At least 41 people have died and nine remain missing following a week of severe flooding and landslides in Vietnam, triggered by heavy rainfall across the central region. Authorities report that more than 52,000 homes have been inundated, while thousands of hectares of crops, livestock, and poultry have been destroyed. The hardest-hit provinces are Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa, where 30 deaths have been confirmed. Over 1 million residents experienced power outages, though electricity has been restored to about 600,000 households. More than 140 landslides have blocked provincial roads, prompting the deployment of thousands of rescue workers and police. The National Weather Bureau noted that southern and central Vietnam have faced persistent rainfall since late October, severely affecting tourist and agricultural areas. According to official statistics, natural disasters have claimed or displaced at least 279 people nationwide this year, causing over $2 billion in economic losses.

In Dhaka’s major wholesale and retail markets, vegetable prices have risen by Tk 10–20 per kilogram over the past week due to reduced supply from farms. Traders at Karwan Bazar and other markets reported that early winter crops like beans, potatoes, gourds, radishes, and cabbages have become costlier, with beans selling between Tk 100–120 per kg and new potatoes reaching Tk 140–160. Conversely, egg, broiler chicken, and onion prices have declined. Red eggs are now Tk 120 per dozen, white eggs Tk 115, and broiler chicken Tk 155–170 per kg. Onion prices dropped by Tk 5–10 to Tk 95–110 per kg, as new local onions entered the market. Meat and fish prices remain stable, with beef at Tk 750–780 and mutton at Tk 1,200–1,250 per kg. Traders attribute the vegetable price hike to supply shortages, while the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) confirms stability in most essential commodities.

A major fire erupted at the venue of the United Nations COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, on Thursday, prompting the evacuation of thousands of delegates. The blaze started in the pavilion zone, where country exhibits and discussions were being held, though the exact cause remains unknown. Witnesses reported panic as smoke and heat spread rapidly through the crowded area, with security personnel guiding attendees to safety while firefighters battled the flames. The fire was brought under control around 2:20 p.m. local time, according to the COP presidency office. No injuries have been reported so far, but officials said they are closely monitoring the situation. The temporary venue, built on the site of an old airport in the Amazon region, hosts thousands of visitors daily. The two-week global climate conference, scheduled to conclude on Friday, November 21, may extend if last-minute negotiations are required.

A 22-year lease agreement for Dhaka’s Keraniganj-based Pangao Inland Container Port with Swiss company Medlog has sparked controversy over alleged links to banned Awami League leader and former minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury. Sources claim Medlog is affiliated with Chowdhury’s Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The deal, signed on November 17 between Chittagong Port Authority and Medlog Bangladesh Ltd, was reportedly finalized within days, raising concerns among port officials, workers, and civil society groups. Critics argue that the rushed process and lack of transparency could jeopardize national interests, sovereignty, and local employment. Labor unions fear job losses for the 391 registered port workers if foreign management replaces them with its own staff. Officials from the Chittagong Port Authority maintain that the lease was awarded through a proper tender process and that local workers will not be displaced. However, demands persist for the full disclosure of the contract terms and for assurances regarding national control and worker rights.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) reported a 15.54% increase in revenue collection during the first four months (July–October) of the 2025–26 fiscal year compared to the same period last year. Total revenue collected reached BDT 1,19,478 crore, up from BDT 1,03,409 crore in 2024–25, when political unrest and economic stagnation had slowed growth. Despite the improvement, the NBR fell short of its target of BDT 1,36,697.7 crore by about BDT 17,000 crore. The highest growth was recorded in the domestic value-added tax (VAT) segment, which rose 24.78% to BDT 46,878 crore. Income and travel tax collections grew by 16.11% to BDT 37,849 crore, while customs and export duties increased by 4.53% to BDT 34,751 crore. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, the government set a total revenue target of BDT 5,64,000 crore, equivalent to 9% of GDP, with NBR expected to contribute BDT 4,99,000 crore.

Bangladesh’s Annual Development Program (ADP) for the current fiscal year is progressing sluggishly, with only about 8.33% of allocated funds spent between July and October, compared to 7.90% during the same period last year. The Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) reported that Tk 19,878 crore was spent in the first four months, down from Tk 21,978 crore a year earlier. Political unrest, curfews, and shutdowns following last year’s government change significantly disrupted development activities. Many projects were halted or re-evaluated due to fiscal constraints and political considerations, leading to the lowest implementation rate in two decades. The revised ADP for FY2024–25 saw only 67.85% of total allocations utilized, nearly 13 percentage points lower than the previous year’s 80.63%. Officials note that early-year spending is typically slow but expect acceleration later, though the current stagnation reflects deeper structural and political challenges.

After nearly six years of closure, gas has been rediscovered in Well No. 1 of the Kailashtila gas field in Sylhet, Bangladesh. According to Sylhet Gas Fields Limited Managing Director Abdul Jalil Pramanik, the well contains an estimated reserve of around 20 billion cubic feet of gas. Daily production is expected to reach 5 to 6 million cubic feet, potentially sustaining output for the next decade. The well, originally drilled in 1961 and last active in 2019, was reopened under a government project to overhaul old wells, with Bapex initiating work in August 2023. Following three months of operations and testing, officials confirmed the find on Thursday evening. The gas will be added to the national grid within two to three days, saving an estimated 33 billion taka in foreign currency by reducing LNG imports. This rediscovery is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s domestic energy supply and reduce dependence on imported gas.

