Bangladesh’s cargo vessel owners have threatened to suspend all waterway freight transport within 15 days if their 10-point demand is not met. At a press conference in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Cargo Vessel Owners Association (BCVOA) and the Coastal Ship Owners Association of Bangladesh (COAB) alleged that a syndicate of product agents has taken control of the shipping sector, depriving vessel owners of payments and violating transport regulations. The associations claim that around 800 ships have already been scrapped due to financial distress, with unpaid dues exceeding Tk 400 crore, including demurrage charges. They accused agents of turning ships into floating warehouses to manipulate market supply and prices. The owners demanded immediate implementation of the 2024 transport policy, payment of all arrears, and an end to irregular chartering practices. They warned that if the government fails to intervene, the suspension of shipping operations could severely disrupt supply chains and raise consumer costs across the country.

A 60-year-old woman named Jharna Chakma was killed and three others were injured after a herd of wild elephants attacked vehicles on the Asambasti-Kaptai connecting road in Rangamati’s Kamilachhari area on Sunday evening. The deceased was a resident of Chairman Para in Jibtali Union under Rangamati Sadar upazila. According to forest officials, two separate attacks occurred around 5:20 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., damaging two CNG-run auto-rickshaws and a motorcycle. Forest department teams, assisted by the army and fire service, rushed to the scene and evacuated travelers and tourists from the area by 7:00 p.m. The injured were taken to Rangamati General Hospital, where Jharna Chakma died on the way. Officials confirmed that two elephant herds, each consisting of six to seven elephants including calves, were involved in the incidents. Authorities have urged locals to remain cautious as elephant movement in the region has recently increased.

Bangladesh’s economy is gradually recovering due to various government initiatives aimed at revitalizing economic activities, according to Economic Adviser Professor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. Speaking at the ‘Nagad-DRU Best Reporting Award 2025’ event in Dhaka, he stated that the economy is now in a much better position compared to the challenging period of last August. Dr. Ahmed highlighted positive trends in foreign reserves and exports, noting that major global institutions have recognized Bangladesh’s progress. However, he acknowledged that internal challenges remain and urged greater accountability and restraint in future development projects, citing past mega projects that yielded limited benefits. He emphasized that national development should also focus on education, health, and social security, not just economic growth. Dr. Ahmed also called on journalists to play a responsible role by producing investigative reports and constructive criticism to ensure transparency and improvement.

The Dhaka (South) Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate has announced recruitment for 99 permanent positions across 13th to 20th grade posts. Eligible permanent residents of Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Munshiganj districts can apply online until November 17, 2025. The available roles include senior data entry/control operator, computer operator, higher-grade assistant, stenographer-cum-computer operator, cashier, office assistant-cum-typist, driver, sepoy, and others. Educational qualifications range from secondary school certificates to university degrees, depending on the post. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 32 years as of October 1, 2025, with age relaxation up to 40 years for departmental candidates in specific categories. Application fees are set at BDT 112 for higher-grade posts and BDT 56 for lower-grade ones, payable through Teletalk within 72 hours of submission. No travel or daily allowances will be provided for written, practical, or oral examinations. The recruitment aims to strengthen administrative and operational efficiency within the customs department.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has announced that all mobile handsets currently in use on the country's networks—whether registered, unregistered, or missing from the database—will be automatically registered before December 16, 2024. This move comes ahead of the official launch of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system on the same date. After December 26, all unregistered or illegal mobile devices that have not been automatically registered will be disconnected from the network. The initiative aims to curb the use of illegal handsets and ensure proper tracking of mobile devices across Bangladesh. Users can check their handset’s IMEI number by dialing *#06#. The BTRC’s decision provides relief to users of unregistered phones, allowing them to continue using their devices legally once the NEIR system becomes active.

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) hosted 'Innoverse Bangladesh 2025', the country’s largest science and technology festival, organized by Whiteboard Initiatives with support from the ICT Division. The two-day event, inaugurated by ICT Division Secretary Shish Haydar Chowdhury, featured robotics, programming, science and math olympiads, and innovation expos. Around 2,200 participants from 130 educational institutions took part, and nearly 20,000 visitors attended. Forty-five innovative projects and 15 startups were showcased, with top projects receiving the Shaheed Tanvin Innovation Award and InnoVentures Vault Award. Chief Guest Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb emphasized the interim government’s commitment to fostering youth participation in ICT and research. The festival also included seminars and talks organized by She-STEM and the Netherlands Embassy, aiming to highlight Bangladeshi youth innovation on a global stage.

The unloading of a wheat shipment from the United States has begun at Bangladesh’s Mongla Port under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement between the two countries. The vessel ‘MV Weco Tati’ arrived on November 14 carrying 60,875 metric tons of wheat imported by the Bangladesh government. After quality testing confirmed the wheat met required standards, unloading operations started on November 16. Of the total shipment, 35,075 metric tons will be stored in Mongla’s food warehouses, while the remainder will be distributed to Khulna, Barishal, and Rajshahi. Officials stated that due to the vessel’s large size and depth, unloading is being conducted from the fairway. This is the first direct wheat shipment to Mongla under the G2G-1 cash purchase agreement, as previous consignments arrived via Chattogram Port. Under the broader agreement, Bangladesh will import a total of 440,000 metric tons of wheat from the US, with three consignments totaling 178,636 metric tons already received.

