A post-enumeration check by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) has revealed that 365,472 financial institutions were omitted from the 2024 Economic Census conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The initial census counted 11.88 million institutions, but later verification raised the figure to 12.24 million. The BIDS report, released in Dhaka, found an overall error rate of 2.95 percent—below the internationally acceptable 5 percent threshold. The highest omission rate was 5.99 percent in city corporation areas, attributed to non-cooperation from business owners. Rural areas showed a lower error rate of 2.55 percent. Dhaka Division recorded the highest number of missing institutions, while Sylhet had the fewest. Officials acknowledged challenges such as limited budgets and low enumerator honorariums but expressed satisfaction with the census quality. They emphasized the need for improved guidelines and better support for field workers in future censuses.

The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted for the first time in about 12,000 years, sending a massive ash plume 14 kilometers high. The eruption, which lasted several hours, blanketed nearby Afdera town in ash and caused mild tremors around Erta Ale. The Smithsonian Institution confirmed no previous Holocene-era eruptions from this volcano. The ash cloud traveled across the Red Sea, reaching Yemen, Oman, India, northern Pakistan, and even parts of China’s upper atmosphere. Local authorities reported no casualties, though the eruption may affect the livelihoods of pastoral communities in the region. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) and India Met Sky Weather noted temporary disruptions to flights over northern India, which have since normalized. Experts say the volcano lies within the tectonically active Rift Valley, where two plates meet, making it a hotspot for geological activity.

The Bangladesh government has unexpectedly increased the National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) revenue collection target for the current fiscal year by Tk 550 billion, raising it from Tk 4.99 trillion to Tk 5.54 trillion—an 11.22% hike. Officials describe the move as unprecedented and unrealistic given the country’s current economic conditions, sluggish investment, and weak export performance. Some NBR insiders believe the decision was influenced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has urged Bangladesh to expand its tax base, eliminate exemptions, and set a uniform 15% VAT rate as part of loan conditions. Former NBR chairman Abdul Mazid noted that revenue collection remains low relative to GDP and called for stronger enforcement against tax evasion. The IMF has so far disbursed $3.64 billion of a $5.5 billion loan package. Implementation details of the new target will be discussed after NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan returns from abroad later this month.

Bangladesh, particularly Dhaka and Chattogram, remains at extreme risk of a major earthquake, with experts warning that a quake above magnitude 7 could cause catastrophic damage. The Fire Service and Civil Defence Department has improved its capabilities in recent years, introducing modern search and rescue tools such as acoustic listening devices, snake-eye cameras, and drones. However, investigations reveal that preparedness remains inadequate due to outdated equipment, bureaucratic delays, and manpower shortages. Nearly 800 rescue tools have become unusable, and new equipment procurement is progressing slowly. The department has fewer than 15,000 personnel across 500 stations, far below international standards. To address this, over 55,000 urban community volunteers have been trained to assist in early rescue operations. Yet, narrow roads, lack of heavy machinery, and absence of air rescue capacity pose serious challenges. While new command centers and special rescue units are being formed, experts stress that only coordinated, decentralized, and well-equipped efforts can ensure effective disaster response.

Dried fish from Pabna district in Bangladesh is now being exported to at least 20 countries after meeting domestic demand, creating new opportunities for foreign exchange earnings and rural employment. The upazilas of Santhia, Bera, Sujanagar, Faridpur, and Chatmohar have become well-known for dried fish production, particularly during the November to March season. Hundreds of seasonal traders from northern regions join local farmers to produce and sell large quantities of dried fish across the country and abroad, including to the Middle East, Malaysia, the UK, and the US. Popular varieties such as shol, taki, boal, tangra, and puti have gained strong demand among expatriate communities. However, local producers face challenges due to declining native fish populations and limited government support. Farmers say that low-interest loans and institutional backing could significantly expand exports and strengthen this promising sector.

