Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed his ministers and security officials to prepare proposals for possible nuclear weapons testing, warning the United States of a reciprocal response if it resumes nuclear tests. The move follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent order to lift the 1992 moratorium on nuclear testing and instruct the Pentagon to restart tests immediately. During a Security Council meeting on November 5, Putin said that if the U.S. or any signatory of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty resumes testing, Russia will be compelled to respond in kind. He instructed the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, intelligence agencies, and civilian institutions to collect information and develop coordinated plans prioritizing nuclear readiness. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov stated that the U.S. move significantly heightens the military threat to Russia, emphasizing the need to maintain Russia’s nuclear deterrence. Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov also warned that delaying action could cost Russia its strategic advantage. Analysts say the renewed nuclear testing rhetoric between Moscow and Washington—both major nuclear powers—marks a dangerous escalation, threatening to further undermine global arms control efforts already weakened by geopolitical tensions over the Ukraine war and sanctions.

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has released the complete 59-page verdict acquitting BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, and several others in the long-standing Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. Delivered on January 15 by a five-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, the unanimous ruling overturned the earlier convictions handed down by the trial court and the High Court. The full text, published on November 4 on the Supreme Court’s official website, declared that all appellants were found not guilty, effectively nullifying the prior sentences of imprisonment and fines. The verdict also stated that the prosecution had involved a “malicious misuse of law” and that the ruling applies to others convicted who did not file appeals. The judgment marks a significant legal and political turning point, restoring the reputation of the accused and putting an end to what the court described as unjust proceedings. The original case was filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 2008, resulting in a 2018 conviction of Khaleda Zia and others. With this decision, the Supreme Court brings closure to one of Bangladesh’s most politically charged legal battles.

The trial of Sitangshu Kumar (S.K.) Sur, former Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, has officially commenced after a Dhaka court framed charges against him in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The case involves allegations that Sur failed to submit a detailed statement of his assets within the stipulated time, as required under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act of 2004. On Thursday, November 6, Judge Ayesha Nasrin of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-2 read out the charges in the presence of the accused, who pleaded not guilty. The court then fixed January 20 as the date for recording witness testimonies. During the hearing, ACC Prosecutor Shamsuddin Md. Abul Kalam argued in favor of proceeding with the case, while no defense lawyer was present on behalf of the accused. According to case records, Sur received the ACC directive on October 27 of last year but failed to submit his wealth statement within 21 working days. Following an investigation, the ACC filed the formal charge sheet on August 25 this year. Sur has been in custody since his arrest on January 14 in Segunbagicha, Dhaka.

Nahid Islam, the convener of the newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP), has set a bold political deadline: if the party fails to attain power within the next 10 years, it will withdraw from politics altogether. In a recent media interview, Nahid stated that the NCP aims to establish itself as a major political force in Bangladesh within a decade, with the goal of forming the government and empowering citizens. Born out of the leadership of the July popular uprising, the NCP entered politics with a long-term vision. Nahid emphasized that their politics is rooted in collective ideology rather than individual ambition, noting that many have sacrificed their lives for this cause. Despite this long-term perspective, he admitted the party has set a clear timeline for achieving its objectives. Founded on February 28 this year, the NCP has already made notable progress, according to Nahid. He believes the movement’s momentum has propelled them years ahead of traditional political timelines. Confident in their current trajectory, Nahid insists that the next decade will determine the party’s fate — either as a governing power or as a movement that gracefully exits the political arena.

Bangladesh’s National Consensus Commission (NCC) has submitted its report on the July Charter, aimed at political and constitutional reforms, but major parties remain divided on its implementation. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) alleged its dissenting views were excluded from the final report, while leftist and smaller parties refused to sign the charter, citing lack of clarity and insufficient reflection of the Liberation War’s principles. The charter proposes restoring the caretaker government system, limiting prime ministerial terms, and ensuring institutional independence. Disagreements persist over the timing of a referendum and the adoption of a proportional representation system. With the ruling Awami League excluded from the consultation process, the absence of broad consensus threatens to stall democratic transformation and deepen political fragmentation in the country.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Islamabad may resort to military action if cross-border infiltration from Afghanistan persists. In an interview with Independent Urdu, Asif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful dialogue but stressed that the country would not hesitate to defend itself if hostile activities continue. He urged the Afghan Taliban to prevent their territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan, noting that no written assurance has yet been received. Asif also accused India of exerting influence in Kabul to undermine peace efforts and destabilize Pakistan. Despite regional tensions, he expressed cautious optimism about possible progress in ongoing talks aimed at easing border tensions and restoring stability in the region.

