Police in India’s Mumbai have rescued 17 children from a hostage situation at a local studio, where a man was killed in an exchange of gunfire during a rescue operation. A large police team rushed to the studio and began negotiations with Arya, but he refused to release the children. Instead of dying by suicide, I have made a plan and am holding some children hostage here," he said, listing what he described as “simple demands, moral demands, ethical demands, and a few questions”. "I want simple conversations, and that's why I've taken these children hostage. NDTV reported that Arya worked at the studio and was also a YouTuber.

The interim government has approved the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025, significantly expanding the commission’s jurisdiction and mandate. The approval came during a meeting of the Advisory Council on Thursday, where two other ordinances, the Artificial Organ Transplantation Ordinance and the July Memorial Museum Ordinance, were also passed. “We have now made it stronger, ensuring it becomes a genuinely empowered institution capable of addressing human rights violations.”Highlighting the new provisions, he explained that the definition of human rights had been broadened. “Beyond the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, the commission will now have the authority to act on issues recognised under international human rights declarations and conventions ratified by Bangladesh, as well as customary international law.”The restructured Human Rights Commission will consist of a chairperson and four full-time members. Discussing the July Uprising Memorial Museum Ordinance, he said: “The residence of the ‘fascist’ ex-prime minister, now facing trial for mass killings, has been declared the July Memorial Museum.

Expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia to get legal support, says Advisor NazrulThe Advisory Council has approved Bangladesh’s first-ever bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia for recruiting Bangladeshi workers. On Thursday, Law Advisor Asif Nazrul said: “Around four million Bangladeshis live in Saudi Arabia. “This will play a major role in protecting the welfare and rights of Bangladeshi expatriate workers. The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment had earlier announced on Oct 6 that the deal had been signed with Saudi Arabia to facilitate the recruitment of workers from Bangladesh. Saudi Arabia has been Bangladesh’s largest destination for overseas employment since 1976.

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a press conference after the Fed cut interest rates by quarter of a percentage point, in Washington, DC, US, Oct 29, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin LamarqueUS Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a press conference after the Fed cut interest rates by quarter of a percentage point, in Washington, DC, US, Oct 29, 2025. The Fed on Wednesday cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, as expected, as a way to temper any further weakening of the job market. Even those who have emphasized the possible weakness in the job market agree the Fed should now move carefully. "A further reduction in the policy rate at the December meeting is not a foregone conclusion.

The interim government has approved the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025, significantly expanding the commission’s jurisdiction and mandate. The approval came during a meeting of the Advisory Council on Thursday, where two other ordinances, the Artificial Organ Transplantation Ordinance and the July Memorial Museum Ordinance, were also passed. “We have now made it stronger, ensuring it becomes a genuinely empowered institution capable of addressing human rights violations.”Highlighting the new provisions, he explained that the definition of human rights had been broadened. “Beyond the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, the commission will now have the authority to act on issues recognised under international human rights declarations and conventions ratified by Bangladesh, as well as customary international law.”The restructured Human Rights Commission will consist of a chairperson and four full-time members. Discussing the July Uprising Memorial Museum Ordinance, he said: “The residence of the ‘fascist’ ex-prime minister, now facing trial for mass killings, has been declared the July Memorial Museum.

Police have given information about the arrest of the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Md Moshiur Rahman of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in a case pending before the International Crimes Tribunal. He was taken into custody while on duty at the CID office in Dhaka's Malibagh on Thursday. On Nov 12, the DB police took former ASP Alep Uddin, who was working at the Barishal Range DIG office, into custody. In addition to facing a murder charge during the July Uprising, Alep, a former RAB officer, has also been accused in the tribunal of involvement in enforced disappearances. Moshiur was arrested on charges of working as an “accomplice” to Alep while both served in RAB-11, according to the tribunal’s order.

Gas supply has been suspended in Brahmanbaria after a connection line was punctured, causing inconvenience for residential and commercial customers in the district town. He said the six-inch pipeline of the Bakhrabad gas transmission line was punctured after an excavator struck it, causing gas to leak. The contractor’s staff immediately informed BGDCL authorities, and a technical team rushed to the site. To repair the connection line, BGDCL later shut down the transmission line located in Sadar Upazila’s Ghatura. Engineer Shafiqul noted that, considering customer inconvenience, the technical team began repair work promptly.

DMTCL to offer job to widow of man killed in metro bearing pad accidentDhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) is giving a job to the wife of Abul Kalam, who died in Farmgate after a bearing pad from the metro rail fell on him. DMTCL Managing Director Faruque Ahmed said on Thursday that they are making efforts to arrange a position for Kalam’s wife Irene Akhter Pia “promptly”. “Later, if she attains higher degrees, we will offer a larger role in line with her qualifications. “We are working to complete this process as soon as possible.”Kalam, 35, died on Sunday afternoon after a bearing pad came loose from a metro station pillar and struck him while he was walking on the footpath. The government has assured the family of Tk 500,000 in cash and a job for a family member.

