The Bangladesh 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. The updated list includes 64,814,907 male voters, 62,879,042 female voters, and 1,234 third-gender voters. Compared to the draft list published on November 3, both male and female voter numbers have increased slightly, with female voter growth at 4.16% and male voter growth at 2.29%. Individuals who turned 18 by October 31, 2025, have been added to the list, allowing many to vote for the first time in the upcoming election. The finalization of the voter list marks a key step in the preparation for the national polls, ensuring transparency and inclusiveness in the electoral process.

The Bangladesh government has decided in principle to establish a new public university named 'Dhaka Central University' by merging seven government colleges currently affiliated with the University of Dhaka. According to a statement from the Ministry of Education, the initiative aims to enhance education quality, ensure timely examinations, faster result publication, and improve administrative efficiency. An interim administration has been approved to manage admissions, registration, and teaching for the 2024–25 academic year, with classes set to begin on November 23. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has drafted the Dhaka Central University Ordinance 2025, which was published online to gather over 5,000 public opinions. The draft is now being reviewed and refined. The ministry emphasized that academic activities will continue uninterrupted during the transition and urged all stakeholders to avoid spreading misinformation. Officials view the move as a major step toward improving the country’s higher education system.

The eastern Chinese city of Ningbo has introduced a new incentive program to counter the country’s declining marriage rate. According to the city’s Civil Affairs Department, newly married couples will receive eight cash vouchers worth a total of 1,000 yuan (about $141 or £107). These vouchers can be used for wedding photography, ceremonies, celebrations, hotels, shopping, and other marriage-related services. The vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Similar initiatives have been launched in other eastern cities such as Hangzhou and Pinghu, running through the end of the year. Official data show that over 6.1 million couples registered marriages last year, down nearly 20% from 7.68 million in 2023. Analysts attribute the decline to high child-rearing and education costs. In response, Chinese authorities have promoted policies encouraging marriage and childbirth, including “love education” programs at universities and local government support for marriage at an “appropriate age.”

The Bangladesh National Chhatra Shakti has announced its 'Oikyo Boddho Jobian' panel for the upcoming Jagannath University Central Students’ Union and hall elections. The announcement was made by the organization’s central president, Zahid Hasan, on Tuesday, November 18, at the ground floor of the Language Martyr Rafiq Building on the university campus. Kishore Anjum Samya from the Department of Drama will contest for Vice President (VP), while Md. Faisal Murad from the Department of Management and current branch president of Chhatra Shakti will run for General Secretary (GS). Shahin Mia from the Department of History will contest for Assistant General Secretary. The 20-member panel also includes nominees for key posts such as education, science, health, law, culture, sports, and welfare. Additionally, seven candidates will compete for executive member positions. The announcement marks the formal entry of Chhatra Shakti-backed candidates into the JAKSU election race.

A Venezuelan court has sentenced 65-year-old physician Margie Orozco to 30 years in prison for allegedly spreading hatred, treason, and conspiracy after she criticized President Nicolás Maduro in a WhatsApp voice message. According to human rights groups cited by AFP, Orozco was arrested in August 2024 from San Juan de Colón during a period of intense political unrest following Maduro’s disputed re-election. The content of the alleged message and its recipients remain undisclosed. Rights organization JEP reported that Orozco suffered two heart attacks while in detention. Her harsh sentence has drawn renewed criticism of Maduro’s government, which has been accused of silencing dissent and persecuting opposition voices. The case highlights the deteriorating state of free expression and human rights in Venezuela amid ongoing political repression.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) has released new attendance instructions for candidates appearing in the 47th BCS written examination. According to a notice published on November 13 on the PSC website, candidates must enter the examination hall at least 15 minutes before the test begins to locate their assigned seats. The PSC stated that seating arrangements have been prepared randomly based on even and odd registration numbers to prevent unwanted situations. This randomization process may take extra time for candidates to identify their seats and rooms. Therefore, candidates are required to be present in the hall before the scheduled time. The notice also clarified that no candidate will be allowed to enter the examination hall after 9:45 a.m., as mentioned in the admit card and other official exam guidelines. The new instructions aim to ensure smooth and orderly conduct of the written examination.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened to target senior Palestinian Authority (PA) officials if the United Nations advances efforts to recognize a Palestinian state. Speaking at a meeting of the Otzma Yehudit party, Ben-Gvir described PA leaders as 'terrorists' and said they should be 'eliminated' if the UN grants statehood recognition to Palestine. His remarks, reported by The Jerusalem Post, have drawn strong condemnation from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry and the office of President Mahmoud Abbas, both of which labeled the comments as incitement and called for international accountability. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged the global community to take concrete action against such inflammatory rhetoric. The controversy comes as the UN Security Council recently voted in favor of a U.S.-drafted resolution supporting former President Donald Trump’s plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi described party acting chairman Tarique Rahman as a 'messenger of humanity' for his alleged personal efforts to support poor, oppressed, and talented individuals across Bangladesh. Speaking at an event in Bogura marking Tarique Rahman’s birthday, Rizvi claimed that Rahman secretly provides regular assistance to those in need, following Islamic principles of charity. Rizvi also launched strong political attacks on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of manipulating elections, relying on the judiciary and law enforcement to retain power, and misusing funds during the 2018 election. He further alleged that Hasina evicted BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from her home out of political vengeance. The event, organized by 'Amra BNP Poribar,' included a free medical camp, book distribution, and aid for farmers and disabled persons, attended by several BNP leaders and local representatives.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising and ordered the confiscation of all her and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal’s assets. According to affidavits submitted to the Election Commission before the 2024 national election, Sheikh Hasina declared assets worth about 43.4 million taka, including cash, bank deposits, savings certificates, jewelry, vehicles, and land in Gopalganj, Gazipur, and Rangpur. Asaduzzaman Khan declared assets worth approximately 102.5 million taka, comprising cash, bank deposits, bonds, vehicles, land, and properties. The tribunal’s order has sparked public curiosity about the extent of their wealth and the process of state takeover. The government has also warned against broadcasting statements from the convicted leaders. The verdict marks a major development in Bangladesh’s ongoing political and judicial upheaval following the July movement.

