Bashirul Islam, senior assistant secretary of the Contract and Foreign Recruitment branch of the Ministry of Public Administration.

According to the notification, the President appointed Professor Shamima Sultana as a PSC member under the powers given by clause (1) of Article 138 of the Constitution.

Under the conditions of the appointment, she must give up any other profession or business and her existing employment relationships with government, semi-government and private institutions or organisations.

Under clause (1) of Article 139 of the Constitution, she will remain in the post for five years from the date she takes charge, or until she turns 65, whichever comes first.

Earlier, on August 1, 2024, Professor Shamima Sultana drew attention by removing the photograph of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina from her office. She was then the chair of JU's Bangla Department. A photograph of her sitting in her office later spread on social media; in it, a photograph of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman could be seen on the wall behind her, but Sheikh Hasina's photograph was absent.

Trump Says There Is No Plan for an Immediate Military Strike on Iran

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that Washington has no plan to carry out a military operation against Iran immediately. Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, he said the decision for now is not to launch a military attack on Tehran.

Trump made the position clear while facing reporters as he left the White House to attend an election rally in Michigan. Asked directly whether Iran would be attacked, Trump said no military step is being taken for now.

Earlier on Sunday, however, the US president had sent Tehran a stern warning. In an interview with the US outlet Fox News, Trump said the only unresolved question now is whether there will be a new agreement with Tehran or whether the country will be destroyed completely.

In the same interview, claiming absolute US military dominance in the Persian Gulf, he said the strategic Strait of Hormuz is now under Washington's control and that Iran is unable to extract any benefit from it.

On Saturday, too, Trump had hinted that both a military strike and a diplomatic settlement remained open. At the time, he said he had deep doubts about whether Tehran would honour any bilateral commitment.

On February 28 this year, US forces carried out major air strikes on Iran jointly with Israel. A temporary ceasefire reached later in June did not become permanent.

The announcement of no attack on Iran came against this backdrop of tension, ahead of the US midterm elections due in the first half of November.

Passed Over for the Nobel Prize, Trump Lashes Out at Norway: 'Norway Sucks'

US President Donald Trump lashed out at Norway on Sunday night, saying the country "sucks", as he fulminated about being repeatedly overlooked for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Trump made the remarks during a campaign rally speech in Port Huron, Michigan. He was railing about immigration to the US when he segued into the criticism of Norway.

He has been passed over twice by the Oslo-based Nobel committee: in 2025 for Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition figurehead; and in 2026 for South African jurist Navi Pillay, for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

Trump has vigorously touted his peacemaking credentials, claiming to have settled at least eight conflicts during his second term in office. "What about me? Do they do two of them? So I'm not in love with Norway. Frankly, Norway sucks. Norway has become a shithouse country, actually," he told the rally.

On immigration, Trump said the US works with Denmark, a "good country", and that anybody who would like to come into the US from Denmark would be welcome. But he said he did not want anybody from Norway because he did not get the Nobel Prize, and that he wanted nothing to do with Norway. He also made harsh remarks about people coming from Somalia.

While Trump did not get the 2025 prize, the Venezuelan winner presented him with her medal during a meeting at the White House in January this year. "And the person who got it, Maria, was very nice. She said, 'I can't believe I got it. This should go to President Trump,' and she gave me her Nobel Peace Prize, that was so nice. It was very nice. I won't forget that," Trump said.

Eric Bauza, the Voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Dies Aged 46

Eric Bauza, the voice artist behind the Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, has died. He was 46.

A statement from the Emmy award-winning star's family, posted on Instagram, said he had died "suddenly".

Variety reports that the cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease and that Bauza died at home on Sunday.

Bauza was born in Ontario and was of Filipino descent. In a 2021 interview with NBC News, he said he grew up a huge fan of the Looney Tunes characters and used to copy the voices as a child. In that interview he said: "Looney Tunes transcends all languages and all cultures. It doesn't matter what part of the planet you're from. You get the comedy."

He voiced Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd and Foghorn Leghorn in 2021's Space Jam: A New Legacy, before reprising those roles and that of Road Runner in Coyote vs. Acme. He had voiced a number of characters in this summer's animated hit Coyote vs. Acme, and appeared in the recent release Forgotten Island.

He also played the part of Toad General in 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie and its sequel The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the fifth highest-grossing film internationally this year.

Between 2022 and 2025, he won three Emmy awards for outstanding voice performance in a number of TV series.

In a statement reported by the Hollywood Reporter, Channing Dungey, the chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, said: "Eric Bauza was a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world. He followed in the footsteps of giants like Mel Blanc. Eric said that carrying on the legendary legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life."