A Dhaka court has barred nine foreign nationals, including five founding directors of Ring Shine Textiles Limited, from leaving the country over allegations of embezzling Tk 2.75 billion. They allegedly submitted falsified documents to list the Dhaka EPZ-based company on the capital market. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Faiz passed the order after hearing a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday. Abdul Kader Faruk, identified in the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) petition as the chairman of FAR Group, has also been placed under a travel ban. Four other foreign nationals, Xiao Liu Yi Chi, Chuk Quan, Hang Siu Lai, and Xiao Hai He, have also been placed under the travel ban.

Several Tower Hamlets councillors in East London have come under criticism for campaigning to become Members of Parliament in Bangladesh while still holding office locally in the United Kingdom. On Thursday, the Evening Standard reported that multiple councillors intend to seek nominations for Bangladesh’s national election, scheduled for February 2026. Citing council records, the Evening Standard said it showed she holds significant roles on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Licensing Committees, yet she has attended fewer than half of her expected meetings since February. Mile End resident Mohammed Hussein told the Evening Standard, “I don't believe it is fair. We elected her to represent us, not Bangladesh.”Another resident, Zakir Hussain, added: “I am not happy with my councillor.

Afghanistan and Pakistan have resumed peace talks in Istanbul, four sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday, a day after Islamabad said the discussions had ended in failure. A few demands from Pakistan need some extra time as they are difficult to be agreed upon," said a source close to the Afghan Taliban delegation. The Afghan Taliban and Pakistan's military and foreign office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Afghan Taliban administration responded with attacks on Pakistani military posts along the length of the 2,600-km (1,600-mile) frontier, which remains closed. Clashes between the Pakistani military and the Pakistani Taliban have continued throughout the ceasefire period, with multiple deaths reported on both sides on Sunday and Wednesday.

A swift decision on the referendum and the implementation of the July National Charter will be made shortly, Law Advisor Asif Nazrul has said. On Thursday, he said disagreements over the referendum have reached a boiling point and a decision on these matters “must be taken”. If the chief advisor needs consultation, he will seek it, but once made, the decision will be firm. And it will be taken very quickly.”On the July Charter, political parties have split sharply on two main points: the process of implementing the Charter and the referendum date. Others, such as the Jamaat-e-Islami, insist the referendum must be held in November, with the chief advisor issuing the implementation order.

REUTERSCricket Australia (CA) announced a net deficit of A$11.3 million ($7.34 million) for the 2024-25 financial year on Thursday, with a steep increase in costs offsetting a jump in revenue from hosting the Border-Gavaskar series against powerhouse India. CA said at its annual general meeting (AGM) total revenue increased by A$49.2 million from the previous year to A$453.7 million, predominantly driven by a new domestic media deal and match revenue from the five-test series against India. Expenses increased by A$24.1 million, which included marketing costs for the India series and funding 70 extra days of touring for national teams. Member state Cricket Victoria (CV) condemned CA for the annual loss, saying the governing body had delivered little financial improvement despite significant and costly reviews. He said CA was forecasting a sharp lift in commercial and sponsorship revenue from A$69 million to A$86 million in the coming year.

Bangladeshi labour exporters have called for the removal of conditions set for sending workers to Malaysia, describing them as “unreasonable and deliberately imposed”. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment instructed Bangladesh to request Malaysia to list all recruiting agencies capable of meeting the 10 conditions required for sending workers. They said: “From 1991 to 2016, we sent millions of workers to Malaysia across different sectors without any conditions. Until 2016, under an agreement between Bangladesh and Malaysia, 10 designated agencies sent workers. They demanded the withdrawal of these conditions and proposed that government agency BOESL be made the main agent, giving all recruiting agencies the opportunity to send workers.

Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, deputy chief of the Jamaat-e-Islami, has said his party made multiple “sacrifices” to accommodate the BNP’s opposition during the National Consensus Commission meetings, and now the BNP is demanding a referendum before national elections. Speaking at an urgent media briefing on Thursday, Taher said the BNP initially did not want any reforms. Later, conceding to public pressure, it participated in the reform commission.”He added that Jamaat had repeatedly thanked the BNP, saying: “We have made many sacrifices to accommodate the BNP. On Tuesday, the Consensus Commission submitted its recommendations to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, suggesting that a referendum could be held on the day of the national election or any time prior. While the BNP wants a referendum on the same day as the national election, Jamaat insists it should be held earlier, in November.