Madagascar’s Gen-Z-led movement, inspired by youth protests in Kenya and Nepal, continues to intensify even after the government’s fall. Protesters are demanding a public apology from President Andry Rajoelina and the recently dismissed prime minister, as well as the removal of the capital’s administrator. Demonstrations have spread beyond Antananarivo to cities like Fenoarivo, Mahajanga, and Diego Suarez. Protesters highlight water shortages, power outages, and corruption, urging Rajoelina to resign. Despite the president’s televised promise to address crises and support businesses, young demonstrators expressed disappointment on social media. Since last week, the UN reports at least 22 deaths and over 100 injuries, though Madagascar’s foreign ministry disputes these figures. This is the largest uprising in recent years in the Indian Ocean island nation, posing the most significant challenge to Rajoelina since his disputed reelection in 2023.

In an interview with GTO during the UN General Assembly, interim government chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus revealed that many people urge him to remain in power not for five or ten years, but even for fifty years—questioning the need for elections. Responding to why Bangladesh requires 18 months for elections instead of the usual six, he highlighted both public sentiment and political complexities. He clarified that the ruling Awami League has not been banned, only its political activities suspended temporarily, with the possibility of reinstatement anytime. Dr. Yunus also spoke about the Rohingya crisis and the legitimacy of delaying polls. After Sheikh Hasina was ousted in 2024 following mass uprisings, Yunus reluctantly accepted his role as interim head, describing it as a duty rather than ambition.

In Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election, the dominance of family legacy in BNP politics is once again visible. Children of senior BNP leaders are actively seeking party nominations in multiple constituencies across the country. Among them are Shama Obaid, daughter of late KM Obaidur Rahman; Anindya Islam Amit, son of Tariqul Islam; Barrister Naushad Zamil, son of Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar; Nipun Roy Chowdhury, linked to Nitai Roy and Goyeshwar Roy; and Ishraq Hossain, son of Sadeque Hossain Khoka. In Chattogram, seven heirs of six senior leaders are competing for nominations, including Mir Helal, Hummam Quader Chowdhury, and Saeed Al Noman. Similar trends appear in Cumilla, Manikganj, Natore, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Dhaka. While some heirs built political credibility through activism, others largely rely on their family background, reflecting both continuity and controversy in BNP’s leadership.

YouTube has agreed to a $24.5 million settlement to resolve former President Donald Trump’s lawsuit over the suspension of his account following the January 6 Capitol riot. Court filings show $22 million will be donated to the National Mall Trust for a White House ballroom project, while $2.5 million will go to other plaintiffs, including the American Conservative Union and author Naomi Wolf. YouTube, owned by Alphabet, admitted no wrongdoing, saying the deal was meant to avoid further litigation costs. The move follows multimillion-dollar settlements between Trump and Meta, X, ABC News, and Paramount Global. Experts warn such settlements undermine consistent content moderation standards, raising concerns over tech platforms’ political alignment and influence. The case highlights ongoing clashes between Trump and media companies over alleged censorship since the 2020 election and January 6 events.

BNP central leader Shama Obaid has warned party activists against extortion, tender manipulation, and unethical activities, declaring no place for such practices in the party. She urged that even if her own supporters engage in wrongdoing, they must be handed over to the police. While visiting Durga Puja mandaps in Faridpur’s Saltha, she emphasized that real development requires ending corruption, police brokerage, and land office lobbying. Shama Obaid pledged to prevent immoral activities in her constituency as long as she is alive. She also assured equal treatment of Hindus and Muslims, calling for vigilance against attempts to disrupt communal harmony during the festival. BNP activists will guard temples day and night to prevent any mischief. She reaffirmed her lifelong support for the Hindu community, continuing her father’s legacy of unity and cooperation.

A leaked phone recording published Sept 30, 2025 captures a July 24 conversation between former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-state minister Nasrul Hamid Bipu. During the call, the recording alleges Hasina instructed Bipu to pin arson at government buildings during the July–August uprising on BNP and Jamaat, to ‘manage’ journalists by giving them ‘hadia’, and to intimidate channels by threatening to cut lines or electricity if they did not comply. The clip has circulated across media and social platforms, prompting debate and demands for investigation into the authenticity and political implications of the leak.

BNP leader GK Gaus has said that the party remains committed to ensuring peaceful coexistence for people of all religions in Bangladesh.

He expressed concern that those who fled the country after the recent mass uprising may use their illicit wealth to destabilize Bangladesh. As a precaution, BNP is maintaining heightened vigilance during this year’s Durga Puja celebrations.

