A delegation from Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP) held a policy dialogue with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission team in Dhaka to discuss the country’s economic challenges and reform priorities. The NCP thanked the IMF for its continued support and emphasized that structural reforms are vital for sustainable development. The IMF expressed concerns over GDP growth, revenue collection, distressed assets, and youth employment. NCP representatives reaffirmed their commitment to economic progress through revenue digitalization and financial sector reforms, despite slow implementation. The meeting also addressed issues of past government corruption, governance, transparency, and the need for a peaceful transition from the interim to an elected government. Both sides agreed that Bangladesh’s hardworking citizens remain the driving force behind its resilience and long-term stability.

A new Reuters–Ipsos poll reveals that 58% of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s performance, marking his lowest approval level since taking office. Conducted online over six days among 1,200 adults, the survey found Trump’s approval steady at around 40%, while disapproval rose from 52% in May to 58% in November. The poll also indicates growing enthusiasm among Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with 44% of Democratic voters saying they are highly motivated to vote compared to 26% of Republicans. Recent Democratic victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York have fueled optimism within the party. The survey concluded just before Congress voted to end a record 43-day government shutdown by passing a temporary spending bill extending federal funding until January 30.

The Bangladesh government has transferred and appointed 29 new deputy commissioners (DCs) across various districts, sparking renewed debate over neutrality, competence, and political loyalty within the civil administration. Critics allege that many of the new appointees are politically aligned with the ruling Awami League, raising concerns about fairness and transparency in the run-up to the national election. Several officials with limited field experience, including members of the Economic Cadre, have been given key administrative roles, prompting fears of inefficiency and bias. Notably, some appointees have faced corruption allegations or have publicly expressed political affiliations on social media. Former senior bureaucrats and governance experts warn that such politically influenced appointments could undermine administrative neutrality and erode public trust during the election period, urging the Public Administration Ministry to review its selection process.

Winter has started to settle across Bangladesh, with the lowest temperature recorded at 14°C in Tetulia, Panchagarh, on Friday, November 14. According to the Bangladesh Weather Observatory Team (BWOT), if sea conditions remain stable, the country's first cold wave of the season is expected in December. Although cooler weather will be felt nationwide before then, temperatures are unlikely to drop enough to trigger a cold wave. The BWOT noted that the current mild chill will persist throughout November, allowing people to enjoy a pleasant, crisp atmosphere before the onset of harsher winter conditions next month.

Police in Khagrachhari’s Ramgarh area detained two Chinese nationals, Jiang Chengthong and Teng Tonggu, on Thursday evening for allegedly entering a residential building without official permission. The pair, who arrived in the area through a local aluminum company foreman, rented an apartment claiming it would be used as an electronics warehouse. Authorities seized laptops and other electronic devices from them. According to police, the two had been staying in Chattogram’s Khulshi area for about a month and a half before moving to Ramgarh. Under government regulations, foreign nationals require special permission to enter the Chittagong Hill Tracts, which they lacked. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is assisting in examining the seized devices, and legal action will be taken as per law. Both individuals remain in police custody as of Friday afternoon.

The Secondary and Higher Education Division of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education has released a new policy for student admissions to government secondary schools for the upcoming academic year. The system will continue to use a centralized online digital lottery for student selection, application submission, fee payment, and result publication. Each class will admit a maximum of 55 students. The policy reserves 5% of seats for children of freedom fighters, 0.5% for children of ministry officials, and additional quotas for special needs students, twins, and siblings. Students can apply to up to five schools, and no admission tests will be held. The academic year will run from January 1 to December 31. The policy aims to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and efficiency in the admission process across the country.

At least eight people were killed and many injured as Russia launched a massive missile and drone assault across Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attack involved around 430 drones and 18 missiles, including ballistic and aeroballistic types, causing severe damage to residential and critical infrastructure in multiple regions. Debris from an Iskander missile reportedly struck the Azerbaijani embassy complex in Kyiv. Ukrainian officials confirmed that a Zircon missile was identified in the Sumy region. Emergency services are conducting rescue and firefighting operations. Zelensky renewed his call for additional air defense systems and interceptor missiles from Europe and the United States, urging stronger sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have shot down 216 Ukrainian drones overnight, declaring a state of emergency in the city of Novorossiysk after the attacks.

