A 70-year-old detainee named Md. Amzad Ali, who had been brought from Keraniganj Central Jail to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment, died late Tuesday night while under medical care. Ali, son of the late Chan Momin Mia from Chowdala village in Gomastapur, Chapainawabganj, had fallen ill in prison on November 16 and was subsequently admitted to DMCH. Despite receiving medical attention, he passed away around 9:30 p.m. on November 18. Authorities have not disclosed details about the case for which he was detained. Police confirmed the death based on doctors’ reports, and the body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy. A magistrate will oversee the inquest report before the body is handed over to the family following necessary prison formalities.

At least 15 people were injured in a violent clash between residents of Nanshree and Siddarchar villages under Chhatak upazila’s Charmohalla Union in Sunamganj on Wednesday morning. The conflict reportedly began with a verbal altercation between Chandali, son of late Chamok Ali of Nanshree, and Abdul Haque and Mostai Ahmed, sons of late Keramat Ali of Siddarchar. The argument quickly escalated, leading villagers from both sides to gather with local weapons and engage in a fierce confrontation. Injured individuals, including Chandali, Abdul Haque, Mostai Ahmed, Ali, and Rubel, were taken to Kaitak Hospital and nearby health centers for treatment. Local leaders and representatives have urged calm, emphasizing that such incidents over trivial matters are regrettable. Police from Chhatak station arrived promptly to control the situation, and authorities confirmed that the area is now peaceful. Legal action will be taken if formal complaints are filed.

Two cattle traders were attacked and robbed of Tk 4 lakh on the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway in Shibchar, Madaripur early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. near the Bandar Khola intersection when a private car blocked their pickup truck. Four assailants from the car reportedly hacked the traders, Rajon Molla (60) and Alauddin Dewan (67), before fleeing with the money. The victims were traveling from Panchchar to Tekerhat to buy cattle when the robbery took place. Both injured men were taken to Shibchar Upazila Health Complex for treatment. Police from Shibchar Police Station visited the scene, though no formal complaint had been filed as of the latest report. Authorities have launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the culprits behind the violent robbery.

A massive fire broke out at the Standard Phoenix Oil Ltd. factory in the Bagherbazar area of Gazipur Sadar upazila on Wednesday afternoon. The blaze, which started around 1 p.m., rapidly intensified, prompting the deployment of seven fire service units from Joydebpur, Sreepur, and nearby stations. Despite continuous efforts, the fire remained uncontrolled as of 3:45 p.m. Eyewitnesses reported that factory security personnel initially tried to contain the flames before alerting the fire service. According to Gazipur Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Md. Mamun, the fire had spread to nearby areas, increasing the severity of the situation. No casualties or cause of the fire have been confirmed yet, and authorities are working to prevent further damage. The incident has raised concerns about industrial safety in the region, which has seen several factory fires in recent years.

A 10-year-old girl named Tanisha Moni, a fourth-grade student from Banglabazar Cadet Madrasa in Noakhali’s Companiganj upazila, was found dead after allegedly taking her own life. According to family sources, Tanisha became upset when her mother and brother went on a trip without her. She was left in the care of her grandmother, during which she reportedly hanged herself using a scarf inside their home. Police recovered the body on Tuesday evening and sent it to Noakhali General Hospital for autopsy the following morning. Companiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Gazi Muhammad Fouzoul Azim said initial evidence suggests suicide, and further legal action will depend on the post-mortem report. The tragic incident has deeply shocked the local community, highlighting growing concerns about child mental health and emotional well-being in family environments.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that some groups are preparing to manipulate the upcoming national elections in Bangladesh through money and influence, warning that the youth will resist any attempt to hijack their votes. Speaking at a gathering in Dhaka’s Kafrul area, he urged young voters to freely choose their candidates and pledged his party’s support in ensuring fair participation. Rahman emphasized Jamaat’s commitment to justice, anti-corruption, and ending extortion, claiming that eliminating extortion would significantly reduce commodity prices and boost economic growth. He also promised to protect businesspeople from extortionists and ensure women’s safety and respect in workplaces, suggesting reduced working hours for women to balance family responsibilities. On foreign policy, he said Jamaat would maintain friendly relations with all nations while rejecting any form of dominance. Rahman further called for restoring the dignity of the judiciary and ensuring that justice is applied equally to all citizens.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar has alleged that recent administrative reshuffles, particularly the transfers of deputy commissioners (DCs) and police officials, are being carried out with a specific political motive ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Speaking during a dialogue with the Election Commission in Dhaka, Parwar claimed that the frequency and timing of the transfers suggest a deliberate design. He reiterated Jamaat’s proposal for a lottery-based transfer system to ensure neutrality and public trust once the election schedule is announced. Parwar also raised concerns about holding the national election and a constitutional referendum on the same day, arguing that it could confuse voters. Additionally, he questioned the lack of clear guidelines for expatriate voting in the referendum and suggested allowing voter registration using passports. He further sought clarification on where political parties should submit their pledges as part of the election process.

