Former opposition chief whip Zainul Abedin Faruq has called on all political and social groups to set aside divisions and work together for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest at an event marking Senbagh Liberation Day, organized by the Senbagh Upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad Command Council, Faruq emphasized that despite differing opinions on various issues, unity is essential for national progress. He suggested that implementing Tarique Rahman’s 31-point plan could help resolve long-standing administrative problems and ensure a fair and beautiful election in the future. The event, chaired by Abdul Azim Chowdhury, was attended by several freedom fighters and local BNP leaders, including Abul Kalam Azad, Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan, and Abu Taher. Faruq’s remarks reflected a call for reconciliation and collective effort in addressing the country’s ongoing challenges.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasized that establishing democracy in Bangladesh requires moving away from mob violence and fostering unity among democratic forces. Speaking at a book launch and documentary screening titled 'BNP in the Uprising of 2024' in Dhaka’s Gulshan, Fakhrul criticized what he described as attempts to divert attention from the International Crimes Tribunal’s verdict against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by inciting mob unrest. He urged political parties to investigate such developments and called for collective efforts to rebuild democratic institutions. Fakhrul said Bangladesh must return to the path of democracy to avoid becoming a failed state, stressing the need for an independent judiciary, parliament, media, and administration. He also noted that the country is in a transitional period ahead of elections and that true democracy requires building a democratic culture beyond the polls. Several senior BNP leaders and allied political figures attended the event.

Police in Narayanganj’s Bandar area arrested two local Awami League leaders during a special operation on Tuesday night, November 18. The detainees were identified as Moshior Rahman Suju, 48, general secretary of the ruling party’s 23rd Ward unit under Narayanganj City Corporation, and Abdullah Babu, 65, vice president of the Bandar Upazila Awami League. Suju is a resident of Kadamrasul area, while Babu hails from Kalyandi. According to Bandar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Liaquat Ali, both men were apprehended from their respective neighborhoods and were sent to court on Wednesday. The reasons behind their arrests were not immediately disclosed by the authorities. The incident has drawn attention locally, as both individuals hold significant positions within the party’s grassroots leadership in the industrial district of Narayanganj.

The 55-kilometer Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, one of the world’s largest engineering feats, has become a major tourist attraction since its 2018 opening. Spanning the Pearl River Delta, the bridge took nine years to build at a cost of around USD 20 billion. Tourists are drawn to its vast structure, modern design, and panoramic sea views, making it a favorite spot for photography and sightseeing. Visitors particularly appreciate the tranquil scenery and the illuminated night views that create a distinct visual experience. The bridge connects Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai, with 24-hour shuttle buses and cross-border coaches facilitating travel. Tourists must carry valid travel documents as the bridge crosses three jurisdictions. The best time to visit is between October and March for clear skies, while evenings offer the best lighting for photos. Nearby attractions include observation points, ferry tours, and city landmarks in Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent has described Saudi Arabia as the United States’ most important ally in the Middle East, expressing support for the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Riyadh. In an interview with Fox News on October 18, Besent said Washington relied on Saudi military support during the recent 12-day Iran-US conflict, praising the kingdom’s role as a key regional power. His remarks coincided with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s official visit to Washington, where both nations signed a joint declaration on nuclear energy cooperation. The White House confirmed that the agreement lays a legal foundation for a multi-billion-dollar nuclear project while adhering to non-proliferation commitments. Additionally, President Donald Trump approved a major defense deal that includes the future delivery of advanced F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia. During his visit, the Crown Prince pledged a $1 trillion investment in the US, reaffirming Saudi confidence in America’s economic future.

Around 491,000 air tickets for flights from China to Japan have been cancelled following Beijing’s travel advisory urging citizens to avoid Japan. The cancellations, which surged over the weekend, affected more than 80 percent of scheduled flights on Sunday and over 75 percent on Monday, according to aviation analyst Li Hanming. He noted that cancellations were 27 times higher than new bookings, reflecting widespread safety concerns among Chinese travelers. Airlines have responded by offering full refunds for Japan-bound flights. The sudden drop in demand could cost airlines billions of yuan in lost revenue and may force short-term capacity adjustments if diplomatic tensions persist. Analysts compared the scale of cancellations to the early 2020 period when Covid-19 outbreaks caused a sharp decline in air travel during the Lunar New Year holiday. The situation underscores how geopolitical strains can rapidly disrupt regional travel and aviation markets.

A petrol bomb was thrown at the Suapur branch of Grameen Bank in Dhamrai, Dhaka, early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. when two unidentified individuals arrived on a motorcycle and hurled the bomb at the bank office located on the second floor of a two-storey building in Suapur Bazar. The bomb hit a wall and fell onto the roof of an adjacent tin-shed room, causing a small fire. Local residents and the night guard quickly extinguished the flames, preventing any damage or injuries. CCTV footage captured the attack and the resulting fire. Police have visited the scene and launched an investigation. According to Dhamrai Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam, five of the six Grameen Bank branches in the area operate from rented premises with local security guards, and police monitoring has been increased. Legal action is being taken regarding the incident.

