A case has been filed against Rezaul Hasan Bhuiyan, also known as Suman, president of the BNP’s Maska Union unit in Kendua, Netrakona, for allegedly cutting down 31 government-owned mahogany trees without authorization. The complaint was lodged by Abdul Jalil, assistant land officer of Maska Union, naming Bhuiyan and four unidentified individuals. The trees, valued at around 800,000 taka, were reportedly felled on November 18 along a rural road being upgraded under a 55.8 million taka LGED project. Locals claimed the trees were cut using the name of the Upazila administration, and some logs were seized after residents intervened. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) stated that the contractor had no right to cut the trees and that a three-member inquiry committee has been formed to investigate. Police confirmed the case and said efforts are underway to arrest the accused, who claimed earlier that the trees were removed at his own expense to expedite road construction.

A mass signature campaign demanding the construction of the Bhola-Barishal Bridge has drawn strong public support across various professions, including students, teachers, journalists, and lawyers. Organized by United Peoples Bangladesh, the campaign began at Bangla School Mor in Bhola district, where over 500 people signed on the first day. The organizers plan to collect more than 5,000 signatures before submitting the petition to the Chief Adviser. Supporters argue that the bridge, originally scheduled for completion by 2025, remains unbuilt, intensifying the movement into a widespread public demand. Activists claim that the bridge would establish an economic zone in the Bhola-Barishal region, attract industries, and facilitate the transport of goods nationwide. Alongside the local campaign, a parallel group in Dhaka held a sit-in, while candlelight vigils were planned at Shaheed Minars across the country to press for the demand.

Folk singer Abul Sarkar has been arrested after widespread outrage over alleged blasphemous remarks about Islam and Allah during a musical event in Ghior, Manikganj. The controversy deepened when videos resurfaced showing Sarkar performing songs praising Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Awami League cultural programs following the party’s disputed January 2024 election. The performances, reportedly held in Tangail, featured ruling party leaders including MP Khan Ahmed Shuvo. Public anger intensified on social media, with religious groups demanding Sarkar’s immediate trial and punishment. Police detained him in Madaripur during a special operation, and he is now in custody. Meanwhile, another folk singer, Hasina Sarkar, sparked further debate by alleging that female Baul artists face sexual exploitation and are pressured into compromising situations to secure performance opportunities, though she did not name any individuals involved.

A major fire broke out at Dhaka’s Korail slum on Tuesday evening, causing widespread panic among residents. The blaze, which started around 5:19 p.m., quickly spread through the densely populated area, fueled by tin houses and limited access routes. Firefighters faced significant challenges in controlling the flames due to an acute water shortage and heavy traffic delays. According to Fire Service duty officer Rashed Bin Khalid, 16 units have been deployed to the site, with additional water tankers dispatched to address the scarcity. Law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area, restricting entry to prevent accidents and maintain order. Residents were seen frantically removing valuables from their homes as the fire spread. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be determined, while authorities continue efforts to bring the situation under control.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Jamshed Alam on Tuesday accepted an interim report recommending the release of Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin from the murder case of Md Sohan Shah, an executive mechanical engineer at Virgo Garments, who was shot during the July 2024 uprising and later died in hospital. The report, submitted by RAB-3 Sub-Inspector Md Mostafizur Rahman under Section 173(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code, stated that no evidence linked Bashiruddin to the incident. The case was originally filed on September 19, 2024, by Sohan’s mother, Sufia Begum, naming 57 accused, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bashiruddin had been listed as the 49th accused. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Prosecution Division confirmed the court’s acceptance of the report and Bashiruddin’s exemption from the charges.

A massive fire broke out at Dhaka’s Korail slum on Tuesday evening, and firefighters are still struggling to bring it under control. According to Fire Service duty officer Rashed Bin Khalid, 13 units are currently working at the scene, with three more on the way. The fire was first reported around 5:22 p.m., and the first units reached the site at 6:05 p.m. Heavy traffic has delayed additional units from reaching the area. As of 7:30 p.m., the blaze remains uncontrolled, and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. No casualties have been reported so far. The densely populated Korail slum, one of the largest in Dhaka, is known for its tightly packed homes, making firefighting operations extremely difficult. Authorities are continuing efforts to contain the flames and prevent further spread.

