From today, assistant teachers of government primary schools across Bangladesh have begun an indefinite sit-in protest at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, demanding a three-point reform to their pay scale and promotion system. Organized by the Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, the protest calls for placement in the 10th grade of the national pay scale, resolution of higher-grade advancement after 10 and 16 years of service, and 100% departmental promotions. Multiple teachers’ groups, including the Kashem-Shahin and Shahin-Lipi factions, have joined the movement, expecting around 20,000 participants. Teachers have vowed to continue their protest until the government meets their demands. The movement follows a recent government decision to upgrade head teachers’ pay grades, which assistant teachers say failed to address their long-standing grievances. Officials from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education are reportedly attempting to negotiate with the demonstrators.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police have filed charges against seven drug dealers for the murder of Dhaka University student and Chhatra Dal leader Shahriar Alam Samya. Investigators found that Samya was deliberately killed after he tried to stop cannabis sales in Suhrawardy Udyan. The accused — Mehedi Hasan, Md Rabbi (Kabutor Rabbi), Md Ripon (Akash), Nahid Hasan Papel, Md Hridoy Islam, Md Harun-or-Rashid Sohag (Lambu Sohag), and Md Robin — were part of a drug network led by Mehedi. On May 13, Samya confronted Rabbi for carrying a taser gun, sparking a brawl in which Rabbi stabbed him fatally with a switchblade. Police confirmed Mehedi had earlier armed his associates. Four others present were cleared of charges for trying to protect Samya. Investigators concluded that Samya’s murder was premeditated and motivated by his resistance to drug dealing inside the park.

The Philippines, still reeling from Typhoon Kalmegi’s deadly aftermath, is now bracing for another major storm — Typhoon Feng-Wong. Forecasters warn the system could strengthen into a super typhoon before making landfall on Sunday night, unleashing destructive winds and storm surges up to five meters high. Covering a massive 1,500-kilometer span, the storm has already triggered heavy rains and strong gusts across the country’s eastern provinces. Philippine meteorologist Benison Estareja cautioned that the typhoon could impact nearly the entire nation. Kalmegi earlier claimed at least 204 lives in the Philippines and five in Vietnam, displacing thousands and leaving widespread power outages. Vietnam’s disaster agency reported over 2,800 damaged homes and half a million people still without electricity. Experts say both nations’ proximity to the Pacific typhoon belt makes them especially vulnerable, while scientists warn that rising global temperatures are fueling stronger, more destructive cyclones.

The Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has issued an urgent directive instructing all educational institutions to refrain from administering any test or pre-selection examinations for the upcoming Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam until further notice. The announcement, signed by Professor S. M. Kamal Uddin Haydar, Exam Controller of the Dhaka Board, was released on Sunday, November 9. According to the notice, regular classes for twelfth-grade students preparing for the 2026 HSC examination must continue without interruption. The board emphasized that the date for the selection test will be announced later through an official notification. Institutions have been urged to strictly adhere to this directive, as the matter is considered highly urgent. The decision aims to ensure uniform preparation and avoid confusion among students and educational institutions while the board finalizes further guidelines for the HSC examination framework.

A government-run healthcare institution in Dhaka continues to display outdated information on its official website, long after major changes in Bangladesh’s administration. The National Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Referral Center in Agargaon still features the photo of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on its homepage, despite her departure from office following the political unrest of 2024.

The website also lists several former officials as if they remain in their positions. Among them is Zahid Maleque, who served as Health and Family Welfare Minister from 2019 to January 2024, yet is still shown as the current minister. Similarly, former Health Secretary Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain Hawlader and former Director General of Health Services Professor Dr. Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam are also inaccurately listed as incumbents.

In reality, Dr. Samanta Lal Sen took office as Health Minister after the January 2024 national election, while Nurjahan Begum currently serves as Health Adviser with the rank of a minister.

The persistence of outdated details on an active public-service website has raised concerns regarding digital governance, information management, and institutional accountability. As the institute provides essential diagnostic services at affordable rates, stakeholders emphasize the importance of accurate, updated information for public trust and operational transparency.

