National Security Adviser Khondaker Khalilur Rahman has firmly denied allegations that he holds foreign citizenship. “I am a full citizen of Bangladesh and ready to exercise my rights,” he said. He challenged his accuser to prove the claim in court. Earlier, BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed had alleged that a foreign citizen was serving as Bangladesh’s security adviser, raising concerns about military reporting and national sovereignty. Salahuddin warned that Bangladesh might be turned into a war zone under the guise of ‘humanitarian corridors’ and urged Nobel laureate Dr. Yunus to intervene.

India’s space agency ISRO failed in its latest mission to launch the EOS-09 satellite into orbit on Sunday. The rocket was destroyed mid-flight after it failed to deploy the satellite. The mission was broadcast live, and ISRO Chief V. Narayanan publicly acknowledged the failure during the coverage.

Supporters of Ishraq Hossain are continuing their protest for the fourth consecutive day, demanding that he be officially appointed Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. Hundreds have blocked the main entrance of Nagar Bhaban, disrupting all public services. Ishraq stated that a legal case was filed within 30 days of the election and that ruling party leader Taposh tried to interfere with it. “The court was under Awami League control at the time, yet we still won. Speaking against this ruling now is contempt of court,” he said.

A 16-year-old madrasa student named Habibur Rahman was tragically killed Saturday evening after being run over by a Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) garbage truck in Mirpur. Police have arrested the driver, Md. Sohel, who is a temporary worker without a valid driving license. “He was originally hired as a cleaner,” an inspector said. “It was a serious error to let him operate such a large vehicle.”

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.

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continued through Saturday night, killing at least 59 more people. Among the dead, 36 were in Al-Mawasi—designated by Israel as a “safe zone” in southern Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, over 53,000 people have been killed and more than 120,000 injured. In just the two months following the last ceasefire, over 3,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 8,000 wounded.

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.