Hundreds of farmers in Munshiganj district have become self-reliant through large-scale vegetable seedling production, earning around Tk 40 million annually. The seedlings, produced mainly in Sadar and Tongibari upazilas, are in high demand nationwide due to their superior quality and careful cultivation methods using organic fertilizers and oilcake. Farmers grow seedlings of cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, pumpkin, eggplant, and chili from August to December, selling them to wholesalers from over 25 districts. Each thousand seedlings fetch between Tk 1,500 and Tk 2,000 depending on quality and market demand. Despite some losses from heavy rainfall and rising seed prices, most producers report strong profits. The Department of Agricultural Extension notes that 4,907 hectares have been targeted for winter vegetable cultivation this year, with an expected yield of 125,423 tons. Officials say seedling production has become a profitable profession in the region, helping local farmers meet national demand while improving rural livelihoods.

Bangladesh’s interim government is facing criticism for failing to bring to justice those responsible for large-scale corruption in the power and energy sector during the Awami League’s 15-and-a-half-year rule. The national inquiry committee led by retired Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury has yet to submit its final report, citing the technical complexity of contracts and the vast amount of documentation involved. Preliminary findings reportedly confirm widespread corruption, including irregularities in deals with India’s Adani Group. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also complained that it has not received key documents needed for investigation. Experts estimate that at least Tk 1.25 trillion was embezzled through capacity charges, inflated project costs, and rent-seeking schemes. Despite the repeal of the controversial indemnity law that shielded energy contracts from legal scrutiny, no major prosecutions have followed. Analysts and legal experts describe the government’s inaction as a major governance failure, warning that entrenched bureaucratic resistance continues to protect the sector’s most powerful figures.

The Shahid Wasim Akram Expressway, stretching from Lalkhan Bazar to Patenga in Chattogram, has increasingly become a death trap due to overspeeding, risky bends, incomplete construction, and lack of safety measures. Despite several fatal accidents in recent months, including three car crashes in November alone, the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) and traffic police have yet to implement effective safety controls. Locals complain that CDA only set up a toll plaza without ensuring surveillance or enforcement across the 15-kilometer elevated road. Motorcycles, CNGs, and other restricted vehicles continue to use the expressway freely, while pedestrians and social media users are often seen walking or filming on it. Although CDA claims 92% of the project is complete, many sections remain unfinished, and the number of vehicles using the road is far below projections. Authorities now plan to install CCTV and speed cameras to monitor violations, but residents remain skeptical about safety improvements.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has questioned whether Bangladesh is adequately prepared to graduate from the UN’s Least Developed Country (LDC) category by November 2025. In a detailed social media post, he argued that seeking more time for graduation would not be an insult but a responsible act given current economic pressures, including challenges in banking, foreign exchange, and exports. Rahman criticized the interim government for making long-term economic and strategic decisions, such as those involving Chittagong Port, without a democratic mandate. He warned that closing off options for negotiation weakens Bangladesh’s leverage in international discussions. Emphasizing that national strength lies in asking difficult questions before irreversible harm occurs, he called for decisions affecting the nation’s future to be made by an elected government accountable to the people. Rahman reiterated that patience and public consultation are not weaknesses but essential aspects of democratic governance.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh held a day-long dialogue with representatives from domestic election observation organizations on Tuesday, November 25, at the EC headquarters in Dhaka. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin urged the observers to work as partners in ensuring a fair and transparent national election. According to EC officials, the meeting was part of a series of consultations aimed at gathering insights and recommendations from stakeholders. A total of 81 observer organizations participated in two sessions during the day. Senior EC officials and commissioners were also present. The dialogue follows earlier meetings with political parties, academics, civil society members, journalists, and election experts as part of the EC’s broader effort to ensure credible and inclusive national elections. The CEC reiterated the commission’s commitment to conducting the upcoming parliamentary polls properly and sought cooperation from all sectors of society.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin has called for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure a fair, transparent, and credible national election in Bangladesh. Speaking on Tuesday, November 25, at a day-long dialogue with representatives of domestic election observation organizations, he emphasized that the Election Commission’s sole agenda is to deliver a credible election to the nation. Acknowledging past mistakes, Nasir Uddin said the commission aims to move forward by learning from previous experiences. He urged observer organizations to act as partners of the Election Commission in ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process. The CEC also stressed the importance of training new observer groups and ensuring that appointed observers remain nonpartisan and unaffiliated with any political party. His remarks come as preparations intensify for the upcoming national polls.

More than 30,000 Bangladeshi expatriates have registered to vote through the 'Postal Vote BD' app for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. According to the Election Commission (EC), registration began on November 19 for expatriates in East Asia, South America, and Africa, and on November 24 for those in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The process will continue until November 28. Registered voters will receive postal ballots at their addresses, which they must return by mail after voting. The EC aims to engage around five million expatriate voters in total. Registration for expatriates in Saudi Arabia will run from December 4–8, for those in South and Southeast Asia from December 9–13, and for expatriates in other Middle Eastern countries from December 14–18. Domestic postal voters, including officials on election duty, government employees, and prisoners, can register from December 19–23. The national election is expected to be held in the first half of February 2025.

A young man named Al Amin Hossain Rayhan, reportedly a leader of the banned Chhatra League, was found hanging in a flat in Dhaka’s Vatara area late Monday night. Police recovered the body from a residence in Bashundhara Residential Area’s E Block around midnight and sent it to Dhaka Medical College for autopsy. Local residents expressed suspicion about the nature of his death, with one witness suggesting it might be a planned murder due to the unusual position of the body. Another neighbor mentioned that Rayhan had been showing signs of depression in recent days. According to police sources, an investigation is underway to determine whether the incident was suicide or homicide. Rayhan was said to be the general secretary of the banned Laksham Upazila unit of the Chhatra League in Cumilla. Authorities are awaiting the post-mortem report to confirm the cause of death.

