A mild earthquake struck Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar early Thursday, November 27, at around 3:29 a.m. The quake, measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale, originated about 118 kilometers away in the Bay of Bengal. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the tremor occurred at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers. Local authorities, including Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, reported that most residents did not feel the quake due to its low intensity. International monitoring site Volcano Discovery described the shaking as very light and short-lived, with no reports of panic or damage. Residents who were awake at the time said the tremor was barely noticeable. The event passed largely unnoticed as most people were asleep, and no casualties or structural impacts were reported in the area.

A Dhaka special court has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 21 years in prison in three corruption cases related to the illegal allocation of government plots under the Rajuk Purbachal New Town Project. The verdict, delivered by Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of the Special Judge Court-5, found Hasina and 22 others guilty of abusing power, fraud, and misappropriation of state property. The cases alleged that Hasina and her associates unlawfully obtained government plots using forged documents and administrative influence. Among the co-accused are former housing ministry officials, Rajuk members, and former state minister Sharif Ahmed. This ruling follows a separate International Crimes Tribunal verdict on November 17 that sentenced Hasina to death for crimes against humanity during the July uprising. The latest judgment adds to her mounting legal troubles following her removal from power earlier this year.

Authorities in Dhaka have heightened security around the Special Judge Court-5 as it prepares to deliver verdicts in three separate Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) cases involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter Saima Wazed Putul. The cases concern alleged irregularities in the allocation of government plots in the Purbachal New Town Project. Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun is scheduled to announce the verdicts at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 27. The prosecution expects life sentences for Hasina, her children, and 44 others. Former RAJUK member Mohammad Khurshid Alam, the only accused currently in custody, has been brought to court. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police have been deployed to ensure order. The ACC filed the initial case in January, later submitting a charge sheet against 12 individuals, with 29 witnesses testifying during the trial.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held a central executive council meeting chaired by party chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at its Moghbazar headquarters on November 26. The meeting included prayers for the quick recovery of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, as well as Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. Leaders discussed the need for a free, fair, and fear-free national election and reviewed the current political situation. The council also decided to campaign for public support in favor of the July National Charter referendum and to ensure success of upcoming rallies in seven divisional cities as part of an eight-party alliance movement. Preparations for the organization’s annual Majlis-e-Shura session, scheduled for November 28–29, were also discussed in detail.

Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur has expelled three students and issued show-cause notices to nine others following a ragging incident at Bijoy 24 Hall. The university’s 118th syndicate meeting on November 26 decided to expel Mamun Mia and Rafi Ahmed for two academic years, and Azizul Hakim for one year. The incident occurred on November 23 when senior students allegedly assaulted a junior, Din Islam, causing a ruptured eardrum. After the matter came to light through journalists, the university formed a three-member investigation committee led by Assistant Provost Dr. A.T.M. Jinnatul Basar. Based on the committee’s report, disciplinary action was taken. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Md. Shawkat Ali condemned the incident, reaffirming the university’s zero-tolerance policy toward ragging and sexual harassment in line with High Court and UGC directives. The administration emphasized that preventive measures and awareness campaigns against ragging are ongoing across the campus.

Unidentified miscreants set fire to an election arch built for Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis candidate Maulana Mizanur Rahman Molla in Faridpur-4 constituency on Wednesday night. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. near former mayor Fayez Mia’s residence in Bhanga municipality, where the arch had been erected along the Dhaka-Gopalganj highway. Witnesses recorded the burning structure and shared videos on social media, prompting outrage among the candidate’s supporters. Mizanur Rahman condemned the attack, urging law enforcement to identify and arrest those responsible. He warned that such acts could escalate political tensions as the 13th National Parliamentary Election approaches. Bhanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ashraf Hossain confirmed that police visited the scene and have launched an investigation into the arson. The incident has raised concerns about election-related violence and security in the region.

A Dhaka court is set to deliver verdicts today in three corruption cases involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and 44 others. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the cases over alleged irregularities in the allocation of government plots in the Purbachal New Town Project. The Special Judge’s Court-5, led by Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, will announce the verdicts at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Prosecutors expect life imprisonment for all accused, claiming sufficient evidence was presented to prove the charges. Hasina, Joy, and Putul have been absconding since the beginning of the trial, while former RAJUK member Khurshid Alam remains in custody. The cases, filed separately in January, accuse the defendants of abusing power to obtain 10-katha plots illegally. Investigations concluded in March, and multiple witnesses testified in each case. The verdicts are expected to have significant political and legal implications in Bangladesh.

Police in Savar arrested notorious gang leader Roni Mia, known locally as 'Kutta Roni', during an attempted robbery on National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Tamim Azhar on Wednesday night. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. in the Dogormora area, where locals helped capture Roni and his associate Rabbi before handing them over to police. Roni, 48, has a long criminal record including murder, robbery, and drug-related cases, and leads a gang of about 30 active members. Police recovered a Chinese switchgear from Roni and a modern knife from Rabbi. Officers said Roni had been released on bail just a month earlier in a murder case and had resumed criminal activities. Authorities plan to present both suspects in court while launching a special operation to arrest other members of the 'Kutta Roni gang'. Residents expressed relief and hope that the gang will finally be dismantled and justice ensured.

