Former presidents and prime ministers from 11 countries, along with ex-heads of international institutions, met Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to express solidarity with Bangladesh’s interim government. The meeting, led by former Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, praised Yunus’s lifelong contributions to poverty reduction and social justice. The leaders noted Bangladesh faces “serious challenges” after 16 years of corruption and misrule. Kerry Kennedy lauded the country’s human rights progress, while Melanne Verveer of Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace, and Security said her organization would soon formally endorse Bangladesh’s July Revolution. Yunus, visibly moved, compared the country’s situation to surviving a massive natural disaster: “For 16 years, Bangladesh has lived through an earthquake measuring 9 on the Richter scale.”

Jamaat leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has claimed that poverty could be eradicated from Bangladesh within three to four years if Zakat were officially collected and managed. He proposed mobilizing Zakat funds from across the Muslim world to create massive employment opportunities. For example, he suggested that if a youth were given Tk 500,000 from Zakat funds to run 10 small food carts, each could employ 10 people, generating Tk 700–800 in daily profits and Tk 90,000 monthly income for the owner. “This way, thousands of crores could be mobilized for nationwide employment,” Taher said, also praising the sacrifices of expatriates in past movements.

An earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale struck Monirampur in Jessore at 2:27 p.m. on Saturday. The tremor originated in Monirampur itself, about 157 kilometers southwest of Dhaka, according to the Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center. This marks the third quake this month. Earlier, on September 14, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Assam, India, followed by a 4.0 quake in Sunamganj’s Chhatak region on September 21.

To protect spawning Hilsa, the government has imposed a nationwide ban on fishing in the Padma, Meghna, and the Bay of Bengal from midnight October 3 to midnight October 25. The announcement has left fishing communities and traders frustrated. Despite being peak season, Hilsa catches have already been disappointing in parts of Lakshmipur and Raipur. Local fishermen reported that even when Hilsa appear in rivers and seas, catches are nowhere near previous levels. Many families now fear severe hardship. Last year, the ban began on October 12. Fishermen are urging authorities to reconsider the earlier enforcement date this year.

GOP leader Rashed Khan has warned that introducing a Proportional Representation (PR) system in elections could destabilize Bangladesh. “If PR is implemented, MPs will be bought and sold every morning and evening. Stability will collapse. In reality, PR is not feasible for the lower house, though discussions could be held for the upper house,” Rashed argued. He further cautioned that the system might rehabilitate the Awami League and risk triggering ethnic divisions and religious strife. Rashed questioned the Election Commission’s stance on reforms, accusing both the Commission and government of trying to shirk responsibility. “It is the government’s duty to bring differing opinions into consensus,” he said, while also questioning why an “invisible government” was controlling the interim authority.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder dismissed social media claims that Bangladesh’s delegation attended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the UN General Assembly. “This is nothing but malicious propaganda by defeated forces. The delegation entered only after Netanyahu had finished,” he clarified. Majumder explained that Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus had two scheduled meetings on Friday morning: first with officials of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center at 9 a.m., and then with the Prime Minister of Bhutan at 10:30 a.m. at the UN headquarters. “When our delegation entered the hall, the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was speaking. Before that, the leaders of Israel, Pakistan, and China had already delivered their speeches,” Majumder said.

Seven platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in Khagrachhari to maintain law and order. Earlier on Saturday, the district administration imposed Section 144 in the town and municipal areas, banning gatherings until further notice. The move followed daylong road blockades by Jumma student and citizen groups, demanding justice for Tuesday’s reported rape incident and an end to sexual violence in the hills. The blockade left around 2,000 tourists stranded in Sajek and another 1,000 stuck in Khagrachhari on their way to the popular hill destination. The army has since begun efforts to ensure safe passage for the tourists back to their destinations.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has said that his party will never compromise on Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. Speaking at a rally, Taher declared: “Some try to scare us by saying that if we come to power, India will invade. I pray they do invade. Once they do, the false stigma placed upon us in 1971 will disappear, and we will have the chance to prove ourselves as true freedom fighters. At least five million youths will wage a war of independence against India.” Taher elaborated that one group would launch guerrilla attacks while the other would spread out across the region, igniting a full-scale resistance. He also linked the idea to prophetic traditions of battle. Criticizing the Awami League, Taher claimed the ruling party would never fight India but rather assist them. “When the time comes, the organized force will be us. Then we will be the true liberation fighters, and no one will be able to devour Bangladesh,” he said.

Environmental lawyer and adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that protecting nature is the key to transforming Bangladesh into a premier destination for domestic and international tourists. Speaking at an event marking World Tourism Day 2025, she stressed the importance of sustainable urban planning, clean environments, waste management, and preservation of cultural heritage to advance the tourism sector. Highlighting Bangladesh’s natural treasures—Sylhet’s tea gardens, Cox’s Bazar’s beaches, the Sundarbans mangroves, and hill waterfalls—Rizwana noted, “These are priceless assets. Only by protecting them can we ensure sustainable tourism.”

BNP leaders held a meeting with a visiting European Parliamentary delegation to discuss the country’s political climate ahead of the upcoming general election. BNP representatives emphasized the need for a free, fair, and participatory election, ensuring equal opportunity for all political parties. The delegation included election monitoring and follow-up experts Ricardo Celleri, Mete Bakken, and Manuel Wali. BNP’s side was represented by senior leaders Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, Ismail Jobiullah, and Shama Obaid.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah reiterated that no biased directives would come from the Commission. He noted that one of the root causes of July’s uprising was the collapse of the electoral system, and stressed the need to move away from “sham elections.” Sanaullah called for greater grassroots awareness to protect democratic integrity. Echoing previous concerns, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed again pointed out that AI misuse and ensuring expatriate voting remain the biggest challenges for the upcoming election.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin assured that the Election Commission will not issue instructions favoring any side and will operate strictly in line with the law. He emphasized that the Commission is determined to hold a historic and credible election in February, despite visible and invisible challenges. Commissioner Anwarul Islam added, “The backbone of the Commission remains strong. We will conduct the vote with utmost professionalism.” Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the upcoming polls would be more challenging than any in the past, particularly in preventing AI misuse and facilitating voting for expatriates.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed satisfaction with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s address at the UN General Assembly. Fakhrul highlighted that Yunus gave a “clear and powerful” message about holding national elections in February 2026, removing all doubts. “We are convinced the election will take place. For the first time, opposition parties were brought into the government’s international narrative, showcasing national unity,” Fakhrul said. He added that BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman fully supported this inclusive effort.

Controversy erupted at the mausoleum of former President Ziaur Rahman when Dr. Sabrina, accused of having links with the Awami League, faced protests from BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal. A video circulating on social media shows activists confronting her, demanding she leave the premises. Sabrina insisted she had never raised slogans in favor of Sheikh Hasina, rejecting the allegations. However, Chhatra Dal leaders argued she was not authorized to attend. Despite initially refusing to leave, Sabrina eventually departed the site by car, saying, “Zia’s shrine belongs to everyone.”

Authorities in Ladakh have tightened security after the arrest of renowned environmental activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk under India’s National Security Act. Wangchuk, who was leading a hunger strike demanding full statehood for Ladakh, was detained on Friday. Heavy security measures were imposed across Leh and adjoining areas this morning. The protest movement, largely led by the youth, has drawn comparisons to political uprisings in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Tensions escalated last Wednesday when clashes left four people dead and at least 50 injured.