The Bangladesh government has decided to import non-basmati rice from India through a Singapore-based supplier to keep domestic rice prices stable. Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed announced the decision after a government purchase advisory committee meeting at the Secretariat on Monday. He stated that while rice prices have somewhat stabilized, there are signs of a slight increase, prompting the government to act preemptively. The choice of a Singapore supplier was based on competitive pricing, quality, and timely delivery. Ahmed also mentioned that the government aims to finalize a revised budget by December, taking into account increased expenditures for the upcoming national election and referendum, which will be held on the same day. He acknowledged the logistical challenges of conducting both events simultaneously but supported the decision as efficient. The meeting also approved fertilizer and refined oil purchases, along with three road development projects.

Dhaka’s Metro Rail is set to introduce an online recharge system for its Rapid Pass and MRT Pass cards starting Tuesday, November 25. The new service will be inaugurated at Agargaon Metro Station by Sheikh Moinuddin, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry. Under the new system developed by the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), passengers can recharge their cards through credit cards, bKash, Nagad, Rocket, or other online banking platforms. After completing payment online, users must tap their cards at newly installed AVM machines at stations to activate the recharge. A small service fee will apply for online transactions. Unused recharges will remain valid for three months and will be refunded automatically with a 10% deduction if not activated. The DTCA has installed 32 AVM machines across 16 stations from Uttara to Motijheel. Currently, about 55% of Metro Rail passengers use these cards, and authorities expect the new system to improve convenience and efficiency for commuters.

BNP Standing Committee member and former state minister for communications Salahuddin Ahmed extended financial assistance to families affected by a recent fire in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar. On Monday afternoon, his personal secretary, Md. Safwanul Karim, distributed Tk 50,000 to each of six families whose homes were destroyed in the blaze, totaling Tk 300,000. The fire, which occurred last Friday evening, completely burned down six houses in Sarkarighona village. Local BNP leaders, including Abu Bakkar, Kamran Jadid Mukut, Ahsan Ullah, and Naimur Rahman Hridoy, were present during the aid distribution. Earlier, Pekua Upazila BNP president and chairman Bahadur Shah had also provided financial support to the victims. Additional assistance from the Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal is expected in the coming days. Salahuddin Ahmed urged others to come forward to help the poor and helpless families affected by the tragedy.

A new report by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) reveals that 41% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients in Bangladesh are not responding to any antibiotics, signaling a severe antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threat. The 'National AMR Surveillance Report 2025', presented by Chief Scientific Officer Professor Dr. Zakir Hossain Habib, analyzed samples from 96,477 patients between July 2024 and June 2025 across five ICUs. The findings show that pan-drug-resistant (PDR) bacteria were found in 7% of all samples and 41% of ICU cases, while multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria appeared in 46% of all samples and 89% of ICU cases. The use of WHO watch-group antibiotics rose from 77% to 90.9%, with ceftriaxone and meropenem being the most used. Dr. Habib warned that unregulated and excessive antibiotic use has pushed AMR to a dangerous level, posing a major public health risk for Bangladesh.

A fire broke out on Monday evening at the canteen section of Dhaka University’s Bijoy Ekattor Hall extension area. According to the Fire Service, they received the alert at 6:13 p.m. and dispatched four units that quickly reached the site and brought the blaze under control. Witnesses reported that the fire may have originated from a gas cylinder explosion inside one of the food stalls. The incident caused panic among students, prompting many to evacuate the building. Hall Provost Dr. S. M. Ali Reza stated that the exact cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed, though a cylinder explosion is suspected. University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed confirmed that the fire was fully contained within minutes, and no injuries or fatalities were reported. Authorities said the extent of damage and the definitive cause will be determined after an investigation.

The Bangladesh government has issued a formal reprimand against Barishal Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner and former Narsingdi Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Abdul Hannan after allegations of irregularities, abuse of power, and tarnishing the police’s image were proven true. According to a Ministry of Home Affairs circular signed by Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani, the disciplinary action followed an internal investigation that found Hannan had allegedly paid Tk 5 million in bribes in 2023 to secure his posting as Narsingdi SP. The posting was not realized due to political changes in August 2024. Later, in November 2023, after assuming office, Hannan and a subordinate officer reportedly collected Tk 500,000 from the same individual in Dhaka without authorization. Despite the serious nature of the offenses, which include bribery—a criminal act—the government imposed only a reprimand as punishment, raising questions about accountability within the police force.

The Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Palestine in Dhaka, Mr. Ziad M. H. Hamad, paid a courtesy visit to Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan on Monday. During the meeting, they discussed opportunities for Palestinian students to study at Dhaka University, including admission procedures, scholarships, and tuition fee waivers. The diplomat requested the university’s cooperation in providing scholarships and fee exemptions for Palestinian students. In response, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Khan assured full support and possible assistance from the university to facilitate educational opportunities for Palestinian nationals. The meeting was attended by Dhaka University Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Provost of Shamsunnahar Hall Professor Dr. Nasrin Sultana, and Director of the International Affairs Office Professor Dr. Syeda Rozana Rashid. The information was confirmed by the university’s Public Relations Officer Mohammad Rafiqul Islam.