Government primary school assistant teachers across Bangladesh have launched a three-day full-day work stoppage starting Tuesday, November 25, to press for three key demands: upgrading their entry-level pay to the 11th grade, ensuring 100% departmental promotion, and resolving complexities in obtaining higher grades after 10 and 16 years of service. The strike, organized by the Primary Assistant Teachers’ Unity Council, has halted classes nationwide. Despite prolonged discussions with the government, teachers claim no visible progress has been made beyond verbal assurances. The organization warned that if their demands remain unmet, they will boycott annual examinations and begin an indefinite hunger strike from December 11. According to the Directorate of Primary Education, Bangladesh has 65,567 government primary schools employing about 384,000 teachers. The teachers expressed dissatisfaction after the government upgraded head teachers’ pay scales earlier this year but left assistant teachers’ grades unchanged, despite their higher qualifications compared to other public sector employees.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s health condition has shown some improvement, according to Dr. Shahabuddin Talukder, a specialist at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was admitted to the hospital on Sunday with infections in her heart and lungs and is currently being treated under the supervision of a medical board in a cabin. Although her condition is reported to be better, doctors have indicated that it will take more time before she can return home. Party leaders and supporters have requested prayers for her recovery. From London, her son Tarique Rahman and his wife Zubaida Rahman are closely monitoring her condition, while in Dhaka, her late son Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Syeda Sharmila Rahman is staying by her side.

Experts have revealed that around 70% of buildings in Chattogram are at high risk of collapse in the event of a major earthquake measuring 7–8 on the Richter scale. Poor construction practices, lack of soil testing, weak foundations, and extreme population density have made the city dangerously vulnerable. Unplanned areas such as Reazuddin Bazar, Khatunganj, New Market, and Bahaddarhat are particularly at risk. Despite previous warnings and incidents, including the 1997 Hamzarbag building collapse that killed 23 people, authorities like the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) have failed to take effective action. A recent 5.7-magnitude quake caused panic across the city, highlighting the fragility of many structures. Experts also warned that vital installations such as the port, airport, and refineries could face severe damage. Fire Service officials cautioned that even moderate tremors could cause catastrophic casualties due to old and unregulated buildings. Urban planners and disaster experts have urged immediate enforcement of building codes and stronger preparedness measures.

The National Pay Commission of Bangladesh has held a meeting with secretaries from various ministries and departments to discuss the formulation of a new national pay scale. The meeting, chaired by Zakir Ahmed Khan, took place on Monday afternoon and was described as productive, though not all secretaries attended. The commission, formed on July 27 to design a modern and appropriate salary structure for government employees, has already collected public feedback online from October 1 to 15. Economic adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that three reports will be reviewed before final recommendations are made, with the current government setting a framework for implementation by the next administration. Meanwhile, employee leaders have issued a November 30 deadline for the commission to submit its recommendations, warning of strong protests if delayed. They also announced a mass rally in Dhaka on December 5 to demand timely implementation of the new pay scale.

A man died and 17 others fell ill after consuming food at a wedding ceremony in Agradigun Bazar area of Dhamoirhat upazila, Naogaon, on Sunday. The deceased, identified as Mozammel Hossain, 38, was among around 250 guests who attended the event. Following the meal, several attendees began suffering from vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Five of the seriously ill individuals were identified as Joydeb (33), Rehena Begum (36), Babu (10), Zahidul (38), and Mozammel (28). They are currently receiving treatment at Patnitala Upazila Health Complex. Mozammel Hossain was initially admitted there but was later referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital due to his deteriorating condition; he died on the way. Local authorities suspect food poisoning as the cause, and health officials confirmed that 18 patients were admitted following the incident. The deceased was buried at his family graveyard on Monday afternoon.

In Sitakunda’s Syedpur union of Chattogram, villagers used mosque loudspeakers to mobilize and chase away two Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, Jasim Uddin and former commissioner Rehan Uddin Rihan, who allegedly attempted to fill around 100 acres of farmland with sand from the sea. The land, reportedly purchased by Awami League leader and Pacific Jeans managing director Syed Tanvir Hossain, was being prepared for industrial use without environmental clearance. Hundreds of villagers gathered, dismantled sand pipes, and forced the group to flee, leaving several injured. Local farmers and political leaders condemned the destruction of winter crops and demanded government intervention. The district Jamaat leadership denied involvement, claiming the accused acted independently. Sitakunda’s Upazila Nirbahi Officer confirmed no permission was granted for sand extraction and promised legal action against those responsible. The incident has sparked widespread outrage over environmental damage and land misuse in the coastal area.

BNP Assistant International Affairs Secretary Rumin Farhana has alleged that the Bangladeshi government is providing tacit support to groups identified as 'Tawhidi Janata', who have been involved in recent mob violence across the country. Speaking on a private television talk show, she claimed that these groups operate in different regions under various identities but share a common link through government tolerance. Farhana criticized the authorities for failing to take decisive action beyond issuing condemnations, despite repeated attacks on minority communities, cultural events, and women. She cited incidents involving assaults on Baul and Ahmadiyya communities, disruptions of theatrical performances, and harassment of female athletes and artists. According to her, over 380 shrines were attacked in the past year without any legal consequences. Farhana argued that the ruling Awami League benefits politically from these mobs, using them as a pressure group to advance agendas indirectly while ensuring they face no legal obstacles from law enforcement.