Tropical Cyclone Fina struck Darwin, the capital of Australia's Northern Territory, with wind speeds reaching up to 205 km/h, prompting the closure of Darwin International Airport and widespread safety warnings. The Category 3 storm, which hit late Saturday, began moving away on Sunday but left behind damaged homes and infrastructure. Authorities have advised residents to stay indoors and avoid downed power lines as emergency crews assess the situation. The Power and Water Corporation said it is still unclear how many people are without electricity. The storm has revived memories of Cyclone Tracy in 1974, which devastated Darwin and killed 66 people. Although no serious injuries have been reported, heavy rain and strong winds continue to disrupt daily life. Meteorologists warn that Category 3 cyclones can cause significant damage to vegetation, crops, and weak structures, as well as prolonged power interruptions.

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Myanmar on Sunday morning, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at 10:39 a.m. Bangladesh time, with its epicenter located about 267 kilometers west-southwest of Dawei in the Andaman Sea, at a depth of 10 kilometers. Tremors were also felt in neighboring Thailand. The incident follows a 5.7-magnitude earthquake that hit Bangladesh on Friday, killing at least 10 people, and several mild aftershocks recorded there the following day. Myanmar also experienced three smaller quakes on Saturday, measuring 3.5, 3.7, and 3.4 on the Richter scale, according to India’s National Center for Seismology (NCS). No casualties or damage have been reported from the latest Myanmar quake, but experts are monitoring the region for potential aftershocks as seismic activity continues across South and Southeast Asia.

Bangladesh Bank has announced the closure of all direct customer services, including the sale of savings certificates, prize bonds, and the exchange of damaged notes, across all its offices from Sunday, November 23. The central bank stated that the decision was made considering security concerns, as it is a Key Point Installation (KPI) institution. Previously, such services were available at its Motijheel head office and regional branches in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Bogura, Rajshahi, and Sylhet. Initially, the closure was scheduled to begin on November 30 at the Motijheel office, followed by other branches, but the timeline was advanced for simultaneous implementation. Bangladesh Bank emphasized that central banks worldwide do not provide direct counter services to the public. To ensure uninterrupted service delivery, the regulator will enhance monitoring of commercial banks, which will continue to handle these customer-related transactions.

The ownership of the influential British right-leaning newspaper The Telegraph is set to change hands, as Daily Mail owner General Trust PLC (DMGT) has agreed to purchase it for £500 million (approximately $650 million). The deal follows the withdrawal of U.S.-based private investment firm RedBird Capital Partners, which had previously been in talks to acquire the publication. According to the Financial Times, the valuation was determined to cover the repayment of funds spent by the RedBird-led consortium. The parties involved have now entered exclusive negotiations to finalize transaction terms and prepare necessary documentation. The agreement is expected to be submitted soon to the UK Foreign Secretary for approval. Neither The Telegraph nor RedBird IMI has commented further on the matter, though both sides confirmed that discussions were expedited to reach the announced deal.

The cold wave has intensified in northern Bangladesh as Panchagarh recorded a minimum temperature of 12.6°C on Sunday morning, down from 14.7°C the previous day. According to the Tetulia Weather Observatory, humidity was 97 percent, though visibility remained normal due to the absence of dense fog. Residents in Debiganj, Boda, Atwari, and Panchagarh Sadar reported a sharp increase in cold sensation caused by chilly winds and high humidity. Meteorologist Jitendranath Roy stated that temperatures had hovered around 14°C over the past week but dropped further on Sunday, with forecasts suggesting a continued decline in the coming week. He added that the northern region is expected to experience a full onset of winter by early December, as cold air masses strengthen across the area.

Within just 32 hours, four earthquakes struck Dhaka and nearby Narsingdi, sparking public concern and expert warnings about a possible larger quake. Following Friday’s 5.7-magnitude tremor, three smaller quakes hit on Saturday, two in Dhaka’s Badda area and one in Narsingdi’s Palash. Geologists suggest these could be ‘foreshocks’ indicating stress buildup along nearby subduction zones. Experts from Dhaka University and BUET explained that Bangladesh lies at the intersection of three tectonic plates, making the region seismically active and vulnerable to major earthquakes. They emphasized that Dhaka’s proximity to the Dawki Fault and the Burmese Subplate increases the risk of a significant event. Authorities and specialists urged the government to raise public awareness, identify risky buildings, and enforce earthquake-resistant construction standards. Citizens were advised not to panic but to remain alert and prepared for potential seismic activity in the coming days.

Meteorologist Mostafa Kamal Palash from the University of Saskatchewan has warned of a strong likelihood of a cyclone forming in the southeast Bay of Bengal around November 25–26. According to his latest forecast, the low-pressure area near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands may gradually intensify into a deep depression and eventually a cyclone. The potential storm could make landfall between India’s Andhra Pradesh coast and Bangladesh’s Chattogram coast between December 1 and 4. Light to moderate rainfall is expected across Bangladesh from November 30 to December 5. Farmers have been advised to harvest ripe Aman paddy before the rains and prepare for possible weather disruptions. Fishermen are urged to return from the sea by November 30 and avoid new fishing trips after November 29. Tourists are also advised to avoid travel to St. Martin’s Island and nearby coastal areas between November 30 and December 4 due to anticipated rough seas.

Leaders of various government employee organizations in Bangladesh have announced a mass rally in Dhaka during the first week of December to press for a new pay scale. The decision was finalized on November 22 during a meeting led by the Government Employees Demand Implementation Unity Council. Leaders expressed frustration over delays in the long-awaited pay structure reform, warning of tougher movements if the Pay Commission fails to submit its recommendations by November 30. The commission, however, stated that its draft report is about 50 percent complete, with further progress expected after receiving feedback from secretaries this week. The 23-member National Pay Commission 2025, headed by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, was formed in July and has been tasked with submitting its final report within six months of its first meeting.

