Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has initiated a series of dialogues with registered political parties in preparation for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The first day of talks began on Thursday, November 13, involving six parties in the morning session and another six in the afternoon. Among the participants were the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Bangladesh Congress, Bangladesh Muslim League, and the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB). The EC plans to continue the discussions in several phases, with parties such as BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP expected to join later. Currently, the EC has 53 registered political parties, while the registration of the Awami League remains suspended and that of several others has been cancelled. The dialogues aim to gather opinions and build consensus on electoral issues ahead of the national polls.

A passenger bus of Bangla Star Paribahan was set on fire by unidentified miscreants on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway near Baikhola in Basail around midnight on Wednesday, November 12. The incident caused a major traffic jam stretching several kilometers. Fire service personnel later brought the blaze under control, and no casualties were reported as the driver, helper, and passengers managed to evacuate safely. Police also reported that similar arson attempts occurred in the same area and at Pauli on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge Highway, where tires were set ablaze. Authorities have not confirmed whether petrol bombs were used, and investigations are underway to identify those responsible.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem has alleged that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her associates are conspiring against Bangladesh by exploiting the flexibility of the interim government. Speaking to reporters during a student gathering in Dhaka, he claimed that Hasina’s supporters were attempting to destabilize the country ahead of her court verdict. Kayem urged all opposition groups, including BNP, Jamaat, and leftist parties, to unite against the Awami League. He also called on citizens to resist Hasina’s loyalists wherever they are found, asserting that those responsible for past violence and disappearances should face justice. His remarks come amid heightened political tension as the Awami League announced a lockdown in Dhaka before the verdict announcement.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has deployed 14 platoons across Dhaka and nearby districts to ensure law and order amid heightened security concerns. The deployment, confirmed by BGB’s public relations officer Shariful Islam on Thursday, began on Wednesday to strengthen security in key areas. Law enforcement agencies have taken positions at major intersections in Dhaka, conducting searches of suspicious individuals. Several suspects have been detained for attempting acts of sabotage. Security has been tightened at critical infrastructures, including airports, railway and metro stations, and transport terminals. The move follows recent incidents of scattered explosions and covert attacks in parts of Dhaka. Alongside the BGB, police, army, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel are jointly working to maintain stability and public safety across the capital and its surrounding areas.

The US House of Representatives voted to end the longest government shutdown in American history after 43 days of partial closure. The measure passed with 222 votes in favor and 209 against, with six Democrats joining Republicans to approve the deal. The Senate had already passed the funding bill earlier in the week. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law shortly after the House vote, officially reopening government operations. The shutdown had forced thousands of federal employees to work without pay or take unpaid leave. With the new law, federal workers are expected to return to work and receive back pay, while essential services such as food assistance and air traffic control begin resuming normal operations. However, the timeline for full restoration of all government services remains uncertain.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government has imposed a strict ban on the import of medicines from Pakistan, citing poor quality and frequent trade disruptions. The decision, announced by state media Alemarah News, directs Afghan traders to terminate existing contracts with Pakistani suppliers within three months and to seek alternative sources from other countries. Officials said the move aims to protect Afghanistan’s economic interests and safeguard the rights of local businesses. Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar urged business leaders in Kabul to reduce dependence on Pakistan and explore new trade routes. The ban comes amid deteriorating relations between the two neighbors. Afghanistan currently imports pharmaceuticals from Pakistan, India, Turkey, and Bangladesh, with an estimated annual import value of around one billion dollars before the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

Train services on the Dhaka-Chattogram route were disrupted for about an hour after miscreants set fire to the railway track in Brahmanbaria early Wednesday. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. in the Dubla area of Sadar upazila, causing several passenger trains, including the Turna Nishitha Express and Bijoy Express, to remain stranded at Brahmanbaria station. Railway officials said the fire was quickly brought under control by police and railway staff, preventing any major damage or casualties. According to Akhaura Railway Police Station’s officer-in-charge SM Shafiqul Islam, the perpetrators ignited plastic pipes on the track before fleeing. Train operations resumed around 3 a.m., and services have since returned to normal.

