More than 200 leaders and activists of the Awami League, whose activities were previously banned in Dhaka’s Demra area, have joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The formal joining took place on Friday morning at the Demra Thana BNP office, where the new members were welcomed by BNP leaders SM Reza Selim and Anisuzzaman. The group, led by freedom fighter and former Awami League leader Maulana Shahadat Hossain, pledged to work together for the upcoming national elections. Shahadat Hossain stated that he had earlier been a follower of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman but was compelled to join the Awami League under pressure. He expressed renewed confidence in BNP leadership. BNP leaders emphasized that their party practices constructive politics and is moving forward under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, welcoming the new members as part of a broader political unity effort in Dhaka-5 constituency.

Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the National Board of Revenue’s Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) have launched investigations into alleged undisclosed assets belonging to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family. Following her departure to India on August 5 last year amid a mass uprising, authorities reportedly uncovered properties worth hundreds of crores of taka registered under family members’ names across Dhaka, including in Gulshan, Baridhara, and Segunbagicha. Official tax filings show discrepancies, with undeclared bank lockers and undervalued properties. ACC Chairman Dr. Mohammad Abdul Momen stated that Hasina’s 2008 election affidavit contained inconsistencies regarding agricultural land ownership, revealing 29 acres instead of the declared 5.2 acres. The investigation also highlights income sources from agriculture, royalties, and financial instruments, but suggests significant underreporting of real estate and jewelry holdings. The findings have intensified scrutiny over the former premier’s wealth declarations and potential misuse of power during her tenure.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is reported to be in a 'very critical' health condition, according to party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Speaking after Friday prayers at a special prayer gathering in Dhaka’s Naya Paltan, Fakhrul said Khaleda Zia has long contributed to the country’s democratic movement and has endured imprisonment and hardship for her political stance. He urged people across Bangladesh to pray for her recovery. The 80-year-old former leader, suffering from multiple chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney complications, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 after experiencing breathing difficulties. She had previously been hospitalized in October for medical tests. Khaleda Zia returned from London in May after receiving medical treatment abroad earlier this year.

US President Donald Trump announced plans to suspend immigration from all so-called 'Third World countries' following the identification of an Afghan national as a suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, DC. The move expands his administration’s tightening of immigration policies, including a directive to re-examine all green card applications from 19 'countries of concern' such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Venezuela. Trump stated that the suspension aims to protect national security and end what he called 'Biden’s illegal admissions.' He also pledged to revoke federal benefits for noncitizens and denaturalize migrants deemed threats to public order. US Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow confirmed a comprehensive review of all green card cases from the listed nations. The announcement follows ongoing reviews of refugee admissions under the Biden administration, with approximately 200,000 cases under scrutiny. The policy marks one of the most restrictive immigration measures since 1980, further limiting refugee and migrant entry into the United States.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasized the importance of respecting differing opinions and ensuring freedom of expression as Bangladesh approaches its upcoming national election, expected in February. Speaking at the biennial conference of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) in Dhaka, Fakhrul said the nation is eager to return to a democratic system through the polls. He criticized the current political culture where dissenters are often treated as enemies and subjected to misinformation campaigns. Fakhrul also urged journalists to remain independent and focus on their professional responsibilities rather than aligning with political parties. He accused the government of systematically undermining media freedom over the past 15 years. The conference was attended by representatives from 18 affiliated journalist unions across the country, with discussions focusing on organizational and professional issues within the media sector.

BNP Joint Secretary General and Lakshmipur-3 candidate Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie alleged that people in Saudi Arabia speak highly of former President Ziaur Rahman and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, while referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a 'liar'. Speaking at a courtyard meeting with female voters in Bhabaniganj Degree College field, Lakshmipur, Annie said Saudis regard Ziaur Rahman as a leader of the Muslim Ummah and a popular figure both domestically and internationally. He also reiterated that Ziaur Rahman led the Liberation War and issued the call for independence from the Kalurghat radio station. Annie further recounted his personal experiences of political persecution, including imprisonment, attacks on his home, and alleged police harassment, asserting his determination not to bow to injustice. Several local BNP and affiliated organization leaders attended the event.

Concerns are mounting in Pakistan over the health and treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned in Adiala Jail. Sources within his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), allege that Khan is being subjected to physical abuse and kept in near-total isolation, with minimal contact with his family or legal team. His sister, Aleema Khan, expressed frustration over being denied visitation rights, questioning the government’s motives. While the government insists Khan’s health is stable, PTI insiders claim his condition is deteriorating due to stress, harsh treatment, and lack of communication. Reports suggest that previous visits by officials were used to misrepresent his health status. Authorities reportedly fear that public disclosure of Khan’s true condition could trigger widespread protests. His family has filed a petition in the high court seeking urgent permission to meet him.

