Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho, twin brother of July Uprising martyr Mir Mugdho, has officially joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). His inclusion was announced Tuesday night through the BNP Media Cell’s social media posts, which featured several photos marking the occasion. Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman attended the event virtually, while Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Nazrul Islam Khan, and Central Sports Affairs Secretary Aminul Haque were present in person. Snigdho’s entry into the BNP is viewed as a symbolic moment, as his brother’s sacrifice during the July uprising remains a poignant part of Bangladesh’s recent political memory. The move is expected to strengthen BNP’s emotional and grassroots connection ahead of future political mobilizations.

In a significant ruling, the High Court has directed the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) to allow private primary school students to participate in the national primary scholarship examination. The order was issued under the 2008 Primary Scholarship Examination Policy, following a writ petition challenging the government's decision that restricted eligibility to government school students only.

On November 3, the bench of Justice Md. Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Rezaul Karim declared the previous directive illegal. Earlier, on July 17, the DPE had issued a circular allowing only government school students to take the exam, prompting a legal challenge from 42 petitioners, including the director of Keraniganj Public Laboratory School, teachers, and guardians.

After a temporary suspension in September, the court has now made the rule absolute, ensuring equal opportunity for private school students. The ruling restores the earlier practice that was in place from 2005 to 2008, before being discontinued under new guidelines.

The DPE’s lawyer, Munta sir Uddin Ahmed, has announced plans to appeal the verdict. The 2025 scholarship exams are scheduled for December 21–24.

Dick Cheney, the former Vice President of the United States and one of the chief architects behind the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, has died at the age of 84. His family confirmed in a statement that Cheney passed away due to pneumonia and complications related to heart and vascular conditions. Cheney’s political career spanned decades, beginning in the Nixon administration in 1969 and including roles such as White House Chief of Staff, Secretary of Defense, and Vice President under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009.

A leading proponent of the neoconservative doctrine, Cheney advocated for America’s global dominance through preemptive military action. As Defense Secretary during the first Gulf War, he oversaw Operation Desert Storm against Iraq. Following the 9/11 attacks, Cheney emerged as a key voice driving the “War on Terror,” supporting regime change in the Middle East and controversial interrogation techniques. His “One Percent Doctrine” argued for striking potential threats even with minimal evidence.

Though praised for his strategic influence, Cheney’s legacy remains deeply divisive—viewed by some as a defender of U.S. security, and by others as the mastermind of misguided wars.

Tarek Rahman, member-secretary of Amjanatar Dal, has begun an indefinite hunger strike outside the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in Agargaon after his party failed to receive official registration. He sat at the EC’s main gate from 4:00pm on Tuesday, November 4, and publicised the action on his Facebook page. Tarek alleges the EC granted registration to another group called Destiny, which he claims was formed after defrauding 4.3 million customers, while previously announcing registration for a National League whose approval was later suspended amid leaks. He condemned what he called entrenched bias in the registration process, demanded punishment for officials who proposed the disputed National League registration, and warned that unless authorities act he will continue the hunger strike even at risk of death. He stressed that after years of political work the party remains unregistered, accusing the system of sidelining grassroots voices and demanding transparent impartial EC action now.

The Bangladesh government has issued a major amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) ahead of the 13th National Election, introducing significant new rules and modernized electoral procedures. Under the revised RPO, anyone declared a fugitive by a court will be ineligible to contest parliamentary elections. The amendment also reintroduces the “No Vote” option in single-candidate constituencies, raises the candidate’s security deposit from Tk 20,000 to Tk 50,000, and increases penalties for code of conduct violations to a maximum fine of Tk 1.5 lakh.

The new provisions expand the definition of law enforcement to include the armed forces, allowing greater deployment during elections. IT-supported postal voting is introduced for expatriates, government employees outside their constituencies, and those in custody. False affidavits may result in post-election disqualification, while AI misuse and misinformation are classified as electoral offenses. Additionally, the Election Commission (EC) can now annul results for entire constituencies in case of irregularities.

