For the first time in twenty years, Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman has given an interview to a media outlet. BBC Bangla announced on Sunday, October 5, that it would air the exclusive two-part interview on October 6 and 7 at 9 a.m. on its website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. In the interview, Tarique discussed national politics, elections, and various current affairs. Exiled in London for nearly seventeen years, he has been leading BNP virtually but had never before spoken directly to the press. His first public media appearance has generated significant curiosity among BNP supporters and the general public. The interview follows the lifting of a High Court ban imposed during the previous Awami League government, which had restricted media broadcasts of Tarique Rahman’s statements until August 5, 2024.

Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan and the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) held a political discussion in Dhaka’s Kamrangirchar on Saturday evening, addressing the legal foundation of the July Charter, proportional representation in the upper house, and accountability for the July and Shapla killings. The meeting was led by NCP’s senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib and Khelafat Andolan’s Amir Maulana Habibullah Miaji, joined by top leaders from both parties. Both groups expressed consensus on suspending the activities of the ruling alliance and seeking justice for political violence. They also emphasized working together against foreign or domestic hegemony to safeguard Bangladesh’s sovereignty, human rights, and independence. The dialogue marked a step toward building broader political understanding among parties sharing anti-imperialist values and aspirations for democratic reform.

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu has said that anyone obstructing the establishment of a democratically elected government in Bangladesh is an enemy of the country’s democracy, independence, and sovereignty. Speaking at a citizens’ rally organized by the “Desh Bachao Manush Bachao Andolon” on October 5 in front of the National Press Club, Dudu criticized the previous 15-year rule under Sheikh Hasina, calling it a “fascist and anti-people regime.” He alleged that Sheikh Hasina is currently in exile in India, which he described as an unfriendly nation sheltering a “genocidal ruler.” Dudu emphasized that true democracy can only be achieved through people’s votes and warned that any attempt to block an elected government would endanger the nation. He urged unity under the leadership of Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman to restore full democracy and protect Bangladesh’s independence.

Former adviser and National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has alleged that several members of the current interim government’s advisory council have secretly aligned themselves with various political parties. In an interview with a private television channel, he said many advisers are now thinking about their own “safe exit” instead of serving the public interest. Nahid Islam criticized his past trust in civil society and political leaders, calling it a mistake, and argued that student leadership should have been strengthened instead. He accused some advisers of betraying the people’s movement and acting for personal benefit. According to him, certain advisers believe their power depends on political party support and fear they cannot sustain the government without it. He also mentioned that conspiracies to overthrow the interim government still exist. Nahid insisted that the presence of student leaders within the government prevented it from collapsing in its early months.

To address Sylhet city’s chronic traffic congestion, the National Citizen Committee (NCP) has presented a 27-point proposal aimed at ensuring safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible urban transport management. During a press conference, NCP Divisional Organizational Secretary Ehtesham Haque emphasized the need for the government to seek public and stakeholder opinions before finalizing the “Electric Three-Wheeler Management Policy 2025.” The proposals include forming passenger and goods transport committees, enforcing driving licenses, providing driver training, displaying fare charts, ensuring garage safety, creating designated parking areas and charging stations, and encouraging renewable energy use. Additional points highlight the importance of expanding roads, relocating institutions and terminals, managing hawkers and shrine areas, restricting high-rise construction, and introducing digital traffic systems and separate lanes. The NCP also urged for strict measures against underage and unlicensed drivers, alongside promoting traffic education and respect for transport workers.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a warning, saying “this time, God willing, India will be buried under the wreckage of its own jets,” in response to recent provocative remarks by Indian military and political leaders.

His comments echoed social-media claims and past May clashes in which each side has traded accusations about downed aircraft, deepening mistrust between New Delhi and Islamabad.

The military’s Inter-Services Public Relations office cautioned that inflammatory statements could be used as a pretext for aggression and warned that renewed hostilities might bring catastrophic destruction to South Asia.

Asif framed Pakistan as a state built in Allah’s name and described its defenders as ‘soldiers of Allah’, language that analysts say raises the stakes of rhetoric and complicates diplomatic de-escalation. Both sides’ recent public exchanges — including unverified claims about losses and threats to alter borders — have renewed fears of miscalculation; international observers urge restraint and independent verification to avoid an irreversible spiral.

Georgia erupted in protests on Saturday as citizens expressed outrage over alleged fraud in last year’s parliamentary elections and the suspension of EU accession talks. Demonstrators in the capital, Tbilisi, attempted to enter the Presidential Palace, clashing with police, who used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse the crowd and arrested many. The unrest comes after the ruling party, Georgian Dream, claimed victory in elections widely criticized by opposition parties for irregularities. Most opposition groups boycotted the local elections in protest, with prominent figures, including opera singer Pata Burdzhuladze, calling for the arrest of top ruling party leaders. The government has intensified crackdowns on opposition activists, independent media, and Western-leaning politicians, resulting in numerous detentions. Authorities also fined hundreds of protesters approximately $1,835 for participating in illegal activities like road blockades. Thousands marched with Georgian and EU flags demanding respect for citizens’ will and political accountability.

Awami League Advisory Council member and former Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed is in a critical state at Square Hospital in Dhaka, where he has been on life support for several days. His condition worsened on Saturday night when his blood pressure and pulse dropped significantly before stabilizing again. Family sources report that doctors have not issued any formal statement, though his heart remains functional. The veteran politician, aged 81, has long battled health issues, including paralysis on one side of his body following a stroke, and has relied on a wheelchair for years. Born in Bhola in 1943, Ahmed was a student leader during the 1969 mass uprising, serving as DUCSU vice president and convenor of the All-Party Student Action Council. His contribution to Bangladesh’s political landscape spans decades, and his current health condition has drawn concern from colleagues and supporters nationwide.

