The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed satisfaction over the Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s reaffirmation that the national parliamentary elections will be held in the first half of February, along with a referendum on the same day. The BNP’s National Standing Committee, chaired virtually by acting chairman Tarique Rahman from London, conveyed its gratitude during a meeting at the party’s Gulshan office. Following the meeting, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the party’s appreciation at a press conference. The BNP also urged the interim government and the Election Commission to hold the referendum on the July National Charter and to ensure timely parliamentary elections. Senior BNP leaders including Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, and others attended the meeting.

The long-neglected Kurigram-Chilmari road in northern Bangladesh remains in disrepair despite a major renovation project launched by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in early 2024. The 12-kilometer road, vital for connecting several upazilas to Rangpur, was allocated about Tk 14.5 crore for widening and reconstruction. However, with only six weeks left before the project deadline, nearly 90% of the work remains incomplete. Locals allege that the contractor, Khairul Kabir Rana, abandoned the site after digging trenches along the road, leaving it unsafe and unusable. The neglected condition has caused frequent accidents, especially at night, and led residents to stage protests demanding action. LGED officials say repeated notices have been issued to the contractor and warned of punitive measures if the work is not completed on time.

The Bangladeshi government has issued the 'July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025', setting the referendum on the same day as the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, scheduled for the first half of February. The referendum will ask voters a single question covering four key reform issues, including the creation of a bicameral parliament with a 100-member upper house based on proportional representation. The reforms also propose limiting the prime minister’s tenure, expanding presidential powers, increasing women’s representation, and strengthening judicial independence. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus announced the decision, emphasizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Analysts, however, warned that combining four complex issues into one question could confuse voters and limit their ability to express nuanced opinions. The order follows months of political debate and aims to implement the July Charter, which was signed by major political parties after extensive negotiations.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast that Bangladesh’s inflation will remain elevated through the current fiscal year, reaching an average of 8.8% in 2025–26, up from 8.2% previously projected. The IMF expects inflation to gradually decline to 5.5% by 2026–27 if monetary tightening continues. Following a 13-day mission in Dhaka, IMF mission chief Chris Papageorgiou praised Bangladesh’s progress in maintaining macroeconomic stability but warned of challenges from weak tax revenue, financial sector vulnerabilities, and persistent inflation. The IMF recommended maintaining a tight monetary policy until inflation falls to 5–6%, strengthening tax administration, reforming subsidies, and expanding social safety nets. It also urged faster action on climate financing and credible strategies to resolve banking sector weaknesses. The next loan review for Bangladesh’s $5.5 billion program is expected by May next year after the new government takes office.

At least 35 passengers were injured when a bus plunged into a roadside ditch following a collision with another bus in Kalukhali upazila of Rajbari district on the Rajbari-Kushtia regional highway. The accident occurred around noon on Tuesday. Police from Pangsha Highway Station, led by Sub-Inspector Sajjad Hossain, visited the scene and confirmed that no fatalities occurred. Injured passengers were rescued and taken to Rajbari and Kalukhali hospitals for treatment, while those critically hurt were transferred to other medical facilities. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash and assessing road safety conditions in the area.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish chief Maulana Mamunul Haque has warned that the interim government’s decision to hold the national election and referendum simultaneously could undermine the constitutional recognition of the July uprising. In a statement issued Thursday, he said combining the two events and including multiple questions in the referendum would confuse voters and compromise its transparency and credibility. Haque argued that holding a party-based election alongside the referendum would divert public attention from crucial issues. He further cautioned that if the government, which came to power through the July uprising, fails to implement the July Charter and ensure an independent referendum, it would be a regrettable step that jeopardizes the ideals and legitimacy of the uprising. He added that the party and the eight-party alliance would soon meet to discuss a detailed response.

A young man drowned in the Turag River on Thursday night while fleeing from a mob after allegedly setting fire to a bus in Dhaka’s Uttor Nababerbag area under Shah Ali police station. According to police, several youths attempted to burn an empty bus by spraying kerosene and recording the act on mobile phones. Locals noticed the incident and chased them, capturing one suspect while two others jumped into the river. One of them, identified as 18-year-old Saiyaf, drowned, while the other escaped. The arrested suspect, Rudra Mohammad Nahiyan Amir Sani, also 18, is under police custody. Authorities suspect the arson attempt was linked to ongoing sabotage during the banned Awami League-declared ‘Dhaka Lockdown’ program. Police have launched a manhunt for the fugitive and are taking legal action against the detained youth.

Former Moulvibazar-3 MP Zillur Rahman, currently residing in the United States, has been accused of sharing fake and provocative videos on Facebook to create instability in Bangladesh. On November 12, he posted several videos and photos claiming protests and lockdown support activities in Moulvibazar, including road blockades and student demonstrations. However, local authorities confirmed the footage was fabricated, with one video traced to Magura. Following the posts, law enforcement—including police, RAB, and army—was deployed to maintain order. Two cases have been filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act in Sadar and Juri upazilas for spreading misinformation and financing related activities. Police have intensified patrols and surveillance to prevent unrest, emphasizing that strict action will be taken against those responsible for incitement and rumor-mongering.