Within just 31 hours, four earthquakes struck Dhaka and surrounding areas, prompting renewed warnings from geologists about Bangladesh’s high vulnerability to a major seismic event. The tremors, ranging from magnitudes 3.3 to 5.7, occurred between Friday morning and Saturday evening, killing at least 10 people and injuring over 600. Experts, including former Dhaka University geologist Prof. Syed Humayun Akhter, cautioned that these minor and moderate quakes could be precursors to a much larger one. Bangladesh lies on an active tectonic boundary between the Indian, Burmese, and Eurasian plates, with significant stress accumulated along the Dawki Fault and the subduction zone stretching from Sylhet to Teknaf. Dhaka, with its dense population and poorly enforced building codes, is considered the most at-risk city. Specialists urge immediate structural audits, strict code enforcement, and public preparedness to mitigate potential devastation if a major quake strikes.

After a long wait, tourist trips to Saint Martin Island in the Bay of Bengal will resume on December 1. Ships will depart from Cox’s Bazar’s Nuniachhara Jetty at 7 a.m. and return the following day at 3 p.m., allowing visitors to stay overnight on the island for the first time this season. Authorities have set a daily visitor limit of 2,000 and prepared seven ships for continuous operation over two months. Although the island reopened to tourists on November 1, the absence of overnight facilities kept visitors away. The Sea Cruise Operators Association reported increased interest following the announcement of overnight stays. The Department of Environment in Cox’s Bazar stated that strict monitoring will be enforced for tourist movement. Tickets will be available through the Bangladesh Tourism Board’s online portal, featuring travel passes and QR codes. Officials emphasized that all visitors must comply with environmental protection regulations during their stay.

The Daily Mail’s parent company, Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), has announced a £500 million agreement to acquire The Telegraph newspaper from the US-UAE consortium RedBird IMI. The deal, confirmed in a press release from DMGT, marks a significant consolidation in the British media landscape. Founded 170 years ago, The Telegraph has long been one of the UK’s leading conservative newspapers and a direct rival to the Daily Mail. By securing this acquisition, DMGT is set to become one of the largest right-leaning media groups in the United Kingdom. The move underscores ongoing shifts in ownership within the UK press industry, as traditional media houses seek to strengthen their influence amid changing readership and digital transformation trends.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology has confirmed there will be no return to the outdated telecom licensing system, which was deemed ineffective and obstructive to service growth. The new 'Telecommunication Network and Licensing–2025' policy, now officially gazetted, aims to overhaul the sector by replacing 26 existing license types with a simplified, converged structure. Over 3,000 licenses issued under previous administrations will be reviewed. The ministry clarified that internet prices will not rise under the new framework. The policy emphasizes shifting from a connection-based service model to a digital service–driven economy, promoting competition through four licensing tiers while reducing intermediaries. It also highlights the need for improved fiber connectivity, cybersecurity, and inclusion of emerging sectors such as edtech, fintech, and healthtech. The government expects the reform to expand operational scope for operators, ensure affordable services, and strengthen the foundation for a secure digital economy.

Following Friday’s 5.7-magnitude earthquake, Bangladesh experienced two mild aftershocks on Saturday morning and evening, measuring 3.3 and 4.3 on the Richter scale. According to Md. Mominul Islam, acting director of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), these tremors are aftershocks resulting from the earlier quake. He explained that the region’s weak soil composition caused the shaking to last longer than usual. Islam emphasized that the next 72 hours are critical for monitoring potential aftershocks, which typically register at least one magnitude lower than the main quake. He urged the public to remain calm and stay in safe areas during tremors. The expert also highlighted Bangladesh’s high vulnerability to earthquakes and called for stricter adherence to building codes, preservation of open spaces and parks, and widening of roads near buildings to mitigate future risks.

Dhaka experienced another earthquake on Saturday evening at 6:06 PM, marking the third tremor in 36 hours. The quake measured 4.3 on the Richter scale. Conflicting reports have emerged regarding its epicenter: the Bangladesh Meteorological Department identified it as being in Dhaka’s Badda area, while the US Geological Survey (USGS) placed it 11 kilometers west of Narsingdi. Both agencies agreed on the magnitude but differed on the origin point, prompting renewed discussion among experts. The USGS also reported the quake’s depth at 10 kilometers below the surface. Earlier, on Friday morning, a stronger 5.7 magnitude quake struck with its epicenter in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, shaking large parts of Bangladesh and India, killing 10 people and injuring over 600. Another 3.3 magnitude tremor followed on Saturday morning in Narsingdi’s Palash upazila, before the latest quake hit Dhaka in the evening.

RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam inspected several earthquake-damaged buildings in Old Dhaka’s Armanitola, Mugda, and Badda areas following the November 21 tremor. During the visit, he expressed dissatisfaction with the owners of a building in Armanitola where three people died after a railing collapse, ordering submission of the building’s design within seven days and removal of risky portions. In Mugda, he inspected a leaning building and directed closure of ground-floor shops and submission of structural designs within a week. He also ordered the immediate removal of unauthorized street food stalls occupying sidewalks. At Alatunnessa School and College in Badda, cracks were found in columns of two buildings, prompting orders for design submission and possible demolition, with classes temporarily suspended. The chairman emphasized that the earthquake served as a warning and urged collective awareness to prevent future disasters. RAJUK officials accompanied him during the inspections.