Eight political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, organized a protest rally in Netrokona demanding a referendum before the upcoming national election. The demonstration, held on Friday afternoon, began at the Netrokona Central Jame Mosque and ended in front of the district press club. The protesters presented a five-point demand, with the referendum being the central issue. The event was led by Jamaat district secretary Professor Badrul Amin and attended by several local leaders, including Professor Maulana Mahbubur Rahman and representatives from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. A separate rally with similar demands was also organized by Bangladesh Islami Andolan in the same city, reflecting growing political pressure for electoral reforms ahead of the national polls.

Three government advisers from the ministries of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Industries, Housing and Public Works, and Commerce visited Bhola on Friday to inspect the proposed gas-based urea fertilizer plant site. The advisers—Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan, Adilur Rahman Khan, and Sheikh Bashir Uddin—confirmed that the project aims to utilize Bhola’s abundant gas reserves. They also visited Bapex’s gas fields in Borhanuddin, where nine wells have been completed and five more are planned soon, with an additional fourteen under consideration. Adilur Rahman Khan stated that the visit was part of a feasibility study to determine the plant’s location and potential. He added that 34 buffer warehouses are being built nationwide to strengthen fertilizer management, including one in Bhola. Local officials and community representatives attended a later meeting discussing gas supply and local development.

Nusrat Tabassum, joint convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has received her party’s nomination to contest the upcoming national parliamentary election from the Kushtia-1 (Daulatpur) constituency under the 'Shapla Koli' symbol. She confirmed the news through a Facebook post, expressing gratitude and seeking prayers and support from well-wishers. Nusrat mentioned her seven to eight years of active involvement in politics, including one year in national politics. Reflecting on her political journey, she recalled past struggles and solidarity with fellow activists against authoritarianism. Her candidacy marks NCP’s effort to strengthen its presence in the upcoming election, with Nusrat emphasizing her commitment to contribute meaningfully to her constituency and the country.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has accused three government advisers of working in favor of a particular political group and misleading the administration to obstruct a fair election. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, he alleged that these advisers were influencing the chief adviser, Dr. Yunus, and pushing for partisan appointments within the administration. Dr. Taher demanded their immediate removal and said their names would be submitted to the chief adviser. He also criticized the government’s handling of the July Charter implementation order, claiming it unfairly benefits one party and complicates the referendum process. Additionally, he rejected the idea of holding the referendum and national election on the same day, arguing it would diminish the significance of the referendum and undermine reform efforts.

Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur stated that there is no longer any uncertainty about the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for February, following the Chief Adviser’s recent speech. Speaking at a press briefing in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar, Nur welcomed the initiative to hold the national election and referendum on the same day. He noted that earlier political divisions over the implementation of the July Charter had created doubts about the election’s feasibility, but the Chief Adviser’s remarks have largely dispelled those concerns. Nur urged all political parties to cooperate with the government to ensure a fair election and warned that associates of Sheikh Hasina were allegedly attempting to sabotage the electoral process through acts of violence.

Vote counting is underway in Bihar’s assembly elections, with early results indicating a decisive lead for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The alliance is ahead in over 200 of the 243 assembly seats, surpassing the 122-seat majority mark required to form the government. The elections were held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with an overall voter turnout of around 67 percent. BJP and its ally Janata Dal (United) have already begun celebrations across the state. Meanwhile, the Congress party faces another major setback, with its leaders acknowledging disappointing results. Pre-election surveys had also predicted a strong NDA victory, which the early trends now confirm.

An arson incident occurred again on a railway track in Brahmanbaria on Thursday night, when unidentified miscreants set fire to tires placed on the rail line near Bhatsala area of Sadar upazila. The fire temporarily disrupted train movement, causing the Chattogram-bound Mahanagar Express to remain halted at Brahmanbaria station for about 15 minutes. Police from Sadar and Akhaura Railway Thana quickly responded, extinguished the fire, and restored normal train operations by midnight. This was the second such incident in the same area within two days, raising concerns about railway security. Authorities have launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the repeated acts of sabotage.

