Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland (Shirley Botchwey) met with Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Sunday, November 23. The meeting focused on preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and a planned referendum. Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Hossain and a six-member Commonwealth delegation also attended the meeting. The Secretary-General arrived in Dhaka on Thursday for a five-day official visit, during which she is scheduled to hold discussions with key political and institutional stakeholders ahead of the February elections. The visit underscores the Commonwealth’s interest in supporting transparent and credible electoral processes in Bangladesh as the country gears up for a crucial national vote.

A series of earthquakes over two consecutive days in Palash upazila of Narsingdi, Bangladesh, have caused significant damage, including cracks in the historic Ghorashal railway bridge built during the British era. The first tremor occurred on Friday, November 21, at 10:38 a.m., resulting in two fatalities and structural damage to both public and private buildings. Cracks appeared in the bridge’s second and third pillars, raising safety concerns among passengers and residents, as at least 16 pairs of trains use the bridge daily. Following the incident, railway officials and the Palash upazila administration inspected the site on Saturday, November 22. Local residents have urged authorities to take immediate measures to ensure the bridge’s safety. Officials confirmed that the damage has been reported to the railway authorities for further assessment and necessary action.

A violent clash broke out at a trade and cottage industry fair in Shimultali, Gazipur, on Saturday night following an altercation over cigarette pricing. Witnesses reported that a vendor was selling cigarettes at a higher price than usual, leading to an argument when a buyer refused to pay the inflated rate. The situation escalated as the buyer was allegedly assaulted by the vendor and fair authorities. News of the assault quickly spread, prompting local residents to attack the fairgrounds. Several stalls, lottery booths, and offices were vandalized during the ensuing chaos. At least 20 visitors were injured while trying to flee the scene. Law enforcement arrived around 12:30 a.m. and brought the situation under control. Police officials described the incident as a minor dispute that spiraled into violence between locals and fair organizers.

An explosion occurred at the Bashundhara Cement factory in Madanpur, Bandar upazila of Narayanganj on Saturday evening, leaving six workers severely burned. The incident took place while workers were operating the boiler section of the plant. The injured—Tajul Islam (35), Kamal Hossain (45), Nahid (22), Ferdous (35), Atikur Rahman (42), and Torab Ali (55)—were immediately taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. According to resident physician Dr. Shawon Bin Rahman, all six sustained significant burn injuries, with Nahid suffering burns over 40% of his body. Most of the victims have facial burns and respiratory tract damage, complicating their condition. They are currently under intensive observation at the institute. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the explosion, and an investigation is expected to follow to determine the reason behind the industrial accident.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 of Bangladesh has scheduled hearings for the formation of charges against 13 army officers accused in two cases related to enforced disappearances and torture, considered crimes against humanity. The hearings are set for December 3 and December 7, as decided by a three-member bench led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder. The accused officers were presented before the tribunal earlier, and their lawyers requested permission for virtual appearances in future sessions. The tribunal also directed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and the Information Secretary to remove judges’ photos and contemptuous comments circulating on social media concerning the verdict in Sheikh Hasina’s case. Previously, on October 8, arrest warrants were issued against 25 current and former army officers in connection with coup-related killings, while 15 officers were later produced before the tribunal and sent to custody.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 of Bangladesh has appointed senior Supreme Court lawyer Z I Khan Panna as legal counsel for Sheikh Hasina in two cases involving enforced disappearances and torture, which are being treated as crimes against humanity. The appointment was made on Sunday, November 23, under the leadership of Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar. Earlier that morning, 13 army officers were presented before the tribunal in connection with the same cases, which name a total of 30 accused, including Hasina. Panna, known for his previous expressions of interest in representing Hasina, attended the tribunal session before his formal appointment. The cases relate to allegations of abduction and abuse during the Awami League government’s tenure, marking a significant legal development in Bangladesh’s ongoing accountability proceedings for alleged human rights violations.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has ordered the removal of judges’ photos and related comments circulating on social media following the verdict against Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumdar, issued the directive to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and the Information Secretary. On November 13, the tribunal sentenced Hasina and Kamal to death and Al-Mamun to five years in prison for crimes against humanity committed between July and August. After the verdict, derogatory remarks and images of the judges spread online, prompting the tribunal to act on its own initiative. The court emphasized that freedom of expression must operate within the law and without defamation. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and other prosecutors represented the state, while defense lawyers and journalists were also present during the proceedings.

