Islamic leader Maulana Mamunul Haque has stated that not an inch of Bangladeshi soil will be handed over to foreign powers. “We broke free from Delhi’s dominance, not to become slaves of Washington,” he declared. Mamunul emphasized that Bangladesh’s independence in 2024 represents a stand against foreign hegemony. He also warned against using women's rights as a cover to dishonor women and said all Islamic organizations are uniting to demand genuine rights for women.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced he will speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday at 10 AM in an effort to stop the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump described the call as a step toward ending bloodshed. Following his conversation with Putin, he also plans to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders of several NATO countries.

India has imposed a ban on the import of Bangladeshi garments through its northeastern land ports. From now on, shipments will only be allowed via Kolkata and Nhava Sheva seaports. Analysts say this move may be even harsher than U.S. tariffs on China. This development follows Bangladesh’s own restrictions, imposed about a month ago, on importing yarn through several land ports including Benapole, Bhomra, Sonamasjid, Banglabandha, and Burimari.

Police have arrested three individuals for running an online scam that targeted childless women through fake Facebook ads. According to AC Tariq Latif, the gang lured victims with false promises and stole large sums of money and valuables. The arrested suspects—Asifur Rahman (20), Al Amin (25), and Anamika (24)—were found in possession of significant amounts of cash, gold jewelry, and mobile phones. Investigators revealed that the group often posed as a woman named Rukaiya to deceive their victims.

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, a former central bank governor and current economic adviser, criticized banks for failing to provide prompt customer service. He cited a recent case where a senior civil servant was kept waiting for an hour because the bank lacked sufficient cash—only to be paid after the branch borrowed money from the central bank. “This is unacceptable. Banks must ensure customers receive timely service,” he said. He stressed the growing importance of card-based transactions and warned that Bangladesh must overcome significant challenges to graduate from LDC status by 2026. Sharing his experience in Europe, he said, “Nobody accepts dollars there—only euros and cards. For businesspeople, credit cards are essential.”

The 706th annual Urs of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) begins Sunday in Sylhet, as devotees from across Bangladesh and abroad arrive for the two-day spiritual gathering. The event, traditionally held on the 19th and 20th of the Islamic month of Zilqad, includes floral offerings at the shrine, Qur’an recitation, zikr sessions, special prayers, and communal meals. The Sylhet Metropolitan Police and the organizing committee have urged attendees to avoid any immoral, indecent, or religiously inappropriate behavior during the event.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan warned that the days of “Awami League-style” elections in Bangladesh are over. “Some people think they can continue conducting elections the way the Awami League did. That will no longer be accepted, InshaAllah,” he said. He also demanded that local government elections be held before parliamentary polls, in line with the roadmap provided by the Yunus-led interim government. “We want a peaceful environment in Bangladesh. Some are trying to disrupt that peace, but we will not be intimidated,” he asserted.

Shahidul Islam Babul, a leader of BNP’s farmers' wing, claimed that if Sheikh Hasina were still in power, he and his colleagues would be imprisoned. Speaking at a local event, he promised that a BNP-led government would construct a bridge over the Arial Khan River to connect Sadarpur with Char Manair, which he said would significantly improve the lives of people in the riverine areas.

Fatema Khanam Liza has been relieved of her duties as the spokesperson of the Chattogram Metropolitan unit of Boichitra Birodhi Chhatro Andolon (Anti-Discrimination Student Movement) following viral videos showing her engaging in drug use and an unregulated lifestyle. The organization stated that such behavior is unacceptable from a representative of a movement founded on the blood and sacrifice of the July Uprising. In a separate order, Shahriar Sikder was expelled from his post as an organizer following his arrest by Double Mooring police on extortion charges.

Tensions flared in Cumilla Thursday night following the announcement of new committees for the BNP’s South District and Metropolitan units of its student wing. Disgruntled activists who were denied positions staged an immediate protest. After marching through the city, they gathered outside the party offices in Kandirpar, chanting slogans. A few individuals then stormed the BNP office, vandalized furniture, and set parts of the premises on fire. Locals rushed to extinguish the flames. Shortly afterward, several crude bombs were detonated in the vicinity. Clashes were also reported between newly appointed members and those left out.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has pledged that if elected, his party will run the state with a sense of accountability and fear of God. “We will not bow to any global superpower,” he stated. Rahman emphasized Jamaat’s long struggle to establish a Quranic society in Bangladesh, saying they aim to build a system like that of Caliph Umar (RA). He called for unity beyond race, religion, or political affiliation and declared martyrdom as the highest honor in a believer’s life.

Akhtar Hossain, Member Secretary of the National Committee to Protect Oil-Gas and Mineral Resources, has received a chilling death threat by mail. The letter, signed under the alias “Bullet,” was delivered to his village home and warns of murder and violence against him and his family. “They’ll kill me wherever they find me,” Akhtar wrote on Facebook. “I’ve had several close brushes with death. Still, I never backed down from protesting, and never will, InshaAllah. My trust lies with Allah.”

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan has said that the only way to restore democracy in Bangladesh is through a free and fair national election held without delay. “We fought against Pakistan for democracy,” he stated, adding that democracy was later derailed when a one-party BAKSAL system was imposed, ignoring the people's will. “That authoritarian regime ultimately collapsed in 2024 following mass student and public protests,” he noted. Emphasizing BNP’s commitment to inclusive politics, he said, “We do not believe in the politics of vengeance. BNP wants to build the country alongside all pro-democracy citizens. We support freedom of speech and a free media for everyone in Bangladesh.” He also recalled that former President Ziaur Rahman often took rural artists along during foreign trips, and that Zia aimed to rebuild Bangladesh based on nationalism.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has criticized the government, questioning its authority to hand over control of ports and corridors to foreign entities. "What deals have you made abroad? What mandate do you have to transfer our sea ports, river ports, and corridors to foreign powers?" he asked. He stated that the government's sole mandate is to organize a general election in Bangladesh. Salahuddin urged the government to prioritize electoral reforms and hold national elections by December. He also condemned the appointment of a foreign national as the country’s National Security Adviser.

The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) has revealed that dismissed soldier Md. Naimul Islam had been planning acts of sabotage under the guise of organizing a protest rally. Since August 5, he had been collaborating with other discharged soldiers to spread provocative messages and incite unrest via media and social platforms. On May 18, he planned to stage a major disruptive rally at the entrance of Dhaka Cantonment. When army personnel attempted to contact him, he attacked them with local weapons. Naimul and two associates were subsequently arrested.