A 36-hour hartal is underway in Rangamati district protesting alleged quota discrimination in the recruitment of government assistant primary teachers under the Hill District Council. The strike, called by Rangamati Conscious Citizens’ Unity, Anti-Quota Alliance, and local students and residents, began at 6 a.m. Thursday and will continue until 6 p.m. Friday. Due to the hartal, all shops, businesses, and transport services in the district have come to a halt, with no vehicles entering or leaving the town by road or river. Protesters have been seen picketing at key points, while law enforcement agencies have taken strong positions to maintain order. The protest follows controversy over the recently announced recruitment process, with written exams scheduled for November 21. Demonstrators are demanding an end to quota-based discrimination and have vowed to resist the upcoming exam if their demands are not met.

As Bangladesh’s 13th national election approaches, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has released a preliminary list of candidates for 236 constituencies, sparking internal disputes in several areas. The party leadership, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, has begun meeting with nomination-deprived leaders in Dhaka to ease tensions and ensure unity behind the party’s symbol, the paddy sheaf. Some deprived aspirants have pledged loyalty while requesting reconsideration of candidate selections based on local popularity. Discontent has also arisen over the nomination of elderly candidates in multiple constituencies, with local leaders arguing that such figures lack the energy and connection to appeal to younger voters, who now form a significant portion of the electorate. In response, BNP’s high command is reviewing appeals and may revise nominations in certain seats to reflect grassroots sentiment and strengthen electoral prospects. The party aims to maintain cohesion and avoid public discord ahead of the crucial polls.

At least eleven tourists were injured early Thursday when a 'Chander Gari' (locally modified jeep) overturned on the road to Keokradong Hill, one of the main tourist attractions in Ruma upazila of Bandarban. The accident occurred around 6 a.m. at a place known as Papaya Bagan on the Keokradong road. All the injured, residents of Kushtia district, were traveling with a local guide named Swapan Barua. According to local authorities, the vehicle lost control and overturned while heading from Boga Lake toward Keokradong. Locals rescued the injured and took them to the Ruma Health Complex, while two critically injured individuals were later transferred to Bandarban Sadar Hospital. Police confirmed the incident and said the condition of the injured is being monitored closely.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Sajjat Ali stated that existing police laws authorize officers to open fire on individuals attempting to hurl explosives or set vehicles ablaze. Speaking at the inauguration of the DMP Cyber Support Center on Thursday, November 20, he emphasized that the new center will operate 24 hours a day to handle cybercrime complaints efficiently. Referring to a recent incident where a police officer was injured by a crude bomb near Pallabi Police Station, the commissioner warned that such attacks could demoralize law enforcement personnel. He urged citizens not to assault or mistreat police officers. Sheikh Sajjat Ali also reminded the public that if police fail to maintain order, people might again have to guard their homes as they did after August 5. His remarks come amid renewed political unrest and violent incidents in Dhaka.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, in a Facebook post marking his birthday, outlined five major commitments aimed at ensuring women’s safety and empowerment in Bangladesh. He emphasized that women must feel secure both online and offline to enable the country’s progress. The proposed priorities include establishing a National Online Safety System for reporting cyber abuse, creating protection protocols for women in public life, integrating digital safety education into schools and universities, strengthening community-level responses against harassment and violence, and launching a national initiative to increase women’s leadership participation. Rahman highlighted that the digital transformation of the world brings both opportunities and threats, urging collective efforts to build a safer and more inclusive future for women and the next generation. His message reflects a broader vision of equality, security, and empowerment as essential elements of Bangladesh’s development.

Bangladesh has achieved a rare feat in Test cricket history during their ongoing match against Ireland, becoming only the third team ever to record century partnerships for the fourth, fifth, and sixth wickets in a single innings. The achievement places Bangladesh alongside India and Pakistan, who previously accomplished this in 1979 and 2023 respectively. Despite a shaky start at 95 for 3, the team recovered through strong partnerships led by Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, Liton Das, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Mushfiqur’s 106 and Mominul’s 63 stabilized the innings before Liton and Miraz added another 123-run stand. This is only the third time in Bangladesh’s Test history that they have produced three century partnerships in one innings, the last being 12 years ago against New Zealand. The record underscores Bangladesh’s growing consistency and depth in batting.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali inaugurated the new Cyber Support Centre under the Detective Branch (DB) to enhance the city’s capacity in combating cybercrimes. The inauguration ceremony took place on November 20 at the DB compound near the old Ramna Police Station. The commissioner emphasized that with technological advancement, the nature of crime is evolving, making cyber fraud, online harassment, and digital defamation major threats to personal and financial security. The new centre features advanced technology labs, skilled investigators, digital forensic experts, and a 24/7 support team. Citizens, especially women and youth, will now be able to report online harassment safely through the centre’s Facebook page or email. Sheikh Sajjat Ali also urged citizens to use digital platforms responsibly, stressing that ensuring cyber safety requires collective effort from law enforcement, families, and society. Senior DMP officials attended the event.