More than 70,660 expatriate Bangladeshis have registered to vote through the 'Postal Vote BD' app as of Friday, November 28, according to the Election Commission (EC). Among them, 59,510 are men and 11,150 are women. This marks the first time Bangladeshi citizens living abroad will be able to cast their votes through postal ballots in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. The highest number of registrations came from the United States, followed by South Korea, Canada, Japan, Australia, and South Africa. Registration in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, was temporarily suspended due to incorrect or incomplete address entries but is expected to resume soon. The EC opened global registration on November 27, allowing expatriates to register until December 18. Officials described the initiative as a historic step toward including overseas citizens, as well as government employees and others eligible for in-country postal voting, in the democratic process.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that the Election Commission (EC) has extended the postal voter registration deadline for expatriate Bangladeshis worldwide until 11:59 p.m. on December 18. The decision follows BNP’s demand to allow more overseas Bangladeshis to register for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Fakhrul shared the update on his verified social media account, urging all expatriates with valid national ID cards to register via the Postal Vote BD app before the deadline. According to the EC, over 30,000 expatriates have already registered from countries across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. Once registration closes, ballot papers will be mailed to the registered voters’ addresses abroad. The initiative aims to ensure broader participation of expatriate citizens in Bangladesh’s democratic process.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has pledged to establish what it calls a 'new history of governance' grounded in faith if it comes to power in the upcoming national elections. Party chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, speaking at an election rally in Dhaka’s Vashantek area, said Jamaat would not be swayed by any foreign conspiracies and emphasized that the party’s popularity cannot be diminished through propaganda. He highlighted that young candidates have been nominated in all 300 constituencies, reflecting the party’s focus on youth leadership. Responding to allegations that Jamaat restricts women’s participation in the workforce, Rahman dismissed them as false, asserting that the party supports gender equality in employment. He also stated that Jamaat respects the rights of religious minorities and intends to include representatives from different faiths in parliament. The rally was attended by thousands of supporters, including Dhaka-17 candidate Dr. S.M. Khaliduzzaman, who vowed to fight corruption and misgovernance.

Golam Faruk Abhi, a former Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) student leader and ex-MP from Barishal-2, is seeking to return to Bangladesh after two decades in Canada. Once a popular political figure in the 1990s, Abhi was expelled from the BNP’s student wing and later joined the Jatiya Party (Manju), winning a parliamentary seat in 1996. His supporters remain optimistic about his political comeback despite the BNP nominating another candidate for his former constituency. Abhi has applied for a travel pass from the Bangladeshi government to facilitate his return, but the process has been delayed without explanation. He insists that returning home is his top priority, while contesting the upcoming national election—either as an independent or with another party—remains secondary. Abhi has criticized bureaucratic hurdles preventing his return, calling them a violation of his constitutional rights.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has pledged that if his party wins the upcoming national election, it will form a government inclusive of all anti-fascist political forces, including the BNP. Speaking at a youth and citizen rally in Dhaka’s Vashantek area, he emphasized unity and rejected divisive politics, calling those who divide the nation its enemies. Rahman asserted that Jamaat has no record of corruption, extortion, or abuse of power, and promised a new political formula for a people-oriented government. He criticized the current system as still bearing fascist traits and vowed to build a corruption-free, honest administration. Highlighting Bangladesh’s untapped natural resources, he lamented that citizens have yet to enjoy the true benefits of independence. Rahman reaffirmed Jamaat’s commitment to the country, saying the party never fled Bangladesh despite repression and sacrifices.

Across Bangladesh, special prayers and supplications are being held today for the recovery of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently receiving treatment in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. The 80-year-old leader has been suffering from multiple chronic illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney complications. She was admitted to the hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties last Sunday. A medical board comprising local and foreign specialists is overseeing her treatment. The BNP has called on citizens to join in the nationwide prayers after Friday prayers, with a central gathering scheduled at the party’s Naya Paltan headquarters, where senior leaders including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir are expected to attend. Khaleda Zia had previously undergone medical treatment in London earlier this year before returning to Bangladesh in May.

The Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) has called for the formation of an independent 'Administrative Service Commission' similar to the proposed Police Commission. In a joint statement issued on Friday, BASA President Md. Nazrul Islam and Secretary General Sharaf Uddin Ahmad Chowdhury welcomed the government’s decision to create a Police Commission aimed at ensuring professionalism and political neutrality within the police force. The association emphasized that administrative officers play a vital role in state governance and that political influence in past regimes has undermined their professionalism. BASA argued that an independent commission is essential to safeguard administrative neutrality, accountability, and good governance. The proposed body would oversee recruitment, promotion, and disciplinary actions within the administrative cadre, ensuring decisions are made free from political interference. The association also noted that such a structure aligns with practices in advanced democratic nations and would strengthen public trust in the civil administration.

As Bangladesh’s 13th national election approaches, political activity in Lakshmipur-3 (Sadar) has intensified, with both BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami candidates actively campaigning from morning till midnight. On Thursday night, BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie and Jamaat’s Dhaka North Secretary Dr. Mohammad Rezaul Karim attended a religious gathering in Bhabaniganj, where they later shared tea at a local office. A video of their meeting went viral on social media, drawing widespread attention and mixed reactions. In the video, Annie described Rezaul as a dear brother, calling their contest a “fight for democracy, not fascism.” Despite their cordial meeting, both candidates have been delivering sharp remarks against each other during campaign events, sparking heated debates among supporters online. However, many observers have praised their tea-time meeting as a gesture of political civility amid fierce competition.