“Religion is personal, but the country belongs to all. BNP believes in communal harmony, where every faith enjoys equal dignity and rights,” Gaus stated.

He praised BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman for mobilizing party activists nationwide last year to ensure Durga Puja was celebrated peacefully despite political turmoil.

“Even in the toughest times, we stood together with people of all religions. If we remain vigilant, no evil force will be able to disrupt harmony,” he added.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has launched a 12-day second-phase protest programme, pressing five demands including elections under a proportional representation (PR) system, ensuring legal recognition of the July Sanad, and guaranteeing a level playing field. The programme, announced by Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, includes public outreach from October 1–9, rallies in Dhaka and divisional cities on October 10, and submission of memoranda to district administrators on October 12. Jamaat warned of continued street protests if demands are ignored.

BNP leader Nasir Uddin Ahmed Asim has criticized proposals for Proportional Representation (PR)-based elections, calling the idea absurd and dangerous for democracy.

“Under PR, you could vote in Sandwip, but your MP would come from the Maldives—such thinking is absurd and unfit for Bangladesh’s political culture,” he remarked.

He argued that while reforms are necessary, many changes require constitutional amendments that must go through Parliament. Asim accused the ruling Awami League of ignoring the constitution while trying to restore authoritarian rule.

He further alleged that all major infrastructure progress took place under Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, while the current government has only plundered national wealth and repressed citizens over the past 15 years.

Bangladesh continues to face significant barriers to foreign investment despite efforts to improve electricity reliability. A U.S. State Department report highlights unfair taxes on foreign firms, corruption, red tape, and weak infrastructure as key challenges. The interim government has taken early steps but lacks effective action on labor rights and intellectual property enforcement. Foreign reserves dropped from USD 48 billion in 2021 to under USD 20 billion in 2024, worsened by banking scandals and loan defaults. Reforms are underway to stabilize the sector.

BNP Organizing Secretary Shama Obaid has declared that extortionists and those engaged in unethical practices have no place in the party.

Speaking during a constituency visit in Saltha, she said, “If anyone in BNP, even from my own team, is involved in wrongdoing, hand them over to the police. We will not protect them.”

She emphasized the need to root out corruption, extortion, and political exploitation to ensure genuine development.

During visits to 20 Durga Puja mandaps, Shama stressed BNP’s commitment to equal treatment of all religious communities. She warned that fascist elements might try to disrupt the festivities but assured that BNP activists would guard temples around the clock to maintain peace.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that both local and international conspiracies are actively working against the Zia family and nationalist forces in Bangladesh.

Speaking at a party event, Rizvi warned that efforts are underway to destabilize communal harmony and create unrest across the country. He urged all pro-democracy parties and citizens to remain vigilant.

Criticizing the ruling establishment, he claimed that authorities are deliberately delaying elections and attempting to derail democracy. Rizvi further warned that Bangladesh’s youth, long deprived of their voting rights, would not forgive any attempt to manipulate elections.

He also called on BUET students and intellectuals to contribute their knowledge and ideas to BNP’s vision for national reconstruction.

BNP leader Koyser Kamal accused Jamaat-e-Islami of attempting to sabotage upcoming elections under the pretext of demanding proportional representation (PR).

“Thousands have sacrificed their lives for democracy, not PR. Those demanding PR don’t even fully understand it,” Kamal said. He argued that citizens, deprived of voting rights for the past 17 years, are now eager to cast ballots.

He urged Jamaat to present an electoral manifesto if they truly believe in democracy, instead of misleading the public with religious rhetoric. Kamal alleged Jamaat’s PR demand is part of a new conspiracy to prevent the establishment of a democratic environment.

NCP leader Sarjis Alam asserted that the party has legally secured its right to the lotus election symbol. “If needed, NCP will go to the streets or the courts to claim its rightful symbol,” he declared.

Alam emphasized the party’s demand for visible justice and reforms based on the July Charter. He also accused Indian media of spreading propaganda to destabilize Bangladesh, claiming attempts were made to grab temple lands through forged documents in the past, often exploiting minority communities.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mia Golam Porwar announced that the party will launch a nationwide public outreach campaign from October 1 to 9, followed by countrywide rallies on October 10 and the submission of memorandums to district commissioners on October 12.

Porwar accused the interim government of ignoring public demands and warned that Jamaat would be forced to take to the streets if the demands remain unmet. He reiterated the party’s call for elections in February based on the July Charter, cautioning that otherwise a street movement would ensue.

Porwar also revealed that a new party logo was shown “experimentally” during a recent meeting, but stressed it was not final. He said the party’s previously announced five-point demands had gained public support, and Jamaat would continue to mobilize citizens behind them.