Farmers in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari, known for early potato cultivation, have begun harvesting this season’s crop amid mixed fortunes. Despite favorable weather and expectations of a bumper yield, market prices have dropped sharply compared to last year. Growers are selling new potatoes to wholesalers at around Tk 51–52 per kilogram, nearly half of last year’s Tk 90 rate. Many farmers began planting in early Ashwin and are now harvesting after 55–60 days. Some, like Ejabul Haque and Shamsher Haji, report limited profits due to lower prices, though they avoided major weather damage. In search of better returns, several farmers are transporting their produce directly to Dhaka markets such as Karwan Bazar and Shyambazar. According to the local agriculture officer, 4,820 hectares were cultivated with early potatoes this season, and good yields are expected. Officials believe that despite lower old potato prices, demand for new potatoes will remain strong, potentially helping farmers recover losses.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced stricter experience requirements for appointing managing directors (MDs) and chief executive officers (CEOs) in the country’s commercial banks. According to a circular issued by the central bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department on November 26, candidates must now have at least three years of combined or individual experience as Additional Managing Director (AMD) and Deputy Managing Director (DMD) to qualify for the MD position. Previously, only two years of experience in any senior management role was sufficient. The new directive clarifies earlier ambiguities and aims to raise leadership standards in the banking sector. Additionally, the circular allows senior officials from regulatory bodies in the banking and financial sectors, with at least 25 years of experience and service in Grade-2 of the national pay scale, to be directly appointed as MDs. This change opens the door for experienced regulators to assume top executive roles in commercial banks, potentially enhancing governance and professional expertise across the sector.

Bangladesh’s Power Division has issued a clarification regarding the calculation of demand charges and meter rent for prepaid electricity users. According to the statement released on November 26, demand charges and meter rent are deducted from the first recharge each month. If no recharge occurs in a given month, the charges are adjusted during the next recharge. The division emphasized that electricity consumption and cost are identical for both prepaid and postpaid meters. Prepaid users receive a 0.5% rebate as a government incentive and are exempt from security deposits. Residential demand charges are set at Tk 42 per kilowatt per month, with a 5% VAT applied. Monthly meter rent is Tk 40 for single-phase and Tk 250 for three-phase meters provided by distribution companies. Customers can recharge through mobile financial services, cards, or vending stations, and enjoy emergency credit facilities if balance runs out. Faulty meters due to technical issues are replaced free of cost.

Starting December 16, Bangladesh will automatically deactivate all unregistered mobile handsets as part of a new regulatory measure by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). The initiative aims to curb the use of illegally imported, cloned, or smuggled phones. However, BTRC clarified that mobile phones already in use or purchased before December 16 will not be affected. Only officially approved and legally imported devices will be allowed to connect to local networks. Consumers are advised to verify a phone’s legality before purchasing from any source, including retail or online stores, and to keep purchase receipts. Phones deemed legitimate will be automatically registered under the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system. For phones bought or gifted from abroad, users will initially have network access but must submit required information online within 30 days for verification to remain active.

A 160-foot section of the boundary wall at Barapukuria Coal Mine in Dinajpur collapsed on Wednesday due to excessive coal pressure, not an earthquake, officials confirmed. The mine’s storage yard, designed to hold 220,000 tons, currently contains around 500,000 metric tons of coal—more than double its capacity. The surplus buildup occurred because the adjacent Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant, the mine’s sole coal buyer, has been shut down since October 27 after all three of its units went offline due to mechanical failures. The plant, with a total generation capacity of 525 megawatts, has faced recurring technical issues since its establishment in 2006. With coal extraction continuing at an average rate of 3,000 tons per day, storage limitations have intensified, leading to the wall collapse. Authorities now face challenges managing the growing coal stockpile and are concerned about safety and production continuity until the power plant resumes operations.

Rajshahi University (RU) has introduced five environment-friendly electric cars to facilitate student transportation within the campus. The service was inaugurated on Wednesday morning in front of the university’s administrative building, with financial and logistical support from the Rajshahi University Alumni Association (RUAA). Initially, five e-cars will operate only inside the campus, with fares expected to range between five and ten taka. More vehicles may be added later. RUAA President Rafiqul Islam Khan stated that the association plans to expand the service and also initiate scholarships for underprivileged meritorious students. RU Vice-Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib praised the alumni association’s efforts, noting that the e-car project is part of their ongoing initiatives for student welfare and institutional development. Student leaders expressed hope that the new service would ease transportation difficulties on campus. The inauguration ceremony was attended by university officials, alumni representatives, and student leaders.

Bangladesh and Pakistan are expected to resume direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi from December, according to Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan. Mahan Air is likely to operate three flights weekly, a move anticipated to enhance bilateral trade and regional connectivity. The visa process between the two countries has also been simplified, allowing issuance within three to four days through joint recommendations from the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Bangladesh’s honorary consulate. Both nations are exploring trade opportunities in rice, pineapples, textiles, and ready-made garments, with plans to launch a direct cargo service soon. The Pakistani Higher Education Commission will send a delegation to Bangladesh to attract students for higher studies. Officials from both sides emphasized the shared cultural and historical ties and expressed optimism that bilateral trade, currently valued at around $700 million, could rise to $3 billion in the coming years with improved connectivity.