Pakistan and Iran are set to collaborate on a major biographical drama depicting the life and legacy of renowned philosopher-poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal. The initiative gained momentum after a detailed meeting in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, and senior Iranian media representatives. Officials from Pakistan’s television channels, a film production company, PEMRA, and the Iranian ambassador also attended.
According to Pakistan Press Agency reports, the minister welcomed the proposal, noting that a joint production in Urdu and Persian would symbolize deep cultural ties between the two nations. Iqbal’s poetry—highly influential in both countries—was highlighted as a timeless cultural bridge.
During the meeting, Pakistan and Iran signed five MoUs covering technical cooperation, skill development, and content exchange. The project aligns with earlier plans revealed by Pakistan’s Planning Ministry, which noted Iran’s interest in producing a film and a high-quality TV series ahead of Iqbal’s 150th birth anniversary in 2027. Actor Usman Mukhtar is expected to portray Iqbal in the upcoming series.

In a compassionate act of humanity, BNP’s Acting Chairman and chief patron of Amra BNP Poribar, Tarique Rahman, has taken responsibility for two orphaned siblings, Mariam and Ismail, from Khanmarich Union in Bhangura Upazila of Pabna. The two children’s plight recently drew attention on social media, prompting Tarique Rahman to respond immediately. He directed Amra BNP Poribar convener Atikur Rahman Rumman to investigate their situation and ensure necessary support.

On Saturday, November 8, a humanitarian event was held at Madarbariya village, where financial assistance from Tarique Rahman was handed over to the siblings by BNP’s Kisan Dal President, agriculturist Hasan Jafir Tuhin. BNP Chairperson’s Special Assistant, Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, attended as chief guest, expressing solidarity and assuring continued support on behalf of Tarique Rahman.

Additionally, Amra BNP Poribar Member Secretary, agriculturist Moksedul Momin Mithun, announced a monthly scholarship for Mariam and Ismail’s education. The event was attended by several BNP leaders and local representatives, including members of the press and civil society. The initiative reflects the BNP leader’s commitment to standing beside vulnerable citizens in times of distress.

Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for the southern region, has expressed solidarity with the protesting government primary school teachers demanding the fulfillment of their long-pending rights. In a Facebook post made on Saturday, November 8, at 9:28 PM, Abdullah strongly condemned the police action against the teachers, promising to stand by them until their demands are met. The ongoing protests intensified after police allegedly attacked demonstrators earlier in the day, leading to the arrest of five teachers and injuries to more than a hundred. In response, the Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council announced a nationwide full-day work stoppage in all government primary schools starting Sunday, November 9, along with a continuous sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar. Leaders of various teacher associations accused the police of brutality and stated that the strike and protest programs would continue indefinitely until a satisfactory resolution is reached.

The New York Times Company has reported robust third-quarter results driven by strong growth in digital subscriptions and online advertising. The media giant added 460,000 new digital-only subscribers between July and September — its biggest quarterly increase in recent years — fueled by the success of its multi-product bundle strategy. Over half of its total 12.33 million subscribers now use more than one of its products, which include News, Cooking, Games, Wirecutter, and The Athletic. While digital revenue soared, print subscriptions dropped by 50,000 to 570,000, reducing print income by 3% to $127.2 million. Despite higher operating expenses of $596 million, up 5.8% year-over-year, overall profitability climbed 26.1%. CEO Meredith Kopit Levien expressed confidence in the company’s ability to expand its loyal readership and announced a target of 15 million subscribers by the end of 2027. The Athletic, acquired in 2022 for $550 million, turned profitable for the first time this quarter. The company closed September with $1.1 billion in cash and marketable securities, signaling strong financial stability as it continues its digital transformation.

