A faction of the Islami Oikya Jote, led by Mufti Abul Hasanat Amini, was expelled from a dialogue session with the Election Commission (EC) in Dhaka after objections from another faction of the same party. The incident occurred on Sunday morning at the EC’s conference room in Agargaon, where political parties were invited for discussions. The opposing faction, led by Mufti Sakhawat Hossain Raji, accused Amini’s group of supporting past authoritarian regimes and participating in one-sided elections. When EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed asked both groups to show their invitation letters, Raji’s faction produced theirs, but Amini’s group failed to present a hard copy. Consequently, the EC asked Amini’s delegation to leave the meeting. Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin and other top officials were present during the incident, which highlighted internal divisions within the religious-based political party.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed in Dhaka, Gopalganj, Faridpur, and Madaripur to help maintain law and order following a series of violent incidents in the capital. According to BGB’s public relations officer Md Shariful Islam, the force is working alongside other law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety and stability. Over the past week, Dhaka has witnessed multiple crude bomb explosions and arson attacks on buses and other vehicles, raising security concerns. In response, the government has intensified security measures across key districts to prevent further unrest. The BGB’s deployment aims to restore normalcy and reassure citizens amid growing fears of political or criminal unrest. Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with security forces as operations continue to stabilize the situation.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has called for strengthening relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan, emphasizing shared faith and unity among Muslims of both nations. Speaking at the International Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Conference in Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan on November 15, Rehman said Pakistan’s delegation came not only to attend the event but also to convey goodwill from the Pakistani people to their Bangladeshi brothers. He highlighted that the two nations share deep religious and cultural bonds that cannot be erased. Rehman stressed the importance of maintaining stability and ideological continuity in faith-based movements rather than resorting to violence. Expressing optimism, he stated that if Bangladesh takes one step forward, Pakistan will take two, reflecting a desire for enhanced cooperation and friendship across various sectors. His remarks signal a renewed push for diplomatic and religious engagement between the two South Asian countries.

Jordanian King Abdullah II and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif jointly declared a 'zero-tolerance' stance against any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza during the king’s two-day state visit to Islamabad. The leaders reaffirmed their countries’ shared positions on the Gaza conflict and agreed to strengthen coordination among eight Arab-Islamic nations collaborating with the United States on a ceasefire and post-war reconstruction plan for the enclave. Discussions also covered expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, defense, health, education, and technology. Several memoranda of understanding were signed, including in culture and media. King Abdullah’s visit, the first by a Jordanian monarch to Pakistan in 21 years, is part of his broader Asian tour that includes Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia. The visit underscores both nations’ alignment on the Palestinian issue and their intent to deepen strategic and economic ties.

In Madaripur’s Gopalpur area, a group of Awami League activists, led by former upazila chairman Mir Golam Faruk, blocked the Dhaka-Barishal highway early Sunday by burning tires and placing trees across the road. The blockade caused severe traffic disruption and suffering for passengers and drivers. According to police, the activists fled upon sensing law enforcement’s presence. Later, local BNP-Jamaat leaders, along with the fire service and highway police, removed the trees and cleared the road, restoring normal traffic flow by around 7:30 a.m. The incident followed earlier threats from Awami League members to paralyze the southern region if the verdict in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s case was announced on November 17. Authorities confirmed that the situation was brought under control without major clashes or casualties.

The prosecution has filed a petition seeking the confiscation of assets belonging to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other accused individuals to provide compensation to the families of those killed and injured during the July Movement. Prosecutor Gazi Mohammad Monowar Hossain Tamim confirmed the submission on Sunday morning. He also stated that following the verdict, an application would be made to issue fresh arrest warrants through Interpol against Hasina and the other accused. The International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, is scheduled to deliver its verdict on Monday, November 17, in the case concerning alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July–August Movement. Bangladesh Television (BTV) will broadcast the verdict live, while a foreign news agency has also sought permission for live coverage.

Unidentified miscreants set fire to a government hospital ambulance and a bus in Sylhet city late Saturday night, according to local reports. The incidents occurred between 2:30 a.m. and 2:45 a.m. at two separate locations — the parking area of Shaheed Dr. Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital in Chowhatta and the Kumargao bus stand. CCTV footage from the hospital showed five young men arriving on two motorcycles before igniting the ambulance, which was completely destroyed. Fire service teams reached the scene and brought the blaze under control within half an hour. No casualties were reported. The hospital’s resident medical officer, Dr. Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, condemned the act as inhumane and said legal action is being prepared. Police have collected CCTV footage and are working to identify those involved. A separate fire at the Kumargao bus stand was also extinguished by firefighters shortly afterward.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has warned that a certain group is attempting to create unrest in Bangladesh over the upcoming verdict concerning Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Speaking at a discussion marking the 49th death anniversary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani at the National Press Club on Sunday, he called for unity to resist such attempts. Fakhrul emphasized that without an elected government, the national situation could deteriorate further, asserting that elections remain the only path to restore democracy and fulfill public aspirations. He also noted that the country’s politics is currently mired in confusion and crisis. Referring to the interim government initiative led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Fakhrul questioned how far it has progressed and whether it has gained sufficient support within the political framework.

