The government has introduced a new provision in the Cyber Protection Ordinance, effectively dismissing all cases filed under the repealed Digital Security Act. The Digital Security Act, introduced in 2018 to tackle cybercrime, faced criticism for its repressive provisions. In 2023, it was amended and replaced by the Cyber Security Act, with further revisions made by the interim government, culminating in the new Cyber Protection Ordinance. After the meeting, said: “All cases under the Digital Security Act of 2018 have been annulled. Those convicted or charged are now free of any liability.”The Advisory Council also approved two other ordinances, the “Personal Data Protection Ordinance, 2025” and the “National Data Protection Ordinance, 2025”, which are expected to strengthen the protection of citizens' personal data.

Ukraine has yet to convince Donald Trump to put sufficient pressure on Russia to force it to negotiate a peace deal, so it has deployed a new lobbying tactic: nominate the US president for the Nobel Peace Prize. "If Trump gives the world – above all, the Ukrainian people – the chance for such a ceasefire, then yes, he should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize," Zelensky said in comments released Thursday. Last week, a group of Ukrainian lawmakers submitted a motion asking colleagues to nominate Trump for the Nobel prize, arguing that it was a critical show of loyalty to a strategic partner. "If we can't show today that Ukraine and the Ukrainian parliament absolutely and totally support Donald Trump and his peace plans, then what can we talk about?" Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday that Trump deserves the honour if he can convince China to abandon the use of force against the island.

The board’s pay proposal requires Musk to remain a Tesla executive for at least seven-and-a-half years to collect any stock compensation. MODEST TARGETS WORTH BILLIONSHitting any two product goals in a decade, along with a $2.5 trillion valuation, pays Musk $26.4 billion in stock. In its pay proposal, Tesla’s board declared Musk the only person capable of transforming Tesla into an artificial-intelligence juggernaut. Wei Jiang, vice dean at Emory University’s business school, said Tesla’s board has granted Musk a “monopoly” on Tesla’s top job. Neither will the “handful of billions” for lower-rung goals matter much to Musk, who cares more about historic technological achievements, Murphy said.

No changes to Champions League format, UEFA says after talks with Super League promotersUEFA said on Thursday it had held informal discussions with A22 Sports Management, the company behind plans to revive a European Super League, but stressed that no changes were being considered to the format of its elite club competition. "We categorically reaffirm that there are no plans to change the format of the UEFA Champions League." Media reports said earlier on Thursday that A22 had entered exploratory talks with UEFA officials to discuss a possible framework for a new competition. However, football bodies and national leagues have consistently opposed the idea, warning it could undermine the European football pyramid. The original Super League project collapsed in 2021 after a backlash from fans, governments and the wider football community.

India thumped West Indies by an innings and 140 runs inside three days of the opening Test in Ahmedabad and look on course to win their first test series under Gill's captaincy at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. West Indies were blanked 3-0 by Australia in their previous Test series in July, which included the ignominy of being bundled out for 27 in the final test in Kingston. "It doesn't matter who you're playing. It doesn't matter if you're playing West Indies, Bangladesh, Australia or England. His counterpart Roston Chase drew inspiration from his chat with three former West Indies captains -- Viv Richards, Richie Richardson and Brian Lara -- ahead of the match.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is extending a loan of $100 million, equivalent to nearly Tk 12.17 billion, to develop and promote Bangladesh’s small and medium enterprises (SME) sector. The deal was signed on Thursday in Dhaka under the second phase of the 2nd Small and Medium Enterprise Development Project. Hoe Yun Jeong, ADB’s country director for Bangladesh, signed for the lender, according to a media statement issued by ERD. A separate project agreement was also signed between ADB and Bangladesh Bank. The earlier phase of the project also benefited underserved entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban areas outside the two major cities.

Political parties will sign the “July National Charter”, which includes decisions on state reform and implementation commitments, on Oct 15. On Thursday, the National Consensus Commission announced that the signing ceremony will take place at the South Plaza of the parliament. Representatives from different political parties and alliances will participate." It also said, during the meeting, experts' opinions on the implementation of the Charter were discussed, along with insights gathered from five meetings between the commission and political parties. “The commission expressed hope that, after analysing the opinions from experts and political parties, recommendations on the implementation of the July Charter will be prepared and submitted to the government soon."

