Political activities in Sylhet-4 have intensified as BNP and Jamaat candidates ramp up their campaigns ahead of the upcoming election. BNP Chairperson’s adviser and former Sylhet City Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury, contesting as the BNP candidate, addressed party activists in Gowainghat, promising that if BNP returns to power, the region’s development landscape will change within a year. He emphasized that the area, rich in mineral resources, has long been deprived of development and employment opportunities. Ariful said he had discussed local development issues with Tarique Rahman, who assured full support. He also warned against attempts to disrupt the election and reaffirmed BNP’s stance against corruption and injustice. The day saw multiple rallies and processions, including a major show of support for Abdul Hakim Chowdhury and a separate march backing BNP aspirant Prolal Uddin Ahmed, signaling growing political momentum in the constituency.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to announce today the first verdict in the case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others over alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising. The three-member bench, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, will deliver the ruling in Hasina’s absence, as she and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan remain fugitives in India. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, the only arrested accused, has turned state witness. The prosecution has sought the death penalty for Hasina and Khan, along with confiscation of their assets for victims’ families. The government has imposed tight security around the Supreme Court and tribunal premises, with live broadcast arrangements for transparency. The case marks the first judgment since the tribunal’s reconstitution following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, and is being closely watched both domestically and internationally as a defining moment in Bangladesh’s judicial and political history.

An Air India Airbus A320 aircraft was grounded at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka after a ground handling pushcart belonging to Biman Bangladesh Airlines struck and broke the plane’s nose landing gear. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, as the aircraft was preparing to depart for Delhi with 126 passengers on board. Airport sources said the collision happened due to the negligence of the pushcart driver while aligning the equipment. Following the accident, passengers were deboarded and accommodated in hotels, with some later flown to Mumbai. Air India has demanded compensation from Biman’s management for the damage. The damaged aircraft remains parked in the bay area for inspection and repair, which may take considerable time. Biman’s Managing Director and CEO Dr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman confirmed that the driver responsible has been withdrawn from duty, issued a show-cause notice, and will be dismissed for negligence.

A series of violent incidents shook Dhaka on Sunday night as unidentified miscreants set fire to a passenger bus in Badda and carried out multiple crude bomb (cocktail) explosions across the city. Firefighters quickly extinguished the bus fire, and no casualties were reported. In a separate attack, two cocktails were hurled at the residence of Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the interim government’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, while she was at home. Additional explosions were reported in Panthapath, Banglamotor, New Eskaton, Mahakhali, and Pallabi areas, injuring at least one pedestrian. Police have launched investigations and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators. Law enforcement officials confirmed that security measures have been tightened across the capital following the incidents, which have raised concerns about public safety and political unrest in the city.

A sound grenade explosion in Tongi, Gazipur, caused panic among residents on Sunday night. The incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. near the Station Road area when unidentified miscreants reportedly threw the device from the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) flyover onto the Tongi-Ghorashal regional road. Witnesses described a loud blast that sent pedestrians running in fear. Police officers stationed nearby quickly responded, collected evidence from the scene, and launched an investigation. According to Tongi East Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Wahiduzzaman, no casualties were reported. Authorities suspect that the exploded sound grenade may have been one of the devices stolen during an incident on August 5. Law enforcement officials are now working to identify those responsible and determine the motive behind the explosion, which temporarily disrupted normal activity in the busy area.

An abandoned Laguna vehicle caught fire inside the South Keraniganj Police Station compound in Dhaka on Sunday night, reportedly set ablaze by unidentified individuals. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. and was confirmed by Sajedul Kabir Jowardar, Senior Station Officer of the Postagola Fire Service. Two fire service units quickly responded and brought the fire under control. Witnesses said two men ignited the vehicle before fleeing when a woman screamed upon witnessing the act. The sudden blaze caused panic within the station and nearby areas. Locals expressed concern that such an incident in front of a police station raises serious security questions and may indicate a deliberate act of sabotage. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Akhtar Hossain stated that authorities have yet to determine whether the fire was an act of sabotage or an accident, and an investigation is underway.

A fourth-year student of Jahangirnagar University’s International Relations department has filed a written complaint against Associate Professor Fazlul Halim Rana, alleging discriminatory behavior, unfair grading, and mental harassment. The complaint claims the teacher has repeatedly insulted students based on their appearance or madrasa background, labeling some as 'Shibir' or 'militants.' Several students testified that they received inconsistent marks despite similar answers and were subjected to verbal abuse and threats. The complainants demanded that the teacher be barred from evaluating final exam scripts, that all papers be re-evaluated independently, and that a neutral investigation committee be formed. They also sought a permanent policy to prevent personal or political harassment of students. In response, Professor Rana denied all allegations, calling them baseless and asserting that he has never discriminated against students in his 18-year teaching career. The university administration has yet to announce any formal investigation into the matter.

Bangladesh and Qatar have signed a long-awaited agreement allowing the deployment of Bangladeshi armed forces personnel to the Qatar Armed Forces. The signing ceremony took place in Doha, where Bangladesh’s Principal Staff Officer Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan and Qatar’s Chief of Staff Lieutenant General (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed Al Mannai signed the deal. Initially, around 800 Bangladeshi military members will be sent to Qatar on a three-year deputation, which may be extended to six years based on performance. The agreement is expected to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation, enhance professional exchange, and generate foreign currency earnings for Bangladesh. The initiative follows the visit of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to Qatar earlier this year, which helped accelerate the signing process. Officials from both countries, including Bangladesh’s ambassador to Qatar, attended the signing ceremony. The deployment marks a new phase in defense collaboration between the two nations.