Pakistan has reportedly approached the United States with a proposal to build and operate a port along the Arabian Sea, signaling a potential shift in regional geopolitics. According to the Financial Times report published on October 3, advisers to Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, have initiated discussions with U.S. officials regarding the project. The plan involves U.S. investors constructing and managing a terminal in Pasni, a coastal town in Balochistan’s Gwadar district, neighboring Afghanistan and Iran. This move could grant Washington strategic access to one of the world’s most sensitive regions while enabling American firms to explore Pakistan’s rich mineral reserves. If realized, the project may influence both U.S.-China competition in the region and Pakistan’s economic alignment, as Pasni lies close to the Chinese-funded Gwadar port, a key component of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Khelafat Majlis has announced a new series of nationwide programs demanding the immediate legal recognition and implementation of the July National Charter (2025) before holding the 13th National Parliamentary Election. At a press briefing in Dhaka’s Engineers Institution, Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader stated that the interim government must take responsibility for executing the charter and ensuring a fair election based on it. He criticized the delay in justice for the previous regime and highlighted the absence of an effective level playing field, administrative neutrality, and necessary political reforms. The party presented a six-point demand, including granting constitutional legitimacy to the July Charter through a referendum or presidential proclamation. The declared programs include mass communication from October 5–9, divisional rallies on October 10, submission of memoranda to deputy commissioners on October 12, and constituency-based campaigns from October 15–30. Khelafat Majlis emphasized that the interim government must remove uncertainty surrounding the Charter’s implementation.

A violent clash broke out in Dhaka’s Lalbagh area on Friday night following an argument between two teenagers over the popular mobile game “Free Fire.” The dispute, which began as a quarrel between Mamun and another boy, escalated into a physical fight involving their families. During the altercation in the Amoligola Bazar area, Shahid, a raw-material vendor and father of one of the boys, was severely beaten and injured. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 1:30 a.m. in critical condition. According to police sources, the incident stemmed from a family dispute triggered by the children’s gaming argument. Lalbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mostafa Kamal Khan confirmed that it appears to be a domestic conflict. Authorities advised the injured man’s family to file an official complaint with medical documents if they wish to proceed legally. Police have already been informed about the incident for further investigation and necessary action.

In Cumilla’s Titas upazila, Sohel Munshi, a joint convener of the upazila JASAS (a BNP cultural wing), has been accused of verbally abusing a head teacher while falsely identifying himself as a journalist. An audio recording of the 4-minute-15-second phone conversation between Sohel and Keshabpur Girls’ High School head teacher, Ali Gofran, went viral on Facebook. In the audio, Sohel introduces himself as “journalist Sohel Munshi” and uses obscene and insulting language after the teacher politely responds. The incident has sparked anger among local educators. Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, president of the Titas Secondary Teachers’ Committee, condemned the language used and demanded legal action against Sohel. Meanwhile, Cumilla North District JASAS president Kamal Parvez Dalim said that Sohel had been previously warned and that this latest misconduct was “unpardonable.” The organization has pledged to take strict disciplinary measures soon, amid public calls for accountability and respect toward educators.

BNP’s central sports affairs secretary and Dhaka North convenor, Aminul Haque, accused certain political groups of attempting to delay the upcoming national election, scheduled for February, under various pretexts. Speaking at a free medical camp organized by Pallabi and Rupnagar BNP units, he said such attempts undermine democracy and citizens’ rights. Haque harshly criticized Jamaat-e-Islami, likening its influence to smoking—harmful to religion. He claimed Jamaat exploits Islam for political gain, which threatens both faith and society. Citing a Jamaat leader’s recent controversial comment equating fasting and puja, Haque said such statements are unacceptable to the people of Bangladesh. Emphasizing BNP’s commitment to an inclusive, non-communal Bangladesh, he reaffirmed the party’s mission to ensure citizens’ welfare, education, health, and dignity. After the event, Haque joined a tree-planting program at the Urban Children’s Park in Bauniabad, accompanied by other BNP leaders from Dhaka North.

Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem has criticized the U.S.-proposed Gaza ceasefire plan, calling it “dangerous” and an Israeli political maneuver disguised as peace. Speaking at a memorial event in Lebanon on October 4, Qassem alleged that Israel aims to achieve through diplomacy what it failed to secure through military aggression, genocide, and blockade. He said the plan represents Israel’s broader “Greater Israel” project, which he claimed includes not only Gaza and the West Bank but also parts of Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Qassem urged people across the region to resist this plan, warning it would eventually affect everyone. He emphasized that the final decision on the U.S. proposal rests with Hamas and other Palestinian resistance groups, asserting their right to determine the appropriate response. Qassem’s remarks come amid growing tensions over international efforts to end the Gaza conflict and shape post-war governance.

In a candid interview for Apple TV+’s The Reluctant Traveller, Prince William shared his intention to bring meaningful reforms to the British monarchy when he becomes king. Speaking at Windsor Castle with actor Eugene Levy, the Prince of Wales said he wants to “change things for the better” so that his children “can be proud” of his legacy. While he did not specify the nature of the reforms, William emphasized that he welcomes change and finds it inspiring rather than intimidating. Reflecting on his upbringing with his brother Harry, he expressed a desire to leave behind outdated traditions. The BBC reported that royal insiders view this as his most open conversation yet. Acknowledging the challenges of the past year, William also stressed the need to question old customs to keep the monarchy relevant, asking, “Is this still the right thing to do in today’s world?”