MPO teachers and staff have announced that they will begin their nationwide strike a day early, starting Monday, demanding increased house rent and other allowances. The strike will be accompanied by a continuous sit-in at Dhaka’s central Shaheed Minar, organisers said on Sunday. “From tomorrow, 30,000 MPO-registered schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutes nationwide will observe continuous strike until our demands are met.”Teachers began a continuous sit-in outside the National Press Club on Sunday morning. On Sept 30, the government raised house rent for MPO teachers by Tk 500, which they rejected, calling for protests. MPO teachers receive salaries under the national pay scale, with additional Tk 500 monthly as medical allowance.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that a Ukrainian counteroffensive had made gains in both southern Zaporizhzhia region and in an area of Donetsk region, the focal point of the conflict, where Kyiv has reported successes. In his nightly video address, Zelensky said Kyiv's forces had made gains of more than 3 km (1.8 miles) further south in Zaporizhzhia region. "At this time, Ukrainian units are continuing our counteroffensive actions near Dobropillia, but also in other sectors -- particularly in Zaporizhzhia region near Orikhiv," he said. But it said Moscow's troops had hit Ukrainian troops and equipment in Zaporizhzhia region, including in the village of Novoandriivka, near both Mali Shcherbaky and Orikhiv. Zelensky, a day later, said Ukrainian forces were inflicting heavy losses on Russian troops near Dobropillia and were "defending ourselves along all other directions."

CEC Nasir says no political party ever received symbol outside the official listChief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin reminded that the National Citizen Party could not be allocated the “Shapla” symbol because it was not included in the commission’s official list of approved symbols. On Sunday, Nasir also said the commission has never given a symbol outside this list. The Nagorik Oikya also sought Shapla as its party symbol, in place of kettle, but the EC turned down the request. On Thursday, NCP’s Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary and two party leaders met CEC Nasir for over two and a half hours. Patwary said, “We asked for two hours why the symbol was being denied, but received no explanation.

Bangladesh records five dengue deaths and 953 new hospitalisations in a dayBangladesh has reported five fatalities from dengue in the past 24 hours, raising the tally of deaths from the Aedes mosquito-borne disease to 230 this year. In the same period, 953 more dengue patients were hospitalised, bringing the total number of admissions this year to 54,559. Two were being treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, while the others were admitted at Kurmitola General Hospital, Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Among the newly admitted patients in the last 24 hours, 269 were from Dhaka’s two city corporation areas. As many as 2,546 dengue patients are receiving treatment across the country, including 889 in Dhaka hospitals and 1,657 in hospitals outside the capital.

"When the sixth public notification was issued in June, we also applied. According to the result of the public notification, only 41,627 candidates received a recommendation for appointment against over 100,000 vacancies. “Despite this huge number of vacant posts, 16,213 candidates who passed the 18th exams did not receive an appointment recommendation." Khorshed said, "If the NTRCA issues a special public notification, those of us who are successful candidates will get the opportunity to teach." Conversely, for another subject, there are more vacant posts but fewer candidates, in which case posts remain empty."

The leader of the protest, Muntasir Mahmud, was handed a temporary suspension and a show-cause notice by the NCP following the incident on Sunday. Another Red Crescent officer said from Sunday morning, Muntasir, former deputy director of Youth Affairs at Red Crescent and an organiser of the NCP, along with some outsiders, attempted to create a “mob” at the Red Crescent headquarters in Moghbazar. Fazlul Karim, ADC of Tejgaon Police, said: “A board meeting was held today at Red Crescent. Around 8pm, police had to escort him out.”Karim added that police presence would continue at the Red Crescent office on Monday. I will peacefully occupy the Red Crescent as long as this ‘fascist’ chairman is not removed.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has welcomed the initiative to bring several Bangladesh Army officers accused of involvement in enforced disappearances and murders to justice. Among those accused, 25 are current or former army officers. In his post, Shafiqur wrote: “We hope that no injustice will be imposed on anyone. As a result, the nation will benefit in the long run.”He began his post by saying, “The process of bringing some Bangladesh Army officers involved in disappearances and murders to justice has begun. As a result, a frightening environment of enforced disappearances and murders was created in the country, which is very unfortunate for a nation.

