Two members of Bangladesh’s advisory council, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan from the Ministry of Local Government and Mahfuz Alam from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, are set to resign next week to contest in the upcoming national election scheduled for February. Both were key coordinators during the mass uprising and intend to step down before the election schedule is announced. While former adviser Nahid Islam has already joined the National Citizens Party (NCP), sources suggest Asif and Mahfuz are unlikely to follow suit. They may instead run as independent candidates in constituencies previously vacated by the BNP. Asif Mahmud, now a voter in Dhaka-10, has hinted at contesting from there, though he has yet to confirm his political affiliation. He stated that while no law prevents advisers from running, he believes it is ethically appropriate to resign before doing so. Several other advisers may also contest the election.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, announced that India is reviewing Dhaka’s request to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following her conviction in a genocide case linked to the July uprising. In a Facebook post on Friday, Alam expressed confidence that former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, referred to as the 'Butcher of Dhaka', will also be extradited to Bangladesh soon. He asserted that Hasina, Kamal, and other Awami League leaders accused of involvement in the July massacre would face justice under Bangladesh’s legal system. Alam added that despite their influence and resources, accountability for alleged crimes, including enforced disappearances and human rights violations during Hasina’s 16-year rule, cannot be avoided. He emphasized that national commitment to justice for the victims of the July uprising would make it increasingly difficult for those responsible to evade consequences.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that the United States and Israel suffered major setbacks during the recent 12-day conflict, calling their plans against Iran a complete failure. In a televised address on November 27, Khamenei said the war was part of a 20-year strategy aimed at destabilizing Iran and turning its people against the government, but instead, it strengthened national unity. He asserted that despite some Iranian losses, the Islamic Republic proved its determination and resilience, while the enemy endured greater damage. Khamenei also condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as one of the region’s worst tragedies and accused the US of complicity in those crimes. He further criticized Washington’s role in the Ukraine war and its support for Israeli operations in Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank. Emphasizing Iran’s growing influence through its resistance culture, Khamenei urged continued public support for the government, economic prudence, and moral faith, while highlighting the importance of the Basij volunteer force as a symbol of national strength and continuity.

Pakistan is witnessing growing unrest following rumors about former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s death in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. His three sisters allege they have been repeatedly denied permission to meet him and were assaulted by police while protesting outside the prison. The Adiala Jail authorities and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif insist that Khan is alive, healthy, and receiving proper care. However, Khan’s youngest son, Qasim Khan, who lives abroad, has intensified the controversy by claiming that the family has received no proof of his father’s survival. In a statement on social media platform X, Qasim said that the government has deliberately kept the family in the dark, denying all contact for over a month despite court orders. He warned that the Pakistani government and its handlers would be held responsible for any harm to Khan and urged international organizations to intervene to confirm his safety and ensure family access. The situation has sparked mass protests by Khan’s supporters across Pakistan.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, re-elected as the Ameer (chief) of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami for the 2026–2028 term, is set to take his oath of office on Friday evening at the Al-Falah Auditorium in Dhaka’s Moghbazar. According to the party’s constitution, the Ameer is chosen through a secret ballot by members of the national council for a three-year term. This marks Dr. Rahman’s third consecutive tenure as the party’s top leader, following his previous terms. The swearing-in ceremony will coincide with the opening session of Jamaat’s annual Central Majlish-e-Shura meeting, scheduled for November 28–29. Senior leaders from various political parties, along with Jamaat’s central executive, working, and consultative council members, are expected to attend. Previously, former leaders Ghulam Azam and Motiur Rahman Nizami also served three consecutive terms as Ameer, making Dr. Rahman the third in the party’s history to achieve this distinction.

After two National Guard members were seriously injured in a shooting incident in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary suspension of immigration from all Third World countries. Trump made this announcement on Thanksgiving night on his Truth Social platform.

“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden’s Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country,” Trump said in his post.

This announcement is being considered one of his toughest immigration policies.

U.S. President Donald Trump has directed a comprehensive review of asylum approvals and Green Cards issued under former President Joe Biden’s administration following a shooting incident involving an Afghan immigrant in Washington, D.C. The suspect, who allegedly shot two National Guard members, had entered the U.S. in 2021 under a resettlement program and was granted asylum earlier this year. In response, the Department of Homeland Security announced an immediate suspension of immigration requests from Afghan nationals and expanded the review to include all asylum cases approved during Biden’s tenure. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow confirmed that Green Cards issued to citizens from 19 countries under Trump’s travel ban will also be reexamined. The move is part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown since returning to office, which includes reassessing refugee admissions from the Biden era, potentially affecting over 230,000 individuals.

Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has clarified that he will not contest in the upcoming national parliamentary election and has no intention of entering politics. In a Facebook post on Thursday night, Alam addressed widespread speculation about his possible candidacy, stating unequivocally that he is neither running for parliament nor planning to engage in political activities. His statement comes amid growing rumors in various circles suggesting that he might participate in the election. By publicly denying these claims, Alam sought to put an end to the speculation surrounding his political involvement. The clarification underscores his continued focus on his current role as press secretary rather than pursuing a political career.