Transport owners in five southern districts of Bangladesh have announced a strike to press a three-point demand. The Rupsha-Bagerhat Bus-Minibus Coach and Microbus Owners’ Association declared the program at a press conference in Bagerhat on Sunday. Their demands include shutting down unauthorized BRTC counters, stopping unlicensed vehicles on highways, and banning the operation of three-wheelers such as Mahindra, Nasimon, and Karimon on major roads. The association warned that if their demands are not met by December 1, they will begin an indefinite transport strike from December 2. Leaders from transport owners’ associations of Bagerhat, Khulna, and Jhalokathi districts were present at the event. The strike, if enforced, could disrupt transportation across the southern region, affecting commuters and goods movement significantly.

Japan’s Sakurajima volcano, located in the southwestern Kyushu region, erupted early Sunday, sending a massive plume of ash and smoke up to 14,436 feet into the air. The eruption began around 12:57 a.m., marking the first time since October last year that the volcano’s ash cloud exceeded 4,000 meters in height. No casualties or property damage have been reported so far. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued ashfall forecasts for Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Miyazaki prefectures, advising residents to use umbrellas or masks to protect themselves from falling ash and to drive cautiously. Sakurajima is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, connected to the Osumi Peninsula on Kyushu’s southern tip. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as minor eruptions persist, though no evacuation orders have been issued yet.

Bangladesh police have arrested ten individuals, including a Union Parishad (UP) member and a self-proclaimed student coordinator, for allegedly extorting money from sand-laden vessels on the Jamuna River in Sirajganj’s Chauhali upazila. The arrests took place on Sunday, November 16, in the Ghorjan River area during an operation conducted by the river police. The detainees, all residents of Rehai Kaulia village under Ghorjan Union, were reportedly stopping boats and demanding illegal tolls from sand traders transporting materials from leased sand depots. According to police, the extortion group used threats and intimidation to collect money, often halting vessels or assaulting workers who refused to pay. Officer-in-Charge Firoz Ahmed of Chauhali River Police confirmed that the suspects were caught red-handed and have been sent to court under extortion charges. Authorities stated that efforts are ongoing to identify other members of the extortion network operating along the Jamuna River.

The Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board has published the results of the Alim examination answer script re-evaluation for the current year. According to the results released on Sunday, November 16, at 10:30 a.m., 34 students have newly achieved GPA-5, while 45 students who had previously failed have now passed. A total of 9,781 students applied for re-evaluation, submitting 31,828 applications as some challenged multiple subjects. Overall, grade changes occurred for 85 students. The re-evaluation results are available on the Madrasa Education Board’s official website, and all applicants have also received their updated results via SMS. The process reflects the board’s effort to ensure fairness and transparency in the examination system, allowing students to seek review of their evaluated papers when discrepancies are suspected.

Awami League activists blocked the Dhaka-Bhanga highway in Faridpur’s Bhanga upazila early Sunday by felling trees and obstructing traffic near the Suyadi bus stand in Algi Union. The blockade, which began around 6 a.m. and lasted for about an hour, was carried out by several party members reportedly armed with local weapons. Law enforcement personnel quickly arrived at the scene, removed the trees, and restored normal traffic flow. Police later arrested 14 individuals from the Suyadi and Munsurabad areas in connection with the incident. Bhanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Ashraf Hossain confirmed that five of the detainees were held in Bhanga and that highway patrols have been intensified to prevent further disruptions. Authorities are investigating the motive behind the blockade and assessing potential political implications.

Former minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui appeared before a Dhaka court on Sunday after being released on bail in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act by Shahbagh Police Station. His younger brother, Krishak Sramik Janata League president Abdul Kader Siddiqui, accompanied him to the court. The case was scheduled for submission of the investigation report, but the investigating officer failed to present it, prompting the court to set December 30 as the next date. Citing Latif Siddiqui’s advanced age of 86 and poor health, his lawyer Rezaul Karim Hiron requested permission for him to appear through legal representation, which the court approved. Earlier, Siddiqui and journalist Manjurul Alam Panna were granted interim bail by the High Court, later upheld by the Appellate Division, leading to their release from prison. The case stems from their arrest on August 28 at a Dhaka Reporters Unity event under anti-terrorism charges.

The Dhaka Education Board has released the results of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exam re-evaluation for 2024. Following the review, 201 students who previously did not achieve the highest grade have now obtained GPA-5, while 308 students who had failed have passed. A total of 89,671 students applied for re-evaluation, resulting in changes for 2,331 students and grade adjustments for 2,373. The original HSC results, published on October 16, showed a pass rate of 58.83% across 11 education boards, with 69,097 students achieving GPA-5. This marks a significant decline compared to the previous year’s 77.78% pass rate and 145,911 GPA-5 achievers. The re-evaluation results were announced on Sunday, November 16, at 10 a.m., and are available online through the respective education boards’ websites as well as via SMS notifications sent to applicants.