Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia attended a reception at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment on the occasion of Armed Forces Day. Upon her arrival, she was received by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan. According to BNP Standing Committee member and her personal physician Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, Khaleda left her Gulshan residence 'Firoza' at 3:50 p.m. to attend the event. She was accompanied by her daughter-in-law Syeda Shamila Rahman Sithi, wife of her late son Arafat Rahman Koko. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and several senior party leaders, including Mirza Abbas, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, were also present. The reception, organized by the Chief Adviser’s Office, began at 4 p.m. and was broadcast live by Bangladesh Television.

The chiefs of Bangladesh’s Army, Navy, and Air Force paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday ahead of the upcoming Armed Forces Day 2025. According to Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, the meeting took place in the Armed Forces Division at Dhaka Cantonment. Army Chief General Waker‑Uz‑Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan attended the meeting. Before the discussions, Professor Yunus paid tribute to the martyred heroes of the 1971 Liberation War by placing a floral wreath at the Shikha Anirban memorial. The meeting highlighted respect for the nation’s armed forces and their historical contributions, marking the lead-up to the annual celebration honoring Bangladesh’s military services.

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet newly elected New York City Mayor Zohra Mamdani at the White House on Friday, marking their first meeting since Mamdani’s election victory. The discussion is expected to focus on public safety, cost of living, and economic security, according to Mamdani. The meeting comes after a contentious election campaign during which both leaders exchanged sharp criticisms. Mamdani, 34, recently defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo by nine points, emerging as a new national political figure. Trump referred to Mamdani as a 'communist mayor' in a statement confirming the meeting. Mamdani emphasized that he is willing to collaborate with the president on issues beneficial to New Yorkers but will oppose any agenda that harms the city. His spokesperson described the meeting as a routine process for incoming administrations to engage with the president.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has claimed that Israel would not be able to sustain a war against Iran for even a week without the backing of the United States and NATO. Speaking at a Basij volunteer gathering at Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum, Ghalibaf said Israel and the US were punished during the 12-day conflict in June, asserting that Iran’s strength lies not only in its missile capability but also in the strong support of its people. He alleged that US Vice President JD Vance had attempted to mediate during the conflict and that the Israeli leadership suffered defeat at the hands of Iran’s armed forces and citizens. Ghalibaf emphasized that maintaining public unity behind the Islamic system is the key to Iran’s continued success against its adversaries, accusing Israel and its allies of waging psychological warfare to weaken domestic support.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and damage caused by a recent earthquake that struck across Bangladesh on Friday, November 21. In a message posted on his verified Facebook page, he offered prayers for the victims and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. Fakhrul urged everyone to remain alert and follow safety measures during earthquakes. He shared detailed safety guidelines, including taking cover under sturdy furniture, avoiding windows and heavy objects, not using elevators, and staying away from gas and fire sources. For those outdoors, he advised keeping distance from buildings, trees, and power lines, while drivers were told to stop safely away from structures. He also emphasized checking gas, water, and electrical lines after tremors and preparing for aftershocks. His message combined condolences with practical safety advice for citizens.

BNP Standing Committee member Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain has accused the ousted Awami League of resuming its old tactics of arson and violence in Bangladesh. Speaking at a discussion organized by the Jatiyatabadi Matsyajibi Dal at the National Press Club in Dhaka, he alleged that the former ruling party, now in exile, is conspiring to destabilize the country and undermine its sovereignty. Zahid urged BNP supporters and the public to remain united, warning that internal divisions would benefit what he called a fallen autocratic regime. He also recalled past incidents of political violence in the mid-1990s, blaming the Awami League for deadly arson attacks. Additionally, Zahid commented on a recent earthquake, expressing concern for those affected and calling for urgent national preparedness measures. His remarks come amid heightened political tensions and legal developments that have reignited partisan confrontations across the country.

Bangladesh’s opposition parties, the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, have softened their long-standing demand for an immediate caretaker government before the upcoming national election. Despite previously insisting that no election should occur without a caretaker administration, both parties now support reinstating the system only for future polls. The change follows a Supreme Court verdict restoring the caretaker provision in the constitution but specifying that it will take effect after the next parliament dissolves. BNP and Jamaat lawyers argue that constitutional and procedural constraints make immediate implementation impossible without a sitting parliament. Legal experts, however, view this as a strategic retreat from their earlier position. The attorney general described the verdict as historic, asserting that it reaffirms the caretaker system’s constitutionality and will strengthen democratic practices. The ruling has also reignited debate over the 15th Amendment, which abolished the caretaker system in 2011, and whether the new judgment conflicts with previous rulings.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is scheduled to attend the Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja on Friday, November 21. According to BNP’s media cell official Shayrul Kabir Khan, Khaleda Zia has given her consent to attend the event following advice from her medical board. She will leave her Gulshan residence at around 3:30 p.m. for Senakunja. The event will be attended by Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus as the chief guest. This marks Khaleda Zia’s second public appearance at the Senakunja reception in consecutive years, following her first public engagement there last year after a long hiatus since her 2018 Sylhet visit. Several senior BNP leaders, including Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, have also been invited to the ceremony.