Newly elected New York Mayor Zohra Mamdani has called for a public boycott of Starbucks in solidarity with striking workers demanding a fair union contract. In a post on social media platform X on November 14, Mamdani stated that Starbucks employees are fighting for fair treatment and that he would refrain from purchasing from the chain until the dispute is resolved. The strike, dubbed the 'Red Cup Rebellion,' coincided with Starbucks’ busy Red Cup Day, when customers typically line up for free holiday cups. Organized by Starbucks Workers United, the walkout involved employees from over 25 U.S. cities. The union claims the company has refused to negotiate, warning that the strike could expand if talks stall. Starbucks, however, rejected the union’s demands, asserting that its workers already receive competitive pay and benefits, averaging $19 per hour and over $30 with additional perks.

The United States is reportedly preparing for a potential military strike against Venezuela, according to NPR. The Pentagon has announced a five-day naval exercise in Trinidad and Tobago, while the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, is set to arrive in the northern Caribbean Sea on November 16. Although President Donald Trump has not officially declared a direct attack, reports suggest that military preparations are nearly complete, involving 15,000 troops and 2,000 marines. Trump has hinted at having made a 'mental decision' regarding Venezuela but has not elaborated. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has condemned the U.S. exercises, accusing Washington of preparing for war. The Pentagon insists the operations are aimed at intercepting drug trafficking vessels, though officials have hinted at possible ground operations targeting Venezuela.

A Faridpur district Chhatra Dal leader, Khairul Islam Roman, has been expelled from his post after sharing an 11-second viral video showing BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir scolding a man. The central Chhatra Dal announced the decision in a press release on Sunday, citing a breach of organizational discipline. Roman, who served as joint general secretary of the district unit, said he shared the video on Facebook earlier that day but deleted it and apologized after realizing it might harm the party’s image. Despite this, the central leadership approved his expulsion, instructing all members to avoid organizational contact with him. Roman, a resident of Bhanga upazila, had previously contested a student union election in 2018 and recently gained attention for welcoming job candidates with flowers. He expressed disappointment over the decision, emphasizing the need for tolerance and mutual respect within politics.

Two crude bombs exploded outside the residence of Syeda Rizwana Hasan, an adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, in Dhaka’s Central Road area on Sunday night. Witnesses reported that two unidentified assailants arrived quickly, threw the explosives, and fled the scene, causing panic among nearby residents. The incident occurred around 9 p.m., prompting an immediate police response. New Market Police Station Officer-in-Charge A.K.M. Mahfuzul Haque confirmed that law enforcement officials are reviewing CCTV footage to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. No injuries or major property damage were reported as of late Sunday. Authorities have increased security in the area and initiated an investigation to determine the motive behind the attack.

A 60-year-old woman named Jharna Chakma was killed and three others were injured after a herd of wild elephants attacked vehicles on the Asambasti-Kaptai connecting road in Rangamati’s Kamilachhari area on Sunday evening. The deceased was a resident of Chairman Para in Jibtali Union under Rangamati Sadar upazila. According to forest officials, two separate attacks occurred around 5:20 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., damaging two CNG-run auto-rickshaws and a motorcycle. Forest department teams, assisted by the army and fire service, rushed to the scene and evacuated travelers and tourists from the area by 7:00 p.m. The injured were taken to Rangamati General Hospital, where Jharna Chakma died on the way. Officials confirmed that two elephant herds, each consisting of six to seven elephants including calves, were involved in the incidents. Authorities have urged locals to remain cautious as elephant movement in the region has recently increased.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin has identified combating misinformation and disinformation as the most critical challenge for the upcoming national election in Bangladesh. Speaking at a dialogue with registered political parties at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, he emphasized the need for political parties to cooperate in maintaining the electoral code of conduct. The CEC noted that misinformation has become a major concern that previous commissions did not face. Representatives from several political parties, including NAP, Khelafat Majlish, Islami Andolan, Bangladesh JASAD, and Ganofront, attended the dialogue. They raised issues such as the timing of consultations, the need for army deployment during elections, the importance of ensuring neutrality, and the separation of referendum and election dates. The CEC reiterated that the commission must remain impartial and cannot favor any party, urging all stakeholders to help ensure a fair and peaceful election process.

A fire broke out at the dumping yard of South Keraniganj Police Station in Dhaka around 10 p.m. on Sunday, November 16. According to Postagola Fire Service Senior Station Officer Sajedul Kabir Zowardar, the fire appeared to be an act of arson based on the condition of the blaze and eyewitness accounts. Two fire service units were deployed to control the flames, which destroyed a dumped laguna vehicle. A female witness reported seeing two unidentified men fleeing the scene as the fire started. However, Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Akhtar Hossain of South Keraniganj Police Station suggested that the fire might have originated from garbage combustion rather than deliberate arson. Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident to determine whether it was accidental or intentional.