Hundreds of farmers in Munshiganj district have become self-reliant through large-scale vegetable seedling production, earning around Tk 40 million annually. The seedlings, produced mainly in Sadar and Tongibari upazilas, are in high demand nationwide due to their superior quality and careful cultivation methods using organic fertilizers and oilcake. Farmers grow seedlings of cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, pumpkin, eggplant, and chili from August to December, selling them to wholesalers from over 25 districts. Each thousand seedlings fetch between Tk 1,500 and Tk 2,000 depending on quality and market demand. Despite some losses from heavy rainfall and rising seed prices, most producers report strong profits. The Department of Agricultural Extension notes that 4,907 hectares have been targeted for winter vegetable cultivation this year, with an expected yield of 125,423 tons. Officials say seedling production has become a profitable profession in the region, helping local farmers meet national demand while improving rural livelihoods.

Bangladesh’s interim government is facing criticism for failing to bring to justice those responsible for large-scale corruption in the power and energy sector during the Awami League’s 15-and-a-half-year rule. The national inquiry committee led by retired Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury has yet to submit its final report, citing the technical complexity of contracts and the vast amount of documentation involved. Preliminary findings reportedly confirm widespread corruption, including irregularities in deals with India’s Adani Group. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also complained that it has not received key documents needed for investigation. Experts estimate that at least Tk 1.25 trillion was embezzled through capacity charges, inflated project costs, and rent-seeking schemes. Despite the repeal of the controversial indemnity law that shielded energy contracts from legal scrutiny, no major prosecutions have followed. Analysts and legal experts describe the government’s inaction as a major governance failure, warning that entrenched bureaucratic resistance continues to protect the sector’s most powerful figures.

Experts have revealed that around 70% of buildings in Chattogram are at high risk of collapse in the event of a major earthquake measuring 7–8 on the Richter scale. Poor construction practices, lack of soil testing, weak foundations, and extreme population density have made the city dangerously vulnerable. Unplanned areas such as Reazuddin Bazar, Khatunganj, New Market, and Bahaddarhat are particularly at risk. Despite previous warnings and incidents, including the 1997 Hamzarbag building collapse that killed 23 people, authorities like the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) have failed to take effective action. A recent 5.7-magnitude quake caused panic across the city, highlighting the fragility of many structures. Experts also warned that vital installations such as the port, airport, and refineries could face severe damage. Fire Service officials cautioned that even moderate tremors could cause catastrophic casualties due to old and unregulated buildings. Urban planners and disaster experts have urged immediate enforcement of building codes and stronger preparedness measures.

The National Pay Commission of Bangladesh has held a meeting with secretaries from various ministries and departments to discuss the formulation of a new national pay scale. The meeting, chaired by Zakir Ahmed Khan, took place on Monday afternoon and was described as productive, though not all secretaries attended. The commission, formed on July 27 to design a modern and appropriate salary structure for government employees, has already collected public feedback online from October 1 to 15. Economic adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that three reports will be reviewed before final recommendations are made, with the current government setting a framework for implementation by the next administration. Meanwhile, employee leaders have issued a November 30 deadline for the commission to submit its recommendations, warning of strong protests if delayed. They also announced a mass rally in Dhaka on December 5 to demand timely implementation of the new pay scale.

In Sitakunda’s Syedpur union of Chattogram, villagers used mosque loudspeakers to mobilize and chase away two Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, Jasim Uddin and former commissioner Rehan Uddin Rihan, who allegedly attempted to fill around 100 acres of farmland with sand from the sea. The land, reportedly purchased by Awami League leader and Pacific Jeans managing director Syed Tanvir Hossain, was being prepared for industrial use without environmental clearance. Hundreds of villagers gathered, dismantled sand pipes, and forced the group to flee, leaving several injured. Local farmers and political leaders condemned the destruction of winter crops and demanded government intervention. The district Jamaat leadership denied involvement, claiming the accused acted independently. Sitakunda’s Upazila Nirbahi Officer confirmed no permission was granted for sand extraction and promised legal action against those responsible. The incident has sparked widespread outrage over environmental damage and land misuse in the coastal area.