These comprehensive reforms mark the completion of the EC’s

Masud Saeedi, the Jamaat-e-Islami-nominated candidate for the Pirojpur-1 parliamentary constituency, has alleged that “enemies of the nation” are deliberately trying to create discord between Jamaat-e-Islami and its longtime political ally, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Speaking as the chief guest at a representative assembly in Chandipur Adarsha Secondary School field in Indurkani upazila on Monday, Saeedi said Bangladesh is going through a critical period where unity among like-minded political forces is essential.

He reflected on the success of the July movement, which he claimed led to a major political shift and the fall of fascist forces, emphasizing that unity had been the key to that success. Saeedi warned that if internal disputes arise among former allies, the same oppressive forces could regain influence.

Highlighting the public demand for change, Saeedi asserted that citizens now seek an accountable government and a just, welfare-oriented state. He vowed that if Jamaat is elected, it will work to establish a governance system based on justice and equality. Several local Jamaat leaders, including district and upazila-level officials, were present at the event.

BNP Chairperson’s Adviser and freedom fighter Abdus Salam stated that the BNP does not pursue politics for power but to safeguard Bangladesh’s independence from Indian dominance. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “7th November, Revolution and the Role of Martyred President Ziaur Rahman” at the National Press Club on November 3, Salam accused the Awami League of establishing a one-party BAKSAL rule between 1972 and 1975, which allegedly undermined democracy and human rights. He described that era as one of severe political and social chaos, marked by hunger and suppression of journalists.

According to Salam, the November 7 uprising united the military and civilians to free Ziaur Rahman and entrust him with state leadership. Zia, he claimed, restored order and placed Bangladesh on a path to development, transforming it from a “bottomless basket” to a progressing nation. Salam praised Zia as a visionary reformer who strengthened agriculture, promoted manpower export, and made the country self-sufficient in food. He emphasized that BNP’s current movement represents farmers, workers, and journalists striving to preserve national sovereignty and democracy against foreign influence, particularly from India.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has described the plight of the Rohingya community as one of the most tragic humanitarian crises of the present time, stating that they are suffering solely because they are Muslims and have been stripped of citizenship. During a meeting with a Turkish parliamentary delegation led by Mehmet Akif Yilmaz at the State Guest House Jamuna, Yunus discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and humanitarian support. The Turkish delegation highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations and shared insights from their recent visit to the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar. Yunus expressed gratitude for Turkey’s continued support for the Rohingya cause and urged Turkish entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh. He also emphasized that the prolonged camp life has left Rohingya children with limited educational and future opportunities, warning that such deprivation could lead to despair and instability.

BNP Acting Chairman Tareq Rahman expressed concerns over growing public uncertainty about whether national elections will be held on schedule. Speaking virtually from London at an event inaugurating online payment gateways for renewing BNP memberships and recruiting new members, Rahman criticized the interim government for imposing successive new conditions that, he argues, obstruct the democratic process. He emphasized that under previous autocratic regimes, the public had little interest in elections, but today, even with an interim government, citizens are increasingly questioning whether elections will happen on time. Rahman highlighted BNP’s commitment to opposing authoritarianism, maintaining national unity, and cooperating with democratic parties despite challenges. He also recalled BNP’s historical contributions, including establishing multiparty democracy under Sheikh Zia and transitioning from presidential to parliamentary systems under Khaleda Zia. Criticizing the previous 15-year period under the ruling party as a time of “fascist” governance that destroyed the electoral system, Rahman warned that attempts to prevent BNP’s success persist even in a post-fascist Bangladesh. He called for vigilance and unity among nationalist forces to ensure that no conspiracy can separate BNP from the people. The event was chaired by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and attended by several senior party leaders.