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus paid tribute to the martyred heroes at Shikha Anirban in Dhaka on the occasion of Armed Forces Day. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that the day’s events included courtesy meetings between the President, Chief Adviser, and the chiefs of the three armed forces, as well as receptions for decorated freedom fighters and their families. The Chief Adviser is scheduled to host a reception at the Dhaka Cantonment’s Army Multipurpose Complex, where he will present commemorative gifts to 101 decorated freedom fighters and their heirs. The day began with special prayers after Fajr at mosques in all cantonments, naval bases, and air force stations, seeking the nation’s welfare and the eternal peace of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the Liberation War.

Professor Dr. Maimul Ahsan Khan, former chairman of the Law Department at the University of Dhaka and a noted legal scholar, has collected a nomination form from the National Citizen Party (NCP) to contest the upcoming election from Cox’s Bazar-01 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency. Dr. Khan, who previously served as Dean of Social Sciences at Leading University, was also the direct teacher of BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, a former student of Dhaka University’s Law Department. The nomination form was collected on Thursday, confirmed NCP central leader Mahmud Hasan Ali. Dr. Khan is known for his expertise in jurisprudence, Islamic law, and international commercial law, and has held teaching and research positions at several universities. His decision to seek political office marks a notable move from academia to active politics in a constituency long associated with his former student Salahuddin Ahmed.

Rickshaw-puller Sujon, who gained attention during the July uprising for saluting protesters, has collected nomination papers from the National Citizens Party (NCP) to contest the upcoming national election from Dhaka-8 constituency. His candidacy sets up an unusual electoral battle against seasoned BNP politician and former MP Mirza Abbas, who has secured his party’s nomination for the same seat. Sujon stated that his participation symbolizes equal political rights for all citizens, expressing gratitude to the NCP for allowing ordinary people to run for office. According to NCP officials, the party aims to nominate individuals who actively participated in the July movement. The Dhaka-8 constituency, comprising Motijheel, Ramna, Shahbagh, Paltan, and Shahjahanpur police stations, is considered a politically significant area in the capital. Alongside Abbas and Sujon, Jamaat’s Dr. Helal Uddin and young candidate Sharif Osman Hadi are also campaigning vigorously for the seat.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar has said that Islamic principles are essential for ensuring justice, peace, and equality in society. Speaking at a women voters’ rally in Khulna’s Atra-Gilatala Union, he urged citizens to elect pious and Islam-oriented candidates in the upcoming national election to build a welfare state guided by Islamic law. Responding to critics, Parwar rejected allegations that Jamaat sells 'tickets to heaven,' saying the party only promotes the Quran’s teachings and moral guidance. He accused the BNP of adopting Awami League’s stance by obstructing Jamaat’s religious programs and claimed such actions hinder Islamic awakening. Parwar emphasized the role of women in establishing an Islamic state and called for grassroots campaigning in favor of the 'balance scale' election symbol. He reiterated that Jamaat’s goal is to establish Quranic law through public support and urged unity among Islamic groups ahead of the election.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Fayzul Karim, senior Naib-e-Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, stated that the reinstatement of the previously abolished non-partisan caretaker government system will bring welfare and a better future for the people of Bangladesh. Speaking at a public rally in Char Samaiya Union, Bhola, on November 20, he said that elections held under caretaker governments have historically been more transparent and acceptable than those under partisan governments. Karim expressed optimism that the upcoming 13th national election would see Islamic parties unite under one electoral symbol. Commenting on the court’s verdict regarding Sheikh Hasina, he said the judgment was delivered according to law and urged the government and law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety and stability. The rally was attended by several Islami Andolan leaders and local representatives.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is facing internal criticism over its decision to nominate several elderly candidates, some aged over 80, in multiple constituencies. Local leaders argue that these senior nominees lack the physical capacity and generational connection needed to appeal to younger voters, particularly Generation Z, who are expected to play a decisive role in the upcoming election. In constituencies such as Brahmanbaria-4, Kushtia-4, Chattogram-13, and Munshiganj-2, local BNP leaders have formally appealed to the party’s high command to reconsider the nominations. They are advocating for younger, more active candidates with stronger grassroots ties and better rapport with youth voters. The appeals highlight growing frustration among local activists who believe that the party’s electoral prospects could be weakened by fielding aged, less-engaged figures. The issue underscores a generational divide within the BNP as it seeks to balance experience with the need for rejuvenation to attract younger segments of the electorate.

BNP central executive committee member and Faridpur divisional organizing secretary Shama Obaid stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) does not use religion as a political tool or engage in religious trading for political gain. Speaking at a large women’s rally organized by the Belkuchi Upazila and Municipal Women’s Wing in Sirajganj, she emphasized that BNP has always worked for public welfare since its inception and avoids showy politics. Obaid highlighted the importance of women’s participation in social progress, asserting that BNP respects and values women’s contributions. The event also featured BNP leader Amirul Islam Khan Alim, who reaffirmed the party’s commitment to restoring voting rights, democracy, and women’s empowerment. The rally, attended by local BNP leaders and supporters, saw enthusiastic participation from women of various professions, creating a festive atmosphere in the area.