Sharmin S Morshed, adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs, called on young people to take a stand against violence towards women and children and to lead the rebuilding of a democratic Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest at the 'Bangladesh Through the Eyes of Youth' inter-college debate festival organized by Youth Forum of Bangladesh at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium on November 18, she reflected on the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War and compared it to the youth activism seen during the 'July 2024 war'. Morshed emphasized that the courage and energy of the new generation must be harnessed to create a just, safe, and inclusive nation. She lamented the country’s lost democratic roots and the rise of authoritarianism but expressed hope that the unity shown by the youth in 2024 would not be broken. The event concluded with a collective pledge to rebuild Bangladesh with equality, justice, and good governance.

Former opposition chief whip Zainul Abedin Faruq has called on all political and social groups to set aside divisions and work together for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest at an event marking Senbagh Liberation Day, organized by the Senbagh Upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad Command Council, Faruq emphasized that despite differing opinions on various issues, unity is essential for national progress. He suggested that implementing Tarique Rahman’s 31-point plan could help resolve long-standing administrative problems and ensure a fair and beautiful election in the future. The event, chaired by Abdul Azim Chowdhury, was attended by several freedom fighters and local BNP leaders, including Abul Kalam Azad, Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan, and Abu Taher. Faruq’s remarks reflected a call for reconciliation and collective effort in addressing the country’s ongoing challenges.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasized that establishing democracy in Bangladesh requires moving away from mob violence and fostering unity among democratic forces. Speaking at a book launch and documentary screening titled 'BNP in the Uprising of 2024' in Dhaka’s Gulshan, Fakhrul criticized what he described as attempts to divert attention from the International Crimes Tribunal’s verdict against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by inciting mob unrest. He urged political parties to investigate such developments and called for collective efforts to rebuild democratic institutions. Fakhrul said Bangladesh must return to the path of democracy to avoid becoming a failed state, stressing the need for an independent judiciary, parliament, media, and administration. He also noted that the country is in a transitional period ahead of elections and that true democracy requires building a democratic culture beyond the polls. Several senior BNP leaders and allied political figures attended the event.

Police in Narayanganj’s Bandar area arrested two local Awami League leaders during a special operation on Tuesday night, November 18. The detainees were identified as Moshior Rahman Suju, 48, general secretary of the ruling party’s 23rd Ward unit under Narayanganj City Corporation, and Abdullah Babu, 65, vice president of the Bandar Upazila Awami League. Suju is a resident of Kadamrasul area, while Babu hails from Kalyandi. According to Bandar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Liaquat Ali, both men were apprehended from their respective neighborhoods and were sent to court on Wednesday. The reasons behind their arrests were not immediately disclosed by the authorities. The incident has drawn attention locally, as both individuals hold significant positions within the party’s grassroots leadership in the industrial district of Narayanganj.

A petrol bomb was thrown at the Suapur branch of Grameen Bank in Dhamrai, Dhaka, early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. when two unidentified individuals arrived on a motorcycle and hurled the bomb at the bank office located on the second floor of a two-storey building in Suapur Bazar. The bomb hit a wall and fell onto the roof of an adjacent tin-shed room, causing a small fire. Local residents and the night guard quickly extinguished the flames, preventing any damage or injuries. CCTV footage captured the attack and the resulting fire. Police have visited the scene and launched an investigation. According to Dhamrai Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam, five of the six Grameen Bank branches in the area operate from rented premises with local security guards, and police monitoring has been increased. Legal action is being taken regarding the incident.

A new documentary titled 'Crisis-Struggle-Success' focusing on BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is set to premiere online on Thursday, November 20. The film, produced under the supervision of Ashiq Islam, senior assistant press secretary to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, explores various aspects of Rahman’s life and political journey. It features commentary and discussions from politicians, academics, journalists, students, lawyers, judges, human rights activists, and artists, reflecting on his past, present, and future roles in Bangladesh’s political landscape. The documentary also highlights Rahman’s contributions to democracy and human rights advocacy in the country. Created to mark his birthday, it includes reflections on his political struggles, sacrifices, and vision for Bangladesh. Several prominent journalists were involved in the production, according to an official press release issued on Wednesday.

A Dhaka court has sentenced a woman to one year in prison for concealing her previous marriage from her second husband. The court also handed a two-year jail term to the marriage registrar (kazi) involved in the wedding and revoked his license. The verdict was delivered by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Zakir Hossain on Tuesday in a fraud case filed by computer engineer Zahid Hasan. The convicted woman, identified as Mosammat Nusrat Jahan Tasnim alias Tasmin Nahar (26), and kazi Abu Musa Ahmed were each fined 5,000 taka, with an additional one-month jail term if unpaid. Nusrat was sent to prison immediately after the verdict, while the kazi remains absconding and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. The case originated in 2020 after Zahid discovered that Nusrat had hidden her earlier marriage when marrying him in 2017. Another accused, Aminul Islam, was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has requested the Election Commission (EC) to deploy at least five army personnel at every polling center, arguing that a single soldier per center would not ensure adequate security or influence. The party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, made the appeal during a dialogue with the EC in Agargaon, Dhaka. Jamaat also proposed that administrative reshuffles be conducted through a lottery system to ensure neutrality. Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad urged the EC to act courageously, recommending the use of CCTV cameras and the recovery of illegal weapons. Barrister Shishir Monir raised concerns about ambiguities in the electoral code of conduct, including unclear punishment procedures for violations and the lack of specified timelines for resolving complaints. The party emphasized the need for transparency in voter lists and clarity on where political commitment documents should be submitted.