Meteorologists have confirmed that a low-pressure system formed over the Andaman Sea on November 22 has intensified into Cyclone Shen-Yar by November 26. The storm, named by the United Arab Emirates meaning 'lion' in Arabic, is currently located near the Malacca Strait and is expected to move westward. Another low-pressure system has also developed over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent Sri Lankan coast, which may strengthen into a cyclone within 24 hours. However, weather experts have assured that neither Shen-Yar nor the developing Bay of Bengal system poses any threat to Bangladesh. Instead, the latter may head toward India’s Tamil Nadu coast around December 2 or 3. Experts attribute the recent cyclone formations to the sun’s southern movement, which has caused intense heating and instability in the southern parts of the Andaman and Bay of Bengal regions.

The United States Department of the Interior has announced a new fee policy that will require non-US residents to pay $100 per person to enter the country’s 11 most-visited national parks starting in 2026. The annual parks pass for foreign visitors will also increase from $80 to $250. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the move, backed by President Donald Trump, aims to prioritize American families while ensuring international visitors contribute to park maintenance. The affected parks include the Great Smoky Mountains, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. The policy comes amid broader budget concerns, as the Trump administration has proposed cuts to the National Park Service, including a previously suggested $1 billion reduction. The National Parks Conservation Association reported that the service has already lost 4,000 staff members this year due to financial constraints, and potential further cuts could impact operations in 2026. The new fees are part of an effort to balance funding shortfalls while maintaining park accessibility for US taxpayers.

US President Donald Trump announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping has agreed to increase China’s imports of American goods following a recent phone call between the two leaders. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he urged Xi to buy more US products, and Xi consented. The development follows Beijing’s earlier decision to resume soybean purchases from the United States and lift restrictions on rare earth exports. According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent, China has pledged to buy 12 million metric tons of soybeans from American farmers this year, with about 2 million tons already ordered. During the conversation, Xi emphasized the historical cooperation between China and the US against fascism and militarism and called for joint efforts to uphold the outcomes of World War II. He also reiterated China’s stance that Taiwan’s return is an integral part of the postwar international order and that Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a directive restricting foreign travel by bank officials until the upcoming national parliamentary election. In a circular sent to all bank chairmen and managing directors on Wednesday, the central bank instructed that managing directors (MDs), chief executive officers (CEOs), and other employees should refrain from traveling abroad unless absolutely necessary. The order, issued under Section 45 of the Bank Company Act of 1991, takes immediate effect and will remain in force until further notice. The move is seen as part of efforts to maintain administrative stability and ensure smooth financial operations during the election period. The central bank emphasized that any foreign travel must be justified by urgent necessity and approved accordingly. This measure aims to keep key decision-makers available in the country during a politically sensitive time.

Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama has become a trending topic on social media following the release of new photos taken by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz. The images, part of her ‘Women’ project, show Obama looking notably slimmer, prompting widespread speculation online. Many users on platforms like Instagram and X have baselessly suggested that she may be using the popular weight-loss drug Ozempic. However, no evidence supports these claims. The discussion has largely shifted away from her project’s message about empowerment and healthy living to focus on her appearance. In a previous 2022 interview with People magazine, Obama discussed natural weight changes during menopause, a context many commenters overlooked. The 61-year-old shared the photos with a caption emphasizing the power of photography to inspire and convey meaning beyond the moment captured.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a directive restricting foreign travel by officials and employees of all banks and financial institutions until the completion of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The central bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department announced that only essential and unavoidable trips will be permitted during this period. The measure aims to prevent administrative disruptions and maintain operational stability in the banking sector during the election season. The directive applies to managing directors, chief executive officers, and all other officers and staff. Bangladesh Bank invoked its authority under Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991, to enforce the order, which takes immediate effect. The move is part of precautionary steps to ensure that the financial system remains fully functional and responsive amid the heightened administrative and political activities surrounding the upcoming national polls.

Several buildings at the Ghorashal-Palash Urea Fertilizer Factory in Narsingdi have developed cracks following the strong earthquakes on November 21 and 22. The damage has sparked fear among residents and workers of the South Asian fertilizer giant, which is currently undergoing major reconstruction. Contractors Toma Construction and Messrs Jamal & Company were engaged in multi-phase projects worth over Tk 370 crore, with about half the work completed. Officials claim the cracks are superficial and not structural, but residents question construction quality and safety. A committee led by Additional Chemist Saifuddin Mohammad Tarek has been formed to assess the damage and determine whether affected buildings should be declared unsafe. Local authorities have already evacuated some residential blocks deemed risky. The earthquake also damaged nearby infrastructure, including parts of the Ghorashal power plant, a railway bridge, and local government buildings, prompting emergency disaster management meetings to restore public confidence.

Pakistan has successfully conducted a test of an indigenously developed anti-ship ballistic missile capable of striking targets on both land and sea with high precision. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the missile features state-of-the-art guidance and advanced maneuvering capabilities, enhancing its ability to evade enemy radar. The test, observed by Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf along with senior scientists and engineers, marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s defense technology development. The ISPR described the launch as evidence of Pakistan Navy’s technological competence and its steadfast commitment to safeguarding national interests. This test follows another successful trial two months earlier of the domestically produced Fatah-IV cruise missile, which has a range of 700 kilometers. Analysts suggest the new missile will significantly boost Pakistan’s naval strike capability and deterrence posture in the region.