Shishir Monir, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Sunamganj-2 constituency, has pledged to hold a 'public parliament' every month if elected as a Member of Parliament in the upcoming 13th National Election. Speaking to journalists in Sunamganj, Monir said the initiative would ensure that local officials, including UNOs and police officers, are directly accountable to citizens. The Supreme Court lawyer emphasized that he himself would face the public to hear their problems and admit any shortcomings. Monir also expressed his belief that the upcoming referendum would likely favor the 'Yes' vote, arguing that campaigning for 'No' would be politically difficult and counterproductive. He added that the 'Yes' side represents reform and progress, while 'No' symbolizes regression. Other Jamaat leaders, including Advocate Muhammad Shams Uddin and Professor Mohammad Abdullah, were present at the event held in Sunamganj town.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has initiated the formation of constituency-based election monitoring cells to enhance its organizational presence ahead of the upcoming national elections. Dhaka South BNP has already established its cell, assigning 62 leaders as coordinators across seven constituencies, while Dhaka North and other affiliated bodies are in the process of forming their own. The cells are tasked with coordinating campaign activities, building voter trust, monitoring rival parties, and reporting local political developments to the central leadership. Senior BNP leaders, including Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, stated that such structures are essential for strategic decision-making and effective field operations. Youth, volunteer, and student wings are also preparing to launch their respective monitoring cells soon. The initiative aims to ensure stronger grassroots mobilization, timely information flow, and rapid response to evolving political dynamics, reflecting BNP’s efforts to intensify its election preparedness and strengthen its organizational control at the constituency level.

Nur Mohammad Abu Taher, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Bogura-3 (Adamdighi-Dupchanchia) constituency and chairman of Gunahar Union Parishad, announced that he will refrain from criticizing any political party during his election campaign. Speaking at a press conference at the Jamaat office in Adamdighi, he emphasized that criticizing others does not make them bad and that political discourse should remain respectful. Abu Taher also praised journalism as an independent and courageous profession, describing journalists as defenders against corruption. He criticized political parties that expect only praise from the media and urged for press freedom. The meeting was presided over by Upazila Jamaat Ameer Hafez Ataur Hossain and attended by several local leaders and journalists from Adamdighi and Santahar press clubs.

In Bangladesh’s Feni-3 constituency, BNP-nominated candidate Abdul Awal Mintu reportedly faced obstruction during his election campaign when sand trucks were placed on the road by a faction of the BNP itself. According to Akbar Hossain, the upazila BNP convener, some district leaders allegedly instigated the move to block Mintu’s motorcade at Daganbhuiyan’s Zero Point. The situation escalated briefly as Mintu’s supporters attempted to remove the trucks, leading to a scuffle. Police and army personnel intervened promptly, clearing the road and restoring order. Mintu, a central BNP vice-chairman and former FBCCI president, later addressed a roadside rally at Tulatoli Bazar in Ramnagar Union. He had arrived in Feni earlier in the day to begin his campaign for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the road was cleared to ensure the continuation of his campaign activities.

Interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan stated that there is no legal restriction preventing advisers from contesting in the upcoming national parliamentary elections. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday, he mentioned that not only student advisers but also several others associated with the interim administration are considering participating in the polls. Mahmud clarified that while advisers are legally allowed to run, they must resign from their positions beforehand to avoid conflicts of interest. He further noted that although he is interested in contesting, he has not yet decided from which constituency or under which political party he will run. His remarks come amid growing discussions about the political ambitions of members of the interim government as the country prepares for the next general election.

Ireland has announced a series of major reforms to its immigration and asylum policies in response to rapid population growth and increasing pressure on housing and public services. Justice Minister Jim O’Callahan said the country’s population grew by 1.6% last year—seven times the EU average—reaching 5.46 million in April 2024. Net migration has nearly doubled since 2022, with around 72,000 immigrants arriving annually, including workers, family reunifications, and refugees from Ukraine. Asylum applications reached a record 18,651 in 2024, up from 13,276 the previous year. The new measures require employed asylum seekers to contribute 10–40% of their weekly income toward state housing costs and raise the income threshold for family reunification to €44,000. Citizenship eligibility will now require five years of residence instead of three, and those dependent on welfare will be disqualified. The government will also have the power to revoke asylum status for security threats or serious crimes, and stricter rules are being considered for student visas.

A vehicle in the motorcade of BNP candidate Dr. Rafiqul Islam Hilani caught fire on Thursday afternoon in the Shekherchar Mazar Bus Stand area along the Dhaka–Sylhet highway. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. while the convoy was en route to a public rally in Chattogram. Four of Hilani’s associates—driver Rafiqul Islam, Farhad Ahmed, Saiful Islam Shanti, and Sirajul Islam—sustained injuries in the fire. According to Hilani, the private car overheated before catching fire, but no bystanders were harmed. The injured were initially treated at a local hospital and later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced care. Authorities have not reported any foul play, and preliminary indications suggest a mechanical fault caused the blaze. The incident took place in the Netrakona-3 (Kendua–Atpara) constituency, where Hilani is contesting as the BNP’s candidate under the paddy sheaf symbol.