Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s recent address announcing that Bangladesh’s national election and referendum will be held on the same day has eased long-standing political tensions among major parties. Despite initial reservations, the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) have largely accepted the decision. Analysts say Yunus’s speech successfully balanced the interests of the three parties, clearing obstacles to the February election. The BNP’s demand for a same-day referendum was met, Jamaat’s call for proportional representation in the upper house was acknowledged, and the NCP’s push for a constitutional reform council was accepted. Other parties, including Ganosamhati Andolon and Amar Bangladesh Party, also welcomed the move as a pragmatic solution. Observers believe the announcement has temporarily resolved the political impasse, enabling parties to focus on election preparations. However, they caution that implementing the July Charter, which underpins the referendum, may still face complexities in the coming months.

On Thursday, South Korea temporarily suspended all domestic and international flights for 35 minutes to ensure silence during the English listening section of the country’s highly competitive college entrance exam, known as the Suneung. Over 550,000 students took part in the nine-hour test, which plays a decisive role in determining university admission, career prospects, and social standing. Flights were grounded from 1:05 p.m. to 1:40 p.m., affecting about 140 flights, including 65 international ones. During this period, only emergency aircraft were allowed to operate. Authorities deployed police to help late students reach exam centers quickly, sometimes using motorcycles. Financial markets and offices opened an hour late to ease traffic congestion. The Suneung is a national event marked by strict discipline and cultural rituals, with many parents praying at churches or temples for their children’s success.

Bangladeshi content creator Ashraful Alom, popularly known as Hero Alom, was arrested by police in Dhaka’s Hatirjheel area on Saturday, November 15. The arrest followed a warrant issued by the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on November 12 in connection with a case filed by his wife, Riya Moni. The case accuses Hero Alom and another individual, Ahsan Habib Selim, of attempted murder, assault, intimidation, and theft. According to the complaint, a domestic dispute led to physical violence and the alleged theft of a gold chain from Riya Moni. The plaintiff’s lawyer stated that the accused violated bail conditions by failing to appear in court, prompting the cancellation of their bail and issuance of arrest warrants. Police confirmed that Hero Alom was taken into custody in compliance with the court order, while efforts to apprehend the co-accused are ongoing.

A parked minibus belonging to Naf Paribahan caught fire early Saturday morning in front of the Roads and Highways Department office at Shimrail, Siddhirganj, along the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Narayanganj. According to Siddhirganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shahinur Alam, the driver had parked the vehicle the previous night. The fire broke out around 6 a.m., and local residents, along with fire service personnel, quickly brought the blaze under control. Although the bus’s seats were damaged, no injuries or fatalities occurred as there were no passengers or the driver present at the time. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, which could have resulted from a mechanical fault or another incident. Police said an investigation is underway, and legal steps will follow based on the findings.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General and Sirajganj-4 parliamentary candidate Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan has claimed that political parties aligning too closely with India are now facing downfall. Speaking at a rally in Ullapara’s Panchakroshi Union, he alleged that after independence, three main parties ruled Bangladesh, with the Jatiya Party and Awami League both coming to power without fair elections and through 'Indian allegiance.' He said these two parties are now collapsing due to their excessive dependence on foreign influence. Rafiqul Islam Khan further criticized past governments for corruption, extortion, and terrorism, asserting that the public no longer supports them. He pledged that if Jamaat comes to power, it will eliminate corruption and ensure peace and justice. He urged voters to support the Jamaat symbol in the upcoming 13th national election. The event was chaired by local Jamaat leaders and attended by several party officials.

BNP candidate for Sunamganj-5 constituency, Kalim Uddin Ahmed Milon, stated that the people of Bangladesh love Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, and the BNP’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf. Speaking at an election rally in Mollapara Bazar, Islambpur Union, Milon expressed confidence that the BNP would win the upcoming national election with public support. He pledged to deliver more development than the ruling Awami League has achieved in the past 17 years and reiterated his commitment to integrity, claiming that though many cases were filed against him, none involved corruption. Milon also emphasized unity within the local BNP and assured voters of a peaceful election in February. The event, organized by local BNP leaders, included leaflet distribution on the party’s 31-point reform agenda and speeches from several district and upazila-level leaders.

Unidentified miscreants set fire to the July Martyrs Monument in Pirojpur late Friday night, located beside the district’s central Shaheed Minar. Locals discovered burn marks on the lower part of the memorial the following morning, and a video of the incident soon went viral on social media. Authorities have closed two police officers for alleged negligence in duty. Former municipal councilor and freedom fighter Abdus Salam Baten claimed the act was a planned attempt by members of banned political groups following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Police have visited the site and increased security in the area. Superintendent of Police Khan Mohammad Abu Naser stated that the attack likely occurred before dawn and that legal action is being taken against the negligent officers. A case has been filed, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest those responsible for the vandalism.

The European Union (EU) has expressed its support for Bangladesh’s ongoing democratic transition under the interim government led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. In a statement shared on social media, the EU reaffirmed its confidence in the country’s leadership and encouraged all political parties to participate constructively in the upcoming electoral process. The EU welcomed Yunus’s leadership as Bangladesh prepares for a participatory, free, and fair election expected to be held in February. The statement also urged political parties to act responsibly and engage in the next stages of the democratic process. The EU’s message reflects its continued interest in Bangladesh’s political stability and democratic development amid the transitional phase.

