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.

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake that struck near Dhaka on Friday, with its epicenter in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, has left at least ten people dead and over 500 injured across Bangladesh. The quake, originating about 10 kilometers underground, was felt by nearly 70 million people, according to the US Geological Survey. Experts attribute the tremor to movement between the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates, warning that the region has been accumulating seismic energy for over 800 years. Professor Syed Humayun Akhter of Dhaka University cautioned that the quake indicates a potential for a much larger event, possibly between magnitude 8.2 and 9, as the locked plate segment has begun to release energy. A smaller aftershock of magnitude 3.3 was recorded in nearby Palash on Saturday. Authorities and seismologists are urging immediate preparedness measures, warning that a major quake could devastate densely populated Dhaka due to unplanned urbanization and structural vulnerabilities.

Dhaka experienced another earthquake on Saturday evening at 6:06 PM, marking the third tremor in less than 36 hours. The latest quake measured 3.7 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter located about three miles from the capital and a depth of 6.2 miles. Earlier, on Friday morning, a stronger 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck with its epicenter in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, shaking both Bangladesh and parts of India. The initial quake caused significant damage, killing 10 people, including a child, and injuring over 460 others across five districts—Dhaka, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Gazipur, and Magura. A smaller 3.3 magnitude tremor was also recorded Saturday morning in Palash, Narsingdi. Authorities are assessing structural damage and continuing rescue and relief operations in affected areas. Residents remain on alert as aftershocks continue to be felt across the region.

A mild earthquake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale was recorded in Palash, Narsingdi, on Sunday morning, less than 24 hours after a stronger tremor struck Madhabdi. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation and Research Center confirmed that the latest quake was an aftershock of Friday’s event. Officials stated that Bangladesh is divided into three seismic zones based on earthquake risk. Zone-1 includes high-risk areas such as parts of Sylhet, Mymensingh, Tangail, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Khagrachhari, and Rangamati. Zone-2 covers moderately risky regions, while Zone-3, including Khulna, Jashore, Barishal, and Patuakhali, faces the lowest risk. Historical data show that between 1976 and 2015, at least five major earthquakes were felt in Bangladesh, mostly originating from Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Cox’s Bazar. Experts warn that these regions remain vulnerable to future large-scale seismic activity due to nearby fault lines and tectonic boundaries.

Oscar-winning Indian composer A R Rahman has spoken candidly for the first time about the personal toll of fame following his divorce from wife Saira Banu after 29 years of marriage. In a recent interview, Rahman reflected on how celebrity status has deeply affected his private life, saying that while fame brought him global recognition, it also took away his freedom and peace. Living in Chennai, he explained, has been both a blessing and a burden—his fans’ love often leaves him with little personal space. Rahman described how public attention follows him everywhere, from airports to weddings, making it difficult to enjoy simple moments. Despite these challenges, he emphasized his attachment to his homeland, saying he never considered moving abroad. Rahman also contrasted the respect for privacy he experiences overseas with the constant public scrutiny in India, acknowledging that fame has come at a heavy personal cost.

Amid global economic instability, inflation, and geopolitical tensions, gold remains a key safe-haven asset for central banks worldwide. According to the latest data from the World Gold Council and international financial institutions, the United States holds the largest gold reserves at 8,133.46 tons, surpassing the combined reserves of the second and third-ranked countries. Germany follows with 3,355.14 tons, while Italy, France, Russia, and China complete the top six. Notably, China increased its reserves by 331 tons between 2019 and 2024. Other significant holders include India (876.2 tons), Japan (846 tons), Turkey (595.4 tons), and Saudi Arabia (323.1 tons). Bangladesh, by comparison, maintains 14.8 tons of gold in its central bank reserves. Although modest globally, this reserve plays an important role in supporting financial stability and international trade confidence. Central banks continue to rely on gold as a core reserve asset due to its enduring value amid global uncertainty.

At least 55 people have died and several remain missing following severe floods in southern and central Vietnam, authorities confirmed on Saturday. Continuous heavy rainfall since late October has inundated coastal cities such as Nha Trang and triggered deadly landslides in the highlands near Da Lat. The Ministry of Environment reported that six provinces have been affected, with Dak Lak suffering the highest death toll. Rescue teams continue searching for missing persons, while floodwaters have rendered multiple highways impassable and left around 300,000 people without electricity. State media noted that over one million residents were initially impacted by power outages. According to Vietnam’s national statistics office, natural disasters have killed or left missing 279 people and caused over $2 billion in damage from January to October this year. Scientists warn that human-induced climate change is intensifying extreme weather events across Southeast Asia, making such floods more frequent and destructive.

Government employees in Bangladesh have called an urgent meeting to finalize their movement demanding the implementation of the ninth pay scale by December. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 22, at the Dhaka University Fourth Class Employees Association office. Representatives from around a dozen organizations, in addition to the 12 unions under the Bangladesh Government Employees Demand Realization Unity Council, are expected to attend. According to the council’s coordinator, Md. Mahmudul Hasan, the participating organizations will discuss and finalize a program of action to press for the pay scale’s implementation. The meeting aims to unify various employee groups under a single platform to strengthen their collective bargaining power. The decision on the next course of action, including possible demonstrations or negotiations, is expected to emerge from this gathering.