The Ministry of Public Administration in Bangladesh has dismissed three trainee executive magistrates who were undergoing basic training. According to an official notification signed by Senior Secretary Ehsanul Haque on November 29, the dismissed officers are Kazi Arifur Rahman from Faridpur, Anup Kumar Biswas from Bogura, and Nabamita Sarkar from Pirojpur. All three were assistant commissioners from the 43rd BCS administration cadre. The ministry cited Rule 6(2)(a) of the Bangladesh Civil Service Recruitment Rules, 1981, as the legal basis for the decision. The rule allows the government to terminate a probationary officer’s appointment without consulting the Public Service Commission if deemed unsuitable for continued service. However, the notification did not specify the reasons behind their dismissal. The decision underscores the ministry’s authority to enforce disciplinary measures during the probationary period of civil service officers.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that the Supreme Court’s verdict reinstating the caretaker government system will mark a new chapter in Bangladesh’s political landscape and vindicate the BNP’s long-standing movement. Speaking to reporters after attending a free medical and health service program at Dhaka University, he stated that the absence of a caretaker government had forced people to make sacrifices, and its return would pave the way for fair elections. He emphasized that credible elections had previously been held under caretaker administrations and that the system is essential for democracy. Earlier in the day, a seven-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed declared the 13th Amendment valid, thereby restoring the caretaker government system. The verdict is expected to have significant implications for the country’s upcoming elections and political stability.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is preparing a surprising candidate list for the upcoming elections, aiming to include a diverse range of individuals such as women, non-Muslims, tribal representatives, freedom fighters, and student leaders. Reliable sources indicate that the party’s election team is finalizing the list with a focus on inclusivity and winnability. Jamaat’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, previously stated that the party is willing to compromise on seat distribution to unite Islamist factions under one umbrella. However, the eight-party alliance has now agreed to nominate candidates based on their chances of victory rather than seat quotas. The party may also nominate several former vice-chancellors and student leaders who were active in the July movement. Jamaat’s recent community outreach, including protection of temples and ensuring safety during religious events, has reportedly increased its popularity among non-Muslim communities, prompting consideration of non-Muslim and tribal candidates for the first time.

Rashed Khan, General Secretary of Ganadhikar Parishad, stated that his party had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner, other commissioners, and the Election Commission secretary, requesting that the Jatiya Party (Japa) and the 14-Party Alliance not be invited to the EC’s dialogue with political parties. In a Facebook post on Thursday, November 20, he said that although the EC’s dialogue with political parties had concluded, no other party except Ganadhikar Parishad had taken an active stance against inviting Japa and the 14-Party Alliance. Khan reiterated that inviting those groups would have been a betrayal of the people’s movement against fascism and urged the EC to act as a force supporting the uprising. He claimed that the decision to exclude Japa and the 14-Party Alliance reflected Ganadhikar Parishad’s firm position and pressure on the Election Commission.

Bangladesh’s Attorney General, A.M. Asaduzzaman, stated that the reinstated caretaker government system will support the country’s democratic process following a landmark Supreme Court ruling. The Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, declared the previous abolition of the caretaker system unconstitutional and restored it through the validation of the 13th Amendment. Asaduzzaman emphasized that future elections will be more transparent, ensuring no irregularities such as vote-rigging or fraudulent ballots. He noted that the full verdict will clarify who will lead the next caretaker administration and whether it will follow the previous model or the July Charter. The Attorney General also suggested that a new version of the constitution should be printed once the complete judgment is released. According to the ruling, the upcoming 13th national election will be held under an interim government, while the caretaker system will take effect from the 14th national election onward.

A new government-backed report titled 'Future Climate of Bangladesh' warns that climate change could drastically alter the country's weather patterns by the end of this century. The study, jointly conducted by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, projects that average daytime temperatures could rise by up to 4.5°C, potentially leading to the disappearance of winter by 2100. Frequent heatwaves are expected to hit before and after the monsoon, with Dhaka likely to experience at least two severe heatwaves annually. Rainfall during the monsoon season may increase by 118 millimeters, particularly in the northeast and coastal regions. The report also predicts that sea levels along Bangladesh’s coast could rise by up to 5.8 millimeters per year—significantly higher than the global average—putting 18% of coastal land and 23% of the Sundarbans at risk of submersion. Experts warn that these changes could have severe environmental and socio-economic consequences for millions of people.

Bangladesh’s Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has declared the previous verdict abolishing the caretaker government system illegal and reinstated the system by upholding the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. The full seven-member bench, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, unanimously ruled that the earlier judgment was 'stained and flawed with multiple errors.' As a result, the constitutional provisions under Part IV, Chapter IIA, related to the non-partisan caretaker government, have been revived and reactivated. However, the restored provisions will take effect only for future applicability, meaning the upcoming 13th National Election will be held under an interim government, while the caretaker system will be implemented from the 14th National Election onward. Legal experts described the ruling as historic, marking the automatic return of the caretaker system to the Constitution. The verdict was announced on Thursday morning following hearings concluded earlier in November.

Several left-leaning political parties in Bangladesh are preparing to form a new alliance to contest all 300 constituencies in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The coalition, modeled after the historic United Front, is expected to be officially launched on November 29 at a convention in Dhaka’s Engineers Institution auditorium. The alliance aims to combine political activism and electoral participation under a common charter called the 'People’s Charter', focusing on addressing national crises and promoting democratic, secular values. Key initiators include the Left Democratic Alliance—comprising the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BASAD), and other left groups—along with Bangladesh JASAD led by Sharif Nurul Ambia. Discussions are ongoing with other progressive and regional organizations, including the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti and Dalit and indigenous groups. The coalition’s final name and structure will be decided at the convention, with proposals such as 'New United Front' or 'Democratic United Front' under consideration.