Bangladesh experienced several mild earthquakes over the past week, including a magnitude 4 tremor in the Bay of Bengal on November 26. A day later, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia, though no major tsunami followed. Experts say Bangladesh faces limited tsunami risk unless a powerful quake occurs near the Andaman or Nicobar Islands. The country lies at the junction of two tectonic plates stretching from Chattogram-Arakan to the Andaman region. Historical records show a major 8.5 magnitude quake off the Arakan coast in 1962 caused a significant tsunami, but such events are rare, with recurrence intervals of 500–900 years. Meteorologists note that while small undersea quakes are frequent, they rarely cause damage. Bangladesh’s funnel-shaped coastline could amplify tsunami effects from distant sources, but the greater current concern is strong inland earthquakes rather than tsunamis.

A new International Monetary Fund (IMF) assessment identifies entrenched corruption and elite-driven 'state capture' as the root causes of Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis. The report highlights how political and business elites manipulate state policies to serve their interests, undermining governance, accountability, and the rule of law. It warns that without dismantling elite privileges, Pakistan’s economic stagnation will persist. The IMF estimates that comprehensive governance reforms could boost Pakistan’s GDP by up to 6.5%, compared to its 2024 level of $340 billion. The report also criticizes weak institutions, judicial inefficiency, and misuse of the National Accountability Bureau for political purposes. Experts from Oxford University and local think tanks agree that corruption and poor governance are deeply intertwined, requiring political will and structural reforms. They call for unified economic planning, procurement modernization, and transparency to rebuild public trust and stabilize the economy.

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has announced plans to introduce area-based rent rates and new guidelines for tenants and landlords by early December. During a roundtable discussion on tenant and landlord rights held at the DNCC auditorium on Thursday, the city’s administrator stated that although the House Rent Control Act of 1991 exists, many of its provisions are not being followed. The DNCC aims to prepare a directive ensuring compliance with safety measures such as fire protection and earthquake resistance. Tenants will have the freedom to move in or out of rented houses at their convenience. The city authority will also publish a standard agreement format on its website and take steps to prevent commercial activities in residential areas. Additionally, DNCC will ensure that tenants are informed about landlords’ holding tax payments, and services will be withheld from properties with unpaid taxes.

High-speed broadband internet has reached remote coastal areas of Bangladesh’s southwest, including Mongla in Bagerhat district, under the government’s ‘Establishing Digital Connectivity (EDC)’ project. Over 50,000 broadband connections have been installed nationwide, with 2,382 in Khulna and Bagerhat districts. Schools, colleges, madrasas, land offices, and community clinics in these areas now benefit from improved connectivity, enhancing education, healthcare, and administrative efficiency. Teachers report that multimedia classes and online communication with education offices have become easier, while students can now access online resources more effectively. The initiative, funded by the government, aims to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural regions. Implemented by Circle Network, the project faced challenges due to the region’s waterways and difficult terrain. Officials say the expansion of broadband in these coastal zones is accelerating digital services and improving the quality of life for residents in one of the country’s most remote areas.

A deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lankan coast has intensified into Cyclone Ditwah, according to a special weather bulletin issued on Thursday, November 27. The storm was located about 1,935 to 2,040 kilometers southwest of Bangladesh’s major sea ports—Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra—and is moving north-northwestward. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has advised these ports to replace distant cautionary signal No. 1 with distant warning signal No. 2. Within 54 kilometers of the cyclone’s center, maximum sustained winds are reported at 62 km/h, gusting up to 88 km/h, with very rough sea conditions prevailing nearby. All fishing boats and trawlers operating in the northern Bay of Bengal have been instructed to remain close to shore and avoid deep-sea ventures until further notice.

Atova Technology organized an 'Industrial Training, Farewell and Appreciation Ceremony' in Dhaka to honor participants who completed industry-based training programs. Chief guest Khandaker Mahbub Uddin Khokon, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, emphasized that practical training enhances young people's efficiency and confidence, calling such initiatives vital for human resource development. BASIS administrator Hafizullah Khan Liton highlighted the importance of hands-on training for developing skilled manpower in local government and ICT sectors. Manjur Mohammad Shahriar, director of the DEIED project under Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, said the project aims to make youth industry-ready, and Atova’s efforts align with that goal. Other guests, including Robiul Islam Noyon and Raushan Kamal James, praised Atova’s contribution to IT skill development. CEO Ferdous Alam stated that Atova’s mission is to prepare youth for real-world industry work and expand training and career support programs in the future.

After two years and eight months of signing the transit agreement and protocol, the first cargo shipment under the Bangladesh-Bhutan transit arrangement has departed from Chattogram Port. The consignment, consisting of 6,530 kilograms of goods including shampoo, chocolate, juice, and palm fruit imported from Thailand, left the port by road on Wednesday night. The shipment will travel through the Burimari land port, enter India via Changrabandha, and reach Bhutan via Siliguri, covering a total distance of 684 kilometers. Bangladesh earned Tk 101,713 in port charges and duties from this trial run. Chattogram Port Secretary Omar Faruk confirmed that the trial aims to identify and resolve any logistical or procedural issues before regular operations begin. Bhutan, a landlocked country previously reliant on India’s Kolkata and Haldia ports, seeks to diversify its trade routes and reduce costs through this new corridor. The initiative follows Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering’s recent visit to Bangladesh, which accelerated the trial process.

