The National Education and Culture Protection Movement has submitted a memorandum protesting the cancellation of the government decision to recruit music and physical education teachers in primary schools. The organization, supported by 23 social, cultural, teacher, and student groups, announced a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Saturday. Movement leaders, including Mahmud Selim, Dr. Abu Sayeed, and Dr. Mokbul Hossain, argued that the interim government reversed its earlier decision under pressure from certain groups demanding religious teachers instead. They emphasized that music and physical education are essential for children’s holistic development and warned that removing these subjects would harm intellectual and emotional growth. The Primary and Mass Education Adviser, Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, assured that appropriate actions would be taken. The movement also urged the government to make music, fine arts, and physical education compulsory at both primary and secondary levels.

A 55-year-old woman named Lalmone Nesha was injured in an explosion while collecting scrap materials in Kotalipara upazila of Gopalganj on Thursday afternoon. According to local sources, she was sorting through collected items near the Radhaganj Kurighor Restaurant when she found a round object and began handling it. The object suddenly exploded in her hand, injuring two to three fingers of her left hand. Witnesses rushed her to Kotalipara Upazila Health Complex, where doctors confirmed that the injury was caused by a cocktail-type explosive device. She was later referred to Barishal Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Police have confirmed the incident and said they are investigating the source of the explosive. The incident has caused concern among locals, though authorities believe it was an accidental explosion rather than a targeted attack.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Fayzul Karim, senior Naib-e-Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, stated that the reinstatement of the previously abolished non-partisan caretaker government system will bring welfare and a better future for the people of Bangladesh. Speaking at a public rally in Char Samaiya Union, Bhola, on November 20, he said that elections held under caretaker governments have historically been more transparent and acceptable than those under partisan governments. Karim expressed optimism that the upcoming 13th national election would see Islamic parties unite under one electoral symbol. Commenting on the court’s verdict regarding Sheikh Hasina, he said the judgment was delivered according to law and urged the government and law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety and stability. The rally was attended by several Islami Andolan leaders and local representatives.

A local leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, was attacked at the Narsingdi Judge Court premises on Thursday afternoon while attending a court hearing. The victim, Siam Bhuiyan Abir, 28, joint convener of Ghorashal Municipality Chhatra Dal, was assaulted by several unidentified youths who used a beggar’s stick to strike him. He sustained head injuries requiring four stitches and multiple bruises on his body. Police and witnesses said the attack occurred after Siam had finished his court appearance and was drinking tea near the rest area. The assailants fled after the incident. Siam was taken to Narsingdi District Hospital for treatment and later released. Police suspect the attack may have been motivated by previous enmity and have pledged to investigate. Siam has demanded justice and called for a thorough inquiry into the assault.

A 20-year-old man named Alauddin has been arrested in Dhaka’s Nawabganj area for allegedly raping a third-grade girl after locking her younger brother in another room. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon in a village under Bandura Union while the children’s mother was attending a religious event nearby. According to the police and the victim’s family, Alauddin, a drug-addicted assistant mason, lured the girl into a room and assaulted her. The perpetrator fled when the mother returned home and discovered her daughter injured. Neighbors came to help and arranged initial medical care. The victim’s mother, whose husband works abroad, filed a case at Nawabganj Police Station on Tuesday night. Police later arrested the accused and sent the child to Dhaka for a medical examination. Authorities have assured that legal action will be taken against the perpetrator.

More than 10,000 devotees and visitors, regardless of religion or background, gathered for a communal meal during the annual Sri Sri Sarbajanin Raksha Kali Puja celebration in Gobindapur-Golla-Moymandi villages under Jatnrail Union, Nawabganj, Dhaka. The event, held on November 20, featured the traditional Kirtan Mahaprabhu’s Bhograg festival, a 200-year-old tradition of the temple. Around 20 cooks and over 100 volunteers prepared and served food from early morning until evening. Local leaders, including BNP candidate Khandaker Abu Ashfaq, attended and exchanged greetings with devotees. Organizers emphasized the unity among people of all faiths—Hindu, Muslim, and Christian—who participated in the festival. The temple committee expressed pride in preserving this long-standing cultural and religious heritage, which draws visitors from neighboring districts each year.

A stone trader named Enamul Haque Ripon from Charbahadurpur village in Muladi upazila, Barishal, has been accused of embezzling around Tk 10 crore from multiple investors by promising profit shares from his stone trading business. Victims allege that Ripon collected large sums from them, including Tk 8 crore from one investor and Tk 22.6 lakh from another, before disappearing. Several cases have been filed against him in Muladi, Mehendiganj, and Chattogram’s Mirsarai police stations, as well as in Barishal court. Police confirmed that Ripon had previously been detained but was released after giving a written pledge, following which he went into hiding again. Law enforcement authorities have issued multiple arrest warrants and are conducting operations to locate and apprehend him. The victims continue to demand justice and the return of their investments.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is facing internal criticism over its decision to nominate several elderly candidates, some aged over 80, in multiple constituencies. Local leaders argue that these senior nominees lack the physical capacity and generational connection needed to appeal to younger voters, particularly Generation Z, who are expected to play a decisive role in the upcoming election. In constituencies such as Brahmanbaria-4, Kushtia-4, Chattogram-13, and Munshiganj-2, local BNP leaders have formally appealed to the party’s high command to reconsider the nominations. They are advocating for younger, more active candidates with stronger grassroots ties and better rapport with youth voters. The appeals highlight growing frustration among local activists who believe that the party’s electoral prospects could be weakened by fielding aged, less-engaged figures. The issue underscores a generational divide within the BNP as it seeks to balance experience with the need for rejuvenation to attract younger segments of the electorate.

