A sharp drop in temperature has gripped Panchagarh district in northern Bangladesh, with the Tetulia weather station recording a minimum of 13.4°C early Thursday and humidity at 99%. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has warned that a cold wave is likely to hit the region by the end of November as cold Himalayan winds continue to lower temperatures. Local laborers working outdoors, particularly those engaged in sand extraction from the Karatoa River, are struggling to cope with the biting cold. Residents report dense fog in the early mornings and freezing conditions until sunrise, with only slight relief during the day. Meteorologist Jitendranath Roy confirmed that temperatures have been steadily declining over recent days, signaling the onset of the season’s first cold wave.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government has imposed a strict ban on the import of medicines from Pakistan, citing poor quality and frequent trade disruptions. The decision, announced by state media Alemarah News, directs Afghan traders to terminate existing contracts with Pakistani suppliers within three months and to seek alternative sources from other countries. Officials said the move aims to protect Afghanistan’s economic interests and safeguard the rights of local businesses. Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar urged business leaders in Kabul to reduce dependence on Pakistan and explore new trade routes. The ban comes amid deteriorating relations between the two neighbors. Afghanistan currently imports pharmaceuticals from Pakistan, India, Turkey, and Bangladesh, with an estimated annual import value of around one billion dollars before the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

The Bangladeshi government has decided to permit limited onion imports to stabilize prices after a sharp rise of about Tk 30 per kilogram within a month. The supply shortage emerged as the production and storage season neared its end, pushing wholesale prices in Chattogram’s Khatunganj market to Tk 100–112 per kg. Authorities say the move aims to balance market stability while protecting local farmers’ interests. The imported onions are expected to arrive within a week, though sea shipments may take up to two weeks. Bangladesh had significantly reduced onion imports in recent years, relying mostly on domestic production. However, traders warn that without immediate imports, prices could rise further before the next harvest season begins in December.

The Bangladesh government has approved the import of sugar, soybean oil, rice, and fertilizers from five countries at a total cost of Tk 998 crore. The decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase chaired by Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. Under the plan, 12,500 tons of refined sugar will be bought from Turkey, 12 million liters of soybean oil from the UAE, and 50,000 tons of parboiled rice from Singapore. Additionally, 40,000 tons of DAP fertilizer will be imported from Morocco and 40,000 tons of granular urea from Saudi Arabia. The committee also approved several other proposals, including an e-waste management plant at Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park, short-term LNG supply from Aramco Trading Singapore, and a PPP-based container terminal project at Chittagong Port with Denmark’s APM Terminals.

A Japanese consortium led by Sumitomo has expressed interest in operating and maintaining the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Japan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Iwama Kiminori, conveyed this interest during a meeting with Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin at the Secretariat. The envoy said the consortium is eager to begin discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) as soon as possible. The commerce adviser noted that Japan’s involvement in Bangladesh’s airport infrastructure, along with progress on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), would strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties. The EPA is expected to provide duty- and quota-free access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market. Senior officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Japanese Embassy, and Sumitomo Corporation also attended the meeting.

Bangladesh’s capital market witnessed a significant downturn on the fourth trading day of the week, with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) seeing its benchmark index DSEX fall by nearly 1 percent to 4,825 points. Daily turnover dropped below Tk 300 crore, totaling Tk 290.14 crore, compared to Tk 339.75 crore in the previous session. Around 77.58 percent of traded securities declined in value, with major losses led by LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, British American Tobacco, Summit Power, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, and Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries. All sectors recorded negative returns, with the jute sector suffering the steepest decline of 4.2 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw declines, with its CSCX index down 67.83 points to 8,447 and turnover dropping to Tk 9.81 crore from Tk 26.34 crore previously.

HBO is developing a live-action television adaptation of the iconic comic series 'V for Vendetta,' according to Variety. The project is in early development, with writer Pete Jackson attached to create the series. Warner Bros. Television will produce the show, joined by DC Studios executives James Gunn and Peter Safran as executive producers, alongside Ben Stephenson and Leanne Klein from Warner Bros. Television Studios UK. The original comic, created by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, depicts a dystopian future Britain ruled by a totalitarian regime, with a masked vigilante named V leading a rebellion. The adaptation follows HBO’s growing slate of DC live-action series, including 'The Penguin.' The 2005 film version of 'V for Vendetta' was a critical and commercial success, and Warner Bros. plans to re-release it in theaters in November 2026 to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

The Chittagong Port Authority is set to sign a 30-year concession agreement with Denmark-based APM Terminals BV, a Maersk Group subsidiary, to design, finance, build, and operate the modern Laldia Container Terminal under a public-private partnership model. Ownership will remain with the port authority, reducing government capital expenditure. The project, approved in principle by the Economic Affairs Advisory Council, involves an investment exceeding USD 800 million, marking Bangladesh’s largest European equity investment. The terminal, expected to be operational by 2030, will double vessel capacity, enhance global shipping connectivity, and cut export-import costs. It will also create 500–700 direct jobs and thousands of indirect ones while implementing global HSSE standards and digital management systems. The facility will be Bangladesh’s first green and smart port, supporting climate goals and boosting logistics, trade efficiency, and economic growth.

