The National Citizen Party (NCP) has officially received registration as a political organization from the Election Commission, securing the Shapla Koli (water lily bud) as its electoral symbol. In a video message on Tuesday night, the party’s convener Nahid Islam expressed gratitude to all party members and supporters for their tireless efforts leading to this achievement. He described the NCP as a party “for all citizens” and invited individuals who wish to enter politics with sincerity and a vision for a new Bangladesh to join their movement.

Nahid Islam recounted the party’s journey, noting that it was founded in February following a period of civic activism and that the registration process began in March. Despite initial delays from the Election Commission, the party persisted and ultimately received official recognition. The NCP plans to field candidates in all 300 constituencies under the Shapla Koli symbol. Emphasizing honesty, patriotism, and reform, Nahid stated that the party is preparing for the upcoming national elections and working to build public support nationwide. He concluded by reaffirming the NCP’s commitment to work for people’s rights and establish a fair political culture in Bangladesh.

The Canadian government is pursuing new legislative powers that would allow mass cancellation of visas amid rising concerns over fraudulent applications, particularly from Bangladesh and India. Internal documents obtained by CBC News reveal that officials from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have partnered with U.S. counterparts to form a working group. The group aims to identify fake travel visa applications and enhance enforcement capabilities. These documents refer to Bangladesh and India as “specific challenging countries,” emphasizing the need for stronger authority to revoke visas on a large scale.

Publicly, Immigration Minister Lena Diab has cited emergencies like pandemics or wars as reasons for seeking such powers, without naming specific nations. The proposal, known as Bill C-12, has already raised alarms among over 30 civil society organizations, who fear it could become a tool for mass deportation. Immigration lawyers also question whether the government is using fraud as a pretext to reduce application backlogs. Meanwhile, the IRCC claims the move is part of “firm measures” to curb border misuse and illegal entries, boasting a 97% decline in unauthorized crossings and a 25% rise in visa rejections due to fraud since last year.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has officially announced that it will not nominate any candidate in the constituency of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in the upcoming 13th National Election. The decision was disclosed to the media on Tuesday (November 4) by NCP’s Chief Coordinator and Election Steering Committee Chairman Nasir Uddin Patwary. The announcement comes a day after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) declared its preliminary list of 237 candidates, which includes Khaleda Zia contesting from Feni-1, Dinajpur-3, and Bogura-7 constituencies. By choosing not to contest in Khaleda Zia’s seat, the NCP signaled a gesture of political respect or strategy as election campaigns gain momentum across the country.

Leaders of the “Sada Dal,” a faction of Dhaka University (DU) teachers, have proposed that DU be granted “special institutional status” and that its teachers receive double the salary of their government counterparts. The proposal was formally submitted on November 4 to the Chairman of the National Pay Commission, Zakir Ahmed Khan, through a written 10-point memorandum.

The teachers argued that Dhaka University has played an unparalleled role in Bangladesh’s history—from the independence movement to national development—and thus deserves recognition through distinct privileges and pay structures. Their demands include placing senior professors in the super grade, higher academic and administrative allowances (up to 100% of basic pay), research grants of up to Tk 20 lakh, annual academic support allowances of Tk 3 lakh, and interest-free housing loans. They also sought full funding for research publication charges, conference participation, and tax exemptions on professional income.

Led by Professor Dr. Abdus Salam, the delegation emphasized that such measures would help retain academic excellence and global competitiveness at the university. The Pay Commission chief reportedly responded positively and assured that the demands would be reviewed.

Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho, twin brother of July Uprising martyr Mir Mugdho, has officially joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). His inclusion was announced Tuesday night through the BNP Media Cell’s social media posts, which featured several photos marking the occasion. Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman attended the event virtually, while Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Nazrul Islam Khan, and Central Sports Affairs Secretary Aminul Haque were present in person. Snigdho’s entry into the BNP is viewed as a symbolic moment, as his brother’s sacrifice during the July uprising remains a poignant part of Bangladesh’s recent political memory. The move is expected to strengthen BNP’s emotional and grassroots connection ahead of future political mobilizations.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again targeted Representative Ilhan Omar, urging her to leave the United States in a post on his Truth Social platform. Sharing a video of Omar speaking at a public event, Trump wrote that she should “go back,” a remark critics say echoes his previous racially charged rhetoric. The video, whose recording date remains unclear, has been circulating on right-wing social media channels for weeks. Omar, who fled Somalia’s civil war as a child and later gained U.S. citizenship in 2000, represents Minnesota in Congress as a Democrat. Trump’s comments were amplified by his allies, reigniting debates over immigration, national identity, and political boundaries in campaign discourse. This is not the first time Trump has made such remarks — he previously suggested that Somalia’s president might “take back” Omar. In response, Omar said she is unfazed by such comments, describing them as “strange” and insisting that her citizenship cannot be questioned. She added that she is no longer the frightened refugee child she once was, but a grown American raising her children. The renewed exchange highlights the persistent racial and ideological divisions shaping American politics ahead of the 2024 election season.

Dick Cheney, the former Vice President of the United States and one of the chief architects behind the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, has died at the age of 84. His family confirmed in a statement that Cheney passed away due to pneumonia and complications related to heart and vascular conditions. Cheney’s political career spanned decades, beginning in the Nixon administration in 1969 and including roles such as White House Chief of Staff, Secretary of Defense, and Vice President under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009.

A leading proponent of the neoconservative doctrine, Cheney advocated for America’s global dominance through preemptive military action. As Defense Secretary during the first Gulf War, he oversaw Operation Desert Storm against Iraq. Following the 9/11 attacks, Cheney emerged as a key voice driving the “War on Terror,” supporting regime change in the Middle East and controversial interrogation techniques. His “One Percent Doctrine” argued for striking potential threats even with minimal evidence.

Though praised for his strategic influence, Cheney’s legacy remains deeply divisive—viewed by some as a defender of U.S. security, and by others as the mastermind of misguided wars.

Tarek Rahman, member-secretary of Amjanatar Dal, has begun an indefinite hunger strike outside the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in Agargaon after his party failed to receive official registration. He sat at the EC’s main gate from 4:00pm on Tuesday, November 4, and publicised the action on his Facebook page. Tarek alleges the EC granted registration to another group called Destiny, which he claims was formed after defrauding 4.3 million customers, while previously announcing registration for a National League whose approval was later suspended amid leaks. He condemned what he called entrenched bias in the registration process, demanded punishment for officials who proposed the disputed National League registration, and warned that unless authorities act he will continue the hunger strike even at risk of death. He stressed that after years of political work the party remains unregistered, accusing the system of sidelining grassroots voices and demanding transparent impartial EC action now.

Masud Saeedi, the Jamaat-e-Islami-nominated candidate for the Pirojpur-1 parliamentary constituency, has alleged that “enemies of the nation” are deliberately trying to create discord between Jamaat-e-Islami and its longtime political ally, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Speaking as the chief guest at a representative assembly in Chandipur Adarsha Secondary School field in Indurkani upazila on Monday, Saeedi said Bangladesh is going through a critical period where unity among like-minded political forces is essential.

He reflected on the success of the July movement, which he claimed led to a major political shift and the fall of fascist forces, emphasizing that unity had been the key to that success. Saeedi warned that if internal disputes arise among former allies, the same oppressive forces could regain influence.

Highlighting the public demand for change, Saeedi asserted that citizens now seek an accountable government and a just, welfare-oriented state. He vowed that if Jamaat is elected, it will work to establish a governance system based on justice and equality. Several local Jamaat leaders, including district and upazila-level officials, were present at the event.

BNP Chairperson’s Adviser and freedom fighter Abdus Salam stated that the BNP does not pursue politics for power but to safeguard Bangladesh’s independence from Indian dominance. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “7th November, Revolution and the Role of Martyred President Ziaur Rahman” at the National Press Club on November 3, Salam accused the Awami League of establishing a one-party BAKSAL rule between 1972 and 1975, which allegedly undermined democracy and human rights. He described that era as one of severe political and social chaos, marked by hunger and suppression of journalists.

