Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has accused three government advisers of working in favor of a particular political group and misleading the administration to obstruct a fair election. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, he alleged that these advisers were influencing the chief adviser, Dr. Yunus, and pushing for partisan appointments within the administration. Dr. Taher demanded their immediate removal and said their names would be submitted to the chief adviser. He also criticized the government’s handling of the July Charter implementation order, claiming it unfairly benefits one party and complicates the referendum process. Additionally, he rejected the idea of holding the referendum and national election on the same day, arguing it would diminish the significance of the referendum and undermine reform efforts.

Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur stated that there is no longer any uncertainty about the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for February, following the Chief Adviser’s recent speech. Speaking at a press briefing in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar, Nur welcomed the initiative to hold the national election and referendum on the same day. He noted that earlier political divisions over the implementation of the July Charter had created doubts about the election’s feasibility, but the Chief Adviser’s remarks have largely dispelled those concerns. Nur urged all political parties to cooperate with the government to ensure a fair election and warned that associates of Sheikh Hasina were allegedly attempting to sabotage the electoral process through acts of violence.

Vote counting is underway in Bihar’s assembly elections, with early results indicating a decisive lead for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The alliance is ahead in over 200 of the 243 assembly seats, surpassing the 122-seat majority mark required to form the government. The elections were held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with an overall voter turnout of around 67 percent. BJP and its ally Janata Dal (United) have already begun celebrations across the state. Meanwhile, the Congress party faces another major setback, with its leaders acknowledging disappointing results. Pre-election surveys had also predicted a strong NDA victory, which the early trends now confirm.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has pledged full support to Monira Khatun and her daughter Afia, who were abandoned by Monira’s husband due to the child’s albinism. Following widespread media coverage of their story, Rahman directed party officials to build a home for Monira and take responsibility for Afia’s education and the family’s welfare. On Friday, BNP’s Khulna divisional acting organizational secretary Anindya Islam Amit visited the family in Jessore and delivered the party’s assistance. Local administration and various organizations have also begun providing legal and social aid to the mother and child. The case has drawn national attention, highlighting social stigma surrounding genetic conditions like albinism and sparking discussions on compassion and inclusion.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Naib-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has alleged that Bangladesh’s interim government has lost its neutrality and is working to bring a particular party to power through the upcoming election. Speaking at a joint press conference of eight like-minded parties in Moghbazar on Friday, he criticized the chief adviser’s recent address, claiming it prioritized the BNP’s demands. Taher argued that the government cannot ensure a fair election and urged separate dates for the national election and the referendum. He also said the chief adviser ignored the obligations of the July Charter. The eight-party alliance plans to announce new programs after their meeting on Sunday to press their five-point demands.

Interim government press secretary Shafiqul Alam has strongly criticized certain Bangladeshi media outlets for publishing fabricated and baseless stories. In a verified Facebook post, he singled out the newspaper Manabzamin and its editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, accusing them of disregarding journalistic ethics. Alam compared the situation to the UK, where tabloids face heavy fines for defamation, arguing that in Bangladesh, such accountability is absent. He claimed that some editors hide behind the notion of press freedom to avoid responsibility for false reporting. Alam also stated that since the interim government took office, journalists have enjoyed unprecedented freedom, even to comment critically on the military, but some still exaggerate claims of media repression. He questioned the depth of human rights groups’ investigations into alleged attacks on journalists.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has accused a political group of exploiting religion for political gain and oppressing women in Bangladesh. Speaking at a rally in Dhaka organized by the BNP-affiliated Women and Child Rights Forum, he claimed that the group seeks to confine women to domestic spaces and hinder their progress. Ahmed criticized the misuse of laws and called for stronger enforcement to protect women from violence. He also opposed proposals to reduce women’s working hours, arguing that such measures would harm female employment opportunities. The event, led by Begum Selima Rahman and attended by several BNP leaders, concluded with a silent march from Shahbagh to the Central Shaheed Minar. Ahmed emphasized equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion or gender and announced a 31-point plan for women’s empowerment.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced that the Awami League will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming national election, as its activities remain suspended under the country’s anti-terrorism law. He made the statement during a meeting with UK Minister for International Development Baroness Jenny Chapman on November 13. According to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s office, the Election Commission has already removed the party from the list of registered political parties. Yunus emphasized that the forthcoming election, expected in early February, will be inclusive and participatory, with around one million new young voters expected to cast their votes. He also referred to the July Charter as a new beginning for Bangladesh, reflecting the aspirations of millions who took part in last year’s mass uprising. The meeting also covered trade expansion, the Rohingya crisis, and cooperation in aviation and maritime sectors.