Deep Depression Turns into Cyclone 'Ornob', Warning Signal No. 2 for Four Ports

The deep depression formed in the Bay of Bengal has turned into Cyclone 'Ornob'. The weather office gave this information in an emergency forecast on Monday (26 October). According to the forecast, it may hit the coast on 28 October.

The Meteorological Department said the deep depression, which was over the east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining southeast Bay, moved northwestwards and intensified into Cyclone 'Ornob' and is now over the east-central Bay and adjoining west-central Bay. Its position is 15.4 degrees north latitude and 89.0 degrees east longitude.

At 6am today (26 October), the cyclone was located 820 kilometres southwest of Chattogram seaport, 745 kilometres southwest of Cox's Bazar seaport, 785 kilometres south of Mongla seaport and 745 kilometres south of Payra seaport.

The forecast said the cyclone may move west-northwestwards and turn into a severe cyclone over the west-central Bay by midnight tonight (26 October). Later, moving northwestwards, it may cross India's Andhra coast on 28 October as a very severe cyclone.

Within 54 kilometres of the cyclone centre, the maximum sustained wind speed is 62 kilometres per hour, rising to 88 kilometres per hour in gusts or squalls. The sea is very rough near the cyclone centre.

Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra seaports have been asked to lower distant cautionary signal No. 1 and instead hoist distant warning signal No. 2.

Fishing boats and trawlers in the north Bay of Bengal have been asked to remain close to the coast and move cautiously until further notice.

BRTA Extends Deadline to 29 October for Updating Vehicle Papers and Driving Licences Without Fine

The government has extended the deadline to 29 October for updating all motor vehicle documents and driving licences without a fine.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) gave this information in a post on social media on Monday (26 October).

The post said that within the set time, documents for all types of vehicles can be updated by paying only the original tax and fee, without any additional fine or surcharge.

Under this facility, drivers and owners will be able to renew or update vehicle fitness certificates, tax tokens, route permits and driving licences.

BRTA said this is the last opportunity for customers' convenience. The agency has requested that all processes be completed within the set deadline.

Dakar Rally 2027 Moved Out of Saudi Arabia Amid Middle East Conflict

The 2027 edition of the Dakar Rally, one of the world's toughest and best-known off-road races, has been moved out of Saudi Arabia. Organisers say the January race will be relocated due to recent developments in the region.

The rally was scheduled for January. It will now be held in a different territory, to be announced later. The Amaury Sport Organisation and Saudi Motorsport Company said this in a statement on Sunday. The statement added that a new location will be announced in the coming days. Organisers said they intend to bring the rally back to Saudi Arabia in 2028 to celebrate its 50th edition.

It is the latest in a series of sports events to be moved out of Saudi Arabia this year over the US-Israel war on Iran and deadly attacks by Yemen's Houthis on Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has hosted the Dakar Rally since 2020. Reports in specialist race media said a move to Morocco or Spain is being considered. If it is moved to Morocco, it would be the first time the Dakar has been held in Africa since 2007. The event began as a competition from Paris to Senegal's capital, Dakar. It was cancelled on short notice in 2008 over security concerns in North Africa. Since then, it has been held first in South America, then in Saudi Arabia.

Other events in Saudi Arabia have faced similar decisions. This season's Formula One grand prix in Jeddah was cancelled, while the race in Bahrain was called off and later rescheduled under the same name in Malaysia. The final round of the World Rally Championship in Saudi Arabia next month has also been scrapped.

An exhibition tennis tournament in Saudi Arabia due to feature Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev has been postponed until late December. The WTA Finals, scheduled to be held in Riyadh next month, will instead take place at Indian Wells, California, in the United States.

The last two races of the F1 season in Qatar on 29 November and Abu Dhabi on 6 December are still on the calendar, as is the Qatar MotoGP next month, but they are the subject of intense internal debate.

Organisers had hoped to keep the 2027 race in Saudi Arabia by working on a new route in the northern part of the country. But the latest strikes, including a series of attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh this month, which killed 18 people and injured hundreds more, have rendered that impossible.

21 Platoons of BGB Deployed for Thakurgaon-1 By-Election, with Drones and K-9 Dog Unit

Twenty-one platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members have been deployed to make the by-election to the vacant Thakurgaon-1 seat fair, peaceful and safe.

Thakurgaon BGB Sector Commander Colonel Md Suruj Mia told journalists this information at 10:30am on Monday (26 October). He said members have been deployed in the election area since 25 October.

