Despite Donald Trump’s early pledge to swiftly end the Ukraine war and reach a peace deal with Vladimir Putin, tensions between Washington and Moscow have intensified. The United States recently imposed new sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, while Russia tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile and Poseidon underwater drone. A much-anticipated Alaska summit between Trump and Putin yielded no progress, as Putin rejected Trump’s proposal to ease sanctions in exchange for a ceasefire, demanding Ukraine’s surrender and full control of Donbas. Diplomatic efforts by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff have also failed to bridge deep misunderstandings. Analysts say territorial issues, Ukraine’s political alignment, and security guarantees remain unresolved. With both sides escalating rather than compromising, the prospect of peace appears increasingly remote, and the conflict continues to fuel global instability.

In southern Bangladesh’s Barishal division, Islami Andolan Bangladesh has emerged as a new electoral force, particularly in Pirojpur-3 (Mathbaria), Barishal-5 (Sadar), and Patuakhali-4 (Kalapara–Rangabali). The party’s candidate in Pirojpur-3, former MP Dr. Rustam Ali Farazi, is drawing attention for his long record of switching political affiliations. Farazi previously represented the Jatiya Party, BNP, and also contested as an independent, winning and losing across different elections since 1996. Now running under Islami Andolan’s ‘hand fan’ symbol, he hopes his personal popularity—built through years of free medical service—will translate into votes. However, local BNP leaders argue that his repeated party changes have eroded public trust and that the BNP’s traditional support base remains strong. Analysts say the contest could reshape local political dynamics in these key constituencies.

BNP central leader and former minister Advocate Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu has urged the Election Commission to announce the national election schedule by December, emphasizing that the nation is waiting for a free and fair vote after nearly two decades. Speaking at a BNP-organized rally in Natore, Dulu accused the ruling Awami League of suppressing dissent through killings, abductions, and corruption. He alleged that Awami League leaders, now outside the country, are attempting to destabilize Bangladesh through online propaganda and artificial intelligence-generated videos. Dulu also claimed that Awami League supporters are behind recent arson incidents, while opposition forces are uniting against what he described as fascist rule. The rally was attended by several local BNP leaders, including Rahim Newaz and Kazi Shah Alam.

BNP central organizing secretary and Habiganj-3 candidate GK Gaus stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has always stood by the people during national crises and never fled abroad. Speaking at an election campaign meeting in Shayestaganj, he emphasized that BNP was born in Bangladesh and remains committed to serving the nation. Gaus criticized political opponents for attempting to mislead citizens and urged them to face the truth. He also accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of fleeing in the past and said the people would respond through ballots in the upcoming 2026 national election. Gaus called for a free and fair election, asserting that a BNP victory would reflect both local pride and national progress. Other local BNP leaders also addressed the gathering.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that maintaining law and order on the day of the verdict in the war crimes case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies, not political parties. Speaking to journalists in Chattogram after inaugurating the 'Medical Value Travel Summit' on November 14, Khasru emphasized that Bangladesh must move away from the culture of expecting political groups to manage public order. The International Crimes Tribunal is set to deliver its verdict on November 17 in the case accusing Hasina of crimes against humanity during the July uprising. Khasru added that the judiciary should be allowed to function independently and that the BNP’s focus remains on ensuring a democratic transition and fair elections in the country.

Mazharul Islam Nipu, the convener of the Agailjhara unit of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has been nominated as the party’s candidate for the Barishal-1 constituency (covering Gournadi and Agailjhara) in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. The nomination was officially handed over to him at the NCP central office in Banglamotor on Thursday evening by senior party leaders. During the event, Nipu expressed his commitment to serve the people rather than rule over them, emphasizing the need to end exploitation of the working class. Other political parties have also announced their candidates for the same seat, including BNP’s former MP M. Zahir Uddin Swapan, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Maulana Kamrul Islam Khan, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Russell Sardar Mehedi.

A delegation from Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP) held a policy dialogue with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission team in Dhaka to discuss the country’s economic challenges and reform priorities. The NCP thanked the IMF for its continued support and emphasized that structural reforms are vital for sustainable development. The IMF expressed concerns over GDP growth, revenue collection, distressed assets, and youth employment. NCP representatives reaffirmed their commitment to economic progress through revenue digitalization and financial sector reforms, despite slow implementation. The meeting also addressed issues of past government corruption, governance, transparency, and the need for a peaceful transition from the interim to an elected government. Both sides agreed that Bangladesh’s hardworking citizens remain the driving force behind its resilience and long-term stability.

