Advocate Fazlur Rahman, the BNP-nominated candidate for Kishoreganj-4 constituency (Itna-Mithamain-Austagram), declared that he would take poison if Jamaat-e-Islami wins the election and forms a government. Speaking at a BNP workers’ rally in Itna on Friday night, Rahman criticized Jamaat members, calling them ungrateful and accusing them of betraying those who once saved them. He emphasized his ideological stance, stating he seeks votes only from supporters of the Liberation War, BNP, and its leaders, regardless of religion. Rahman also reiterated that Bangladesh’s independence was aimed at establishing a secular state. His remarks come amid heightened political tensions and renewed debates over the role of Jamaat in national politics. Local BNP leaders, including his wife Umme Kulsum Rekha and other party officials, were present at the event.

A large motor rally was held in Faridganj, Chandpur-4 constituency, in support of Jamaat-e-Islami’s nominated parliamentary candidate and district Amir, Maulana Billal Hossain Miahji. Hundreds of motorcycles and vehicles joined the procession, which began from the Faridganj bus stand and paraded through key roads in the upazila. During the rally, Miahji urged voters to support the 'scale' election symbol, pledging to build a peaceful and terrorism-free Bangladesh. He dismissed rumors that Jamaat restricts women’s freedom, asserting the party’s commitment to women’s rights, employment, and empowerment. Miahji emphasized that Jamaat aims to serve the people rather than rule over them. Several local leaders, including Upazila Amir Maulana Yunus Helal, General Secretary Sakhawat Hossain, and other party representatives, participated in the event, which showcased strong organizational discipline and enthusiasm among supporters ahead of the upcoming election.

BNP’s Dhaka-6 parliamentary candidate Ishraq Hossain has declared that the ruling Awami League will no longer be allowed to engage in politics in Bangladesh. Speaking at a rally of freedom fighters and their descendants at the Central Shaheed Minar on Saturday, Ishraq accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of using secret militants to obstruct elections. He urged opposition groups to overcome internal divisions and unite under the spirit of the July movement, warning that disunity could weaken the nation and make it vulnerable to external domination. Ishraq emphasized that Bangladesh must not become a tributary state and called for collective action to protect national sovereignty. His remarks reflect the ongoing political tension between the BNP and the Awami League ahead of potential electoral confrontations.

Bangladesh strengthened their position in the Mirpur Test against Ireland after spinner Hasan Murad claimed a wicket with his very first delivery. Chasing a massive target of 509 runs, Ireland lost their third wicket for just 77 runs. Murad’s delivery, a slower arm ball, struck debutant Cade Carmichael on the pads, prompting an immediate out decision from the umpire, which the batter did not review. With this breakthrough, Ireland now stands at 77 for 3, still needing 432 runs to win, while Bangladesh requires seven more wickets to secure victory. The dismissal mirrored Murad’s earlier success in the match, further tightening Bangladesh’s grip on the game and putting them on the brink of a commanding Test win at home.

Police in Mymensingh’s Trishal upazila have arrested four individuals, including a woman, for allegedly luring a government doctor into a honey trap, assaulting him, and extorting Tk 300,000. The victim, Dr. Shafiqul Islam, a health officer at Sripur Upazila Health Complex in Gazipur, was allegedly deceived through a fake Facebook profile named 'Jui Chowdhury' used by a woman identified as Tania Akter. After being invited to meet in Trishal, the doctor was taken to a rented flat where several people ambushed him, recorded compromising videos, and demanded Tk 1 million under threat of death. He was forced to pay Tk 22,500 in cash and Tk 280,000 via mobile transfer. Following his release, he filed a case with Trishal Police Station. Officers later arrested four suspects—Rabiul Molla, Sonali Akter, Rajna Akter, and Amirun—and recovered Tk 56,850 and six mobile phones used in the crime. Police are continuing efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects.

Government employees in Bangladesh have called an urgent meeting to finalize their movement demanding the implementation of the ninth pay scale by December. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 22, at the Dhaka University Fourth Class Employees Association office. Representatives from around a dozen organizations, in addition to the 12 unions under the Bangladesh Government Employees Demand Realization Unity Council, are expected to attend. According to the council’s coordinator, Md. Mahmudul Hasan, the participating organizations will discuss and finalize a program of action to press for the pay scale’s implementation. The meeting aims to unify various employee groups under a single platform to strengthen their collective bargaining power. The decision on the next course of action, including possible demonstrations or negotiations, is expected to emerge from this gathering.

A large nurses’ rally in Dhaka on Saturday caused severe traffic disruptions as major roads near the National Press Club were closed from 10 a.m. onward. The demonstration, organized by thousands of nurses, led to the shutdown of Topkhana Road between Paltan intersection and Kadam Fountain, forcing vehicles to be diverted through Bijoynagar and Kakrail. The diversion resulted in heavy congestion and long delays, leaving commuters frustrated. Many passengers criticized the lack of prior notice and urged authorities to reconsider the practice of blocking roads for rallies. The nurses gathered to protest against the alleged attempt to dissolve the Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery and demanded the formation of a National Nursing Commission. Police officials said the rally was expected to end by early afternoon, after which normal traffic flow would resume.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has announced that the party will transform the Islamic Foundation into a full-fledged state institution if it comes to power. Speaking at a discussion with mosque-based education caretakers in Dhaka, he criticized widespread corruption, moral decline, and politicization of public institutions under the Awami League government. Fakhrul questioned why moral values have weakened despite the presence of numerous mosques and madrasas in Bangladesh. Citing Indonesia as an example, he emphasized the need for institutional religious consultation in governance. He accused the current administration of undermining democracy, religious freedom, and merit-based appointments. Fakhrul also called for strengthening moral education in families, schools, and madrasas to curb crime and social decay. He reiterated BNP’s commitment to democratic values and institutional reform to restore accountability and ethical governance.