The Government of Bangladesh has promulgated the 'Deposit Protection Ordinance, 2025' to strengthen depositor confidence and ensure financial stability in the banking sector. Under the new ordinance, depositors will be entitled to receive up to Tk 200,000 immediately if a bank or financial institution is liquidated or closed. The ordinance, issued by the President under Article 93(1) of the Constitution due to the dissolution of Parliament, replaces the Bank Deposit Insurance Act of 2000. A new Deposit Protection Department will be established under Bangladesh Bank to oversee premium collection, fund management, member inspections, and payout operations. Two separate protection funds will be created for banks and financial institutions, financed through premiums, penalties, and investment income. All existing banks will automatically become members, while financial institutions will join by July 1, 2028. Certain government and foreign deposits will remain excluded. Bangladesh Bank will also be empowered to cooperate with foreign regulators and adopt international standards to enhance depositor protection.

A fire erupted at Dhaka University’s Bijoy Ekattor Hall on Monday evening, November 24, around 6:13 p.m. According to the Fire Service control room, four units were dispatched immediately to the scene near the Jamuna building extension. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion before seeing flames and smoke rising from the extension area. Preliminary reports suggest that the fire may have been caused by a gas cylinder explosion. Firefighters were working to bring the blaze under control, and no casualties had been reported at the time of the initial update. The incident caused panic among students residing in the hall, though authorities responded quickly to prevent the fire from spreading further. Further investigations are underway to determine the exact cause and extent of the damage.

The Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUSU) has released the preliminary list of candidates for its upcoming election following the verification of nomination papers. The announcement was made on Sunday through a notice signed by Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Mostafa Hasan. According to the notice, any aggrieved candidate may appeal to the president of the central students’ union within one day of the list’s publication. The election commission has clearly specified the appeal deadline. Under the current structure, JnUSU has 21 posts, including president, general secretary, assistant general secretary, 11 secretarial positions, and 7 executive member posts. The preliminary list shows 12 candidates for vice president, 11 for general secretary, and 13 for assistant general secretary. Additionally, multiple candidates have submitted nominations for various secretarial and executive positions, with 28 candidates vying for executive member posts.

The Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Coordinated Council has warned of large-scale protests if the National Pay Commission fails to submit its recommendations for a new pay scale by November 30. Council President Badiul Kabir stated that employees are united and ready to launch greater movements if their demands are not met. The Pay Commission, chaired by Zakir Ahmed Khan, held a meeting on Monday with secretaries from various ministries to review pay structures for government, semi-government, autonomous, and state-owned institutions. The commission aims to finalize recommendations for salary, allowances, and benefits based on these reviews. Although the commission is expected to submit its final report by late December, Kabir insisted that at least a summary should be submitted within the set deadline. If the recommendations are delayed, a mass rally on December 5 will announce further protest programs.

A construction worker named Parvez, aged 30, was allegedly beaten to death in Sonachora area of Bandar upazila, Narayanganj, after being accused of stealing electrical wires. The incident occurred on Monday morning at the residence of a man named Mesbah Uddin. According to police, Parvez’s body was recovered and sent to Narayanganj General Hospital for autopsy. His wife, Khadija Begum, claimed her husband was innocent and worked as a construction laborer, not a thief. She alleged that he was falsely accused and brutally assaulted to death. Bandar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Liakat Ali, confirmed that legal proceedings are underway and efforts are being made to arrest those involved. The incident has sparked outrage in the local community, with demands for justice and accountability against mob violence.

Bangladeshi film director Ananya Mamun has called for a fair trial for Baul singer Abul Sarkar, who is currently in jail over allegations of making derogatory remarks about Islam and Allah during a musical performance in Manikganj. In a Facebook post, Mamun stated that no artist should be exempted from legal consequences for hurting religious sentiments and emphasized that Sarkar’s comments were highly offensive. The controversy began after a video of Sarkar’s performance went viral, sparking widespread outrage on social media and prompting protests by Islamic groups demanding his arrest. Police detained Sarkar in Madaripur and later presented him before a Manikganj court, which ordered his imprisonment. The case, filed by a local imam, accuses Sarkar of distorting Quranic verses and misleading followers under the guise of being a spiritual leader. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of assets worth approximately Tk 44.78 crore belonging to Nazrul Islam Majumder, chairman of NASA Group, amid ongoing allegations of amassing wealth beyond known income sources. The order, issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez, includes a 39.75-katha plot in Gulshan and 487 decimals of land in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon and Dhaka’s Ashulia. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the petition, alleging that Majumder abused his power to acquire assets worth over Tk 781 crore through bribery and corruption. Authorities argued that Majumder was attempting to sell properties under the pretext of paying workers and settling company dues, which could harm state interests before case resolution. Earlier, on November 18, assets worth Tk 180 crore and several bank accounts were frozen. The latest order aims to prevent further transfer or sale of the disputed properties until the corruption case is resolved.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat, Bangladesh, is deteriorating rapidly due to rising salinity and the impacts of climate change. Cracks, peeling lime plaster, and salt deposits are visible on the mosque’s walls, domes, and especially the mihrab. Studies by Khulna University, the National Geographic Society, and ICOMOS reveal that temperature rise, industrial pollution, monsoon humidity, and groundwater salinity are accelerating the damage. The Department of Archaeology has formed a five-member expert committee led by former Director General Dr. Md. Shafiqul Alam to assess the structure, which found the mihrab at risk of collapse. Corrosion in iron clamps has weakened the building’s load-bearing capacity. Regional Director Lovely Yasmin stated that with UNESCO’s assistance, a detailed decay map will be created, and international experts will join urgent conservation efforts. Experts warn that without immediate action, the mosque could be declared an ‘endangered world heritage site,’ posing a significant cultural loss for Bangladesh.