A 20-year-old student of East West University, identified as B.M. Mushfiquzzaman, was found dead near the university’s main campus in Aftabnagar, Badda, Dhaka, on Thursday evening. Security personnel discovered him unconscious beside the Farauddin Building and rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. Mushfiquzzaman, a first-year student of Mathematics, Medical, and Physics, was originally from Panchgaon village in Tongibari, Munshiganj, and lived with his family in Khilgaon. His father is associated with the management of the national women’s kabaddi team. Police confirmed the recovery of the body and said it has been sent to the hospital morgue for autopsy. The cause of death remains unknown pending the post-mortem report, and authorities have informed the local police station for further investigation.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali has warned that attempts to weaken police morale through acts of sabotage, including recent cocktail attacks, could endanger public safety. Speaking at the inauguration of the DMP’s new Cyber Support Center, he emphasized that if police morale collapses, citizens may have to protect their own homes. The commissioner highlighted that the newly launched center is designed to combat evolving cybercrimes such as online fraud, digital harassment, defamation, and gambling. Equipped with advanced laboratories, digital forensic experts, and a 24-hour response team, the center aims to provide faster and more effective services, particularly to protect women and youth from online abuse. Citizens can report cybercrime incidents through the center’s official Facebook page or email. Addressing questions about alleged shoot-to-kill orders against attackers, Sajjat clarified that he issued no new directives, only reminded officers of existing laws.

Jamaat-e-Islami is reportedly planning significant changes to its candidate list for Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, signaling a possible seat-sharing arrangement with seven other Islamist-leaning parties. The coalition aims to present the election as participatory by coordinating nominations to maximize winning potential rather than focusing on equal seat distribution. Jamaat had earlier announced candidates for all 300 constituencies, but now intends to leave several seats for allies and influential figures, including former vice-chancellors, student leaders, and prominent Islamic scholars. Party sources suggest that popular preachers like Mizanur Rahman Azhari and Amir Hamza may receive nominations, though official confirmation remains pending. Jamaat leaders emphasize unity among Islamist groups and broader inclusion of professionals and community representatives under a single electoral platform. The move reflects a strategic shift from earlier positions and aims to strengthen the Islamist bloc’s parliamentary presence.

A fatal accident occurred on Thursday afternoon in Chattogram’s port area when a private car veered off the elevated expressway and fell onto the ground below. The incident, which took place around 4 p.m., left one person dead and at least four others seriously injured. According to Sirajul Islam, the investigating officer of Bandar Police Station, the car was traveling from Patenga toward the city when it lost control and plunged off the expressway. A pedestrian named Shafik, aged 55 and reportedly a port worker, sustained critical injuries and later died after being taken to a hospital. The four injured individuals were rescued and transported to Islami Bank Hospital in Agrabad for treatment. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which has raised concerns about road safety on the newly constructed elevated expressway in the port city.

A fire and crude bomb explosion occurred early Thursday morning at the residence of Umme Uswatun Rafia, an executive member of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu). The incident was confirmed by Daksu’s Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary Fatima Tasnim Juma. According to a Facebook post by Daksu’s Literature and Cultural Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibn Mohammad, the attack involved gunpowder and was allegedly carried out by a group referred to as 'Jongi League'. Authorities have yet to confirm the motive or identify the perpetrators. No casualties were immediately reported, but the event has raised concerns over the safety of student leaders and the growing tension within student politics at Dhaka University.

Twelve-year-old Aryan Afif, who suffered severe burns in the Uttara Milestone School and College plane crash in Dhaka, has finally returned home after 122 days of intensive treatment. Admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery with 40% burns, Aryan underwent 34 surgeries and spent multiple periods in the ICU, including three days on life support. Doctors initially feared for his survival, but Aryan’s determination and the relentless efforts of medical staff led to his remarkable recovery. On November 20, he was discharged and reunited with his mother, who expressed deep gratitude and emotion. Institute Director Dr. Mohammad Nasir Uddin described Aryan’s case as one of the most challenging in their careers, emphasizing both physical and psychological healing. The institute will continue to provide follow-up care, while Dr. Uddin urged society to support Aryan’s long-term rehabilitation.

The Bangladesh government plans to complete a nationwide rice and paddy procurement drive before the February national election to ensure strong food reserves for the incoming administration. Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder announced that the target for the current Aman season is 700,000 tons—comprising 50,000 tons of paddy, 50,000 tons of atap rice, and 600,000 tons of parboiled rice—purchased directly from farmers. The procurement campaign will run until February 28, 2026. Farmers will receive Tk 39 per kg for paddy, Tk 50 for parboiled rice, and Tk 49 for atap rice. The government has also expanded its food-friendly program to cover 5.5 million families for six months instead of five. Last season’s shortfall in collection led to the decision to import 800,000 tons of rice in FY2024–25. Despite current self-sufficiency, retail rice prices in Dhaka range between Tk 54 and Tk 85 per kg, depending on quality.