Belgium has announced that Bangladeshi citizens will once again be able to apply for Belgian visas directly from Dhaka, eliminating the need to travel to New Delhi for the process. The service, which had been suspended since September at the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka, will resume on November 16. According to an official notice from the Belgian Embassy in New Delhi, applications can now be submitted at Borak Mehnur, Level 7, 51/B Kamal Ataturk Avenue, Banani, Dhaka. Applicants must book appointments in advance. The visa center will remain open from Sunday to Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Previously, Bangladeshi applicants had to use the VFS Global office in India for both short- and long-term visa submissions. The move is expected to ease travel and administrative burdens for Bangladeshi travelers to Belgium.

Portugal is participating in Web Summit 2025 with 115 startups selected under the 'Road 2 Web Summit' program, which has already raised around €40 million in funding. The initiative aims to enhance international visibility and attract investment for local entrepreneurs. Startup Portugal, the national platform, supports startups through programs such as Startup Voucher and Startup Visa, helping new ventures and skilled talent thrive. According to project manager Carolina Valinho, Portugal is being celebrated as a European hub for entrepreneurship, offering a dynamic environment for innovation and expansion. Analyst Carolina Soja noted that Portugal serves as a central gateway to the European market, backed by accelerator programs and investment incentives. With seven unicorns, including Tekever recently joining the list, Portugal’s startup ecosystem continues to grow, positioning the country as a leading destination for digital entrepreneurs.

Petrobangla has intensified its gas exploration activities across Bangladesh with plans to drill 100 new wells by 2028 to address the country’s ongoing energy crisis. According to an official statement, 50 wells will be completed by 2025–26 and another 100 by 2026–28, including exploration and workover operations. The initiative involves BAPEX, SGFL, and BGFCL, with multiple rigs operating under both in-house and turnkey contracts. Recent discoveries include commercial gas in Jamalpur-1 and signs of crude oil in Sylhet’s Haripur field. Additional drilling is underway in Bhola to assess reserves and support the planned industrial hub there. Petrobangla expects the completion of 11 wells by early 2026 to add about 143 million cubic feet of gas per day, significantly strengthening domestic supply and reducing dependence on imports.

A passenger bus in Dholaipar, Dhaka, was set on fire by unidentified miscreants on Wednesday evening, according to the Fire Service. Two units from the Postogola station quickly responded and extinguished the blaze, preventing casualties. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The incident follows a series of similar attacks and explosions across the capital, including vehicle fires in Ramna, Uttara, Mirpur, and Mohammadpur since Tuesday night. Police attributed some earlier fires to mechanical faults, though several remain unexplained. Authorities are on alert as incidents involving petrol bombs and crude explosives have injured security personnel and damaged vehicles in multiple areas.

Police have rescued missing Bangladesh Bank Deputy Director Naimur Rahman from a residential hotel in Madaripur town. The operation took place on Tuesday night, November 11, at the Royal Rest House in the Purana Bazar area. The rescue was conducted by officers from Madaripur Sadar Police Station along with Executive Magistrate Naimur Rahman Sarkar. According to the magistrate, authorities acted on information that the missing official was staying at the hotel. The hotel manager said Rahman had checked in a day earlier, claiming to be seeking employment. Police confirmed that a general diary had been filed regarding his disappearance and that he will be handed over to the relevant police station. Rahman’s disappearance had sparked concern across the country, but he has now been found safe under police custody.

A Turkish C-130 military cargo plane en route from Azerbaijan to Turkey crashed near the Azerbaijan-Georgia border on Tuesday, according to Turkey’s Defense Ministry. The aircraft was carrying 20 Turkish soldiers, though no official confirmation of casualties or survivors has been released. Joint rescue operations involving Azerbaijani and Georgian authorities began immediately after the crash. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed deep sorrow and said efforts to reach the wreckage were ongoing. Senior Turkish officials, including the interior, foreign, and communications ministers, have coordinated with their Georgian counterparts. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Ali Asadov conveyed condolences and pledged support in the rescue efforts. An investigation into the cause of the crash has been launched.

The government has made it mandatory to deduct income tax at source from the monthly salaries of all eligible public officials and employees. A directive issued by the Office of the Comptroller General of Accounts (CGA) on November 10 states that, under the Income Tax Act 2023, male employees earning a basic salary of Tk 26,785 or more and female employees earning Tk 30,357 or more now exceed the tax-free threshold. Consequently, income tax must be deducted when processing salary bills. The CGA clarified that drawing officers will be responsible for ensuring accurate deductions under Treasury Rules SR 125. Instructions have been sent to all Chief Accounts and Finance Officers, divisional and district controllers, and upazila accounts offices to implement the order. The directive follows an earlier communication from the Internal Resources Division and the National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued on October 7 regarding mandatory tax deductions.