In a joint operation by the Bangladesh Coast Guard and police in Baharchhara, Teknaf, authorities rescued 28 people, including women and children, who were being trafficked to Malaysia by sea. The operation, conducted late Monday night based on intelligence inputs, uncovered a group preparing for illegal migration. According to Coast Guard spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, organized trafficking rings lure Bangladeshi and Rohingya individuals with promises of high-paying jobs and a better life abroad. The traffickers fled the scene upon sensing law enforcement presence, and no arrests were made. Authorities have intensified surveillance to apprehend those responsible. The Coast Guard reaffirmed its commitment to continuing such operations to curb human trafficking along Bangladesh’s coastal regions, which remain vulnerable to maritime smuggling routes toward Southeast Asia.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish chief Maulana Mamunul Haque has accused the ruling political party of attempting to re-establish a one-party fascist system by excluding other political forces from participation. Speaking at a public rally in Katiadi, Kishoreganj, he claimed that some groups aim to monopolize power for another 15 years under the guise of political change. Haque declared that the people of Bengal have shed blood to defeat fascism and will not allow its return. He emphasized that the future Bangladesh should be built on Islamic principles and guided by the July National Charter. The rally, organized by the Khelafat Majlish Katiadi unit, also featured several central and local leaders from Khelafat Majlish, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Islami Andolon, who echoed demands for a fair electoral environment, legal recognition of the July Charter, and the establishment of an Islamic governance system.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh announced that the upcoming national parliamentary election and the referendum will be held on the same day, with the referendum ballots printed in color for easy distinction. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated during a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka that both elections will allow postal ballots. The parliamentary election ballots will be printed on white paper with black symbols, while the referendum ballots will use colored paper with visible ink. The voter list is expected to be finalized by December 5, after which election preparations will proceed. The EC has also initiated communication with the government press regarding ballot paper printing. Additionally, expatriate Bangladeshis will be able to participate in the referendum, ensuring broader voter inclusion.

Six leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Sakhipur upazila of Tangail have resigned from their party positions, accusing BNP’s Tangail-8 (Basail-Sakhipur) candidate and central vice-chairman Ahmed Azam Khan of rehabilitating Awami League activists within the party. The resignations, submitted between November 21 and 25, were shared on social media, sparking widespread discussion. The resigning leaders, including freedom fighters Abdul Bashed Master and Shahjahan Saju, claimed Khan acted in an authoritarian and undisciplined manner, alienating long-time BNP activists. Internal conflict within the local BNP has reportedly deepened since Khan’s nomination, with some leaders refusing to join his campaign. Khan denied all allegations, calling them false and politically motivated, and claimed that a conspiratorial group coerced some leaders into signing resignation letters. District BNP leaders described the incident as a misunderstanding and expressed hope for party unity ahead of the election.

Bangladesh’s Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul announced that the upcoming national referendum will feature ballots of a different color to help voters distinguish them from those used in the national election. The referendum ordinance was approved at a meeting of the advisory council on Tuesday, November 25, and the official gazette is expected to be published within a day or two. The referendum will include a single question requiring a 'yes' or 'no' response, and it will be held simultaneously with the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The same officials appointed for the parliamentary election—returning, assistant returning, presiding, and polling officers—will also oversee the referendum process. The government has decided to hold the referendum to seek public opinion on 30 reform proposals recommended by the National Consensus Commission. The winning party will be obligated to implement these agreed-upon reforms. The referendum law was initially approved on November 20, and the ordinance is now set for final approval.

The British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cook, has issued a strong warning against visa fraud and illegal attempts to enter the United Kingdom. In a statement released by the British High Commission in Dhaka, Cook said that anyone found engaging in visa forgery or using unlawful means to travel to the UK could face a 10-year travel ban. She emphasized that visa fraud destroys people’s dreams and harms families, while those assisting in such crimes exploit individuals’ hopes for a better life and put them at serious risk. The High Commissioner urged applicants to use only official channels for legitimate visa applications, reaffirming the UK government’s commitment to combating fake visas and maintaining the integrity of its immigration system.

Bangladeshi Baul singer Hasina Sarkar has made explosive allegations against male Baul artists, claiming that some of them demand sexual favors from female performers in exchange for being invited to musical programs. Her comments came amid nationwide outrage over fellow Baul artist Abul Sarkar, who was recently arrested for making derogatory remarks about Islam and Allah during a performance in Ghior, Manikganj. Hasina stated that when she sought performance opportunities, male Bauls implied she must comply with their inappropriate demands. She rejected such propositions, saying she would not compromise her dignity for stage appearances. The remarks have sparked widespread discussion about exploitation and moral decline within parts of the Baul community, a folk tradition known for its spiritual and philosophical roots. Authorities have not yet commented on Hasina Sarkar’s claims.

A massive fire broke out in the Korail slum area of Dhaka on Tuesday evening, prompting a major emergency response. According to Fire Service and Civil Defence duty officer Rashed Bin Khalid, the fire started around 5:19 p.m. and quickly spread through the densely populated settlement. Eleven units of the Fire Service were deployed to the scene to bring the blaze under control. As of the latest reports, firefighters were still working to contain the flames, though the cause of the fire and the extent of damage or casualties were not immediately known. Korail, one of Dhaka’s largest informal settlements, has experienced similar fire incidents in the past, often resulting in significant losses for residents. Authorities have urged people to stay away from the area while emergency operations continue.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has announced that it will publicly disclose the names of individuals who attempt to obstruct or exert undue influence on its investigations. ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen made the statement on Tuesday, November 25, during a discussion marking the commission’s founding anniversary at its Segunbagicha headquarters in Dhaka. Responding to questions about external pressure on the commission, Momen emphasized that any future attempts to interfere with ACC’s work will be met with full transparency through name disclosure. The meeting was also attended by ACC Commissioners Miah Muhammad Ali Akbar Azizi and Brigadier General (Retd.) Hafiz Ahsan Farid, along with Secretary Mohammad Khaled Rahim. The chairman reiterated the ACC’s commitment to ensuring impartial and independent investigations into corruption cases across the country.