BNP central leader and former minister Advocate M Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) does not follow India’s directives in its political activities but works solely for the people of Bangladesh. Speaking at a public rally in Natore’s Kamar Diar area, Dulu emphasized that the people’s trust lies with the BNP and its election symbol, the sheaf of paddy. He criticized the ruling Awami League for what he described as a lack of development in Natore over the past 17 years and urged BNP activists to campaign door-to-door for votes. Earlier, at a meeting with retired bankers and workers, Dulu said the BNP had introduced the caretaker government system to ensure fair elections, which the Awami League later abolished. He welcomed a recent court ruling reinstating the caretaker system, calling it a victory for the people of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Asif Nazrul announced that the government will finalize the referendum law within the next three to four working days. The Election Commission is currently awaiting the ordinance to proceed with preparations. The move follows Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s earlier declaration that a national referendum will be held on the same day as the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, scheduled for the first half of February. Yunus emphasized that the simultaneous referendum and election will not hinder ongoing reforms but will make the process more festive and cost-effective. The law is expected to provide the necessary legal framework for organizing the referendum alongside the general election, marking a significant step in Bangladesh’s political process under the interim administration.

Dhaka University has achieved a major milestone by securing the top position in South Asia and ranking 52nd globally in the Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Ranking 2026. The ranking, published by the UK-based Times Higher Education magazine, evaluated 911 universities from 94 countries. This year, 12 Bangladeshi universities—both public and private—made it to the list, with Dhaka University attaining the highest position among them. The interdisciplinary science ranking emphasizes universities’ performance in cross-disciplinary research, assessed through three main frameworks: input (funding and research investment), process (success measurement, facilities, and administrative support), and output (publications, research quality, impact, and reputation). A total of 11 performance indicators were used to determine the final standings. Dhaka University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan, congratulated faculty, students, and staff for their contribution to this achievement, noting the ongoing efforts of a 16-member committee working to improve the university’s global ranking.

Bangladeshi shipbuilder Western Marine Shipyard has exported three newly built landing crafts named Maya, Emi, and Muna to the United Arab Emirates-based Marwan Shipping Limited. The handover ceremony took place on November 20 on the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram. UAE Ambassador Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al Hamoudi praised the collaboration as a sign of strengthening bilateral ties and expressed optimism for future exports from Bangladesh. Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, highlighted Western Marine’s contribution to diversifying Bangladesh’s export portfolio. The crafts, each 69 meters long and 16 meters wide, were built under Bureau Veritas classification standards and can operate at 10 nautical miles per hour. Equipped with Yanmar engines, electro-hydraulic ramp winches, and advanced navigation systems, the vessels are designed for heavy equipment and bulk cargo transport. The delivery is part of an eight-ship contract signed in 2023 between Western Marine and Marwan Shipping.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast a drop of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius in nighttime temperatures across the country over the next few days. According to a 120-hour forecast signed by meteorologist Kazi Zebunnesa, a low-pressure area is likely to develop over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining regions around November 22, which may later intensify. The subcontinental high-pressure ridge currently extends over West Bengal and nearby areas, while the seasonal low lies over the southern Bay of Bengal. Weather across Bangladesh is expected to remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies through November 24. Both daytime and nighttime temperatures may slightly decrease before stabilizing early next week. The BMD also indicated that no significant weather changes are expected over the next five days.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has summoned national cricketer and former MP Shakib Al Hasan for questioning in connection with a stock market manipulation case. According to an official notice issued on November 20, Shakib has been asked to appear at the ACC headquarters on November 26. The case involves allegations that Md. Abul Khayer alias Hiru and others engaged in irregularities and fraud in the stock market, misleading investors and laundering illicit profits. Shakib is among 15 individuals accused in the case, which alleges embezzlement of over Tk 256 crore. The ACC stated that Shakib will be questioned regarding both the stock market case and a separate inquiry into his alleged accumulation of wealth beyond known sources of income. This summons follows earlier legal troubles involving Shakib, including a murder case and a cheque dishonor case filed earlier this year.

Pakistani pop sensation Atif Aslam is set to return to Dhaka for a live concert on December 13, 2025. The singer confirmed the news himself through a social media post, sharing a photo from one of his previous performances. The event, titled 'Atif Aslam at Main Stage Show', is being organized by Main Stage, the same company bringing him to Bangladesh. The concert will take place at Bashundhara Field, with gates opening at 1 p.m. and the show running from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Ticket sales are expected to begin soon, available in two categories: General and Front VIP. Atif Aslam last performed in Dhaka on November 29, 2024, at the 'Magical Night 2.0' concert, which drew a large audience and featured many of his popular songs. Fans are eagerly anticipating his upcoming performance, marking another major musical event in the city’s entertainment calendar.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) conducted a pre-dawn raid in Moinpur area of Sunamganj Sadar upazila, seizing a large consignment of smuggled goods brought illegally from India. Acting on intelligence, the task force recovered 1,229 Indian saris, 208 three-piece dresses, and 195 cosmetic items from an abandoned warehouse and a boat on the Surma River. The seized items, valued at approximately Tk 15.76 million, were found without any owners present. Lieutenant Colonel A.K.M. Zakaria Kadir, commander of BGB Battalion-28, stated that surveillance and intelligence operations have been intensified along the border to prevent smuggling and illegal crossings. The confiscated goods are being processed for handover to the customs office. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to continuing strict monitoring to curb cross-border smuggling activities in the region.