The Bangladesh Judicial Service Association (BJSA) has withdrawn its previously announced pen-down strike following assurances from the government to meet their two key demands: immediate deployment of adequate security forces at all courts, judges’ residences, and during their commutes. BJSA President Amirul Islam confirmed the decision after a productive discussion with the legal adviser, who promised to address the concerns. The association had earlier announced the strike in response to the murder of a judge’s son in Rajshahi and alleged negligence in ensuring judicial security. As part of their ongoing protest, judges across the country will wear black badges and hold prayer sessions in all courts on Sunday to mourn the incident. The BJSA had warned of a nationwide work stoppage if the demands were not met within 48 hours. The Rajshahi murder case involves Limon Mia, who allegedly stabbed and killed the 15-year-old son of Judge Mohammad Abdur Rahman and injured the judge’s wife.

BNP Standing Committee member Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain emphasized that there is no alternative to national unity to decisively resist autocracy in Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest at an emergency meeting in Dinajpur on Saturday, organized ahead of the 13th national election for the Dinajpur-3 constituency where BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is expected to contest, he criticized divisions within opposition ranks. Dr. Zahid expressed concern that some leaders are prioritizing personal agendas and authoritarian tendencies over public interest, suggesting possible involvement in domestic or foreign conspiracies. He noted that citizens are eager to vote and urged all political actors to respect the people’s mandate. Dr. Zahid also called on BNP activists to work unitedly to ensure Khaleda Zia’s victory in the upcoming election. The meeting was presided over by district BNP president Advocate Mofazzal Hossain Dulal and attended by several central and local leaders.

Private sector lender Bengal Commercial Bank PLC has issued a recruitment circular for Specialist Officer–Executive Officer (SO–EO) positions under its Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) in the Information Technology Division. The job announcement, published on November 5, invites applications from qualified candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, or equivalent fields. Applicants must have at least four years of relevant professional experience and be under 40 years of age. The salary will be determined through negotiation, and selected candidates will receive additional benefits as per the bank’s policy. Interested candidates can apply online, with the application deadline set for November 20, 2025.

US-Bangla Airlines Limited has opened applications for three full-time Network Engineer positions based in Dhaka. Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and have one to four years of relevant experience. Both male and female applicants aged between 22 and 30 years are eligible to apply. The offered monthly salary ranges from BDT 30,000 to 35,000. Interested candidates must complete their applications through the official US-Bangla Airlines career portal by December 13, 2025. The recruitment aims to strengthen the airline’s IT infrastructure and network management capabilities as part of its ongoing digital modernization efforts.

NRBC Bank PLC has opened a recruitment notice for the position of Litigation Coordinator. The bank is seeking one qualified candidate with an LLB or LLM degree and at least eight years of relevant experience. Applicants must be willing to work anywhere in Bangladesh and should not exceed 40 years of age. The position is full-time and open to both male and female candidates. Salary will be determined through negotiation based on experience and qualifications. Interested individuals are required to apply online through the NRBC Bank PLC application portal. The deadline for submission of applications is November 30, 2025. The role involves coordinating legal matters and supporting the bank’s litigation processes across its operational areas.

Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC, a leading private Shariah-based commercial bank in Bangladesh, has issued a job circular for the position of Head of Investment Risk Management Division. The recruitment notice, published on November 13, 2025, invites applications from qualified candidates until November 25, 2025. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree and possess strong knowledge of investment profiles and risk management policies, along with a minimum of 15 years of experience. The position is full-time and based in Dhaka, open to both male and female candidates. Salary will be negotiable, with additional benefits provided according to the bank’s policies. Interested applicants can apply online through the official website of Al-Arafah Islami Bank (www.aibl.com.bd).

A book launch and discussion event for 'Dhaka University: In History, In Memory', written by eminent academic and Dhaka University English Department Emeritus Professor Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, was held on Saturday, November 15, at the Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the Bangladesh National Museum. The event, organized by Bengal Books, was chaired by Professor Firdaus Azim and featured distinguished speakers including Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, Professor Khalikuzzaman Elias, playwright Khairul Alam Sabuj, novelist Ahmad Mostofa Kamal, researcher Kazi Samio Shish, and publisher Mahmudul Hasan. Discussants praised the book for its balanced blend of historical insight and personal reflection, analyzing the university’s role in education, politics, and intellectual life. Bengal Books’ publisher Mahmudul Hasan highlighted the company’s mission to promote creative reading and nurture new writers through quality publications in literature, history, and social thought.

The results of the 2025 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), Alim, and equivalent examination re-evaluations will be released on Sunday, November 16, at 10 a.m., according to separate notices from the Dhaka Education Board and the Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board. Students who applied for re-evaluation will be able to check their results on the respective board websites and will also receive notifications via SMS. This year, a record number of applications were submitted—226,000 students requested re-evaluation for 428,000 answer scripts across 11 education boards. The Dhaka board received the highest number of applications, while the Barishal board received the fewest. The most re-evaluation requests were made for English and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) subjects. Applications were accepted from October 17 to 23, following the initial results published on October 16, with a fee of 150 taka per subject.