Thousands of residents in northern Tehran gathered at Imamzadeh Saleh Mosque on Friday, November 14, to pray for rain as Iran faces one of its worst droughts in decades. Local officials reported that rainfall in the capital has dropped to its lowest level in a century, with half of the country’s provinces experiencing months without precipitation. The government has begun rationing water supplies for Tehran’s 10 million residents, implementing periodic shutdowns to conserve resources. President Masoud Pezeshkian recently warned that if rain does not arrive before winter, authorities might need to consider relocating residents, though officials later clarified he intended only to highlight the severity of the situation. Five major dams supplying Tehran are nearly empty, with one completely dry and another below 8% capacity. Nationwide, rainfall this year has reached only 152 millimeters—40% below the 57-year average—raising fears of worsening water shortages across Iran.

Police in Gazipur recovered the throat-slit body of a woman, Rahima Begum, from a multi-story building in the Konabari Nawab Ali Market area on Saturday morning. Her husband, Imran Hossain, was found injured beside her and taken to a medical facility for treatment. According to police, Imran, a butcher by profession, and Rahima, a homemaker, were in their second marriage. Their daughter, Sharmin, told investigators that her father allegedly killed her mother before attempting to slit his own throat. Law enforcement officials are continuing to question the daughter and other family members while legal proceedings are underway. The incident has shocked the local community, and police are investigating the motive behind the tragic event.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar cautioned that if the forthcoming national election resembles those of 2014, 2018, or 2024, the nation will face severe hardship. Speaking at a motorcycle rally in Khulna’s Zero Point, Porwar urged the administration to remain neutral and ensure a transparent election where all candidates have equal opportunity. He criticized previous governments for corruption and misrule, calling for a new Bangladesh based on Islamic principles. Porwar emphasized rejecting candidates who misuse wealth or engage in corruption, urging people to vote for the 'balance scale' symbol. The rally, attended by over 500 motorcycles, covered several areas of Khulna and ended at Shiromoni Shaheed Minar. He also highlighted the youth’s role in driving change and expressed optimism that the upcoming election would bring transformation toward a peaceful and just Bangladesh.

A 25-year-old tourist named Md. Iqbal Hossain from Demra, Dhaka, went missing while bathing in the Nafakhum Waterfall in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban on Friday, November 14. He was part of an 11-member group visiting the remote waterfall without a local guide, despite a travel restriction in the area. According to local authorities and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Iqbal was swept away by the strong current while swimming. Rescue operations have been launched by law enforcement agencies and local volunteers, but he remains untraced. The local tourist guide association stated that visitors are only allowed to travel up to Tindu and Remakri Boropathor areas and must be accompanied by a registered local guide, as per administrative directives. Authorities have urged tourists to follow safety and travel guidelines strictly to prevent such incidents.

Former US President Donald Trump said he is considering a deal to sell F-35 stealth fighter jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, to Saudi Arabia. The announcement comes ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s planned visit to the White House, where economic and defense agreements are expected to be discussed. Trump described the upcoming meeting as an occasion to 'honor' Saudi Arabia and expressed hope that Riyadh would eventually join the Abraham Accords. However, a Pentagon intelligence report has reportedly raised concerns that such a sale could risk sensitive technology being accessed by China. The potential deal is part of broader US-Saudi defense talks, with Riyadh seeking security guarantees and access to advanced weaponry. The two nations have long maintained a strategic partnership centered on oil and defense cooperation.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that a certain group is trying to create division within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for its own benefit. Speaking at a gathering in Godagari, Rajshahi, after visiting the grave of late BNP leader Barrister Aminul Haque, Fakhrul urged party leaders and activists to remain vigilant and united. He introduced retired Major General Sharif Uddin, who received BNP’s preliminary nomination for the Rajshahi-1 constituency, and called on members to support him. Fakhrul also criticized another political group that he claimed seeks power but lacks the capacity to restore order or bring meaningful change to the country. He praised Aminul Haque’s contributions to the region and emphasized the importance of unity under the leadership of acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Senior BNP leaders, including Mizanur Rahman Minu and former Rajshahi mayor Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul, were present at the event.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accused India of exercising undue dominance over Bangladesh in water-sharing agreements, particularly concerning the Ganges and other transboundary rivers. Speaking during a visit to the Mahananda River in Chapainawabganj ahead of a BNP rally themed 'Save the Padma,' Fakhrul said Bangladesh continues to suffer from water scarcity and river erosion due to India’s control of upstream flows. He criticized the Awami League government for failing to secure equitable water distribution and vowed that a future BNP government would prioritize fair water-sharing, revive the Ganges Barrage project, and strengthen the Joint Rivers Commission. Fakhrul also linked river protection to climate resilience, warning that environmental degradation threatens Bangladesh’s ecological balance. He emphasized that only an elected government can effectively defend national interests and pledged to pressure India to stop what he termed 'hegemonic behavior' while maintaining respectful bilateral relations.