A Dhaka court has questioned a suspect over allegations that a Dhaka University student and her friend were beaten inside a private hostel, but the hostel director claimed that “nothing like that” ever happened. The student from Shamsun Nahar Hall of Dhaka University had visited Swapnonibash Hostel as a guest of a Tejgaon College student. Her lawyer, Rahim Mia, sought bail, saying the charges -- attempted murder and theft -- were “non-bailable” but unfounded. The case alleges that the hostel had not informed the Tejgaon College student that guests had to pay an additional fee. When her Dhaka University friend visited around 9pm on Tuesday, a dispute arose after Tk 400 was demanded as rent.

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has departed for the Italian capital of Rome to attend a flagship event organised by the World Food Forum (WFF). The Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) says the chief advisor will deliver a speech as an invited guest at the main session of the WFF. He will also hold meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and heads of various international organisations on the sidelines of the event. This year's WFF event is being held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome from Oct 10 to Oct 17. The chief advisor is scheduled to return home on Oct 15.

At least 44 people dead after torrential rains in MexicoA car on a mud street after torrential rains that overflowed rivers, causing flooding in Poza Rica, Veracruz state, Mexico Oct 11, 2025. REUTERS/Rolando RamosA car on a mud street after torrential rains that overflowed rivers, causing flooding in Poza Rica, Veracruz state, Mexico Oct 11, 2025. REUTERS/Rolando RamosAt least 44 people were killed in Mexico after days of heavy rains and flooding, the government said on Sunday. Torrential rains from tropical storms Priscilla and Raymond triggered landslides and flooding across five states. There were 18 people killed in Veracruz state, 16 in Hidalgo, nine in Puebla and one in Queretaro, a government statement said.

Bangladesh has launched its first national typhoid vaccination campaign, aiming to immunise about 50 million children aged between 9 months and 15 years free of charge. Nurjahan emphasised that preventing disease can ease the burden on hospitals. Advisor Sharmeen described the vaccination campaign as an important milestone for Bangladesh. This year's programme is the first national typhoid vaccination campaign in Bangladesh. Under the programme, children will receive a single dose of the injectable vaccine.

ACC prosecutes former MP Iqbal and son for allegedly acquiring illicit wealthThe Anti-Corruption Commission has brought charges of acquiring illicit wealth against former Awami League MP and Premier Bank chairman HBM Iqbal. The ACC announced on Oct 9 that it had completed its investigation into the family’s illicit assets allegations and approved filing cases against Iqbal and his son. Based on investigations and document reviews, the graftbusters stated that Iqbal accumulated a total wealth amounting to Tk 2.98 billion, including immovable property worth Tk 441.19 million and movable assets worth Tk 2.54 billion. According to the ACC findings, Imran amassed total assets worth Tk 457.31 million. His son Moin Iqbal, who was serving as the bank's vice-chairman, also resigned at the same time without providing a reason.

Transport workers have withdrawn their strike in five districts of Mymensingh Division, calling in protest against the arrest of a worker accused of harassing a July Uprising protester and the suspension of 16 United Service buses. On Sunday night, Mymensingh District Motor Owners’ Association chief Alomgir Mahmud Alom said the strike was withdrawn “considering public suffering”. From Sunday morning, transport workers in Mymensingh, Netrakona, Sherpur, Jamalpur, and parts of Kishoreganj enforced the strike. In response, transport workers blocked the area near the bus stands, halting operations. The transport workers, however, rejected calls to arrest Aminul Haque Shamim or suspend operations of his 16 United Service buses, instead announcing the transport strike.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has said that those who deliver verdicts must also be held accountable for their mistakes and shortcomings. “The International Crimes Tribunal Act 1973 is a special law,” Tajul said. Only the International Crimes Tribunal has the authority to try them.”“This law is protected by the Constitution of Bangladesh,” Tajul added. “Articles 47(3) and 47(a) of our Constitution clearly state that all laws made in the field of international law -- crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide -- even if inconsistent with the Constitution, will prevail. That is, the Constitution itself has stated that the value of the Crimes Tribunal Act of 1973 is stronger than the Constitution.

Md Ehsanul Hoque appointed public administration secretary after post was vacant for 3 weeksThe interim government has finally filled the vacant post of secretary of public administration, appointing Md Ehsanul Hoque to the position. Ehsanul had been serving as the senior secretary in the Road Transport and Highways Division for a long time. In a notice on Sunday, the Ministry of Public Administration said: “This order issued in the public interest will take effect immediately.”More to follow