Indian singer Anuv Jain’s much-anticipated concert in Dhaka, scheduled for December 12, has been postponed due to security concerns. The event, organized by Hypnation and set to take place at Courtside, Madani Avenue, was called off after organizers cited their inability to ensure a safe environment for audiences, sponsors, and partners. In a Facebook post, Hypnation stated that the concert would be rescheduled once the situation stabilizes and full safety can be guaranteed. The organizers also mentioned that details regarding ticket refunds will be announced soon. This postponement follows similar cancellations of international concerts in Dhaka, including the ‘Legends Live in Dhaka’ show featuring Bangladeshi rock icon James and Pakistani singer Ali Azmat, which was canceled in November due to permission issues. Several other international performances, including those by Pakistani artists Jal, Kaavish, and Atif Aslam, are also planned in the coming weeks, though their status remains uncertain.

A dispute has erupted in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, after allegations surfaced that a businessman named Shahidul Islam demolished a 30–35-year-old mosque built on waqf land to construct a commercial multi-story building. The Baitus Salam Jame Mosque, established by industrialist Haji Salauddin Mia on seven decimals of waqf land, was reportedly torn down under the pretext of reconstruction. Locals and religious devotees protested the move, filing complaints with the Waqf Administrator and other government offices. Family members of the original donor accused Shahidul Islam and his associates of attempting to seize the property with political backing. Community leaders and residents intervened to halt the demolition, and the local police assured that the mosque would remain. Shahidul Islam, however, claimed ownership of the land, stating that the new building would include mosque floors. Authorities have urged both sides to cooperate on mosque development.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has finalized and added the sketch of the ‘Shapla Kali’ (water lily bud) symbol for the National Citizen Party (NCP) on its official list of registered political parties. The decision ensures that the symbol will appear on the ballot paper for the upcoming parliamentary elections. According to NCP officials, the EC confirmed the sketch on Wednesday, November 26. Previously, both the NCP and the Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist) were granted final registration by the EC, but their symbol boxes on the EC’s website remained empty. With this update, the NCP’s symbol is now visible, while the Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist) is still awaiting the addition of its ‘Scissors’ symbol sketch. The EC’s move marks a procedural step toward completing the visual representation of all registered political parties ahead of the national polls.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called for coordinated initiatives to address the growing challenges in the livestock sector, emphasizing its crucial role in national economic growth. Speaking via video message at the inauguration of National Livestock Week 2025 in Dhaka, Yunus highlighted the sector’s contribution to employment, women’s empowerment, and nutrition. He identified climate change, antibiotic resistance, zoonotic diseases, and feed management as major challenges. The interim government, he said, is working tirelessly to overcome these issues. Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud stressed the need to support local dairy and poultry farmers to reduce import dependence, while Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter emphasized animal welfare and the preservation of indigenous breeds. Officials noted that Bangladesh now has over 85,000 commercial farms and nearly 191,000 small poultry farms producing around 668 million eggs daily. The event marked the first nationwide observance of Livestock Week under the theme “Local breeds, modern technology: progress in livestock.”

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has recovered a sound grenade that was looted from a Sylhet police station during last year’s anti-discrimination student movement. The grenade was found abandoned late Tuesday night at a house in Khidirpur area of Mollagaon, South Surma upazila, following a tip-off. According to a press release from RAB-9, the operation was conducted based on intelligence linking the grenade to weapons stolen during the July 2023 unrest. Since August 2023, RAB-9 has conducted multiple raids in Sylhet and Brahmanbaria, seizing 25 firearms, 100 rounds of ammunition, explosives, detonators, and airguns. Officials said the recovered grenade has been handed over to South Surma Police Station after filing a general diary. RAB authorities confirmed that intelligence surveillance and recovery operations are continuing to locate other stolen weapons and explosives.

Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Ruqsu) General Secretary Md Salahuddin Ammar has filed a case against Artcell vocalist Lincoln Artcell and manager Khademul Wahab Maher, accusing them of breach of trust and fraud. The complaint, lodged on Wednesday at the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, alleges that despite signing a contract on July 19 to perform at the 'July-36 Freedom Festival' on August 15, the band failed to appear. According to the agreement, Tk 5.25 lakh of a total Tk 5.75 lakh payment was made in advance. However, just five hours before the event, the artists announced on Facebook that they would not attend. The plaintiff claims that their absence caused financial losses amounting to Tk 16 lakh for students and organizers. The court recorded the plaintiff’s statement and ordered Tejgaon police to investigate and submit a report. The plaintiff’s lawyer, Kaiyum Hossain Noyon, confirmed the development.

A Faridpur court has sentenced Murad Khondokar, 43, to life imprisonment for raping a girl in Bhanga upazila’s Dakshin Aknabaria area in 2019. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday by Judge Shamima Parvin of the Faridpur Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal. The convict was also fined Tk 200,000. According to the case details, on May 15, 2019, Murad lured a young girl into his house while she was playing outside. When the girl’s elder sister went to bring her back, Murad raped the elder sister. The incident was later reported to their mother, and the victim’s father filed a case with Bhanga Police Station. The prosecution expressed satisfaction with the verdict, saying justice had been served. The convict was absent during the announcement of the judgment.