Gold prices declined for the third consecutive session on Monday, November 24, as a stronger U.S. dollar and uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve interest rate decisions weighed on the market. According to Reuters, spot gold fell 0.4% to $4,045.58 per ounce, while December futures dropped 0.9% to $4,042.50. Analysts noted that the dollar’s value is at a six-month high, making gold more expensive for buyers using other currencies. The CME FedWatch tool showed the probability of a rate cut next month fell to 69% from 74%. Despite earlier optimism following comments from New York Fed President John Williams, other Fed officials maintained a cautious stance, suggesting rates should remain steady to avoid economic risks. Reliance Securities’ analyst Jigar Trivedi predicted no major changes in gold prices over the next three to five weeks, though slight declines are possible. Meanwhile, silver prices slipped 0.1%, while platinum and palladium gained 1.5% and 1.3%, respectively.

Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon expressed deep concern over Delhi’s alarming air pollution levels while promoting her upcoming film 'Tere Ishq Mein'. Speaking at the event, she noted that the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) had exceeded 430, posing severe health risks. Sanon said the toxic air quality has become a serious issue that demands immediate attention. The worsening pollution has already disrupted several film shoots in Delhi, including the postponement of her film 'Cocktail 2', which also stars Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. The actress urged authorities and citizens to take collective responsibility and implement effective measures before the situation deteriorates further. Kriti Sanon will next appear opposite South Indian actor Dhanush in director Aanand L. Rai’s 'Tere Ishq Mein'.

Bangladesh’s Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that holding the national election and referendum simultaneously will increase government expenditure. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase at the Secretariat on Monday, he explained that the additional costs would arise from arrangements for both the referendum and voting facilities for expatriates. However, he assured that the overall budget would not face any major issues due to these adjustments. Dr. Ahmed also noted that conducting both events on the same day is preferable, as practiced in several other countries, since holding them separately would be more difficult and costly. Additionally, he mentioned that the Ministry of Energy has been approved to import refined fuel and that non-basmati rice imports will be increased to stabilize rising rice prices. He urged local businesses to act responsibly, emphasizing that price control requires political commitment beyond administrative measures.

A road in Kotalipara upazila of Gopalganj has collapsed into a canal after dredging work was carried out using heavy machinery without draining the water, sparking public concern and criticism. The project, funded by the Asian Development Bank and implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board, was meant to be executed through water drainage excavation. However, contractor Ataur Rahman Khan Ltd used dredgers instead, causing erosion that damaged roads connecting Majhbari and Bongkura villages. Locals, including students of nearby schools and madrasas, now face severe travel disruptions and safety risks. Residents accuse the contractor and supervising engineers of negligence and corruption, alleging that similar irregularities are occurring in other canal projects in the area. Officials from the Water Development Board and local administration have acknowledged the issue and promised prompt repairs. The incident highlights growing frustration over mismanagement in rural infrastructure projects.

A World Bank report released on November 24 warns that by 2030, around 90% of South Asia’s population will be exposed to extreme heat, while one in four people will face flood risks. The report highlights that rising salinity in water and soil will make life increasingly difficult in coastal areas. It criticizes current climate adaptation measures as low-cost and largely symbolic, noting the lack of substantial government initiatives. Jean Pem, World Bank Division Director, emphasized that Bangladesh is facing severe environmental challenges, which could worsen unless early disaster warning systems, smart agriculture, and adaptation budgets are expanded. Siddhartha Sharma, the Bank’s Chief Economist for South Asia, added that Bangladesh’s climate response remains slow, urging stronger collaboration between public and private sectors to accelerate action against the growing climate crisis.

The National Pay Commission of Bangladesh is holding a meeting this afternoon with secretaries from various ministries and departments to discuss the formulation of a new government pay structure. The meeting, chaired by Zakir Ahmed Khan, head of the 2025 Pay Commission, aims to review salaries, allowances, and benefits across government, semi-government, autonomous, and state-owned institutions. Sources indicate that about half of the draft process for the new pay scale has been completed, following consultations with employee organizations. The secretaries’ meeting will focus on the proposed structure, its potential implementation timeline, and related benefits. Employee leaders have urged the commission to submit its final recommendations by November 30, warning of strong protests if the deadline is missed. A large rally in Dhaka is planned for December 5 to press for the implementation of the new pay scale.

The Directorate of Education and Engineering in Bangladesh has instructed all educational institutions to submit detailed reports on damages caused by the November 21 earthquake, which measured 5.7 on the Richter scale and originated near Narsingdi. A circular signed by Chief Engineer (acting) Md. Tarek Anwar Jahedi on November 23 directed secondary, higher, technical, and madrasa institutions to send scanned and soft copies of damage assessments by November 24. Government primary schools have also been asked to submit similar reports by November 27, including district and upazila names, number of damaged rooms, and estimated losses. The directive follows media reports indicating that several schools and colleges across multiple districts suffered structural damage during the tremor. Authorities aim to compile a comprehensive database to guide necessary repair and safety measures in affected educational facilities.

Bangladesh’s largest mobile operator, Grameenphone, has reportedly dismissed around 3,360 permanent Bangladeshi employees over the past 13 years, reducing the local workforce to about 1,640. Former employees allege that the company has systematically replaced Bangladeshi workers with Indian nationals and outsourced key operations to Indian-owned firms Genex and Withpro. Several top management positions, including CTO, CIO, and CPO, are currently held by Indian citizens, raising concerns about data security, service quality, and financial irregularities. Dismissed workers claim they were labeled as politically affiliated, unfit, or union members and that their dues remain unpaid despite legal battles and protests. Grameenphone denies the allegations, asserting that all dismissals followed legal procedures and that all dues were settled. The company maintains that its recruitment follows global standards and that ongoing disputes are under judicial review. Labor activists continue to demand payment of outstanding benefits and accuse the firm of violating labor laws and court orders.

