Jasim Uddin, the BNP-nominated candidate for Cumilla-5 (Burichang–Brahmanpara) and former member secretary of Cumilla South District BNP, has alleged that a rival political party is exploiting religion to deceive voters ahead of the national election. Speaking at a local cricket tournament event in Burichang, he claimed that the group is going door-to-door selling so-called 'tickets to heaven' and misleading women with promises of paradise. Jasim described these actions as religious fraud and manipulation. He further alleged that the same party has begun conspiracies to disrupt the upcoming national election. Urging supporters to remain vigilant under the direction of BNP leader Tarique Rahman, he reaffirmed his long-standing political commitment to the region. Jasim also pledged to implement a 'zero tolerance' policy against drugs if elected as a Member of Parliament. The event was attended by several BNP leaders and activists from different levels of the Cumilla district.

For the first time, Bangladeshi expatriates will be able to vote in the upcoming national election through a new mobile application called 'Postal Vote BD'. The Election Commission (EC) will officially launch the app on November 18, allowing expatriates to register using their international SIM cards and national ID verification with facial recognition. Once registered, ballots will be mailed to their foreign addresses, including all approved party symbols and a 'no' vote option. Voters will mark their preferred candidate and return the ballot through the postal system, managed entirely by the Bangladesh Post Office. Each vote will cost the EC about 700 taka. Ballots must reach returning officers by 4 p.m. on election day to be counted. The EC estimates the process, from ballot dispatch to return, will take 15–30 days. The system includes a tracking feature for transparency. The initiative marks a historic step in extending voting rights to millions of Bangladeshis living abroad.

Pakistan’s parliament has approved the 27th constitutional amendment, granting Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir lifetime immunity from arrest and prosecution, along with broader authority over the navy and air force. The amendment also restructures the judiciary by creating a new Federal Constitutional Court whose judges will be appointed by the president, raising concerns about judicial independence. Supporters argue the changes will streamline governance and reduce case backlogs, while critics warn they entrench military dominance and erode civilian oversight. Two Supreme Court judges resigned in protest, citing the amendment’s threat to constitutional integrity. Analysts say the move marks a shift from Pakistan’s long-standing ‘hybrid’ civil-military system toward a more overtly military-dominated order. The government defends the reform as part of a modernization agenda aimed at strengthening national defense and administrative efficiency, but observers fear it signals deepening authoritarianism and further imbalance between civilian institutions and the armed forces.

Former State Minister for Home Affairs Sohel Taj stated that the people of Bangladesh will never accept any attempt to distort or rewrite the nation’s history by omitting key elements such as the Liberation War, national anthem, and flag. In a Facebook post on November 14, he emphasized that rewriting history in this way undermines the country’s identity and future. His remarks came shortly after his departure from Dhaka for the United States via Qatar Airways. Sohel Taj, who has been vocal on social media about national issues, shared his travel updates and reflections on the development of Doha’s Hamad International Airport, noting its transformation over the past 15 years. His statement has drawn attention amid ongoing discussions about preserving the authenticity of Bangladesh’s historical narrative.

Following a crushing defeat for the Congress-led Mahagathbandhan alliance in the Bihar state assembly elections, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi expressed surprise at the results and questioned the fairness of the electoral process. Without directly alleging vote rigging, Gandhi stated on social media that the election was not fair from the beginning and reiterated his gratitude to millions of voters who supported the alliance. He emphasized that the Congress and the INDIA bloc would review the outcome thoroughly to strengthen their fight for democracy and the Constitution. The two-phase election saw over 67 percent voter turnout, with the ruling NDA alliance led by the BJP and JD(U) winning 202 out of 242 declared seats. The BJP secured 89 seats, JD(U) 85, while the opposition RJD and Congress managed only 25 and 10 seats respectively, marking a significant setback for the opposition in Bihar.

In Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency, NCP’s chief organizer Hasnat Abdullah faces a significant challenge as the opposition BNP shows signs of unity ahead of the upcoming national election. After receiving his party’s nomination, Hasnat has drawn attention for his community engagement and development initiatives. However, recent reconciliation efforts between BNP leaders Engineer Manjurul Ahsan Munshi, the party’s nominated candidate, and district BNP member secretary AFM Tarek Munshi have raised speculation that a united BNP could pose a serious threat to Hasnat’s campaign. The BNP, historically strong in the area, had long been divided by internal conflicts among local leaders. Analysts note that if the BNP successfully resolves its internal disputes, it could consolidate its voter base and make the race highly competitive. Local BNP leaders have expressed commitment to supporting whoever ultimately receives the party’s final nomination, while Hasnat remains confident in his popularity and promises to work for Debidwar’s development.

Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, stated in a Facebook post that the Bangladesh Awami League has become a Facebook-based protest party with limited real organizational strength on the ground. He argued that the party now relies on small hired groups for disruptive acts rather than its once-claimed grassroots network. Alam contrasted this with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which he said has shown improved internal discipline and organization during its nomination process. He expressed confidence that the upcoming February election would be peaceful, possibly the most peaceful in recent history. Alam also noted that law enforcement and local administrations are now more organized and confident, with capable officials overseeing the election process. He concluded that the likelihood of major unrest or disruption during the polls is very low.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed stated that if his party assumes power, it will restore 'trust and faith in Allah' as a guiding principle in Bangladesh’s constitution and hold parliamentary discussions on declaring the Ahmadiyya community (Qadianis) as non-Muslim. Speaking at the International Khatme Nabuwat Grand Conference at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Saturday, he said those who do not believe in the Prophet Muhammad cannot be considered Muslims, aligning BNP’s stance with that of the Khatme Nabuwat movement. The event, organized by the Khatme Nabuwat Protection Council, drew religious scholars and participants from five countries. Speakers at the conference urged the government led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to officially declare Ahmadis non-Muslim. The gathering emphasized unity among Muslims and reaffirmed belief in the finality of Prophet Muhammad’s prophethood.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan announced that if his party assumes state power, it will officially declare the Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) community as non-Muslim. He made the statement on Saturday, November 15, during the International Khatme Nabuwat Grand Conference held at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka. Rafiqul Islam claimed there is no disagreement within the Muslim world on this issue and said the belief in the finality of Prophet Muhammad is unanimously accepted among Muslims. The event, organized to demand the declaration of Ahmadis as non-Muslim, was attended by religious scholars and political leaders from Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, and Egypt. Notable participants included leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam. The conference was chaired by Maulana Abdul Hamid, convener of the Combined Khatme Nabuwat Committee Bangladesh.

US President Donald Trump announced plans to file a lawsuit against the BBC next week, seeking damages between $1 billion and $5 billion, despite the broadcaster’s apology for a misleading edit of one of his speeches. The BBC had issued a personal apology to Trump and admitted the edit was an 'error of judgment' but rejected his legal and financial demands, stating there was no basis for a defamation claim. The controversy stems from a Panorama documentary that spliced parts of Trump’s speech, creating a misleading impression. The program aired shortly before the US election and has since been withdrawn. The incident has already led to the resignations of BBC Director General Tim Davie and BBC News Chief Deborah Turness. Trump criticized the edit as 'corrupt' and said he had not yet discussed the issue with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer but planned to do so soon.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has questioned the fairness and transparency of the government’s proposed four-question referendum, asking where citizens can express disagreement if they oppose even one of the questions. Speaking in Dhaka after providing financial assistance to an ailing radio artist on behalf of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, Rizvi criticized the government for allegedly manipulating the referendum process. He warned that any attempt to impose a flawed or unclear referendum would not be sustainable and claimed that most citizens do not understand its purpose. Rizvi also accused the ruling Awami League of laundering large sums of money from India to create unrest in Bangladesh and destabilize the political situation. He urged that the referendum questions be made understandable to the general public to ensure genuine participation and transparency.

Nine months after Mohammad Ejaz took charge as administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), his pledge to build a 'just city' rooted in metmodern municipal ideals remains largely unfulfilled. Despite promises of equitable urban services, citizen participation, and nature-centered planning, Dhaka continues to suffer from severe traffic congestion, encroached sidewalks, poor waste management, and worsening dengue outbreaks. Experts say Ejaz, once a vocal river researcher, has failed to translate his theoretical commitments into tangible reforms. Parks and playgrounds remain under elite control, drainage systems are clogged, and infrastructure projects have created more disruption than relief. Environmentalists criticize his short-lived air purifier plan as misguided, while urban planners accuse him of catering to privileged groups. Ejaz defends his record, citing recovered playgrounds, pink toilets for women, and initiatives for marginalized communities. However, residents and specialists argue that the DNCC’s governance still reflects bureaucratic inertia rather than the participatory, equitable, and ecological principles promised under the metmodern urbanism framework.

US President Donald Trump has called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to launch a Department of Justice investigation into former President Bill Clinton’s ties with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s demand follows the release of thousands of emails that have reignited questions about his own relationship with Epstein. The newly surfaced correspondence, published by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, includes references suggesting Trump’s awareness of Epstein’s activities. Trump dismissed the revelations as a political distraction, labeling them a 'hoax' and accusing Democrats of weaponizing the Epstein case to divert attention from the government shutdown. Bondi confirmed she had assigned US Attorney Jay Clayton to lead the probe. The controversy adds to ongoing bipartisan pressure on Trump’s administration to release all Epstein-related documents. Both Clinton and Trump have faced scrutiny for their past associations with Epstein, whose death in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges continues to fuel conspiracy theories.

Munatsir Mahmud, an expelled leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has issued a public threat against the party’s member secretary, Akhtar Hossain, demanding an apology within an hour. The ultimatum expired on Friday night without any response from Akhtar. Shortly after, Mahmud posted on Facebook, asking followers whether he should leak information about Akhtar, using social media reactions as a poll. Earlier, Mahmud had warned that failure to apologize would lead to unspecified 'action.' His removal from all party positions followed allegations of violating party discipline. The incident has drawn attention to internal conflicts within the NCP and the growing trend of political disputes being aired on social media platforms in Bangladesh.

Senior leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, attended a dinner hosted by Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yousef S.Y. Ramadan, on Friday, November 14. According to BNP’s media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, the event was attended by several top party figures such as Dr. Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, and Organizing Secretary Shama Obaid. Sources described the gathering as informal, with discussions reportedly covering regional political developments, the ongoing crisis in Palestine, and strategies for garnering international support. The meeting reflects continued diplomatic engagement between the Palestinian mission and major political parties in Bangladesh amid heightened global attention to the Middle East situation.