The interim government of Bangladesh has issued a stern warning against broadcasting or publishing statements from convicted and fugitive individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. A verified post from the Chief Adviser’s Office on Tuesday cited the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), which expressed concern over the circulation of what it described as false and inflammatory content by convicted persons through digital and electronic media. The NCSA stated that such content has been inciting violence, spreading hate speech, and undermining public order. It referenced the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025, which criminalizes the dissemination of hate or violence-inciting material online, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. The agency emphasized that law enforcement may take preventive measures, including content removal or blocking through the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). The warning follows the International Crimes Tribunal’s November 2025 verdict sentencing Hasina to death for crimes against humanity during the July uprising.

The Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has issued a notice requesting educational institutions to submit information on vacant teaching positions for the upcoming special recruitment recommendation. According to the announcement released on Tuesday, November 18, institutions must submit their vacancy data online between November 19 and 28. Only vacancies that existed up to September 30 of the current year will be accepted. The initiative covers MPO-listed private schools, colleges, madrasas, technical, and business management institutions. After submitting the online vacancy demand, institutions are required to pay the associated fee within three days. The collected data will be used for NTRCA’s next round of entry-level teacher recruitment recommendations.

Pakistan’s leading newspaper Dawn published an editorial commenting on the death sentence handed to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by a tribunal she had established during her rule. The editorial stated that Hasina, once a dominant political figure, was convicted of crimes against humanity by the International Crimes Tribunal after her government’s violent crackdown on mass protests in 2023. It noted that she fled to India in August 2024, calling the verdict biased and politically motivated. Dawn observed that the same tribunal had previously sentenced many of Hasina’s political opponents, including members of Jamaat-e-Islami and the BNP, to death, drawing criticism for partiality. The editorial further argued that Hasina’s government had become increasingly authoritarian, enriching allies and suppressing dissent, which eventually led to her downfall. It concluded that Bangladesh now faces a critical juncture, with an interim authority tasked with restoring full democratic governance ahead of the next election.

Japan has issued a security advisory for its citizens living in China as diplomatic tensions between the two countries intensify following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Taiwan. The Japanese embassy in Beijing urged nationals to remain vigilant, avoid crowded areas, and travel in groups whenever possible. Parents with children were asked to exercise extra caution and report any suspicious activity immediately. The advisory follows China’s warning to its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan after Tokyo suggested it might respond militarily if China attacks Taiwan. Both nations have exchanged formal protests, with Beijing accusing Japan of interfering in its internal affairs. The situation has sparked a verbal confrontation, with some Chinese officials making harsh comments perceived as threats. The Japanese government has refused to retract its stance, further straining bilateral relations between the two Asian powers.

Security forces, including the army, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), have been deployed at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka after protesters attempted to demolish Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic residence on Monday. The incident occurred on the day of the verdict in a war crimes case related to the July uprising. Demonstrators brought two excavators to the site but were stopped by security personnel, leading to several clashes. The protesters eventually left the area around 10 p.m. On Tuesday, police and BGB maintained barricades at the entrance of Road 32, while army vehicles were stationed near the house. Authorities confirmed that the excavators were removed overnight and that security remains tight around the premises. Earlier this year, parts of the house were damaged during previous unrest, including a fire incident on August 5, 2024.

In Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj, members of the banned Awami League-affiliated organizations Jubo League and Chhatra League organized a rally on Tuesday morning under police presence. The procession, led by Sirajdikhan Upazila Jubo League joint convener Zahidul Islam Litu, took place in Imamganj Bazar under the banner of the two prohibited groups. Witnesses said police vehicles accompanied the rally, raising controversy as the event occurred despite a ban on their political activities. The incident followed a day after the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for alleged crimes related to the 2024 uprising that left over 1,400 people dead. The local police chief confirmed the rally but claimed officers were unaware of the gathering until it dispersed. The public expressed surprise at the open defiance of the ban in front of law enforcement.