A 10-year-old boy named Omar was killed and his father, Ujjal, critically injured when a wall of their home collapsed during an earthquake in Gabtali, Narsingdi, on Friday morning. Locals rescued the victims and took them to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 1 p.m., where doctors declared Omar dead upon arrival. His father was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for critical injuries. The hospital’s police camp in-charge, Inspector Md. Faruk, confirmed that the child’s body has been kept in the hospital morgue. Authorities have not yet provided further details about the extent of the earthquake or other casualties in the area. The incident highlights the vulnerability of local housing structures during seismic events and the urgent need for improved building safety measures in earthquake-prone regions of Bangladesh.

A powerful earthquake struck Ghorashal in Palash upazila of Narsingdi, Bangladesh, causing extensive damage to buildings, shops, and the Ghorashal Power Plant. Cracks appeared in several multi-story structures, and merchandise fell from shelves in local markets, injuring around 20 people. The quake triggered a fire at the substation of the Ghorashal Power Plant, leading to significant losses before firefighters brought the blaze under control. Electricity supply to Ghorashal and surrounding areas was disrupted, and authorities are working to restore power through alternative transmission routes. Local shop owners reported heavy financial losses, with some estimating damages worth several lakh taka. Residents and students in nearby buildings were left frightened as cracks appeared in walls and ceilings, prompting temporary closures of shops and educational institutions.

The National Pay Commission of Bangladesh is expected to submit its final recommendations for a new pay scale by the end of December 2024. According to commission member Dr. Mohammad Ali Khan, around 50 percent of the work has been completed, and opinions from secretaries will be collected next week before finalizing the report. The commission has dismissed a 15-page document circulating on social media as fake, clarifying that no official draft or decision has been released yet. The leaked document falsely claimed details about salary grades, increments, and allowances. Meanwhile, interim government economic adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that the new pay scale will likely be implemented after the national elections in February 2025. However, the Bangladesh Government Employees Unity Council has warned of strict action if the official gazette is not published by December 15. The 23-member commission, led by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, was formed in July to review and recommend updates to the government salary structure.

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, shaking Dhaka and several surrounding districts. The epicenter was located in Madhabdi, Narsingdi. The tremor, felt at 10:38 a.m., caused panic and structural damage in parts of the capital, with reports of buildings tilting and partial collapses. At least four people, including a child in Rupganj, were killed due to falling structures. Meteorologist Tariful Newaz Kabir from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department stated that the quake was of moderate intensity and not powerful enough to cause widespread destruction. He added that there is currently no indication of potential aftershocks. Typically, earthquakes of this magnitude cause noticeable shaking and minor damage but rarely result in major casualties or large-scale devastation. Authorities are assessing the situation while urging residents to remain cautious.

A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck several regions of Pakistan on Friday morning, according to Indian media outlet NDTV. The quake’s epicenter was located at a depth of 135 kilometers beneath the surface. No immediate reports of casualties or damage have been received, but authorities are monitoring aftershocks and advising residents to remain cautious and follow safety protocols. The tremor occurred on the same morning that a 5.7 magnitude earthquake shook Dhaka, Bangladesh, with its epicenter in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi area. Experts note that shallow earthquakes tend to cause more surface damage due to stronger ground vibrations. The region encompassing Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India is among the world’s most earthquake-prone zones, frequently experiencing moderate to strong seismic activity.

A powerful earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, shaking the capital Dhaka and several other regions. The tremor, which occurred at 10:39 a.m., had its epicenter in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, about 13 kilometers from Dhaka, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. The quake caused widespread panic as residents rushed out of buildings, reporting falling objects and trembling furniture. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the magnitude and location of the quake. Tremors were also felt across the border in India, including in Kolkata and nearby areas, Indian media reported. The earthquake lasted only a few seconds but was strong enough to alarm residents in both countries. As of now, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage, though authorities are monitoring the situation closely.

A new report by Beirut-based digital rights group SMEX has raised serious concerns over the presence of Israeli-developed software AppCloud on certain Samsung Galaxy A and M series smartphones sold in the Middle East and North Africa. The program, created by Israeli company IronSource, reportedly has deep system integration, allowing access to users’ location, IP address, and device identifiers without explicit consent or a clear privacy policy. The issue has gained attention amid Israel’s ongoing attacks in Gaza, where 33 Palestinians were killed in a single day despite a ceasefire. Digital security experts warn that AppCloud cannot be fully removed without rooting the device, posing potential surveillance risks, particularly in conflict zones. Palestinian and regional media have questioned the sudden influx of smartphones into Gaza, suggesting possible espionage motives behind the imports. The controversy has intensified debates over digital privacy, surveillance, and the use of consumer technology in warfare.

At least 41 people have died and nine remain missing following a week of severe flooding and landslides in Vietnam, triggered by heavy rainfall across the central region. Authorities report that more than 52,000 homes have been inundated, while thousands of hectares of crops, livestock, and poultry have been destroyed. The hardest-hit provinces are Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa, where 30 deaths have been confirmed. Over 1 million residents experienced power outages, though electricity has been restored to about 600,000 households. More than 140 landslides have blocked provincial roads, prompting the deployment of thousands of rescue workers and police. The National Weather Bureau noted that southern and central Vietnam have faced persistent rainfall since late October, severely affecting tourist and agricultural areas. According to official statistics, natural disasters have claimed or displaced at least 279 people nationwide this year, causing over $2 billion in economic losses.