At least 37 people were killed when a passenger bus plunged into a ravine in the Arequipa region of southern Peru, local authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The accident occurred on the Panamericana Sur highway near the Ocoña district. According to Arequipa’s regional health chief, Walther Oporto, 36 people died at the scene and one more succumbed to injuries in hospital. The bus reportedly collided with a van before veering off the road and falling into the ravine. Rescue teams and firefighters responded quickly, and 26 injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals, three of whom are in critical condition. The Arequipa regional government said it is providing medical assistance to the victims, while an initial highway patrol report confirmed at least 16 deaths before the full toll was verified.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem has stated that the political dominance of the ruling Awami League will end after August 5, 2024. Speaking at the 'Run for July' program held at the university’s Mall Chattar on Thursday morning, he alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her associates would be removed from Bangladesh’s political landscape. Kayem also claimed that his team searched several points on campus the previous night but did not find any members of the Awami League or its student wing, the Chhatra League. He emphasized that the goal of the 'Run for July' initiative is to revive the spirit of July and unite people against autocracy, urging all to overcome divisions and restore unity.

Rashed Khan, the general secretary of the Gana Odhikar Parishad, posted on his personal Facebook account a list of eight suggestions he claimed could help identify members or supporters of the ruling Awami League. In his late-night post on Wednesday, Khan urged citizens to remain vigilant, report new tenants or suspicious individuals to authorities, and assist law enforcement in monitoring various areas, including slums, garages, and hotels. He also called for political student organizations to act as volunteers in administrative operations. His post encouraged followers to share additional ideas in the comments. The remarks have drawn attention for their tone and implications amid heightened political tension in Bangladesh ahead of upcoming elections.

Security has been intensified around the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka ahead of the verdict announcement in a war crimes case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two co-accused, linked to the July uprising. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, is set to declare the verdict on Thursday. The banned Awami League has announced a 'Dhaka lockdown' program on the same day. Police, RAB, BGB, army, and intelligence personnel have been deployed in and around the tribunal premises, with multiple security perimeters and strict entry checks for the public and journalists. Around 17,000 DMP officers are stationed across key city points, supported by army and border guards. Checkposts at city entrances and hotel inspections have been ongoing since Wednesday to prevent unrest or sabotage.

Bangladesh President Md. Shahabuddin has signed the implementation order for the July Charter on Thursday, November 13. The order paves the way for a national referendum to seek public approval on reform proposals finalized through dialogues between political parties and the National Consensus Commission. These proposals were incorporated into the July Charter as part of broader political reforms. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in a televised address to the nation, announced that the referendum and the national parliamentary election will be held on the same day. The move is seen as a significant step toward institutionalizing political consensus and advancing democratic governance in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus announced that the long-discussed national referendum and parliamentary election will be held on the same day in the first half of February 2026. In a televised address to the nation, he said the referendum will focus on implementing the July National Charter, with voters answering a single yes-or-no question on four key issues. The decision follows months of disagreement among political parties, including BNP and Jamaat, over the charter’s provisions and timing. The National Consensus Commission had earlier submitted recommendations on how to implement the charter, but parties failed to reach a unified stance. The interim government, therefore, finalized the decision in a council meeting chaired by Yunus, with President Md. Shahabuddin signing the related order before the announcement.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced that it will take strict legal action against individuals or groups responsible for creating and spreading a misleading video featuring Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali. According to a DMP press release, the manipulated video—shared from a Facebook page named 'Abar 71'—used an artificial voice to distort the commissioner’s statements. Authorities described the act as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and undermine police efforts to maintain law and order amid recent unrest in the capital. The DMP urged citizens not to be deceived by such fabricated content and to verify the authenticity of any information, images, or videos before sharing them on social media.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan is poised to be appointed as Bangladesh’s next ambassador to Denmark, just 15 months after assuming his current role. The government has already sent a formal request to Copenhagen for his diplomatic clearance, which may take one to three months. Alongside him, several other individuals close to the interim government, including SDG envoy Lamia Morshed and siblings Lutfe and Husna Siddiqi, are also being considered for ambassadorial roles in various countries such as Singapore and the Netherlands. The move has sparked criticism within the diplomatic community, as many career diplomats who meet all professional criteria are being overlooked for these key postings. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that discussions are ongoing, but no formal paperwork has begun for other appointments.