A second earthquake was recorded in Gazipur’s Baipail area near Dhaka within 24 hours of a deadly tremor that struck the region. According to the Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation and Research Center, the quake occurred at 10:36 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, with a magnitude of 3.3 on the Richter scale. Officials described it as a minor earthquake with its epicenter located in Baipail. The previous day, a stronger 5.7-magnitude quake hit about 13 kilometers east of Dhaka, killing ten people, including two children, and injuring hundreds across several districts. Four deaths occurred in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi, and one in Narayanganj. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as residents remain anxious following the back-to-back tremors.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced a mass rally in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon demanding that the Awami League be tried as a political party for alleged involvement in the July massacre. According to a press release signed by NCP Joint Member Secretary and Media Cell Editor Mushfiq Us Salehin, the rally will begin at 3:30 p.m. from Banglamotor intersection. NCP Dhaka Metropolitan Unit is organizing the event, with Convener Nahid Islam expected to attend. The party plans to call for the implementation of verdicts against those responsible for the July killings and to demand justice for the Awami League and its coalition partners. Nahid Islam first raised the demand for Awami League’s trial following the death sentence verdict against Sheikh Hasina on November 17. Previously, the NCP had led protests seeking to ban the Awami League, which was later followed by an interim government decision to suspend the party’s activities.

Bangladesh has been classified into three earthquake risk zones, with Zone-1 marking the highest risk areas, mainly in the northern and southeastern regions. Districts in Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, parts of Tangail, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Khagrachhari, and Rangamati fall under this category. The lowest-risk Zone-3 includes Khulna, Jessore, Barishal, and Patuakhali. Historical data shows at least five major tremors between 1976 and 2015, mostly originating from Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Cox’s Bazar. Experts warn that Dhaka, with around 2.1 million buildings, faces severe danger due to poor compliance with building codes. Fault lines such as the Dawki and Madhupur faults, along with several plate boundaries, make the region highly vulnerable. Specialists emphasize strengthening earthquake preparedness, enforcing construction standards, and investing in early warning systems to mitigate potential disasters.

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, shaking Dhaka and surrounding districts for several seconds. The epicenter was located in Madhabdi upazila of Narsingdi district, near the capital. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake resulted from reverse faulting deep within the Indian tectonic plate. Experts from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Bangladeshi researchers explained that Bangladesh lies at the junction of three major tectonic plates — Indian, Eurasian, and Burmese — making it highly earthquake-prone. BUET professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansari noted that at least five fault lines exist in the country, with the Noakhali–Sylhet line likely responsible for this event. The quake caused structural damage to several buildings and led to at least 10 deaths and over 550 injuries nationwide. As of Friday night, more than 450 injured people were treated in government hospitals, with 167 admitted and 16 in critical condition referred elsewhere.

Pakistan has described the death sentence handed to former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as an internal matter of Bangladesh. During a weekly press briefing on November 21, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andarabi stated that the people of Bangladesh are capable of resolving their issues through democratic and constitutional means. The comment came after an international crimes tribunal sentenced Hasina to death for allegedly ordering lethal force against student-led protests during the July uprising that toppled her government. The verdict, seen as politically significant ahead of Bangladesh’s national elections scheduled for early February, has drawn attention from neighboring countries. Bangladesh has urged India to extradite Hasina, who fled there after being ousted, citing an existing extradition treaty. However, New Delhi has not agreed, emphasizing its commitment to peace, democracy, and stability in Bangladesh. Pakistan’s cautious stance reflects its intent to avoid involvement in Bangladesh’s internal judicial and political developments.

BNP central sports secretary and Dhaka North convenor Aminul Haque has assured that no extortion will be allowed from rickshaw and autorickshaw drivers in Dhaka. Speaking at a meeting with drivers in Pallabi, he said that for the past 17 years, a syndicate had been collecting illegal fees from them. Haque promised that under a future BNP government, all such syndicates would be dismantled. He also warned that any party member found involved in extortion would face legal action. Additionally, he urged autorickshaw drivers to follow traffic laws, emphasizing that adherence to rules could prevent accidents and reduce traffic congestion. His remarks come as part of his campaign as the BNP candidate for the Dhaka-16 constituency, pledging reforms to protect low-income transport workers from exploitation.

Authorities in Bogura, Bangladesh, have fined a spice mill owner BDT 300,000 for producing adulterated turmeric and chili powder using fabric dye, cattle feed, and rice bran. The mobile court, led by Executive Magistrate Rashidul Islam, conducted the raid at Al-Amin Spice Mill in Rajabazar on Thursday evening. Officials from the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority confirmed that the seized products contained harmful substances posing health risks. During the operation, 75 kilograms of rice bran, 150 kilograms of adulterated chili powder, and 150 kilograms of adulterated turmeric were confiscated and destroyed. The mill owner admitted to the offense and was penalized under Section 33 of the Food Safety Act 2013. Food safety officials stated that such drives will continue to protect public health and ensure the availability of safe food products in the market.