According to Salam, the November 7 uprising united the military and civilians to free Ziaur Rahman and entrust him with state leadership. Zia, he claimed, restored order and placed Bangladesh on a path to development, transforming it from a “bottomless basket” to a progressing nation. Salam praised Zia as a visionary reformer who strengthened agriculture, promoted manpower export, and made the country self-sufficient in food. He emphasized that BNP’s current movement represents farmers, workers, and journalists striving to preserve national sovereignty and democracy against foreign influence, particularly from India.

BNP Acting Chairman Tareq Rahman expressed concerns over growing public uncertainty about whether national elections will be held on schedule. Speaking virtually from London at an event inaugurating online payment gateways for renewing BNP memberships and recruiting new members, Rahman criticized the interim government for imposing successive new conditions that, he argues, obstruct the democratic process. He emphasized that under previous autocratic regimes, the public had little interest in elections, but today, even with an interim government, citizens are increasingly questioning whether elections will happen on time. Rahman highlighted BNP’s commitment to opposing authoritarianism, maintaining national unity, and cooperating with democratic parties despite challenges. He also recalled BNP’s historical contributions, including establishing multiparty democracy under Sheikh Zia and transitioning from presidential to parliamentary systems under Khaleda Zia. Criticizing the previous 15-year period under the ruling party as a time of “fascist” governance that destroyed the electoral system, Rahman warned that attempts to prevent BNP’s success persist even in a post-fascist Bangladesh. He called for vigilance and unity among nationalist forces to ensure that no conspiracy can separate BNP from the people. The event was chaired by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and attended by several senior party leaders.

The government has made it clear that it will not hesitate to annul contracts with Adani if any corruption or irregularities are proven, according to Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources. Speaking at a press briefing after a meeting with the national committee reviewing agreements under the Rapid Energy Supply Expansion Law, he emphasized that verbal assurances alone will not suffice; proper evidence is required. Committee member Professor Moshtaq Hossain Khan noted that as these are sovereign agreements, cancellation cannot be done arbitrarily, and international courts may impose hefty fines if contracts are terminated. He also highlighted extensive corruption in the power sector, which has contributed to electricity prices being 25% higher than comparable countries. Economist Dr. Zahid Hossain pointed out that while power generation increased fourfold between 2011 and 2024, payments surged over eleven times, indicating the rise was not due to technical factors.

The government has initiated plans to create a new salary structure for public employees. In a recent meeting with the newly formed pay commission, the Bangladesh Government Employees Welfare Federation proposed setting the minimum salary at 35,000 taka and reducing the current 20 pay grades to 12. Federation spokesperson Abdul Malek stated that no new pay scale has been implemented since 2015, leaving employees financially disadvantaged. He added that because the pay scale was not updated in 2020 or 2025, salary increases have stalled, while rising inflation has made everyday living increasingly difficult for ordinary workers.
According to the federation’s calculations, a six-member family now needs at least 50,000 taka per month to cover basic expenses, including food, rent, healthcare, and education. Meanwhile, education advisor Professor C. R. Abrar indicated that the pay commission’s proposal could be submitted in January or February, with potential salary increases ranging from 50% to 100%. The new pay structure may become a critical test for maintaining financial balance between the government and its employees.

The government has withdrawn its earlier decision to introduce two new assistant teacher positions — one for music and another for physical education — in government primary schools. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education issued a revised gazette on Sunday, November 2, canceling the inclusion of these posts in the Government Primary School Teacher Recruitment Rules 2025, which had been announced in August. According to Masud Akhtar Khan, Additional Secretary of the ministry’s School Wing, the new gazette retains only two categories of teachers instead of four. The move follows objections raised by several organizations, which questioned the necessity and practicality of adding specialized teaching roles at the primary level. The cancellation marks a significant policy reversal aimed at maintaining consistency in the existing teacher structure.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed the possibility of seeking a third term in the 2028 presidential election. In an interview aired Sunday on CBS News’ 60 Minutes, host Norah O’Donnell asked Trump whether he had considered running again. Trump replied that he was “not thinking about it at all,” though he acknowledged that “many people” want him to. When asked about potential successors such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump praised both, saying he likes them and several others in his team. He added that the Republican Party now has an “outstanding bench” of future leaders. Under the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a president can serve a maximum of two terms, preventing Trump from legally running again. His remarks underscore the growing focus on the next generation of Republican leadership.