Ghorashal in Narsingdi district experienced four earthquakes within a single week, sparking fear among residents though no casualties or damage have been reported. The most recent tremor occurred on Thursday, November 27, at 4:15 p.m., registering a magnitude of 3.6 on the Richter scale. The first and strongest quake, measuring 5.7, struck on November 21, followed by two more on Saturday morning and evening, each measuring 4.3. The repeated tremors caused people in Ghorashal, Palash, and nearby areas to rush out of homes and offices in panic. According to the Meteorological Department, all four quakes originated in Narsingdi, with the latest epicenter located in Ghorashal itself. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious but assured that there is no immediate cause for alarm as monitoring continues.

The world’s first farm dedicated to producing lab-grown or cultured meat is being established in the village of Schipluijden, located in South Holland, the Netherlands. The project, led by cheese producer Kaaren van Leeuwen, will install its first production module this week on a former dairy farm. Cultured meat, first conceptualized by researcher Willem van Eelen and realized in 2013 by Maastricht University’s Mark Post with Google funding, uses stem cells from animal muscle tissue to grow meat without slaughter. The initiative aims to reduce animal suffering and environmental impact associated with intensive livestock farming. The pilot project will produce cultured beef directly on-site, and by spring 2026, an experience center will open to allow visitors to observe the entire process. The production involves cultivating animal cells in a bioreactor under controlled conditions with nutrients like amino acids, sugars, vitamins, and growth hormones, replicating the natural environment inside an animal’s body.

Bangladesh is set to host the first-ever Global Sourcing Expo 2025 from December 1–3 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal, Dhaka. Organized by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the event aims to expand Bangladesh’s global export footprint by connecting local exporters with leading importers, sourcing agents, and trade promotion organizations from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The expo will highlight eight promising sectors beyond garments, including leather goods, IT, processed agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, jute, electronics, and lifestyle items. Participating countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have confirmed official delegations. The event will feature B2B sessions and business forums to facilitate direct interaction between foreign buyers and local producers. Organizers and experts believe the expo will strengthen Bangladesh’s export diversification strategy, attract new investments, and enhance the country’s long-term economic growth by promoting emerging industries to international markets.

At least 31 people have died and 14 others remain missing in Sri Lanka following severe floods and landslides triggered by continuous heavy rainfall this week, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The worst-hit area is the hilly Badulla district, where 16 people were killed after being buried by landslides, while four more deaths occurred in nearby Nuwara Eliya. More than 400 homes have been submerged, affecting over 4,000 people across 17 districts. Authorities have evacuated over 1,100 families to temporary shelters and issued red alerts for landslides in eight mountainous districts. The DMC warned that river levels are rising rapidly and urged residents in low-lying areas to move to higher ground. The government has suspended national examinations for two days due to the extreme weather. Meteorologists attribute the intensified rainfall to a low-pressure system over the island’s east, with some regions recording over 300 millimeters of rain. Experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency of such disasters in the country.

Global gold prices fell by 0.5 percent after two weeks of record highs, as investors began profit-taking amid uncertainty over the U.S. Federal Reserve’s future monetary policy. According to a Reuters report published Thursday, spot gold declined to $4,145.08 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures for December delivery dropped 0.6 percent to $4,140.80 per ounce. In Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) also reduced local gold prices by Tk 1,353 per bhori (11.664 grams). The new rate for 22-carat gold now stands at Tk 208,167 per bhori, while 21-carat, 18-carat, and traditional gold are priced at Tk 198,696, Tk 170,318, and Tk 141,648 respectively. BAJUS further stated that a 5 percent government VAT and a minimum 6 percent making charge must be added to the selling price, with variations allowed based on design and quality.

Bangladesh experienced three mild to moderate earthquakes within a span of 13 hours, according to the country's earthquake monitoring center. The first tremor occurred around 3:29 a.m. near Teknaf, originating 118 kilometers offshore in the Bay of Bengal, with a magnitude of 4.0. Just a minute later, at 3:30 a.m., another quake measuring 3.4 struck Sylhet, though most residents did not feel it. The third and final quake was recorded at 4:15 p.m. in Narsingdi’s Ghorashal area, registering a magnitude of 3.6. Officials described all three as minor, causing no reported damage or casualties. The incidents follow a stronger 5.7-magnitude earthquake on November 21 that shook the entire country, killing 10 people and injuring over 600. Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity closely amid rising public concern over frequent tremors in recent weeks.

Netflix faced a major technical disruption shortly after releasing the first volume of the final season of 'Stranger Things 5', directed by the Duffer Brothers. The platform went down within minutes of the global premiere as millions of fans attempted to stream the episode simultaneously. The unexpected surge in traffic overwhelmed Netflix’s servers, leaving viewers unable to access the show. Fans quickly took to social media to share their frustration, reporting error messages when trying to play the episode. The company has acknowledged the issue and is working to restore full service. The release of 'Stranger Things 5' marks the beginning of the end for one of Netflix’s most popular and culturally influential series, set in the nostalgic 1980s and known for its blend of science fiction, horror, and coming-of-age drama.

A mild earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale was felt in Dhaka and several surrounding regions on Thursday afternoon, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. The tremor, which occurred at 4:15 p.m., had its epicenter in Ghorashal, Narsingdi, and a depth of approximately 6.2 miles below the surface, as reported by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). This follows a series of recent quakes in the region, including four tremors recorded within 31 hours around Dhaka last weekend. The strongest of those, a 5.7-magnitude quake centered in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi, struck on Friday morning, resulting in 10 deaths and more than 600 injuries. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious but confirmed that Thursday’s quake caused no major damage or casualties. Experts continue to monitor seismic activity in central Bangladesh, where minor tremors have become more frequent in recent weeks.