The government has made it clear that it will not hesitate to annul contracts with Adani if any corruption or irregularities are proven, according to Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources. Speaking at a press briefing after a meeting with the national committee reviewing agreements under the Rapid Energy Supply Expansion Law, he emphasized that verbal assurances alone will not suffice; proper evidence is required. Committee member Professor Moshtaq Hossain Khan noted that as these are sovereign agreements, cancellation cannot be done arbitrarily, and international courts may impose hefty fines if contracts are terminated. He also highlighted extensive corruption in the power sector, which has contributed to electricity prices being 25% higher than comparable countries. Economist Dr. Zahid Hossain pointed out that while power generation increased fourfold between 2011 and 2024, payments surged over eleven times, indicating the rise was not due to technical factors.

The government has initiated plans to create a new salary structure for public employees. In a recent meeting with the newly formed pay commission, the Bangladesh Government Employees Welfare Federation proposed setting the minimum salary at 35,000 taka and reducing the current 20 pay grades to 12. Federation spokesperson Abdul Malek stated that no new pay scale has been implemented since 2015, leaving employees financially disadvantaged. He added that because the pay scale was not updated in 2020 or 2025, salary increases have stalled, while rising inflation has made everyday living increasingly difficult for ordinary workers.
According to the federation’s calculations, a six-member family now needs at least 50,000 taka per month to cover basic expenses, including food, rent, healthcare, and education. Meanwhile, education advisor Professor C. R. Abrar indicated that the pay commission’s proposal could be submitted in January or February, with potential salary increases ranging from 50% to 100%. The new pay structure may become a critical test for maintaining financial balance between the government and its employees.

The government has withdrawn its earlier decision to introduce two new assistant teacher positions — one for music and another for physical education — in government primary schools. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education issued a revised gazette on Sunday, November 2, canceling the inclusion of these posts in the Government Primary School Teacher Recruitment Rules 2025, which had been announced in August. According to Masud Akhtar Khan, Additional Secretary of the ministry’s School Wing, the new gazette retains only two categories of teachers instead of four. The move follows objections raised by several organizations, which questioned the necessity and practicality of adding specialized teaching roles at the primary level. The cancellation marks a significant policy reversal aimed at maintaining consistency in the existing teacher structure.

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from the Bogura-6 constituency. The announcement was made by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at a press conference held on Monday afternoon at the party chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka. During the event, Fakhrul unveiled a list of 237 potential candidates across the country, adding that nominations for the remaining constituencies would be announced later, while some seats would be reserved for alliance partners. Earlier in the day, BNP’s highest policymaking body, the Standing Committee, held an emergency meeting chaired virtually from London by Tarique Rahman. The meeting focused on finalizing the party’s candidates and determining strategies amid the current political situation. According to the Election Commission, the national polls are expected in early February next year, with the election schedule likely to be announced in early December.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has unveiled a list of 237 potential candidates for the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections, notably excluding party leader Rumeen Farhana. Her name was expected for the Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj) constituency, but the party has yet to announce any nominee for that seat. The list was officially presented on Monday evening at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Earlier, acting chairman Tarique Rahman led a meeting of the party’s standing committee to finalize the preliminary list. Fakhrul mentioned that after 16 years, Bangladesh is heading toward a democratic election scheduled for February. He also confirmed that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will contest from Dinajpur-3, Bogura-7, and Feni-1, while Tarique Rahman will compete in Bogura-6. Senior BNP leaders attended the press conference announcing the list.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has stated that only Interim Government Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has the legitimate authority to issue the implementation order for the July National Charter, a constitutional reform framework. Speaking at a press briefing held on Sunday at the NCP’s temporary office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, Nahid Islam warned that if the order comes from President Md. Shahabuddin’s office, it will symbolically end the spirit and aspirations of the July Uprising. He emphasized that such an order from the presidency would have neither legal nor political validity, calling it a direct betrayal of the movement’s goals.

Nahid Islam argued that the President’s office holds no moral or constitutional right to enact the July Charter and that the authority rests solely with the interim government led by Dr. Yunus. He also criticized the ongoing debate between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami regarding the timing of the national referendum, calling it unnecessary and counterproductive. According to him, the real focus should be on the content, reform proposals, and legal structure of the July Charter, not the date of the referendum.