A new Reuters–Ipsos poll reveals that 58% of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s performance, marking his lowest approval level since taking office. Conducted online over six days among 1,200 adults, the survey found Trump’s approval steady at around 40%, while disapproval rose from 52% in May to 58% in November. The poll also indicates growing enthusiasm among Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with 44% of Democratic voters saying they are highly motivated to vote compared to 26% of Republicans. Recent Democratic victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York have fueled optimism within the party. The survey concluded just before Congress voted to end a record 43-day government shutdown by passing a temporary spending bill extending federal funding until January 30.

The Bangladesh government has transferred and appointed 29 new deputy commissioners (DCs) across various districts, sparking renewed debate over neutrality, competence, and political loyalty within the civil administration. Critics allege that many of the new appointees are politically aligned with the ruling Awami League, raising concerns about fairness and transparency in the run-up to the national election. Several officials with limited field experience, including members of the Economic Cadre, have been given key administrative roles, prompting fears of inefficiency and bias. Notably, some appointees have faced corruption allegations or have publicly expressed political affiliations on social media. Former senior bureaucrats and governance experts warn that such politically influenced appointments could undermine administrative neutrality and erode public trust during the election period, urging the Public Administration Ministry to review its selection process.

Winter has started to settle across Bangladesh, with the lowest temperature recorded at 14°C in Tetulia, Panchagarh, on Friday, November 14. According to the Bangladesh Weather Observatory Team (BWOT), if sea conditions remain stable, the country's first cold wave of the season is expected in December. Although cooler weather will be felt nationwide before then, temperatures are unlikely to drop enough to trigger a cold wave. The BWOT noted that the current mild chill will persist throughout November, allowing people to enjoy a pleasant, crisp atmosphere before the onset of harsher winter conditions next month.

Police in Khagrachhari’s Ramgarh area detained two Chinese nationals, Jiang Chengthong and Teng Tonggu, on Thursday evening for allegedly entering a residential building without official permission. The pair, who arrived in the area through a local aluminum company foreman, rented an apartment claiming it would be used as an electronics warehouse. Authorities seized laptops and other electronic devices from them. According to police, the two had been staying in Chattogram’s Khulshi area for about a month and a half before moving to Ramgarh. Under government regulations, foreign nationals require special permission to enter the Chittagong Hill Tracts, which they lacked. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is assisting in examining the seized devices, and legal action will be taken as per law. Both individuals remain in police custody as of Friday afternoon.

The Secondary and Higher Education Division of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education has released a new policy for student admissions to government secondary schools for the upcoming academic year. The system will continue to use a centralized online digital lottery for student selection, application submission, fee payment, and result publication. Each class will admit a maximum of 55 students. The policy reserves 5% of seats for children of freedom fighters, 0.5% for children of ministry officials, and additional quotas for special needs students, twins, and siblings. Students can apply to up to five schools, and no admission tests will be held. The academic year will run from January 1 to December 31. The policy aims to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and efficiency in the admission process across the country.

At least eight people were killed and many injured as Russia launched a massive missile and drone assault across Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attack involved around 430 drones and 18 missiles, including ballistic and aeroballistic types, causing severe damage to residential and critical infrastructure in multiple regions. Debris from an Iskander missile reportedly struck the Azerbaijani embassy complex in Kyiv. Ukrainian officials confirmed that a Zircon missile was identified in the Sumy region. Emergency services are conducting rescue and firefighting operations. Zelensky renewed his call for additional air defense systems and interceptor missiles from Europe and the United States, urging stronger sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have shot down 216 Ukrainian drones overnight, declaring a state of emergency in the city of Novorossiysk after the attacks.

Twelve platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in Dhaka and nearby districts to maintain law and order following a series of arson and violence incidents. BGB spokesperson Shariful Islam confirmed the deployment on Friday, citing the need to ensure public safety. The move comes after multiple cases of buses and vehicles being set on fire across the capital in recent days. On Thursday night, miscreants torched a parked bus in Shah Ali Beribadh area, leading to one suspect’s death while fleeing and another being detained by locals. Similar arson attacks were reported earlier in Kamalapur, Jatrabari, Uttara, and other areas, along with crude bomb (cocktail) attacks targeting police. Authorities have increased security measures to prevent further unrest and ensure public safety in the capital.

The Secondary and Higher Education Division of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education has released the new admission policy for government secondary schools, retaining the digital lottery system for the upcoming academic year. According to the policy, 63% of seats will remain under various quotas, including 40% for catchment area students, 5% for children of freedom fighters, 2% for students with special needs, and 1% for children of ministry officials, split equally between ministry and subordinate offices. The twin quota has been reduced to 2%, while the sibling quota increased to 3%. Students can apply to a maximum of five schools, and the entire process will be managed centrally through digital lottery. Online applications will run from November 21 to December 7, with the lottery scheduled for December 14 and admissions from December 17 to 21.