Meta has won a landmark antitrust case brought by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which sought to force the company to divest Instagram and WhatsApp. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled that the FTC failed to prove Meta currently holds monopoly power in social networking. The decision contrasts with recent rulings against Google, which was found to have monopolized search and advertising markets. The FTC argued Meta maintained dominance through anticompetitive acquisitions and policies, citing CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s 2008 remark that it was 'better to buy than compete.' However, the court found that the social media landscape has evolved significantly since the FTC filed its 2020 lawsuit, with TikTok emerging as a major rival. Meta welcomed the ruling, saying it reflects the intense competition it faces. Analysts noted that while the verdict is a major victory, Meta still faces upcoming regulatory challenges, including trials over social media’s impact on children’s mental health.

A new documentary titled 'Crisis-Struggle-Success' focusing on BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is set to premiere online on Thursday, November 20. The film, produced under the supervision of Ashiq Islam, senior assistant press secretary to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, explores various aspects of Rahman’s life and political journey. It features commentary and discussions from politicians, academics, journalists, students, lawyers, judges, human rights activists, and artists, reflecting on his past, present, and future roles in Bangladesh’s political landscape. The documentary also highlights Rahman’s contributions to democracy and human rights advocacy in the country. Created to mark his birthday, it includes reflections on his political struggles, sacrifices, and vision for Bangladesh. Several prominent journalists were involved in the production, according to an official press release issued on Wednesday.

A Dhaka court has sentenced a woman to one year in prison for concealing her previous marriage from her second husband. The court also handed a two-year jail term to the marriage registrar (kazi) involved in the wedding and revoked his license. The verdict was delivered by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Zakir Hossain on Tuesday in a fraud case filed by computer engineer Zahid Hasan. The convicted woman, identified as Mosammat Nusrat Jahan Tasnim alias Tasmin Nahar (26), and kazi Abu Musa Ahmed were each fined 5,000 taka, with an additional one-month jail term if unpaid. Nusrat was sent to prison immediately after the verdict, while the kazi remains absconding and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. The case originated in 2020 after Zahid discovered that Nusrat had hidden her earlier marriage when marrying him in 2017. Another accused, Aminul Islam, was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has requested the Election Commission (EC) to deploy at least five army personnel at every polling center, arguing that a single soldier per center would not ensure adequate security or influence. The party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, made the appeal during a dialogue with the EC in Agargaon, Dhaka. Jamaat also proposed that administrative reshuffles be conducted through a lottery system to ensure neutrality. Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad urged the EC to act courageously, recommending the use of CCTV cameras and the recovery of illegal weapons. Barrister Shishir Monir raised concerns about ambiguities in the electoral code of conduct, including unclear punishment procedures for violations and the lack of specified timelines for resolving complaints. The party emphasized the need for transparency in voter lists and clarity on where political commitment documents should be submitted.

The Business Community Bangladesh (BCB) has announced the closure of all mobile phone retail shops across the country in protest against the alleged detention of SumashTech CEO Abu Sayeed Piyas by the Detective Branch (DB) of police. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Wednesday, November 19. According to Piyas’s family, he was taken from his Mirpur-1 residence around 3 a.m. by DB officers, who also confiscated his mobile phone. The association’s leaders demanded his immediate release, warning of a nationwide movement if he is not freed within the day. The incident has sparked concern among business communities and raised questions about the circumstances of Piyas’s detention. Law enforcement authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the matter.

An unidentified group set fire to a stationary bus along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway near the MC Bazar area of Sreepur upazila in Gazipur early Wednesday, November 19. The bus was parked beside Sufia Textile Mills when the incident occurred. A video showing the burning bus later circulated widely on social media, prompting public concern. Police officials, including Sreepur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Muhammad Abdul Barik, confirmed that they had seen the video but were yet to verify its authenticity. Law enforcement teams have been dispatched to the scene to investigate the incident and identify those responsible. Authorities have not yet determined the motive behind the arson or whether it was linked to any broader unrest or criminal activity. No casualties were reported at the time of filing this report.

A petrol bomb was thrown at a Grameen Bank office in Dhamrai, on the outskirts of Dhaka, causing panic among local residents and staff. According to initial police reports, the attack occurred late at night, though no casualties were reported. Firefighters quickly responded and brought the situation under control before the flames could spread. Authorities have launched an investigation to identify those responsible and determine the motive behind the incident. Law enforcement officials suspect the attack may be linked to recent political tensions or attempts to create unrest ahead of national events. Security measures around financial institutions in the area have been tightened following the incident. Grameen Bank officials have condemned the attack and urged for swift justice. The government has also assured that there is no broader threat to public safety at this time.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission has released the final voter list for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, confirming a total of 127,695,183 eligible voters. The announcement was made by Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed at the Election Commission office in Agargaon on Tuesday, November 18. According to the data, there are 64,814,907 male voters, 62,879,042 female voters, and 1,234 third-gender voters. The male voter growth rate stands at 2.29 percent, while female voter growth is higher at 4.16 percent. The finalized list includes citizens who turned 18 by October 31, 2025, making many first-time voters eligible to participate in the upcoming election. The earlier draft list, published on November 3, recorded slightly fewer voters. The finalization marks a key step in the country’s preparations for the next general election.