In Dhaka’s major wholesale and retail markets, vegetable prices have risen by Tk 10–20 per kilogram over the past week due to reduced supply from farms. Traders at Karwan Bazar and other markets reported that early winter crops like beans, potatoes, gourds, radishes, and cabbages have become costlier, with beans selling between Tk 100–120 per kg and new potatoes reaching Tk 140–160. Conversely, egg, broiler chicken, and onion prices have declined. Red eggs are now Tk 120 per dozen, white eggs Tk 115, and broiler chicken Tk 155–170 per kg. Onion prices dropped by Tk 5–10 to Tk 95–110 per kg, as new local onions entered the market. Meat and fish prices remain stable, with beef at Tk 750–780 and mutton at Tk 1,200–1,250 per kg. Traders attribute the vegetable price hike to supply shortages, while the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) confirms stability in most essential commodities.

A major fire erupted at the venue of the United Nations COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, on Thursday, prompting the evacuation of thousands of delegates. The blaze started in the pavilion zone, where country exhibits and discussions were being held, though the exact cause remains unknown. Witnesses reported panic as smoke and heat spread rapidly through the crowded area, with security personnel guiding attendees to safety while firefighters battled the flames. The fire was brought under control around 2:20 p.m. local time, according to the COP presidency office. No injuries have been reported so far, but officials said they are closely monitoring the situation. The temporary venue, built on the site of an old airport in the Amazon region, hosts thousands of visitors daily. The two-week global climate conference, scheduled to conclude on Friday, November 21, may extend if last-minute negotiations are required.

A 22-year lease agreement for Dhaka’s Keraniganj-based Pangao Inland Container Port with Swiss company Medlog has sparked controversy over alleged links to banned Awami League leader and former minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury. Sources claim Medlog is affiliated with Chowdhury’s Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The deal, signed on November 17 between Chittagong Port Authority and Medlog Bangladesh Ltd, was reportedly finalized within days, raising concerns among port officials, workers, and civil society groups. Critics argue that the rushed process and lack of transparency could jeopardize national interests, sovereignty, and local employment. Labor unions fear job losses for the 391 registered port workers if foreign management replaces them with its own staff. Officials from the Chittagong Port Authority maintain that the lease was awarded through a proper tender process and that local workers will not be displaced. However, demands persist for the full disclosure of the contract terms and for assurances regarding national control and worker rights.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) reported a 15.54% increase in revenue collection during the first four months (July–October) of the 2025–26 fiscal year compared to the same period last year. Total revenue collected reached BDT 1,19,478 crore, up from BDT 1,03,409 crore in 2024–25, when political unrest and economic stagnation had slowed growth. Despite the improvement, the NBR fell short of its target of BDT 1,36,697.7 crore by about BDT 17,000 crore. The highest growth was recorded in the domestic value-added tax (VAT) segment, which rose 24.78% to BDT 46,878 crore. Income and travel tax collections grew by 16.11% to BDT 37,849 crore, while customs and export duties increased by 4.53% to BDT 34,751 crore. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, the government set a total revenue target of BDT 5,64,000 crore, equivalent to 9% of GDP, with NBR expected to contribute BDT 4,99,000 crore.

Bangladesh’s Annual Development Program (ADP) for the current fiscal year is progressing sluggishly, with only about 8.33% of allocated funds spent between July and October, compared to 7.90% during the same period last year. The Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) reported that Tk 19,878 crore was spent in the first four months, down from Tk 21,978 crore a year earlier. Political unrest, curfews, and shutdowns following last year’s government change significantly disrupted development activities. Many projects were halted or re-evaluated due to fiscal constraints and political considerations, leading to the lowest implementation rate in two decades. The revised ADP for FY2024–25 saw only 67.85% of total allocations utilized, nearly 13 percentage points lower than the previous year’s 80.63%. Officials note that early-year spending is typically slow but expect acceleration later, though the current stagnation reflects deeper structural and political challenges.

After nearly six years of closure, gas has been rediscovered in Well No. 1 of the Kailashtila gas field in Sylhet, Bangladesh. According to Sylhet Gas Fields Limited Managing Director Abdul Jalil Pramanik, the well contains an estimated reserve of around 20 billion cubic feet of gas. Daily production is expected to reach 5 to 6 million cubic feet, potentially sustaining output for the next decade. The well, originally drilled in 1961 and last active in 2019, was reopened under a government project to overhaul old wells, with Bapex initiating work in August 2023. Following three months of operations and testing, officials confirmed the find on Thursday evening. The gas will be added to the national grid within two to three days, saving an estimated 33 billion taka in foreign currency by reducing LNG imports. This rediscovery is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s domestic energy supply and reduce dependence on imported gas.

Australia has begun enforcing a new law that bans children under 16 from using social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. The legislation, passed last year, requires companies to delete accounts belonging to users aged 13 to 15. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced it will start removing such accounts from December 4 and has already begun sending access restriction warnings. The government warned that platforms failing to comply by December 10 could face fines of up to 32 million dollars. Meta stated it supports the government’s goal of online safety but expressed concern that isolating teens from their communities is not a viable solution. Users mistakenly flagged as underage will be able to verify their age using video selfies or national IDs. The move has drawn global attention, with New Zealand and the Netherlands considering similar measures to address social media risks for minors.