The chiefs of nine Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education have announced Oct 16 as the possible date for the publication of the HSC and equivalent examinations’ results. Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board Chairman Mian Md Nurul Haq said the decision was reached during a meeting of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee held on Thursday at the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dhaka. The final date will be confirmed once the government approves.”This year’s HSC and equivalent examinations were held from Jun 26 to Aug 19. Approximately 1.25 million students from 11 education boards submitted forms to participate in the exams. Traditionally, results are published within 60 days of the examinations’ completion.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi attend the Global Fintech Fest on Oct 9, 2025, in Mumbai, India. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERSBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi attend the Global Fintech Fest on Oct 9, 2025, in Mumbai, India. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERSIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British counterpart Keir Starmer hailed their new trade deal as potentially transforming commercial links, as London unveiled new Indian investment that would be a "launch pad" for closer ties. Starmer said the focus of his visit was about doubling down on the potential of the trade deal, which is expected to take effect within a year. INDIA, UK SIGN DEFENCE DEALSEarlier, Starmer's office said 64 Indian companies would collectively invest 1.3 billion pounds ($1.75 billion) in Britain, without elaborating.

The Anti-Corruption Commission has opened an investigation into former Islami Bank Bangladesh chairman Obayed Ullah Al Masud over allegations of loan fraud, conflict of interest, unethical investment, and embezzlement. The inquiry is being led by Assistant Director Md Nazmul Islam, ACC spokesperson and Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam confirmed. Before joining Islami Bank, Obayed served as managing director of two state-owned banks -- Sonali Bank and Rupali Bank. In 2019, a cash credit loan of Tk 21 million was sanctioned in favour of a company named MAS Corporation. Two unlisted firms were contracted, with payments exceeding Tk 19.5 million -- one owned by Obayed himself and the other by a former director of the bank.

Bangladesh has recorded four more dengue deaths, taking the total fatalities due to the disease to 224 this year, while another 781 patients have been admitted to hospitals around the country in the last 24 hours. The tally of reported hospitalisations rose to 52,885 this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services. In Thursday’s daily bulletin, of the four deaths recorded over the past day, two occurred at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, while two others died at Kurmitola General Hospital and Mugda Medical College Hospital. September saw the highest number of dengue-related hospital admissions, 15,866, and deaths, 76, this year. Currently, 2,452 dengue patients are being treated in hospitals across the country, with 827 in Dhaka and 1,625 outside the capital.

On Thursday, the Internal Revenue Division (IRD) issued a notification transferring Belal to the OSD post within NBR. Belal is accused of acquiring nearly Tk 50 million in illicit assets and hiding information related to these assets in his wealth statement. According to case documents, Belal “concealed information” about assets valued at Tk 46.01 million. The documents added that Belal accumulated a total of Tk 49.75 million in movable and immovable assets from 2004 to 2022, all deemed illicit. On Wednesday, Belal was removed from his post as NBR member (Customs Implementation & IT) and reassigned to the president of the Customs, Excise, and VAT Appellate Tribunal.

A few more days of rain to come before monsoon easesAs autumn draws to a close, a few final days of rain are likely to precede the retreat of the monsoon winds, yielding to a drier season ahead. According to our forecast, there will be a few more days of rain before the monsoon winds depart in October.”He explained that during the rainy season, winds blow from the south, carrying moisture from the ocean and forming clouds that produce rain. Moderate to heavy rain could occur in some areas, while day and night temperatures are expected to remain steady nationwide. The forecast indicates rain or thundershowers in many of the same areas, with no significant change in day or night temperatures. Looking further ahead, the BMD said rainfall is expected to ease over the five days from Monday evening, as the southwest monsoon winds start withdrawing from the country’s western region.

Pope Leo XIV reacts next to a child as he arrives for a general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Yara NardiPope Leo XIV reacts next to a child as he arrives for a general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Yara NardiPope Leo urged the world's Catholics to help immigrants in his first major document, which was released on Thursday and invoked one of the late Pope Francis' strongest criticisms of US President Donald Trump's anti-immigration policies. It calls for widespread changes to the global market system to address rising inequality and to help people living paycheck-to-paycheck. DOCUMENT REFERENCES CRITICISM OF BORDER WALLSElected in May to replace Francis, Leo has shown a much more reserved style than his predecessor, who frequently criticised the Trump administration.

An agricultural breakthrough could help alleviate fears about food insecurity as farmers face increasingly unpredictable weather because of rising global temperatures. Ironically, food delivery methods destabilize food systems, increasing food insecurity as extreme weather devastates crops and pushes prices higher at grocery stores. … By bringing production closer to consumption, they help reduce both climate risk and food transport needs," Yamori explained. "Vertical tomato farms in skyscrapers are not science fiction anymore," Yamori said. "Plant factories offer precise control and production stability, while greenhouses leverage natural variability to enhance photosynthetic efficiency and fruit quality.