Australia has begun enforcing a new law that bans children under 16 from using social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. The legislation, passed last year, requires companies to delete accounts belonging to users aged 13 to 15. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced it will start removing such accounts from December 4 and has already begun sending access restriction warnings. The government warned that platforms failing to comply by December 10 could face fines of up to 32 million dollars. Meta stated it supports the government’s goal of online safety but expressed concern that isolating teens from their communities is not a viable solution. Users mistakenly flagged as underage will be able to verify their age using video selfies or national IDs. The move has drawn global attention, with New Zealand and the Netherlands considering similar measures to address social media risks for minors.

The Bangladesh government plans to complete a nationwide rice and paddy procurement drive before the February national election to ensure strong food reserves for the incoming administration. Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder announced that the target for the current Aman season is 700,000 tons—comprising 50,000 tons of paddy, 50,000 tons of atap rice, and 600,000 tons of parboiled rice—purchased directly from farmers. The procurement campaign will run until February 28, 2026. Farmers will receive Tk 39 per kg for paddy, Tk 50 for parboiled rice, and Tk 49 for atap rice. The government has also expanded its food-friendly program to cover 5.5 million families for six months instead of five. Last season’s shortfall in collection led to the decision to import 800,000 tons of rice in FY2024–25. Despite current self-sufficiency, retail rice prices in Dhaka range between Tk 54 and Tk 85 per kg, depending on quality.

Pakistan is preparing to construct an artificial island in the Arabian Sea, about 30 kilometers off the coast of Sujawal district in Sindh, to facilitate offshore oil and gas exploration. According to Bloomberg, the project is being led by Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), whose general manager Arshad Palekar revealed the plan during an oil and gas conference in Islamabad. The six-foot-high platform will withstand sea waves, allowing continuous drilling operations. Inspired by a similar project in Abu Dhabi, this marks Pakistan’s first artificial island for energy exploration. The construction is expected to be completed by February next year, after which PPL plans to drill 25 wells. The initiative follows renewed interest in Pakistan’s offshore resources, reportedly after comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump about the country’s potential oil reserves. Experts believe the project could enhance Pakistan’s energy supply, provide eco-friendly marine fuel, and improve maritime trade routes.

Bangladeshi shipbuilder Western Marine Shipyard has exported three newly built landing crafts named Maya, Emi, and Muna to the United Arab Emirates-based Marwan Shipping Limited. The handover ceremony took place on November 20 on the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram. UAE Ambassador Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al Hamoudi praised the collaboration as a sign of strengthening bilateral ties and expressed optimism for future exports from Bangladesh. Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, highlighted Western Marine’s contribution to diversifying Bangladesh’s export portfolio. The crafts, each 69 meters long and 16 meters wide, were built under Bureau Veritas classification standards and can operate at 10 nautical miles per hour. Equipped with Yanmar engines, electro-hydraulic ramp winches, and advanced navigation systems, the vessels are designed for heavy equipment and bulk cargo transport. The delivery is part of an eight-ship contract signed in 2023 between Western Marine and Marwan Shipping.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast a drop of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius in nighttime temperatures across the country over the next few days. According to a 120-hour forecast signed by meteorologist Kazi Zebunnesa, a low-pressure area is likely to develop over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining regions around November 22, which may later intensify. The subcontinental high-pressure ridge currently extends over West Bengal and nearby areas, while the seasonal low lies over the southern Bay of Bengal. Weather across Bangladesh is expected to remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies through November 24. Both daytime and nighttime temperatures may slightly decrease before stabilizing early next week. The BMD also indicated that no significant weather changes are expected over the next five days.

Pakistani pop sensation Atif Aslam is set to return to Dhaka for a live concert on December 13, 2025. The singer confirmed the news himself through a social media post, sharing a photo from one of his previous performances. The event, titled 'Atif Aslam at Main Stage Show', is being organized by Main Stage, the same company bringing him to Bangladesh. The concert will take place at Bashundhara Field, with gates opening at 1 p.m. and the show running from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Ticket sales are expected to begin soon, available in two categories: General and Front VIP. Atif Aslam last performed in Dhaka on November 29, 2024, at the 'Magical Night 2.0' concert, which drew a large audience and featured many of his popular songs. Fans are eagerly anticipating his upcoming performance, marking another major musical event in the city’s entertainment calendar.

The Bangladesh government has announced that all unregistered mobile phones will be automatically deactivated starting December 16 as part of a crackdown on illegal handset sales. The move targets three categories of devices: cloned, illegally imported, and smuggled phones. However, phones currently in use or purchased before December 16 will not be affected. Fayez Ahmad Tayyab, special assistant to the Chief Adviser, stated that there will be no exemptions in enforcing the measure. He added that the government is working to simplify registration, deregistration, and re-registration processes for citizens. Expatriates will be allowed to bring one or two phones duty-free if registered properly, while additional devices will require payment of standard fees under existing National Board of Revenue rules. The government also pledged to take steps to make legal mobile phones more affordable for consumers.

The National Pay Commission of Bangladesh is advancing its work to review and recommend a revised salary and allowance structure for government employees. A meeting with secretaries from various ministries and departments is scheduled for November 24 at the Secretariat, chaired by Commission President Zakir Ahmed Khan. The commission aims to finalize recommendations covering government, semi-government, autonomous bodies, state-owned banks, approved universities, and public educational institutions. Earlier, from October 1 to 15, the commission collected public and institutional feedback through online questionnaires. Formed on July 27, the commission plans to submit its final report by December. Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed stated that three reports are being reviewed before final recommendations are made, emphasizing that the current government will lay the groundwork while the next administration will implement the new pay scale, considering fiscal and social spending realities.