Gas supply in parts of Narayanganj’s Fatullah area has been disrupted after a Titas Gas distribution pipeline burst during construction work on the Panchabati-Muktarpur flyover. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the BISIC Shashangao area when workers were laying the foundation for the flyover. According to Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company’s regional deputy general manager Mamunur Rashid, a 12-inch underground pipeline was damaged and requires excavation for repair. Gas supply had already been reduced for maintenance, but full restoration remains uncertain as repair work continues. Authorities have not provided a specific timeline for completion. Similar incidents have occurred previously during the same project, causing inconvenience to residents and affecting production in nearby industries dependent on gas supply.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has expressed concern that a level playing field is absent ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming national election. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka on November 23, he alleged that misuse of administration, influence of money, and muscle power continue to dominate the country’s electoral culture. Islam criticized the Election Commission, government, and administration for failing to ensure neutrality and fairness, claiming that some political groups are openly discussing control over administrative mechanisms. Referring to ongoing political negotiations surrounding the so-called ‘July Charter,’ he warned that the election could become a staged or compromised process, harming democracy. Despite these concerns, Islam reaffirmed NCP’s commitment to participate in the election and called for public trust and support, emphasizing that the party’s progress depends on people’s confidence and cooperation.

Rashed Khan, General Secretary of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, has criticized former student leaders who once advocated for nonpartisan or restricted student politics at Dhaka University but are now actively participating in election campaigns for political parties. In a Facebook post, he alleged that those who once sought to ban student politics did so to weaken independent student organizations. Khan expressed surprise that even elected student union leaders, who had pledged to remain free from party influence, are now campaigning under party symbols. He further claimed that the Chhatra Adhikar Parishad, his organization, practiced the least partisan politics but faced obstacles due to its independent stance. Khan reiterated his call for clean and nonpartisan student politics, arguing that student representatives tied to political parties cannot bring meaningful change to university politics or effectively uphold students’ rights.

In Dhaka’s Lalbagh area, a major road stretching from Chapra Mosque to the Maternity Hospital intersection has been illegally occupied for decades by hundreds of makeshift and permanent shops. The encroachment has turned the road into a permanent market, causing severe traffic congestion, pollution, and daily suffering for office workers, students, and residents. Locals allege that both the police and Dhaka South City Corporation have failed to take effective action despite repeated complaints and occasional eviction drives that yield only temporary relief. The market, selling everything from tea to fish and vegetables, generates unhygienic waste and fosters an unsafe environment. Residents claim that some political figures and corrupt officials are profiting through extortion. City officials have offered little response, with key officers unavailable for comment. Locals demand immediate clearance of the road and sidewalks to restore normal movement and prevent further deterioration of living conditions in the densely populated neighborhood.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Shering Tobgay, currently on a two-day official visit to Bangladesh, met with leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Sunday morning at the hotel where he is staying. The meeting was attended by NCP convener Nahid Islam and other senior party members, though details of their discussions were not disclosed. Tobgay arrived in Dhaka on Saturday morning for his state visit. Later that day, two memorandums of understanding were signed in the presence of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Prime Minister Tobgay, focusing on cooperation in the health sector and enhancing internet connectivity between the two nations. The visit underscores the growing bilateral engagement between Bangladesh and Bhutan, particularly in areas of technology and public health.

Bangladesh Bank has announced the closure of all direct customer services, including the sale of savings certificates, prize bonds, and the exchange of damaged notes, across all its offices from Sunday, November 23. The central bank stated that the decision was made considering security concerns, as it is a Key Point Installation (KPI) institution. Previously, such services were available at its Motijheel head office and regional branches in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Bogura, Rajshahi, and Sylhet. Initially, the closure was scheduled to begin on November 30 at the Motijheel office, followed by other branches, but the timeline was advanced for simultaneous implementation. Bangladesh Bank emphasized that central banks worldwide do not provide direct counter services to the public. To ensure uninterrupted service delivery, the regulator will enhance monitoring of commercial banks, which will continue to handle these customer-related transactions.

Bangladesh will face Italy for the first time in international cricket during the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. According to a leaked grouping reported by Cricbuzz, Bangladesh will share Group C with England, West Indies, Italy, and Nepal. Italy, a relatively unknown name in global cricket, qualified for the tournament through the European regional qualifiers. The 2026 T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams divided into five groups of four, with the top two from each advancing to the Super Eight stage. The tournament will run from February 7 to March 8, with the final likely to be held in Ahmedabad or Colombo. The full schedule is expected to be released on November 25. Other notable matchups include India versus Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. Hosts India and Sri Lanka will be joined by teams qualifying through rankings and regional events, making this one of the most diverse T20 World Cups yet.

Following an emergency closure declared by Dhaka University due to post-earthquake safety concerns, students have started vacating residential halls. From Sunday morning, students were seen leaving with their belongings from various halls, including Rokeya, Mohsin, and Shahidullah halls. Many students welcomed the university administration’s decision, citing visible cracks in several buildings and the need for urgent repairs. Some residents of Rokeya Hall said that the closure period should be used to carry out necessary renovations to ensure safer accommodation. Meanwhile, a group of residential students staged an overnight sit-in in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, demanding visible solutions for safe housing and raising three specific demands. The university administration earlier announced that all halls must be vacated by 5 p.m. Sunday, with the closure to remain effective until December 6.