United States issued a ‘Level 2’ travel advisory for Bangladesh, urged their citizens to exercise caution while travelling to the country.  They also issued 'level 3' travel agency for to Chittagong Hill Tracts Region “due to occasional communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks".  The US Department of State said it in a statement on Thursday (12 October). In that statement, US said,  “Travelers should be aware of petty crimes such as pickpocketing in crowded areas. Crimes such as muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking constitute the majority of criminal activity in Bangladesh's major cities, but there are no indications foreigners are being targeted because of their nationality. These crimes tend to be situational, based on time and location. Terrorist attacks can happen with little or no warning, with terrorists targeting public areas such as tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, restaurants, places of worship, school campuses, and government facilities." It also said, "The next general election is anticipated to occur before January 2024, and political party rallies and other election-related activities have already commenced. Political rallies and demonstrations may be held with increasing frequency or intensity as the general election draws nearer. Travelers to Bangladesh should practice vigilance and remember that demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence."

Authorities advised nearly 1.3 million people across Japan to evacuate after Tropical Storm Mawar lashed Okinawa causing in injuries to eight people. Tropical Storm Mawar unleashed torrential rain in parts of Japan on Friday prompting authorities to issue evacuation advisories for over a million people. The storm brought gusts of up to 90 kph (56 mph) to Okinawa, resulting in eight injuries. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency advised nearly 1.3 million individuals across Japan to evacuate in the face of the approaching storm. More than 300 flights and 52 ferries were canceled, and a few train lines were temporarily shut down. Earlier in the week Super Typhoon Mawar battered Guam but weakened to tropical storm status as it approached Japan's main southern islands. Flood, landslide warnings issued The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued flood and landslide warnings for the western parts of Shikoku and Honshu islands, with forecasts indicating up to 350mm (13.8 inches) of rainfall in certain areas of western Honshu within a 24-hour period. Parts of Shikoku experienced intense rainfall, with 162.5mm (6.4 inches) recorded in just three hours. Tropical Storm Mawar's impact was intensified by the warm and humid air it brought, which could possibly exacerbate the seasonal rains and heighten the risk of flooding and mudslides. Memories of past storms Japan has faced similar weather conditions in the past, leading to devastating flooding and landslides, such as in the summer of 2018, which claimed the lives of over 200 people. "What happened five years ago is still as clear as yesterday," a woman in the island of Shikoku told a local media channel. This severe weather event occurred after Japan had already experienced its warmest spring on record, the Japan Meteorological Agency said on Thursday.

The Spanish government's First Vice President Nadia Calvino was elected chair of the group of finance ministers and central bankers that advises the IMF's board, the organization announced Thursday.    Calvino, who is also her country's economy minister, replaces Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson as head of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), and will remain in office for two years, beginning January 3.    The IMFC consists of 24 members who are central bankers and governors, finance ministers or officials of equivalent rank, who are chosen from among International Monetary Fund member countries.    Calvino has been Spain's first vice president since July and economy minister since 2018.    She previously held several positions at the European Commission, including director general in charge of the budget from 2014 to 2018.    The IMFC is the main advisory body to the IMF's board of governors and deliberates major policy issues. Source: AFP/BSS AH

Former Feni law maker Joynal Hazari has been served letter after selected as Awami League advisory council member. He received the letter on Monday. The letter said, Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has nominated him as the advisory council member of the party according to the power bestowed upon her through the council of October 22 and 23, 2016. Earlier news was published at the beginning of this month about selecting him as the party advisory council member.  On October 2 at an unscheduled meeting with some party leaders at the Ganabhaban Sheikh Hasina selected him for this important post. Later while answering to the newsmen party General Secretary Obaidul Quader said that he knew nothing about this. At that time Joynal Hazari confirmed about being party advisory council member through a facebook video post while undergoing treatment in Singapore. Joynal Hazari was elected as the Member of Parliament of Awami League from Feni-2 constituency in 1986, 1991 and 1996. AH