Former State Minister for Home Affairs Sohel Taj stated that the people of Bangladesh will never accept any attempt to distort or rewrite the nation’s history by omitting key elements such as the Liberation War, national anthem, and flag. In a Facebook post on November 14, he emphasized that rewriting history in this way undermines the country’s identity and future. His remarks came shortly after his departure from Dhaka for the United States via Qatar Airways. Sohel Taj, who has been vocal on social media about national issues, shared his travel updates and reflections on the development of Doha’s Hamad International Airport, noting its transformation over the past 15 years. His statement has drawn attention amid ongoing discussions about preserving the authenticity of Bangladesh’s historical narrative.

Following a crushing defeat for the Congress-led Mahagathbandhan alliance in the Bihar state assembly elections, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi expressed surprise at the results and questioned the fairness of the electoral process. Without directly alleging vote rigging, Gandhi stated on social media that the election was not fair from the beginning and reiterated his gratitude to millions of voters who supported the alliance. He emphasized that the Congress and the INDIA bloc would review the outcome thoroughly to strengthen their fight for democracy and the Constitution. The two-phase election saw over 67 percent voter turnout, with the ruling NDA alliance led by the BJP and JD(U) winning 202 out of 242 declared seats. The BJP secured 89 seats, JD(U) 85, while the opposition RJD and Congress managed only 25 and 10 seats respectively, marking a significant setback for the opposition in Bihar.

In Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency, NCP’s chief organizer Hasnat Abdullah faces a significant challenge as the opposition BNP shows signs of unity ahead of the upcoming national election. After receiving his party’s nomination, Hasnat has drawn attention for his community engagement and development initiatives. However, recent reconciliation efforts between BNP leaders Engineer Manjurul Ahsan Munshi, the party’s nominated candidate, and district BNP member secretary AFM Tarek Munshi have raised speculation that a united BNP could pose a serious threat to Hasnat’s campaign. The BNP, historically strong in the area, had long been divided by internal conflicts among local leaders. Analysts note that if the BNP successfully resolves its internal disputes, it could consolidate its voter base and make the race highly competitive. Local BNP leaders have expressed commitment to supporting whoever ultimately receives the party’s final nomination, while Hasnat remains confident in his popularity and promises to work for Debidwar’s development.

A devastating fire broke out in Dalal Bazar of Lakshmipur Sadar upazila late Friday night, destroying six shops. According to the Fire Service and local witnesses, the blaze originated from an electrical short circuit at Azad’s CNG auto-rickshaw garage in the Temuhani area. The flames quickly spread to nearby shops before firefighters arrived. One unit of the Lakshmipur Fire Service, assisted by local residents, managed to bring the fire under control after about an hour of effort. However, by that time, six shops had already been completely burned down. Station Officer Ranjit Kumar Saha of the Lakshmipur Fire Service said that the initial investigation suggests the fire started due to an electrical short circuit. The extent of the financial losses has not yet been determined.

An 18-year-old college student, Md. Sifat Ahmed, reportedly took his own life at his home in Khilgaon, Dhaka, following a family dispute over a mobile phone. According to relatives, the incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Friday, November 14, when Sifat’s younger sister was using a mobile phone for online math lessons. Sifat demanded the phone, leading to an argument with his sister and a rebuke from their mother. Shortly afterward, Sifat locked himself in his room and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Neighbors alerted the family, who rushed him to a local hospital and then to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police confirmed the death and said the body has been kept in the morgue for autopsy. Authorities are investigating the incident.

Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, stated in a Facebook post that the Bangladesh Awami League has become a Facebook-based protest party with limited real organizational strength on the ground. He argued that the party now relies on small hired groups for disruptive acts rather than its once-claimed grassroots network. Alam contrasted this with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which he said has shown improved internal discipline and organization during its nomination process. He expressed confidence that the upcoming February election would be peaceful, possibly the most peaceful in recent history. Alam also noted that law enforcement and local administrations are now more organized and confident, with capable officials overseeing the election process. He concluded that the likelihood of major unrest or disruption during the polls is very low.

Police have arrested the prime suspect, Md Arman (45), in a case involving the abduction, assault, and extortion of contractor Suman Chowdhury, owner of Messrs Sujon Bhuiya & Brothers. The incident occurred over a dispute related to a government lease for maintenance work at the Azimpur Old Cemetery in Dhaka. According to the case filed at Lalbagh Police Station, Arman and several associates allegedly demanded Tk 500,000 in extortion money from Chowdhury, threatening him with violence and forcing him to pay Tk 530,000. The abduction took place on October 26, 2025, when the accused forcibly took Chowdhury to Arman’s office and assaulted him. Acting on intelligence, an army patrol team from Azimpur Army Camp arrested Arman on November 14 during a special operation at a community center. He was later handed over to Lalbagh Police Station for legal proceedings. Police said the case is under investigation and further action will follow based on findings.

