Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser, retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, stated that the tribunal’s verdict in the ongoing case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be implemented regardless of its outcome on Monday. Speaking to reporters in Barishal after a meeting with law enforcement and administrative officials, he assured that the security forces are fully prepared to prevent any unrest surrounding the verdict. Chowdhury described the current law and order situation as generally satisfactory, though minor disturbances have occurred in some areas. He also emphasized that preparations are underway to ensure a free, fair, and festive national election, instructing the field administration to take all necessary measures. The adviser noted that a fair election depends not only on the administration but also on the Election Commission, political parties, and the public, expressing optimism that the upcoming polls will be conducted peacefully.

In Patuakhali, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activists wearing white shrouds blocked the motorcade of the party’s senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday, November 16. The protest occurred at Kazirhat Bridge in Sadar Upazila as Rizvi arrived to provide financial aid to a needy family on behalf of acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The demonstrators, members of the district and upazila units of Jubo Dal, demanded the withdrawal of the expulsion order against former district Jubo Dal vice-president and upazila convener Rimanul Islam Rimu. They claimed Rimu was unfairly expelled following an isolated incident after the August 5, 2024 movement. Rizvi later spoke with the protesters, assuring them that the issue would be reviewed by the party. Following his assurance, the activists ended their blockade, and traffic returned to normal.

Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque has stated that the July Charter Implementation (Constitution Amendment) Order, issued in the name of the President, has created a serious constitutional crisis even though it has reduced uncertainty surrounding the upcoming elections. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka’s Segunbagicha, he questioned whether an interim government has the authority to issue such a constitutional order and whether it contradicts the existing constitution. Haque argued that the order exceeds the interim government’s mandate and jurisdiction. He welcomed the decision to hold a referendum alongside the national election in February, aligning with public expectations, but warned that the proposed single-word voting format on multiple complex issues is impractical and risky. He expressed doubts about whether the referendum could achieve its intended purpose under the current structure.

The United Kingdom government is preparing to introduce sweeping reforms to its refugee policy, extending the waiting period for refugees to apply for permanent residency from five years to twenty. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to formally announce the plan on Monday. Under the new system, refugees will initially receive temporary residence permits of two and a half years, down from the current five, with regular reviews of their home country’s safety conditions. If deemed safe, they may be required to return. The policy aims to deter illegal sea crossings and reduce asylum applications, which rose 17% in the past year to over 109,000. Inspired by Denmark’s strict immigration model, the UK’s approach has drawn criticism from refugee advocacy groups, who warn it will impose prolonged uncertainty and psychological strain on asylum seekers. Analysts believe the policy could significantly reshape Britain’s future immigration system.

On the eve of the verdict in the first war crimes case against former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called for full justice and transparency. The International Crimes Tribunal is set to deliver its judgment on Monday, November 17, concerning alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. Prosecutors have accused Hasina of ordering and inciting violence that led to the deaths of around 1,400 protesters, presenting extensive evidence including witness testimonies, documents, and multimedia materials. The prosecution has sought the death penalty for Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, citing their superior command responsibility and involvement in a joint criminal enterprise. The nation awaits the tribunal’s decision with intense anticipation, particularly families of victims and participants in the anti-fascist movement. The case marks a historic moment in Bangladesh’s political and judicial landscape.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation announced that all types of vehicles will operate nationwide on Monday despite the Awami League’s call for a countrywide lockdown. Acting General Secretary Humayun Kabir Khan made the statement at a press conference in Dhaka’s Motijheel on Sunday, emphasizing that transport owners and workers are committed to keeping the communication system functional. He warned that any untoward incidents would be resisted and praised administrative officials for maintaining law and order. The federation condemned the Awami League’s lockdown, calling it an attempt to obstruct the interim government’s election preparations. It also demanded compensation for transport owners and workers affected by recent violence, including arson attacks on about 20 vehicles and the killing of a bus driver in Mymensingh. The Awami League called the lockdown to protest Monday’s scheduled verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others in a case related to crimes against humanity during the July uprising.

The government of Bangladesh has appointed Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman as the new Director General (DG) of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS). The appointment was formalized through a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Sunday, November 16, assigning his service under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Major General Iftikhar Anis, who previously held the position, has been reassigned to the Bangladesh Army, with his service also placed under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. BIISS is a state-run autonomous national research institute that conducts studies on security, foreign policy, and strategic issues relevant to Bangladesh’s national interests. The leadership change is expected to strengthen the institute’s role in policy research and strategic analysis.

Eight political parties in Bangladesh, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, have announced plans to be active on the streets on Monday, the day the verdict is expected in the war crimes case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar made the announcement at a joint press conference on Sunday, saying the alliance would not allow any acts of sabotage under the pretext of opposing fascism. The statement came in response to a lockdown called by the banned Awami League. The eight-party alliance also reaffirmed its support for a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum and pledged to continue its movement to achieve its five-point demands. The coalition said that the Chief Adviser’s recent address partially met the public’s expectations for a free and fair election, but further action was needed to fulfill all their demands.

