A group of attackers set fire to a sugar-laden truck and vandalized a police vehicle on the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway near Naodoba in Shibchar upazila on Thursday morning. According to highway police, members of a banned faction of the Chhatra League attempted to block the expressway by placing tree logs, disrupting traffic. The situation escalated when the assailants torched the truck and damaged a police car. Additional police forces were deployed to the scene and brought the situation under control. Shibchar Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Md Zahurul Islam confirmed that the situation is now stable and regular patrols are ongoing to ensure security along the expressway.

Iran commemorated the 14th death anniversary of Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, widely regarded as the father of the country’s missile program. Born in 1959 in Tehran, Moghaddam played a pivotal role during the Iran-Iraq War in developing Iran’s indigenous missile capabilities. As a key figure in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), he led the creation of the artillery and missile units that later produced Iran’s first domestically made missiles. Under his leadership, Iran developed the Shahab and Zelzal series, laying the foundation for modern Iranian missile technology. Moghaddam also assisted in establishing Hezbollah’s first missile unit in Lebanon. He was killed in a 2011 explosion at a military base near Tehran, along with 16 colleagues, and was buried with state honors. His legacy continues to shape Iran’s defense and aerospace ambitions.

Thousands of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activists held a large protest march in Babukhali Union of Magura’s Mohammadpur upazila, demanding the cancellation of Nitai Roy Chowdhury’s nomination as a potential candidate for the Magura-2 constituency. The demonstrators called for former MP Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal to be nominated instead, claiming that Chowdhury is disconnected from grassroots supporters and unpopular among local leaders. The rally, which included members of BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal, paraded through Thakur’s Hat market area before concluding at Dumurshia. Speakers at the event warned that nominating Chowdhury could weaken the party’s position and increase the risk of electoral defeat. Several former local BNP leaders, including former upazila chairmen and union leaders, attended the protest.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has scheduled November 17 for delivering the verdict in a war crimes case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two former officials. The case relates to alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumdar, announced the date on November 13. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun are co-accused. Hasina and Kamal remain fugitives, while Mamun is in custody and has testified as a witness. Security has been tightened around the Supreme Court and tribunal premises, with army deployment following official correspondence between the Supreme Court and military headquarters. The verdict is expected to have significant political and legal implications for Bangladesh.

Police in Gazipur have heightened security measures to maintain law and order surrounding a banned Awami League program. Mobile patrols, additional checkposts, and increased deployment of officers have been introduced across key city areas including Konabari, Chandna Chowrasta, Bhogra Bypass, and Tongi. Authorities report no untoward incidents so far. Police teams are actively inspecting suspicious vehicles and passengers while maintaining vigilance at bus and truck stands. Despite reduced traffic on highways, businesses, garment factories, and financial institutions remain open. Officials affirmed that the force is fully prepared to prevent any acts of sabotage or unrest linked to the prohibited political activities.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 in Bangladesh continued the 13th day of witness hearings in the case over the killing of Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University and the first martyr of the July uprising. On Thursday, police constable Abu Bakar Siddique testified as a witness before a three-member panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The case involves 30 accused, including former vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid, with six in custody and 24 still absconding. Prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Abdus Sobhan Tarafdar led the state’s case. Previous witnesses included police officers and students who described the shooting incident allegedly carried out under orders from senior officers. The tribunal began formal proceedings on August 27 after charges were framed against the accused earlier in August. A total of 62 witnesses are expected to testify in the case.

Former US President Donald Trump has written to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, requesting a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently facing corruption and abuse of power charges. Herzog’s office confirmed receipt of the letter on November 12, noting that any pardon request must follow formal procedures. In his letter, Trump described the charges against Netanyahu as politically motivated and unjust, praising him as a long-time ally in confronting adversaries such as Iran. Netanyahu, who has denied all allegations, thanked Trump publicly on social media for his support. The Israeli leader’s trial has faced multiple delays due to the ongoing Gaza conflict, while Trump’s intervention has drawn attention to the close ties between the two politicians.

Former Home Minister Sohel Taj has raised questions about who is responsible for recent incidents of arson, cocktail explosions, and political violence in Dhaka. In a Facebook post on November 12, he criticized what he described as the autocratic and corrupt rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her government of killings, disappearances, corruption, and undermining democracy. Taj urged people to read two books by freedom fighter Matiur Rahman Rentu—'Amar Fashi Chai' and 'Ontoraler Hotyakari Prodhanmontri'—to understand who benefits from such acts of violence. His comments come amid renewed political tension and violence in Bangladesh’s capital, where buses have been set on fire and several explosions reported.