In the area under Thakurgaon Battalion (50 BGB) of the Thakurgaon sector, a total of 21 platoons of BGB members are on duty across 22 unions and one municipality in three upazilas. They will work as mobile and striking forces.

Drones, body-worn cameras and a K-9 dog unit are being used to strengthen security in the election area. Important places in the area are being monitored by drone. Intelligence surveillance and patrol activities have also been increased. BGB members are on alert to prevent any kind of disorder and violence.

Colonel Md Suruj Mia said BGB's main goal is to ensure that voters can go to polling centres without fear and exercise their voting rights. Work is also being done so that all candidates get equal opportunity and can carry out election campaigning normally. For this, coordination is being maintained with the administration and other law-enforcement forces.

Meanwhile, surveillance and patrols have been strengthened in border areas to prevent criminal activities centred on the election. Maximum alert is being maintained to prevent smuggling, illegal border crossing and possible sabotage activities.

Colonel Md Suruj Mia said duties will be performed with neutrality and professionalism in accordance with the constitution, existing laws and Election Commission directives. The force has also sought the cooperation of local people, political party leaders and activists, candidates, the administration and media workers to complete the election peacefully and in an orderly manner.

After 34 Days of Deadlock, Teachers and Students Return to Classes at CUET on Tuesday

After a long 34-day deadlock, teachers and students are returning to classes at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) from tomorrow, Tuesday (27 October).

The students announced the decision in an open letter addressed to teachers on Sunday (25 October). In the letter they said the long closure of classes and examinations was damaging their education and increasing uncertainty about their future. In this situation they do not want academic losses to grow further, so they have taken a position in favour of returning quickly to classrooms and resuming normal academic activities.

However, they stated in the letter that the decision to return to classes should not be seen as stepping back from the movement. The combined movement of students, teachers, officers and employees continues on the one-point demand to reinstate former vice-chancellor Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem. They also said the movement will continue until the demand is met.

The students further said the movement will continue until the demand to reinstate the former vice-chancellor is fulfilled. They also warned that if the newly appointed vice-chancellor, Professor Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam, enters the campus, they will go into a tougher movement again.

Masum Billah, a fourth-year student of the mechanical engineering department, said: “Because classes and examinations have been closed for a long time, our education and future have fallen into uncertainty. We want normal academic activities to return quickly. But returning to classes does not mean stepping back from our just demand.”

Auction Begins for BCB's New D-3 Trophy: 269 Cricketers Listed for Six Franchises

The auction for the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) new D-3 Trophy competition has begun. The auction is listing 269 cricketers to form the squads of six franchises for the competition, which aims to bring domestic cricket's three formats under one umbrella.

The auction began at 10am on Monday (26 October) at a five-star hotel in the capital. It is being conducted by Charu Sharma, the experienced Indian presenter and auctioneer.

In this auction, franchises will sign cricketers on the basis of points instead of conventional money. Apart from the icon cricketers, the remaining players will be signed through the auction. Each team will be able to build its squad with a maximum of 23 cricketers.

The D-3 Trophy will feature cricket's three formats — Test, one-day and T20. The competition will have a total of 42 matches: seven four-day matches, 16 one-day matches and 19 T20 matches.

The tournament will start on 15 December with the T20 format. The four-day matches will follow in January. The one-day format will be held in May next year.

Before the auction, the six franchises had already selected their icon cricketers. Walton Group's icon is Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Fortune Group's is Towhid Hridoy, Acme's is Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Seven Rings Cement's is Mushfiqur Rahim, Ace Blue Star's is Nurul Hasan Sohan, and Citizens Bank's icon cricketer is Naim Sheikh.

Another Child Dies with Measles Symptoms at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Total Deaths Reach 84

Another child has died with measles symptoms in the past 24 hours at Mymensingh Medical College (MMCH) Hospital. With this, the number of children who have died with measles and measles symptoms at the hospital has reached 84.

Md Mainuddin Khan, the hospital's assistant director (administration), confirmed the information on Monday morning (October 26).

He said the child who died was a resident of Mymensingh Sadar upazila. The child was 9 months old. Alongside measles symptoms, the child was also suffering from pneumonia.

According to the hospital authorities, 39 more children were newly admitted in the past 24 hours. In the same period, 58 children recovered and returned home.

From March 17 to date, a total of 5,501 children have received treatment at the hospital with measles symptoms. Of them, 5,300 children have recovered and returned home. At present, 117 children remain under treatment.

Doctors say that in the context of the measles infection spreading, there is a shortfall in building adequate immunity among children. Many children under treatment at the hospital have not been vaccinated or have not yet reached the age for vaccination. The risk is higher for children suffering from malnutrition, the doctors said.