As indirect negotiations continue between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire, Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi claimed that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is only willing to release 10 hostages per truce phase and is unwilling to agree to a full release at once. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israel to "make a deal" and "bring the hostages home."

Religious Affairs Advisor Khalid Hossain announced that a directive has been sent to the Finance Ministry to ensure imams and khatibs in government, semi-government, autonomous, and waqf-managed mosques receive salaries according to the 2015 pay scale. He added, "If elections are held in February, I will step down, but before that, I want to reform the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Islamic Foundation, and the Waqf system." He also revealed plans to digitize waqf operations and ensure quick settlement of waqf-related legal cases. Starting next year, the Ministry will cover all travel, food, and medical expenses for official Hajj assistants—though no political alliance quotas will be allowed.

The 31st meeting of Bangladesh's Advisory Council has given both preliminary and final approval to the draft of the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Ordinance – 2025. The meeting was chaired by the Chief Advisor. A new committee has also been formed under the power advisor to address the National Board of Revenue’s ongoing crisis, including members from the Public Works, Labor, Environment, and Commerce ministries. Additionally, a MoU between Bangladesh and Turkey was approved, and the council gave in-principle approval for establishing a UN Human Rights Office mission in the country.

A Jerusalem district court has suspended the corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing diplomatic and security considerations. The decision followed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s social media post criticizing the Israeli prosecution as “madness,” and warning that such actions are unacceptable given the billions in U.S. aid to Israel. Netanyahu thanked Trump for his support. The move has sparked controversy amid ongoing tensions in Israeli politics.

Sarjis Alam, a senior leader of the National Change Platform (NCP), addressed recent statements made by activist Umama Fatema. He acknowledged her contributions during the popular uprising and her leadership in anti-discrimination movements but noted that perspectives differ. "Some of her concerns need to be understood through dialogue. Not all her allegations can be dismissed outright, nor can they all be accepted without scrutiny," Sarjis added. He emphasized the importance of collaboration to address issues constructively within the evolving post-uprising context.

Senior BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has dismissed doubts about the February 2026 national elections. "There are no signs indicating the election will not be held on time. Preparations are underway across the country," he said. Khosru criticized those questioning the electoral process without cause, saying such efforts only disrupt the democratic process. He also accused certain political groups of exploiting local incidents—such as the recent events in Cumilla—for electioneering purposes. Khosru mentioned that the Canadian High Commissioner has expressed support for election preparations and Canada's willingness to assist.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has condemned the rape of a Hindu woman in Muradnagar, calling it a "heinous act." He warned against politicizing the incident, stating that some vested interests are trying to use it for political gain. "Criminals emboldened by impunity are continuing their misdeeds. Perpetrators of violence against women must not have political protection," he said. Fakhrul also claimed that Muradnagar's local BNP advisor, since his appointment, has been behaving like ruling party MPs—trying to exert dominance in the area. He further expressed concern that the repression of minorities, as seen in authoritarian regimes, is once again being repeated.

BNP Chairperson's Advisor Fazlur Rahman has alleged that he was barred from entering Bangladesh for years by former President Abdul Hamid. "Hamid kept me imprisoned under false sedition charges and refused to let me return," he stated. Rahman further claimed that Abdul Hamid now survives politically only through the mercy of Jamaat-e-Islami. He alleged that Hamid’s brother-in-law, Jihad Khan, is currently Jamaat’s candidate for Kishoreganj-3. "He relies on Golam Azam’s son and Jamaat leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman to maneuver politically, even to travel abroad," Rahman said. He strongly criticized the former president, adding, “The Hamids of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman now live under the grace of Jamaat. I refuse to exist for even a second under the mercy of anti-Liberation forces.”

On Sunday, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh paid a courtesy visit to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan. BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organising Secretary Shama Obaid also attended the meeting.

Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched investigations into six senior officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), accusing them of enabling tax evasion in exchange for bribes. ACC Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam confirmed the inquiry. The accused are: A.K.M. Badiul Alam (Member, Income Tax Policy), Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabdar (Additional Commissioner, Audit Intelligence and Investigation Directorate), Mirza Ashiq Rana (Additional Commissioner, Dhaka Tax Zone 8), Monalisa Shahreen Sushmita (Additional Commissioner, Dhaka Tax Zone 16), Sadhan Kumar Kundu (Additional Commissioner, Dhaka South Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate), and Mohammad Morshed Uddin Khan (Joint Commissioner, BSS Tax Academy). Notably, five of these officials are actively involved in the current protest movement.

Responding to long-standing demands from expatriates, the Election Commission will begin voter registration and Smart NID services for Bangladeshis in Malaysia. Starting Monday, the High Commission will offer these services, enabling Bangladeshis living in Malaysia to register to vote and collect their Smart NID cards. Applicants must complete a form, provide a copy of their passport, submit their online birth certificate, a color passport-sized photograph, and pay a fee of 75 ringgit.

Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Asif Nazrul announced that the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights will open a mission in Dhaka, initially for three years. The Adviser Council approved a memorandum of understanding in principle on Sunday. “UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk had visited Bangladesh and discussed opening a branch,” Nazrul said. “Today, we approved this in principle, and a group of advisers will review the draft before sending it to Türk.” He expressed hope the agreement would be signed soon.

A video showing a woman bound and forcibly dragged away in the dead of night has gone viral on Facebook. In the footage, the woman can be heard screaming, “Help me! Save me!” The incident took place around midnight Saturday in Majher Deor village of Patuakhali’s Maudubi Union. Police later said it was a family matter. According to sources, the video was posted from the husband’s social media account. The marriage was secret and undocumented, and their families belong to rival political camps—the Awami League and the BNP—which reportedly led the woman’s family to seize her from her husband’s home.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social urging: “Make a deal in Gaza. Bring the hostages back.” Although he did not name Hamas or Israel, the wording suggested he was directing the appeal to Israeli authorities. Meanwhile, a mother of one of the hostages accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—who faces charges at the International Criminal Court of war crimes and crimes against humanity—of refusing a ceasefire agreement to cling to power.

Brigadier General Mohammad-Reza Naghdi, Deputy Coordinator of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated Saturday that Iran activated less than 5% of its defense capabilities in response to Israeli aggression. “This doesn’t mean these resources were depleted,” he clarified. “Only 5% of our defensive units engaged the enemy. Our core military strength remains undisclosed and unused.”