The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) has issued special traffic instructions for Dhaka Cantonment ahead of Armed Forces Day celebrations on November 21. To ensure smooth movement and avoid congestion, all vehicles except those carrying residents and invited guests are requested to avoid the main road from Shaheed Jahangir Gate to Staff Road between 7 a.m.–11 a.m. and 12 p.m.–7 p.m. The directive aims to facilitate official programs and ceremonies scheduled within the cantonment area. Additionally, in observance of Armed Forces Day 2025, several naval ships will be open to the public from 2 p.m. until sunset at designated locations across Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, and Chandpur. These include Sadarghat in Dhaka, Naval Berth/BN RRB in Chattogram, Naval Berth/Rocket Ghat and Digraj Naval Berth in Khulna, BIWTA Ghat in Barishal, and BIWTA Ghat in Chandpur. The public is encouraged to visit and participate in the celebrations.

BNP leader and Noakhali-5 constituency candidate Md. Fakhrul Islam has pledged that if Tarique Rahman becomes the Prime Minister, the river erosion–affected Noakhali district will be transformed into a modern city like Singapore. Speaking at a large election rally in Kabirhat on Saturday, November 15, Fakhrul urged voters to cast their ballots for the BNP’s 'sheaf of paddy' symbol, emphasizing that their support would ensure Tarique Rahman’s leadership. He also promised to create a terror-free, extortion-free, and drug-free environment in the constituency, assuring that jobs would be given based on merit rather than nepotism. Fakhrul further stated that he would remain accessible to the public without favoritism. The rally was chaired by former Kabirhat BNP convener Kamrul Huda Chowdhury Liton and attended by several district BNP leaders, including Mahbub Alamgir Alo, ABM Zakaria, Harunur Rashid Azad, and Mostafizur Rahman Monju.

New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has appointed former U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan as vice chair of his transition team. Khan, a Pakistani-British-born Democrat known for her tough antitrust stance, previously led the FTC from June 2021 to January 2025 under President Joe Biden, becoming the youngest chair in the agency’s history. During her tenure, she pursued aggressive antitrust enforcement, challenged major tech mergers, and sought to limit non-compete agreements. As part of Mamdani’s transition team, Khan is reviewing the scope of mayoral powers and helping shape economic and administrative strategies ahead of Mamdani’s assumption of office in January 2026. Her inclusion signals a potentially reformist and regulatory approach to city governance. Analysts suggest that major tech firms with large New York operations, such as Amazon, Meta, and Google, may view her appointment as a warning of stricter oversight or policy scrutiny in the city’s economic environment.

State prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim stated that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will not receive any leniency in sentencing due to her gender in the upcoming verdict of the war crimes case against her. The verdict, scheduled for Monday, November 17, will be broadcast live on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and the official Facebook page of the International Crimes Tribunal to ensure transparency. Tamim clarified that while women, minors, and the ill may receive certain considerations in bail matters under general law, no such privilege exists in sentencing. The tribunal, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, with Justices Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, will deliver the judgment. The case involves Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, accused of crimes against humanity during the July 2024 coup. Hasina and Kamal have been declared fugitives for failing to appear in court, while Al-Mamun testified as a state witness.

The Ministry of Education of Bangladesh has directed that in all private schools and colleges where the tenure of ad hoc committees has expired, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) will serve as the acting president at the upazila level, and the Deputy Commissioner (DC) or their representative will assume the role at the district level. The directive was issued through a circular on Saturday, November 15, under Article 69 of the ‘Regulations of Governing Bodies and Managing Committees of Non-Government Educational Institutions, 2024’. The ministry explained that this decision follows a High Court order that temporarily suspended, for three months, an earlier circular issued on September 8 regarding the formation of ad hoc and regular committees under the same regulations. The new instruction aims to ensure uninterrupted administrative and academic operations in affected institutions until further notice.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar announced that his party, along with seven other political groups, will vote 'Yes' in the upcoming referendum aimed at giving legal validity to the July Charter. Speaking at a joint press conference in Dhaka’s Moghbazar on Sunday, Porwar said the alliance will encourage the public to support the reforms. The eight-party coalition, which has been active amid the ongoing political unrest, also warned that their movement would continue if a level playing field is not ensured. Porwar emphasized that their movement seeks to make elections more transparent and accountable, not to disrupt them. Other alliance leaders urged the government to respect the people's aspirations and to clarify potential complications if the national election and referendum are held on the same day. The alliance’s liaison committee will soon decide on the next course of action.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has described Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani as an enduring source of inspiration for the struggle for democracy, human rights, and national sovereignty. In a message marking Bhasani’s 49th death anniversary, Rahman praised the late leader’s lifelong dedication to the oppressed and his fearless stance against imperialism and exploitation. He said Bhasani’s ideals would continue to guide future generations in achieving justice and freedom. Rahman emphasized that Bhasani’s leadership during the anti-colonial movements and his advocacy for farmers, workers, and the underprivileged made him a beacon in Bangladesh’s political history. Highlighting his courage and commitment to the people, Rahman noted that Bhasani’s voice once shook oppressive regimes and earned him the trust of the masses.