The Bangladesh government has introduced the 'Fertilizer Dealer Appointment and Distribution Policy 2025' to streamline fertilizer supply to farmers and ensure transparency in distribution. Under the new policy, each union and municipality will have three dealers, each required to maintain a warehouse with a minimum capacity of 50 tons and two additional sales centers with 5–10 ton capacity. The policy bans multiple dealerships within the same family, prohibits government employees and convicted individuals from applying, and mandates digital record-keeping for sales and inventory. The security deposit has been raised from 200,000 to 500,000 taka, and dealer registration must be renewed every two years. The policy merges the dual dealership structures of BCIC and BADC, allowing dealers to sell both urea and non-urea fertilizers under one system. Violations of government contracts will result in dealership cancellation and forfeiture of deposits. The new policy takes effect Sunday, replacing all previous fertilizer distribution regulations.

Blue Origin’s second-ever launch of its New Glenn rocket, intended to send NASA’s Escapade mission toward Mars, was postponed on Sunday due to thick cloud cover over Cape Canaveral, Florida. The 322-foot rocket, designed to rival SpaceX’s Falcon series, was scheduled to lift off during an 88-minute window but was grounded for safety reasons. The company said it is assessing new launch opportunities, possibly on Monday, though forecasts remain uncertain. The Federal Aviation Administration’s temporary restrictions on commercial launches during a government shutdown could further complicate scheduling. Blue Origin also plans to attempt recovery of New Glenn’s first-stage booster on a barge named Jacklyn, after a failed landing attempt in January. The Escapade mission, led by the University of California, Berkeley and funded by NASA, aims to study Mars’ atmospheric loss and space weather effects once the twin spacecraft reach orbit in 2027. Successful booster recovery is key to Blue Origin’s reusable rocket strategy.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a new two-year, $24 billion flexible credit line for Mexico to serve as a precautionary buffer against external risks. The new arrangement replaces a previous $35 billion line, reflecting Mexico’s reduced reliance on IMF support and improved economic resilience. This marks the country’s eleventh such arrangement since 2009, with the credit line size shrinking from a peak of $88 billion in 2017. The IMF noted that the smaller amount underscores Mexico’s stronger financial position and increased buffers. Mexican authorities plan to treat the facility as precautionary, citing sound fiscal management and reduced vulnerability to capital flow volatility. However, IMF Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke cautioned that economic activity remains subdued due to fiscal consolidation, tight monetary policy, and trade tensions. The IMF emphasized that the credit line will continue to support Mexico’s macroeconomic stability and bolster market confidence.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has confirmed that Bangladesh will continue to receive technical support even after graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category in 2026. WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang stated that Bangladesh remains a major beneficiary of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), which helps LDCs integrate into global trade. The country will be eligible for EIF benefits for five years after graduation. Bangladesh has also benefited significantly from the WTO’s Aid for Trade initiative, receiving around USD 23 billion between 2006 and 2023. Zhang highlighted Bangladesh’s strong institutional framework, including the WTO Reference Centre at the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute. However, he noted that post-graduation, Bangladesh must adapt its engagement strategy within the WTO, shifting from the LDC group to forming strategic alliances with developing members. The continued support aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s trade capacity, diversify exports, and sustain competitiveness in the evolving global trade environment.

Petrobangla plans to expand Bangladesh’s gas exploration by deploying six contract-based rigs in addition to five operated by state-owned Bapex. The initiative aims to accelerate well drilling and increase domestic gas reserves amid declining local production. By 2028, Petrobangla targets drilling and overhauling 100 wells, with 11 rigs operating simultaneously across the country. The new rigs will be brought under turnkey contracts, where companies provide all equipment and services. Several wells, including in Titas, Sylhet, and Bhola, will be drilled by third-party contractors such as China’s CNPC and Sinopec. Petrobangla expects the new wells to add about 143 million cubic feet of gas per day to the national grid. Currently, Bangladesh’s daily demand stands at 3.8 billion cubic feet, while supply is just over 2.7 billion. To meet the shortfall, LNG imports have increased, though experts warn this is costly and risky for the economy. The government hopes the expanded drilling program will reduce dependence on imported gas.

The Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA) concluded a three-day roadshow in Penang, Malaysia, from November 11 to 13, 2025, aimed at promoting Bangladesh’s growing semiconductor capabilities and strengthening bilateral collaboration. The event was inaugurated by Penang’s Deputy Chief Minister Jagdeep Singh Deo, who praised Bangladesh’s progress in the sector. Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury, attended as a special guest. Professor Dr. Mostafa Hossain of Purdue University presented a keynote on potential cooperation opportunities. Six Bangladeshi semiconductor firms showcased their technological strengths. A 15-member BSIA delegation also visited Malaysian semiconductor companies to exchange knowledge and explore partnerships. The initiative is expected to enhance investment, technology transfer, and long-term cooperation between the two nations in the semiconductor industry.

The COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, has faced significant logistical and financial challenges, preventing many delegates from smaller, low-budget nations from attending. Accommodation shortages and skyrocketing hotel prices, reaching up to $60,000 for ten nights, have made participation unaffordable for numerous representatives. Some attendees have been forced to stay more than an hour away from the main venue. To address the shortage, a floating community housing project, known locally as 'Vila da Barca', was created to host around 200 young participants. The absence of several world leaders and senior officials, particularly from major countries, has further reduced attendance. Observers note that the combination of high travel expenses, infrastructure limitations, and declining political engagement has dampened the scale of this year’s global climate gathering.