Twelve platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in Dhaka and nearby districts to maintain law and order following a series of arson and violence incidents. BGB spokesperson Shariful Islam confirmed the deployment on Friday, citing the need to ensure public safety. The move comes after multiple cases of buses and vehicles being set on fire across the capital in recent days. On Thursday night, miscreants torched a parked bus in Shah Ali Beribadh area, leading to one suspect’s death while fleeing and another being detained by locals. Similar arson attacks were reported earlier in Kamalapur, Jatrabari, Uttara, and other areas, along with crude bomb (cocktail) attacks targeting police. Authorities have increased security measures to prevent further unrest and ensure public safety in the capital.

The Secondary and Higher Education Division of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education has released the new admission policy for government secondary schools, retaining the digital lottery system for the upcoming academic year. According to the policy, 63% of seats will remain under various quotas, including 40% for catchment area students, 5% for children of freedom fighters, 2% for students with special needs, and 1% for children of ministry officials, split equally between ministry and subordinate offices. The twin quota has been reduced to 2%, while the sibling quota increased to 3%. Students can apply to a maximum of five schools, and the entire process will be managed centrally through digital lottery. Online applications will run from November 21 to December 7, with the lottery scheduled for December 14 and admissions from December 17 to 21.

Eight political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, organized a protest rally in Netrokona demanding a referendum before the upcoming national election. The demonstration, held on Friday afternoon, began at the Netrokona Central Jame Mosque and ended in front of the district press club. The protesters presented a five-point demand, with the referendum being the central issue. The event was led by Jamaat district secretary Professor Badrul Amin and attended by several local leaders, including Professor Maulana Mahbubur Rahman and representatives from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. A separate rally with similar demands was also organized by Bangladesh Islami Andolan in the same city, reflecting growing political pressure for electoral reforms ahead of the national polls.

Three government advisers from the ministries of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Industries, Housing and Public Works, and Commerce visited Bhola on Friday to inspect the proposed gas-based urea fertilizer plant site. The advisers—Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan, Adilur Rahman Khan, and Sheikh Bashir Uddin—confirmed that the project aims to utilize Bhola’s abundant gas reserves. They also visited Bapex’s gas fields in Borhanuddin, where nine wells have been completed and five more are planned soon, with an additional fourteen under consideration. Adilur Rahman Khan stated that the visit was part of a feasibility study to determine the plant’s location and potential. He added that 34 buffer warehouses are being built nationwide to strengthen fertilizer management, including one in Bhola. Local officials and community representatives attended a later meeting discussing gas supply and local development.

Nusrat Tabassum, joint convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has received her party’s nomination to contest the upcoming national parliamentary election from the Kushtia-1 (Daulatpur) constituency under the 'Shapla Koli' symbol. She confirmed the news through a Facebook post, expressing gratitude and seeking prayers and support from well-wishers. Nusrat mentioned her seven to eight years of active involvement in politics, including one year in national politics. Reflecting on her political journey, she recalled past struggles and solidarity with fellow activists against authoritarianism. Her candidacy marks NCP’s effort to strengthen its presence in the upcoming election, with Nusrat emphasizing her commitment to contribute meaningfully to her constituency and the country.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has accused three government advisers of working in favor of a particular political group and misleading the administration to obstruct a fair election. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, he alleged that these advisers were influencing the chief adviser, Dr. Yunus, and pushing for partisan appointments within the administration. Dr. Taher demanded their immediate removal and said their names would be submitted to the chief adviser. He also criticized the government’s handling of the July Charter implementation order, claiming it unfairly benefits one party and complicates the referendum process. Additionally, he rejected the idea of holding the referendum and national election on the same day, arguing it would diminish the significance of the referendum and undermine reform efforts.

Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur stated that there is no longer any uncertainty about the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for February, following the Chief Adviser’s recent speech. Speaking at a press briefing in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar, Nur welcomed the initiative to hold the national election and referendum on the same day. He noted that earlier political divisions over the implementation of the July Charter had created doubts about the election’s feasibility, but the Chief Adviser’s remarks have largely dispelled those concerns. Nur urged all political parties to cooperate with the government to ensure a fair election and warned that associates of Sheikh Hasina were allegedly attempting to sabotage the electoral process through acts of violence.

Vote counting is underway in Bihar’s assembly elections, with early results indicating a decisive lead for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The alliance is ahead in over 200 of the 243 assembly seats, surpassing the 122-seat majority mark required to form the government. The elections were held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with an overall voter turnout of around 67 percent. BJP and its ally Janata Dal (United) have already begun celebrations across the state. Meanwhile, the Congress party faces another major setback, with its leaders acknowledging disappointing results. Pre-election surveys had also predicted a strong NDA victory, which the early trends now confirm.