Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has sought full cooperation from the Commonwealth to ensure the upcoming national election is conducted fairly and successfully. During a meeting on November 24 at the state guesthouse Jamuna with Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland (Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey), Yunus emphasized the importance of international support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition. The Secretary-General assured that the Commonwealth would provide comprehensive assistance during the election and the post-election period. She highlighted that the 56-member organization, which includes G7 and G20 countries, offers extensive opportunities for mutual cooperation. Botchwey also met with key stakeholders, including the Chief Justice, Legal and Foreign Advisers, and the Chief Election Commissioner, expressing optimism about Bangladesh’s democratic future. The Commonwealth is preparing to send several observer teams ahead of the polls to monitor the electoral process.

Bangladeshi filmmaker and cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki described his first four days in government as 'uncomfortable' following public criticism over the arrest of a Baul singer. In a detailed Facebook post, Farooki said he immediately contacted the Home Ministry after learning of the arrest and was informed about the situation’s sensitivity. He clarified that law enforcement matters fall under the Home Ministry, not his ministry, and urged patience and communal harmony. Addressing critics, Farooki defended his ministry’s inclusive cultural initiatives, such as celebrating Lalon Shah and organizing multi-faith festivals, saying these reflect the vision of a 'new Bangladesh.' He also dismissed accusations of hypocrisy, noting that attacks on Bauls predate the current administration. Responding to mockery over government drone shows, he argued that such displays are now a global norm in major events and part of media evolution. Farooki concluded that his ministry will continue promoting pluralism despite discomfort or criticism.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has suggested that the country’s borders could change in the future, hinting that Pakistan’s Sindh province might one day become part of India again. Speaking at an event for the Indian diaspora in Morocco, Singh said that although Sindh is currently part of Pakistan, it remains culturally tied to India. He referred to the sentiments of Sindhi Hindus, including the generation of veteran leader L.K. Advani, who never accepted the separation of Sindh during the 1947 Partition. Singh emphasized the spiritual significance of the Indus River to Hindus and noted that even many Muslims in Sindh considered its waters sacred. His remarks, linking cultural unity with potential territorial change, have drawn attention amid sensitive India-Pakistan relations and ongoing debates over historical and cultural identity.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has imposed a ban on motorcycle rallies during election campaigns ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The decision follows several accidents involving motorcycle processions organized by Jamaat-nominated candidates in different parts of the country. In a statement released to the media on Monday, the party’s Secretary General, Professor Mia Golam Porwar, announced that the party’s Amir had decided to prohibit all motorcycle rallies and processions in district and metropolitan constituencies. The move aims to ensure safety and prevent further incidents during campaign activities. Jamaat leaders have also instructed local units to comply strictly with the directive while continuing other forms of campaign outreach. The ban reflects the party’s effort to maintain discipline and avoid negative publicity during the election period.

At the inauguration of the e-Family Court in Dhaka, Dr. Asif Nazrul, Law Adviser to the interim government’s Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, cautioned that excessive reforms could weaken the state structure. He emphasized that reforms must be sustainable and contextually appropriate, noting that constitutional change alone does not define reform. The new e-Family Court system will allow case filing, document management, hearings, and verdicts to be conducted online, aiming to reduce corruption, costs, and delays. Environmental Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan highlighted the challenges faced by litigants in traditional courts and expressed optimism that the digital system would improve access to justice if technical issues are avoided. Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on ICT, Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb, announced that the e-Family Court operations have begun in both Dhaka and Chattogram, which is expected to ease case backlogs and save time and resources. Several senior judicial and government officials attended the event.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has said that six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a video urging military personnel not to obey illegal orders should be jailed. The video, released Friday, featured Senators and Representatives Mark Kelly, Elissa Slotkin, Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander. Trump labeled their message as 'high treason' and claimed there could be no other interpretation of their words. Democrats condemned Trump’s remarks as dangerous and hateful threats against lawmakers who have served in the military or intelligence services. The controversy follows Trump’s recent orders to deploy the National Guard in several U.S. cities, which some local authorities opposed, and his authorization of controversial maritime operations that reportedly killed over 80 people. Trump has previously made similar comments suggesting death penalties for acts he considers treasonous, drawing criticism from political opponents and legal experts.

Advisor Sharmin S. Murshid emphasized that without structural reform and expansion of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, it will be difficult for Bangladesh to take a strong stance against gender-based and child violence. Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat on Monday, ahead of the International Campaign for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2025, she said the ministry lacks infrastructure at the upazila and union levels, which limits its ability to address local-level violence. Murshid also noted that the previous authoritarian government had severely damaged institutional structures, making quick reconstruction unrealistic. She stressed the need for a broader and more decentralized ministry to ensure effective protection and support for women and children. The 16-day campaign will be observed nationwide from November 25 to December 10, 2025, to raise awareness and promote preventive measures against violence.

Newly elected leftist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reaffirmed his view that U.S. President Donald Trump is a fascist, despite describing their recent White House meeting as cordial and productive. In an interview with NBC News on November 23, Mamdani said his opinion of Trump remains unchanged, even after their discussion focused on cooperation for New York’s future. The two leaders met on November 21, setting aside months of mutual criticism to pledge collaboration on key city issues such as housing costs, childcare, market prices, and utilities. Trump, who has previously criticized Mamdani, publicly praised the mayor during the meeting and expressed support for his leadership. He said the federal government would assist in building a stronger and safer New York. Mamdani emphasized that while the meeting was constructive, his political assessment of Trump’s ideology remains firm.