The Bangladesh Police Headquarters has issued a public warning about fraudulent activities involving the misuse of names and photos of government officials and senior officers. According to a statement posted on the police’s official Facebook page Thursday night, scammers have been sending WhatsApp messages impersonating high-ranking officials to demand money. The police cautioned citizens not to respond to such messages or assume that a profile picture of a well-known person confirms the authenticity of the number. Authorities assured that the police remain vigilant and will take strict legal action against anyone involved in such fraudulent schemes.

The central committee of Bangladesh’s opposition student organization, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), has expelled Rahat Hasan Kaiyum, the member secretary of Nakla Upazila JCD in Sherpur, following a violent assault on the local agriculture officer. The incident occurred on Wednesday when Rahat and his associate Fazlu stormed into the office of Upazila Agriculture Officer Shahariar Mursalin Mehedi. They allegedly attacked and verbally abused him after he refused to include their preferred individuals in the list of beneficiaries for government agricultural incentives. A CCTV recording of the attack went viral on social media, sparking widespread condemnation. In a statement issued on Thursday, signed by JCD’s central office secretary Jahangir Alam, it was confirmed that the expulsion was approved by JCD president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. The decision strips Rahat of his primary membership and all organizational positions. Meanwhile, police have filed a regular case at Nakla Police Station, naming Rahat and Fazlu as accused. Law enforcement authorities have initiated operations to arrest the culprits. The incident has raised concerns over political interference and violence in public administration offices.

The Trump administration has canceled 80,000 non-immigrant visas in the past nine months as part of its increasingly stringent immigration policy, according to a senior U.S. State Department official cited by Reuters. Following his inauguration on January 20, President Donald Trump took a firm stance against illegal immigration, fulfilling a campaign pledge to make America free of undocumented immigrants. A series of executive orders led to nationwide raids involving police, customs, and paramilitary forces, resulting in thousands of undocumented migrants being detained and deported. However, many of the 80,000 people affected were not undocumented. Several held valid short-term visas but had them revoked due to various offenses. Around 16,000 visas were canceled for driving under the influence, 12,000 for assault or violent behavior, and 8,000 for theft-related charges. In August alone, 6,000 foreign students lost their visas due to overstaying, breaking laws, or allegedly supporting terrorism. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in May that the visa revocations would continue as part of ensuring alignment with U.S. foreign policy priorities. The administration emphasized that individuals engaging in conduct contrary to U.S. laws or interests will face strict immigration consequences.

The Bangladesh government has introduced the draft of the Telecommunication (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, proposing strict penalties for using telecom or wireless equipment and digital platforms to spread communal, religious, or ethnic hatred. According to Section 66(k) of the draft, individuals, organizations, or groups found guilty of promoting hate speech that threatens national integrity, public order, or security may face imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to Tk 99 crore—or both. The ordinance also addresses other serious offenses, including hacking, disruption of satellite or defense communications, data fraud, and AI-based scams. Additionally, Section 69(k) criminalizes the use of telecom tools for transmitting obscene, intimidating, or extortion-related messages, prescribing up to two years’ imprisonment and a Tk 1.5 crore fine. Harassing others through repeated phone calls without valid reason could result in a fine of Tk 1 lakh and up to six months in jail. The draft ordinance, published by the Posts and Telecommunications Division on Wednesday, is open for public opinion until November 15. Feedback can be sent via email to secretary@ptd.gov.bd or by post to the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The High Court has granted bail to former Textiles and Jute Minister Abdul Latif Siddique in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Shahbagh Police Station in Dhaka. The order was issued by a division bench of the High Court on Thursday, November 6, as confirmed by Assistant Attorney General Ibrahim Khalil. Earlier, on August 29, a Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s court sent Siddique and 15 others to jail in connection with the same case. The case was filed by Sub-Inspector Md Amirul Islam of Shahbagh Police Station following a roundtable discussion organized by “Moncho 71” at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on August 28. According to the police report, Siddique allegedly delivered a speech encouraging armed resistance to overthrow the interim government, which authorities interpreted as an act of conspiracy against the state. Sixteen people, including university professors and senior citizens, were arrested during the event. The defense lawyers argued for bail, while the prosecution opposed it. After hearing both sides, the High Court decided to grant bail to Abdul Latif Siddique, providing temporary relief to the former minister amid ongoing legal proceedings.

Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DU CUSU) Vice-President Sadik Kayem has accused a group he calls "cultural fascists" of running a hateful smear campaign against student leaders AB Zubair and Sarbamitro Chakma. According to his verified Facebook post on the night of Wednesday, November 5, Kayem said the group opposed DU CUSU's operations while increasingly adopting extremist and violent positions. He alleges the group uses culture and art as tools to spread terror and to dehumanize individuals—portraying them as monsters—in response to recent university actions to clear illegal shops and to crack down on drug trafficking. Kayem warned that this dehumanization echoes past political-era tactics and described it as an attempt to make certain people "killable" by vilifying them publicly. He vowed that the student union will continue to fight against what he called "cultural terrorism" and the misuse of artistic expression to justify intimidation. Kayem further cautioned that if these cultural actors pursue a mission to render opponents homicidal rather than contest politics democratically, they will face consequences similar to historical political backlashes. He stressed that the new Bangladesh has no place for cultural terrorism and urged resistance to any attempts to shelter or legitimize such violent rhetoric. Unequivocally.

On the occasion of the historic National Revolution and Solidarity Day on November 7, BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman emphasized the urgent need to ensure free, fair, and participatory elections along with the protection of citizens’ fundamental human rights as essential conditions for establishing genuine democracy in Bangladesh. In a message signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Tarique Rahman reflected on the 1975 uprising, describing it as a turning point that safeguarded the nation’s sovereignty and marked the rise of nationalist politics opposing domination and autocracy. He stated that the soldiers and masses united on that day to restore democracy and protect national independence, leading to the release of Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of independence. Tarique accused successive authoritarian regimes, especially the current Awami government, of undermining democracy through fascist rule, corruption, repression, and suppression of dissent. He reiterated his call for uniting all nationalist forces to rebuild a democratic Bangladesh grounded in justice, good governance, and sovereignty. He also urged citizens to uphold the spirit of November 7 to defend freedom, culture, and national identity.

France-based Bangladeshi YouTuber and political commentator Pinaki Bhattacharya says two masked men tried to set his family’s home in Bogura ablaze around 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 4. The attempt reportedly occurred at the front door of the house, known locally as “Shyamapakhi,” beside the Altafunnesa playground in the Jaleshwaritala area. In a post on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, November 5, Bhattacharya alleged the act was politically motivated, saying assailants lit materials at the entrance while his elderly mother was inside, and vowed he would not be silenced. Neighbors told reporters they believe the individuals were drug users loitering nearby who left behind paraphernalia after trying to start a fire. Police visited the scene following media reports and the social-media post. Mahfuz Alam, the investigation officer at Bogura Sadar Police Station, said CCTV footage showed two young men outside the house around 2 a.m., adding they might be drug abusers, though all angles are being probed. Superintendent of Police Zedan Al Musa said additional personnel were deployed to guard the residence and that officers are analyzing video evidence to identify the suspects and determine motive. No injuries were reported; damage details were not specified, by authorities as yet.

Bangladesh’s political landscape has witnessed another surprise move as renowned economist and politician Reza Kibria has officially joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Confirming the matter to Jugantor on Wednesday, Kibria said he has already filled out the party’s primary membership form and will formally join within a few days. He also expressed his intention to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from the Habiganj-1 constituency under BNP’s traditional election symbol, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’. Kibria, the son of former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria, previously served as General Secretary of Gono Forum and later as the convener of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, led by former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nur. In 2018, he contested the general election as a candidate of the Jatiya Oikya Front alliance under the same symbol. However, in recent years he distanced himself from active politics following internal divisions within his former party. His re-entry into the BNP marks a significant political development ahead of the next national polls.