In Brazil’s Amazonian port city of Belém, around 50,000 visitors have arrived for the UN Climate Conference (COP30), overwhelming the city’s limited hotel capacity of 18,000 rooms. To address the accommodation crisis, the Brazilian government converted two large cruise ships, Costa Diadema and MSC Seaview, into floating hotels anchored at the newly built Outeiro Cruise Terminal. Together, they provide about 4,000 additional rooms for over 10,000 guests. The $45 million terminal upgrade also improved local infrastructure. However, environmentalists criticized the use of diesel-powered ships for a climate summit, citing high fuel consumption and carbon emissions. While some attendees appreciate the unique experience, others complain about small cabins and long commutes to the conference venue. Despite the controversy, the floating hotels remain the only viable solution for the city’s accommodation shortage during the event.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has confirmed that Bangladesh will continue to receive technical assistance even after graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category in 2026. WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang stated that Bangladesh remains a key beneficiary of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), which helps LDCs strengthen trade capacity. After graduation, Bangladesh will still be eligible for EIF benefits for five more years. The country has already improved its food processing and apparel sectors through EIF support. Bangladesh has also been among the top ten recipients of the WTO’s Aid for Trade initiative, receiving around USD 23 billion between 2006 and 2023. Zhang emphasized that post-graduation, Bangladesh must adapt its engagement strategy within the WTO and form strategic alliances with developing member countries to sustain its trade competitiveness.

Meta has announced that starting February 10, 2026, Facebook’s Like and Comment buttons will no longer function on external websites such as blogs, news portals, and e-commerce pages. The decision marks the end of an era for one of the internet’s most recognizable icons, introduced in 2009. Meta explained that the move is part of its effort to modernize and simplify developer tools, as the use of these plugins has declined significantly due to stricter privacy laws, evolving data-sharing policies, and the rise of new social media platforms. However, the Like button will remain active within Facebook’s own app and website, allowing users to continue reacting to posts, photos, and videos as usual. The change reflects Meta’s shift toward innovation and privacy-focused development rather than maintaining outdated web integrations.

A delegation from Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP) held a policy dialogue with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission team in Dhaka to discuss the country’s economic challenges and reform priorities. The NCP thanked the IMF for its continued support and emphasized that structural reforms are vital for sustainable development. The IMF expressed concerns over GDP growth, revenue collection, distressed assets, and youth employment. NCP representatives reaffirmed their commitment to economic progress through revenue digitalization and financial sector reforms, despite slow implementation. The meeting also addressed issues of past government corruption, governance, transparency, and the need for a peaceful transition from the interim to an elected government. Both sides agreed that Bangladesh’s hardworking citizens remain the driving force behind its resilience and long-term stability.

Winter has started to settle across Bangladesh, with the lowest temperature recorded at 14°C in Tetulia, Panchagarh, on Friday, November 14. According to the Bangladesh Weather Observatory Team (BWOT), if sea conditions remain stable, the country's first cold wave of the season is expected in December. Although cooler weather will be felt nationwide before then, temperatures are unlikely to drop enough to trigger a cold wave. The BWOT noted that the current mild chill will persist throughout November, allowing people to enjoy a pleasant, crisp atmosphere before the onset of harsher winter conditions next month.

Three government advisers from the ministries of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Industries, Housing and Public Works, and Commerce visited Bhola on Friday to inspect the proposed gas-based urea fertilizer plant site. The advisers—Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan, Adilur Rahman Khan, and Sheikh Bashir Uddin—confirmed that the project aims to utilize Bhola’s abundant gas reserves. They also visited Bapex’s gas fields in Borhanuddin, where nine wells have been completed and five more are planned soon, with an additional fourteen under consideration. Adilur Rahman Khan stated that the visit was part of a feasibility study to determine the plant’s location and potential. He added that 34 buffer warehouses are being built nationwide to strengthen fertilizer management, including one in Bhola. Local officials and community representatives attended a later meeting discussing gas supply and local development.

With the onset of winter, Dhaka’s vegetable markets are seeing relief as prices of most vegetables and eggs decline due to increased supply. However, onion prices have sharply risen by up to 50 percent within a week, now selling for Tk 110–120 per kilogram compared to Tk 70–80 earlier. Traders attribute the spike to limited availability of old stock, though they expect prices to fall soon as new onions enter the market. The government is monitoring the situation and may allow limited imports if prices remain unstable, ensuring local farmers are not harmed. Meanwhile, winter vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, beans, radish, and turnip are becoming more abundant, bringing down prices across markets.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that the country's weather will remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies over the next five days. The subcontinental high-pressure ridge is currently extending over West Bengal and adjacent areas, while the seasonal low lies over the South Bay of Bengal, stretching northward. According to daily forecasts from Friday through Tuesday, no significant rainfall is expected across the country. Temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged for the first two days, with a slight rise expected from Sunday onward. Night temperatures may increase slightly by Tuesday, while daytime temperatures are expected to remain steady. The overall weather pattern suggests stable and dry conditions across Bangladesh during this period.