Bangladesh’s Attorney General, Md. Asaduzzaman, stated that harassment of journalists will not end unless the state’s mindset changes. Speaking at a CGS research report launch on Monday, he emphasized the need to repeal all repressive laws affecting journalists. He expressed hope that the incoming government after the next national election would refrain from using such restrictive laws against the media. Asaduzzaman also urged journalists to change their narrative to preserve their voices. Regarding the Digital Security Act, he argued that it remains necessary to protect both citizens’ and journalists’ rights and to prevent a culture of fear from returning. At the same event, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Sara Hossain questioned the extent to which freedom of expression for journalists is currently protected in Bangladesh.

The National Identity (NID) correction service in Bangladesh was abruptly suspended on Monday, November 24, without prior notice, leading to widespread public inconvenience. Although the Election Commission had earlier announced that NID corrections would remain open until 4 p.m. that day, the service was unexpectedly halted before noon. Officials had previously stated that all correction activities would be suspended after 4 p.m. to prepare the voter list for the upcoming national elections. Additionally, NID migration services were also suspended until further notice. The Election Commission said further details would be communicated through an official circular. The sudden and unannounced halt left many citizens frustrated, particularly those who had traveled to service centers expecting to complete their NID corrections before the announced deadline.

Newly appointed Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Touhiduzzaman Pavel described the upcoming national and referendum elections as a 'century-defining' event that will determine Bangladesh’s direction for the next hundred years. Speaking at a meeting with local journalists, he emphasized his top priority is to ensure a free, fair, and neutral election process. Drawing an analogy, he compared his role to a football team captain who coordinates and guides rather than commands. Pavel reaffirmed that the district administration, a 250-year-old institution, belongs to the people and will continue to serve them with honesty, competence, and justice. He also announced approval of nine development projects, including the expansion of the district hospital, and vowed to combat drug abuse and improve governance. The DC sought cooperation from journalists to promote transparency and accountability in public service delivery.

Bangladesh’s Legal Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul announced that judicial reforms, including the introduction of e-family courts, are expected to reduce the number of pending cases by 50 percent over the next five years. Speaking at the inauguration of the e-family court system at the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court on November 24, he said that reforms have taken place not only in the constitution but across multiple sectors, with 21 specific reforms implemented within the Ministry of Law alone. The e-family court initiative, launched as a pilot project in Dhaka and Chattogram, will allow litigants to file and process cases entirely online. Dr. Nazrul emphasized that reforms must be realistic and balanced to avoid weakening state institutions. The event was also attended by Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and ICT Adviser Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb. The initiative aims to modernize the justice system and improve accessibility for citizens.

Supporters of S.A. Siddique Saju, a BNP nomination aspirant for Dhaka-14 constituency, organized a torch procession for the second consecutive day, protesting against the party’s preliminary nominee Sanjida Islam Tuli. The demonstration took place on November 23 at Gabtoli, following a similar protest in Mirpur-1 the previous day. Protesters accused Tuli of making controversial remarks about polygamy that they claimed insulted Islam, and demanded her withdrawal from the constituency, urging her to return to Dhaka-12. They also alleged internal conspiracies over the nomination process and chanted slogans against several BNP leaders. Despite facing multiple legal cases, Saju’s supporters praised his loyalty to grassroots activists and warned that if he is not nominated, Jamaat-e-Islami could win the seat. Following the earlier torch procession, Saju was issued a show-cause notice by the BNP. Additionally, 126 local BNP leaders have appealed to acting chairman Tarique Rahman to reconsider Saju’s nomination for Dhaka-14.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) Religion and Harmony Cell has strongly condemned the recent attack and intimidation against supporters of Baul artist Abul Sarkar during a human chain protest in Manikganj. The protest was organized to demand Sarkar’s release following his arrest, which had sparked local tensions. In a statement issued on Monday, the NCP expressed deep concern over the violence, emphasizing that disagreements or allegations should never lead to lawlessness or harassment. The party highlighted the historical and cultural significance of Baul, Sufi, and other spiritual traditions in Bangladesh’s heritage, urging the preservation of diversity and tolerance. It called for dialogue, patience, and wisdom in addressing religious differences and reaffirmed that violence or revenge has no place in faith or society. The NCP also appealed to religious scholars to promote restraint and respect for law, reinforcing that peaceful preaching and knowledge-based discussion are the true paths of religious guidance.

Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed has called a full court meeting involving all judges from both the Appellate and High Court Divisions of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. The meeting is scheduled for November 27 at 3 p.m. in the Supreme Court’s conference room. According to a notice signed by Deputy Registrar (Administration and Justice) Md. Atikus Samad on November 24, the session will address several important issues, including the transfer and promotion of lower court judges. The full court meeting serves as an internal forum for judges to deliberate on policy and administrative matters within the judiciary. Such meetings are significant for shaping judicial governance and ensuring coordination among different levels of the court system.