Bihar, India’s youngest and poorest state, is witnessing a surge of Gen Z anger that could significantly influence its two-phase state election. Many young voters, burdened by unemployment, corruption, and failing education systems, feel let down by successive governments. Their frustration intensified after a leaked government job exam dashed the hopes of aspirants like Ajay Kumar, triggering months-long student protests. Government data reveal that 40% of Bihar’s population is under 18, and nearly a quarter is between 18 and 29, yet the state ranks lowest on key human development indicators. Urban youth unemployment stands at 22%, far above the national average. Many young Biharis migrate for education and work, often facing discrimination in other states. This election pits the National Democratic Alliance—led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar—against a younger opposition leadership headed by 36-year-old Tejashwi Yadav. While the NDA promises 10 million jobs, the opposition pledges one government job per family within 20 days of taking power. Political observers believe the results will indicate whether Bihar’s youth still trust Modi’s leadership or whether a generational shift will propel younger opposition leaders into power. Results are set to be announced on November 14.

The murder of a judge’s son in Rajshahi reportedly originated from a series of incidents in Sylhet involving expelled army member Imon alias Limon. According to Sylhet police, Imon had been harassing the judge’s wife, Tasmin Nahar Lucy, for money and making threats after their acquaintance through a meditation course. Despite earlier complaints and a general diary filed at Jalalabad Police Station, no formal case was lodged. Students of Shahjalal University had previously detained Imon for harassment, but he was later released on bail. Police believe the unresolved tensions and repeated harassment culminated in the murder after Imon moved to Rajshahi. The case highlights lapses in preventive action despite prior warnings and reports of threats against the judge’s family.

Jagannath University authorities have suspended all social, cultural, and welfare activities on campus to maintain discipline and a fair environment ahead of the upcoming Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) and hall student council elections. The decision, announced through a notice signed by Acting Registrar Professor Sheikh Gias Uddin, will remain effective from the day before nomination paper distribution until the announcement of election results. According to the election code of conduct, no external individuals or organizations are allowed to participate in campaign activities. However, former students may join campaign efforts with special identity cards approved by the returning officer. Each full panel may have up to 50 authorized campaigners, while partial panels and independent candidates are allowed two each.

Members of Portugal’s former royal family visited the Guardians Cap project site in Salia village, Sylhet Sadar upazila, and inaugurated a newly constructed lake. They were welcomed by CEO Noor Hayat and Chief Patron B.J. Abu Sayeed Mohammad Bakir. A ceremony was later held at the foundation building, attended by dignitaries including Sir Sheikh Aliur Rahman, Sir Asif Niaz Bazlul, Lord Edward Shiu, and others. The foundation’s chairman, Md. Ashiqur Rahman Chowdhury, presented ongoing and upcoming initiatives. CEO Noor Hayat expressed gratitude for the royal visit, emphasizing the foundation’s mission to support underprivileged communities. The project aims to provide British curriculum-based education for students from class three to high school, with facilities for 100–150 learners and trained instructors. About 85% of the project work has been completed, and classes are expected to begin in September 2026.

Police recovered a dismembered human body from a plastic drum left on the sidewalk near the National Eidgah ground in Dhaka on Thursday evening, November 13. According to Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khalid Monsur, two plastic drums were found abandoned beside a water pump near the site. Upon opening one drum, officers discovered human body parts, including a head. The identity of the deceased remains unknown, and authorities are working to determine who left the drums and how the victim was killed. The body has been sent for autopsy, and police have launched a detailed investigation to uncover the motive and identify the perpetrators behind the gruesome incident.

New research from William & Mary graduate student Bryce Donaghue suggests that solar farms can support local ecosystems if managed with biodiversity in mind. Donaghue studied bat activity around solar panels and found that vegetation supporting pollinators attracted more insects, which in turn drew bats to feed. Traditional solar farms often have cleared or turf-covered land, limiting insect and bat activity. However, Donaghue’s preliminary data, based on over 70,000 sound recordings, indicate that pollinator-friendly habitats under and around solar panels increase bat presence. The findings could reshape how renewable energy developers design and maintain solar farms, turning them into dual-purpose sites that generate clean energy while supporting wildlife. The study highlights the potential for solar infrastructure to coexist with and even enhance local flora and fauna.

Verizon Communications plans to eliminate about 15,000 jobs, or roughly 15% of its workforce, as part of a sweeping restructuring effort, according to a source familiar with the matter. The layoffs, the largest in the company’s history, will primarily target non-union management positions, affecting more than 20% of that group. The move follows the appointment of former PayPal CEO Dan Schulman as Verizon’s new chief executive in October. Schulman has emphasized the need for aggressive cost transformation and a leaner business model amid slowing subscriber growth and rising competition from AT&T and T-Mobile. Verizon also intends to convert around 180 corporate-owned retail stores into franchised operations. The company’s shares rose 1.7% following the news, reflecting investor optimism about the restructuring’s potential to improve efficiency and profitability.