The Election Commission (EC) will schedule its dialogue with political parties once the final code of conduct for candidates and parties is officially gazetted, according to EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. Speaking to journalists at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, he said the finalization of the code is in its final stages, and the commission aims to make the upcoming national election transparent and participatory by incorporating all parties’ input. EC officials said a tentative date has been set but not finalized yet. The commission has already held discussions with media representatives, experts, civil society, and women leaders. The dialogue will address issues such as the enforcement of the code, candidate behavior, campaign rules, election expenditure, and media roles. The EC emphasized its commitment to consensus and confidence-building to ensure a free, fair, and inclusive election.

Bangladesh’s interim government has established a National Pay Commission to review and propose a new pay scale for public servants, but the final decision will rest with the next elected government. Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed that the interim administration has no authority to approve a new pay structure, though it has initiated the process. The Pay Commission has already begun formulating recommendations and is expected to submit its final report by December. Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus earlier announced that the 13th national election will take place in early February, and major political parties have started naming their candidates. The next government formed after the election will determine the fate of the new pay scale. Sources indicate that while groundwork is underway, implementation will depend entirely on the elected leadership.

Tareq Rahman, the general secretary of Amjanatar Dal and a young political leader, ended his 134-hour hunger strike on Sunday night following a personal appeal from BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed. Tareq had been staging the hunger strike in front of the Election Commission (EC) building since Tuesday, protesting the EC’s decision not to grant official registration to his party. Despite growing health concerns, he had vowed to continue the protest until the registration demand was fulfilled.
Salahuddin Ahmed visited him Sunday evening and urged him to break the fast, after which Tareq was taken to Gonoshasthaya Hospital by ambulance for treatment. Earlier, several BNP leaders—including Ishraque Hossain and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi—visited the strike site to express solidarity. Rizvi criticized the EC for approving less significant parties while rejecting Amjanatar Dal, questioning the fairness of the decision. On November 4, the EC initially approved three parties for registration but excluded Tareq’s party, prompting the prolonged protest.

The latest Pakistan-Afghanistan talks held in Turkey ended in a deadlock, with the Pakistani delegation leaving the negotiating table and heading to the airport on November 7. Pakistan has demonstrated maximum patience amid the stalled discussions. Authorities in Qatar and Turkey are closely monitoring the progress, and further decisions will follow consultations with Pakistani policymakers. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar emphasized that Pakistan remains firm in its principled stance, holding Afghanistan responsible for curbing terrorism from its territory. He criticized the Afghan Taliban for failing to fulfill their commitments under the 2021 Doha Agreement. Pakistan continues to maintain goodwill toward the Afghan people but will not support actions by the Taliban government that harm regional or Afghan interests. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stressed that negotiations should culminate in a written agreement, with Qatar and Turkey acting as guarantors, ensuring transparency and long-term regional stability.

India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has urged Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, to be careful with his choice of words as recent interactions have drawn attention in regional diplomacy. In an exclusive interview, Singh emphasized that India does not seek tension with Bangladesh and reaffirmed that maintaining strong neighborly relations remains a priority, even as India is prepared to address any challenges. The advisory comes amid ongoing strains between the central Indian government and Dr. Yunus since the formation of Bangladesh’s interim government after the July 2024 uprising. Dr. Yunus recently held meetings with Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman and a Turkish parliamentary delegation in Dhaka, further drawing international attention. He gifted the Turkish delegation his book The Art of Triumph following the meeting.

A U.S. intelligence report from last year revealed that Israeli military lawyers had warned there was enough evidence to raise allegations of war crimes during Israel’s Gaza operations, which heavily relied on U.S. weaponry. Former officials described the report as one of the most alarming presented to top U.S. policymakers, showing internal doubts within the Israeli military about the legality of their actions, contrasting with public government statements. Rising civilian deaths prompted concerns that Israel could be violating international human rights and war laws, though the report did not cite specific incidents. Despite this, the Biden administration concluded there was no proof that Israel intentionally targeted civilians, allowing arms and intelligence cooperation to continue. The situation has drawn international scrutiny, including ICC and ICJ investigations, while Israel maintains its operations targeted Hamas, not Gaza’s general population.

A six-lane railway underpass in TT Para, Dhaka, has officially opened, marking a significant improvement in traffic flow for the area. The underpass, inaugurated on November 8 by retired Lieutenant General Abdul Hafiz, special assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defence and National Cohesion Development, will ease long-standing congestion problems. The underpass has six lanes in total: four for motorized vehicles and two for rickshaws, bicycles, and pedestrians. Vehicles up to five meters tall can pass comfortably, while trains now run above, allowing uninterrupted vehicle movement below. Previously, trains caused delays of up to an hour over just half a kilometer, forcing drivers to take longer alternative routes. The underpass will now improve connectivity for areas including Motijheel, Mugda, Manda, Maniknagar, and Shabujbagh, ending years of inconvenience for local commuters and enhancing the city’s overall traffic management.

Israel has imposed new restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, worsening the crisis for civilians already trapped amid devastation from continuous airstrikes. The UN reports that aid supplies remain far below the population’s urgent needs, despite the delivery of 37,000 metric tons—mostly food—since October 10. Limited entry through the Al-Qarara and Kerem Abu Salem crossings offers little relief, while northern and Egypt–Gaza routes remain sealed. NGOs have also been denied access. The UN and the World Food Programme are calling for the reopening of all crossings, warning that over a million displaced Gazans are suffering severe shortages of food, clean water, medicine, and shelter. With homes destroyed and infrastructure collapsed, humanitarian agencies fear the worsening blockade could push Gaza into an even deeper humanitarian disaster.