BNP central executive committee member and Faridpur divisional organizing secretary Shama Obaid stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) does not use religion as a political tool or engage in religious trading for political gain. Speaking at a large women’s rally organized by the Belkuchi Upazila and Municipal Women’s Wing in Sirajganj, she emphasized that BNP has always worked for public welfare since its inception and avoids showy politics. Obaid highlighted the importance of women’s participation in social progress, asserting that BNP respects and values women’s contributions. The event also featured BNP leader Amirul Islam Khan Alim, who reaffirmed the party’s commitment to restoring voting rights, democracy, and women’s empowerment. The rally, attended by local BNP leaders and supporters, saw enthusiastic participation from women of various professions, creating a festive atmosphere in the area.

Folk singer Abul Sarkar, popularly known as 'Baul Maharaj' of Tilli Union in Manikganj’s Saturia upazila, was arrested by the district Detective Branch (DB) police early Thursday in Madaripur. The arrest followed allegations of blasphemy made against him after a performance on October 4 in Ghior upazila, where he was accused of making derogatory remarks about Islam and the creation of Allah. The incident sparked widespread criticism on social media and led to demands from religious groups for his immediate arrest and punishment. Following a special operation, DB police detained him and brought him back to Manikganj. On Thursday morning, several Islamic organizations held protests and human chains outside the Manikganj court premises, accusing Sarkar of misinterpreting Quranic verses and misleading followers under the guise of being a spiritual leader. Police confirmed that he was arrested under a case filed in Ghior Police Station for insulting Islam and is currently being interrogated at the DB office.

Police in Charfassion, Bhola, arrested a man named Md. Anchar, 45, on Thursday morning for allegedly raping a fourth-grade student at her home the previous night. According to police and the victim’s family, Anchar entered the girl’s house around 8 p.m. on Wednesday and committed the assault. Locals rushed to the scene after hearing the child’s screams, rescued her, and detained the suspect before handing him over to police. The incident sparked outrage in the community, leading to a human chain protest organized by the local madrasa authorities demanding strict punishment for the accused. Police confirmed that a case has been filed and the victim was sent for medical examination. Reports also indicate that Anchar had previously been accused in a 2021 rape case involving another teenage girl who later died by suicide after being denied justice due to local influence.

For the first time, the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) is allowing expatriate Bangladeshis to vote via postal ballots under the slogan “Tomar Amar Bangladesh-e, Vote Dib Milemishe.” According to the official schedule, Bangladeshi citizens living in Malaysia can register for postal voting from December 9 to 13. Registration must be completed through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile app by verifying mobile numbers, completing face verification, and submitting national ID or passport details along with the current overseas address. Once registration is approved, voters will receive ballot papers by mail. They must follow the instructions to log in, verify their identity, and cast their vote electronically before mailing back the signed declaration and ballot paper to Bangladesh. The EC expects ballots to reach returning officers within 16 to 28 days after dispatch. This initiative aims to include global expatriates in the upcoming national election process.

Three students participating in a long march from Charfassion, Bhola, to Dhaka’s Setu Bhaban have fallen ill after swimming across the Padma River when denied permission to cross the Padma Bridge on foot. The march, which began on November 11 with 20 students, aims to press a five-point demand including the construction of the Bhola-Barishal Bridge, residential gas connections for all households in Bhola, establishment of gas-based industries, a public university, and sustainable embankments. As of Thursday evening, the marchers had covered nearly 300 kilometers and reached Abdullahpur in Munshiganj along the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway. The three ill students—Md. Noman Hawlader, Md. Tanjil, and Md. Mehedi—are receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The remaining participants plan to continue to the National Press Club and later to Setu Bhaban to press their demands.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) reported a 15.54% increase in revenue collection during the first four months (July–October) of the 2025–26 fiscal year compared to the same period last year. Total revenue collected reached BDT 1,19,478 crore, up from BDT 1,03,409 crore in 2024–25, when political unrest and economic stagnation had slowed growth. Despite the improvement, the NBR fell short of its target of BDT 1,36,697.7 crore by about BDT 17,000 crore. The highest growth was recorded in the domestic value-added tax (VAT) segment, which rose 24.78% to BDT 46,878 crore. Income and travel tax collections grew by 16.11% to BDT 37,849 crore, while customs and export duties increased by 4.53% to BDT 34,751 crore. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, the government set a total revenue target of BDT 5,64,000 crore, equivalent to 9% of GDP, with NBR expected to contribute BDT 4,99,000 crore.

BNP central sports affairs secretary and Dhaka North convenor Aminul Haque cautioned that using religion as a political tool undermines faith and misleads the public. Speaking at a meeting in Dhaka’s Rupnagar on November 20, he said that trading religion for political gain risks destroying one’s faith. Aminul criticized those who engage in political propaganda in mosques and likened them to clandestine groups lacking real capacity. Citing the 1971 Liberation War, he warned that followers of the anti-liberation forces remain active and must be confronted. He also accused certain groups of trying to disrupt the upcoming national election by spreading misinformation and selling false promises of salvation. Aminul pledged that if the BNP wins, it will build a humane, prosperous, and democratic Bangladesh by strengthening education, healthcare, the judiciary, and the rule of law under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.