A massive gathering took place at Dhaka’s historic Suhrawardy Udyan as the International Khatme Nabuwwat Conference began on Saturday morning, organized by the Sammilito Khatme Nabuwwat Parishad. The event, focused on defending the belief in the finality of Prophet Muhammad’s prophethood, drew participants from Bangladesh and five other countries. Prominent Islamic scholars from Pakistan, India, Egypt, and other nations attended, including Maulana Fazlur Rahman of Pakistan, Maulana Mahmood Madani of India, and Dr. Shaykh Musab Nabil Ibrahim of Egypt’s Al-Azhar University. From Bangladesh, notable religious leaders such as Hefazat-e-Islam chief Maulana Shah Muhibullah Babunagari and Islamic Movement Bangladesh’s leader Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim joined the event. Organizers said the conference aimed to strengthen global unity among Muslims on this issue, with participation from political and religious leaders across the country.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order rolling back tariffs on several imported food products, including coffee, tea, bananas, beef, cocoa, spices, and tropical fruits. The decision follows mounting political pressure over rising food prices, particularly beef, which has seen consistent monthly increases according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The administration stated that the rollback was necessary because many of these agricultural goods are not produced in sufficient quantities domestically. Since beginning his second term in January, Trump has pursued an aggressive tariff policy, imposing high duties on imports from multiple countries. While the administration touts new trade agreements as a success, economists warn that such protectionist measures often hurt consumers by driving up prices. The partial reversal marks a shift in Trump’s trade strategy as he faces growing domestic criticism over inflation and food affordability.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed stated that if his party assumes power, it will restore 'trust and faith in Allah' as a guiding principle in Bangladesh’s constitution and hold parliamentary discussions on declaring the Ahmadiyya community (Qadianis) as non-Muslim. Speaking at the International Khatme Nabuwat Grand Conference at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Saturday, he said those who do not believe in the Prophet Muhammad cannot be considered Muslims, aligning BNP’s stance with that of the Khatme Nabuwat movement. The event, organized by the Khatme Nabuwat Protection Council, drew religious scholars and participants from five countries. Speakers at the conference urged the government led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to officially declare Ahmadis non-Muslim. The gathering emphasized unity among Muslims and reaffirmed belief in the finality of Prophet Muhammad’s prophethood.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan announced that if his party assumes state power, it will officially declare the Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) community as non-Muslim. He made the statement on Saturday, November 15, during the International Khatme Nabuwat Grand Conference held at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka. Rafiqul Islam claimed there is no disagreement within the Muslim world on this issue and said the belief in the finality of Prophet Muhammad is unanimously accepted among Muslims. The event, organized to demand the declaration of Ahmadis as non-Muslim, was attended by religious scholars and political leaders from Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, and Egypt. Notable participants included leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam. The conference was chaired by Maulana Abdul Hamid, convener of the Combined Khatme Nabuwat Committee Bangladesh.

A 53-year-old man from Shillington, Pennsylvania, was hospitalized after being accidentally shot in the back by his dog in a freak incident involving a shotgun. According to police, the man was cleaning his firearm and placed it on the bed before sitting down. His dog then jumped onto the bed, apparently triggering the weapon, which discharged and struck the owner in the lower back. The man’s son called 911, and he was taken to the hospital for surgery. Authorities are investigating the case but believe it to be accidental. Police used the incident to remind gun owners to always treat firearms as loaded, keep them pointed in a safe direction, and ensure fingers stay off the trigger. Officers described the event as a “perfect storm” of unfortunate circumstances, emphasizing the importance of strict safety practices when handling weapons.

Russia has temporarily suspended around 2% of its global oil supply following a Ukrainian strike on the Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk, a key Black Sea port in Krasnodar Krai. The attack caused fires and damage to coastal facilities, leading to a halt in exports of approximately 2.2 million barrels per day, according to Reuters. Local authorities confirmed that a civilian vessel was also hit, injuring three crew members. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Novorossiysk due to its strategic importance to Russia’s energy infrastructure. Kyiv considers Russian oil refineries and petrochemical plants legitimate military targets, arguing they fund Moscow’s war effort. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated that Russia’s oil production and refining have declined this year, with projected losses of at least US$37 billion in oil and gas revenues. The strike coincided with a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv that killed six people and injured 14 others.

Ethiopia has confirmed its first outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus, with nine cases detected in the southern Omo region. The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commended Ethiopia’s rapid response, noting that authorities are working diligently to contain the outbreak. The virus, part of the same family as Ebola, causes severe hemorrhagic fever and has a high fatality rate. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes Marburg as a rare but deadly disease transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine, and care focuses on supportive therapy. The outbreak’s proximity to South Sudan has raised regional concerns due to weaker health systems nearby. WHO and Africa CDC are assisting Ethiopia with patient care, contact tracing, and border surveillance to prevent further spread. Health officials urge the public to remain calm and follow medical guidance.

Police in Savar’s Ashulia area arrested two former leaders of the now-banned youth wing of the Awami League, Jubo League, in separate operations on Friday night. The detainees were identified as Md. Ali Azgar alias Jamal Hossain, former assistant organizational secretary of Ashulia Thana Jubo League, and Md. Zakir Hossain, former general secretary of Shimulia Union Jubo League. Acting on secret information, police conducted raids at Ashulia’s Unique area around 8 p.m. and Shimulia’s Konapara area around 9 p.m., leading to the arrests. Ashulia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Hannan confirmed the arrests and stated that legal proceedings are underway. The two suspects are expected to be presented before the court on Saturday morning. Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific charges or reasons behind the arrests, but investigations are ongoing to determine their alleged involvement in any unlawful activities.