Police have arrested 11 people from different areas of Ashulia as opposition activists from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP held demonstrations and sit-ins along the Dhaka-Aricha and Nabinagar-Chandra highways. The protests were organized in response to the Awami League’s banned online-announced ‘Dhaka Lockdown’ program. To maintain order, additional police, RAB, and intelligence personnel were deployed, with checkpoints set up at key points and surveillance intensified. Public transport movement was lower than usual, causing inconvenience to commuters. Authorities confirmed that no incidents of violence or sabotage had been reported so far. The arrests were made during overnight and early morning raids across Savar and Ashulia areas.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin has issued a stern warning to political parties over the use of posters in election campaigns, emphasizing that such materials are banned under the electoral code of conduct. Speaking at a meeting with registered political parties at the Election Commission building on Thursday, he urged all parties to remove campaign posters voluntarily, calling it a matter of decency and compliance. The CEC cautioned that failure to do so would prompt strict enforcement actions. He also reiterated the Election Commission’s commitment to ensuring a fair, credible, and participatory election, stressing the need for cooperation from all 54 registered political parties. Nasir Uddin affirmed that all parties are equal before the Commission and urged them to assist before, during, and after the voting process to maintain transparency and trust.

Bangladeshi model and actress Tanjia Zaman Methila has made history by ranking among the top three contestants in the ongoing Miss Universe 2025 competition, currently taking place in Pak Kret, Thailand. Representing Bangladesh, Methila secured over 192,000 votes in the ‘People’s Choice’ category, placing her third behind contestants from the Philippines and Chile. She is also performing strongly in several other categories, including first place in ‘Best National Costume’ and second in both ‘Miss Congeniality’ and ‘Best Evening Gown’. Methila expressed her gratitude to Bangladeshi fans for their overwhelming support and said she is motivated to continue performing well. Voting continues until November 19, with the grand finale scheduled for November 21. This marks Bangladesh’s best-ever performance in the Miss Universe pageant.

Dhaka witnessed normal traffic flow on Thursday morning despite the Awami League’s announcement of a citywide lockdown in connection with the upcoming verdict in a war crimes case involving fugitive Sheikh Hasina and two others. Law enforcement agencies were deployed across key points in the capital, conducting searches on suspicious vehicles as a precautionary measure. Police officials reported no incidents of violence, arson, or demonstrations as of midday, describing the overall situation as stable. Commuters and office-goers were seen heading to their workplaces, with traffic congestion increasing in major areas like Farmgate and Karwan Bazar. Authorities continue to maintain heightened vigilance to prevent any untoward incidents throughout the day.

A sharp drop in temperature has gripped Panchagarh district in northern Bangladesh, with the Tetulia weather station recording a minimum of 13.4°C early Thursday and humidity at 99%. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has warned that a cold wave is likely to hit the region by the end of November as cold Himalayan winds continue to lower temperatures. Local laborers working outdoors, particularly those engaged in sand extraction from the Karatoa River, are struggling to cope with the biting cold. Residents report dense fog in the early mornings and freezing conditions until sunrise, with only slight relief during the day. Meteorologist Jitendranath Roy confirmed that temperatures have been steadily declining over recent days, signaling the onset of the season’s first cold wave.

A sugar truck was set on fire in Jajira, Shariatpur, on Thursday morning following a rally by activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliates. The incident occurred near Naodoba on the Bhanga-Dhaka Expressway, where participants reportedly carried sticks and crude bombs during the procession. Shortly after the rally, unidentified miscreants torched a sugar-laden truck heading from Dhaka to Bhanga, disrupting traffic for over half an hour. Police arrived at the scene, but the perpetrators had fled before their arrival. A 39-second video of the rally was later uploaded to the verified Facebook page of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, showing participants chanting slogans and brandishing weapons. Authorities confirmed that traffic has since returned to normal and security measures have been reinforced to prevent further unrest.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Colonel (Retd.) Dr. Oli Ahmed has alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad were involved in the assassination of former President Ziaur Rahman. In a recent interview with a private television channel, Oli Ahmed claimed that Ziaur Rahman was killed 17 days after Sheikh Hasina’s return to Bangladesh and suggested that both leaders were linked to the incident. He also made controversial remarks about the killing of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s family, claiming that people celebrated the event at the time. Additionally, he criticized Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s leadership and questioned his designation as the Father of the Nation, arguing that the military was too weak to oppose him during his rule.