According to Swiss-based air quality monitoring organization IQAir, India dominates the list of the world’s most polluted cities, with Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai among the top five. Delhi tops the list with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 450, indicating hazardous air conditions. Kolkata follows with a score of 248, while Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, ranks third with a score of 232, categorized as very unhealthy. Pakistan’s Karachi is fourth with 209, and Mumbai is fifth with 198. IQAir’s scale classifies air quality between 0–50 as good, 51–100 as moderate, 101–150 as unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 as unhealthy, 201–300 as very unhealthy, and above 301 as hazardous. The data, collected on Sunday morning, highlights the severe air pollution crisis affecting major South Asian cities, posing serious health risks to millions of residents.

Nasim Rana Masud, CEO of Rajshahi-based IT firm Techflix and a former psychology student at the University of Rajshahi, has been honored with the 'Nepal International Excellence Award 2025' for his outstanding contributions to Bangladesh’s IT sector. The award was presented in Kathmandu at an event jointly organized by the South Asian Social Cultural Forum and the Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Council. The ceremony, themed 'Our Role in the Development of Asia’s Trade and Tourism Industry,' recognized professionals from across South Asia for their socio-economic and professional excellence. Distinguished guests included leaders from Nepal’s academia, tourism, and business sectors. Expressing his gratitude, Nasim said the award symbolizes not only recognition but also a greater sense of responsibility toward his country’s development. The event emphasized regional cooperation, development strategies, and future planning for South Asia’s growth.

Badiul Kabir, president of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council, stated that the Pay Commission could submit its recommendations for a new pay scale by November 30. Speaking on November 23, he emphasized that government employees are eagerly awaiting the new pay structure and warned that failure to meet the deadline could trigger widespread protests. Kabir noted that employees are united and ready to launch programs if their demands are not met. The council has given the commission until the end of November to finalize at least a summary of its report. Meanwhile, sources indicate that the Pay Commission has completed about 50 percent of its work and plans to gather opinions from secretaries next week before finalizing the report. The final recommendations are expected by the end of December. A major rally is scheduled for December 5 if the deadline is missed.

Heavy monsoon rains have triggered severe flooding across several Malaysian states, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. As of Monday morning, around 10,469 people have been relocated to temporary relief centers, up from about 9,000 the previous night. Kelantan is the worst-affected state, with districts such as Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Pasir Puteh, and Bachok inundated, displacing over 8,000 people. Authorities have opened 33 relief centers in the state to accommodate evacuees. In Perak, 946 residents have taken shelter across several districts, while northern regions like Kedah, Perlis, and Penang have also reported evacuations. Smaller numbers of displaced people have been reported in Terengganu and Selangor. The floods, caused by the northeast monsoon, have disrupted daily life and raised concerns about further rainfall in the coming days as emergency services continue rescue and relief operations.

Bangladesh’s banking sector is experiencing a sharp rise in excess liquidity, reaching Tk 3.06 trillion by the end of August 2024, up from Tk 1.74 trillion a year earlier, according to Bangladesh Bank data. The surge follows the removal of the lending rate cap after the fall of the previous government, which led to higher deposit rates and increased inflows into stronger banks. However, political instability, high interest rates, and cautious lending have slowed private sector credit growth to 6.29% in September. State-owned banks hold Tk 1.43 trillion in excess liquidity, while private and foreign banks hold Tk 1.73 trillion and Tk 0.32 trillion respectively. Sonali Bank tops the list with Tk 623.22 billion in surplus funds. Meanwhile, several weaker banks, including National Bank and AB Bank, are facing liquidity shortfalls. Bank executives attribute the uneven liquidity situation to depositor confidence shifting toward stable institutions and reduced credit demand from both government and private sectors.

Bangladesh has recorded a strong rise in remittance inflows in November, with expatriates sending $2.135 billion during the first 22 days of the month, according to preliminary data from Bangladesh Bank. This marks a 24.5% increase compared to the same period last year, when remittances totaled $1.715 billion. At an exchange rate of 122 taka per dollar, the remittance amount equals approximately 260.47 billion taka. In just three days, from November 20 to 22, expatriates remitted $127 million. If the current pace continues, total remittances for November could reach around $3 billion. From July 1 to November 22 of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh received $12.284 billion in remittances, up from $10.653 billion during the same period last year. The central bank attributes the growth to improved transfer channels and incentives for sending money through formal banking systems.

Following a 5.7-magnitude earthquake that shook Dhaka, several of Dhaka University’s aging dormitories developed cracks and falling plaster, injuring around 30 students and sparking panic. The university administration has closed the campus for 15 days and ordered all residential students to vacate by November 23. Students, however, criticized the sudden move, arguing that the crisis stems from years of neglect rather than a new emergency. Dormitories including Ziaur Rahman Hall, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall, and Shamsunnahar Hall were found to be in critical condition, with some structures reportedly leaning. BUET experts will inspect all old buildings and assess structural risks. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan announced a Tk 149 crore renovation project starting in December and a larger Tk 2,841 crore development plan to build new dormitories by 2026. Student protests briefly erupted demanding safer accommodation and suspension of the closure order.