Transport owners in five southern districts of Bangladesh have announced a strike to press a three-point demand. The Rupsha-Bagerhat Bus-Minibus Coach and Microbus Owners’ Association declared the program at a press conference in Bagerhat on Sunday. Their demands include shutting down unauthorized BRTC counters, stopping unlicensed vehicles on highways, and banning the operation of three-wheelers such as Mahindra, Nasimon, and Karimon on major roads. The association warned that if their demands are not met by December 1, they will begin an indefinite transport strike from December 2. Leaders from transport owners’ associations of Bagerhat, Khulna, and Jhalokathi districts were present at the event. The strike, if enforced, could disrupt transportation across the southern region, affecting commuters and goods movement significantly.

Japan’s Sakurajima volcano, located in the southwestern Kyushu region, erupted early Sunday, sending a massive plume of ash and smoke up to 14,436 feet into the air. The eruption began around 12:57 a.m., marking the first time since October last year that the volcano’s ash cloud exceeded 4,000 meters in height. No casualties or property damage have been reported so far. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued ashfall forecasts for Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Miyazaki prefectures, advising residents to use umbrellas or masks to protect themselves from falling ash and to drive cautiously. Sakurajima is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, connected to the Osumi Peninsula on Kyushu’s southern tip. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as minor eruptions persist, though no evacuation orders have been issued yet.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur stated that merging five financially weak Sharia-based banks was unavoidable to ensure stability in the banking sector. Speaking at the Bangladesh Islamic Finance Summit in Dhaka on November 16, he emphasized that transparency and good governance are essential for strengthening the financial system. The five banks—EXIM Bank, Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Union Bank, and Global Islami Bank—were declared non-functional on November 5, with administrators appointed to oversee their operations. On November 9, the central bank’s board, chaired by Dr. Mansur, granted a preliminary license to a new state-owned Sharia-based bank named ‘Sammilit Islami Bank’ to manage the merged institutions. The governor expressed optimism that the merger would bring positive outcomes for the economy if proper governance is maintained.

ICB Islamic Bank Limited has announced a job opening for the position of Assistant Vice President (Head of Internal Control and Compliance). The application process began on November 12 and will continue until November 20, 2025. Both male and female candidates with an MBA or postgraduate degree are eligible to apply online. Applicants must have proven experience and skills in the banking sector. The position is contractual and office-based, with a maximum age limit of 50 years. Salary, bonuses, and other benefits will be provided as per the bank’s policy. This recruitment drive aims to strengthen the bank’s internal control and compliance functions, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and operational efficiency.

Australia’s top intelligence official has warned that the country faces a growing threat of large-scale cyberattacks allegedly linked to China. Mike Burgess, head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), said hackers associated with the Chinese government and military have been targeting critical infrastructure, including water, transport, telecommunications, and energy networks. He described the situation as an unprecedented level of espionage that could lead to sabotage within the next five years. Burgess also revealed that espionage activities cost Australia about 8.2 billion US dollars in 2023–24, with around 2 billion dollars’ worth of trade secrets and intellectual property stolen from companies. Attempts to contact the Chinese embassy for comment were unsuccessful. Burgess warned that authoritarian regimes are increasingly willing to create chaos and conduct sabotage operations through cyber means, posing a serious challenge to Australia’s national security.

Meghna Group of Industries has issued a new job circular seeking qualified candidates for the positions of Deputy Manager and Manager in its Ad and Creative department. The recruitment notice was published on November 15, 2025, and online applications will remain open until November 22, 2025. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree and have at least seven years of relevant experience, particularly with Adobe Creative Suite tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects. The positions are full-time and based in Gulshan, Dhaka. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply. Salary will be determined through negotiation, and selected employees will receive additional benefits as per company policy. Interested candidates can apply and find more details through the official Meghna Group website.

China has discovered its largest gold deposit since 1949 in Liaoning Province, containing an estimated 1,444 tons of gold. The Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed that the Dadonggou mine, identified after just 15 months of exploration, holds around 2.586 million tons of ore with an average gold content of 0.56 grams per ton. The total estimated value of the deposit exceeds €166 billion, given current record-high gold prices of over €115,000 per kilogram. The state-run Liaoning Geological and Mining Group led the project, employing about 1,000 technicians and workers. Although the site’s exact location remains undisclosed for strategic reasons, officials have completed a preliminary economic feasibility assessment. The discovery comes amid surging global gold demand, driven by a weak U.S. dollar, geopolitical instability, and central banks’ increasing gold purchases. China has intensified mineral exploration in recent years, with multiple major finds in 2024, reinforcing its position as a leading gold producer and consumer.

Bangladesh is experiencing a mild winter atmosphere with little change in temperature compared to Saturday. On Sunday, November 16, the country’s lowest temperature was recorded in Tetulia, Panchagarh, at 14.7°C, up from 14°C the previous day. In Dhaka, the temperature increased slightly from 18.7°C to 19.4°C, with humidity measured at 86% at 6 a.m. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the weather across the country is expected to remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies. Day and night temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged. Winds from the north and northwest are expected to blow at speeds between 6 and 12 kilometers per hour in Dhaka and surrounding areas. The forecast suggests stable weather conditions with no significant temperature variations in the coming hours.