Bangladesh’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam announced that police officers with controversial backgrounds will not be assigned to election duties. Speaking at a press briefing at Khulna Metropolitan Police headquarters, he stated that although a formal list of such officers has not yet been prepared, district superintendents of police (SPs) and deputy inspectors general (DIGs) are in the process of identifying them. The IGP emphasized that both the public and the interim government are eager for a free, fair, and impartial national election. He acknowledged that past three national elections had faced criticism and controversy, and said the police are undergoing self-driven training to ensure professionalism and neutrality in the upcoming polls. The move aims to bolster public confidence in law enforcement’s role during the electoral process.

Heavy rainfall on Saturday inundated refugee camps in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, intensifying the suffering of displaced Palestinians already facing dire conditions from ongoing conflict and cold weather. The downpour, triggered by a low-pressure system, submerged many tents in the Al-Mawasi area, prompting emergency responses from Gaza’s Civil Defense. According to Gaza authorities, 93% of the 135,000 tents sheltering displaced people are now uninhabitable due to weather damage and Israeli bombardments. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has urged Israel to allow the entry of essential shelter materials, warning that winter rains are worsening the humanitarian situation. Despite having supplies ready, UNRWA claims Israel is blocking the delivery of tents and mobile homes, violating ceasefire terms. The ceasefire plan, reportedly based on a 20-point proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump, includes prisoner exchanges and reconstruction efforts. Since October 2023, Israeli strikes have killed over 69,000 people in Gaza, most of them women and children.

Advocate Dr. Helal Uddin, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka South Nayeb-e-Ameer and candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, has called for a national referendum before holding the upcoming general election to make it meaningful. Speaking at a street rally organized by Shahjahanpur Thana Jamaat, he urged all pro-democracy and peace-loving political parties to unite against what he described as the Awami League-led coalition’s acts of violence and anarchy following the verdict in Sheikh Hasina’s war crimes case. Dr. Helal accused the ruling party of being an enemy of the nation and urged citizens to resist any attempt to destroy public or state property. He also appealed to the youth to join Jamaat’s movement to build a corruption-free, safe, and welfare-oriented Bangladesh. The event was chaired by Muhammad Shariful Islam, with other local Jamaat leaders addressing the gathering.

Former State Minister for Home Affairs and BNP National Executive Committee member Lutfozzaman Babar stated that he had been sentenced to death three times, claiming that no one else in Bangladesh had received so many death sentences. Speaking at several campaign rallies in Madan, Netrokona-4 constituency, after receiving the BNP nomination, Babar expressed gratitude to God, his party, and BNP leaders Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman for their support. He also thanked the people of his constituency for their prayers and support during his 17 years of imprisonment. Babar’s visit marked his first return to his home area since being nominated, where he met with local leaders, activists, and voters across multiple villages and marketplaces.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher stated that if his party comes to power, no one will face persecution, emphasizing equality among all citizens of Bangladesh. Speaking at an election rally in Gunabati High School field, Chauddagram, Comilla, he described the upcoming election as a contest against extortionists and corrupt politicians. Taher asserted that Jamaat does not believe in divisions between majority and minority communities. He also claimed that Jamaat has gained popularity over the BNP, citing student union elections as evidence. Highlighting his party’s record, Taher said no corruption allegations were proven against Jamaat ministers or MPs, and even his own arrest was later acknowledged by the Anti-Corruption Commission as a mistake. The event was attended by several local and national Jamaat leaders, as well as representatives from various communities, who expressed support for the party’s vision of a peaceful and corruption-free Bangladesh.

The Emirates Astronomical Society has forecast that Eid al-Fitr in 2026 will likely be observed on March 20, following a 30-day Ramadan. According to the society’s chairman, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, the crescent moon marking the start of Ramadan 1447 Hijri is expected to appear on the evening of February 17, though it may be difficult to see with the naked eye. Based on astronomical calculations, Ramadan is expected to begin on February 19. If the month completes 30 days, the UAE’s public holiday schedule suggests a four-day Eid break from March 19 to March 22, with regular work resuming on March 23. The official date of Eid will be confirmed later by the UAE Moon-Sighting Committee, but current projections indicate March 20 as the most probable date for the first day of Shawwal.

China has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan following heightened diplomatic tensions triggered by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan. Takaichi suggested that Japan’s Self-Defense Forces could respond if China attacks Taiwan, sparking a sharp exchange between Beijing and Tokyo. Both countries have lodged formal protests, and Chinese officials have issued strong verbal reactions, with some statements perceived as threatening. Despite mounting pressure, Takaichi refused to retract her comments, asserting they align with Japan’s long-standing policy, though she pledged to be cautious in future remarks. In response, China summoned Japan’s ambassador in Beijing and warned Japan to stop “playing with fire.” The Chinese foreign ministry reiterated its stance on social media, while Japan’s embassy in China urged Japanese citizens to avoid travel to Japan in the near future, reflecting the deepening strain in bilateral relations.