Transport owners in five southern districts of Bangladesh have announced a strike to press a three-point demand. The Rupsha-Bagerhat Bus-Minibus Coach and Microbus Owners’ Association declared the program at a press conference in Bagerhat on Sunday. Their demands include shutting down unauthorized BRTC counters, stopping unlicensed vehicles on highways, and banning the operation of three-wheelers such as Mahindra, Nasimon, and Karimon on major roads. The association warned that if their demands are not met by December 1, they will begin an indefinite transport strike from December 2. Leaders from transport owners’ associations of Bagerhat, Khulna, and Jhalokathi districts were present at the event. The strike, if enforced, could disrupt transportation across the southern region, affecting commuters and goods movement significantly.

Japan’s Sakurajima volcano, located in the southwestern Kyushu region, erupted early Sunday, sending a massive plume of ash and smoke up to 14,436 feet into the air. The eruption began around 12:57 a.m., marking the first time since October last year that the volcano’s ash cloud exceeded 4,000 meters in height. No casualties or property damage have been reported so far. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued ashfall forecasts for Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Miyazaki prefectures, advising residents to use umbrellas or masks to protect themselves from falling ash and to drive cautiously. Sakurajima is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, connected to the Osumi Peninsula on Kyushu’s southern tip. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as minor eruptions persist, though no evacuation orders have been issued yet.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur stated that merging five financially weak Sharia-based banks was unavoidable to ensure stability in the banking sector. Speaking at the Bangladesh Islamic Finance Summit in Dhaka on November 16, he emphasized that transparency and good governance are essential for strengthening the financial system. The five banks—EXIM Bank, Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Union Bank, and Global Islami Bank—were declared non-functional on November 5, with administrators appointed to oversee their operations. On November 9, the central bank’s board, chaired by Dr. Mansur, granted a preliminary license to a new state-owned Sharia-based bank named ‘Sammilit Islami Bank’ to manage the merged institutions. The governor expressed optimism that the merger would bring positive outcomes for the economy if proper governance is maintained.

ICB Islamic Bank Limited has announced a job opening for the position of Assistant Vice President (Head of Internal Control and Compliance). The application process began on November 12 and will continue until November 20, 2025. Both male and female candidates with an MBA or postgraduate degree are eligible to apply online. Applicants must have proven experience and skills in the banking sector. The position is contractual and office-based, with a maximum age limit of 50 years. Salary, bonuses, and other benefits will be provided as per the bank’s policy. This recruitment drive aims to strengthen the bank’s internal control and compliance functions, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and operational efficiency.

Australia’s top intelligence official has warned that the country faces a growing threat of large-scale cyberattacks allegedly linked to China. Mike Burgess, head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), said hackers associated with the Chinese government and military have been targeting critical infrastructure, including water, transport, telecommunications, and energy networks. He described the situation as an unprecedented level of espionage that could lead to sabotage within the next five years. Burgess also revealed that espionage activities cost Australia about 8.2 billion US dollars in 2023–24, with around 2 billion dollars’ worth of trade secrets and intellectual property stolen from companies. Attempts to contact the Chinese embassy for comment were unsuccessful. Burgess warned that authoritarian regimes are increasingly willing to create chaos and conduct sabotage operations through cyber means, posing a serious challenge to Australia’s national security.

Meghna Group of Industries has issued a new job circular seeking qualified candidates for the positions of Deputy Manager and Manager in its Ad and Creative department. The recruitment notice was published on November 15, 2025, and online applications will remain open until November 22, 2025. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree and have at least seven years of relevant experience, particularly with Adobe Creative Suite tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects. The positions are full-time and based in Gulshan, Dhaka. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply. Salary will be determined through negotiation, and selected employees will receive additional benefits as per company policy. Interested candidates can apply and find more details through the official Meghna Group website.

China has discovered its largest gold deposit since 1949 in Liaoning Province, containing an estimated 1,444 tons of gold. The Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed that the Dadonggou mine, identified after just 15 months of exploration, holds around 2.586 million tons of ore with an average gold content of 0.56 grams per ton. The total estimated value of the deposit exceeds €166 billion, given current record-high gold prices of over €115,000 per kilogram. The state-run Liaoning Geological and Mining Group led the project, employing about 1,000 technicians and workers. Although the site’s exact location remains undisclosed for strategic reasons, officials have completed a preliminary economic feasibility assessment. The discovery comes amid surging global gold demand, driven by a weak U.S. dollar, geopolitical instability, and central banks’ increasing gold purchases. China has intensified mineral exploration in recent years, with multiple major finds in 2024, reinforcing its position as a leading gold producer and consumer.

Bangladesh is experiencing a mild winter atmosphere with little change in temperature compared to Saturday. On Sunday, November 16, the country’s lowest temperature was recorded in Tetulia, Panchagarh, at 14.7°C, up from 14°C the previous day. In Dhaka, the temperature increased slightly from 18.7°C to 19.4°C, with humidity measured at 86% at 6 a.m. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the weather across the country is expected to remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies. Day and night temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged. Winds from the north and northwest are expected to blow at speeds between 6 and 12 kilometers per hour in Dhaka and surrounding areas. The forecast suggests stable weather conditions with no significant temperature variations in the coming hours.

According to Swiss-based air quality monitoring organization IQAir, India’s capital Delhi has once again topped the global list of cities with the most polluted air. On the morning of November 16, Delhi recorded an air quality index (AQI) score of 559, placing it in the 'hazardous' category. Kolkata followed in second place with a score of 211, while Pakistan’s Lahore ranked third with the same score. Egypt’s Cairo took the fourth spot with a score of 202, and Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka ranked fifth with a score of 181, categorized as ‘unhealthy’. IQAir’s scale classifies air quality from ‘good’ (0–50) to ‘hazardous’ (above 300). The top ten most polluted cities recorded AQI scores between 160 and 180, reflecting widespread poor air quality across major urban centers in South Asia and beyond.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has called on all universities in Bangladesh to declare their campuses plastic-free. Speaking virtually at an event organized by Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology on sustainable marine environments, she emphasized that student involvement, awareness campaigns, and accessible alternatives are key to achieving this goal. Hasan noted that reducing single-use plastic requires long-term institutional commitment and behavioral change among consumers. She highlighted that plastic dependency stems from misconceptions about convenience and cost, while its hidden environmental price is significant. Hasan also warned that recycling, though popular, is energy-intensive and chemically complex. She urged prioritizing reduced plastic use, promoting reusable products, and ensuring producer responsibility. Expressing concern over the Bay of Bengal being the ninth most plastic-polluted marine region, she attributed it to poor waste management and upstream waste flow rather than excessive domestic use.

A new four-star hotel, Best Western Plus Bay Hills, owned by Gold Sands Group, was inaugurated on November 15 in Himchari, Cox’s Bazar. Managed by the American top-grade hotel chain Best Western, the property is uniquely positioned to offer panoramic views of both the hills and the sea from every suite. The grand opening ceremony began with a recitation from the Holy Quran and featured a series of events including a rally, ribbon-cutting, horse carriage promotions, Marine Drive lighting, celebrity and influencer engagements, a musical barbecue night, and a cultural evening. The event was attended by the CEO of Gold Sands Group, Shahadat Hossain Bahar, along with senior company officials, local administrative representatives, and business leaders. In his remarks, the CEO expressed gratitude to all attendees and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to contributing to the growth and development of Bangladesh’s tourism industry.

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).