Dhaka Metro Rail has officially launched an online recharge system for its Rapid Pass and MRT cards, allowing passengers to top up their travel cards from home. The service, inaugurated at Agargaon Station by Dr. Sheikh Moinuddin, special assistant to the chief adviser for road and railways, enables users to recharge between Tk 100 and Tk 5,000 through the website rapidpass.com.bd using mobile financial services such as bKash, Nagad, Rocket, bank cards, or internet banking. Once recharged, users can activate the balance by tapping their cards at Add Value Machines (AVMs) installed at 16 stations, totaling 32 machines. The Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) also announced plans to introduce app-based recharge within a month. Refunds and cancellations are allowed within seven days before activation, subject to a 5% service charge. Currently, around 1.6 million passengers use Rapid Pass and MRT cards, and the new system aims to make metro travel smoother and more convenient.

Pakistan’s Trading Corporation (TCP) has issued a tender to purchase 100,000 tons of locally produced long-grain white rice (IRRI-6) for export to Bangladesh, marking a notable step in strengthening bilateral trade ties. The tender, published on November 20, sets November 28 as the submission deadline and requires bids to remain valid for 21 working days. The rice must be from the latest harvest, free from contamination, and ready for shipment within 45 days of contract signing. This move follows the resumption of direct trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh earlier in 2024, which began with a 50,000-ton rice deal. Analysts view the tender as an effort to integrate Pakistani rice into Bangladesh’s import supply chain amid Dhaka’s ongoing efforts to stabilize domestic prices through continuous import tenders. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s rice exports have declined by 28% in early fiscal 2026 due to policy and legal challenges, though opportunities have emerged in the U.S. market following tariffs on Indian basmati rice.

Iran’s northern Mazandaran province has been battling a massive wildfire for over a week in the ancient Hyrcanian forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Firefighters and local residents have managed to bring about 80 percent of the blaze under control, according to officials. The fire, reportedly caused by human activity rather than natural factors, has already burned around 1,500 acres, as confirmed by NASA satellite imagery. The Hyrcanian forest, stretching along the Caspian Sea’s southern coast, is one of the world’s oldest and most biodiverse forests, home to rare species like the Persian leopard. No casualties or damage to nearby settlements have been reported so far. The wildfire coincides with Iran’s worst drought in 60 years, which has forced authorities to ration water in Tehran and other regions. Additional fires have also been reported near Jolfa in southwestern Iran, raising concerns about worsening environmental conditions across the country.

Dhaka University (DU) has formed a Central Coordination Committee and four sub-committees to inspect and evaluate the structural safety of its residential halls and academic buildings following a recent earthquake. The central committee, headed by DU Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, was established after an emergency meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan. The sub-committees, comprising experts from BUET’s Civil Engineering Department, will conduct technical inspections and assessments of the buildings. Their findings will be made public, and detailed reports will be preserved by the university’s engineering office and respective halls. If any building is deemed unsafe, students will be relocated to safer facilities. The committees include university officials, hall provosts, engineers, and representatives from the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU). The initiative aims to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the university’s infrastructure in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Sylhet District Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam has announced an immediate initiative to demolish 23 buildings identified as highly risky in the city’s earthquake-prone zones. The decision follows renewed fears after recent tremors and years of inaction by the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC), which had earlier marked these structures as dangerous nearly six years ago. The meeting, chaired by Divisional Commissioner Khan Md. Reza-un-Nabi, focused on earthquake preparedness and post-disaster response. Officials and experts discussed evacuation challenges, especially in narrow streets that could hinder rescue operations. The risky buildings include government offices, markets, schools, and residential structures. Experts from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology warned that most of Sylhet’s 42,000 buildings are not earthquake-resistant, with 60–65% built without following proper construction codes. The SCC has formed a committee to review renovation and demolition plans, with authorities emphasizing urgent action to prevent potential disasters and ensure public safety.