The Ministry of Land in Bangladesh has directed that possession of five categories of land must be relinquished by 2025, even if ownership deeds exist. According to recent government circulars, these include sub-kabla deeds made without proper inheritance distribution, invalid hiba deeds, forged documents, properties listed under government khas records, and vested properties held privately. Authorities clarified that the principle of 'land belongs to the deed holder' does not apply in all cases, as some deeds lack legal ownership basis. Legal action will be taken against illegal occupiers, and district administrators have been instructed to recover government lands. The initiative aims to reclaim state property, ensure rightful ownership for legitimate landholders, and increase government revenue. Citizens occupying such lands have been advised to prepare for possible legal proceedings.

Dr. Mirza Galib, former president of the Dhaka University unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir and now an assistant professor at Howard University in the United States, shared his perspective on public understanding of the upcoming referendum. In a verified Facebook post, he said that if citizens believe reform proposals are best handled by 'intelligent' representatives in parliament, they will likely vote 'no'. Conversely, if they think ordinary people and lawmakers have similar judgment or trust the reform initiatives and the government of Dr. Yunus, they may vote 'yes'. Galib added that parties like Jamaat, NCP, and AB Party fully support the reforms, and voters who trust these groups may also favor 'yes'. He emphasized that the issue should not be overcomplicated.

Bangladesh’s interim government press secretary Shafiqul Alam has questioned why the nation needs validation from a 'genocidal figure' to understand its own political history. Referring to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent statement denying US involvement in the July Revolution, Alam argued that such claims undermine the spontaneous nature of the movement. He described Hasina’s long political career as deeply influenced by personal trauma and post-traumatic stress, noting her frequent references to her family’s assassination. Alam also criticized her tendency to frame political setbacks as foreign conspiracies, citing past claims involving US interests. He further remarked that Hasina’s supporters, including sections of the media and civil society, had elevated her to a quasi-spiritual status during her final years in power, a phenomenon he linked to lingering loyalty among some educated citizens.

The BBC has apologised to former US President Donald Trump for a Panorama episode that misleadingly edited parts of his 6 January 2021 speech, creating the impression he directly called for violence. The broadcaster admitted the error and said it would not re-air the 2024 programme but refused Trump’s $1bn compensation demand, arguing there was no defamation case. The controversy prompted the resignations of BBC director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness. The BBC said the edit was unintentional and aimed to shorten the speech, not mislead viewers. Trump’s lawyers have threatened legal action unless the BBC issues a full retraction and compensation. The corporation maintains that the programme did not cause harm and that political speech enjoys strong legal protection. A similar editing issue in a 2022 Newsnight broadcast has also come under scrutiny, adding to the BBC’s editorial challenges.

Ukraine’s Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk resigned on November 12 following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for their departure amid a major corruption scandal involving the state nuclear power company Energoatom. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) is investigating alleged kickback schemes linked to Energoatom and several senior officials, including Halushchenko, though no formal charges have been filed against him. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed submitting their resignation requests to parliament and announced the suspension of Energoatom’s vice president. Zelensky emphasized that the resignations were necessary to restore public trust and pledged sanctions against others implicated. The government also dismissed Energoatom’s supervisory board and ordered a new audit to strengthen oversight. The scandal has intensified scrutiny of corruption within Ukraine’s energy sector as the country continues to face wartime challenges and infrastructure strain.

Bangladesh’s interim government National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman will travel to New Delhi on November 19 to attend the Colombo Security Conclave meeting of Indian Ocean region national security advisers, hosted by India on November 20. The visit comes at the invitation of Indian NSA Ajit Doval. While Dhaka has not confirmed whether Rahman will hold bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart, diplomatic sources suggest a possible meeting amid Bangladesh’s evolving political situation. This will be the second visit to India by an adviser from Bangladesh’s interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus. The Colombo Security Conclave, comprising India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Bangladesh, focuses on regional cooperation in maritime security, counterterrorism, cyber defense, and disaster response. Bangladesh became a full member in 2024, marking a step toward deeper regional security collaboration.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Manch, alleged that he received death and assault threats from individuals linked to the ruling Awami League. In a Facebook post early Friday, Hadi stated that over a three-hour period, he received calls and messages from around 30 foreign numbers threatening to burn his house, harm his family, and kill him. He accused Awami League 'killers' of orchestrating the intimidation ahead of a verdict he referred to as 'Hasina’s judgment' on the 17th. Hadi vowed not to back down from his activism, invoking religious resolve and framing the threats as part of a broader struggle for justice. Authorities have not yet commented on the allegations.