A fire caused by an electrical short circuit broke out early Friday morning in Rangunia, Chattogram, burning three residential houses, a furniture shop, an office, and a warehouse. The incident occurred in Ward No. 5 of Rangunia Municipality. Firefighters from the Rangunia Fire Service Station arrived promptly and managed to bring the blaze under control after about one and a half hours of effort. According to the Fire Service and Civil Defense, the properties belonged to Md. Yusuf Mia. The estimated damage amounts to around Tk 5 lakh, while goods worth Tk 10 lakh were saved due to the quick response. The firefighting operation was led by Acting Station Officer Md. Jasim Uddin.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has pledged full support to Monira Khatun and her daughter Afia, who were abandoned by Monira’s husband due to the child’s albinism. Following widespread media coverage of their story, Rahman directed party officials to build a home for Monira and take responsibility for Afia’s education and the family’s welfare. On Friday, BNP’s Khulna divisional acting organizational secretary Anindya Islam Amit visited the family in Jessore and delivered the party’s assistance. Local administration and various organizations have also begun providing legal and social aid to the mother and child. The case has drawn national attention, highlighting social stigma surrounding genetic conditions like albinism and sparking discussions on compassion and inclusion.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Naib-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has alleged that Bangladesh’s interim government has lost its neutrality and is working to bring a particular party to power through the upcoming election. Speaking at a joint press conference of eight like-minded parties in Moghbazar on Friday, he criticized the chief adviser’s recent address, claiming it prioritized the BNP’s demands. Taher argued that the government cannot ensure a fair election and urged separate dates for the national election and the referendum. He also said the chief adviser ignored the obligations of the July Charter. The eight-party alliance plans to announce new programs after their meeting on Sunday to press their five-point demands.

The Bangladesh Judicial Service Association (BJSA) has warned of a nationwide work stoppage by judges starting Sunday if the government fails to ensure adequate security for all courts, judges’ residences, and their travel routes within 48 hours. The BJSA issued the ultimatum following the brutal killing of a judge’s son and the injury of his wife in Rajshahi. The association demanded immediate deployment of security forces and disciplinary action against police officers accused of negligence and unprofessional conduct in handling the case. Expressing deep shock and anger, the BJSA said the judiciary has long been ignored despite repeated appeals for protection. Judges across the country are reportedly outraged, describing the incident as a reflection of the state’s failure to safeguard those who uphold justice.

Interim government press secretary Shafiqul Alam has strongly criticized certain Bangladeshi media outlets for publishing fabricated and baseless stories. In a verified Facebook post, he singled out the newspaper Manabzamin and its editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, accusing them of disregarding journalistic ethics. Alam compared the situation to the UK, where tabloids face heavy fines for defamation, arguing that in Bangladesh, such accountability is absent. He claimed that some editors hide behind the notion of press freedom to avoid responsibility for false reporting. Alam also stated that since the interim government took office, journalists have enjoyed unprecedented freedom, even to comment critically on the military, but some still exaggerate claims of media repression. He questioned the depth of human rights groups’ investigations into alleged attacks on journalists.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has accused a political group of exploiting religion for political gain and oppressing women in Bangladesh. Speaking at a rally in Dhaka organized by the BNP-affiliated Women and Child Rights Forum, he claimed that the group seeks to confine women to domestic spaces and hinder their progress. Ahmed criticized the misuse of laws and called for stronger enforcement to protect women from violence. He also opposed proposals to reduce women’s working hours, arguing that such measures would harm female employment opportunities. The event, led by Begum Selima Rahman and attended by several BNP leaders, concluded with a silent march from Shahbagh to the Central Shaheed Minar. Ahmed emphasized equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion or gender and announced a 31-point plan for women’s empowerment.

With the onset of winter, Dhaka’s vegetable markets are seeing relief as prices of most vegetables and eggs decline due to increased supply. However, onion prices have sharply risen by up to 50 percent within a week, now selling for Tk 110–120 per kilogram compared to Tk 70–80 earlier. Traders attribute the spike to limited availability of old stock, though they expect prices to fall soon as new onions enter the market. The government is monitoring the situation and may allow limited imports if prices remain unstable, ensuring local farmers are not harmed. Meanwhile, winter vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, beans, radish, and turnip are becoming more abundant, bringing down prices across markets.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced that the Awami League will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming national election, as its activities remain suspended under the country’s anti-terrorism law. He made the statement during a meeting with UK Minister for International Development Baroness Jenny Chapman on November 13. According to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s office, the Election Commission has already removed the party from the list of registered political parties. Yunus emphasized that the forthcoming election, expected in early February, will be inclusive and participatory, with around one million new young voters expected to cast their votes. He also referred to the July Charter as a new beginning for Bangladesh, reflecting the aspirations of millions who took part in last year’s mass uprising. The meeting also covered trade expansion, the Rohingya crisis, and cooperation in aviation and maritime sectors.