Youth and Sports Ministry Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiya has clarified that the government’s plan to train nearly 9,000 young men and women aims to strengthen national sovereignty and public defence, not to create any militia or armed force. The project will provide judo, karate, taekwondo, and shooting lessons to participants aged 18–35 at BKSP, with 100 training slots over two years and a budget of Tk 28 crore. Addressing public criticism and rumours, Asif said the training involves air guns, not military weapons, and that participants will return to their normal jobs after completion. He alleged that certain “India-leaning groups” are spreading misinformation to discredit the initiative. Emphasising that the program is a pilot project for crisis readiness, he said it aligns with the government’s policy of empowering citizens to defend the nation if ever needed.

India has quietly withdrawn troops and military equipment from the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan, its only fully operational overseas military facility. For nearly two decades, the base symbolized New Delhi’s strategic footprint in Central Asia, offering proximity to Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor—just 20 kilometers away—and enabling surveillance advantages over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and China’s Xinjiang region. Originally built during the Soviet era, Ayni had deteriorated after the USSR’s collapse. India revived the base in 2002 through an agreement with Tajikistan, investing about $80 million to modernize the infrastructure, including extending the runway to support fighter jets and heavy transport aircraft.

However, in 2022 India began withdrawing personnel when the lease expired. Tajikistan opted not to renew the agreement, reportedly under pressure from Russia and China, both influential players in Central Asia. India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the base was formally handed back to Tajik authorities that year.

Losing Ayni marks a significant strategic setback for India. The base had provided India with vital intelligence advantages and a rare military presence near regions critical to its national security interests. Analysts believe India may now face reduced influence in Central Asia and diminished oversight capabilities over China-Pakistan activities in the region.

Turkey’s Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 36 other senior Israeli officials, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The warrants, released on Friday, November 7, name key figures such as Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. Turkish prosecutors allege that Israel’s military actions in Gaza constitute deliberate and systematic genocide. The investigation also includes Israel’s airstrike on the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza. Turkey, which previously joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, says it aims to uphold international law and accountability. Israel has strongly condemned the move, calling it a “political stunt” by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while tensions continue amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

Former state minister and BNP leader Lutfozzaman Babar has warned that “dark clouds” continue to loom over the country’s political landscape, claiming that various conspiracies remain active. Speaking via video conference on Saturday at a Mohanganj Municipal BNP gathering in Netrokona, he said the upcoming verdict in Sheikh Hasina’s first case could trigger attempts to disrupt either the judgment or the election. According to him, the ruling Awami League, a neighboring global power, and several political groups are allegedly involved in such efforts.

Babar stated that although the government speaks of neutrality, some advisers are showing clear bias. He urged BNP leaders and activists not to miss any potential political opportunity ahead, emphasizing strict adherence to discipline. He reminded party members that gaining power is uncertain, but hope must be maintained, and actions must remain lawful and ethical.

Addressing the youth, Babar highlighted the importance of technological and technical skills for surviving in today’s competitive era, encouraging them to study attentively and advance through merit.

Family members of those killed or injured during the 24th uprising have pledged to work in unity with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). On Saturday evening (8 November), they visited the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan and virtually met the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, where they made this commitment. Among the attendees were Shafi Alam, father of martyr Wasim; Sabrina Afroze Sebonti, sister of martyr Mahmudur Rahman and reader of the July declaration; Mahbubur Rahman, father of martyr Mahmudur Rahman Soikot; Md. Zakir Hossain, father of martyr Faisal Ahmed Shanto; and Md. Farhan Jamil, who was injured during the July 24 mass movement. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, “Amra BNP Poribar” convener and BNP media cell member Atikur Rahman Rummon, and Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho, younger brother of martyr Mir Mugdho and a recent BNP member, were also present during the event.

Feni district BNP’s member secretary and Feni-2 constituency nomination aspirant Alal Uddin Alal has sparked widespread discussion after posting a photo of himself in a paddy field making a “review appeal” in a cricketer’s gesture. The symbolic protest came after his name was excluded from BNP’s preliminary candidate list announced on November 3. Alal, who had sought the party’s nomination for the upcoming 13th national election, said the act was a peaceful and creative call for reconsideration of the nomination decision. His social media post quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from party members—some expressed solidarity while others criticized the selection process. Alal said his initiative reflected a new, nonviolent language of protest, contrasting with Feni’s once-violent political past. According to party sources, several BNP leaders were vying for the Feni-2 seat, while Professor Zainal Abedin was chosen as the preliminary candidate.

Dr. Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, Naib-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has expressed optimism that a “miracle” could occur in the country’s next national election. Speaking on Friday at an Islami Chhatra Shibir event in Dhaka, Taher praised the student group for securing the mandate of general students at four universities, saying it proves Shibir represents the broader student community of Bangladesh. He credited the group’s efforts with ending campus torture cells and curbing drug gatherings, emphasizing the students’ growing role in moral and political reform. Taher called on young voters—particularly the four crore students nationwide—to support “idealistic political parties” to bring about positive transformation. Referring to past student movements, he urged them to continue fighting against corruption and injustice, hoping that their unity would again inspire a major political shift in the upcoming election.