India’s Reliance Industries Limited, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has announced it has stopped importing Russian crude oil for its export-oriented refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The decision comes ahead of European Union sanctions on Russian oil set to take effect on January 21, 2026, and amid growing US pressure on India over its energy trade with Moscow. Reliance confirmed that from November 20, its Special Economic Zone (SEZ) refinery ceased using Russian crude, and from December 1, all exported products will be derived from non-Russian sources. The move aligns with upcoming trade restrictions and ongoing US sanctions on major Russian oil producers Rosneft and Lukoil, which supply much of India’s Russian oil. Washington recently imposed sanctions on both firms, accusing them of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The development coincides with discussions of a potential trade agreement between India and the United States, signaling a possible shift in India’s energy sourcing strategy.

A second earthquake was recorded in Gazipur’s Baipail area near Dhaka within 24 hours of a deadly tremor that struck the region. According to the Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation and Research Center, the quake occurred at 10:36 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, with a magnitude of 3.3 on the Richter scale. Officials described it as a minor earthquake with its epicenter located in Baipail. The previous day, a stronger 5.7-magnitude quake hit about 13 kilometers east of Dhaka, killing ten people, including two children, and injuring hundreds across several districts. Four deaths occurred in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi, and one in Narayanganj. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as residents remain anxious following the back-to-back tremors.

China is constructing the world’s first artificial floating island capable of withstanding nuclear explosions and extreme natural disasters. The 78,000-ton structure, named the Deep-Sea All-Weather Resident Floating Research Facility, is expected to be operational by 2028. Designed as a mobile, semi-submersible twin-hull platform, it can endure waves up to nine meters high and typhoons of category 17 intensity. The island will accommodate 238 people for up to four months without external supplies. Built using metamaterial sandwich panels that absorb shock waves, the facility will feature emergency power, communication, and navigation systems crucial for nuclear protection. Although described as a civilian scientific infrastructure, its design follows military-grade standards (GJB 1060.1-1991) for nuclear blast resistance. The island will measure 138 meters in length, 85 meters in width, and rise 45 meters above sea level, serving as a long-term deep-sea research base.

Bangladesh has been classified into three earthquake risk zones, with Zone-1 marking the highest risk areas, mainly in the northern and southeastern regions. Districts in Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, parts of Tangail, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Khagrachhari, and Rangamati fall under this category. The lowest-risk Zone-3 includes Khulna, Jessore, Barishal, and Patuakhali. Historical data shows at least five major tremors between 1976 and 2015, mostly originating from Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Cox’s Bazar. Experts warn that Dhaka, with around 2.1 million buildings, faces severe danger due to poor compliance with building codes. Fault lines such as the Dawki and Madhupur faults, along with several plate boundaries, make the region highly vulnerable. Specialists emphasize strengthening earthquake preparedness, enforcing construction standards, and investing in early warning systems to mitigate potential disasters.

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, shaking Dhaka and surrounding districts for several seconds. The epicenter was located in Madhabdi upazila of Narsingdi district, near the capital. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake resulted from reverse faulting deep within the Indian tectonic plate. Experts from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Bangladeshi researchers explained that Bangladesh lies at the junction of three major tectonic plates — Indian, Eurasian, and Burmese — making it highly earthquake-prone. BUET professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansari noted that at least five fault lines exist in the country, with the Noakhali–Sylhet line likely responsible for this event. The quake caused structural damage to several buildings and led to at least 10 deaths and over 550 injuries nationwide. As of Friday night, more than 450 injured people were treated in government hospitals, with 167 admitted and 16 in critical condition referred elsewhere.

Following reports of several buildings tilting and cracking during a recent earthquake in Dhaka, the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) has begun on-site inspections to assess structural safety. Acting on the directive of RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam, officials from the development control wing visited multiple affected sites, including the Alatunnessa School and College building in Badda, which had already been declared risky and was sealed immediately after further damage. In Gulshan, cracks were found in a 10-storey building’s column, prompting the removal of water from its rooftop swimming pool. RAJUK teams also inspected buildings in Tikatuli, Wari Mugda WASA Road, Kafrul, Agargaon, and the Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital area. The authority instructed that detailed engineering assessments (DEA) be completed and reports submitted within 15 days. On Monday morning, the RAJUK chairman and officials are scheduled to visit several damaged sites for further evaluation.

The Dhaka District Administration has announced emergency financial assistance of up to Tk 15,000 for individuals injured during the recent earthquake in Dhaka. The aid will cover those who were hurt either due to panic or accidents triggered by the tremor. According to District Commissioner Md Rezaul Karim, recipients must have a medical recommendation to qualify. Injured persons or their attendants can contact the district control room at +8801700716678 to apply for assistance. The administration urged hospitals and families to spread the message to ensure timely support. The earthquake, which struck at 10:38 a.m. on Friday with a magnitude of 5.7 centered in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi area, caused widespread panic. As of Friday night, the Directorate General of Health Services reported 10 deaths and 606 injuries nationwide, with 167 hospitalized and 16 in critical condition. Officials believe the total number of injured could exceed 1,000, considering unreported cases from private hospitals.