Professor Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, Advisor to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, has stated that the demand of assistant primary school teachers to be upgraded directly from the 13th to the 10th grade lacks justification. Speaking to journalists after a views exchange meeting at the Khulna District Shilpakala Academy on Saturday morning, he said that most teachers themselves believe the demand is not logical. The advisor explained that while headteachers have been promoted to the 10th grade, it is impractical to apply the same for all assistant teachers due to their large number. The government is working to ensure that teachers can at least achieve the 11th grade, he added. Professor Poddar also mentioned that the Ministry of Public Administration has a policy of allocating 80% for promotion and reserving 20% for new recruitment. The meeting also discussed improving teaching quality and teachers’ moral and practical development.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur has stated that the country’s overall economic condition remains stable. Speaking as the chief guest at a regional seminar on MFI-Bank Linkage held at Water Garden Resort in Basail, Tangail, on Saturday (November 8), he emphasized that with continued political stability, the economy will progress even more smoothly in the coming days. The seminar, organized by the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA), aimed to enhance the flow of banking services and funds to rural and marginalized communities. Addressing the issue of recovering laundered money, Dr. Mansur mentioned that lawyers have been sent to the UK on behalf of several banks to establish claims against certain corporate groups. If successful, positive outcomes are expected soon. The event was chaired by MRA’s Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Mohammad Helal Uddin and attended by top officials from various banks and NGOs.

Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and ex-MP from Dinajpur-4, passed away at the age of 83 on Thursday evening at BIRDEM Hospital in Dhaka. He had been undergoing treatment in the ICU for kidney-related complications for nearly two weeks. His funeral prayer will be held in front of his Dhanmondi residence, followed by burial at Banani Cemetery. Born in 1943 in Dinajpur’s Khansama upazila, Ali began his career as an economics lecturer at the University of Dhaka before joining the Pakistan Foreign Service in 1966. During the 1971 Liberation War, he played a key diplomatic role in mobilizing international support for Bangladesh. He served as Foreign Minister from 2014 to 2019 and later as Finance Minister after being elected in 2024. He lost his parliamentary seat following the fall of the Awami League government that same year.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has confirmed that it is fully prepared to conduct the 13th National Parliamentary Election, likely to be held in the first or second week of February. Senior Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha that all major election preparations, including the arrival of indelible ink from abroad, have been completed. He emphasized that maintaining a peaceful law and order situation is vital not only for the election but also for the nation’s overall stability and development. The EC aims to rebuild public trust following previous irregularities and is committed to ensuring a fair, neutral, and participatory election.

According to the EC Secretariat, procurement of election materials, legal revisions, and voter list updates will be finalized by mid-November, with the election schedule expected in early December. Bangladesh now has 127.6 million registered voters, including 1,230 third-gender voters. A total of 42,761 polling centers and 244,649 booths have been designated across 300 constituencies. For the first time, expatriate Bangladeshis will be able to vote through postal ballots, marking a significant step toward inclusivity and modernization of the electoral process.

Two police constables from Rajshahi’s Durgapur Police Station were beaten by locals after being accused of attempting to extort money from a young man in Shyampur village on Tuesday evening, November 4. The officers, identified as driver Imran Ali of the emergency “999” unit and computer operator Majed Hossain, allegedly demanded a large sum from Sajib Ahmed, claiming he was involved in online gambling. When Sajib refused, they reportedly threatened to arrest him. Locals became suspicious after the pair failed to show identification and detained them following an altercation. Police later arrived and rescued the constables, who have since been withdrawn to the police lines. Investigators have been assigned, and senior officers confirmed departmental action will follow if the allegations are substantiated. One of the accused, Imran Ali, denied the charges, claiming they were falsely implicated and had not gone to arrest anyone.

The United States faces growing chaos as the ongoing federal government shutdown — now the longest in the nation’s history at 36 days — begins to disrupt air travel on a massive scale. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that, starting Friday, 10 percent of flights will be cut across 40 major airports if the shutdown continues. The decision comes amid a severe shortage of air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff, many of whom have been working without pay for weeks.

Although the government has not released the full list of affected airports, the measure is expected to impact busy hubs including New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Dallas. Industry analysts at Cirium estimate the cuts could reduce around 1,800 flights and 268,000 seats daily. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned that stricter controls might follow if the crisis persists.

Airlines and trade groups such as Airlines for America are coordinating with the government to minimize disruptions for passengers and cargo transport. Since the shutdown began, over 3.2 million travelers have faced flight delays or cancellations, and more than 2,100 flights were delayed on Wednesday alone.